A Treasure to Behold!

Apart from the market jitters for those who pay attention to such things, fear is a persistent human emotion and something the gospel addresses again and again. From the “fear not” of the angel Gabriel when he appeared to Mary to this “fear not little flock” the gospel assures me there is something going on much more important and powerful than anything that can scare me. God is at work in the world. Therefore, I need not fear.

“Do not fear,” Jesus says, by way of encouragement, “for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” I wonder if the original text had the word “give” in italics for emphasis--a reminder God wants to give me the kingdom, not sell it to me.

The one thing that Jesus says is truly important to treasure, the Kingdom, is not available for money. I don’t need a loan in a credit-tight market in order to receive it. “Sell your possessions and give alms,” he says, and that is something truly requires me to overcome fear. What if I need that money? Then what? It is a fearful thing to give away my hard-earned $$. In the economy of scarcity, it puts me one down.

Jesus has a very different economy in mind when he says to sell possessions and give alms, that is, give to the poor, in order that I may have treasure in heaven.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The implication, of course, is that putting our treasure into alms is an investment in heaven, or an investment in the eternal residence of God.

Taking this seriously first requires an honest answer to the question, “What do you treasure?”

I treasure my husband, children, parents, grandparents (Grandma Bessie, picture on the right, is 94,) and friends--the people first of all

Then, the intangibles such as memories of good times in the past, my education, my health, my faith, the values inherent in my nation’s constitution--liberty and justice, order and decency

Then, the truly important material goods, a home, a photograph album, a family Bible, or a piece of jewelry or art inherited from an ancestor, the kind of things I would gather up first if the house was on fire and I could only get out with one armload of stuff.

And then what? What do you treasure?


I treasure my time. I treasure time with my loved ones, time pursuing the things that make us happy--whether art, music, sports, literature, or travel. I treasure experience, so I treasure time. And, whether I like it or not, in this society, in this economy, time is money. So, I treasure money--even if I ain't greedy miser--because with money I may buy time with my loved ones, healthcare for a longer, more comfortable life, and the freedom to pursue all those things that make me happy.

How can I not be afraid, then, when what I treasure is threatened? It is natural to circle the wagons, hunker down in my position, and defend what I treasure. Jesus’ antidote to our fear, then, is not what comes naturally. “Sell your possessions and give away the proceeds.” It sounds so unlikely, so impractical, and so ineffective. If I fear losing the treasure that gives me a sense of security, how can giving it away make me less fearful? It makes no sense in this world I live in. And yet, I have witnessed people do exactly what Jesus says and find that their entire lives shift from fear to joy when they embrace a life of service and discipleship.

Here’s the hard part for me. For all kinds of reasons, when I give time to help a person in need, it very often does not work out the way I planned. My attempt to help a homeless mom find an apartment and a job that will pay the rent fail to pour motivation into a depressed and defeated woman. Or, my attempt to help a struggling couple of friends mend their marriage, become better parents, and get their lives on track fail to have any effect. The couple separates and their children suffer.

What do I do when I put my treasure of time, energy, and money into the least of these God’s children, and I do not see the results I hoped for?

Here’s where the parable comes in. Jesus tells of a master who goes to a wedding feast, an occasion that can last for several days or a week, and his servants never know when he will come home. When he comes home at an hour they did not expect, he finds his servants awake and at work, ready to welcome their master as soon as he knocks. It is the Father’s pleasure to give me the kingdom. If it depended on me earning it by our success and effectiveness in my service, I would be up the creek without a paddle.

Jesus does not say “Blessed are those servants whom the Master finds who have finished all their work and put everything in perfect order.” Instead, he says, “Blessed are those whom the master finds alert when he comes, dressed for action, lamps lit.”

This saying of Jesus, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” is used as a bit of wisdom for fundraisers of all kinds. Fundraisers understand the truth of this--get people to give a bit of money to the church and their hearts will follow. College development officers know that if they can get that first contribution of a senior who is graduating and they will not only likely be donors for life, they will tell every 17-year-old they know how wonderful their college is and that they should consider applying.

