Thanksgiving activities et cetera November 27, 2006

I have just been informed by my husband that I ought to capitalize the first letter of all the words in my title.

Anywho, thanksgiving has come and gone and for most Americans the Christmas season has begun. Not in our household. No, we have been enjoying our Christmas tree, Christmas music, and Christmas texts from the Scriptures since OCTOBER. It is kind of strange having decorations adorning our home when there is no snow outside or frost on the windows. I have always enjoyed endured at least a foot of snow and sub zero temperatures long before the decorations dared to show themselves. For many people Christmas is nothing more than decorations, presents and rich food, and for many Christians these things may serve as a distraction from the real ‘meaning of the season’. In all honesty I can say that this year, despite our love of all things red and green we have not totally failed in meditating upon Christ and the meaning of Emmanuel.

For the past few months I have been plugging away at the book of Matthew, which I highly recommend. Not just the reading of the book but reading it or another gospel book long before the Christmas season arrives (on November 24th of course). It has helped me to set my mind on Christ so I am ready for distractions, so they are not so distracting. Zac and I have also been reading through some ‘Christmas’ texts together. Time well spent.

These last four weeks before December 25th I have much to do in the way of handmade gifts. Since we have been married we have had to streamline our budget. This has been a blessing and an exercise in practicing contentment. In an attempt to give meaningful and nice gifts I have endeavored to make things for the many people in our lives. We don’t do this exclusively but we do make it a part or our gift giving. It is a tradition I am sure we will continue even if we ever have a more flexible budget. The first year I made some heating/cold bags with removable flannel covers. Last year I made oversized tote bags. This year I am making . . . well I can’t tell you because you the reader may be a recipient. It is not that exciting but it will require more sewing skills than I have currently. I have to draft a pattern. Why not buy one you ask. Well that is part of the streamlining the budget thing. I also enjoy a challenge. No challenge, no fun. I will keep you posted with photos of what this mystery gift will be.

Another not so eventful night at the ER November 20, 2006

I am not complaining. It was worth the $52 to be told I was healthy and my organs were not damaged. I also enjoyed two hours of quiet, uninterrupted time (mostly) reading my Bible, which sadly is not the norm since Sophia has become mobile.

The story is boring but I will tell you and you will probably read it because you are here. Last night I got a sudden sharp headache that did dull but remained bothersome. I figured it must have been a blood pressure headache because every time I bent down to pick up Sophia’s aftermath my head throbbed. Zac told me to take my blood pressure and sure enough it was high (150/systolic, 110/diastolic). We called the on call nurse and he told me without asking any questions to go the ER. Grrrrrrrrr. Off I went without husband or children and three hours later I came home. On the way to the hospital I had thoughts of a failing kidney or an imminent stroke.

It is often not until you or a loved one experiences such a thing, either a false alarm or the real deal, that we realize we are not in control. We indeed are not the master of our fate. We don’t know nor can be control when our kidney’s will fail or our children will fall ill. For those that know the happenings of the Hensley Household you also know that our collective physical infirmities have been plentiful over the months past. It has brought us to our knees and immersed us in the Scriptures. It is there and in the body of Christ where we find comfort. It is in the one thing we are absolutely sure of that we take comfort. Our hope and future promised to us. Not the variety spouted by health, wealth and prosperity peddlers, but the hope of a sinless glorified body and glory revealed to us that make the sufferings of this age miniscule. Call me weird, but today I revel in my frail and failing body because it causes me to meditate on Christ and His glory in paradise.

First Post November 17, 2006

It is 11pm. and the most opportune time to write this, my first post. I have had intentions over the months past to start blogging regularly but have been consumed with caring for sick and ailing children and homekeeping. The latest sickness has stricken both of my children, one whom has been given the title “poster child for a really bad virus” by a pediatrician a few days ago. The other aforementioned activity that has been consuming my time has been attempting the impossible. Cleaning up after a perpetual tornado. Perhaps I should rather call it a hurricane. That way I can give it a name. Sophia. Hurricane Sophia. Cleaning seems to be an exercise in futility, but I do it anyways. I figure that Sophia is pretty good at imitating me and Zac that one day she will make an agreeable transition from drawing on the walls to washing them.

Anywho, I have had many posts brewing in my mind over the months but at this moment they evade recollection. I will post when I have something more substantive to say. Oh yeah, Zac’s step-mother is having a major surgery tomorrow. Please pray for her, especially that her faith in a good and merciful God would be strengthened or even awakened.