What's going on?

Am I doing pilates in the dark on cement? Have I passed out from too much Christmas marketing? Or am I just trying to get the ‘perfect shot’ of a cathedral in Reims, France? [Thanks, Sumreen, for getting your own perfect shot!]

Bon weekend in Brussels. Enjoyed some fun hangout time with friends on Friday…including trying to explain to the taxi driver where I live in French, while my so-called friend watched and taunted from the window saying “Just say oui!”—my typical response when someone is speaking to me and I haven’t a clue. Funny stuff. I managed to get home—so there!

I went shopping with a friend on Saturday and we ended up at Babies 2000---thinks Babies-R-Us Euro-style, yet like many things here, a little more manageable and slightly less overwhelming….though the number of stroller choices was outstanding! Many adorable morsels that I wanted to buy for Daisy, Elijah, and all the other peanuts on the scene, but managed to have self-control. We poked around some other shops too and I came home with much needed Christmas lights and Christmas tree stand.

Which brings me to my delusional trip to the Flagey Market yesterday, where I somehow thought I could carry a full-size Christmas tree home—pretty funny in retrospect. Who do I think I am? Grizzly Adams? Alas. Only carried three poinsettias and some treats to take to the Well Christmas Concert, which was a most lovely way to get in the holiday spirit—beautiful carols and the smell of mulled-wine simmering.

Handel’s Messiah is now on repeat in my apartment and I think I heard my neighbor’s dog howl last night. I’m sure my former neighbors in Detroit can relate! Warm heartedly, I was remembering how many of my awesome friends from Genesis, from the office and from the 434 sat through the Fort Street Chorale performances last year. Oh and who can forget my Mom’s famous line at the end of the Sunday concert—“Ummm….you can perform that every year if you want, but it’s the last time I’m sitting through it.” Feeling the love. Ha! My Mom arrives for Christmas in just over a week….still need to get that guest room set-up...

Hope the anticipation of Christmas is starting to invade your heart too!

Gracious God, Grant that we may find peace as we prepare for our Lord's birth. May divisions in ourselves and in our families be peacefully resolved. May there be peace in our cities and in the countries of our world. Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives, and then give to us courage to follow them. Lord, let us remember that you only are the giver of lasting peace and that you are always with us. Amen.

(from the Jesus Creed blog)