Political candidates know, get someone to donate to their campaign and they’ll not only vote for their candidate, they’ll encourage their friends and family members to do the same.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” is a valuable bit of wisdom for those who want to strengthen churches and other organizations.

I think Jesus had something deeper in mind. Jesus was speaking to disciples and potential disciples when he said this. He was not talking about strengthening the church, though Jesus is in favor of that--here he was talking about strengthening disciples, teaching disciples how to get closer to God.

And that is where this passage finds me. If I want to overcome my fear of the future, my insecurity about our health or wealth, my children, anything I treasure, here’s what Jesus recommends: give stuff away. Whatever stuff I treasure, give it toward God’s purposes, and I will find my heart follows, and I will be closer to God. When I am close to God, I have nothing to fear, not even death itself.

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I have never known my grandparents. So, I treasure dh's grandparents who will be 89 and 90. The privilege of spending two days with them--visiting from Medford, OR--was no small blessing. It was the most precious gift we were blessed with this holiday season.

Trite though it may sound, it is helpful to realize, and more importantly accept, that their lives are dwindling down to memories of the past and their focus on the future is narrowing. They are closing in to themselves, both physically and emotionally. It is time for them to look backward and evaluate. They no longer want or need to look forward and plan. Besides hunting, fishing, berries/fruit picking, canning, crocheting tablecloth, they never cared about fancy clothes, house wares, electronics...any excess that doesn't fit into the daily essential category. I love spending time with them and listening to their stories. They live every day of their lives to the fullest--despite various medical challenges especially in recent months.

Grandpa Burton and Grandma Viola have been married for over seventy years. They still love each other as faithfully and with as much reverence as in their youth. During the short time I spent with them it seemed every hour grandpa would compliment his bride "Viola was the most beautiful gal in all of Oregon, and she's still the prettiest girl I've ever seen." Or, "I love her even more today than the day I married her." And, "She may not have the sharpest memory, but she's the best thing that's ever happened to me." They are my inspiration, my role models. They will always be treasured and remembered!

Time
To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute: Ask the person who has missed the plane.
To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who has just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has just won a silver medal in the Olympics.

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Friendship & Purpose

Another day drew to a close after a night of sleepover at The Barrows (more flickr photos here.) It melts my heart to see the children with big smiles. What beautiful, unconditional friendships these kids are nurturing between two cities, in a short time!

I ruminated a little on this and thought about friends, friendship in general, and the inestimable value of a true friend.

Someone who is not our enemy is our friend. People we went to school with were our friends. People we greet daily in our community are friends. People we are acquainted with and feel agreeable towards are our friends. Those with whom we forge a special bond and thrive on their companies when we interact with them are also our friends. Humans are social animals and forming attachments to other people is an inevitable feature of being human. However, varying degrees of intimacy, appreciation, interaction, affection, love and regard are involved in these different types of friendly relationships. The generic term friend, has replaced the more specific meaning which means a person with whom we have a close and intimate relationship, with whom we form a special bond, where both people involved value and understand each other as individuals and accept and appreciate each other as they are.

The essence of friendship has been distilled by Antoine St. Exupéry in “The Little Prince”. He defines friendship as a process akin to taming a wild animal, a formation of bonds. This is a good definition, for in taming something we build bridges of trust, we learn about what we tame, we understand it, we appreciate it. Establishment of bonds is a two-way process. We each gain through that effort a person who becomes different from everyone else for us, a special person. A person whom we can turn to, a person who always has time for us: “I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.” Robert Brault remarked. At the same time, St. Exupéry said, forming bonds creates responsibilities. Being a friend carries with it a mental attitude and an important code of behaviour that should be adhered to.

Friendship involves co-operation. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Each person must contribute to the creation of the bonds and in the process get to know the other person better. Each person’s virtues and talents are appreciated, their faults and weaknesses forgiven. “True Friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance. A want of discernment cannot be an ingredient in it.”~~Henry David Thoreau. There is trust and interdependence in friendship, respect and loyalty. True friends share their lives, the happiness and the misfortune. Especially so the sharing of good fortune and happiness, which a friend can accept without envy or jealousy as, “Too few rejoice at a friend's good fortune.” Aeschylus said. A friend listens, understands, offers advice but doesn’t try to influence your decisions, just accepts them. Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.

