For many football fans it’s the end of the season. This year my favored team had a miserable season and, alas, today is their final game of that season. The thing I love about sports fans is that the day after that final game, they are already looking forward to the following season. Sins are forgotten and the team is given a clean slate.

The same is true in the life of a believer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5;17

After we accept the free gift of our salvation from Christ, the old season is behind us, forgotten, and a clean slate awaits us.

Today is the last day of 2006. For many of us there have been joys, good memories, new beginnings, celebrations, and accomplishments. There may have also been sorrows, bitter memories, good-byes, disappointments, and failures. Tomorrow begins another new season, 2007! Today I encourage you to remember this season and the One who promises to be “the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Mary and Joseph made the newspaper in Rochester yesterday, and Mary earned a feature article in this month’s edition of Christianity Today. As I hustled around town earlier this week, I made one last stop at the Christian Bookstore and there, nestled on an endcap, was a book called Mary for Evangelicals. Mary seems to be making the news more this year than ever.

I’m not surprised that Mary has been long overlooked by so many evangelicals, myself included; mothers often are. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not starting the Invisible-mothers-now-and-then Club, not that it’s not a good idea. It’s just that I believe behind every child there is a mother who has bled, wept, worried, prayed, disciplined, taught, cooked, cleaned, and lost sleep for him or her. We certainly don’t do it for the recognition. We do it because God called us to this vocation.

I can’t wait to meet Mary some day. I bet we have a lot in common. We are both ordinary women doing the extraordinary things God calls us to do. I’m certainly not suggesting that I’m just like Mary, most days I have trouble just being the Vicki God has created me to be. But I hope that more often than not, I am just a little bit like her Son, Jesus, and I long for that resemblence to grow every day.

Luke 2:19 says that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” In that way I want to be like Mary. I choose to treasure God’s Word in my heart, studying the scriptures and applying them in my life. While I worship the Son, not the mother, on this Christmas Eve I thank Mary for her faith, her obedience, and her sacrifice. She changed the world when she said, “May it be.” At those three tiny words, God unleashed His power.

My Christmas prayer this year is that I would follow Mary’s example in her response to God. As I abide in my relationship with Christ, listen to His heart, and respond to His will, my desire is, by faith, to say, “May it be, Lord.”

Merry Christmas!

(Special Christmas hugs and kisses to Kadi, if you’re reading this from Texas. I love you. Mom)

I think there must be a thief lurking about. He’s up to no good, I tell you. I’m quite certain he’s stealing time. My proof? Has anyone seen what happened to 2006? I mean really! We are talking about an entire year that has gone missing!

I have decided to get a little revenge and steal some time of my own. I started on Friday. The kids and I scrambled through school, completing all of the requirements, but no frills. Then I hired a sitter to come and stay with the kids while I stole 6 hours at Dunn Brothers with my laptop! I had a very productive day. Ah, precious time by myself!

That wasn’t all though…I also stole an evening away with my husband. We enjoyed a fabulous evening at a concert given by Tonic Sol Fa. What an amazing group. We were thoroughly entertained.

On Saturday, I stole time with my youngest son. We made a little trip to to Hy-vee where we “happened” to know a certain special Santa and elf would be spending the afternoon.

Earlier in the week I had stolen time with Ben, as we made a special shopping stop for a gift he had in mind for his daddy.

Saturday night took the cake. Kadi and I stole the entire evening at a local hotel where we relaxed and refreshed together. We created a homemade spa right there in our room, and I’m telling you, I may never look the same again! As we loaded the van with our footbath, parafin wax machine, and cucumbers (for our eyes), my girl mentioned that we didn’t have any chocolate along. Gasp! Horror! Of course me made a special pit stop to stock up on what she called “spa food.” We started our stolen time with mocha lattes! I’ve raised her right!

Have you noticed that your time is being stolen? Did it just occur to you that it’s time to get your 2007 calendar ready and you haven’t yet filled in the birthdates on your 2006 calendar? (That’s experience talking here…don’t ask!) If so, then take it back! It’s not too late to steal a little time for yourself and for the people you love. Before your time flies, grab it by the tail, haul it down and sit on it! Have fun!

Run…don’t walk…to your nearest book store and pick up a copy of Dying to Decorate by Cyndy Salzmann!

(I will make every effort to add a picture of her cover here. You know me…technologically-challenged!)

It’s all here…girlfriends, moms, recipes, intrigue, spiritual depth…Wow! I can say, in all honesty, that this is the first fiction book that will be kept with my cookbooks. Cyndy weaves different tasty treats into her story and then rewards us with the recipes. (Cranberry Tumble and Death by Chocolate are topping my to-try-list!)

If you haven’t experienced mom-lit yet, let me invite you to chew on Dying to Decorate. No need for a mirror, you will see yourself (and your girlfriends) on every page of this book. I spent the first few chapters laughing my head off and saying “Yes! Oh, Yes…this is me!” (Much to the horror of my children, as we sat in a Mayo clinic waiting area.) It wasn’t long, however, before my gut twisted as I saw Lucy’s pain through the eyes of her FAC friend, Liz. As this emotionally fragile woman deals with the death of her husband and mother, her Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) friends rally around her and offer comfort and strength in unimaginable ways. A haunting story unravels as the six friends help Lucy renovate a Civil War-era mansion that she inherits. The best part of Dying to Decorate is that just as you tip back your head and open your mouth for a big laugh (or a sampling of chocolate), Salzmann stuffs in a heart-changing spiritual truth. Delicious!

