Narnia

Although it was a departure from the book, the VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER was a simple pleasure for us to see. We saw that yesterday. It will be a bit scary for Sadie yet, but it is refreshing to see Good triumph. I just hope they don't continue to exalt the powers of darkness to where the Evil is more prominent than the Good! Well, Sadie can start on the earlier Chronicles which I have recorded for her. Seeing Narnia makes the antiphon for today comes to mind: Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him.

Later today we will try to Skype the kids at Casa Hogar San Jose. That will be fun.

NUTCRACKER

Another event a week ago was a trip for Sadie and her daddy to see the Nutcracker. Another big sports buff and his daughter went along. Sadie came back saying she was ready to start ballet up again. Consequently, Ron taped two really good renditions of the Nutcracker to show Sadie. She will dance along I am sure! She has a wonderful gusto for life and learning of all types. Better study up, Padre Ron, you'll probably have to announce her performance to the imaginary audience. Now, let's see, there's the Pas de Deux, the dance of the Sugar Plum fairies, hmm...

Padre Marvin

We were extremely blessed to have a visit from Padre Marvin recently when he was in town. Although our times together have been short, I feel tremendous encouragement and hope from him. We chatted about the Casas, what hopes and concerns we have for the project and each of the kids, and prayed for God's blessings. It is Padre that has held the seminary together with his courses as there hasn't been a person permanently on site for a year now. God in his infinite wisdom knew that Marvin, Gloria, and Sandy would be a part of His plan for Arequipa long before we realized it! Thanks for being so faithful, Marvin. You friends, Ron and Vicki

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

After our rather interesting week with doctor's visit's, transfusion, chemo, and Vicki's phase 1 oral surgery, we woke up Sat. feeling a bit more refreshed. Saturday evening we decorated the tree and it was fun! We ran across all the special ornaments-Donald Duck from Vicki's childhood, a small wooden nativity from my childhood, some ornaments that our kids had brought from Germany, etc. We played "old" Christmas carols on the tv and reminisced. A very special evening. As we did this, I prayed for our friends needing particular prayers, the persecuted church, our small bible study here at Bridgemoor, and those who live alone. A good time to take a breath, step back and recognize God's work in the world around us.

Amazingly, I usually feels better on Sundays. On this, the last Sunday of Advent we reflected on the Lessons and Carols on Sunday Morning and God's amazing orchestration of our salvation that we heard in those scriptures. Meanwhile, construction proceeds steadily on the dormitory for Casa Sagrada Familia. He is in contol of all.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent seems particularly appropriate:

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,
that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a
mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Nativity Scene

We have so many rich traditions in Anglicanism. While much of our tradition comes from the early church of the first 4 or 5 centuries, we have incorporated into our Christmas traditions the Nativity scene which was inspired by St Francis in 1223. You will find Anglican churches where a Nativity scene is placed quietly in the back of the church. Likewise, you will encounter Anglican churches where the figure of the Christ child is carried in procession at the Midnight Mass to its place before the altar and laid there in the crèche with great reverence.

Christ Church just received a gift of a beautiful olive wood Nativity cut from a stump of a tree that was already 200 year old when Francis set up his live Nativity scene! Here are some pictures Father David had in his mailing "The Call".

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

Today will be the second meeting of the Roof Dog team travelling to Arequipa in February. Vicki will attend it while Kimi and I go shopping. What a blessing to be here and to be able to do that this year! What a difference from last year! I understand the Magnificat that Mary proclaimed in a more personal way than ever before. I wouldn't presume to say "all generations will call me blessed," but certainly I can say all my friends will say that I have been blessed by the Lord with this special year. Thank you, Father!

Magnificat Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

An Open Heart

Ron was so blessed to hear Fr. David explain the importance of the Virgin Mary and our Anglican understanding of it on Sunday. Fr. David characterised Anglicanism as the "Goldie Locks" denomination of Christianity- neither elevating Mary's role beyond reason, nor fleeing from her presence in fear of heresy. The Anglican position is thus, "just right-not too hot nor too cold!" In Anglicanism we recognize Mary's complete submission of her heart unto her God, Yahweh, that enabled the Father to bring forth the birth of Jesus from a virgin. Such pure humility is indeed an example for us to follow without losing sight of the fact that it is her unique Son, Jesus, that brings us reconnection with our Father and thus our salvation and life eternal. Many people new to Anglicanism seem to find it difficult to find that "just right" balance of neither worshipping Mary instead of the Father, nor of ignoring her as though she didn't exist and wasn't anyone special! But, what you believe DOES matter!

I have seen attempts to include Mary as part of the Trinity and attempts to deny even her virginity at the time of Jesus's birth. Why can't we recognize her unique blend of humility and openness to the power of God? Which of the images included portrays your perception of Mary?

Peruvian Artist

On Sunday, Vicki and Sherry were able to sell some of Christian Revilla's all purpose cards. Starting a career in art is difficult enough anywhere, but even more so in Peru! We hope these sales will boost Christian's morale as he pursues his dream in Arequipa. He tithes to the church from his proceeds.

Bazaar!

Last week Vicki and I were able to help out a bit with THREADS OF HOPE and its booth at the Jesuit Bazaar. Threads of Hope helps fight poverty and improve the lives of women in the shanty towns of Lima. It was such a blessing to be able to contribute our bit of time for such a wonderful cause. And, WOW, the bazaar made $4700 for the ladies! Lives will be blessed with this aid. Thank you, Lord!

Fall Color

We looked at colors differently this year-especially on Thanksgiving Day. It was last year on Thanksgiving that medical tests indicated a maximum of 3 to 4 months of life for Ron. We had fantastic medical expertise helping us, but one wonders what those who have ONLY the power of medicine to rely on must feel in those situations.

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD