To linger is...
To remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave
To dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment
To remain alive...
To dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment
To remain alive...
There was a lot of lingering for us this holiday season. Especially at the pinnacle of it all ~ Christmas. Minus Deddy, we stayed in Winston over a week past our arrival, definitely "reluctant to leave." It is the solitary time of the year when we can be there for a long period and we soaked it up as much as possible.
We found many moments to "dwell in enjoyment." From being with family, John & Ella, seeing the beauty of a white Christmas to finding quiet moments taking it all in...our hearts were nothing short of full and thankful.
Having all of our family finally be able to meet Ella was awesome. To see their delight & her bevy of smiles back at them was wonderful. She brings so much light & joy to our home, we were glad to finally be able to share that.
Christmas Eve was extra special for us - sitting on the front pew w.our son and my dad during the Lovefeast. We only had to make one trip out for a "talking to" and with promises of holding the Advent candle, John was able to sit w.us the entire service. Ella though, bless her heart - the horns from the band prelude found her making a swift trip to the nursery for the service, but thankfully she did fine there.
John's "talking to" followed several incidents that had us shaking the pew in laughter. We let him go up front for the children's message which I thought he would do great for b/c his Nana was the one doing the story. Boy, was I wrong. About 1 page into the book she was reading, her precious little grandson started his own fire drill of "stop, drop & roll" and across the front of the church he went - rolling away. Seth & I were laughing so hard we could hardly contain ourselves. I asked Seth if he was going to get him - he said "no". So in trying to collect myself knowing that one of us had to be the parent (despite how entertaining he was being) I jumped up to scoop him up & usher him out the side door. Of course, he dead weighted me immediately, which meant I had to bend over completely in front of the congregation - thank goodness I was wearing long pants.
Once we were back in our pew, John continued to make us and everyone watching in the choir smile and chuckle. As the dieners came out the side door with the trays of coffee, our lil' announcer let everyone know by saying "COFFEE" in his out-on-the-football-field voice. As we got our Lovefeast buns, the lil' monger took a big ol' bite out of his, then shoving it in Seth's face asking, "Wan some?!". Seth declined, pulling a lil' bit of bun out of his nose. After everyone was served, we said the Moravian blessing - which John says before every meal at home, so he's a lil' familiar with it. Once the "amen" was said at the end, John always being a word or two behind said his "amen" but again in his out-on-the-football-field voice and since that was the only voice heard, all eyes came to us. But he's in church saying the blessing, so we couldn't really be anything but proud. Finally, the promised Advent candles were passed out- my favorite moment of the night. As the final hymn, "Christ the Lord Most Glorious" was sung, Seth holding John, candle lit - the light illuminating their faces, a heart be still moment for sure.
Back to my lingering thoughts. Although a lil' out of context, that last definition of linger, "to remain alive" is by far my favorite. We are nothing short of "alive" right now. From the wee hours of the morning till the time our heads are finally able to rest on the pillow at night - ours days are very much alive! And though some days being so alive can wear us out - we have never felt life as full and blessed as we do in this moment. Having two babies to wake up to Christmas morning - we had the anticipation of children ourselves. Being the parents of these two wonderful children is such a wonderful gift. Sharing time with our families and seeing the joy and smiles John & Ella brought to their faces - that in itself was one of the best gifts this Christmas.
While John & Ella were napping on Christmas day, we found ourselves bundled on my parents front porch, watching it snow ~ enjoying the beauty of a white Christmas. We had my mom take a picture of us sitting in one of their rockers - me on Seth's lap. We joked that it was a signature shot for us - we've taken several pictures in that rocker in that same pose. As I think back to the people we were in those pictures - simply boyfriend & girlfriend, I can't help but smile. The love and life that has transpired in just a few short years is amazing. The husband & wife and mama & deddy smiling back now makes my heart so full.
For all the fullness I'm speaking of...I'd be lying if I didn't confess that I have always felt a little deflated after Christmas. Once the Merry Christmases have been exchanged, Morning Star has been sung, presents have been opened and the wrapping paper lays in crumbled piles all around - there's just always a little sadness in that. All that anticipation is fulfilled in what feels like such a blink. Not so much this Christmas...there wasn't any sadness, just thankfulness and joy.
Now, a day into 2011, I feel full and excited for this new year. I know these "babies" will continue to grow and change. I'm looking forward to all the joy our home will continue to be filled with. I can also look back at the past year & smile at all the wonderful memories made. There were some suprises, lots of happy moments, few disappointments and more blessings than we could possibly count.
I think my mantra for the year may just be to continue to "linger in anticipation". There is always something to look forward to, to anticipate. However, I know that the journey - the lingering part - that's really the crux of it all. As I wrote a while back in the "about us" on this blog..
That said, I sincerely hope that this Christmas season was blessed for everyone. I hope the true meanings and celebration were kept close at heart. Most of all, I hope that the joy & peace given to us by God's most precious gift - salvation through his son - will be sustaining and give you hope in this new year.
ps. to those of you who endeared any of the many times I had to watch my favorite of all holiday movies - Christmas Vacation - thanks for sharing the laughs. It never gets old & I love you all the more for loving it too!
pps. to my fellow train builder, the "derailment" and ensuing crash of the Santa Express on Christmas Eve was a highlight of Christmas for me - thanks for being up for the task!
ppps. to Pappaw - who came to get me & my babies when as John says, "we fell over" in the snow on Christmas Day - thanks!
