My final test is done and I have one paper to go. I am glad to have this test completed. I will begin working on my final paper tomorrow. It is the one where I have to write my theological belief statement. Say a prayer that I can accomplish this before midnight on Tuesday.

Tonight Bruce, Geni and I went to the Lamar Madrigal Dinner Theatre. It was held at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church here in Arlington. All three of the show choirs performed with the Madrigals performing last. All of the groups were just wonderful and the Madrigals were exceptional. Travis had a solo and he sang beautifully (would you expect anything less?). It was a wonderful evening filled with the sounds of the season. We had a really great time.

Philippians 3:13 says, “…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,…” Around our house we are all trying to get into the excitement of the holiday season. All of us remember that last year we spent Christmas in Houston at MD Anderson Hospital where Casey was receiving treatment for cancer. Bruce and the kids came down and we were all together for a change. I put up a tree in Casey’s room, hung stockings and bought a gift for everyone either at the book sale, online or at the gift shops that were in the hospital. They were just remembrances for everyone.

On Christmas eve, Geni stayed in the room with Casey while Bruce, Travis and I stayed across the street at the Rotary House. Early on Christmas morning we were awakened by a phone call from Geni that the nursing pod had emptied into his room because his heart rate and gone through the roof and he was getting sicker by the minute. It was the time he had pneumonia, an upper respiratory infection, RSV and mouth sores all at the same time. Even though I tried to make it a festive Christmas there was an element of fear because Casey was so sick. The volunteers provided a gift for the patients and a delicious lunch for patients and families. Casey was too sick to join us for lunch so we went down to Café Anderson and had lunch just we four.

We are all trying to put last Christmas behind us, but after losing Casey so recently, it brings back all of the memories of each holiday last year and how Casey was with us for all of the holidays. We are going to try to try and begin a few new traditions this year. Last week, Travis decorated the “Casey tree”, a live oak tree that Jana Hurta donated to our front yard in honor of Casey. Then, Travis and Geni set up three Christmas trees on the front porch and decorated those in their favorite colors. Next weekend we are going to cut down a Christmas Tree. And we will see what happens after that.

We know we will never forget the last year of our lives and the life that is no longer with us, but we are straining forward trying to get beyond the hurt and loss of our son, brother and friend. A light has gone out of our lives in the last year. And now we approach the time of year when scripture tells us that the light of the world is coming in the form of a baby.

Have you ever noticed that God announces things with light? When God announced Moses’ entrance into the world, the Egyptian ministers, sages etc…claimed that a star proclaimed the birth of Moses. The Magi followed the star in the east as it came to rest over the house where Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived. That star stayed in place a long time. The light of that star was the guiding light for the Wise Men. Even though the Kings were not present at the birth of Jesus they kept following the star until it led them to Jesus. The shepherds received the news of the birth of Jesus by the singing of the heavenly host. I feel sure they were bathed in light and their light had to be so bright it filled the sky with heavenly brightness maybe even too amazing to look upon. The light all of these people saw led them forward to see what was present at the end of the light. The light in Egypt proclaimed that a deliverer was coming to deliver Israel out of bondage. The nation of Israel walked out of Egypt led by one who was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Wise Men were led by a light to the light of the world. The light of the world is Jesus.

We will never forget the extraordinary year we have experienced. I don’t think God wants us to forget, but I know He would want us to walk forward, so that is what we are going to do. God calls each of us to seek the light. In seeking the Light of the World, we, too, are seeking the deliverer. The One who can deliver us from the darkness of sin, fear and sadness will shine His light on us and lead us into the light of God’s love.

Take special joy in this Advent journey and search for the light. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.