i'm filled with ham. but just about to eat some more. i'm fighting drowsiness, due to the aforementioned stuffage, and the hour-and-a-half nap i had this afternoon (merry Christmas to me!). my kids have toys strewn all over the house - lego pieces, craft supplies, stuffies, kinder surprise garbage.... the twinkle lights are on, the angel is smiling down on me from the creche, and a deep sense of contentment is settling in.
this has been my first christmas hosting my parents. they have never experienced my kids christmas morning, or the glory of new pjs Christmas eve (they wore them to church - my kids that is, not my parents). they have not seen our multiple advent traditions or the sweet look on my husbands face when he hands me my presents (did they notice?). and I have never cooked Christmas dinner before. thankfully, i was well prepared. my dear friend Marsha made me a tuxedo-esque apron, for the domestic goddess that i am.
here i am, making chocolate mousse. i was going to make kraft dinner but the apron called for something a little more...
today i feel aware of our excesses: in love, in liberty, in possessions, in privilege. at times i don't know what to do with that, caught in limbo between thankfulness and guilt. for tonight, however, i will sing of my heart being blessed with the sound of music, nestle into the thankfulness, and accept the contentment.
i wish you an evening of comfort and joy, and a deep acceptance of the gift of the Christ child given for you.
You are one Hot and Sexy cook (and by the way, you have inspired me to rekindle my passion for cooking. I got a super duper blender that even makes soup and a Kitchen Aid food processor!) I still have not yet watched the Sound of Music, but it will happen and I WILL sing my heart out! As I served yesterday at the Union Gospel Mission, my heart was filled with so much love and joy! In that moment, everyone is happy and thankful, those serving and those being served. And watching my uncle yesterday was a beautiful Christmas gift to me. He was wonderful serving meals to people. A side of him I have not seen before. But I did fall asleep last night with tears falling down my cheeks. I feel like they were happy tears though as I was so grateful for the changes God has made in my life and for the opportunity to see all the wonderful things God is doing in so many different people's lives. There is a young man who works at the Union Gospel Mission who is in the recovery program. He is just five months short of completing the 3 year program. His story is incredible. He was one of those kids that was doing really well in school and ended up in the wrong crowd, became addicted to drugs and ended up on the street. He had lost all contact with his family. Yesterday, his entire family was there serving with all of us. It was amazing and again a testimony to me that God is always with us and loving us even when we push Him aside. And there is always hope. This season has definitely been a season of truly knowing and believing in hope!
ReplyDeleteTell your mom and dad that I think they should have worn their pyjamas to church!
I am also reading Jane Eyre and every time I open the book, I think of the excitement you poured out over us watching the movie!
Merry Christmas Andersons! I love you all!
Love Cori
looking good janny!
ReplyDelete:)
missU
Loveu
r.ox
Janet, you look fantastic! Great apron.
ReplyDeleteand Cori. I have the movie, you can borrow it. I can't believe you haven't seen it!