CHRISTMAS

Christmas is an event.
                                  
                                   Christmas is a holiday.
                                                                       
                                                                      Christmas is a celebration.
                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                 Christmas is a beginning.

The birth of Jesus is remembered specifically on December 25, the morning when Jesus the new baby's arrival is shared with the family, the inn owner, and the larger family of shepherds.

For all of us who remember the Savior of the World, we realize that Jesus coming is not in and of itself at the event in Bethlehem. The birth really is the beginning of a journey, the journey led to the cross on Calvary where Jesus completed and finalized the whole purpose of His life.

I am thankful for the insight that God provided for me as our Christmas tree was unladen of its decorations this afternoon. All that was left were the lights. And it was at this very point that Jesus who calls Himself the Light of the World is now seen through the lights to the ultimate of the cross.

Ponder on what this birth and this cross meant for you. Life, forgiveness, eternity, wholeness, joy, and blessing.

MAY THE BIRTH, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION GIVE YOU JOY & PEACE!

A REMEMBRANCE: LIVE GREEN

Last year at the downtown Stevens Point Christmas celebration, one of the Peace trees was lit as the focus of the downtown market square. As I recollected, that tree was planted by a 12 inch spruce in 1987 or 1988, one of the first years I arrived as campus pastor at Peace. I had planted perhaps a dozen of the spruce and maybe a 1/2 dozen of some other trees. It gave the Peace lot (four lots in fact) a feeling of welcome.

This year, another of the large trees was cut and moved to the downtown market square to offer a focus for the Christmas celebration one more time.

I believe that the tree stood proud. Since we did little else for the tree while it stood an the southern corner of the Peace property, it did believe that it rightly should accept a position of authority.

Don't you think that it stands so very proudly?

You would never guess that this is her birthday (Dec. 17) because she never eats cake. We dug the white zucchini delicious cake out of the freezer. And then we couldn't find any candle to place on the top. We ended up using a wooden match, and hardly before it began to burn, it was already out.

On the day after her birthday, some cookes began to take shape. The peanut butter balls are loved by a couple of the kids. Take a look at the next pictures to see what they became after a bit more love.

They're taking shape. Karol seemed to give them just a "little hat" to make them look like a chestnut. Mine didn't seem to turn out too good - I just put lots of chocolate

They began to look good with a dousing of chocolate and, I was right on. Karol said that Matthew really liked them, so I'll vote to save them for next week when each of the Kids (all 11 will be here) will be learning to play in the snow and work up a chocolate appetite (that will probably enable them to finish up every last one of these tasteables 

FAMILY DAYS

All during my radiation and chemo for my brain tumor, there have been family who have surrounded me with love and care. Meals brought by, jobs accomplished, reminiscing, kids bringing life and energy, and a warm time of sharing.

John and Cheryl (younger brother) are in the middle of their visit from Georgetown, Texas. They return again on Tuesday afternoon. John has been helpful in getting me around by car (remember that my seizure diagnosis does not allow me to drive until January 12). I've caught up with almost all of my errands.

As we move closer to the day of Christmas, it now looks like each of our children with their families will be able to visit for at least a short time. That is wonderful. Our family bond has become a great, support system and a firm and solid connection in the joy of knowing Jesus , our Savior. That's what really counts!

Rob and Penny (Poy Sippi close by brother) have been helpful wein so many ways. Rob brought wood so that I had ample to make bowls (as also Andrew who brought some nice shagbark hickory). Baked bread, whole meals, minor assists, and a couple good games of cribbage.

Without Karol, I'd be a bummer. She helps me keep on track of my medications (including the powerful chemos that kill tumor). She encourages me to get out for my exercise by walking. Her cheerleading to make bowls keeps my creative juices running. I know that she's gone out of the way to make some special meals for me to keep my appetite up (and so far, I haven't found that to be a problem. Together we've shed tears because of support and loving words that have been send to us by all kinds of special friends.

Today, I'm just ataching some pictures from recent days.......

Brothers Rob (l), John, and me, the shortest.

Robert and Penny, Poy Sippi, the folks old homestead.

Cheryl and John, Georgetown, TX

Karol with Elizabeth (l) and Lilly (daughters of Ruth's daughter, Anna)

Penny and Karol

Some of the grandchildren (hard to get all 11 together (maybe in a couple of weeks).

Rachel works in a test kitchen with muffins she is preparing for a school project.

David, Rob and Penny's son, visits often. He's currently working as an engineer in central Illinois.

 

I'm loving to continue to make bowls. My goal is from one to three each day if I can eke out the time. Different bowls will each take a different amount of time to create and finish. Almost every bowl that I finish now I "seal" with a wax and mineral oil.

The lighter bowls are made of pine and the darker grained bowls are made of shagbark hickory. You might guess my preference.

Most of these bowls were made of cherry that was still wet. I'm leaving them in one of our cold rooms with the hopes that they will dry slowly and just maybe not crack. Only one has a very small hairline crack.se it I'm not sure if I like the room because of the bowls or because of all of the tasty leftovers.

I was preparing to throw this chunk of black cherry into the fire because it looked like such a trashy piece. Rob suggested, "You could make a bowl from that chunk." So I took it back outside, trimmed it up with a chain saw and then worked away at it. It blew me away. While it is not a perfect piece, I could hardly believe that it turned out so good.

