Jesus is Here!

It’s January again. January, 2008.

Another year is finished. And what a year it has been!

At times it’s been very difficult. But I’ve been able to see how “this trouble … is training.” And more often I’ve seen our Lord’s mercy in the events of 2007.

I’m especially grateful for the dramatic events of the 2007 Christmas, New Year Holiday!

The very fact that we were able to be with our Son Jonathan, his Wife Larina, and their Sons Jonah and Luke for Christmas is remarkable! We wanted this. They wanted it. Our Lord, through the generosity of someone he’d prospered during the year, provided us with airfare to Boise, Idaho where they live. Jesus was with us this Christmas!

Traveling during Christmas Holidays is treacherous. Our aircraft was defective. The replacement came late. But time was made up in the air. Unlike thousands of Holiday travelers we arrived with only negligible delay.

Our Lord gave us a “White Christmas!”

Jon and Larina had a beautiful tree. The Kids were fun! The Christmas Eve Service among their fellows – Vineyard, Boise – was exceptional; warm and intimate. As we received our Lord’s Supper we felt deeply that it was and will always be a “Holy Night”! Jesus was, without question, there!

Larina’s Family, from Oregon, joined us in Boise. We enjoyed getting better acquainted with them. They were so generous! Having them with us added to the festivities.

Christmas morning Jon and I walked through the foothills near their Home for over 2 hours. The crisp, cold snow crunched rhythmically under our steps. The nostalgia was delicious to my Canadian heart. A vivid sunrise on clear blue skies, the vast valley stretching endlessly from mountains on every side, were moving reminders of the majestic wonder of the Lord whose birth we were celebrating. Jon and I often ride bikes when we’re together. Unlike a bike ride this hike allowed us to carry on conversation. I will always cherish this conversation!

Later we ate like Kings. Jonah – 3 years old – was the center of attention. He’d open a gift, play with it for a while, and then open another. We all watched, worked to unravel mazes of wires and adhesives – “secure packaging” – and, when Jonah approved, joined him in his play.

I am especially grateful that the conversation during the day was more than “chit chat.” We were able to encourage each other. There were even opportunities to face some challenges together. I’m very grateful for that!

These 6 days were gone so fast and as I hugged Jon at the Airport I felt what Dan Folgeberg – may he be with you Lord Jesus – called “that old familiar pain.” And I feel it now.

Still, I do not have words to appropriately thank our Lord for our Boise Christmas and for being there with us!