Abounding in Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, and this becomes quite apparent when you live in a foreign land. While I am thrilled to know that we as Americans hold fast to this tradition, I am not sure we fully understand it. It is definitely a time for families to come together, and that is a rarity in far too many homes. It is also a time for remembering all of the blessings that God has given us as a nation, as families and as individuals. But, was that the original idea behind a day of Thanksgiving? Or are we missing something?

Bear with me a moment while I meander to my point. During December 1777, approximately 12,000 soldiers of the Army of the United States were moving onto Valley Forge. While some early triumphs were achieved against the British a year earlier, the past year had seen little success. In fact, one would have to say that the revolutionary forces were clearly losing. The capital had been lost, and Congress was now operating from the outskirts of Pennsylvania. Some even wanted to replace General Washington. Any hope of victory would seem just that, a mere hope. Soldiers were not being paid due to a lack of funds from Congress, and inflation was so bad that soldiers wanted to be paid in British pounds. While most did not have usable clothes, possibly only a third had shoes and when on guard duty, they would stand in their hats in order to protect their feet from the frozen ground.

Wait, it gets worse. General Washington was having to apologize to the citizens of the fledgling nation for literally stealing clothing for his troops. He was unable to properly feed them (hunger had become the norm) and informed them that the plan for surviving the winter was for the soldiers themselves to build shelters of wood and clay. The wood they would have to chop themselves and the clay they would have to make from the frozen ground. This would take at least six weeks. For the soldiers, the prospect was to survive the winter only to be defeated by the waiting British Forces in the spring. I could go into more detail, but know this, things were bad.

On the 18th of December, Congress called for a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer. Think about that for a moment. Amid all of this suffering and failure and gloom ... amid the hunger, sickness and cold ... General Washington tells his troops to stop working and to march to the appropriate locations to give thanks to God.
Do you think they were thanking God for the special blessings they were enjoying? Were they thanking God for the bounty they were about to devour? That is hard to imagine, isn’t it?

But they did give thanks. They gave thanks for what they had to be thankful for. They gave thanks that God was God. That He is the Creator of all things. That He created us and allowed us to know Him. I am sure each of them had their own personal things to thank God for. I am also sure that few were thanking Him for the food and the weather.

I am not telling my children to not be thankful for how God has blessed us. We have a wonderful home, and we will enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving meal. We have amazing friends and family, and we are blessed with good health and an amazing adventure of a life. We most certainly ought to give thanks for the blessings He has given us. All blessings come from Him. Our nation was right to declare an official day for Thanksgiving in order to acknowledge what we have been given. But our Thanksgiving needs to go beyond this. It needs to recognize that even if all of this were stripped away, we are still called to come to Him with Thanksgiving and praise. We need to remember that long before Abraham Lincoln declared this a national holiday and long before the Continental Congress declared a day of thanksgiving, God had declared everyday to be a day of thanksgiving. It is all over the Bible, but I love the way it is presented in Colossians

“…rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-8)

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts….abounding in thanksgiving.

If that is the way we can truly approach Thanksgiving, then this will be a wonderful Holy-Day indeed.

Reformation Day/All Saints Day 2011

October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg. The things he wrote were not all new ideas, but they would go a long way toward influencing the growth of the Church for the next 500 years. The Germans of Wittenberg will proudly tell you that the reformation began here on this very spot. The Germans of Catholic Bavaria would rather not talk about him at all. In Switzerland, one is reminded that the reformation began in earnest in Geneva at the hands of Jean Calvin and Ulrich Zwinglii. A case can be made that the reformation of the 16th century began in the thoughts and ideas of previous centuries, written and argued by such men as John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and even Augustine. But it is difficult to deny the significance of what happened in Wittenberg.

This October 31 we found ourselves in Germany and figured there was no better day to make our long anticipated journey to Wittenberg – to visit the location where Luther taught, preached, presented the 95 Theses, ranted against the selling of indulgences, and generally confronted Rome in every way. This is where Luther happened. It is the place that I have longed to visit since I first heard the story of what he did here. That desire only increased when we found out we were moving to Germany.

