Remembering the past....

I like what is on my JOY calendar today:
If we celebrate the years behind us, they become stepping-stones of strength and joy for the years ahead.
I spent three days fasting from all things chocolate, my wheat for TEC 264. I made it, and I was a little surprised that I didn't go into a chocolate binge at 6PM on Monday. But the turtle pie I had for dinner this evening made up for what I missed over the weekend. I couldn't help myself. I had 2 pieces. (They were small ones. :o) )
I am working on the follow-up call list for our parish leadership retreat. Interesting how people are in today's world. It's why I don't like answering machines in general. Out of about 10 messages I left for return calls with an RSVP, yes or no, I received two call-backs. I assume the others don't want to make the effort to call back, because they are not planning to attend! We've had a great response, and I think this will be a great couple of days for our parish.

I am looking forward to tomorrow morning. I am going to attend something new. It's time....

Christmas '09 at The Hansens

Could I get some good $ for the above photo?

Chico and Kitty are not at all happy to spend Christmas Eve alone. But at least they have each other!

After a wonderful dinner in CHEZ HANSEN (I am trying to speak French here), and I am sorry not to have photos of the wonderful atmosphere (my sister Carolyn promised to send them....can I please have them before NEXT Christmas?), and by the way, I was enjoying the dinner with Mario and the Dede clan so much that I FORGOT to take pictures during that part of the evening; can you believe it!!!....Well, we descend to the lower level and begin the entertainment portion of the celebration with the annual singing of JOY TO THE WORLD. (not the traditional one, the one with the fishes in the deep blue sea....) Paige starts us off with JOY....way to go, Paige.

Next we have the children with a "cake walk" type of activity and Hannah gets her prize from Theresa.

Several daddies helping little ones.

Grandma Dotty leads the great-grandchildren

Our next activity....how to describe it....well, several Christmas-related jobs to do. Wrapping presents, coloring and cutting out decorations, putting a tree puzzle together, eating fruitcake, drinking....whoa, what does that have to do with getting ready for Jesus' birthday? O, and there is the singing of Christmas carols. That's what I do.

End of the games. Next, we are getting ready for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive. The kids all choose a music maker from my wooden box of instruments. There are plenty of bells, tamborines, and drums for everybody who wants to play along. Even the big kids get into the act. And....

some of the big kids arre not playing jingle bells with their jingle bells.

Santa and Mrs. Claus like the music and have gifts for everyone.

If one doesn't look familiar, that's because she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs Claus!

Cora, Blake, Carrie, Nolan, Tony, and and Hannah wishing everyone Merry Christmas!

Christmas morn at St. Peter Parish in Quincy with my friend Jan Faler. GO Tell It on the Mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Chico gets a new basketball for Christmas, and Kitty, well he doesn't need much. He spends a lot of his life trying to get away from Chico. But I think Kitty enjoys the attention. And if he wants to, he can hold his own with Chico. He's got some moves. The take-down is the best one, but he can't KEEP Chico down. So he's got to be ready to scram. He kinda looks like a kitty with a hangover here.

March 4, 1930

Somebody somewhere today is saying, "He would have been 80 years old today." A dynamic, talented father who has never really left me, Dad still has some kind of power to give me pointers. I grieve the loss of you, Dad, but I am not so selfish as to want you back here. Well, anyway, happy birthday Dad. And thank you.

Jimmy and Jonny Celebrate Family

I got this photo several weeks ago from Uncle Jimmy. I believe it was taken at their last family Thanksgiving gathering. It's a beautiful family, and I am certain Jimmy and Jonny have a great time with those grandbabies!

More Photos and some thoughts....

Nolan at his first Christmas play....

Nolan and his buddy Carter

The Dede gang

The new bridge under construction at Hoover Dam

Run faster Daddy!

Every blade in the field--

every leaf in the forest--

lays down its life in its season

as beautifully as it was taken up.

--Henry David Thoreau

Yesterday was the 13th year to the day when Jesus came for my dad at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Church in Las Vegas. How I can remember the details of that day so clearly, yet not know what I did yesterday is beyond my understanding. A couple of weeks ago, he visited in my dreams again. We had a good long talk; I can remember nothing of the conversation. I only remember he had lost weight, looked very good, and as he got up to leave through swinging white doors, I said to him, "Everything is ok now Dad." I awakened with a gentle peace in my heart.

I've been immersed in the study of spiritual subjects for a few months. St. Peter Parish is moving toward a stewardship model of parish life, and I find the work with the stewardship group interesting and rewarding. We have the Church's document on discipleship as our guide, and we've had a great beginning. We have a retreat for church leadership on March 19-20, a gift from the parish, and Mario and I will be there. We have also worked on a TEC this year together. Our longtime friend Julie Regner invited us to be on the adult team and give the discipleship talk. For me, it was the best experience of spiritual study I have done for the TEC program. And I will never forget a statement Mario threw into his part of the talk...."I've not always been a good Catholic, but Ginny has always known Him." I was humbled by that characterization in the presence of all those kids. After the TEC was done (during my birthday weekend in January), I was invited to give a talk on the Quest February retreat (that is an overnight at the retreat center for 14-15 yr. olds). I talked about what my faith and the Scriptures mean in my life. I used the Bible my old friend Sister Susan gave me 30 years ago, and I showed the kids how I find solutions for everything that happens in it. I came home from that weekend totally uplifted but ready to lay me down. Then came another call from our ol' buddy Paul. He's been in California for many years and has just moved back home (Bowling Green, MO) to complete his doctorate in psychology. I think he is Chris' age. Well, he asked me to read a chapter of a book called Gifting as Prayer and give a talk about it on the February MiniTEC he was going to direct. (Any adult or teen who has made a TEC can go.) So I studied up on that subject, figured out a few ways I have been doing that, found just the right children's story to illustrate my point, found my giraffe jacket in the back of the closet, and was ready to go. I think I enjoyed that one as much as anything I've done. So I have done a lot of writing in the past couple of months, and enough speaking as well. And I really believe I am the one who has benefited the most from all of this. So I have nothing but praise for God and gratitude in my heart today.

Grandma Ginny visits Makenna for her 2nd birthday in December

Visiting the Phoenix Zoo, Makenna learns from Daddy Chris how to drive a tractor.

Mommy Maria and Makenna

The sign says this is a chicken. I saw a lot of chickens on the farm, but I can't remember any that looked like this one.

I have never seen 5 strong, healthy, clean giraffes in one place. Majestic and interesting to watch.

Makenna, Chris, and Maria after the carousel ride at Railroad Park

Makenna and I went "shopping" many times during my visit.

"OK, tell Grandma whose birthday it is, Makenna."

When the boys are out riding their bikes down the street, Mak hops on her big wheels and joins them.

Time to blow out the candles at the party. Delighted that the boys and their parents came too!

Cheese!

Makenna and Chico with the birthday balloons the next morning.

Getting ready for Christmas in Arizona