ADVENTure

Merry Christmas, Readers! 

I have not done well with keeping up writing this year. But I've done a whole lot of reading. And moving. And moving again. And working my way through the book, The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron, (I'm on Week 4--end of year project for me). I've worked 14 hour days making a success of a museum that is now repeating events I began. I've been sick, and I've been well. I've lost about 40 pounds. I've not worked out but wanted to. Said goodbye to beloved grandpets and hello to a couple of grandkids! I got to move back to Colorado. I'm so happy to be "home." But dang, it's just been a year of adventure! 

©CherieElainePhotography2024

I've also been doing an Advent Bible Study, The Marvel and Miracle of Advent by Christine Caine and Lisa Harper. SO GOOD. It has enlightened me in ways, refreshed me in others, and confirmed what I already knew. But I did get a new revelation. 

Advent. The first six letters of the word Adventure. The arrival of something new. The beginning of some great thing that will come to be in 2025. 

I don't know what it is. I just know I am watching for it. 

I was so excited for Christmas events this year. Two Christmas parties, my grandson's Christmas Concert. All of those events dashed. I was sicker than regular sick instead. And SAD. 

Really? Because I missed a Christmas party or two? 

I saw an accident last evening on my home. Two firetrucks, an ambulance, and a closed frontage road because the jaws of life were at work freeing the occupants of an overturned truck. 

Advent is the anticipation of something, something that can be REALLY GOOD or something REALLY SAD. 

If you would, pray for the family involved with the accident. I don't know their names. I don't know if they were from here. I do know that their adventure is going to be a rough one, and celebrating Christmas might not be on their radar now-- except that it is EVERYWHERE. 

I don't know how adventurous Mary and Joseph were feeling on their trip to Bethlehem while Mary is getting ready to pop and they couldn't find a place to stay. Contractions hurt and if your water breaks in public its just downright embarrassing. And I'm not an expert on the whole betrothed thing, but I imagine that was pretty tough, too, because being in labor isn't your most beautiful moment and Mary was about to let Joseph see it in all it's glory.

This is the true thing that remains: Christmas is the season when the ultimate adventure began, and it is celebrated because of the One who gave His all so we could be our all. There wasn't a tree lit up or a fire in a fireplace to cozy up to. I wonder if there was even such a thing as hot cocoa? 

I wish you joy, I wish you peace, I wish you happiness. I just want us to remember the why, the what, the who, and the how. 

Begin your ADVENTure. A plan awaits you. You probably don't have any idea what it is or what it means, but know this, it IS. 

Love you.

©CherieElainePhotography2024