Advent 2022

With our kids scattered in other countries and states until the week of Christmas, I put together our annual advent readings this year with written commentary. Acacia had asked if I could do this for some of her fellow staff at the school in Albania. Her request was the catalyst for me presenting our readings in this form this year. Usually I simply put the scripture references on small pieces of paper and put them in our 15-year-old Advent calendar we used all through our years in Uganda. Then, as we daily read them together I comment on the highlights of the passages. Advent starts Sunday, November 27, this year, so I have readings for each day from November 27-December 25. My prayer is that this presentation of the story of Jesus blesses each one of you. May His hope, faith, joy, and peace fill you as you enjoy this season!!! 

ADVENT

Remember, Reflect, Anticipate, Praise

Some years ago when our kids were still young, Geoff developed a way for us to honor the Sabbath each week. As a family, we considered Saturday evening to Sunday evening our Sabbath. So, on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. everyone was to be back at the house from wherever they'd been so that we could share the evening meal together and talk around the table. Each one of us, young and old(er) :), was to mentally review the events of the previous week and choose a time in which God was seen moving in their life. Once an instance was chosen we then reflected on how we saw God move, why it impacted us, and shared any other details of how God had blessed us. After each one of us shared, Geoff then encouraged us to keep an attitude of gratitude and anticipation as we looked to Sunday morning where we would have the opportunity to corporately praise Him with the church, and then enter the following week with our eyes open to see Him further move on our behalf. There were times when we had visitors at our table on a Saturday evening and we drew them into our time of contemplation and sharing.

My hope is that as we enter this Advent season we would keep such an attitude and share it with others. In exploring the prophecies clearly presented in the Old Testament scriptures may we remember what was foretold, reflect on how the Old and New Testaments together bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ as our once for all Savior and LORD, not only read of His activity on this earth, but anticipate His movement in our lives today and be drawn to praise of His goodness to us. 

Traditionally, the themes of each progressive week of Advent are hope, faith, joy, and peace. 

Christ Jesus's life, and all the details thereof, were planned by Father God well in advance of their actuation. That we find them recorded hundreds of years before their manifestation attests to both the love of our Father and His excitement over providing a permanent way for us to be reconciled to Him–something He longed for since Eden. He knew what was to happen and wanted all to know, so He revealed His plan through the many prophecies. The power of the prophecies is found in their fulfillment given the low probability of realization. Consider numerous authors, writing in varied eras, all pointing to the eternal impact of the ultimate combining of justice and love, and one man embodying every foretold word. The odds? Well, let's just say it takes misguided faith and a stubborn heart to NOT believe the truth of Jesus Christ's birth, death, and resurrection which offer true salvation for all who believe. May we set ourselves to hope, faith, joy, and peace as we remember, reflect, anticipate, and praise our Holy God.

Week One

Remember

When Jesus came to all the people of the earth He had created with His Father and His Spirit, some recognized Him as the one foretold in the Holy writings.The words recorded about a coming Messiah were not only well known among the Jewish people, but by leaders and sages in the surrounding regions. For those who witnessed the time period shortly after His birth, and the events comprising His ministry in the following years, I have no doubt their minds remembered words which promised a Messiah. I believe that all who felt that jump of recognition in their hearts had a choice. They could either believe and experience the revealing of a Savior right before their eyes, or close off their hearts and rebel against the loving hand of God. I believe some hearts must have responded in hope as they affirmatively pondered, "Is he the long-awaited Messiah? Is the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies standing among us in this man?" As we read key prophetic passages in the Old Testament in the next few days, may we put ourselves, as best we can, in the position of those who experienced prophecies fulfilled right before their eyes. Will we respond in hope, gratitude, humility and surrender? Traditionally, the Advent themes begin with hope. God knows that remembering the things He has done and the promises He has made gives us hope. May our look into the prophecies this week stir hope in us at the magnificence of God's weaving of events over hundreds of years culminating in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Let us remember.

Sunday, November 27 

Isaiah 9:1-7 This prophecy mentions a great light that will dawn on those in darkness. A child will be born and through Him we have hope for peace. Through Christ, the LORD's government will never end, having come from the throne of David.

Matthew 4:12-17 This passage confirms that Jesus is the great light. 

Luke 3:23-31 This is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:7 of Jesus coming from the line of David.

Monday, November 28

Isaiah 60:1-7 The light and glory of the LORD shines, and nations, kings, sons and daughters will come. Caravans will bring gold and frankincense, (Matthew 2:1,11), and the LORD will glorify His beautiful house.

John 1:9-13; John 8:12; John 12:46 Jesus speaks of being the light of the world and those who believe in and follow Him will never walk in the darkness.

Tuesday, November 29

Jesus's lineage is through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Genesis 12:1-4 Abraham; Genesis 17:19 Isaac; Genesis 28:10-15 Jacob

Matthew 1:1-16 Jesus's genealogy confirms the above prophecies.

Establishing Jesus's lineage may seem dry or even trivial to us who are from a culture very different from the Jewish culture, but realizing His lineage actually speaks of authority and sovereign blessing not only to the Jews, but to any who believe in God's ultimate provision of salvation to mankind. 

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Wednesday, November 30

David's revelation that his offspring will have an eternal kingdom because of God's promise.

2 Samuel 7:18-29 Verse 19 states that David's revelation is also for us. We are blessed forever.

Thursday, December 1

Genesis 49:10 Again, confirming Jesus's lineage. These particular verses speak regarding Judah. The scepter indicates the authority and sovereignty of Christ's royal rule.

Luke 3:33 Jesus comes from the line of Judah. In seeing the prophecy and confirmation, will you confirm that He is the One who sovereignly rules your life? 

