What's next?

After I pick up Iris from school, I often tell her what her options are for afternoon activities.  As we finish one activity, she sometimes asks, "What's next?"

I think this is a great attitude for this time of Advent, especially as God reveals himself through His Word, promise and Son, Jesus. It's an excitement of how we'll see God in the everyday, ordinary ups and downs of life.  Our family looks forward not only to hosting Christmas dinner with my family, but also to a break from the grind that we call work (and school, sort of).

Last month, my dad and one niece (Grace) had major surgery.  My dad was in rehab after that for two weeks, and is now home.  My niece will need follow-up radiation therapy.  A dear church friend had emergency surgery the Wed. before Thanksgiving, and has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.  This is a short list of the reminders of how much we are to be thankful, how merciful God is, and that we need Him, body and soul.  Believe me; I prayed and asked many people to pray for these concerns.  As I'm in a prayer ministry through my church, I see the greatest need in my life is to trust in Him and rejoice at all times.  That is hard, but Jesus is the Way, and that is comforting.

It is a week before Christmas Day and there are full days of projects, visiting, kungfu and gymnastics classes, serving the homeless for a Christmas craft, and singing Christmas carols.  Preparing presents and the Christmas Day menu is an added whirl of activity that has yet to happen.  As I tell Iris of these happenings, she perks up, while I think, "Wow, I could get tired.  Am I nuts?"  Yet, I value the time that I have to read and meditate on the Word from God, as well as, give myself permission to pause and relax with the Holy One-Jesus.  I would like to do this more and continue in that habit, especially as an example for Iris.

Queen for a minute

What's next for me?  I'm excited that this Sunday there will be a child believer baptism of someone I know.  I'll be taking part in the celebration, and more importantly, Iris can witness what baptism means.  I continue to prepare mentally for my week trip to Guatemala in February.  I also ask Christ and His Holy Spirit to guide me as I discern how He wants me to use the time that I won't be spending teaching next semester. 


One carol sung about the Child in a manger was"born to set His people free."
One my favorite hymns, Amazing Grace, also states the words, "Twas grace that brought my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. ...and grace will lead me home."

What fun!

 These are thoughts in my prayers this week.












 

Do you see what I see?

November was fast and furious with birthday parties (Iris's friends, as well as hers), Thanksgiving, topped off with Advent beginning on December 1st.

Howdy, partner!

It is a full social calendar with birthday celebrations.  One was a double birthday with pony rides, a bouncy house, a pinata, and delicious cupcakes.  Iris's Kinder Academy teachers, the Bertrands, were there as well.  It was a reunion of sorts.  It definitely gives me (Cindy) a chance to get to know parents of this year's class better.  It's interesting how the communication with teachers (French and English), other parents, and with the principal happens with a swirl of emails or letters sent home.  The pace of change seems fast for me.  However, that is the nature of a newer charter school.  Through it all, I'm seeing the great need for prayer for families affected by divorce.  I pray to God on how I can help bring healing to these broken families.  Playdates with children is one way.

Friends, Josephine and Katie

Gingerbread house from Monique's party

I continue to question how much or how little we expose Iris to a variety of experiences that challenge both mind, body and spirit.  She has an incredible memory and learns well by watching. 

2nd Annual Science festival:  "Ooh!  a tornado!"

Hello, Clo! (Note:  saw Chinese Acrobats)

Extracting DNA from strawberries.  What's DNA??

You're climbing on DNA!

Her imagination is still very much focused on the world of fairies-fairy books, fairy houses, being a fairy.  It's sweet, but I wonder how far to let her think it's real.  She turned six years old, and had several friends at her party to make fairy houses out of wood. 

Meeting Logan

We thoroughly enjoyed being with Brian's family for the Thanksgiving break.  (Hey, we didn't have to cook for several days!)  Iris most enjoyed playing and walking the grandparents' dog, Frango.

Girl cousins reunion

"Can I help with washing dishes?"

Marissa is a whiz at creating icicles for the gingerbread house!

After a loooooong drive home, Iris and I ushered in the Advent season by decorating and Advent wreath, as well as lighting the first Advent candle.  This is a time that I'd like to direct Iris away from "give me, give me" or "buy, buy, buy" and repeat the message that Christ is born, Christ is coming, and Advent is about waiting.  The big day is really a birthday for our Savior, Lord Jesus.  It is for that reason I want to rejoice in His birth, and not celebrate the jolly male icon in a red suit. (We do mention Santa Claus at home.)   Christmas specials and movies are fun, but where are images of the Christ child born to save us all from our sins?

Emmanuel-God with us.  Here's a song that Iris likes to sing, that is appropriate for now and always.  To enjoy the song and its message, click here "He is With Us".

As time goes by

It's been three months since my last post.  How can that be?  It's still wonderful to watch Iris grow up each week; something new she can do on her own, some new interest she has, some loving moments as she still needs Mom and Dad very much.

In this digital age, it's easy to store away hundreds of photos or video clips in the computer and not tell the story.  What can I say about this Autumn season?

• Iris continues to enjoy her AWANA club in "Sparkies".  She has listened to the CD a lot in the car.  I love to hear her recite Bible verses that I need to learn, too.  After three months, she is done with the first handbook.  She loves it more than going to Sunday school at church, but it helps that I am helping in the preschool-Kindergarten class about twice a month.  Here's a photo of a Family Fun Night at church
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

•  Iris is learning to eat her salad.(Yeah!!!) ..at least at school.  The nutrition program of freshly prepared lunches is in its first quarter and going strong.  I'm helping about twice a week in the lunch room, a.k.a. le Restaurant de l’école.  It's as near to restaurant work experience as I'll probably get, and it's tiring.  For two hours (three lunch periods), I'm on my feet serving, quieting down, instructing, and cleaning up after the 250+ students.  I often enjoy the same meal after the last group leaves.  It's a bit expensive for our district, but worth the delicious tastes.  Here's Iris with a classmate, Juliet.

•  In October, we spent time up in the north coast at our "Raccoon House".  It was a lovely weekend getaway, where we used wood to heat up the cabin, we walked along the sandy beach, and we ate a spaghetti dinner at a local Grange Hall.  This could be our annual Fall getaway because it's a less-crowded and peaceful time of year.  Also, Iris still enjoys climbing on the tree houses, which are getting a bit run-down and dangerous.

• Pumpkin patch and corn mazes were the highlight of October.  Iris's school went on a fieldtrip to a place where there were live calves, potatoes to dig up from the ground, pumpkins to pick, and pumpkin ice cream to taste.  We also went as a family to the tall corn maze with Aunt Ruth and cousin Noah.  See them figuring out which way to go.. 

Bus rides are fun!

Which way do we go?

Iris knows the way!

• Iris was a bat for Halloween.  We went trick-or-treating for awhile, but ended the evening at a local pizza place with our family friends, the Osmers.

And the holiday season (and eating season) has begun!