The Heart of Christmas

Paper wrapped presents. Sparkling lights on trees of green. Fresh falling snow. Sugar cookies and gingerbread men. Hanging stockings. Candy canes. These are a few of the things that come to mind when we think of Christmas. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the decorations and shopping that we forget the real reason for the holiday, Christ was born. (Now I know that Christ was really born in April but His birth is still the "reason for the season"!)

This year has been especially difficult for me to remember the real reason for Christmas and even Christmas itself. With Meric set to deploy in February and it being our first winter in the trailer, other issues have been distracting me from enjoying the Christmas season like I normally do. There is a part of me that feels decorations would just be clutter. Looking for presents was more difficult and getting them sent off felt more rushed than usual. I am just finding it hard to focus on Christmas.

With all that being said I need to share a recent experience I had. Just after Thanksgiving I was busy getting ready for a visit from my dad and sister, Lissy. I was cleaning and organizing things I had been procrastinating doing for a while. As I was doing this I discovered a problem... mold. The mold was a result of condensation which is a common problem in winter trailering. Meric and I knew there would be a problem with condensation but were still figuring out the best way to combat it.The mold wasn't out of hand by any means but it was still a problem that needed to be remedied. Also I discover that the carpet on the bottom of our bedroom closet was wet. Not just damp from condensation but soaking wet from the rain outside leaking in. For a while there it seemed like everything was constantly damp. On top of all this Meric was getting mixed information about WHEN he would deploy. We were hearing everything from January 14th to March 3rd and with the holidays coming fast it was hard to schedule or plan for anything. Needless to say I was feeling a little stressed.

It was Monday night and my family was to arrive that Wednesday afternoon. It had rained non stop since Saturday night and the forecast was 90% chance of more precipitation until Wednesday afternoon.  I was beginning to hate the sound of rain on the roof, the exact same sound I once loved. With 3 dogs and no fenced yard I have to take them when they need to go outside. The constant rain had made it difficult to let the dogs go out and do anything more than just their "business". No play time had gotten old for the dogs and me too. So that night when I said my personal prayers I asked Heavenly Father for no rain the next day. As I laid down to go to sleep this thought went through my head: "Who am I kidding? There is no way He will stop the rain just for me." And with that I forgot about it as I drifted off to sleep. The next morning started early for me and I had lots to do. I took the dogs out to do their business, ran Meric to work and made an "early bird" stop at the commissary for groceries. As I walked out of the commissary and headed to my car a ray of sunshine peeked through the clouds. I had been so focused on everything I needed to do that I hadn't noticed until that moment that it wasn't raining. My first thought was "so much for the weather report" but then I remembered my prayer. All of a sudden I was filled with warmth and love and could almost hear a voice saying "see, I do love you". Standing in the commissary parking lot I started to cry. It was such an overwhelming feeling of being loved and know that my Father in heaven is aware of my needs. The rest of the day was still very busy and stressful but it didn't rain. I was able to take the dogs outside a few times, watch them play and enjoy the fresh air. I know it didn't rain that day because I needed it. All of my trials and stresses didn't go away but I could handle them better because of the moments I was given to take a break and go outside.

So what does this all have to do with the Christmas holiday? Nothing. It has to do with Christ. I think that the best thing about Christmas is Christ and I wanted to share my testimony. I know and am very thankful to have a loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ was born, that he suffered for not just my sins but all of my pains, died and was resurrected. I know that prayers are heard and answered. I know that, even when I am by myself, I will never be alone. I know that I will have some difficult and lonely moments while Meric is deployed but I also know my Heavenly Father will take care of me. I know that my trials will not go away but I also know that trials are given to me by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what I need to become stronger. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance.

Christ was born. Christ suffered for us in Gethsemane. Christ died on the cross. Christ was resurrected. Christ loves us. Christ knows specifically who I am and loves me. What more could you ask for? Merry Christmas!

Dad and Lissy come to Kentucky

Proof that Emmy DOES like Dad

This past Wednesday my dad and sister Lissy came to Kentucky to visit me. They are the 1st visitors we have had in Kentucky and in our trailer. I was very excited to have them coming to visit but at the same time a little nervous. I was worried that they wouldn't like our trailer, worried that they wouldn't be comfortable or warm enough while sleeping, worried the weather would be too rainy and cold etc. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. (that is usually the result of my worrying) My dad chose to sleep in the back room in one of the recliners. I didn't need to worry about how cold he would get because, as he discovered, our electric fireplace is very warm. Lissy slept on the bed made out of our kitchen table and benches. She stayed nice and warm and learned the true meaning of "three dog night".

The beasties really enjoyed cuddling with aunt Lissy. Also the weather was beautiful for their visit. The sun came out Wednesday and lasted until Sunday giving us gorgeous days with only a slight chill in the air.

On Thursday we went to nearby Glendale. We had lunch at the Whistle Stop, a local restaurant that has great home cooking and famous desserts. After lunch we wandered through some of the little shops in Glendale and Dad got some good "Kentucky made" souvenirs. Next stop was Lincoln's birthplace. Here we were at Lincoln's birthplace and my dad discovered something he called amazing. There is a nice wooden walking path through the woods with garbage cans along the way. He discovered that if you lifted the lid and let it go, the garbage can lid went down slowly instead of slamming shut.

"That's AMAZING!"

Yes, that is what my dad found amazing. We wandered around there for a bit before coming home for dinner and pie.

On Friday we spent the morning trying to get some good family pictures of Meric, me and the dogs. The dogs were a bit wiggly and I am not sure any of the pictures turned out, but we tried.

Lucy's face in this picture makes me laugh.

We also got some pictures of Dad, Meric and me.

Then we headed to Fort Knox. One of the reasons I wanted my dad to come to Kentucky was because he had done his basic training at Fort Knox and hasn't been back since. Of course his basic training was a long time ago so most everything has changed. We also wandered through the Patton museum and Lissy and Dad got their pictures taken with some tanks.

Saturday we headed to Louisville. Lissy wanted to go to Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger Factory/Museum. Those are two things I have been wanting to do and haven't done yet so it was fun to play Kentucky tourist as a group. Churchill Downs was very interesting. Admission to the museum includes a 30 minute walking tour of the race track. I learned a lot about the track and the Kentucky Derby. For instance, did you know that the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously running sporting event? It has happened every year for the past 137 years.

Lissy and the Kentucky Derby winner's circle

Lissy and I picked out each others jockey outfits

We then headed to Lynn's Paradise Cafe for lunch. It was recommended by one of Meric's co-workers and was a very quirky and delicious suggestion.

After lunch we went to the Louisville Slugger museum. We took a factory tour and learned a lot about the process of making baseball bats. Of course Lissy and I were in heaven with all the baseball stuff.

Then it was home again, home again and since we were all still full from lunch we had the rest of the pie for dinner while we played games. Not too shabby of a day.

Sunday was a bit more relaxed. We went to church, came home, had some chili and cornbread and then watched a movie. Up until Sunday the weather had been perfect. It waited until Sunday to rain and then rained all day Monday. Monday Meric went back to work. Dad, Lissy and I spent a lazy morning just talking and hanging out until their flight that afternoon. All and all it was a very good visit, we had a lot of fun and I miss them already. The beasties miss them too and all the extra attention they were getting. They most especially miss Lissy and cuddling on the kitchen table bed.