Friday December 2

Isaiah 59:16-21 God laments there is none to exercise redemption for the sinful. A needed redeemer from Zion is prophesied. 

Romans 6:22-23 The wages of sin is death, but God provides eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD. 

Romans 11:26-27 The one who liberates will come from Zion.

How are you walking in the liberation and freedom from sin offered to you?

Saturday, December 3

Isaiah 28:16-17  Prophecy of a cornerstone that will annihilate injustice, evil, falseness, and hiding, but will preserve the believer.

Romans 9:33 Jesus as the stone in Zion. The believer will not be shamed.

1 Peter 2:4-10 Confirmation that the stone would not be an actual rock, but a person, and as John proclaimed, the person of Jesus. Have you believed that Jesus is your rock and as a believer are you standing in Jesus, preserved and unashamed?

Week Two

Reflect

In the traditional order of the Sundays of Advent the second week calls us to faith as we reflect on the faith-filled actions of Joseph, Mary, and others in the story of the birth of Jesus. They gave their entire selves to what God said would happen. Think of Mary and how unbelievable the events would have seemed to those around her. Still, she and Joseph walked forward in full acceptance of what God had revealed to them. Their faith blessed all of mankind. Many do not have faith to believe and do not walk forward in the power of God as they did. Does your faith move you forward in the power of God?

Let us reflect.

Sunday, December 4

Micah 5:2 The Christ will be born in Bethlehem and will rule. This also speaks to His eternal nature. He is forever.

Matthew 2:4-6 That Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and rule God's people is confirmed by the esteemed spiritual authorities of the Jewish Law.

Do you follow Him as He leads?

Monday, December 5

Isaiah 40:28-31 It is quite possible that these words of encouragement were instilled in the hearts of both Joseph and Mary, both having been raised to revere and obey God. I imagine they drew upon these truths as they found themselves asked to obey God in ways that would most likely not be understood or well-received by those around them. 

Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph initially decided according to traditional Jewish wisdom what to do with the news of Mary's premarital pregnancy. But, once God informed him in a dream of the nature of the pregnancy, he moved forward in faith. 

How did you respond the most recent time God asked you to trust Him and act on a difficult or uncomfortable directive?

Tuesday, December 6

Isaiah 7:14 These are the very words the angel spoke to Joseph from yesterday's reading in Matthew. The angel directed him back to the prophecy as confirmation that God was behind this very strange turn of events in his relationship with Mary. Again, he most likely also reflected and drew strength from other Old Testament words such as yesterday's passage in Isaiah 40 as he chose to act in faith. 

Luke 1:26-38 Mary had a choice, she could respond in faith or in disbelief. She chose to walk forward in the real hope of God's strength after the angel brought her the news of what was to happen to her. Again, the words of Isaiah 40 may have been a part of the strength from which she drew.

God offers us strength to believe. Will you move forward in belief, which requires action?

Wednesday, December 7

Luke 1:5-25 Before Mary was visited by Gabriel, Zechariah was visited as he served in the temple by an angel informing him of the coming conception of his son, John, the forerunner who would announce Jesus. Zechariah's response initially was not one of faith. I'm sure all of us can think of instances in which we reacted to God's activity in our life with a response characteristic of Zechariah's.

Thursday, December 8

Isaiah 40:3-5 One would come before Jesus and prepare the way for his appearance, that all may see it.

Mark 1:1-8 John is the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah 40. We have hope of the promise of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.

Luke 3:1-6 John's ministry. He not only was chosen to be the forerunner of Jesus, but when the word came to him in the wilderness that this was the time to act, he responded immediately and went into Jordan telling the people God's message. 

What is the usual time frame for your responses to God?

Friday, December 9

Hosea 11:1 The Messiah will come out of Egypt. This would seem unlikely to the Jews; why would an Israelite be back in Egypt??

Matthew 2:13-15 Joseph and Mary flee to Egypt after being warned by God that Herod was out to kill the child. Truly God fulfills all the details of his foretelling with great accuracy and often not the way our limited minds might think fulfillment should come.

Saturday, December 10

Psalm 89:1-29 God Himself is faithful. In this Psalm He promises to establish David's throne through a chosen one for all generations. How does your heart respond to this recorded truth of God's power in His presence and promises?

Week Three

Anticipation 

All of Advent is truly anticipation. The word itself from the Latin may be defined as "coming". When something GOOD is coming we look forward with anticipation to receiving it. The news of a Messiah, a Savior, a way to be reconciled to the Father, which is needed due to the fall of man in Eden, fills us with joyful anticipation. In traditional Advent themes, joy is the focus during week three. As we have recently read of the coming of John who would announce the Christ, and of the faithfulness of God, let us further read of the joy Jesus Christ brings.

Let us Anticipate.

Sunday, December 11

Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth, 6 months pregnant with John, receives Mary, her relative, and both Elizabeth and John recognize Mary as the mother of the Christ. John, in the womb, jumps when he hears the voice of Mary. Elizabeth expresses amazement at God's work in Mary. There is true joy when one recognizes the presence of Christ Jesus, knowing that He is the only One to save them. Having read of prophecies and their fulfillment up to this point in our Advent readings, how does your heart respond to the presence of Jesus? He is here with you.

Monday, December 12

Luke 1:46-56 Mary responds in joy at the reception given her by Elizabeth and John, knowing that their joy stems from recognition of Jesus, the Son of God who grows inside of her. She is overwhelmed with joy and thanks and sings out in worship. Is there a song, a favorite of yours, that expresses some of the joy over the gift of Jesus Christ?

