Christmas Without Presents

 

It was fifteen days until Christmas, and I was on my way home to Crescent City, California. I had been staying with my grandmother in Erick, Oklahoma when we got the telephone call. On December 10th, my family home had burned down. Thankfully, my parents and my two younger brothers (eleven-year-old Richard, and eight-year-old Patrick) were okay. The fire had started in the old wood burning stove and spread to the rest of the house in a matter of minutes. There had been no time to save anything, not even our Christmas presents. 

I knew Christmas was about more than presents. I knew we were celebrating the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. My dad and mom made sure we knew God’s love for us was the important thing about Christmas. But, I also knew a Christmas without presents was going to be less that merry for two little boys. All of this was passing through my thoughts as I traveled home that eventful December of 1962.

By the time I arrived, people from our church had set up a mobile home for my parents and brothers. It wasn’t very big. Another friend had loaned us his camp trailer for my older sister, Sheila, who was supposed to be coming home for the holiday, and myself. I also had two older brothers who were married, and they were coming with their families. “Where were we going to put them all?” I wondered.

As I lay there my first night home, I wondered just how God was going to work this one out. I knew my parents didn’t have the money to buy us new gifts, and I just didn’t see where they were going to come from. I wondered where we would all sleep. Most of all I wondered if Rich and Patrick would be able to understand there might not be any presents at all. But I needn’t have worried. God had it all under control. I should have known that He wasn’t going to let the faith of two little boys down.

By the end of the week, everyone had arrived, except Sheila. People from our church provided places for my brothers and their families to stay, by setting up a couple more trailers on the property. Everything seemed set, except for two things. We didn’t have a place for dinner on Christmas Day, and there still were no presents. When I mentioned both of these problems to my mom, she just smiled and said, “Don’t worry Sharon, God will take care of everything. Hasn’t He always?”

Two days before Christmas, and still no Sheila. “Where was she?” I wondered.

In the meantime, a family from church called and said they were going out of town and wanted us to use their home for our Christmas dinner. I knew the family and I knew they had a beautiful home-- much bigger than ours had been. There would be room to spare!

Early Christmas Eve morning, Sheila called to say she would be in that evening. She apologized for being so late but explained she had some last-minute things to do. I didn’t care what had kept her, I was just glad that she was coming. She was my big sister, and I needed her right at this moment!

I waited anxiously at the door, till I heard her car coming down the drive. As I ran out to greet her, I remember thinking, “Now that she’s here, everything will be all right, presents or no presents.” God must have been chuckling as He thought of what He had prepared for me, a young girl with tiny faith.

After all the hugs and kisses were finished, Sheila said, “Come help me unload my things, okay?” As we opened her car doors, I stood amazed! Filling her front seat, her back seat, her trunk, anywhere there was space, were Christmas presents! Big ones, little ones, funny shaped ones, all wrapped in the most beautiful colors and ribbons I had ever seen! My big sister had gone out shopping as soon as she learned of the fire, and bought Christmas presents for us all. She was God’s answer to our “presents” problem.

“God will take care of it Sharon. Hasn’t He always?” my mom had said. Those words came back to me that night, as I sat looking at all those presents piled in the small living room of that tiny mobile home. I knew right then, the next time I faced a problem, I wouldn’t worry. I’d know that God would take care of it. “He always does,” just like Mom said.

Thanks mom, for teaching me that truth.

Matthew

He likes to walk in the forest alone, go for days without seeing another person and not care where the deer path takes him

He's given up maps in favor of wandering.

He likes the word, 'aimless', and the birdsongs he knows are important.

He likes bramble and thicket, stand and riprap.

He likes to watch the fat Robin at work in the morning and the Great Grey owl rise through the trees in the starlight.

                            -anonymous-

This is my son. 

Once  a  child, now a man.

Once at home, now on his own.

                                                                                                                                                        

He has found his passion. 

He has found his gift.                                                            

His passion is for creation.

His gift is for seeing its beauty.

His passion is for learning.
His gift is for teaching.

Teaching others about creation.

Teaching others about its beauty.

This is my son, the man he has become,

                              Matthew.                          

Summer of "the virus", 2020

 I have been wondering what I should write about the summer of 2020.
Actually, it started out like any new year: cold and snowy; grey and sort of dreary weather-wise.
As usual, I was enjoying having my son, Matt, home for the Winter. He shoveled my snow, took the garbage out in the freezing cold...all without complaint.
I also got to spend time during Winter break with my daughter, Jamie, her husband, Nate, but most of all my beautiful Granddaughter, Emmilyn.
We are a close knit family. We like playing games together, sharing time around the dinner table, and even taking walks together, in the snow.
That all changed in February. "The Virus" hit!  Covid-19! As people began to sense the seriousness of it, we of course, turned to our leaders to find out what we should do. 
"Shelter in place", self-quarantine, hunker down, wear a mask, don't wear a mask, social distancing." In other words, they just didn't know, and no one could agree.
Along about that time, I got the flu. Or was it just the flu? Who really knew? Matt also got very sick.
As we  got better, things began to get worse in our country, and in our State. That's when we, Matt and I, decided to "head for the hills".
Well, not really to the hills, just up to our cabin in Northern Michigan.

