This is a busy time of year. There are concerts and parties and family time and stuff happening all over the place. It's easy to get so caught up in everything that's happening that we forget why it's all happening. Then people get grumpy and complain about all the consumerism and how much they don't like Christmas. On the other hand, there are the people who reject all the outside stuff of Christmas and insist that we can only think about the birth of Christ and not have any lights or presents or fun.
I love Christmas. I love the lights, and the presents (both giving and getting), and the food, and all the fun and laughter. And I love "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and "God with us", and the promise of salvation. And I don't think you need to separate the two.
For those of us, though, who are finding things a bit too stressful, here's a reminder of what it's all really about:
Now, take an hour or so out of your day and go watch the whole thing while you sit by a lit-up Christmas tree and enjoy some Christmas baking and hot chocolate (or whatever says "Christmas" to you), or wrap some presents.
Enjoy Christmas. All of it.
Saturday, 24 December 2016
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Christmas Concert Stuff
Tomorrow is the Christmas concert at the church, so today was dress rehearsal day. Except that we weren't able to do an actual dress rehearsal; we just did a "this is the best we can do; forget about the costumes" rehearsal.
This year's concert has been a headache from the beginning, and yet I've been remarkably calm (although I've been accused of being stressed and upset, but that's just when I've been herding children into one spot and trying to figure out how to deal with problems; it seems that when I'm trying to do 3 things at once and I'm talking talking to 3 groups at once I seem stressed, even when I'm not).
Here's the issue: In October, I emailed the elder with the plans for the concert meeting, the practice times, and the dress rehearsal time. He told me that he would confirm with the other elders, and a few days later assured me that the times were all good.
What no one told me was....
We'll see how things go tomorrow. If everyone is on time (ha, ha....like that would happen), I'll have about 20 minutes to make sure the children know where to stand and the adults know where to send them on stage.
This year's concert has been a headache from the beginning, and yet I've been remarkably calm (although I've been accused of being stressed and upset, but that's just when I've been herding children into one spot and trying to figure out how to deal with problems; it seems that when I'm trying to do 3 things at once and I'm talking talking to 3 groups at once I seem stressed, even when I'm not).
Here's the issue: In October, I emailed the elder with the plans for the concert meeting, the practice times, and the dress rehearsal time. He told me that he would confirm with the other elders, and a few days later assured me that the times were all good.
What no one told me was....
- The day of the concert meeting, we were going to have coffee/juice/cookies to celebrate the church's 11th anniversary and the installation of the newest elder/pastor, and that this would happen during my meeting.
- There would be a baptism the week of the first practice. They did give 30 minutes between the service and the baptism so that there would be time for practice, but since I also help back stage for the baptisms, it was a rather rushed and busy day.
- They were going to welcome all the new members with a fellowship meal the day of (and the time of) the second practice. I gave up then and cancelled the practice.
- The elder would forget to check that we could use the church for the dress rehearsal (we're not in our own building quite yet, so we rent another church for our services and other stuff), and we would show up to find that the other church was having choir practice on the stage, and that they had a funeral scheduled to start before we were going to finish.
So we had the "dress" rehearsal in the atrium, which worked, but didn't give us the right amount of room on our "stage", or the right amount of room for the wings so they know where to come on and off the stage, or the piano on the correct side. I know that last part doesn't seem like a big deal, but I had a hard time explaining to one adult how things would be for the actual concert. She was convinced that they children would be coming on stage on the side with the piano because they came on the side with the piano today. It was a very confusing conversation, and why would I confuse the children by having them come on the other side (also, the children weren't confused because most of them remembered how it was last year, and that hasn't changed).
We'll see how things go tomorrow. If everyone is on time (ha, ha....like that would happen), I'll have about 20 minutes to make sure the children know where to stand and the adults know where to send them on stage.
Saturday, 10 December 2016
Last Night's Adventure
Last night, at just after 10:00 (maybe 10 after, maybe quarter past...somewhere in there) I was at the happy, relaxed part of my day, by which I mean I was in bed, reading a book, all warm and cozy. And then the fire alarm went off. I seriously jumped and looked around at first, not sure what was going on. Then I made the noise stop in the room and listened to make sure it wasn't just my alarm malfunctioning. It wasn't; I could hear the alarm in the hall as well. I figured I should probably leave.