Tuesday, December 13

Isaiah 61 This chapter points to the coming Messiah as it begins with a passage on the work of the Messiah and ends with the statement that God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Throughout the chapter Isaiah speaks of God actively blessing the people, which ultimately is expressed in garments of salvation through the Messiah to those who are His.

What phrase in this chapter strongly impacts you?

Wednesday, December 14

Luke 4:17-21 Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah (chapter 61) and states He is its fulfillment and the One anointed to bring good news. Of what Jesus proclaimed, which do you feel in need of most today?

Mark 1:9-11 Jesus came to John to be baptized by him. A voice from Heaven spoke clearly for all present to hear that Jesus was the Son of God.  Not only had they heard repeatedly in the temple the Rabbi speak of the prophecies of the Messiah, but now they heard God's own voice confirming Jesus as God's son while Jesus was standing before them.

Thursday, December 15

Isaiah 35 Joy and celebration for the hope we have in our Messiah, Christ Jesus.

This chapter is overflowing with powerful hope. Find a place in this chapter that deeply speaks to you in your present circumstance and give an outloud praise to God. In the HCSB version the chapter ends with, "Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee."  I pray you will be overtaken with joy and gladness that flows from personal knowledge of the LORD's goodness.

Friday, December 16

Psalm 16 with special emphasis on verse 10, which prophesies that Christ will not decay. In Christ's presence is joy and pleasure.

John 20:13-17 Christ Jesus was resurrected on the third day and his physical body did not experience decay; likewise He is alive and with us.

Matthew 1:23  Immanuel, God with us.

Christ is literally our life.

Saturday, December 17

Psalm 130 This song "sings" of joyful anticipation at the coming redemption.

John 1:1-5 John begins his testimony of Jesus by stating He is the Word of God and the light that shines in the darkness.

Revelation 19:11-13 Jesus is the Word and He is faithful and true, and He judges and brings righteousness through His blood.

How does your heart respond today to these truths?

Week Four

Praise

The perfect response to the news of a needed Savior, to the coming of a long-awaited Messiah, is to praise God for His fulfillment of promises. Traditionally, the fourth week of Advent speaks of peace. The culmination of the good news of a Savior in Jesus Christ is the peace He brings through restoration of a right relationship with our God. We are lost, doomed, without the sacrifice of Jesus. His sacrifice began with him coming to earth, born of a virgin, then living as a man and experiencing all that we experience, and finally giving the ultimate on our behalf, His life on a cross to provide our righteousness in God's eyes. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies about the Messiah, the Christ. This being the final week before Christmas we will culminate our Advent focus by completely reading through the story of His birth and the happenings that surrounded the miraculous event. As we hear this story again, let us daily praise Him for the peace He brings to us.

Let us Praise

Sunday, December 18

Before we read the story of the birth of Jesus, let's again ground ourselves in the ultimate reason He came to us.

Zephaniah 3:14-20 This passage speaks of the redemption provided for the ones of God. Some have called it the "John 3:16" of the Old Testament. He is a warrior who saves you!

John 3:16-18 Verse 16 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. This is not by mistake as it contains the greatest news of all time–He came so that those who believe in Him will have life forever!

Monday, December 19 

Isaiah 55 Many think you have to have already cleaned yourself up before you can come to Jesus. This is not the truth of the Bible. He asks us to come without anything and He will freely give us what we need–Him! When you receive from Him the natural response is praise! In this passage even the trees praise the Lord for His gifts of joy and peace. 

John 4:13-14; John 7:37-38 (Isaiah 55:11); Revelation 21:6-7 Jesus is the living water.

John 6:35,51 Jesus as the bread of life, free for all who believe.

Come as you are and buy, eat, and drink of the goodness of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, December 20

Matthew 1:1-17 The listing of Jesus's heritage. Notice some of the names of those included. Of course, none were perfect, but some were not even of Jewish lineage (Ruth, a moabite). This indicated that God would be reaching even non-Jews with His offer of salvation through Jesus. Also, there are some whose profession is questionable even among those who do not know God. For instance, a prostitute (Rahab), is found in the line of Jesus. Truly this speaks of God extending His hand of salvation to any who believe in Him.

Matthew 1:18-25 We read this passage earlier this month, but seeing it again this week keeps us close to the unfolding story of His birth as Christmas day approaches.

Wednesday, December 21

Matthew 2:1-23 Wise men came after Jesus's birth to bring gifts to the child and to praise Him. This event happened some time after Jesus was a newborn, as evidenced by the text stating that they visited Him in a house and also referred to him as a child. Herod, according to the time given by the wise men, gave an edict to kill all male children two years old and under. Verse 18 references a passage in Jeremiah 31:15, which foretells the slaughter of the children at Herod's hand. Jesus's birth was to bring us life, but for some, even today, they allow it to bring them death as they reject the truth. May we be of those who come to Him as the wise men did, in simple faith bringing ourselves, and humbly worshiping Him.

Thursday, December 22

Luke 1:1-25 The retelling of the involvement of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John in the story of the coming Messiah. This part of the story inspires us to ask, "am I turned to the LORD and ready for Him today?" (verse 17)

Friday, December 23

Luke 1:26-56 Mary receives a visit by the angel Gabriel and visits her relative Elizabeth. Both Elizabeth and John recognize that Christ is present among them, though yet unborn. Christ is present with you. Do you recognize Him and give praise to the One to whom we owe our lives?

Saturday, December 24

Luke 1:57-80 The birth of John and Zechariah's song which includes praise of God for His provision of salvation through the Christ. Our focus this week is on peace. In verse 79 He promises to guide our feet into the way of peace. How do your feet walk in His peace?