We packed up the cars, shut down the house and headed up I-75 for Oscoda.  
Of course, I figured it would only be for a couple of weeks,  a month at most.  Since it was Winter, we took boots, mittens, hats, heavy coats...all the winter clothes we thought we'd need.

It is now July 3rd and we have  been here 105 days. The Winter clothes have been stuffed into closets, in boxes under beds, anyplace we can find room.
We had to make a run home to break out our summer wardrobe. 

Lest you think I am bemoaning the fact that I had to leave my city home for my cabin in the woods, let me say, how wonderful it has been. Being here during the Spring migration of ducks, raptors, warblers and sparrows has been something I had always wanted to do, but just couldn't find the time. 

Well, God made the time...'virus' time.

                                                                     

Redheaded Woodpecker

Red-breasted Merganser

Bald Eagle

Bufflehead

Northern Flicker

                             

Goodbye to Face Book

The year of 2019 is nearly gone and 2020 offers a clean slate with such promise.
Some of you may have noticed I am no longer on Face Book...that may be a little presumptuous on my part, I guess, thinking that anyone would notice my absence.
Anyway, the reasons I left FB, are not important, and I am glad to say, I have not missed it as I thought I would. Other than my family and friends, the only thing I really miss, is the opportunity to share my photos.
Then I remembered my blog, which I have rarely used lately.
I am going to try to more faithfully come here and post my photos, a few thoughts and lessons I am learning from the beauty of God's creation all around me.
So, here goes....

                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Of course, the Spring of any year is a good beginning.

My backyard flowers began to bloom, and that enticed the butterflies to come around.

                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                               It also begs for long walks in the park, just across the street from my home.

 

After a beautiful Spring, comes a warm a sunny Summer, 

when long time friends come to visit. I have always enjoyed a visit from Joan and Noel who now live in Virginia, but still remain close and precious friends.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Edward Hines Park, just a few miles from home is also a wonderful place to take my dog, Abby for a run....well, she walks more than runs these days, so that fits my lifestyle as well. The rolling hills, small streams and hidden trails make for great exploring.

           

Then it is Fall, another favorite time of year for me. The colors remind me how much God must love us, to give us so many different hues and blends. It could have all been blacks and greys, you know.

Fall is also a time to go to our cabin in Oscoda. I love sharing it with my friends, and one of my dear friends, is Annette. Annette and I met at Camp Barakel where we both served as volunteers in one of the kitchens. 

We also attended many ladies retreats there.

Christmas is a favorite holiday for me, for two reasons. First, because it is a celebration of Jesus birth...no matter what the world says, or how it tries to commercialize it. Jesus is God's gift to us, His Son.                                                                        

Second, it is a time of family, 

                                                                                   beautiful decorations,   

                  

  and good food!

                                              

And of course, the rest of  2019 was a really snowy Winter, which I also love. I figure if it is going to be Winter, it might as well snow!

Well, that's it for 2019.  I don't know what 2020 will hold, but God does, and as long as I know that, I am not worried.

Let me leave you with a favorite verse of mind from the book of Jeremiah.

"For I know the plans I have for you, 'says the Lord.' they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Can't get much better than that!

Joy in the Valley, by Mary Reneau

At last we had reached the peak! The long struggle to reach the top was over and a breath taking view spread out before us.
As we stood there breathing the fresh mountain air, we could see for miles in every direction. 

We looked to the sea on the right, with it's rolling surf 

and to the snow capped mountains on the left.

The view was worth all the effort it took to reach the top. Here on the peak where we stood, was sunshine and a warm breeze.

After a few minutes rest and a refreshing snack,we picked up our packs and started down into the valley.

As we wended our way down through the trees, we were leaving the sunshine, and the breeze was much cooler.
Our minds were still on the beautiful sights from the mountain top. We wished we could have stayed the whole day up there in the sunshine. What could we see on the downward trek that could surpass the beauty of what we had just experienced?

Suddenly we came out of the trees and there we were at the head of the valley.

                           Spread out before us like a carpet, were thousands of flowers of every shape and color. 

Again we were in the sunlight and were in sight of the cabin we had been traveling 
toward all afternoon.


