In Word

Two years running, this blog has celebrated the New Year by remembering the old one—that is, remembering a few of the quotes and conversations that made me laugh so hard that I wrote them down.  So without further ado, I give you the 2009 Quotables:

“I was tempted with the same tempt as you.” ~Anna

“If God made me a superhero…” ~Patti

“I’m obsessed with facial hair.” ~Brian

“Beth is a corrupt guard.  She’s eaten everything.” ~Alex B.

“I shun the bush.” ~Avery

“We’re just acting guy-ly.” ~Paul

“I don’t have a very good mind.” ~Patti

“I look like a fruit.” ~Brian

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created evil…” ~Hope

“Do something epic.” ~Jonathan

“There are too many boys here.” ~Elizabeth

“As musicians, we are trained to intimidate.” ~Mrs. Fletcher

“I don’t want to get married, because I’d be shy.  I’ll hang out with you till I die.” ~Patti

Jonathan: “I think the reason we don’t get stuff done is because we don’t know what to do.”
Me: “Yeah…”
Jonathan: “You really should see The Last Samurai.”
Me: “I have a different theory for why we don’t get stuff done: someone has a 10-second attention span.”
Jonathan: “I’m glad you see the need to change.”

“You’re the best mom on earth.  You too, Daddy.” ~Michael

“I believe Beth.  Teenagers don’t lie!” ~Patti

“Oh my goodness.  You are a deeply strange child.” ~Gabrielle

“Do you think he got grown-up-napped?” ~Patti

Happy New Year, everyone!

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A mother, young and perhaps frightened, great with child and in a place altogether strange to her.  Within her lies the very essence of God in human form.  Without is the world he has come to save, the world that, even now, is passing him by—a foreshadow of mankind’s ultimate rejection.

She does not speak this night, for the baby presses within her.  Her fingers tighten on her husband’s arm.  The warm air chokes her, and the suffocating crowd presses all around to her front and back, pulling the couple along.  Bethlehem is full, too full to accept that which was prophesied to come.  Too noisy to hear the brush of angel’s wings as they descend upon the quiet fields beyond the city walls.

Her husband takes her hand, his jaw working in suppressed frustration.  With his free arm he clears a path and hurries forward.  His eyes flit from the dark street ahead to the young face of his wife, so full of anguish.  He knows that she cannot go on, and his gaze locks on the inn just ahead.  There at the door stands the innkeeper, stroking his beard in amazement at the great crowds.

The husband moves faster, hears the cry that escapes his wife’s lips.  He calls out to the keeper in his native Hebrew tongue.  The man turns, shaking his head and holding up his hands against their pleas.  The inn is full.  Every inn is full.  His eyes fall upon the wife, her belly swollen and her face shining pale in the darkness.  Suddenly he softens, and, raising a weathered hand, points—the stable.  The stable is empty.

The radiance of a thousand angels lights the night sky.  They wait, listening and watching.  And then the feeble cry of a baby is sent heavenward, God and man made one.

Christ is come.

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Then, of course, there are those times in life where you almost have too much happiness to handle it all.  I’m sorry I’ve neglected this blog for the past couple weeks—maybe it’s because we’ve just been enjoying ourselves way too much.  A few pictures from Hope’s visit:

(Photography credit goes to Toni.)

Aside from having lots of fun, there’s been loads of things going on around here.  Debate tournaments, Christmas concerts, parties, and more…but it’s a great time of year.  And who knows—if I stop having fun long enough to think about this blog, you might see a few posts about all the excitement.

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Three days ago, I crossed the 50k mark for NaNoWriMo 2009.  Also three days ago, I got to see one of my favorite people ever.  Even better, she’ll be at my house for the next few weeks.  Needless to say, happiness abounds around here.

Hope is simply amazing, and I am pretty much amazingly blessed to have her for three weeks.  I have a feeling we’ll enjoy ourselves…but maybe that’s just me?

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