Sunday, December 25

Luke 2:1-40 The events leading up to and surrounding Christ's birth. The deep joy experienced by those privileged to see Him in the days immediately after his birth is evident in the reactions of praise by the shepherds, who went as soon as they heard; by Simeon, who openly praised God as he held Jesus; and by Anna, who spoke her thanks to God and told others of Jesus as the redeemer. When we read of these events, it is good to ask ourselves how we have received the news of Jesus. Do we respond with joy to the news of Jesus, not just during the Christmas season, but every day?

The final verse of this passage states that Jesus grew and became strong, and was filled with wisdom and God's grace was on Him. We also know from the scriptures we have read this month, that He then became the sacrifice for our sins, our redeemer, so that we may be seen as righteous by God. We, too, can grow in strength, being filled with wisdom and God's grace. Praise Him for this precious gift of Jesus Christ who gives us life.

Let's give Him the praise and worship He is due this day, a day of celebration of His coming to us, Immanuel, our Savior and LORD.

For your extra information I found a little history. The traditional religious practice of Advent begins, not on December 1st, but on the fourth Sunday leading up to Christmas. This means that in 2022 we will start on Sunday, November 27th. Many different traditions have developed depending on the specific church, so there is a lot of variance as to the symbolism and use of wreaths and candles, plus activities that surround the period leading up to Christmas. I've only included a snippet here of what I have found.

"According to Saint Gregory of Tours the celebration of Advent began in the fifth century when the Bishop Perpetuus directed that starting with the St. Martin's Day on 11 November until Christmas, one fasts three times per week; this is why Advent was sometimes also named "Lent of St. Martin".  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

Wikipedia states that, "the first Sunday represents Isaiah and other prophets in the Bible that predicted the coming of Jesus. The second represents the Bible. The third represents Mary, the mother of Jesus. The fourth represents John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, who told the people in Israel to get ready for Jesus' teaching."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

A catholic website I found included the following information. 

"The use of the wreath and candles during Advent are a longstanding Catholic tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas."

"The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ."

"The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah."

"The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem."

"The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent."

"On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the 'Angel’s Candle,' symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: 'Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.'"

"The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The color white is for purity—because Christ is our sinless, pure Savior."   https://www.mercyhome.org/blog/sunday-mass/advent-wreath/

I read 1 Corinthians 13 today. It is a Bible chapter famous for it's explanation of true love. I asked God to show me how to love His way, not the flimsy, misguided way of the world. It's patient, kind, is happy with truth, endures, hopes, continues and is the greatest. I went out today with that prayer in my heart. I had a headache–one that felt like a migraine coming on (I get those every few weeks). But, at 8 a.m. I joined the Moms In Prayer group at our kids's former high school. And, despite my pain, I fully engaged and was blessed to meet two moms I had not met before. One recently returned to the US from foreign soil and years of overseas mission work. I also had the opportunity to pray after the meeting ended with another friend whom I've now known for three years. It shocks me to say that. No, three years is not a long time, but I met her only a few weeks after we landed in the states having moved "home" from Uganda, and the length of our friendship is a sort of gauge to me of time back in the US. Have we really been back three years? Some days it seems we returned yesterday and other days like a lifetime. The most drastic aspect of reflecting on how long we've been back is that I still feel like I'm in transition and wonder if I'll ever feel at home here. Then my heart quickly jumps in and expresses, "No! I don't ever want to fit in here! I want to stay different and with a unique perspective, and feel that at any moment I could find myself living and serving overseas again!" I guess not wanting to fit in isn't the best reaction to necessary transition and probably sprinkled with a smidgeon of pride over being different. However, God made it clear that this season is HERE. I shouldn't fight it, but give all I have to this time–however long it is.

This encouraging card that the moms of Moms in Prayer sent to me last week reminds me of God's constant presence. And that is why I asked Him to help me love. Giving myself to His ways helps me to remember that His ways are appropriate regardless of where I am. His ways give strength and purpose to my days whether they are in the US or another country. And speaking of another country, many of you know I just returned from Memphis, TN, where I was helping out my sister after my brother-in-law sustained a severely damaged leg and a brain injury from a fall from a tree. Honestly, I have not experienced in other countries a hospital so dirty and staff so inattentive as the one in Memphis. I thought, "Where am I? Is this the US for real????" It required my sister and I to function in a heightened state 24/7. Being the squeaky wheel wearied us; advocating for his safety and health was a constant need and demanded that we speak up hourly on his behalf. Few would enjoy having to be so consistenly on guard which meant we found ourselves interacting in tension quite often. Many of you have experienced such with your loved ones and I'm sad this is a reality in the American health care system. Today, at this time I am writing, he is FINALLY in surgery for his left leg (15 days after his fall) with his recovery expected to take weeks. He is still suffering from short term memory loss, but is showing intermittent signs of progress. His fall managed to change everything in a moment for our family. Only God knows how things will progress and it is Him who we trust to lead us. Being able to fly there only a few hours after hearing the news was a blessing of being stateside!!! I'm counting my blessings on being able to be present and tangibly show my love for her and her family! And so, back to my prayer for today to be able to love God's way. Staying after the Moms in Prayer meeting to pray with my friend was a way that I gave to another, even though I didn't feel very well at the time. On my way home I stopped by to put fuel in my car. As I started to pull away from the pump, I saw someone sitting nearby who looked to be distraught. At first I resisted the nudge to offer something. I never have cash on me, so I began to drive away, but God impressed upon me that I could go and offer to pray with them. I didn't want to, I wanted to drive home and crawl in my bed because my headache was quickly ramping up. But, I remembered what I'd asked God to help me do today and I saw this as one way He was helping me to love. And so, I approached the young man and asked if there was something he would like me to pray for him. He immediately stated that his mother was going into surgery and was worried and uneasy about it. He grabbed my hand and allowed me to pray with him. Afterward he asked my name and stated that his was Jacob. I probably won't see Jacob again, but I will remember to pray. Loving someone takes on many different forms. For instance, my mother-in-law is showing her love tonight as she cooks dinner for us. Most often I cook, but she knows I don't feel well and is taking that off of me for tonight. It's a true blessing of living in the same house! Just a moment ago our doorbell rang. Standing there were our neighbors with brownies in hand. The oldest daughter of the family had baked and they shared the bounty with us. I ignored my pounding head and visited with them for a bit. What a blessing to have such sweet neighbors (who share sweets!!). It's Autumn and the colors around here are amazing. On the way home from the gas station I stopped to snap a shot of one of my favorite views this time of year. It's just up the street from us and everytime I see it I feel such peace and thankfulness for the beauty of God's creation. I'm thankful to God for loving us by providing us with the pleasure of enjoying His creative color combinations!