We found many moments to "dwell in enjoyment." From being with family, John & Ella, seeing the beauty of a white Christmas to finding quiet moments taking it all in...our hearts were nothing short of full and thankful.
Having all of our family finally be able to meet Ella was awesome. To see their delight & her bevy of smiles back at them was wonderful. She brings so much light & joy to our home, we were glad to finally be able to share that.
Christmas Eve was extra special for us - sitting on the front pew w.our son and my dad during the Lovefeast. We only had to make one trip out for a "talking to" and with promises of holding the Advent candle, John was able to sit w.us the entire service. Ella though, bless her heart - the horns from the band prelude found her making a swift trip to the nursery for the service, but thankfully she did fine there.
John's "talking to" followed several incidents that had us shaking the pew in laughter. We let him go up front for the children's message which I thought he would do great for b/c his Nana was the one doing the story. Boy, was I wrong. About 1 page into the book she was reading, her precious little grandson started his own fire drill of "stop, drop & roll" and across the front of the church he went - rolling away. Seth & I were laughing so hard we could hardly contain ourselves. I asked Seth if he was going to get him - he said "no". So in trying to collect myself knowing that one of us had to be the parent (despite how entertaining he was being) I jumped up to scoop him up & usher him out the side door. Of course, he dead weighted me immediately, which meant I had to bend over completely in front of the congregation - thank goodness I was wearing long pants.
Once we were back in our pew, John continued to make us and everyone watching in the choir smile and chuckle. As the dieners came out the side door with the trays of coffee, our lil' announcer let everyone know by saying "COFFEE" in his out-on-the-football-field voice. As we got our Lovefeast buns, the lil' monger took a big ol' bite out of his, then shoving it in Seth's face asking, "Wan some?!". Seth declined, pulling a lil' bit of bun out of his nose. After everyone was served, we said the Moravian blessing - which John says before every meal at home, so he's a lil' familiar with it. Once the "amen" was said at the end, John always being a word or two behind said his "amen" but again in his out-on-the-football-field voice and since that was the only voice heard, all eyes came to us. But he's in church saying the blessing, so we couldn't really be anything but proud. Finally, the promised Advent candles were passed out- my favorite moment of the night. As the final hymn, "Christ the Lord Most Glorious" was sung, Seth holding John, candle lit - the light illuminating their faces, a heart be still moment for sure.
Back to my lingering thoughts. Although a lil' out of context, that last definition of linger, "to remain alive" is by far my favorite. We are nothing short of "alive" right now. From the wee hours of the morning till the time our heads are finally able to rest on the pillow at night - ours days are very much alive! And though some days being so alive can wear us out - we have never felt life as full and blessed as we do in this moment. Having two babies to wake up to Christmas morning - we had the anticipation of children ourselves. Being the parents of these two wonderful children is such a wonderful gift. Sharing time with our families and seeing the joy and smiles John & Ella brought to their faces - that in itself was one of the best gifts this Christmas.
While John & Ella were napping on Christmas day, we found ourselves bundled on my parents front porch, watching it snow ~ enjoying the beauty of a white Christmas. We had my mom take a picture of us sitting in one of their rockers - me on Seth's lap. We joked that it was a signature shot for us - we've taken several pictures in that rocker in that same pose. As I think back to the people we were in those pictures - simply boyfriend & girlfriend, I can't help but smile. The love and life that has transpired in just a few short years is amazing. The husband & wife and mama & deddy smiling back now makes my heart so full.
For all the fullness I'm speaking of...I'd be lying if I didn't confess that I have always felt a little deflated after Christmas. Once the Merry Christmases have been exchanged, Morning Star has been sung, presents have been opened and the wrapping paper lays in crumbled piles all around - there's just always a little sadness in that. All that anticipation is fulfilled in what feels like such a blink. Not so much this Christmas...there wasn't any sadness, just thankfulness and joy.
Now, a day into 2011, I feel full and excited for this new year. I know these "babies" will continue to grow and change. I'm looking forward to all the joy our home will continue to be filled with. I can also look back at the past year & smile at all the wonderful memories made. There were some suprises, lots of happy moments, few disappointments and more blessings than we could possibly count.
I think my mantra for the year may just be to continue to "linger in anticipation". There is always something to look forward to, to anticipate. However, I know that the journey - the lingering part - that's really the crux of it all. As I wrote a while back in the "about us" on this blog..
We'd call it a journey, but joy in the destination and you can never reach the limits of that...
That said, I sincerely hope that this Christmas season was blessed for everyone. I hope the true meanings and celebration were kept close at heart. Most of all, I hope that the joy & peace given to us by God's most precious gift - salvation through his son - will be sustaining and give you hope in this new year.
Happy New Year & God bless
ps. to those of you who endeared any of the many times I had to watch my favorite of all holiday movies - Christmas Vacation - thanks for sharing the laughs. It never gets old & I love you all the more for loving it too!
pps. to my fellow train builder, the "derailment" and ensuing crash of the Santa Express on Christmas Eve was a highlight of Christmas for me - thanks for being up for the task!
ppps. to Pappaw - who came to get me & my babies when as John says, "we fell over" in the snow on Christmas Day - thanks!
Oh my sunshine~ We all have been blessed this Christmas in so many ways. I anxiously look forward to many precious moments to share in this new year~ It was such a joy to have you'linger' at 'home' this Christmas....a for many Christmases to come.... My love to you and your beautiful family~ Mama
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