Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure a final exam does not technically meet the definition of a festivity (the celebration of something in a joyful and exuberant way), but maybe the completion of the final exam does. I took my final exam in Systematic Theology I (cosmological, moral, and teleological arguments, the Trinity, Providence, problem of evil, free will vs. determinism, etc.) on Wednesday morning and certainly felt more festive when it was over! I felt especially festive when I discovered that I made a 90% on it. Then I found out that I got a 91% on my research paper on the possible connections between the Trinity and gender roles (eternal functional subordination of Jesus? I Corinthians 11:3?), and a 100% on my last quiz.
It sounds silly, but a few of you really encouraged me early on when you said things like “You’re not a B student!” (Anne C., Matt B….) when there was that Moodle mishap with my first two quizzes. (Thank you!) The problem is that for this particular school and program the lowest A is a 95%. So, I will be making a B, but I thank God for the strength to study and learn and make a grade that somewhat reflects the understanding that He gave me. (I say somewhat, because no grade could ever properly evaluate the growth and joy and privilege of learning the deep things of the Word and doctrine or the worship that it calls forth. For these things I am even more grateful!)
Somehow, in spite of the schoolwork ~ both seminary and homeschool ~ and lots of other things, we managed to cut down a Christmas tree at our favorite tree farm and get the house decorated.
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We had a snowstorm the day before Thanksgiving, so had to trudge through
about 10 inches of snow to find our tree! |
We cut our tree down two days after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is definitely a favorite holiday in our house. We always have a houseful for the meal, and even the kids love helping with the preparations the morning of while alternatively watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on TV. Some years we’ve sent the boys away from the house for a football game, but not this year.
Kayla really wanted to make the Turkey this year. I always cook two turkeys, though. One goes in at 6am and out at 9am. The other goes in at 9am and comes out around noon. I tried to talk her into preparing the 6am turkey and letting me off the hook this year, but she was not swayed.
She did a great job, and used some tips and tricks she’s picked up from various cooking shows ~ butter and lots of herbs and spices. She was not too thrilled with removing the neck and giblets, but I made her do it anyway. Hopefully, that way she will never make the same mistake I did the first time I cooked a turkey.
I left the bag of parts and the neck inside the whole time it cooked.
No one died or got sick, but still.
Here’s a look at the crowd. 27 people which included a toddler and infant. My house is very small, but people don’t seem to mind too much…
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| The teen girls’ table |
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| Etienne, Tristan, Katie, and Dan |
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| Kevin (our temporary live-in guest!), Steve, Mike, Kiah, Gwyneth, Logan, Cooper, and Mark |
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| Me, Theresa, Tony, Christie, Ryan, Izckra, Nicolette, Chris, and Michelle |
On the Saturday of the following week, we had a church women’s event called “Mug & Muffin.” The name and idea were stolen from my college and Campus Crusade days at the University of Texas, but it was no less popular than it was back then ~ wow! About 50 women gathered in the beautiful home of a woman from our church. Think Pottery Barn + Mary Engelbreit + Williams Sonoma + Susan Branch. It was perfectly delightful in its decor and warmth. The girls LOVED it.
They were encouraged to come in their comfiest pi’s and slippers or sweats and bring their favorite mug ~ and as you can see, they DID. We ate muffins, drank coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, sang, prayed, and heard brief teaching or testimony from two women from our church. We also used the gathering as a way to get everyone thinking about the women’s retreat coming up in February.
A chocolate stirring spoon was the take-home favor that I had a lot of fun creating the day before. Super easy, cute, and yummy!
The very next day we had a combined (early and late services) worship and baptism service. Talk about a festivity! We got to hear three beautiful testimonies, and there is really no better way to participate in the spirit of the season than this in my opinion.
And last but not least, I really enjoyed watching several of Cooper’s debates and presentations for Challenge III. It’s been nice to have a break from tutoring this year, but I always enjoy seeing these teens display the skills and knowledge they have acquired over the last few years. Cooper’s philosophy presentation was on Humanism and it’s origins and core beliefs. His debates were on the issues of secession, states’ rights, and the Civil War, specifically whether or not the southern states were justified in secession. He had to argue both sides in two different debates. Ask him anything! I’m proud of his hard work in preparing. He’s constantly being stretched beyond what he thinks he is able to do.
Okay ~ that’s about all for now. I only started to think about Christmas gifts yesterday, and have lots to prepare for still. In all honesty, I have been a complete mess (internally mostly, and externally only to my poor husband), but I felt another post about that struggle would not help the situation any. Betsy and I talked about the battleground of our thought life and constant negativity yesterday while running. I’ve definitely been losing that battle, but as always the Lord meets me in His Word each day and I am sustained in hope ~ though tiny shreds they may seem.
I’ll finish reading the Bible from cover to cover before the end of the year, and I really did not think that Jude and Revelation were going to be of any encouragement. Silly me. Maybe I’ll tell you about that on Monday.
He is good, and He is returning! Now that will be a festivity! It will be THE FESTIVITY.
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and he will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
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