Every year when I delivered this particular lecture to my students, I felt myself getting caught up in the emotion of what happened at Worms when Luther confesses, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” Of course, it wasn’t the proud, boastful words many would imagine. It was defeated words of a man enslaved to the truth. Knowing the consequence of his admission, he confessed (after asking for and being granted more time to consider his answer) that he believed the Bible to say these things, and that unless he could be persuaded by use of the Scriptures, he could not recant. Later in his life pride may have been an issue, but I don’t think so here. Here, in this moment, one sees a man who has succumbed to the conviction of the inerrancy of God’s Word. He believed what he read. As Abraham believed God. And Joseph. And Paul. And John. And Polycarp. Hudson Taylor. Jonathon Edwards. And so many others. We would be remiss to not set aside a time to remember them.

But, the reformation of the 16th century was not the reformation at all. It was a reformation. It was a further reformation of the one that began two thousand years ago when Christ began reforming the world to make it new again. That was and is the Reformation. And the Reformation Day that we celebrate, appropriately, on the Eve of All Saints Day is a reminder of all those who have gone before us to boldly and faithfully proclaim the truth of God before us. All of those who have labored in the service of God, both before and since the beginning of the great reformation. A reminder that the labor continues.

This is why Reformation Day and All Saints Day fit perfectly together. This is why we celebrate with a bigger Sabbath feast than normal. This is why our children write papers on past Saints that we share as part of our festivities. It is a reminder of the story that God is telling and the characters that He uses. Fittingly, this feast happens in the Fall … when summer is dying. The reminder that death comes in order that the world may be reformed. That soon all things will be made new, but for now we must die.

I love being able to discuss these stories with my children. I love that they were thrilled to make the long drive to Wittenberg. The annual festival in Wittenberg seems to have lost the focus on scripture over the past five centuries, but my children still enjoyed the medieval costumes and performers. Maybe some day my children will tell their children what it was like to visit Wittenberg on Reformation Day. Maybe my grandchildren will look to the end of October not as a time to dress up and ask for candy, but as that time when the holiday feasting begins. A celebration of God’s story. A reminder that Christ’s final victory is over death itself.

 

Eating, Drinking and Whatsoever

Happy Holy-Days to you! Not the usual spelling and for a reason.  I love the holiday season, and I know that the word “holidays” is usually relegated to the Christmas season (which seems to begin earlier and earlier for the retail market).  I say we take our word back in its original form. The Old Testament is very particular about the feasts that those who are of the family of God are to remember and teach to their children.  Historically, the Christian church has recognized the Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter periods with other days receiving more and less attention during different periods.  New days have been added, and some are being recovered.  Always, this is to be done to remember, not just the celebration, but the reason we celebrate.

“And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make greatmirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” ―Nehemiah 8:12

For our family, the holiday season begins the end of October with Reformation Day on October 31^st and All Saints Day November 1^st.  Then, of course, we celebrate Thanksgiving in late November followed by the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas Day.  As our family has grown, literally and figuratively, I have tried to make these holidays and this holiday season an increasingly more meaningful part of our family traditions.

 

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor.  This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” ―Ecclesiastes 2:24

Obviously, our culture already makes Christmas and Thanksgiving a big deal, and Halloween is becoming bigger and bigger each year.  Yet, I wanted our holidays to be special for reasons other than the popular commercial motivations that seem to surround the public celebrations.  I want to be sure that our holidays remain Holy in the hearts of our children.

Thankfully, we are beginning to see success even as each year seems to bring something different.  Establishing traditions can be a challenge when you find yourself in a different location every few years.  This year's season is our first in Germany. Last Christmas we spent sojourning through Kansas City; in 2009, I was in Iraq; and in 2008, we were together in Hawaii.  All the transition can make establishing traditions a challenge, but it also allows for the possibility to introduce new traditions and find new ways to focus on the real meaning of each holiday.  We are doing our best.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” –1 Corinthians 10:31

We will be eating, drinking and whatsoever with healthy abandon.  I pray that we do it all to the Glory of God!

Remember How Your Hair Always Looked Good the Day BEFORE School Pictures...

Or maybe you had a sibling who crashed his bike and came home with stitches and a big bandage on his chin?  Just a few more reasons to be thankful that we are a "homeschool family" ... snap-snap.  (Are you humming the Adams Family tune while thinking of the lyrics by Tim Hawkins?)  Moving on.

