Merry Christmas my dear reader!
Something amazing happened last night. I was out walking in the fresh snow, heading to Starbucks. I passed a church on the corner, near my daughter's house. It was right behind the bus stop, where I sought shelter from the snow. I ducked in, adjusted my scarf and stared at the church. I wondered if they might have a Christmas day service. I was essentially stranded in Vancouver for at least another day. I would really like to go to church.
So I looked up their number and gave them a call. Amazingly, a voice answered on the second ring. He sounded as surprised as I to find someone on the other end.
I asked him if they were were holding a church service Christmas day.
He told me no, not Christmas, but they had two Christmas Eve services. One at 5:00 and one at 7:00 p.m.
I thanked him and hung up. Just then, the bus pulled up. And then deposited me a block from Starbucks.
I enjoyed my time there. I sat looking out the window, watching the snow fall, while sipping a Gingerbread latte with almond milk.
I pondered my life so far. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, thankful for this gift of quiet. I thought about the church I just called. It was 4:30 p.m. I would not make it back in time for the 5:00 service. But the 7:00 p.m. was a possibility.
I had not brought any of my books or even my Kindle with me as I set out into the snow. I had planned on it. I had packed a bag with my bible a notebook, pen, pencil and Kindle. Quiet, alone time at Starbucks always meant an ideal time for reading, studying and pondering!
But my daughter gave me one of her looks as I packed my bag and put on multiple layers of clothing. She suggested I leave the bag behind. In case the buses weren't running and I had to walk.
She was worried about me trudging through a snowstorm lugging a heavy bag.
She made a good point. I grabbed only my cell phone and umbrella. It felt freeing to travel so light.
As I headed home, I saw the tail lights of my return bus. So I put on my gloves, and tightened the string of the hood of my jacket and set out to walk home a mile. In the snow.
I was the only one walking. It was dark. But the snow reflected off the street lights. It was beautiful. I liked the sound of the snow crunching under my feet. It was cold, but no wind. I walked briskly, thankful that my cough was gone and that I was healthy enough to walk a mile briskly in the snow.
I took a deep breath, telling myself to be present in this moment. I thanked God for my life. And just then, in the quiet, I felt a stirring in my soul. I knew I must make it to the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Service near my daughter's house.
I did! It was lovely. And near the end we lit candles and sung "A Christmas Hallelujah" by candle light. I ran into M & I, the neighbors of my daughter and son-in-law. I sat with them and they gave me a ride home.
A perfect evening!
Baby Gracie slept through the night and then took a Christmas morning nap with my daughter while I did the dishes. The roads were still icy, so we relaxed and watched a movie over breakfast.
By 1 p.m. the roads were clear. Just a bit of icy slush on the back roads. My daughter, son-in-law and Baby Gracie had plans at his sister's house. I was invited, but I gently declined. I had my own plans...
Star Wars: The Last Jedi!
Sshhhh... It starts in 2 minutes!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Love,
Zita
Something amazing happened last night. I was out walking in the fresh snow, heading to Starbucks. I passed a church on the corner, near my daughter's house. It was right behind the bus stop, where I sought shelter from the snow. I ducked in, adjusted my scarf and stared at the church. I wondered if they might have a Christmas day service. I was essentially stranded in Vancouver for at least another day. I would really like to go to church.
So I looked up their number and gave them a call. Amazingly, a voice answered on the second ring. He sounded as surprised as I to find someone on the other end.
I asked him if they were were holding a church service Christmas day.
He told me no, not Christmas, but they had two Christmas Eve services. One at 5:00 and one at 7:00 p.m.
I thanked him and hung up. Just then, the bus pulled up. And then deposited me a block from Starbucks.
I enjoyed my time there. I sat looking out the window, watching the snow fall, while sipping a Gingerbread latte with almond milk.
I pondered my life so far. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, thankful for this gift of quiet. I thought about the church I just called. It was 4:30 p.m. I would not make it back in time for the 5:00 service. But the 7:00 p.m. was a possibility.
I had not brought any of my books or even my Kindle with me as I set out into the snow. I had planned on it. I had packed a bag with my bible a notebook, pen, pencil and Kindle. Quiet, alone time at Starbucks always meant an ideal time for reading, studying and pondering!
But my daughter gave me one of her looks as I packed my bag and put on multiple layers of clothing. She suggested I leave the bag behind. In case the buses weren't running and I had to walk.
She was worried about me trudging through a snowstorm lugging a heavy bag.
She made a good point. I grabbed only my cell phone and umbrella. It felt freeing to travel so light.
As I headed home, I saw the tail lights of my return bus. So I put on my gloves, and tightened the string of the hood of my jacket and set out to walk home a mile. In the snow.
I was the only one walking. It was dark. But the snow reflected off the street lights. It was beautiful. I liked the sound of the snow crunching under my feet. It was cold, but no wind. I walked briskly, thankful that my cough was gone and that I was healthy enough to walk a mile briskly in the snow.
I took a deep breath, telling myself to be present in this moment. I thanked God for my life. And just then, in the quiet, I felt a stirring in my soul. I knew I must make it to the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Service near my daughter's house.
I did! It was lovely. And near the end we lit candles and sung "A Christmas Hallelujah" by candle light. I ran into M & I, the neighbors of my daughter and son-in-law. I sat with them and they gave me a ride home.
A perfect evening!
Baby Gracie slept through the night and then took a Christmas morning nap with my daughter while I did the dishes. The roads were still icy, so we relaxed and watched a movie over breakfast.
By 1 p.m. the roads were clear. Just a bit of icy slush on the back roads. My daughter, son-in-law and Baby Gracie had plans at his sister's house. I was invited, but I gently declined. I had my own plans...
Star Wars: The Last Jedi!
Sshhhh... It starts in 2 minutes!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Love,
Zita
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