Each day, leading up to Christmas, I focused on something that (a.) I am thankful for and (b.) is worth waiting for (even if I hate the waiting part).
Day 1: Snail Mail is worth waiting for. I love getting a handwritten personal letter or card in the mail. I sent off my Christmas cards and received many beautiful cards and thoughtful words over the last couple of weeks.
Day 2: Christmas music is worth waiting for! I wait for the day after Thanksgiving all year to start playing these nostalgic songs again.
Day 3: Written words are worth waiting for. I am so thankful to have not only the wonderful, natural skill of speech, but also the wonderful learned skills of reading and writing. For those of you who don’t remember, learning to read and write is hard work, but it is so worth the wait to be able to communicate with someone in a different place and time. Here is the fruit of my students’ labors. They made Christmas cards for a nursing home.
Day 4: Needed maintenance is worth waiting for. My great grandmother’s sewing machine was getting a tune up (for the first time in over 25 years!). I had to put some projects on hold for three weeks while it was getting taken care of, but I just got it back. I’m sure it and I will be happier moving forward.
Day 5: Perfectly toasted marshmallows are worth waiting for. Now, I know there may be some differences in opinion here, but for me, rushing to heat up your marshmallow by sticking it too close to the fire and getting it crispy cannot compare to the slow golden brown toasting that happens over low coals to prepare the perfect s’more. Thankful for friends and great weather for a late season bonfire.
Day 6: Inspiration is worth waiting for. For most authors and artists, their best work is not their first. Even the best idea when it comes can take a long time to cultivate and edit. It’s worth the time to keep writing, reworking, keep dreaming, keep drawing until the work of creativity is complete.
Day 7: Snow is worth waiting for. “Let us walk in the white snow In a soundless space; With footsteps quiet and slow, At a tranquil pace, Under veils of white lace.” -Elinor Wylie No pictures because I had to go to work before the sun was up and it melted not too long after. I’m still waiting on a “Snow Day”, but it will be worth it!
Day 8: Hand stitching is worth waiting for. Though I do use the machine for many bigger projects, there is something I enjoy so much about the slow rhythm of hand stitching to get just the result I want.
Day 9: The Carriage House was worth waiting for. I was house hunting for 6 months and had put offers on two other houses before finding the perfect home for me. It was a long decision process and a long remodeling process after I closed, but I’m so thankful to be enjoying my first Christmas in my own home this year.
Day 10: Seasonal Desserts are worth waiting for. Cordial cherries, chocolate-covered candied orange slices, cookies, hot chocolate, gingerbread… enjoy them while they last.
Day 11: The right roommate was worth waiting for. Perla and I had only known each other a few months and only seen each other in person a few times before we decided to room together, but I had thought and prayed a long time about if I should get a roommate and if so, who it should be. I’m so thankful to share my house with her now.
Day 12: Cabinet doors are worth waiting for. They look amazing, so much better than the dated clapboard that was there! I’m so thankful for talented friends. Note: I still need to sand and paint the cabinets and will paint the doors to match so the cabinets are technically still in progress.
Day 13: A home cooked meal is worth waiting for… even when it takes a lot of prep. Confession: the cornbread looks a mess in this picture because I was too impatient to wait for it to cool. The aesthetics of food…heh, maybe not so worth the wait.
Day 14: The right gift is worth waiting for. I love making and choosing special gifts for friends and family. I’m starting to wrap them up in pretty packages for delivery.
Day 15: Tree trimming is worth waiting for. Sorry, not the festive kind of trimming. A dead tree has been sparking against the power lines since July! So thankful it was trimmed so that I don’t have that worry hanging over my house (literally) anymore. Update: A few days later they take the whole tree down!
Day 16: Getting time to curl up with a good book is worth waiting for. Sigh of contentment. I finally got that snow day.
Day 17: The Spirit’s work is worth waiting for. I don’t always understand how He works or His timing, but what He does is amazing.
Day 18: Christmas break is worth waiting for. We made it teachers! A full semester in person, 5 days a week. I’ll miss my students, but break is going to be so good!
Days 19 and 20: Thankful for grace (I missed Day 19 in live time while enjoying my break). Surprises on long walks are worth waiting for. Even the fairies are decorating for Christmas. Walks are such a blessing, even in cold weather.
Day 21: Birthdays are worth waiting for. It was so fun to celebrate with Mom today.
Day 22: Nice weather is worth waiting for. It was warm enough for a jog so I got some fresh air exercise.
Day 23: Time to reflect is worth waiting for. I enjoyed a nice long walk today with plenty of opportunity to think and pray.
Day 24: Gathering together is worth waiting for. I love special times of celebration with family, friends, and the church. Even though there were many precautions in place, it was so nice to be able to gather together on Christmas Eve.
Day 25: Emmanuel, God with us, was worth waiting for. Merry Christmas everyone!
For yourself, best gift divine, to the world so freely given,
Agent of God’s grand design: peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Welcome To The Carriage House 