GOD IS CARING FOR ME SO WELL WITH A CONFIDENT FAITH, A LASTING HOPE, AND THE JOY OF LIFE. THIS MORNING, WE WILL WORSHIP AT SPIRIT OF LIFE WITH ANDREW AND FAMILY IN MOSINEE. IT'S BEEN A REAL JOY TO WORSHIP AT ANY VARIETY OF SANCTUARIES, RECOGNIZING THE BLESSINGS OF FAITH COMMUNITIES.

A NEW EXPERIENCE

Well, this is the real thing folks! Ten years ago, I would have believed that the only radiation would have come down from the skies (to some extent). Now a machine delivers a measured amount of radiation to the tumor lodged toward the bottom of my brain. This is exact what the doctors ordered for my prescription right now.

As I left our driveway, I took a video of the picture that still rested in our yard. It's pretty and it was nice to head out again. Of course, I can't drive on my own to take my car out (because of the seizure diagnosis that was listed by Dr. Lawler). My next driving session can begin on January 12 - WOW! total freedom once again.

CHECK OUT A VIDEO OF A DRIVE DOWN OUR LANE TO HIGHWAY 66

The large machine that delivers radiation to my specific tumor. Just so you know that there is space on the mask where I can breathe. BUT, it is tight on my head so that I do not move.

The face mask that tightly covers my face so that I basically am immoveable. They soaked the mask in warm water and then stretched over my head, fastening to the metal plate on the bottom. It is well that I do not move so that the radiation is delivered to the correct place on the tumor. Today was my first session - only 29 sessions left.

AGAIN, LET ME THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERNS FOR THE PAST WEEKS SINCE I'VE DISCOVERED THE BRAIN TUMOR. WHILE WE PRAY FOR HEALING, WE RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS DAILY IN CHARGE.

I TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME, BLESSED BY LOVED ONES, PRAYER PARTNERS, FRIENDS, CHURCH COMMUNITIES, FAMILY, AND, MOST OF ALL, MY LOVING WIFE, KAROL. I COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BLESSED SO RICHLY AS WITH A WOMAN LIKE KAROL.

ISAIAH 1:18

"Come on now, let's discuss this!" Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool."  Isaiah 1:18

When the snow falls and clings to all objects as well as every branch of every tree, I never fail to be reminded of God's grace through the forgiveness of His Son, Jesus.

This afternoon, I walked in the bright sunlight and determined that it was just perfect to snap a few pictures. Below you will see some of those pics, and rejoice in the forgiveness that Jesus offers.

ALL NEW!

There is never something as beautiful, white, crisp, and clean as a fresh new coat of snow. That is exactly what we are receiving right now. What a gift from God who gives us NEW day by day.

First of all, I am renewed that our sins, like scarlet, will be white as snow, like wool. Forgiven and restored to that relationship with our brother, Jesus, and our Father in heaven.

Secondly, there is a rejuvination about snow that takes away the old, brown caste of the previous day. I'm hunching by listening to others that we ought to be having 6 + inches until it ceases in the evening sometime.

I hope you enjoy it.

WHILE SHORT, THIS VIDEO CAN BE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED.

AND, IF YOU LIKE, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO THAT INCLUDES OUR POND AND RED CHAIRS THAT WE USE PRIMARILY IN THE SUMMERTIME.

Here are a group of pictures from the beginning of our July reunioin in Shawano, WI. Must have been about 60+ attending this year. My memory recall goes back to Anthony's baptism on Friday after lunch. Shortly after that I had my beard shaved for an ISM gift, and then quickly the Powassan Virus took over and my recall is very minimal. It was all brought back when I discovered these pictures on my camera last week. Just a remembering:  the Powassan virus took almost eight weeks in order to get me back the road to health (about Sept. 1).

Some of my new work (black cherry) from the beginning of Oct. I hope to return in about a week from now to get involved in some fresh creativity.

VARIETY

Added here are a few odds and ends of some recent photos. Enjoy (especially the bowls).

Pauline Dahlinger and her husband, Dave (not pictured here) helped out with some of the work I am not able to do. Raking and lawn sweeping made our whole yard look good.

The day after Dave used the lawn sweeper, we received this light dusting of snow. I understand more is in the plans (we do live in Wisconsin).

The prayer shawl women at St. Paul in Stevens Point shared this prayer shawl with me. They are already covering me with their prayers.

Recent bowls. The top two were made from 2 or so inch boards. They turned out well from this wood that I've just had lying around. The bottom four are made from green black cherry. I'm not sure if they will break/split or not. The left front bowl (which I really liked) split so nicely when I was finishing it up, but it will only go as fire wood.

I like the black cherry wood. Gives variety to the pieces. The flat back left is made from oak and the back right is made from pine.

LEAF FALL

You might want to peek out a window to enjoy watching the leaves falling. It's interesting to see how they carefully drop to the ground as the wind gently touches the branches. Over the past weeks, it's been a joy to see how the tree's burden drops to the ground.

Fall has totally descended now, and we are well on the way to a new season of even more dramatic changes. This week we will be able to experience 20 degrees, a kind of temperature that we have not experienced since last March.

Two morning doves try to collect some of the last warmth of the sun reflecting off of the wood chips. It's often that I find them resting outside of my office window.

The last of the "leaves" to turn are the tamarack...the trees that look like an evergreen, but lose their "leaves" every winter. Lots of tamaracks surround our pond south of the house.

The last of the few oaks on our property; most of our trees are evergreen. In only a few days, this whole area will be devoid of leaves and the neighbor's land will begin to show.