The Traditional Three-Ring Circus

Yesterday was family Christmas. And, as one can only imagine in a family as large as mine, it was a bit like a three-ring circus. It always is. But I must admit. I LOVE IT.

Per usual, we ate too much, shared some good-natured teasing, held our breaths while hearing crashes from the basement, oooohed and ahhhhed over the newest batch of Christmas pajamas that grandma had sewn, engaged in wrapping paper-ball wars, and attempted to corral the children to facilitate dozens of photo ops.

It was a great evening, and a good time was enjoyed by all. I love that despite the busyness of our lives, almost all twenty-four of us are able to come together for one day each year.

And at the close of the evening, I especially love watching the crazy little cyclones (that I call nieces and nephews) climb into their parent's cars and back out of the driveway, while I retire to the coziness of my calm, quiet, home :)

They appear to be little angels, don't they?

Unwrapping some new pj's...

The little models...

Our little princess...

And her growling sister...


Baby Quinn, who had the good fortune of being
too young to get attacked by the older boys...

My fabulous nieces who are getting too cute for their own good :)

And uncle Todd, who was happy to be the instigator of
much of the evening's mischief...

Joy has left the building...

Today Rob spoke about Joy. About the angels who came and announced the birth of baby Jesus; the angels who instructed to fear not, because they brought great tidings of joy. He talked about the relationship between joy and fear -- that if joy came to a party, fear would leave. And vice versa. Because the two cannot exist in the same room.

So I drove home. Contemplating joy, and this Advent season during which we wait expectantly for the coming of our King and the joyous celebration that this involves.

And then I reached home, and read this on nytimes.com. And joy left the room quite quickly.

I was with YWAM for a couple years. It was a wonderful experience, and it allowed me to see and do things that I would have never thought possible. I know the hearts of the people who work, volunteer, and study with the organization. And I know they are passionate, committed, Christ-followers who desire nothing more than for the world to know that there is a God who loves them. They seek to share joy -- often with those who have never known it in their lives.

It is difficult to digest a situation like this, knowing the things I have shared with you about the mission of the organization and its people. As with the shooting in Omaha, and so many others like it, it doesn't seem fair, right, or logical.

So to the families and friends of the victims, to all those associated with YWAM and the greater missions' community, to those whose lives have been tainted by fear and tragedy, we pray for joy...rich, deep, glorious joy...that would spring from the very depths of your beings and shine a light amidst this present darkness. Peace be with you...