Musings of an Unfinished Woman

Dreaming of a White Christmas...Not!!!

 

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope your day is full of memory making moments, laughter, good food, friends and family, and of course, remembering and honoring the reason for the season. We're not having our normal Christmas...too much snow and ice. I know...everyone dreams of having a white Christmas...and yet, for us, we're really tired of snow...and yes, we are having a white Christmas. We currently have about 20" of snow, the highest recorded snowfall for Oregon on Christmas EVER...and it's still snowing. The resulting fall out is closed roads, traction devices required on all roads, and lots of canceled events...no Christmas Eve services, no restaurants open, grocery stores out of fresh food, no family get-together for us. Because of the snow and ice, deliveries of Christmas gifts (by UPS, FedEx and USPS) in Oregon and Washington have been delayed.

This weather has really brought home to me how thankful I am for the basics of life...how often do we stop and just express gratitude for having a warm home, food in the freezer and pantry, electricity (over 60,000 Oregonians are without power right now and have been for days)...the things that we take for granted. I've missed 4 days of work due to the weather but thanks to the marvel of electronics, I've been blessed to work at home. My husband, the UPS driver, hasn't been so lucky. Imagine pulling a handcart loaded with boxes through packed snow and ice for 12 hours...I know there are a lot of people disappointed and angry that their Christmas packages didn't get delivered...but I hope you'll extend grace and understanding to all those guys who have continued to work in extreme circumstances, to get as much delivered as possible.

Russell, Shanna and I opened our gifts last night...Shanna was anxious, as only a 16 year old who is hoping for money, can be...and Russell desperately needed to sleep in...he slept 12 hours last night. We had a lovely Christmas and watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, one of Shanna's favorite movies that she received in her stocking. It's interesting that our time-honored traditions can be put aside out of necessity, and yet, I find a peace and serenity in just being at home...weather like this forces us to slow down. The frantic last minute shopping (fortunately I finished my shopping weeks ago) didn't happen...neither did tons of cooking for the family dinner. No church service...just us...as a family. God has blessed us so much...Russell and I both have good jobs with great benefits, a home, a beautiful, funny daughter who proudly proclaims the name of Jesus...and we have love...thank you Jesus for this day to celebrate your birth. Thank you for the miracles and blessings that you pour on us each day. May your day and the new year be blessed with the love of Jesus.

Winter Wonderland

Snow and ice is rare in Oregon...I'll admit that we're a bunch of wimps...an inch of snow will slow Portland down to a crawl...we're not equipped with snow removal equipment. This last week we've had a series of snow storms, but yesterday, we got almost 10 inches, which effectively shut down the city. We're expecting high winds and freezing rain later today...in the meantime, we're snuggled in and prepared for a few days of really bad weather, with the possibility of power outages. Life has been so hectic so I'll have to admit that Russell and I are thrilled to have a few days at home...with no obligations, no place to go. We've got all our Christmas shopping done, gifts are all wrapped.

As a UPS driver, this is the roughest time of year for them...under normal circumstances, "peak", which is UPS speak for the busy delivery time of year, is long hours. Add in ice and snow, and the job becomes even more stressful. Russell, along with most of his fellow drivers, worked 60 hours this week (by law, they can't drive more than 60 hours a week). Russell's normal route has approximately 90-110 stops...this week, he had approximately 260 stops on his truck every day! Even with a holiday  helper, with this weather, that's an impossible number of stops. If you're expecting packages to be delivered by UPS, USPS, or FedEx, extend some grace and kindness to those drivers...they are all working so hard.

Praises and Prayers

I have many praises and one really big prayer today...

 

It's the Monday after a busy weekend...I'm not normally a "down-on-Mondays" kind of a person...but right now, my heart is heavy...the daughter of one of my co-workers was just diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer. I can't divulge her identity, but she's in her mid-20's and had surgery on Friday. Please pray for this young woman. I don't have any details on her treatment or prognosis but ask that you keep her in your prayers. This is reminder to me that life is so very precious and we shouldn't take anything for granted.

I just finished up my first "term" as a life group leader for our church. Back in the late summer when they announced that they were looking for new life group leaders, I told Russell I wanted to be part of a women's life group but DID NOT want to lead one. I have been praying for more than a year for a few women friends who would become "friends of the heart" and be more than just acquaintances. I didn't want to lead a life group but felt God wanted me to so I signed up and left it up to the Lord...if He wanted it to happen, He would bring just the right women to me...I believe that prayer was answered. I've had five women who have been faithfully coming to my home every week. I'm so thankful for these five women...that they let me be a part of their life, that we were able to share our praises and prayers....I'm thankful that we've been able to share from the heart...to go beyond the surface stuff and allow each other to see inside our insecurities, hurts, hopes and wishes.

Part of the life group commitment was having fun together and serving together, so last Thursday, the six of us went to dinner at Applebees and then onto the Singing Christmas Tree...a fabulous tradition for over 40 years here in Portland. We had such a fun evening together and then on Saturday (at 7:30 am) we met at the church and volunteered at the Coat and Toy Drive sponsored by ALC. It was a blessing to serve those in our church and community who are struggling to afford life, let alone Christmas. I have committed to continuing our life group after the first of the year. If you're not involved in a church...look for one that encourages small groups...what a wonderful way to be a part of another's life...to share, support, praise and pray for each other.

 

Shanna has been taking private saxophone lessons for the last 12 weeks...my only regret is not starting them sooner. Mr. Bondy is absolutely fabulous as an instructor and mentor and she's learned so much from him. Yesterday was the winter recital and it was a movie theme. I'm in awe of anyone who can take an instrument and make beautiful music. She did an awesome job with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", from her favorite movie, Wizard of Oz.

 

I'm also thankful that after ten weeks of getting up early every Saturday, Shanna is finished with Drivers Ed...

 

 

Quote of the Day

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

 

 

 

I took this photo late in October when we stopped at Rocky Butte, an overlook here in Portland, to see the view. The sun through the trees made me feel like we were being warmed by the presence of God. I love little miracles like this one...