Advent travel comes to an end.

Now, as my flight home climbs past 10,000 on its way to Atlanta, my Advent travel comes to an end.

Five days in Taos in sub zero temperatures, followed by three days in Phoenix with temps in the 60's and 70's. 

In each locale I have found rest, reflection, and faces of love. I have been held in God's love by many who love me. 

I have laughed and cried, walked and trekked, given and been given. I have rejoiced in prayer and in song. 

While I have been given abundance, I'm so very aware of those for whom provision for basic needs, let alone abundance, does not exist. 

I have seen need out in the open in one locale,  and I have only sensed need in another locale. Whether seen or unseen, I know it exists.

We are called to provide. I am called to provide. I have a new year ahead of me, one which finds me at the end of one ministry; one where I am seeking my next. I'm trying to listen -to hear-  where I am called next to serve. 

I the meantime I will for now bask in memories of this Advent travel. 

Fifth and final morning in Taos

Time to leave this place of retreat. 

This year has brought cold temps. Colder than any previous Advent trip. At the same time it has brought warmth. 

The warmth of friendship, of morning fires, of shared tables, of rest, reflection, and retreat. 

Listening to a daily Advent devotional by Barbara Crafton this morning, she spoke about fear. The fear of God. And how that fear differs from the kind of fear we often let run our lives, and which prevents us from taking chances and living life to its fullest. 

The fear of God brings with it the love by God that helps us live a life that includes taking chances.

My intent is to follow that path as I am able. 

The drive south of Taos this morning followed the Rio Grande River as it meandered along its way, its edges coated in ice. 

A stop in Santa Fe for cappuccino and on to Albuquerque where I will detour to Phoenix for a few days to visit my siblings. 

Traveling mercies. 

Fourth morning in Taos

Awoke to a snow sky. The mountains got a dose of white, but nothing down low where I am. 

Of course, a fire to begin the day before running in to town for my morning cappuccino. 

Ornament making was the morning activity. Listening to Advent music through the Jawbone Jambox while stringing beads into a star. 

One song and verse stood out to me. 

"Stir My Heart" sung by Sara Groves. 

My heart most assuredly has been stirred these past few days of the Advent trip. 

Stirred by the sweet quiet of Northern New Mexico; by the smoke wafting from both fireplaces and open fires around town. 

Stirred by the warm welcome I have received throughout each and every day; by the brilliant blue sky and the crows and magpies who soar by. 

Stirred by the generous spirit of this community for those in need. Stirred by walking a labyrinth. 

Stirred by an unexpected Flamenco dancing performance where the introduction to one song was about how grandparents experience a kind of special joy at the birth of Christ, as if they were Mary's parents. 

My soul is indeed stirred. 

Third morning in Taos

Awoke this day to 1 degree, signifying a day above 0 temps. Sunlight streaming in the windows is a promise of warmth. 

As is the morning fire. 

For me this annual Advent trip to Northern New Mexico is filled with promise and promises. 

Promise of quiet, rest, reflection. 

Promise of best friend travel. 

Promise of reunion with special friends; women who have carved out lives of independence in a sometimes hostile environment, and whose achievements enhance the lives of others. 

Promise of extraordinary beauty wherever I gaze. 

The promise of reminders of those who do not share the bounty I enjoy - of food, of shelter, of warmth. In this place I see much need, and at the same time I see the enormous generosity of neighbors and churches and local businesses.  

In all this I see the promise of the one who is to come. The one for whom we are waiting. I see him everywhere I gaze. 

  

Second morning in Taos

Warmer this morning. 2 degrees. A heat wave. Still, a fire required to ensure suitable coziness. 

This day I'm thinking about a conversation I had at a gallery in Santa Fe. The owner was speaking about the work of Jean-Claude Gaugy. Specifically his "The Awakening" project. This is a monumental project consisting if 400 40' x 400' carved wood panels. 

You can see a video about "The Awakening" here: 

http://youtu.be/Juo0m0AFW3Y

The comment made was "the Holy Spirit is the memory of God inside us. It stays inside us so we don't get lost."

This kind of framed the Holy Spirit for me while giving me something to grab onto so as to not be lost. 

Driving across a snow-covered dirt road this morning I could see how one could get lost, both figuratively and in reality. The land stretches endlessly. Twists and turns that can easily confuse one. 

The endlessness surrounding me reminded me of the vastness of the world that surrounds me in my tiny place in the world. It's easy to feel lost in both vistas. 

But now I have a way of seeing the feeling of being lost in a different light.  

Hunger

We hunger for the one who is to come. 

As I watch and wait this Advent for he who is to come, I find myself in the midst of those who hunger, who ARE hungry--food hungry. 

In New Mexico the child poverty rate is 30%.  Shared Table is a ministry in Taos which serves the hungry. Approximately one-third of those served are children or infants.  In 2013 Shared Table gave a ‘hand-up’ to 15,0000 individuals; almost 5,000 were children.

Cid's, the local grocer, provides its customers a way to offer help. The poker chip project. For every bag the customer brings for groceries, a chip is earned. As you exit the store, there are decorated cans provided by local helping agencies all lined up, waiting for a chip to be dropped in.  Many of these serve the hungry. 

At home in Rabun County, 60 %, including 8 out of 10 children qualify for federal food assistance.  They are food insecure. They often don't know from where their next meal will come. 

How can this be? In this land of abundance.  How can I hunger and in that hunger, provide for the hungry?

First morning in Taos

Arrived last evening and quickly unloaded and settled in to the casita. 

House of the grandmothers. 

Temperature upon waking is -11 degrees. Minus. A breath in that temp is quickly taken away. Best gather up the firewood quickly and settle in with a cozy fire. 

Snow and icicles viewed "warmly" from inside. 

Wait and .....watch?

After a 2 1/2 heavy-rain drive to Atlanta for my flight to Albuquerque, I now wait. My flight is delayed. 

And I watch passengers stream down the terminal  while my fellow passengers gather at the gate. And watch for flight updates. 

An exercise in patience. Checking the various Advent apps I've loaded on my phone I have not yet found words to fill my uncertainty. 

Time to move into a place of trust. That all travel this day will go mostly as planned. Yes, time to watch and wait. 

Now seated on the plan, as I watch passengers stream pass. More watching and waiting. Expectant. 

As anticipated. And hoped for. 

Promise of Return a Reality

A year ago I wrote about the promise of return in terms of having another trip planned so as to temper the sadness of a trip ending.  The annual Advent trip seems to be a future trip always planned, even if the specific dates are not determined.  Knowing it will take place each Advent, and likely will be in Northern New Mexico gives me something to watch and wait for over most of a year.

Once again we are called to watch and wait.

I'm packed- barely.  My bags are filled- perhaps too filled, but most of what is packed are tools and material with which to create--- beads, rubber stamps, pens, even smoked chocolate chips.

This year will be cold- colder than any previous year.  Likely there will be snow, but snow that has already fallen, roads cleared.  It will be snow to experience without inconvenience.  I'm ready to be Gobsmacked by the winterland that awaits me. That and the -8 degrees.  I understand chiles help keep one's body warm in the presence of extreme cold.  (-8 will be extreme to me).  I'll have my fill of New Mexican food, most of which will be covered in red chile.  I'll be warmed as I watch and wait.