After resting for awhile after returning home, I sat outside for a bit this afternoon to enjoy the crisp air combined with warm sunshine. It's such a beautiful time of year and I want to enhance it by looking for more ways to share God's love with others. Tomorrow I'll have more opportunity as I work with my patient and serve her family by caring for her. I'll keep my eyes open for unique ways to show God's love. And finally, in our neck of the woods we'll be receiving visitors this Friday evening. These are people we briefly met in Uganda and have stayed in touch with through the past few years. They will stay with us just one night, but my desire is to ready the house in such a way that they will feel at home. Unfortunately, after having been gone in Tennessee, and then in Arkansas (to see Toby) my house needs a lot of sprucing up.

With my headache today I have gotten exactly zip, nada, zero done towards readying things. But, you know what? Even though I'm working the next two days and will not have time to organize things, I'm going to focus on other ways I can help them feel welcome. It's a great opportunity to listen to what God says will show them love and bless them in His way. May we all keep our eyes open, ears tuned, and heart ready to love in whatever way He leads.

Our Kids Schooled Us!

July 2022. We moved. 

This, right here, could be the end of the blog. Not because there is little to say, but because there is too much and the angst-producing words take me quickly again to ALL that has had to happen to get us shifted. So Much Energy. 

AWESOME teenagers!!! Ben and Evan VP, Ben C, and Andrew M, along with Kevin, move one of the heaviest pieces of furniture we've ever had to date. 

Moving. It's a beast. Honestly, I feel that I've been in "move mode" since 2019. And in many ways I have. My mind ever engaged in sorting, pocketing, packing, tucking, categorizing, purging, rearranging, planning, etc., as a move has been consistently upcoming for the better part of the past three years. How many moves since June of 2019? SEVEN. seven. 7. Se7en. 7even. 

Geoff and his dad find a little bit of respite squeezed in between patio furniture and random boxes at some point during our move.

Categories. Before we went to Uganda, quite a few boxes were packed in 2006 with keepsakes and items to be at the ready in case the "what if" of suddenly being swept back to the U.S. became reality. Then there were the pre-marriage keepsakes; wedding keepsakes; early childhood keepsakes; pictures and the makings of photo books for "some day", and college, travel, and early adulthood keepsakes. Also, boxes of Ugandan memorabilia squirreled away bit by bit, furlough by furlough through our 13 years of frequent cross-continent travels. And added boxes that were stored at my parents' home in California, as well as boxes stored at my in-laws' home in Denver. There were trunks of books and other items that returned with us from the final house clearing in April 2021 of our Ugandan home, plus our home school records. These are all the things, the stuff, the baggage, treasures, and incidentals that somehow squeezed their way into a box or trunk, that we have had on hold (both physically and emotionally) for years. 

In two stages I went through all our stuff. First ,when we moved into our townhome last year I took time to purge many items from the "2006" category. Then just within the past two months I again culled saved things. It was a repeated exercise of take it out of a box, make a decision on its future, put it back in a box. Where is that box of such and such? Do I need that box of this and that? If I'm not sure what is in the box, should I open it and create more work? Where will the box go when it arrives at the new place?  Where will the contents go? Do I need all this furniture? What do I do with it? And, of course, my favorite, "What on earth is this and why did I keep it?" (result: quickly and happily I toss it in the trash–Whew. Honestly, if I have a card or trinket of which either the significance or giver I cannot identify, then I chuck it!)

And, in the process of purging useful things we simply no longer have a use for, we have learned so many rules of thrift store donation. Of course, no mattresses, please. But, did you also know that if you have an item with a locked drawer (that is unlocked, mind you), but you don't have the actual key to potentially work the lock the thrift store won't take it? (Anyone want a nice oak TV stand-–archaic, I know–with a locking drawer, but no key?) As well, we learned that at one particular thrift store the attendant is not allowed to reach hands into the vehicle to help, thus many times we were left to unload items alone, bit by bit while a line of cars piled up behind. However, at another thrift store they were so eager to help that a hawkeye was required so that only items intended for donation were actually removed from the car! 

We have worked SO HARD! The months we spent packing a little here and a little there at Geoff's parents' home were intended to shoulder the weight against a last minute push, and I believe we were in a much better place than if we hadn't done so, but STILL there were such long hours that last week and final few days!! We were blessed to have Geoff's sister and niece come for a week and help as well. It was amazing what they accomplished!!! His sister is a machine! Moving two households is not for the weak OR indecisive. A roll-away dumpster IS helpful, but the process of deciding what goes in it can be conflictive and arduous when items are held with a view to its original value rather than if it has a current use. We frequently found ourselves nearby to "discussions" between the in-laws as to what should and shouldn't get dumped. SO.MUCH.STUFF. Thankfully, over the past two years Geoff and I were given a number of things for free from an acquaintance and had no attachment to the items which made it easier for us to pare down.

In all of it Kevin and Acacia were extraordinarily helpful (Toby has been in Wisconsin leading canoeing and backpacking treks since May). They spent hours helping their grandparents sort and pack. They wrapped, boxed, taped, carried, and made numerous trips to the thrift stores with donations. They lovingly stood by their grandparents as difficult decisions were made and shredders threatened to burn up from overuse.

And in specific relation to helping Geoff's parents move out of their house of 28 years, all of our bodies were worn, minds were exhausted, and our grey matter became "decision-weary". The desire to be at once compassionate yet streamlined, loving yet wise with regard to available space, non-judgmental yet attentive to the realities of what would actually fit or be needed in the new house was a precarious balancing act. 

And, to top it off, for a few months before we ever set eyes on this house we bought we had a trip planned to Pennsylvania. The trip landed in our schedule the exact week before we were to move. And only two days after we landed in Pennsylvania the sellers notified us that they were out and we could move in five days earlier than originally scheduled! Even with the schedule change and the pull of feeling we should be back in CO asap to get the move going, we still immensely enjoyed PA.

We hiked many of the days we were in PA and particularly loved Hawk Falls. It reminded us in many ways of the waterfall at Musana Camp in Uganda.

We toured the PA countryside and landed at a beautiful family run winery. We had a great afternoon overlooking the vineyards and enjoying the expansive view.

The main reason we went to PA was to attend the wedding of Hosanna Hoover and Taylor Dolge.

 But, we stayed the extra week to celebrate our 25th anniversary! We met Hosanna's parents, Sheldon and Mindi, one night for dinner and were blessed to catch up and enjoy sharing news of the past few years. 

We returned from PA late Friday night July 1st, and at 7 a.m. Saturday morning the 2nd, Geoff met with a group of the kids' friends and for the following 12 hours they moved immediately needed items from his parents' home into the new one. While they packed the truck in Aurora I worked with Acacia, Grace F, and our dear friends, the Vander Ploeg family, cleaning the new house in Littleton in preparation for receiving the furniture. After the initial offloading of the in-laws' furniture Geoff, Mike Vander Ploeg, and the kids hauled our things from the townhome. 

The whole moving crew! Victory at the end of a very long day!

The next day, Sunday, our family was back at it again and all through that next week we worked every available minute, getting only a few hours of sleep. On Friday the 8th, the moving company arrived at Jerry and Dortha's and brought everything else from their house over to Littleton. Then the process of where to place things started, and we spent hours of that day and the next sorting, unpacking, stacking, organizing, and relegating to the thrift store donation box, etc. The task of transitioning items from point A (holding container) to point B (appropriate place) became a nagging and unrelenting daily task. It seemed endless.

On the day we handed over the keys to the new owners, Jerry and Dortha walked down to say good-bye to some of their neighbors of many years.

On Sunday the kids said, "Enough!" And this, my friends, was a sweet moment. 

We experienced our kids schooling us in the things we had spoken to them for years. Sabbath. Rest. Rejuvenation. Focus. Release. Worship. They lobbied and insisted that we go to the nearby state park lakes to unwind and soak in God's creation. They emphatically stated we needed to get our minds and bodies off of the tasks and enjoy the rest God provides. Geoff and I were so terrifically sunk in a swift river of task-driven momentum that it was hard to apply the brakes. We were robotically compelled to pick up another box and sort through its contents, assigning places, shelves, and drawers for the masses of things seemingly demanding our attention, while silencing any awareness of how depleted we were. 

But, we listened to our kids. And we obeyed. We heard their hearts and let them plan the day. We completely followed their lead. I think, truth be told, we had nothing left in us to plan anything anyway and God showed us that day the fruit of our labors through the years.

And our schooling by the kids is the main thing that will always stand out to me regarding this massive undertaking that consumed us.

To simply sit by the lake, listen to the birds and the rippling water brought peace and renewal. Amazing to me was how quickly I felt lighter than I had felt in weeks. There is a reason God commanded a Sabbath. It is both important to work hard and it is God's wisdom to rest. I experienced a powerful, God-sanctioned exhale and shedding of concerns by shifting focus away from work. I am flooded with contentment when I reflect on how our kids pushed for our health according to God's design. They spoke things to us that we had taught them. They pursued what is right on our behalf when we were blinded.

We are deeply grateful for this divine boomerang. 

Geoff, Acacia, Me, and Kevin at the quiet little cove where we found some much needed rest and peace!

It helped us to move better into the next week and continue the work of getting settled. Of course we still have pictures to hang on the walls, and bazillions of boxes to sort through, but the furniture is in place and we are fully enjoying our new homestead! By the way, did you know we share it with some critters?

Here we are in front of our newly acquired (as part of the house purchase contract--?!?!?!)

 chicken coop filled with 8 "ladies". I wasn't so sure about them at first, but they give us about 6 eggs a day, so for now I've decided they can live. ;)

Did you know that critters enhance life? Geoff's mom has taken quite a liking to the two cats we recently adopted, and she's been known to be the "chicken whisperer" when those ladies get a bit out of hand.

Jerry frequently enjoys a visit from our new little kitty, McDuff.

And so, we are moved. 

Good Gifts

One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is buying gifts for others, so much so that I often forget that I also will be receiving gifts. 

