The weeks leading up to Christmas I had lists of things to get accomplished, presents to buy and wrap, and details to finalize. As with most things, I found most of the presents I needed to get, I got some that I didn’t anticipate buying, and wrapping and details adjusted because of the slight change. Funny enough, one of those things was a garlic peeler…have you seen these? I know, they may be really popular and we just stumbled across them, but they are amazing. Sarah had seen one on a cooking show and I randomly found one at a kitchen store. It wasn’t on her list…or really even mine to find, but I ran across this unanticipated kitchen tool, got it for Sarah and she was surprised about this great gift! Sometimes unanticipated things that require slight changes or adjustments end up being a surprising blessing.
All of us have experienced some change in plans and then needed to make adjustments.
I know you have wish lists to fulfill, errands to run, details to finalize, and all the wrapping! So I have no interest in adding to your busyness, but I do want to make sure you have everything you need for Christmas Eve worship and the next few weeks at The Chapel. Read below to get the details and of course let us know if you have any questions.
Five years ago this week, I ran my first marathon. I’ve shared before how I’m built with short, stocky legs and a stout body—not exactly a runner’s physique, less like a gazelle galloping through the woods and more like a pig on a treadmill.
Nonetheless, I completed my first marathon, which, to this day, remains the only marathon I’ve run.
The Dallas Marathon is generally a great experience. It usually enjoys favorable weather, has very few hills, and runs through beautiful neighborhoods, starting and ending downtown. The halfway mark wraps around White Rock Lake, which evokes a love/hate response among runners. The crowds have cleared out, it’s lonely, and you’re the at the furthest point out in the race.
Right after you curve around the lake, there’s a slight elevation that provides a clear view of downtown Dallas—13.1 miles away…and you have to run to get there.
For me, in that moment, in the middle of the race, I thought to myself,
“Maybe I could just collapse, and they’d carry me across the finish line. But would I still get the medal?”
We spent Thanksgiving in Missouri. We got to see family and long time friends. Our trip began with sunny warm weather where we were throwing the football around outside in shorts and t-shirts…let’s be honest, my kids only wear shorts…so this doesn’t seem to properly express the beauty and warmth of a Kansas City fall day…and then not many days later, our trip ended with 3 inches of snow in St. Louis. It was a beautiful time with people we love.
Between that first and last day, there were a lot of dark overcast days. It is inevitable this time of year, especially in the midwest.
Christmas cards are a funny thing. Our house is full of them. We love seeing the updated photos of your children, your grandchildren, and your dogs. We love hearing about what is going on in everyones life, what has happened in the past year, and what you are looking forward to. For those of us that send out Christmas cards, we all run that risk of trying to position ourselves as if everything is great. As if we are just slaying it in all areas of life.
