Merry Christmas!
It's hard to believe, once again, that it is really December! As I look back over this year, like most people at this time, I can see so many blessings and things for which to be thankful!
Pete continues to do well. He just keeps on going. He is so so close to finishing our bathroom remodel that he took on himself. He has worked on it in stages, and we are really in the final stretch. My vanity has taken up the front hall for a long time, but it will be in place soon. He put down leftover hardwood floors, and they look wonderful. He is still working on getting his right foot/leg to run. At times, he ran up through our neighbor's yard which is an incline. It was funny to see three dogs and a boy in pajamas running with him. One dog would try to protect him from the other dogs' jumping, and she would end up cutting him off. So he got lots of physical therapy that way too. He still loves being a pastor and has also been back to Israel two times this year. I saw a picture of him yesterday that reminded me of how he used to walk/run. And for a minute, I felt sorry for me. Then I remembered that I need to remember how he was in the hospital and be so very thankful that not many people can tell he suffered four strokes. We are truly blessed by the recovery God made happen.
Andrew is a fifth year senior. He added another major and took Chemistry and Biology this semester and ended up with the final exams on the same day! He had one more cross country season left, and we enjoyed watching him run and cheering for him and his team. He had some disappointing meets when he was sick or very tired, but he also had a couple of great races. One landed him as Sun Belt Runner of the Week. I have all of his articles in a previous post. But I was extra happy for him, as he works so hard and doesn't get to see what he could really do when his body and health won't cooperate. He was on Charlotte Today with one of his doctors and was able to run and win a road race benefiting Levine Children's Hospital where he had his first IVIG infusion a few years ago and continues to go to clinic. We added a new doctor recently who has been very helpful, and he goes back to him next week in Winston. The following week he has two specialist check-ups in Charlotte. He has been featured in The Appalachian and The Winston Salem Journal recently and has been able to share some of his story. Andrew has such a great outlook on his medical issues and hearing him talk to reporters and anchors has really helped me be more thankful for the blessings and thankful for his attitude. He missed his infusion medicine until after Easter due to Blue Cross Blue Shield issues, and I struggle with the unfairness of that. But God kept him from getting pneumonia. And though it did cost him, as his immune system went down and made him susceptible to sickness and he got sick, he pushed through better than he should have been able to. And we know that was God. He still has one more indoor season left, and we hope to make most of those meets ~ even the ones far away!
Peter is a real senior who changed his major and hopes to graduate next December. He works on the days he does not have class and has helped me with some major projects at home lately. He still keeps us laughing, in person and by text. He is a huge help when I need him. Will works with our neighbors still. He graduated in the spring, a year late. God worked in that situation so much, with teachers and the principal, ~ and I know we don't even see most of what He did. Then Will got his CDL and has been able to drive dump trucks and other big machines. Our neighbors have been a huge blessing. I have seen Will take apart vehicles and put them back together (kind of like Goober on Andy Griffith that time!), so I know God has given him talents. And we pray he will use them for the Lord,
Sam is still our little happy person. He had a rough start to his year in a lot of ways, but those things have vastly improved. And we are thankful for that too! He goes to Appalachian two times a week to learn to read. And we are seeing great progress there ~ finally some hope after asking everyone for years for help, especially after learning of that event (a possible stroke) before he was born. We constantly have to keep up with his diabetes, but he helps a lot with that ~ and everyone else in the family does too. He was able to spend an afternoon and evening with Laura recently, and that was so special for him. He doesn't have many people who can take him and take care of him. We had a road race in October to benefit JDRF and raised over $8500 for juvenile diabetes research. Thanks to all of you who helped with that in any way! Our goal was to raise awareness and raise money. We have about 270 t-shirts out there somewhere with the warning signs of Type 1 diabetes and hope our efforts may prevent even one tragedy of a late diagnosis.
It seems every year for the past few to several years that I tell myself that I will do better in the year to come. And then all I can see is where I did not. So I am really making an effort to be thankful and let God show me how to order my steps to do what He has for me to do. Things are going to be different this year. I know they are, and I am waiting for Him to show me. Instead of being anxious, I am try to wait with anticipation fully knowing that He loves me. I still work at Blue Ridge Pediatrics in the back, and it has been such a blessing in so many ways for the past seven years. I took over some of Pete's cleaning jobs after his stroke, so I have a pretty full plate. But I have great helpers and look forward to that time spent with them.
One of my favorite scriptures during Christmas is Isaiah 9:6,7
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
And Luke 2:1-20 ~
Luke 2King James Version (KJV)
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
It's the best story next to that one of Easter ~ when this baby died for our sins. Without Christmas, there would be no Easter. And without Easter, Christmas would not be anything special. But oh how special it is, because Jesus did come to save.
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One more thing...We have a Christmas special tomorrow, and it ends with "That's My King" by S.M. Lockeridge. I love this, and it gives me chills. If you don't know Him. If He is not your King, please find Him today. He already knows you. He already loves you. He already died for you. He is just waiting for you to meet Him.
My King
The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He’s the King of Israel. He’s the King of Righteousness. He’s the King of the Ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of Glory. He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.
I wonder, do you know Him?
My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.
I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him?
He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him? Well…
His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy. And His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes…
He’s indescribable! He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
Yeah! That’s my King, that’s my King.
THAT'S MY KING!!!!! The One we celebrate at Christmas!Amen!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Vandenbergs