Once home with the treasures I've chosen, there is the hiding of them that heightens the anticipation of the 25th. I find myself wanting to give immediately and yet knowing I must wait. Then I quietly and secretly find a place for the wrapping extravaganza--it's purpose, of course, is to conceal for a time with beautiful paper, ribbons, bows. I always hope my finished product has a visually appealing look that will contribute to a joyous, peaceful, and festive atmosphere. All of this builds anticipation so that we arrive on Christmas day with much expectation. Culminating weeks of looking forward, Christmas holds promise of gifts no longer concealed, but revealed. Past the outward presentation of the giver's handiwork, once opened, a gift is seen for what it is and with hope that it's enjoyment will exist far beyond the initial discovery. Depending on what the gift is there can be years of enjoyment awaiting the receiver. This is where the smile on my face comes from--hoping I've given something that will be enjoyed for a long time. And then, the realization that I also have gifts to unwrap from those who have taken time and given thought to what to give me. The joy I feel as their anticipation is expressed in sitting forward and watching intently to see the delight on my face as I work through ribbons, bows, and paper to see what they've chosen for me. I also benefit from knowing that I've blessed them when I receive their gift with a smile and thanks.   

Why do we do all this on Christmas?

It all began with the greatest gift ever given--a life sacrificed for ours; it stems from a Father who sent His only Son to live among us (Emmanuel) and bring us life through His painful sacrifice. Now we can live in Him and oh, that we could see the delight on His face when we receive and unwrap with joy His gift of life and light. Matthew 7:11 "If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him." 

His gift is not concealed or wrapped underneath temporary or limited surface beauty. His gift is illuminated with perfect light. "Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth." James 1:17-18

May we live our lives on this earth enjoying the gift of salvation He has provided for us, and in its lifelong enjoyment may we deepen in our experience with Him--anticipating the ultimate, eternal Christmas in which we live with and worship Him forever.

Returning to our thoughts of celebrating Christmas here and now, let us frame our present with the understanding that our good Father is with us and desires us to see that as He is the one who enables us to bless each other with temporary gifts, He hopes we look up to see the forever gift He has held out for us to receive and take with our whole heart. Let us ask Him to open our eyes, minds and hearts to fully see and receive His gift of life in Jesus Christ. 

May this Christmas be one beyond the wonder and delight of prettily wrapped packages and the treasures inside them. May the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ bring true life and light to you!

It's Our Family's Anniversary!!!

 Today is an emotional day for me. 

It marks significant beginnings and endings.

June 5th has carried weight and caused reflection for the past 15 years. 

In 2006 we landed as a family of 5 for the first time in Uganda. Toby, Acacia and Kevin were 4, 3, and 2. Our belongings filled 3 luggage carts. In a driving rainstorm, Geoff pushed one of the carts as we navigated the outside walkways to the waiting vehicle there to receive and retrieve us--THANKS Dave and Raych Clay!!! Silently Geoff wondered what he had gotten his family into. Not silent at all were the cries of a couple of the exhausted children in an unfamiliar environment. 

Our actual first commitment to New Hope Uganda was for 18 months. But, in our hearts we were there for however long God had for us to be a part of the thriving, vibrant, compassionate ministry. Secretly we hoped it would be, at a minimum, at least until all three of our kids were finished with their senior year in high school.

Thirteen years later to the day, June 5, 2019, we were back again at the Entebbe airport saying our goodbyes to Sam, Nabukeera, and the Dangers family. We would never again work full time on the ground in Uganda as servants of God at New Hope Uganda. In fact, to date, the 5 of us have not been together in Uganda again. 

Yesterday, June 4th, was Geoff's last day as Vice President of Ministry Relations for New Hope Uganda Ministries, a position he's held in the U.S. since January 2020. We took a sabbatical from June-December 2019 and as soon as his sabbatical finished he was anxious to start working again for the ministry we love so much. 

But, God has a new season for us. He has made that very clear. It's not been easy shifting our focus, changing where we put our hand, and knowing we won't be an active part of that ministry day-to-day.

It is no coincidence that today, June 5th, is the first day of our new season. 

The future is not totally clear for any of us. I'm reminded of a few sentences in a book called, "James," that became painfully real to us in 2009 when we were involved in a horrendous motor vehicle accident with a lorry laden with charcoal. There we were traveling down the dirt road, returning home from Kampala, the Monday after Easter with many groceries and items for a soon arriving new missionary family, the Biedlers. Around a corner of the freshly grated dirt road came the overloaded, speeding lorry sliding toward us as the driver applied, with futility, the brakes. It clipped the front of our van on the side where I was sitting and pushed us backward into the ditch, and then the charcoal, piled way too high, careened down on us, smashing the van and windshield, cutting Kevin's face, breaking his leg and pinning me in. I'll spare the rest of the details. But, suddenly everything changed. Our plans for how our next month was going to look, for how we were to welcome the Biedlers, for lessons in homeschool, etc. immediately were upended. 

James 4:13-17, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit,' yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance, All such boasting is evil. So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Obviously, the words in this passage soberly framed our outlook and experience that day in March, 2009. And not just on that day, but God brought the last sentence to the forefront again in October 2019 when Geoff and I realized we needed to plant ourselves in Denver to be near his parents. The right thing for us to do is to be present for his parents as life deals unexpected changes and required shifts. We could have said no to God's move on our hearts for Denver and returned to the ministry we love, but that would not have been right because it was not what He asked us to do. 

Geoff's VP position kept us connected to New Hope Uganda and softened the shift to the U.S. away from Uganda.

Now? Yes, we're excited for his new position, but admittedly sorrowful over not being an active part of New Hope Uganda.

Another new beginning. 

