Just 6 Months 'Til Christmas...

Yesterday, during a training session for Vacation Bible School I was attending, the facilitator remarked-- "Only six months 'til Christmas!", to which there was a collected gasp from the group listening.  I just smiled.  There was a time that I too would have gasped, but no longer.  You see, I really look forward to the holidays.  This is because for me, the meaning of Christmas has a vast difference than what the world would like us to envision.  Commercialism tells us we need to spend, spend, spend in order to be happy.  Yet, my most cherished Christmas memories are of those times when times were the leanest and gifts were either simple or non-existant.  The reason is because in truth, I have had the most richest of times being with family and friends.

In my extended family (the Lopez klan) we have a Christmas journal that each one of our family members take turns keeping for a year.  In that year, they record family happenings, maybe throw in current world events, and record their thoughts and feelings.  Each Christmas Eve, we come together, and after good food-- (oh, those delicious tamales,), lots of laughter, and reminiscing, the journal is pulled out and the family member who had it for the year reads their entry.  We laugh, and sometimes cry, as we hear what was written.  Afterwards, it is handed off to another family member who will take it home to keep it going for the next year.

So, yes, it's six months 'til Christmas.... I am looking forward to it, and for my sister Josie to have lots of good things to share from her turn with the journal.

All About My Dad

The man who was the most influential in my life was my dad, Francisco Lopez.  A Mexican immigrant, 'Apa' didn't have much education, but he was astute and resourceful, having more wisdom than so many people I've met who have extended degrees in education.  Apa was an intelligent man who wasn't timid around others.  And, even though he might not have had the English language acquisition he would have loved to have had, it never stopped him from making friends with English speaking persons.  You see, hearts have no barriers of culture or language, and Apa knew this, and made the most of it.
As a dad, Apa was such a tender man.  He loved each one of his eight children in a unique way, being well acquainted with each of his children's individuality.  I was the 6th of his eight kids.  He lovingly called me his "India"-- which in Spanish means Indian.  This is because I was the one with the dark straight hair, high cheek bones, and a sharp nose.  I was also the verbal one-- argumentative since a young age.  Apa often told me that I was going to grow up to be an attorney.  Yet, I think that he secretly loved my insistence and questioning manner-- knowing that my strong will, channeled correctly would make me a capable adult.
My dad's love, wit, and ever present attention to me and my siblings shaped my own parenting aspirations in my life.  My dad left this world on August 16, 2006 at the age of 82.  I miss him everyday, and smile and laugh when I remember his jokes, observations, and witty sayings.

Me and Apa  (c) 2002

Apa and family (minus picture taker- big brother Auggie) (c) 1963... I'm the one with the braids

My deepest consolation is that my father loved the Lord and served God with all his heart, soul, body and mind from the time he accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in 1978.  He's no longer bound by a wheelchair and can  run and dance in heaven.  I know that I will see him again, and look forward to see his smile, and look into his kind eyes. While this may be the time to remember fathers with Father's Day, I remember my dad, 'Apa' everyday of the year.

Back Home and Back in the Local Swing

It was great getting away for 10 days, and getting back home.  Today is a exactly a week since we returned from our California Adventure Vacation; which actually took us into Oregon and Nevada.  This week, I've gotten back into my routine-- catching up with family, friends and neighbors.  We got sad news that a family friend G.G. passed away at the age of 99.  We went to her services today, and Abel, our son officiated.  What a wonderful tribute was given to G.G., both by Abel and her family.  I think that a life that is well spent is one in which a person yields to become a channel of God's love.  This is what G.G. portrayed in her life.  She simply reflected Jesus in all that she did, in how she responded to others, and in using her gifts that glorified God.  May God bless and comfort her family.

Summer is in full swing with graduations ending the school year.  I was able to attend one of our local high school graduations this week.  It reminded me of my own kids' graduations, of which the last one was 10 years ago when our youngest son graduated.  It was fun to see my nephew and his family beam with excitement to see their first child graduate.  Good luck in your future endeavors, Priscilla!

Days 8 & 9: California Adventure Vacation~ Reno, Lake Tahoe & Carson City, Nevada

Driving east across Oregon, we saw beautiful countryside.  Mountains topped with snow, rivers flowing with deer drinking from its water, and farmlands with quaint houses and old barns.  We made a quick stop finding a great quilt shop for Gracie, and a car shop Ruben and David enjoyed speaking to the owner about… what else, but vintage cars?

We reached Reno, Nevada and got ready for the next day where we would hike Lake Tahoe and visit Carson City.  We were not disappointed by our 4 mile hike to the scenic lake that laid 700 feet below the road where the trail began.  The water that contained small Kokanee fish was so clear, that it was hard to believe it was 4 feet deep.

We went on to visit Carson City, home of the state capitol.  The historic building was built of sandstone and doubled as a museum open to the public.  We learned much about the history of the state of Nevada while visiting there.

We enjoyed the sights of Reno, and the historic downtown area.

Tomorrow, we’re heading back home.  We have enjoyed our California Adventure Vacation.  We saw so many sights that ranged from ocean, redwoods, rivers and lakes (oh my!)  J

Ruben & Cindy at Skunk Harbor, Lake Tahoe

Ruben & David observing fish in Lake Tahoe