Since returning to Greensboro after three months away, Nancy and I have spent lots of time with family—and loved it! As soon as we arrived in the US it was time for Christmas preparations, which meant decorating the house and making certain that the gifts we would give were just right. Our daughter JJ flew from her home in San Francisco to join us for the holidays, which meant that we were with both daughters, the one son-in-law and both grandchildren-the complete family.
JJ was able to do some of her Netflix work from here, and she and I continued our tradition of catching up with the latest t.v. series. In four nights, sitting on the couch and watching video projected onto our wall, we covered the entire latest season of Lost and then moved on to what is new this year. I can’t say that I feel deprived for missing much of what is new, but it is good to feel a bit educated on what millions of people are watching and being influenced by.
Nancy and I went to two Christmas programs, one in a large Baptist church and the other in the Presbyterian Church that we attend. The Baptist presentation involved several hundred people, a full orchestra, video support and all the trappings of a professional performance. And it was good. Our church’s was home-grown and simple, and it was good too. The church in this part of the US is an integral part of the fabric of society, and has incredible variety. On Christmas eve Nancy and I also attended two services, one at a country Presbyterian Church and the other at our church. As the former unfolded I felt like Garrison Keeler would come out at any time, it was stereotypical southern country. The latter was a bit more polished and what I am used to. Again, the diversity is amazing, and wonderful. I am so glad that God did not make just one kind of worship or force us all into one mold. In the variety is the beauty, and there is lots of beauty around here.
The weather has turned cold now and our pond has frozen. That is except for a circle around the new fountain which we installed as a means of controlling the algae. We probably should take the fountain out during the winter, as it is only using electricity when nothing would grow anyway. But this is the first winter and we will see how it goes. Nancy feels that it detracts from the natural beauty of the pond, so I guess that if the cold damages it at least she will not mourn the loss…
In a couple weeks I leave for Mexico and two months teaching at El Seminario Presbiteriano de San Pablo. While I have done this for several years, I am spending lots of time getting material updated and ready for the classes. I understand that working in a second language, Spanish for me, is good for the brain cells. That is encouraging… I just pray that it is good for the students who will be attending the classes.
I trust your Christmas season was a joy and that your New Year will be one of growing and serving. I have been impressed again as I have been looking at Paul’s writings, and particularly his Pastoral Epistles. He was a man with a purpose, and he persevered in that purpose to the end, despite the cost. May that be something we each do in the year that has just started. May we each continue to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.