Geoff's new chapter is a new chapter for all of us. The kids have never known Geoff to work outside of the ministry; have not known what it is like to not have Dad present and available to them in the middle of their days. We have had the rare experience of not only eating dinner together each day, but also breakfast and most lunches, too. Of course, the kids being at FRCS since august 2019 and Toby going off to JBU last fall has changed the look of our days, but Geoff was still available at a moment's notice. 

In addition, Acacia and Kevin's graduation from high school last week ushered in new seasons for us. in a couple short months Kevin will begin university, along with ROTC, while Acacia explores various aspects of agriculture and other opportunities during her gap year, and Toby will return to JBU in Arkansas. 

But, for now it is summer and Toby is here, hallelujah. So, we are all together again. The kids each have at least one job outside the home for the summer--also something new for us. 

So. Much. Change.

New schedules, new foci, new living situations, new jobs. The old song rings true for us these days, we don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.

And that is the stabilizing support for all the emotion welling up within.

Praise God He never changes. 

Praise God for new seasons.

Praise God He is always with us.

Amen.

                                            The Britton Clan--June 5th, 2021

Belonging

As we prepared to visit Uganda last month many people asked what I was looking forward to experiencing while there. With curiosity some asked which unique-to-Uganda food I hoped to eat. Some wondered if my strongest desire was to be in “my” house again, soaking up the sense of home. Some asked who I was looking forward to visiting. Others wanted to know what I hoped Acacia and Kevin would experience while there.

Before we boarded the airplane I offered each person who asked definitive answers to their questions. But, as I sat in the Easter Sunday church gathering in Uganda a profound sense of why I had looked forward to being at New Hope Uganda washed over me, filling me with warmth and tears. 

As I sat near others whom I loved and lived with for 13 years I realized I belonged. Truly belonged. My friends at New Hope Uganda know me. We’ve walked together through joyful and distressing times! We understand each other’s heart’s desires. The culture in which we lived and moved and “had our being” for the past many years is familiar. The people we served alongside treasure and value a future for children and staff of the ministry and our foci converge in what should be done to bring Jesus Christ to the forefront of lives and ministry. 

Belonging. A sense of being understood, valued, loved, and accepted. We never outgrow these desires though how we understand and process what each one means to us changes over time.

I’m thankful for the belonging I’ve been privileged to experience due to the years we’ve spent living and working with dear friends. It is not my “home culture”, but it is where I feel at home. 

For my family and friends in the U.S. it may be difficult to understand how I can feel at home in a “foreign” place. Even I wonder how to explain it. The sharing of daily life and walking together through both positive and negative aspects of life over the course of many years, forges a deeply felt connection. My sense of belonging there doesn’t negate my love and appreciation for those in my life who are not involved with New hope Uganda.

When I was young my family moved often, and not just to different houses, but to different states and multiple cities within states. I always wondered what it would have been like to have grown up in one place with the same people through many years. 

Some of what we experienced at New Hope Uganda satisfies such a longing. We arrived to work with the ministry when our children were ages 2, 3, and 4. We were young and as we advanced through the stages of life from “toddlerdom” to high school graduates we did so alongside friends who saw our flaws, celebrated our victories, cried with us through loss, and encouraged us in multiple ways. 

Knowing that we are soon entering the next stage of life in which our kids are moving into their own adult transition was highlighted strongly while we were on the ground at New Hope Uganda last month. Many of their friends have also “moved on” or are soon to be off-site, away from their family homes pursuing what God has next for them. In being present with our long-time friends we were thankful to have the opportunity to again feel at home at a time when so much is in flux.

We don’t know what exactly the future holds, but we know that our hearts will forever be intertwined with those of New Hope Uganda with whom we have shared life at different points throughout these past 15 years.

We are grateful to God for the richness of relationship we enjoy. We are grateful for memories of iron sharpening iron, treasured interactions, the value and reward of deep, enduring friendships, and we hold in our hearts the hope of future in-person visits. 

These are but a few of the dear people we had the privilege to see and share smiles with!

Grand babies of the New Hope Uganda family!!

Kevin enjoys his many friends of David Family

Our first neighbors and dear friends

 

A sweet newly married couple who are dear to our hearts

The joy of seeing a young man who lives honorably

A quick impromptu visit on the veranda with a dear young man who is also Toby's best friend

Our sweet Ugandan family

Lunch in the city at my favorite restaurant, with Sam and Nabukeera

A tradition--special visit with the Katabazi clan

With my friend whom I've known for 28 years

Geoff and the young man whose wedding we attended in Oct 2019. He is now a vital leader in the New Hope Uganda community.

The sweet and simple smiles of Kakande!

While we got our Covid test one of the daughters of the ministry, who now works as a nurse in Kampala, happened to see us when she arrived at the clinic on official business. She made sure she greeted us once her tasks were complete.

Our first lunch in Uganda was spent with special friends who traveled across town especially to see us.

While in the grocery store I heard my name called! It was my long time friend whom I had wanted to see, but didn't think I would get to. God makes great things happen!

One of my very favorite people in the whole world!

Tea time with friends who work at Musana Camps. We also didn't think we would get to see them, but God worked it out.

Fun times with the parents of David Family

A young girl from David Family stopped by for 5 minutes on her way by.

Two young men who grew up in David Family. They blessed us by going out of their way to see us.

Acacia's best friend whom we were able to see, even though she is far away in nursing school these days.

Jackfruit is a truly social snack!!!

Another dear staff member who surprised us with a visit one afternoon!

I sought out this dear lady. She is a treasure to me, and a business woman in the community who blesses many with her well-reared chickens!!!

Geoff and Sam!

These two were just walking by our house and we squeezed in a hug!

At David Family there are always new people to love on. We receive a warm welcome, even though these girls had not been a part of the family when we left in 2019.

Our three kids!!!!!