but here goes. I feel a bit rusty...I've not done much writing lately. But that's not to say I've not done much thinking. On the contrary, it seems the deeper the thoughts, the harder they are to express. For the last several weeks, life has been a happy, albeit dizzying, blur of vacationing, wedding, beloved house guests, (family and power outage refugees!), and play rehearsals, with a turn at teaching Daniel's preschool thrown in just for fun. While doing the dishes today, my mind was full of thoughts of appreciation for the other mom's who teach at preschool and the different personalities they bring to the classroom. Each of those moms holds a piece to the jigsaw puzzle that is Daniel's life, because I believe that God uses the people around us to teach us something we need to know about ourselves, something useful for life. In my life it looks like fresh inspiration and rest found in the home of a dear friend and sis-in-law in Florida, or the sense of belonging and servant heart in the home of my beloved Grandma, where helping with practical needs was the language of love. It's a shoulder to cry on, a word of encouragement, constructive criticism and silent understanding from the dearest of friends. We are always giving, always receiving. I give of my home and energy, I receive love and encouragement...And a hand at making eggs ( thanks Jenn!), not my strongest culinary skill. There are things I'm not so good at, that others find simple. And things I love to do that others dread. We need each other.
"For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; or again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you."
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
I say again, we need each other. No one is dispensable, no, not one. We are all part of the Body of Christ--even the ones who don't know it yet!
Over these weeks I've given time, energy, money, ideas, resources, and friendship. I've received inspiration, rest, encouragement, a new sis-in-law, a new perspective, a deeper understanding of God's love for people, provision for needs and renewing of resources, a rich sense of community and a sense of joy as my family works together toward the common goal of blessing people.
Are you having trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?
Maybe I have the eyes you need.
Am I having trouble hearing the Good News?
Maybe you are the ears I need.
Does someone have a bad taste in their mouth?
Maybe she can help them taste and see that the Lord is Good.
Is someone weary and stumbling?
Maybe he has the hands to steady them and keep them from falling.
Maybe we have the feet to keep them on solid ground.
We need each other.
Snuggles on the couch to watch a movie,
listen to Christmas music, and read Christmas 
stories and books...
and little elves to "help" with baking and decorating!
And then off to church for candlelight communion and carols. As the candles were brought out and lit, Daniel smiled and clapped his hands in joy and said to me, " this is my favorite part!" I have to say, it is my favorite part, too.
Merry Christmas. 