Did I mention that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read Crime and Clutter (Available April 2007)? Until I can sink my teeth into Cyndy Salzmann’s next novel, I will be very “Kelly-like” (read the book, you’ll understand) and get to work on my new to-do list:

1. Try several new recipes
2. Have a Tacky Party!
3. Remember that “when life gets sticky, dip it in chocolate!” …Fondue anyone?

Nearly seven years ago I learned a grace lesson that is now coming to fruition. In the security of my own living room we were enjoying an evening of fellowship with our small group from church. I don’t recall what we were supposed to be discussing, but I clearly remember saying that I didn’t care what God asked me to do, He had just better never send me to Africa.

Grace Lesson: Never tell God what to do…and certainly never tell Him what NOT to do!

I think before the words were fully out of my mouth, God snickered. Yup, I believe He snickers and then He says, “We’ll see about that!” That night he planted Africa in my heart.

For the last seven years He has been cultivating the soil of my heart, dumping on fertilizer, and watering that seed. You know, I wasn’t really even aware of the seed until about 3 years ago, when suddenly “Africa” was all around me. One day He clearly whispered in my heart, “I will send you to Africa, daughter.”

Well, I told Mike and he said…”No, way.”

I prayed…and waited…one more year. Then I told Mike what my heart was saying again.

Mike said…”We’ll pray…Maybe some day.”

I prayed…Mike prayed…and we waited…one more year.

This past summer Mike and I had ‘the talk’ again. This time we agreed that if God opened the doors for me to go to Africa next summer and we could work it out with our children, I would serve God in Africa for a short-term mission trip. (Key word…short)

Flip the fast forward knob and we land on ….last night and an email from a member of our church’s mission team. Apparently,in July of 2007 (next summer) our pastor will be going to Africa for 4 weeks to minister in Kinshasa, Kikwit and outlying villages. (This is in the Democratic Republic of Congo.) The email went on to say that anyone who could secure 4 weeks of vacation time and raise support could join the team…and they would like someone interested in ministering to the women and children. (It likely didn’t hurt that I had planted this seed with him many many months ago.)

The dilemma…FOUR WEEKS. Ouch. With a family as young as our is, and with a husband who is certainly NOT able to take off four weeks from work, four weeks is not something we cannot do. I say “we” because truly this would be a mission trip for our entire family just as Grace Lessons is a ministry of the entire family…I’m just the one who does the traveling.

So friends, please join us in praying about this opportunity to serve God in Africa. I hope this will be the first of many “Africa” posts. No matter what happens, I pray that God finds me faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

I got this from a friend’s blog, who got it from a friend’s blog, who apparently got it from a friend’s blog! Are you interested in sharing? Copy this to your blog and then come back and post a comment when you have yours up!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever tried egg nog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps one present and fills the stocking.

3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? White lights. Colored lights give me a headache. If I didn’t stare at them, it probably wouldn’t be an issue, huh?!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. I tried that one year and my little boys saw it as a great target for the yardstick.

5. When do you put up your decorations? The weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Pork tenderloin and potatoes

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: I remember opening gifts with my cousins. I have a female cousin is only slightly older than I am. (As a kid I hated that she was 2 months older and now I’m happy she’s older.) Jill (the old cousin) and I would stealth away to a corner, behind the bar, or crammed between furniture and the wall, so we could open our gifts privately. Because we were the same age, we usually got the exact same gifts from our grandparents, so we would synchronize our unwrapping. Too funny!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I figured it out one year when my mom intentionally wrapped the Santa gifts in the same paper as the gifts under the tree. Apparently she decided it was “time.” I remember thinking I was too mature to run to my gifts that “Santa” left on the couch for me, as my brothers did. I thought I had to sit back and observe.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually one gift for each of the kids, but the adults don’t open anything. Probably cuz there’s less for us under the tree.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? My husband is Mr. Christmas himself. He puts on one of his MANY MANY Christmas CDs. Then he handles the lights while I do the rest of the house. When he’s done with that I decorate the rest of the tree. Each of the 3 kids have their own 5 foot tree in their bedrooms. Every year they get new ornaments from Gma/Gpa and Mom and Dad. They love that. When they were little they hung teething rings, etc. on their tree and they learned not to touch the big tree, while they tipped over their own.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! Love it! Can’t get enough of it!

12. Can you ice skate? No. I can barely stand up on my feet without a thin blade of metal for balance!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember getting a “stereo” (glorified record player with speakers) and a stand that my parents had made for me, when I was in Jr. High. The funny thing is that for a month they hid the stand under my dad’s desk in the basement. They just covered it with a blanket. That’s where I hung out to talk on the phone with friends and I rested my feet on the stand! I never had a clue.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my husband and children and preparing the kids throughout advent for the real meaning of Christmas.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Snowball cookies

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? See my last blog…wearing our pajamas to the drive-thru nativity! Oh, and caroling at one of Mayo’s affiliate hospitals on Christmas Eve.

