Parchment Paths

Well, winter is in full swing, along with cold and snow that comes with it. I don't mind the snow it's the extreme cold that gets me.  Brrrrr, well no use complaining about it, but none the less, I'd like to go out and enjoy the snow without  freezing or worrying about my car not starting or my pipes freezing.  But, all that being said, there are some advantages to the cold. Snuggling under blankets and watching a good movie, or reading a good book, lighting candles, baking cookies, hot chocolate!  Being so cold outside, give us all a good excuse to create as much warmth as possible. So, here's to being cozy.

I hadn't really thought about my New Year's Resolution  till while reading my devotional book, Jesus Calling. The author challenged the readers to whenever they feel like fretting and constantly praying for the same thing, to simply say, "I trust you, Jesus." I don't know about you, but when I'm worried about anything I babble about it, to God, my friends, family, anyone.  And instead of feeling better, I worry even more.  So, now whenever I start panicking and worrying about anything, I try to follow the advise. "I trust you, Jesus."  I won't claim that I'm cured of worrying, but I do it much less, letting God handle it and trusting Him.  

With the winter already in full swing my niece and nephew may be getting restless for the days of warm outdoor play. So, what to do with all of the indoor hours they're kids are faced with? Crafts are always a good idea but I've been thinking about going the unique rout and combining craft time with game time by creating  photography studio? My own camera will work perfectly for the actual picture taking and backdrops can be created by utilizing old sheets or even left over Christmas wrapping paper. I have a roll plain wrapping paper so I can let the kids  break out the makers  and create a scene of their choosing, could be space, or a fairy castle. If  I or their parents had extra furniture stored in the attic or basement the family can arrange the furniture for the photo shoots. We could  create a mock library, formal sitting room, or old fashioned nursery, depending on the type of props available. But, I will have to wait on that idea till one of us...

I love Christmas and no matter how weary I get with working in retail during the holiday, I'm always a little sad when it's over. There is so much time and energy spent on the day and then it races past like a locomotive. The good thing is, it will come back, a whole year, but it will return.  Still, I miss it, maybe that;s why I don't mind when friends and I exchange gifts late, or Dad and I wait a bit to take down the tree. I like to make it last, to enjoy it to the last possible second before saying goodbye.

Well, my church's play "Light of the World" opened and closed already. It went very, very well, thanks to everyone who acted, painted sets, ran the lights, and of course to our writer and director, and to our wonderful audience! I hope it brightened everyone's Christmastime, I know it did mine. True, it made things a bit hectic for me, but it was completely worth it. After church today, we cleared away all of the props and costumes. It was a bit sad, yes, I don't have to rush straight from church to work anymore, but I enjoyed it, not just the acting, but getting to know people in my church better, which is part of Christmas, being with people and helping them enjoy the holiday even more. 

I attended my six year old nephew's school holiday concert. It was the first school even I've been to since I saw my best friend in seventh grade perform with her orchestra for her middle school.  I'd forgotten how cute they can be! They sang songs about polka dancing penguins, read poems about decorating Christmas trees and finished with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."  With everything that distracts us adults at Christmas, it's nice to remember that it all began with a Child, and the giving of toys, and the singing of songs, and even Santa, all point back to the real meaning of the holiday,  the Christ Child's love for all humanity. 

On Saturday, December 21st, at 7:00pm High Point Baptist Church in Larksville, invites you to step back in time to 1940’s Holland to see how two different families celebrate both Christmas and Hanukah during the German occupation of World War Two.   Written and directed by church member and drama team member since 2006, Aimee Novak , the one act play entitled, "Light of the World "    displays how the two families, one Christina and the other Jewish react to the increasingly difficult times in which they live. When asked how she chose the time period of the play, she explained that has been inspired by the book, "Diary of Anne Frank" ever since her mother gave it to her as a child. “It really struck me in a very personal way.  At the time I first read it, Anne was just a little older than I was, and she and her family had endured so much.” Novak also incorporated the theme of friends willing to endanger themselves for the sake of others into her pla...