Where Did My Spectacles Go?

So, here's a really big funny.....today as I was getting my stuff ready for work, I discovered my glasses (aka spectacles) were missing. I looked everywhere, or at least in all the logical places. I finally came to the conclusion that I had left them at church yesterday as the last time I had worn them was while running the computer media during the service.

NUTS! See, the problem is that I can't work on a computer without my glasses for very long before the headache hits. The second problem is that I had a dr.'s appointment before going to work so even had I been so inclined, it wasn't possible for me to run out to Laurel and look for them.

I left with Steve assuring me he would go out and get them for me. He called me from the church asking where I thought they might be and he looked everywhere as I re-traced my steps on the phone (fortunately it's a small church and I didn't wander too far yesterday). No luck. They weren't there.

About an hour later he called me from home with the good news that he had found my glasses! Where you ask? In the silverware drawer! WHAT?!?! I seriously have no idea how they ended up there and unless I'm suffering from severe Alzheimer's, I have no idea why I might put them in there. But how else did they end up there? A joke on me by Steve? Good thought, one I had actually considered, but no. He wouldn't have wasted the time or gas to go to Calvary if that were the case.

Or is it a very elaborate joke? HHHHMMMMM....anyway, enjoy a laugh today on me!

Well, It's All Over...Or Is It?

For some reason I am unable to sleep tonight, actually this morning. It's 1 a.m. Saturday and after lying here for almost 2 hours, I opted to get my computer and make an attempt at something productive. I was actually asleep around 11 and awoke semi-startled when I heard a thud. I knew almost immediately it was Jake -- the little dude had gone to sleep at the foot of the bed on the very edge by my feet. And then he fell out. It might not seem like much but it's a fairly long drop for a small dog. He stared up at me seemingly confused at the event and tears stung my eyes as I stooped over to pick him up. After checking his little legs and assuring myself he was okay, I put him on the bed and he immediately crawled up to my pillow and was soon fast asleep. Oh to be a dog!

But the thoughts in my head now are about Christmas. Today I re-claimed my house by boxing up all the Christmas stuff around the house and it feels great! I held off longer than usual but only because we were busy working at the church the past 2 days. It's been exhausting but rewarding. In any case, I generally have Christmas cleaned up by the 26th and Steve thinks it's quite Scrooge-like. But what's the point of keeping everything up once the day has come and gone? All it does is delay the inevitable and I find myself increasingly agitated the longer it remains so I just get it over with and call it done.

In the first 7 years we were married we only had a tree up once because we came home for Christmas 6 of those years and didn't see the need to buy a tree and all the trimmings. Then we were here for 3 years before we got a tree because year #1 we were in an apartment with nowhere to store stuff and year #2 we'd just moved into a house in November and were not ready or up for it. So, year #3 we went all out and then had our Christmas on the 24th before Steve started his night shift. He came home at 7 am and headed to bed. I spent the 25th taking everything down and the look on his face when he got up was truly priceless. He went to sleep in a house 'o Christmas and woke up to a house 'o nothing. It was hilarious! He was astounded to say the least. And since then it's just made sense to do it on the 25th while he was sleeping and/or working.

Holidays are kind of like a wedding -- days, weeks, sometimes months are spent planning, preparing, cooking, and within an hour or two it's all over. What was a beautifully prepared meal or decorated house is all of a sudden the Roman ruins and I'm left wondering, "what's the point?" And I'm reminded that the point of these "big" holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) is Christ, and then family / friends. And while everything else is over, they are not; even in death they are never truly over because the memories of previous holidays with loved ones live on. And the remembrance of Christ's work for us, in us, and through us is never over and while sometimes my life may seem like the Roman ruins, to Christ it is a beautiful masterpiece and he uses everything for a purpose. Even my failures...perhaps particularly my failures.

So while the celebration may be over, the journey with Christ continues until He comes again or takes me home.

2007 Lortz Christmas Poem

Below is the poem I wrote for our Christmas cards this year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and may many treasures await you in 2008!