Friendship is a universal human need and we all wish to be friends and have friends. We all define the word differently; but we all need the same relationship. To those of you that are blessed with true friends, rejoice in them! Those that feel friendless, take heart in what the good Emerson says--"The only way to have a friend is to be one.”--go out there and make some friends! And to the lucky ones who like me have a partner who is also my best friend, enjoy and be thankful for them. Goodnight!

"It seems to me that the best relationships-- the ones that last-- are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is... suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with." ~~Jeff Bell

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Christmas is Here!!

It's been a busy two months since Thanksgiving. Dare I say that the future is so bright that we gotta wear shades? Unplug, unwind, enjoy your family time as we are.

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Down to a Wire

Peering out early morning window our children smiled, quietly enjoying the moment of realization of the snow day before them. (picture on the left is the Balancing Rock at Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs.)

I've been gallivanting around with friends this week when I should have been home finishing projects, but I have faith...I have time...I have caffeine, so it's off to the races for two more days...(Visit me here for more whirlwind of holiday activities and project finishing.)

Every year I promise that next year I won't leave things until the last minute. This year has been better than most because we have been making a very conscious effort to limit gift buying and trying to focus more on making gifts, but there are still the last minute things I didn't think about. Distant relatives (or related by marriage) and SIL's new boyfriend coming to the Christmas feast unexpectedly--meaning they weren't on my gift list, but now... oooh of course the baking ingredients I was sure we had, but didn't, etc. It will be the fourth time to the grocery store this week.

But there's more to it than just the last minute shopping. Just last weekend, I foolishly patted myself on the back because we've been having such a relaxed and low key holiday season (so relaxed that the tree's yet been decorated!) I felt like I had finally conquered the frenzy that can happen during the holidays. A few days later, that little bubble burst. I suddenly felt/feel overwhelmed and frantic. It seems to be all around me. The traffic is more brutal. The check-out lines are longer. Everyone in a rush, but not moving anywhere swiftly... wanting to be somewhere else, honking, fidgeting, snapping. It's the same with me. I am staying up too late-- grouchy and scattered during the day; worried I won't get everything done that I had in mind.

OMG, did I mention friends (one visiting from Eugene) are coming over tomorrow afternoon for a quick get-together! House to clean, tree to decorate, and food to make in the crack of dawn...I sense a message from the universe to slow down and re-focus on the things that really matter. So it's time to get back in the holiday spirit...

Believe me, I really enjoy my family, but I got to take a break from them this afternoon while DH took the kids sleding, with my SIL and niece visiting from Washington, and her boyfriend. Snow fall was the reality today. There were 10" of snow covering their driveway when we drove in to my inlaws in Sunriver, OR. We love the beautiful winter wonderland so long we don't have to shovel the driveway. Last time the kids sled in Sunriver was two years ago when we first moved to Oregon. Second time was just as awesome. In fact, our youngest would like to go back tomorrow! Did you know clean snow is edible? That's a fact--if you don't believe our 6-year-old--from the folks at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo.

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C is for Christmas Tree

I'm dreaming of a Green Christmas...I could wax philosophical about the benefits of the presence of a real tree-living or cut--in our home for Christmas. But rather than bore you with all my personal sentiments, I'd like to use the season of the festivals of lights to illuminate the tangible benefits of bringing a real tree into our home. Instead of supporting our economy and local Crop Christmas tree growers who work here in Central Oregon, this year, the kids, dh, and I decided to start a family tradition of going out and cutting down our own Christmas tree. We want our tree fresh, organic without pesticides and fertilizers, and last much longer than one bought at a tree lot!

So we put on some warm cloths and mittens, tossed the tree saw and cordless trimmer, borrowed from our friend Jenn, in the back of th station wagon (without stud tires or chains.) We first got a $5 permit at Joe's and then headed off 30 miles away from home to McKenzie Pass through Sisters late this afternoon.