Although we have been somewhat tardy in setting a date on our school calendar for pictures, we have been quite diligent in all other areas of our schooling.  The elder two have thoroughly enjoyed the instructors and the challenges of their online classrooms and are learning to budget their study time in order to satisfy more than one very patient and understanding teacher!  Abigail is looking forward to that specific challenge but satisfies herself at the present time with trying to introduce a new subject or two into her curriculum, wincing when she hears the condition, "IF you finish your other assignments, then we will begin _________."  And then there is Bear.  He is an eager student and always wants to know "When are you teaching me?"  He loves to sing the Alphabet Chase song, read books, memorize his Cubbie verses, play the matching game, and draw with big sister on the days that he isn't "doing music" with his other two (older) siblings.  Belle simply takes it all in with a big grin.

During last weekend, our school photographer had an extra day or two off from his real job, and so we were able to schedule individual photo ops.  Only two students needed to take advantage of the "re-take" day!  We hope you enjoy.

Through Her Eyes

Last Sunday dawned bright and beautiful just as it had eighteen years ago when two became one ... and has since blossomed five. Today the sun is hiding, my love is away, and I am content to be seated, socked-feet and long-sleeved, at our computer looking out at heavy, gray clouds.  Memories mingle ...  black and white formal wear meets souvenir shirts and hats from the south of France.  Memories captured just last week on what may be one of summer's final hoorahs in the face of approaching autumn.

With Baby Belle bundled-snug in a borrowed Baby Bjorn, outward-facing in order to drink in all the sights, and Brother Bear, sword in hand, eldest daughter and I head for the park. No coaxing is needed ... one small comment and she grabs Dad's Cannon before shutting the door.

Snap, snap ... capturing Bear's daily fascination with the spicket across the street, always our first stop on any walking excursion.

Snap, snap ... flowers dotting the boundary of a yard along the path to the park, don't overlook the busy bee.

At the park ... snap, snap recording brother-sister fun.

In the midst of capturing familial moments, the photographer's eye wanders and wonders at the beauty surrounding her.  Snap, snap... autumn crowding summer.

With naptime approaching and at mother's urging, a few more clicks of the shutter and then we'll turn towards home ...

Another creative-daughter moment, and I'm drawn back to that October day eighteen years ago when this journey began ...

And now, we are preparing for another brisk-walk season in that journey.  Hello, Autumn.

Whirlwind Tour

After our ten days of summer, complete with Mid-West August humidity, a cool breeze blew across Bavaria, and Mimi arrived.  The breeze soon whipped itself into a whirlwind as we packed our mornings with sightseeing before afternoon online classes claimed the eldest two Lopez students. 

Highlights included: 

• The Old Stone Bridge in Regensberg (oldest working bridge over the Danube River)
• Hiking to and picnicking at the castle ruins in Kallmunz 
• Shopping for "gifts" at Seidl Confiserie (AKA the Chocolate Store) in Laaber ... twice
• Exploring the walled village of Berching, Germany

Mimi braved the steep wooden stairs to walk on the wall.

•  Lunching at a sidewalk pizzeria in Salzburg, Austria

• Driving into the Alps ... it had to be on the list!

Fuschlsee, alpine lake

• Enjoying the view of Lupburg ... near the castle

But if I know my mom, and I'm pretty sure I do,

The Highlight of her trip to Germany ...





MIMI MEETS BELLE !!

The Citadel and More

"Gloriously perched on a rock, with its bastions deployed both in the South and the North, with its covered walkway where the colors of the Sisteron flag float in the almost everpresent wind, it fascinates the traveller passing through the Durance Vale, makes him take a break, and beckons him to visit this fortress which stands across the valley as a barrier." 

If this were all we had glimpsed,

Our Lady of the Castle Chapel

I would still proclaim that the pamphlet did not mislead with its opening statement as quoted above.  But this was not all. 

Exploring the Citadel in Sisteron, France, was one of the highlights of our trip last month.  Upon entering, we made our way past the First and the Second military enclosures. Then we took a short break to listen to some of the history of the Citadel (According to "the pamphlet," on March 5, 1815, Napoleon is worried by the Citadel on his way back from the Isle of Elba.  Short of gunpowder, its twenty guns let the Emperor and his 1200 soldiers go by.) while Bear ran from knight to knight and Patrick snapped a few shots, including the one of the chapel ... our ultimate goal. 

Next, we climbed some stairs up through what was once used as a Cistern, installed in the 16th century to collect the rain water.  This picture shows our return trip through the Cistern!

While we took in all the different views along the way,

our ultimate goal kept calling us upward.