‘Tis the month before Christmas and in the Lortz home
The humans are bustling the dogs are alone.

This year carried changes, some big and some small
We’re pleased to report we lived through them all!

In March came a puppy, so naughty but sweet
Jake isn’t amused that Sam shares his treats.

Proving who’s boss is always a chore
The little dude won, Sam bows to Jake’s roar.

New sights came in June, vacation’s a blast
Wow, the week’s gone, it went by too fast!

We loaded the car – luggage, nephew, and mom
Headed to Silverwood singing a song.

We rode and we shopped, we swam and we slid
To my sister returned her exuberant kid.

The biggest change came in summer ‘tis true
Steve left his job as a brother in blue.

A huge step of faith indeed we did take
Steve’s now a pastor for goodness sake!

A mission church campus, small groups galore
It’s a safe bet our life is no bore!

How does one live when changes abound
When everything pulls your feet off the ground?

The secret is held not in us but in Christ
We’re people in progress so no need for fright!

From our home to yours “Merry Christmas” we shout
May you be filled with peace and not doubt.

This life’s but a vapor and then it will end
May you savor each moment with family and friends.

Less Is More

Several years ago my family decided we would no longer buy gifts for each other but just for the kids. Well, you can imagine that first Christmas -- we didn't cut back, oh no, we just re-directed all that to the kids and it was INSANE! I realized what a disservice it was and to be honest, Erica and Peter don't really lack for much anyway. When you're the only 2 grandbabies / niece & nephew with all these aunts and uncles, you really don't want for anything too long.

So, Steve and I cut back, and cut back some more. After all, what is Christmas about? We decided 1 or 2 gifts at Christmas with lots of fun and face-time the rest of the year was far better. And it's been wonderful. The stresses of the season are virtually non-existent in our house. No financial strain, no agony over what to get for everyone, no long lines and hectic crowds.

Last year I tried something even more out there. We were all missing dad so badly and I wanted to do something truly special for the kids. Christmas was one of my dad's favorite times -- he loved giving gifts and watching little eyes light up, hearing squeals, and the pitter patter of little feet Christmas morning. It was never about what he got in return (or didn't), and it wasn't even about what he and mom gave but more about time together and remembering God's gift to us.

So, for Erica I scrapbooked her 16th birthday party where grandpa had given her the car and we did The Amazing Race Billings Edition for her and her friends. It was 2 short months later grandpa was gone. She loved it. One page in particular was touching - I took a picture of her, grandpa, grandma, and Peter holding the sign they had made for the car and I put it in the middle of a big heart with a scripture beneath.

And for Peter I wrote a children's book about his adventures with his grandpa and had a friend who is an amazing artist illustrate it for me. He adored it; and it turned out to be a gift for the entire family as each got a copy.

It's hard to be that inventive again but I've tried to match it. I'm so excited about what I've done for my family but for fear they may read this before Christmas, I can't reveal it yet, but I just finished it this week and I love it! I've also got to get Peter's finished (okay, started AND finished). Not much time but I've got it done in my head so I know where I'm going anyway!

And so I encourage simplicity at Christmas. Family and friends are more important that presents and food, and Christ is more important that family and friends. It's all perspective and it's all a choice. It may be too late for you this year but there is always next year!

Lightening The Mood

Today is a much better day and I'm so thankful to be well on the way to 100%. In an effort to lighten the mood a bit after my last couple of posts, here is an extremely funny thing that happened last week.

Wednesday night (the night of the procedure) I had fallen asleep but was awakened by the inability to roll over or even lift my face from the pillow. You'll first have to understand that with such a swollen lip and face, my mouth gaped open as I slept, drool flowed freely, and there was weeping of the lip. So, as I lay there unable to move, I quickly assessed I was stuck to my pillow. My weeping lip acted as an adhesive and there I was, stuck.