Yes, there are tree farms where we can cut our own tree, but that’s not what I'm talking about. I’m talking about the real thing: getting out into a real forest and searching for our perfect Christmas tree.



The perfect Christmas tree was an image each of us held in our minds and dreams. The tree had to be about six feet tall, a Douglas Fir with a perfect taper and very bushy with no bare spots.
Upon arrival, there was a van parked in front of the locked gate with a mom sitting with her son sound asleep. Her husband and kids were out searching for their tree. Well...DS insisted on staying behind because he didn't dress appropriately--"I don't have the right shoes or pants," he said. Naturally, I remained with him.
There were a couple of inches of snow on the ground that made the forest almost magical; which added to a great sense of adventure.


It didn't take them long to find a tree (not too far off the trail.) The girls helped saw it down, and
dh carried it back single-handedly to the van as it was surprisingly light.

They were back just as darkness came upon us. It's not the tree I imagined. But, the girls and dh chose it carefully for our home. This tree (not sure what fir it is yet) was about 9' and proportionally spaced so minimal trimming is required (dh had to cut the top off by about 1.5 feet, with tree stand, in order to get it in the house.)

We did not get the biggest/fullest tree out in the wood so we may feel we get our money's worth; but, this is a perfect tree. Just look. Visit here for a collection of our Christmas tree adventure in pictures.

There's nothing like cutting your own tree for Christmas in the forest and get you in the holiday spirit. It was great fun, exercise, and a chance to enjoy the fresh air. This "je ne sais quoi" is part of the magic of the evergreen, which reminds me that the sun will return next season to coax forth our garden once again. Leave the plastic on the shelves, and go get your hands dirty!


While I was surfing the net to find out the type of fir we have, I came across this interesting site. I am a Rowan~~The Sensitivity, Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw Attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive. What kind of tree are you?

Phew! I'm exhausted after a long day of hopping around town (Tower Theatre for Sunday Holiday Special Event, Target, Joe's, Cutting Trees, and Michaels;) plus I am still under the weather with runny nose and possible sinus infection. Decorating will have to wait 'til tomorrow.

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Season of Festive Lights in Springfield, OR

Prepare yourself for the Season of Lights! Thanksgiving is behind us. Christmas approaches. Winter warriors are seen everywhere at the tops of ladders, decorating, risking their lives and limbs (and don't forget those spiraling utility bills) stringing out latest festive glow of lights and blow mould figurines like cheery santa and jolly snowman. They bring smiles to the cold winter evening.

Illuminating lights are up on frontage of houses and gardens everywhere...people start competing with their neighbors for the best Christmas display on the block! Some are tastefully attractive while others garishly overdone.

Well hopefully this year you win and your neighbors stand awestruck with tongues gaping in sheer amazement at your Christmas Home Presentation!! The waves of jealousy will envelope you like a warm blanket on a frosty winter day.

As spectators, it is always nice to stroll through the streets, arm in arm, and look at decorative displays...dreaming of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, with Nat King Cole playing in your head. At this time of the year never a day goes by without me humming Home for the Holidays at lest once. I have now passed on this Christmas curse to my kids, like a festive chain letter.

I have a pension for BLUE Christmas lights. They are my first alternative to white and a nice accent to white lighting motif. Unlike my childhood, they now come in an assortment of bulb sizes, shapes, and colors. For years, we had large round ones in multi-colors which carried a modern yet retro vibe. Now, I dig the small ones.

Anyway, back to business....if the lights are not that exciting where you live you have a couple of choices. You could continue your romantic walk and just look at what your neighbors are watching on TV that may be interesting in itself...or you may retire back to your home...cuddle up and view here for a bunch of truly inspiring light displays from around the world. With luck, you may find one in your neighbourhood if you are lucky.

Illuminating Shows in a small Springfield, OR neighborhoold

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Happy Times in Newberg, OR

The rain has been coming down since last night in Springfield, OR.

We drove four hours (round-trip) to hang out with friends for half a day in Newberg, OR, where sky was blue and crisp. Is it worth it? You bet. We have met these friends in a 5-day retreat in September. The kids have been inseperable ever since...they talked/dreamed/breathed about the reunion for months. It is finally happening!