As we topped these stairs, we found ourselves on the Upper Rampart built in the 13th century.  The view did not disappoint.

The pamphlet states (and clarifies for its English readers!), "One hundred fifty kilometers (90 miles) of the French countryside unfold from one end of the skyline to the other..."

Traveling along the rampart, the children climbed a few more stairs up into the Keep and found the Keep Bakery and the Bell.

Finally, Our Lady of the Castle Chapel, originally built in the 15th century, restored around 1935 and equipped with stained-glass windows...

After a morning of exploration, we headed down into the town for a much-needed glace/gelato/eis/ice cream.  This magnificent view was like the cherry on top!

                                                 

Firsts?

Twenty-five weeks ago Patrick, making his bed on a hard tile floor, and I, desiring a little uninterrupted rest, were experiencing our first visit to a German hospital in order to welcome our fifth blessing into our family. 

 Present-day Belle awaiting first bite of cereal while cameras focus and flash



Please note a vital adjective tucked away in that first sentence ... I may have just given it away ... yes, "first" is the word that we will focus on this evening.  

In our almost-eighteen years of marriage and almost-almost-sixteen years of parenting, we could count the number of trips to the hospital on four fingers (this is accurate, of course, if you do not include the birth of babies).  We won't go into detail on the nature of those four visits, but will simply state that they involved the two oldest males in our family, each recording two visits.

Now move this same English-spoken-here family across the world and into a foreign country.  Within seven months and eleven days of leaving Frankfurt International Airport, we have visited three different German hospitals a total of five times.  This number would increase were we to include the consultations with surgeons and the appointments with anesthesiologists that preceded the actual surgeries and "procedures."  

And yet, our Heavenly Father graciously plants and continues to water seeds of gratitude in my sometimes rocky, weary heart.  I am thankful for:

• Skilled doctors and nurses who speak better English than I will ever speak German
• Medical insurance that covers our medical needs ... completely
• The Health Care Finder at the clinic on post -- wonderful lady who speaks fluent German and sets up initial appointment with the German doctor for you
• A work environment and superiors who allow Patrick the time off to take care of his family
• Successful surgeries and speedy recoveries
• An overall lower average for hospital visits than most large families
• Authors like J.I. Packer, who writes in Knowing God,

"We can be sure that the God who made this marvellously complex world-order, and who compassed the great redemption from Egypt, and who later compassed the even greater redemption from sin and Satan, knows what He is doing, and 'doeth all things well', even if for the moment He hides His hand.  We can trust Him and rejoice in Him, even when we cannot discern His path."

Sense of Wonder

While waiting for some of the photos from our week in France to finish uploading, Lee Ann Womack kept crooning in my ears.  As I watched each image pop up, I heard "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder..."  Whether it was Geneva at sunrise or gazing up at the historical Reformers of our faith,

I was oftened reminded of what an incredible time and place this is that God has designed for us.  After our short stop in Geneva, we drove on toward the little French gite near Orpierre that Patrick had reserved for us.  This was the view from our kitchen window ...

Again, I heard "I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance ... "  We spent the week in the French Alps ... indescribable.  Lavender fields, apple orchards, vineyards, sunflowers stretching their heads above their neighbors ... and oh yes, those incredible, majestic mountains.

At times I feel that my view is too small or that it may be obstructed,

 but then, simply because of His grace, God sets my feet on high place.  To see a bit of His Glory.

OK, these are not my feet, but to see Bear's joy at the midway point of our hike (that's the Mediterranean Sea in the distance) or to see Isaac's face light up as the Tour de France races past him,

these are gifts from the Good Giver.  And here are some more.

Free Indeed

Hoping you celebrated Independence Day

remembering The One who truly set you free.

Some From The List

After organizing the myriad of digital memories on Patrick's SD card and with the thought of so many more to come next month, my mind was drawn back to the List.  Although I have missed a day here and there, I am always thankful for the gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) nudging to put pen to paper once more as The Giver continues to shower me with gifts.

# 30   Fields of gold now named ... Raps field

# 46   Children -- healthy, loving, cheerful, together

# 71   Spring thunder-showers

# 109   Baby hand discovering other baby hand

# 181   Fun day at the zoo (Tiergarten in Nurnberg) with the Capen girls

# 201   Belle-giggles

# 243   Big brother lovin' on baby sister