I managed to get out a very small "Steven" but no reply. "Steven, I need help." He awakened and asked what was wrong. I could barely eek out "I'm stuck to my pillow!" He got up, assessed the situation for himself, went to the bathroom and returned with a wet cloth. He un-stuck me, I tossed the pillow on the floor and and used a different one. I decided that because the pillowcase was flannel, the fabric almost seemed to encourage a stick-to-my-face quality and I didn't want to have another occurrence. I then retrated back to dreamland.

The next morning Steve told me how hilarious it was -- kind of like being stuck to a flag pole. I was not exactly amused because at that moment I was staring in the mirror at my grossly enlarged freak-face.

But now? It is HILARIOUS. I mean, really, how many people do you know that have been stuck to their pillow?

One Great Gift

I have been given many great gifts in my lifetime but the past few days I've been thinking about one in particular. Now, I could get really spiritual here and would be accurate in saying my greatest gift came from God. Of course it did, and it's celebrated this time of year...baby Jesus.

BUT, I'm feeling much more carnal these days so before I get to the gift that's been on my mind, here's a list of the top several; honestly I've received so many special gifts it's hard to remember them all, let alone list each one:

1. The Christmas I got the entire series of "Little House On The Prairie" books -- I had asked for them several years in a row.
2. The birthday I got my first pair of Nike tennis shoes (7th grade).
3. The Mother's Day gifts from Peter and Erica for being "another mom".
4. The convertible I got for my 25th birthday.
5. The new wedding set for my birthday.
6. The birthday present my mom told me was fragile so I handled it delicately only to open it and discover a gift card (much laughter ensued at my oh-so-careful maneuvering).
7. The year my dad purchased a birthday present for me just from him -- my parents never did separate gifts but the 6 months prior to my 16th birthday I had been extremely sick and there was no certainty of a 17th birthday. He got me flowers in an ice cream sundae glass with carnations as ice cream, red rose as a cherry, and 2 straws sticking out.

This past week I've been so grateful for the gift of Steve. It was with great tenderness and yes, even compassion, that he cared for me last week. He sat in the doctor's office and held my hand, he stayed for the procedure up to the moment the doctor kicked him out. He tucked me in bed, brought me antibiotics and pain pills at the scheduled times, escorted me to and from the bedroom / living room and even to the bathroom and back on the first day.

He served me sodas, milkshakes, and when I wanted to eat something, he handled that too. He kept the dogs off me, fielded all phone calls, and told me repeatedly "it's not that bad" even though that was not true. He did all the dishes and even ventured a couple loads of laundry.

He loved me selflessly, sacrificially, and even supernaturally. It makes me tear up even thinking about it. For some odd reason I feel the need to buy him a gift for taking care of me. In one of my "hopped up on goofball" moments I told him that and he just said "that's what I do -- take care of you. It's my job." It was not easy for him to do all that, yet he did.

I recognize many husbands wouldn't do that; they wouldn't get outside of themselves for the entire week to tend to their wife's needs, even in sickness. I am extremely fortunate that God gave me such man.

My blondie, I love you more than you know.

A Really Bad Week

Having started the week on such a high note, the lows of the week have felt incredibly low. I felt great on Sunday but by Monday afternoon and into Tuesday, my "face episodes" had taken new heights. Wednesday found me in minor surgery but major pain. And disappointment. And questions. No answers, mind you, but definitely questions.

Today is the first day I am attempting sans pain medication. And it hurts. The 2 things I enjoy immensely; talking and laughing; are nearly impossible for me today and so I revert to writing, watching movies, and yes, even listening! And while I have a well of tears behind my eyes, I can't let them go because that hurts too. So why not just take a pain pill? Well, to put it simply, when I take them I over-do it because I don't realize my limitations. Secondly, they make me feel disconnected, as if I don't have full use of my faculties and I don't like that. Third, I don't like being "all hopped up on goofballs" (classic line from one of our favorite shows). I do believe with all the antibiotics I'm taking that a bacteria within 7,000 miles of me would have no chance of getting through.