Why such strong bond you ask? I guess most of our deepest friendships are forged when we are young. Less rigid and more open, our hearts embrace a new relationship with very few conditions attached. The soul then, I speculate, is less suspicious and more willing to accept an overture. It is these friendships that last a lifetime, time and distance hardly making a dent in the steel it is forged out of. Life's events may stretch the fabric of a true friendship but will not make a rent in the comforting cocoon it envelops us in.

Visits to Mike and Theresa's 5-acre Home, Sherwood Iceland, and Safari Sam's Jungle Gym...The Newberg area offers much to see and do. We drove past Champoeg State Park, preserved in buildings and historical sights, but couldn't make a stop. I would have love to tour the Herbert Hoover House and some wineries in the Willamette Valley, home for some of the finest wineries in the northwest...another time, another trip.

The world would be a cold place indeed if we did not have friends to warm us and keep us cocooned in a blanket of affection and caring.

2007 Festival of Trees, Eugene, OR

Daughter #1 proudly present 2007 Festival of Trees, Oh Come, All Ye Faithful! It is a call to the community and residents of Lane County, OR, to join together in a common goal of reaching out to those in need at a difficult time. (More on this later as the kids and dh are rushing me to go...)

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Black Friday Madness

I have to chuckle...Guess who was up and out the door at 4:30 before the sun is even up? Believe it...and it wasn't me...my beau!

MIL persuaded him yesterday to get in the madness line at BestBuy for laptops advertised at $299 or $399 with a load of rebates, on Black Friday.

It is the post-Thanksgiving ritual that kicks off the Christmas season for retailers--is expected to deliver splashy promotions on everything from cashmere sweaters to high-definition DVD players. Want to be one of the limited few contenders to a dirt-cheap laptop or a 50" plasma TV for under a grand? You would have to camp out like hundreds of thousands (may be even millions) across the country at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target, Frys...etc.

For me and the kids, we are just happy to sleep in and waking up to warm sun and inviting aroma of hash browns and bacon.

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Thanksgiving Family Tradition 2007

Gobble, gobble! Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness... it's an occasion to be spent in the warm and loving company of family, loved ones and friends enjoying turkey roast and pumpkin pies with them. Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to renew the ties that bind us with the ones we love... it is a time for remembering, cherishing and being thankful for all the good things you have been blessed with.

What are you thankful for this year? The "giving thanks" part of Thanksgiving means different things to different folks. For some, it's about self-medicating to get through the family time. For me, it's about faith, hope, love, and celebrating my family. Sometimes that's all we have, but it's always all we need.

I am thankful for my best friend and husband of 15+ years.

I am thankful for my three blessed treasures who share their wisdom, energy and excitement with me each and every day.

I am thankful for holidays because they are times for family and friends to come together.

I am thankful for food that gives me energy.

I am thankful for the giving and receiving of gifts because by giving we show others that I care about them and by receiving I know that others care about me.

I am thankful for my leaders, such as my ministers, teachers and my mom who comfort me and make me feel safe.

I am thankful for my friends who care about me and those survive cancer, separation, and divorces.

I am thankful for my imaginations and the excitement of learning.

I am thankful for music, blog (recent discovery), and reading, which allow me to let out my emotions.

I am thankful for opportunities to explore new things and take risks especially with my art and craft interests.

I am thankful for the many ways I feel connected to the world around me.

Without hope, life would not be worth living and being thankful reminds us of the hope we have. That's why I think Thanksgiving is so important and why I am glad it's a national holiday.

If we don't teach our children to be thankful, they may go through life without hope and they may not appreciate the world around them. How sad to live with blinders on to all but our own interests. How sad to go through life with a chip on your shoulder. How sad to go through life with no desire to take care of our world. I want our children to be thankful. I count my blessings so they hear me. I tell them they are high on my list. Life is at its best when we are thankful.

As we enjoy our families, friends, parades, food, and football today, we wish you a great day of rest and thanksgiving. May you be encouraged to reflect upon this wonderful nation and all those things we have to be thankful for. God bless you and yours and the Land of the Pilgrim's pride. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!