I stuck my head out the door to check if I could smell smoke. Everything seemed normal, except for the alarms going off. Also, I could hear people moving around. I went back to my room, got dressed (I threw on socks and jeans, and pulled a sweater over my pjs), got into my boots and jacket, grabbed my phone, keys, and wallet, and headed downstairs.
Side note: Isn't it just known that when there's a fire, you don't use the elevators? Granted, no one in the building believes that there is ever a fire, since it's always a false alarm, which might explain the number of people using the elevator. I didn't; I used the stairs.
I did not go outside. It was very, very, very cold. Some people were outside, others we in cars, and the rest of us (at least those of us who came down) waited in the lobby where it was warm. We figured, if there was a fire, we could leave when the fire fighters came and told us to leave.
Soon enough the fire trucks arrived, and 3 firemen came in to the building. They looked at the alarm panel and determined that the alarm had started on the second floor (my floor). They came through the lobby, leaving their hoses by the door, although they had an axe and a pick. Obviously they didn't think there was going to be a fire (probably the lack of smoke; plus, no one would have called 911), because they took the elevator up to the second floor! So not even the fire fighters follow that policy all the time!
A few more minutes passed. We chatted a bit, continued to refuse to go outside, and admired the small baby who was not disturbed at all by the sirens. Eventually, the firemen came back downstairs and told us we could go back up. There was no fire, no smoke, and no reason to worry.
By 10:30, I was back in bed with my book, like nothing had even interrupted my happy time.
I stuck my head out the door to check if I could smell smoke. Everything seemed normal, except for the alarms going off. Also, I could hear people moving around. I went back to my room, got dressed (I threw on socks and jeans, and pulled a sweater over my pjs), got into my boots and jacket, grabbed my phone, keys, and wallet, and headed downstairs.
Side note: Isn't it just known that when there's a fire, you don't use the elevators? Granted, no one in the building believes that there is ever a fire, since it's always a false alarm, which might explain the number of people using the elevator. I didn't; I used the stairs.
I did not go outside. It was very, very, very cold. Some people were outside, others we in cars, and the rest of us (at least those of us who came down) waited in the lobby where it was warm. We figured, if there was a fire, we could leave when the fire fighters came and told us to leave.
Soon enough the fire trucks arrived, and 3 firemen came in to the building. They looked at the alarm panel and determined that the alarm had started on the second floor (my floor). They came through the lobby, leaving their hoses by the door, although they had an axe and a pick. Obviously they didn't think there was going to be a fire (probably the lack of smoke; plus, no one would have called 911), because they took the elevator up to the second floor! So not even the fire fighters follow that policy all the time!
A few more minutes passed. We chatted a bit, continued to refuse to go outside, and admired the small baby who was not disturbed at all by the sirens. Eventually, the firemen came back downstairs and told us we could go back up. There was no fire, no smoke, and no reason to worry.
By 10:30, I was back in bed with my book, like nothing had even interrupted my happy time.
Saturday, 3 December 2016
Christmas is Coming!
I was talking to my mum last weekend. She said "I have your Christmas parcel pretty much ready to go." I don't know how she does it. I had just started shopping the day before! I'm pretty sure I'll finish by Christmas, and even get the presents back East on time.
I do have the Christmas tree up. I don't have a colour-coordinated tree, with everything matching and elegant and stuff. That's not really my style. My tree is all coloured lights and a mix of ornaments, mostly ones that people have given me, or things that I bought because they made me smile. My favourite is a pretty, beaded angel. From the right angle, she looks headless (the wings hide her head). When I catch a glimpse of her, I am always startled by the headless angel on my tree.
I also have greenery and lights strung up along the long shelf on the wall, and a little Christmas village set up, with some lights and greenery and small Christmas trees.
I'm ready for Christmas to get here. Just in case you're not in the mood, I present my traditional Christmas video offering.
I do have the Christmas tree up. I don't have a colour-coordinated tree, with everything matching and elegant and stuff. That's not really my style. My tree is all coloured lights and a mix of ornaments, mostly ones that people have given me, or things that I bought because they made me smile. My favourite is a pretty, beaded angel. From the right angle, she looks headless (the wings hide her head). When I catch a glimpse of her, I am always startled by the headless angel on my tree.
I also have greenery and lights strung up along the long shelf on the wall, and a little Christmas village set up, with some lights and greenery and small Christmas trees.
I'm ready for Christmas to get here. Just in case you're not in the mood, I present my traditional Christmas video offering.