Mostly today I'm feeling disappointed -- tonight is the first show of the Christmas musical and not only did I have a small radio part but I was to run the computer media too. I'm not only seriously disappointed that I can't participate but feel huge guilt that I'm letting down the rest of the cast and the choir. All of these feelings are self-imposed and everyone realizes there was nothing I could have done to prevent this but I just feel horrible about it. I had hoped, even last night while staring in the mirror at my HUGELY, OUT OF PROPORTION SWOLLEN FACE, that I would wake up 100% better and able to participate. But it didn't happen.

Yet even in all this I have been powerfully ministered to. We've had meals brought to us, even though we tried to discourage it. But that's what the family of God does -- care for each other and that even applies to us. It's easy to help others but not so easy to accept that same care yourself. Pride? Ah, yes, that ugly little thing that keeps us from admitting our need for and accepting help. But for the persistence of my friend, Tonya, we would have missed God's blessing on us this week. And we are so utterly grateful.

And my mom came and sat with me so Steve could go to work, I had people who dropped off smoothies and milkshakes, a book, and of course even flowers to brighten my day. The day of the surgery Erica picked Peter up at school and together they brought over 2 carnations, purple as you might have guessed, and visited with us for a while. It's a dear, sweet memory I will cherish for a long time.

So in spite of this really bad week, God has been evident. And in the midst of this really long post, maybe you've been encouraged too.

Yet Another Milestone

Today marks a major milestone in our ministry journey. Steve preached at EBC last night and 3 services today. I attended each one and I was mesmerized. Knowing he'd be nervous, all I could do was just pray him through each one. It will come as no surprise that it worked and I've decided the one from the 9:30 service was the best one. Strangely enough that is the one with the most people too and that further adds to my wonderment of our God.

But, oh, I was so nervous myself! I made some serious mistakes while running the computer media at the early service today and after the 3rd or 4th one RW asked me "are you nervous for your husband or something?" I replied an adamant "YES!" to which he said "I've never seen you make so many mistakes before so it's nice to know you're human." At least he was understanding and had a sense of humor about it because I was feeling like a total schmuck at that point. Things I had done dozens and dozens of times were completely foreign to me. It was as if I had never seen that particular computer program or even a computer for that matter! I was finally able to settle down and made it through with no further faux pas.

A friend and former co-worker of Steve's came to the 11:00 service and his wife said "you know, I've known Steve a long time and I don't think I've ever heard him say more than 5 words at a time. This was unbelievable!" Indeed it was.

But just to be sure you know it's not pride on our part, there is no doubt who really did the good work and it wasn't Steve. He was merely the obedient vessel that God used and He spoke powerfully through my blondie.

The support we received from our friends was amazing and no doubt knowing how much they love us (and in this case specifically Steve) proved to be just the thing to push us through.

Oh how we are grateful for our refrigerator-rights friends! For those who have no idea what that means, you'll have to listen to the sermon for yourself (it's the one from 12/9/07).

Pearl Harbor Day

It was 66 years ago today Pearl Harbor was attacked. Total devastation, utter chaos, and mass confusion ensued as our homeland was under fire.

A few years ago Steve and I had the privilege of touring the harbor and I was incredibly moved by the occasion. It was somber, reflective, and I was deeply saddened. I would love to post a few pictures but I've already pasted them into a scrapbook and they were taken in our pre-digital-camera days. I'm sure there are far better pictures on the web anyway.

From December 7, 1941 it would be almost 60 full years before the next grand scale attack on our homeland. We had forgotten the horror, we had neglected God, we had become over-confident and come to rely solely on ourselves.

Let's not forget, my friends, the cost of freedom and remember that our safety comes not from a great nation (although we are one) and not from ourselves, but from God alone. Pause today to reflect on the great price paid by thousands who have gone before and thousands who walk among us today.

The Halls Are Decked

We've now decked our halls and the Christmas season can officially commence!

I went really simple this year because I've decided less is more (and it's easier to clean up a few weeks from now too).

A few years ago our neighbor thought it would be fun if the entire 2 blocks of Daystar had stars up for Christmas. It's kind of fun although some people are scrooges....not us!

