Day 14

Day 13

Harry's Shoe Repair 

Downtown McKinney

Day 12

A candle cannot light itself. It needs to receive light from another.    God of light, thank you for the light that Jesus brings to us and the light we can pass on to others.

A candle when lit can give away its light without losing the light it has.     God of abundance, thank you that you give us so much love that we can give away love to others without losing what we already have.

A candle burns as bright when it is new, as when there is only a small amount of the original candle left.      God of the ages, thank you that whatever age we are, we can still be used by you to be a light for you to each other.



A candle’s light is sensitive, reacting to the slightest movement of the air around it.      Loving God, thank you that you pick up every little thought and feeling that we have because you care about us. Help us to be sensitive and kind to others.

A candle’s light is the same whatever the size, shape or color of the candle.     Creator God, thank you that we all matter to you and are of equal value to you even though we are each very different.     Help us to see the light of your love burning in everyone we meet.

A candle’s light is designed to be seen and is best placed high up so that it can give light to all; it is not for hiding away.     Ever present God, help us not to hide our light away, keeping it to ourselves. May we be lights that bring light to as many people as possible.

Unless the candle’s light is passed on, that light dies when the candle itself comes to an end.     Eternal God, you wanted your light to be passed on to others. You are the light of the world and you call us to be lights to the world.  May your light shine brightly in and through us wherever we go in the days ahead.

Adapted from http://www.barnabasinschools.org.uk/candle-prayers-for-reflection/

Day 11

lovely

little

details

Day 10

Welcome Maura and Antonio!! This post had to be postponed a bit, because they made a sneaky layover in Texas before surprising her family in MN!  Moving from the Dominican to Minnesota in the middle of winter.  This. Is. Love.  :)  

Day 9

Because it's 11:57 and I procrastinated much too long before entering my report card grades and comments....

And because I have tired eyes....

But because I can't not take a picture on day 9 of 90....

Also because my eyes are so tired.....

Oh, I already said that. Maybe my brain is really tired, too.

A blind selfie-panoramic.  It's harder than one might think. :)  You can't do the little flip-camera thingy.

Day 8

My favorite thing about my Christmas tree is actually the tree skirt underneath it.  I got it at a fair trade market at Triennium Youth Conference when I was just out of college.  I couldn't afford it, really, but I instantly fell in love with it.  I looked at the detail, the intricately stitched nativity scene and surrounding life.  I imagined the hands that crafted it, their family, their home.  It was from Guatemala. At the time (don't judge, geography buffs) I could not even tell you where Guatemala was, and did not know that years later it would become a part of my very heart.  Now, I don't have to imagine the hands, the family, the home.  I can visualize it.  Hear their voices.  I know it.   I love it, and so I love this dear little tree skirt even more now.  Reflecting on it, it reminds me to take time for the details... to save room for the spirit... and to be fair. 

In Guatemala, it seemed that there was always enough time. (Just pause and let that feeling soak in, North Americans.)  Not that there actually was...but efficiency and productivity aren't valued more than creativity and quality.  So, you get precious works of art of like this.   Time for details. 

It is also a reminder of what the season is really about. Here, I can't exactly smack a present right on top of baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary!  It would be covering up the most beautiful part of my tree.  But isn't that what happens so often with the consumerist craze of Christmas?  We cover up what is truly beautiful about the season--the softening of our hearts to those in need, the importance and gift of family,  and the presence of everyday miracles taking form in unexpected ways.  

Save room for the spirit. 

Finally, it's good to be fair.  It's good that it made me (and my account balance) a little uncomfortable to have this prized possession, so that others could experience relative comfort.   With that in mind, I want to  fill  surround this tree skirt with gifts that didn't just get me the most for the least amount of money possible, that don't just fill this strange gift 'quota' that we have created, but that will be treasured and will honor the spirit of this 

beautiful, 

gift-giving, 

life-giving

season.