17. What tops your tree? a beautiful angel made of hardanger. My mom made it several years ago and her hair is looking a bit pitiful, but we won’t change the topper. (That’s the angel’s hair, not my mom’s!)

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. Truly.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night…when we sing it at church with our lit candles on Christmas Eve.

20. Candy Canes? Only in hot drinks….coffee with holiday creamer and a candy cane or hotchocolate with whipped cream and a candy cane. Yum!

Have you ever noticed that sometimes God places a new person in your life who makes your heart twinkle? Sometimes it’s not a person, but an experience. This weekend I think God knew I needed some shining up and He blessed me with several “twinkles.”

Saturday morning I spoke at a church near the Twin Cities. Kadi and I (8 days shy of 11 years old) drove up on Friday night and stayed in a hotel. I was awake until 4 a.m.! You can imagine I was not so twinkly at 7! I prayed God would give me the spark, which I certainly wasn’t feeling at the moment,. Sure enough, He showed up and we had a wonderful morning.

**Spark Note #1** A delightful woman shared that she almost didn’t come to the Christmas event, but was blessed by my message and was so glad she changed her mind. She made my heart twinkle! (In case you are reading this L.G., I’m praying for you and your future!)

Saturday afternoon Kadi and I navigated our way home and I hustled to the Christian Book Store where 2 fellow Christian authors were having a book signing; Jill Nelson (Reluctant Burglar) and Cyndy Salzmann (Dying to Decorate). I will review both books here soon…stay tuned! Cyndy and I had coffee together when she was done. Oh, my…what a great time we had! Shhh, I think God did something special there!

**Spark Note #2** Cyndy has a God-given gift of encouragement. Warning! If you are blessed to spend time with her, wear sunglasses. This woman shines! Cyndy made my heart twinkle!

Saturday evening we participated in an annual Tiede event. All of the kids got new Christmas jammies. Daddy warmed the car, and made hot chocolate and popcorn. Then we all piled in the van with blankets and treats and cruised to the Christian college’s live, drive-through nativity, with Christmas music blasting! Once we reached the line of cars waiting for their turn…Caleb (4 yrs.) climbed on my lap and “drove” the van.

**Spark Note #3** Kadi said it best when she recently commented that the thought of Christmas makes her heart warm…because she can be with family and think about Jesus. Jesus’ birth, the gift of salvation, and my family made my heart twinkle Saturday night. Come to think of it…they make my heart twinkle every day.

Sunday afternoon I spent several hours with a dear friend baking Christmas cookies and candies, while our families played at their house. Last night I crashed into bed while visions of fudge, snowballs, peanut brittle, and chit-chat danced in my head.

**Spark Note #4** I talk to lots of women every year about Sweet Blessings: Lessons I’ve Learned from Friends and Chocolate. It only makes sense then that spending the afternoon with a sweet friend, while making and sampling chocolate delicacies, would make my heart twinkle! Thanks, Ky!

Jesus tells us to shine like stars in the universe. During this advent season, especially, look for opportunities to shine Christ’s love for others. Whose heart can you make twinkle?

This morning my boys were the best of friends. Most days they alternate between being good buddies and evil tormentors. This morning I came into the family room, after getting ready for school, to find all of my dining room chairs lined up facing each other. We are talking about 8 heavy chairs for these two little rascals to move. They covered the seats with throw pillows and Caleb was standing atop them like the king of Pillow Mountain.

My entrance into the room was met with a chorus of “Ohhhhs.” (That would be a groaning “oh”, not a “we’re so happy to see you, Mom, and Oh, by the way, you look particularly beautiful today!”) They were quite certain I was going to announce that it was time to start school. (They would have been correct!) That’s when Caleb piped up, “Mom, we can’t do school today. We are playing the Lone Ranger. Ben’s the Lone Ranger and I’m Taco.”

What’s a mom to do with that kind of information? My heart melted and I caved. I offered them 40 minutes to play, while Kadi and I started in on her school work. They were thrilled. Every time the timer was about to go off, I’d check on LR and Taco. Once they were saving the life of a baby, who they agreed to care for until he was 15. Another time they were “sleeping under the stars” in my living room. (The chairs took up the entire family room, so to make room for the 2 full-size blankets and extra pillows, they took over another space.) Guess, what. Ben and Caleb will be doing 2 days of school work on Monday…and none of us are going to care.

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. As the big 4-0- looms only one year away now, I spent some time thinking about my many blessings. Among the top of them are my faith, my family, my friends, and my ministry. I was delighted to be serenaded by 5 members of one set of family friends wishing me a happy birthday. I also went to supper with friends the night before my big day, which was a treat. My husband made me a cake from scratch, picked up Chinese for supper, and we surprised the kids with the “Cars” movie. Blessed is the woman who has Lone Rangers and Tacos in her life! I guess that’s me…blessed!