It's kind of hard to tell in this picture but we put up our "Patriot / USMC Tree". I've been collecting patriotic and Marine ornaments the last few years to use when we finish our Americana basement but it's unknown when that will be so I switched from my lovely purple tree to the patriotic tree this year.

Check out this nativity scene. It's ceramic and the main piece with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus is actually a music box. I got this for a steal at Dillard's a few years ago - 50% off! I was so excited I almost had to buy 2...but Shiela was there and bought one too so I could refrain.

My oh-so-fun Christmas dishes. It just dawned one me as I posted this that I could totally use these in January too if I want because they don't really have a Christmas theme. However, at 75% off I wasn't too picky:) Super bargain shopper!

Planting and Harvesting

The following quote gave me reason to pause last week (for 2 reasons -- one is expounded below the other is because I had no idea who she was so I had to do some research to figure it out):

"It is a greater act of faith to plant a bulb than to plant a tree." ~ Clare Leighton

I immediately thought about how we all want to harvest but few want to plant seeds. I think much of this is pride -- we all want the joy of leading someone through the prayer of salvation and we celebrate that. But we rarely, if ever, rejoice in seed-planting. And yet I think it takes more faith to plant a seed than reap the harvest because you frequently never see the results of those seeds. And yet nothing is farther from scripture. The Apostle Paul put it this way in I Corinthians 3:5-8 (NIV):

"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." (emphasis mine)

The frightening thing is that we're always planting seeds (whether or not we want to), particularly with those to whom we've professed our faith. The questions aren't "where can I plant a seed" and "when can I plant a seed" but rather what seeds am I planting at any given time"? Plant, my friends, plant. Let God take care of the harvest and give him glory for whatever part you get to play.

Oh-So-Late Thanksgiving Pics

Call it being busy or call it being lazy, but in any case I finally downloaded my Thanksgiving pictures. It seems like it was eons ago and it's not yet 2 weeks! I've hosted this holiday for the last 10 years and I love it!

Our Thanksgiving table.......

Shiela and Erica (and Sam)....

Steve (strangely enough, this picture looks A LOT like the one above; it's kind of what we do on Thanksgiving).....

Peter & Edward (yes, they're actually doing something constructive)....

Pre-Christmas Thoughts

As we move into the Christmas season I have many thoughts running through my mind. But because I just finished a study on Jesus, it occurred to me that this time of year is not just about celebrating his birth. It is equally worth reflecting on his journey to the cross. For without the latter, the former doesn't mean any more than the birth of the rest of us.

In the last few weeks of this particular Bible study we focused on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I'm not even sure I can relate the feelings I had about the verses below but they affected me in a way I had never known before and I was unbelievably humbled and deeply sorrowful at the thought. I guess growing up in the church and celebrating the resurrection (indeed it is worthy of celebration), I had not stopped to really ponder the death process. The horrific, unbelievably painful procession to the cross. I'm not referring at all to the spiritual warfare going on, strictly the physical. I wince even reading the words of Mark 15:19-20:

"Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him." (emphasis mine)

Isaiah prophesied about how this beating would affect his appearance in Isaiah 52:14:

"Just as there were many who were appalled at him -- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness." (emphasis mine)

I wonder if any of these "beaters" later realized that Jesus was the son of God? And if so, how did they deal with the guilt that likely came as they realized what they had done to their Savior? Were they consumed with a never ending ache in their gut or did they fully receive the forgiveness offered to them too? I've wondered what side I would have stood on had I lived in that time -- for my Jesus or against him, shouting "crucify him! crucify him!"? I don't dare wander into arrogance condemning those who did because I am no better than they were. While I didn't physically beat my Savior, I guarantee I have caused him pain and he has been saddened by my actions more than once. But in it all I don't have to feel guilt every day and I'm learning to receive the full forgiveness of all my sins.

During all the celebration this season over the birth of a precious little baby, let's not forget that Jesus was born to die -- so that all who choose to accept him have eternal life. And let's not gloss over the severe punishment he suffered so we don't have to.