Advent in Pennsylvania

Advent is upon us with all the activities and stresses and anticipation and joy and sorrow. And I am still in Pennsylvania, enjoying being able to prepare for Christmas over the course of weeks rather than days!

I had another blood test Friday and got the results Monday. I have really plateaued close to normal with my blood work. Some numbers are down, some are up (for the first time), but none of them are substantially different than two weeks ago.

I jokingly asked the nurse who gave me the results, "and there is still nothing I can do to speed this up?" She said no, but then added that I was very fortunate and that I was doing very well. That was an encouragement, rather than just looking at the raw numbers and not seeing much progress for the last 4 to 6 weeks. I get another test Dec 16th.

I have been realizing that I am certainly better than I was in September. When I was preparing with the choir at church to sing the Rutter Requiem for September 11th, I was worried I wouldn't be able to stand up for the whole piece. Now, we are preparing the Rutter Gloria for Dec 18th and I am mostly concerned that I will be able to hit the high notes without screeching! And that I will be able to get my naps in during the weeks leading up to Christmas! So, that is progress. But I still need lots of sleep at night and I still really need my naps in the afternoon.

I am slowly getting the house decorated for Christmas -- witness the above photo of my Christmas touch by the computer. When my uncle arrives the 14th, we'll get a tree and put that up. And what a blessing to not only have the opportunity to attend the local Advent activities, but to participate with the choir in giving Glory to God for His indescribable gift of His Son given for our salvation.

The Haitian church is preparing for Christmas as well -- if I were there, I would be regularly hearing the various church choirs and small groups rehearsing Christmas music. The congregations have been singing Christmas hymns since at least Thanksgiving time, if not before! And the season will culminate in a Christmas day service with song and skits. New Years is the time for gift giving, special food (pumpkin soup!) and visiting as the community celebrates the start of the new year and the remembrance of their nation's declaration of independence from France. Keep Haiti in your prayers as prices go up drastically this time of year and many are still living in "temporary" housing almost 2 years after the earthquake. Pray also that the Christmas message of a Child being born to bring "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" would take residence in the hearts and minds of those who do not yet worship our Savior, Christ the Lord.