Already it seemed we could smell the bacon cooking and the aroma of coffee boiling on the fire. We had been in this valley before and knew how beautiful it was. Why did we always forget as we came down  through the shadow of the trees and keep wishing we were back on the mountain top?

I think we do this often in our Christian life. Sometimes it seems like God is blessing us more than we can contain. Our hearts are over flowing with joy and our lips are filled with His praises.

Then the shadows of trouble come and we are soon caught in the web of discouragement and depression. We forget that Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always." and before we know it, we have lost our joy and our lips are hushed from His praises.

Just when we think we can go no farther, through some small way, God reveals His presence to us. We realize He has been there all the time. The joy we feel of knowing God is with us in time of trouble is greater than the joy on the mountain top. 
Then we can say, "Truly, there is Joy in the Valley, because God is with us."

End

(photos by Sharon Hegwood)

A Peaceful Noise, by Mary Reneau

A peaceful noise? 

No way can we imagine such a thing. 
Our whole effort seems to be directed to escaping
the noise of everyday living. 

We go to the hills, or... 

we seek the seclusion of a quiet lake. 





There we can relax and be free from noise and strife.
Noise and strife; the two seem to go together. How then can there be a peaceful noise?
One long weekend recently my husband, Richard, and I decided to seek peace and quiet in the hills. We loaded our back packs with enough food for two days and packed into Wilderness Falls. 

After three hours of hard hiking and setting up camp near the falls, I was ready to rest, but not Richard. Off he went with his fishing gear after the elusive trout.

I spread out my sleeping bag and lay down for a short nap. At first all I could hear was the roar of the falls, but slowly I began to hear other sounds. 

There was a musical tinkling sound as a small stream made its way over the rocks to the river.

A soft whistling sound of the wind high in the trees was added to the blend of sounds.

 A peaceful noise? Yes, it was like a lullaby and soon I was asleep. 

It was not the noise of the falls that put me to sleep, but the undertones of the stream and the wind.
Afterwards as I thought about it, I realized there was a lesson in this.
There are times when we cannot take to the hills and the noise and strife seems to be getting the best of us. What can we do?
 God tells us in His Word, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness;quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell...in quiet resting places." ( Isaiah 32:17,18) 

He doesn't tell us to take to the hills. He wants us to listen to the undertones of His voice, through His Word. He tells us,"to study to be quiet"(I Thessalonians 4:11) 
Yes, the noise and strife are still there, but we can be quiet inside and dwell continually in a quiet place. The blending of strife and God's Word can be a peaceful noise.

END

(photos by Sharon Hegwood)

It has been a long time since Mom wrote this story, but I remember watching her as she rested in the Lord during the hard times in her life. No matter the circumstances, she always trusted Him
and claimed His peace, because she was His child. She taught her children to do the same, by her words and by the life she lived.
If you do not know Christ as you Savior, you cannot have that peace. You may "take to the hills,"
but you will not find peace unless you are seeking God. He wants everyone to have that quiet resting place, but you cannot find it until you seek Him with your whole heart. He is waiting for you now.

What a wonder wildflowers are!

This week I have been wandering the woods and forests of Northern Michigan, snapping photos right and left, and I would like to share a few of the amazing wonders I have found. 

 I hope you will be filled with worship for our Almighty Creator and grateful for the beauty He has placed all around us.

To think God took the time(and all within 6 days) to create the millions of different flowers.

 

Reds

Purples

 "Then God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed....

Whites

Yellows

 ...and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them, on the earth;

Unusual

 ...and it was so.

Striking

and the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind ...and God saw that it was good." 
 Genesis 1:11-12

So far, we have only seen a few of the wonders that I have found.
As I observed the sheer variety of colors, shapes and sizes of wildflowers, I am ashamed to say,  there have been times,  since my husband went home to be with the Lord and I was left to raise two children on my own, that I sometimes wondered if I would be able to pay the bills, keep our home, feed us that day, or tomorrow.
 

 "Do not be anxious for your life, as to
what you shall eat, or what you shall drink;

 ...nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.

Look at the birds of the air...your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?

 and why are you anxious about clothing?

Observe how the lilies of the field grow;they do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I say to your that even Solomon  in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these."  Matthew 6:25-29

So, as I wander the forested paths and marvel at the beauty of God's creation, I am reminded how God has taken care of me through these past years. My children have not gone hungry, or naked. I am living in the home Jim bought for me. Not a bill has gone unpaid. All  because of God's wonderful care and unfailing love for me.

 " But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness;





                                                                        My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt 
bountifully with me." Psalm 13:5-6

If you ever get the chance to wander in
the woods, or just sit quietly in your backyard, take a moment to rejoice in all that God has made for us to enjoy. It will refresh your soul and make you truly grateful.