Friday, 25 November 2016
What I'm Reading
It seems like a good time for a roundup of what I'm currently reading so....
Out of the Blues by Wayne Mack
This book deals with depression and loneliness from a biblical perspective, and I think it's an excellent counseling book. I actually just finished it, so I guess I'm not currently reading it.
The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life by Charles Spurgeon (compiled and edited by Robert Hall)
I've been reading this for a few months. I read a bit, and then get distracted by other books. I only have 1 1/2 chapters left to read; I will finish it by the end of the year!
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Because: Brandon Sanderson. Need I say more?
Because He Loves Me by Elise Fitzpatrick
I've read this before, but it's been a few years We're using it for my women's counseling class this year. Since I'm the teacher, I thought I should at least re-read the book.
The Blessing of Humility by Jerry Bridges
It's Jerry Bridges. Of course I'm reading it. This is my "while I'm eating" book right now.
Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado
I picked this one up because of the title. I didn't pay much attention to the author's name, so when she talks about her sister Sandy, and then mentions that Sandy is a movie start, it took me a while to figure out that she means Sandra Bullock. And I actually finished it last night.
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan
Let's be honest: I'm not really reading this. I started it, but it goes on and on and it's very, very small print. I was reading it for "a book by a puritan", but I think I'll trade it in for Pilgrim's Progress. One day I'll finish this one, but it may take a very, very long time.
Out of the Blues by Wayne Mack
This book deals with depression and loneliness from a biblical perspective, and I think it's an excellent counseling book. I actually just finished it, so I guess I'm not currently reading it.
The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life by Charles Spurgeon (compiled and edited by Robert Hall)
I've been reading this for a few months. I read a bit, and then get distracted by other books. I only have 1 1/2 chapters left to read; I will finish it by the end of the year!
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Because: Brandon Sanderson. Need I say more?
Because He Loves Me by Elise Fitzpatrick
I've read this before, but it's been a few years We're using it for my women's counseling class this year. Since I'm the teacher, I thought I should at least re-read the book.
The Blessing of Humility by Jerry Bridges
It's Jerry Bridges. Of course I'm reading it. This is my "while I'm eating" book right now.
Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado
I picked this one up because of the title. I didn't pay much attention to the author's name, so when she talks about her sister Sandy, and then mentions that Sandy is a movie start, it took me a while to figure out that she means Sandra Bullock. And I actually finished it last night.
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan
Let's be honest: I'm not really reading this. I started it, but it goes on and on and it's very, very small print. I was reading it for "a book by a puritan", but I think I'll trade it in for Pilgrim's Progress. One day I'll finish this one, but it may take a very, very long time.
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Christmas Concert
It's almost Christmas! At the very least, it's Christmas concert time again, and I'm spending my evenings listening to Christmas carols and trying to decide what to put into the concert, and where, and how. I want O Come, O Come Emmanuel, but I don't have anyone to play it this year, so I may have to live without it. I'm still looking for another song for the grades 2-4 contingent, so I can move Hark the Herald Angels Sing over to the little guys.
Also: my "multitude of the heavenly host" is currently sitting at 1 angel. Of course, I only have 2 shepherds, so it sort of evens itself out. I may have to recruit from the grade 4 kids to fill in the gaps, but that leaves me with fewer children singing, unless I can have them sing before the angels and shepherds need to be on stage, in which case it all works. At the same time, I need to schedule the child playing Joseph to do his musical number (with his siblings) at the beginning of everything, even though it fits best when the shepherds come on, because I cannot have Joseph get up, leave the manger, and grab a violin!
And....I already have parents asking if they can miss rehearsals, and they haven't even started yet!
Anyway, since I don't think I can have it in the concert, here are 2 of my favourite versions:
Also: my "multitude of the heavenly host" is currently sitting at 1 angel. Of course, I only have 2 shepherds, so it sort of evens itself out. I may have to recruit from the grade 4 kids to fill in the gaps, but that leaves me with fewer children singing, unless I can have them sing before the angels and shepherds need to be on stage, in which case it all works. At the same time, I need to schedule the child playing Joseph to do his musical number (with his siblings) at the beginning of everything, even though it fits best when the shepherds come on, because I cannot have Joseph get up, leave the manger, and grab a violin!
And....I already have parents asking if they can miss rehearsals, and they haven't even started yet!
Anyway, since I don't think I can have it in the concert, here are 2 of my favourite versions:
Friday, 11 November 2016
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