ADVENTures in Living

I'm incredibly behind on my Advent blog posts, but for very good reason. I've been living life, doing fun things with my family and community, and taking care of myself in between. The taking care of myself part means lot of resting and not much doing, including writing. 

Days 17, 18, 19, and 20's ADVENTures included going to see St. Paul Puppet Academy's (SPPA) performance (or being a puppeteer in it), responding only positively on social media, going to a church Christmas Pageant (or participating in one), and putting post-it-notes with encouraging notes on them on restroom mirrors. 

The puppetry performance and pageant, combined with a visit from Olly for early Christmas made for a busy weekend! On Saturday, we had a two and a half hour puppet show rehearsal followed by an hour long pageant rehearsal and preparation session. Then we braved the cold to cut down and deliver a tree to Gramma and Papa's, and stayed for good food and conversation. The Christmas pageant was on Sunday morning, with full congregation participation. Following worship, we decorated the church's Christmas tree with Chrismons, stayed for Confirmation class, and then went to Gramma and Papa's for gift exchanging before having a winter birthday dinner at Maggie McFly's. 

Monday was a day of recovery and errands for me. The SPPA performance at Tuesday Night Sunday School was a big hit, albeit exhausting for the artistic director - me. After choir rehearsal the same night, I collapsed in bed. Wednesday's errands were greatly put on hold due to sheer exhaustion and excruciating pain on my part, but we did manage an outing to see The Greatest Showman with friends...six teens, one nine year old, and two adults. 

Most importantly, our Advent thus far has been a good balance of doing and being; of spending time with family and friends and time to ourselves; and of grounding our lives in the true meaning of Advent - waiting and preparing to celebrate Jesus' birth.