Saturday, December 31, 2005
Hello from Warmer Weather
We've landed in North Carolina. And the surprise for my family was lots of fun. We accidentally went off course just a bit but it turned out well... we were able to see Washinton D.C.Details will follow next week. Have a wonderful new year celebration!
Heather Dowling at 4:59 PM
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
First Christmas
Christmas in a new house. Christmas with a new family. Christmas with a migrane.I suppose all the emotion and energy I built up in the excitement of having my first Christmas with my husband and the dissapointment of no young siblings or mom's cooking melted into stress which rolled into a migrane Christmas morning. My poor husband. I was off the pillow long enough to open presents with him, but hit it once again afterwards as he played with new "toys". Nonetheless, our first tree was beautiful along with a "first Christmas together" ornament from some friends and hugs and kisses and thank yous from my sweetheart was still absolutely wonderful. So, I managed to dress myself, make-up, hair done, and all and stand in front of the congreation of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Center along with my husband and some friends and share what Christmas means to me. Fellowship with some of my husband's family we don't see all that often and lots of kisses and hugs for my 7 mo. old niece filled our afternoon. This little girl will only know her aunt as the one with the video camera for an eye. Poor child.
Evening brought my big sister and her husband with laughs and good food and one crazy game of monopoly.
My heart was light and my worship strong Christmas day. One year older and hopefully a bit wiser, the meaning of Christmas makes me sing more and more. Thank you my Jesus.
I love Lake Placid. The Dowlings and DePuys huddled in our little car and drove our way to the fun adirondack town yesterday. Crisp mountain air, good food, and lets not forget the GAP and BASS outlets!!! Lots of great fun.
Now its time to clean house, prepare for another busy weekend, and quiet my spirit before the Lord in preparation for so much to come. He is so good to me- even when I'm not realizing it.
Heather Dowling at 12:10 PM
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
What Matters Most
I often pick my husband's brain for answers to my questions. My car rides into work usually consist of an hour of questions to the Lord. I ponder all the silliest things you can imagine.This morning was different. I wasn't thinking. I was rejoicing. A tune we here every year.. "Joy to the world..." stopped my ever questioning heart.
Though I'll never have some answers until I meet Him face to face... it is a complete joy knowing Christ came from his holy throne to this dirty earth for me. It doensn't matter the hows or whys right now. He came for me. And that is what matters most.
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I can't demonstrate enough just how much I love Christmas. Aside from beautiful lights and decorations, cookies and music, and parties and memories... the time to stop and thank and celebrate our King of kings for just what He did that day and each day to follow is just plain fun!
Christmas parties are usually my favorite. Celebrating with those you grow with and love with yummy food and pretty decorations is so great. Tonight marks another party and friday will be my first Christmas party in our little home! Great fun!
This week will be a challenge. With working full-time, finding time to clean house and cook and decorate and plan ministry events... we're having quite an adventure! Every season is different and we're taking this one as it comes... but it's just that... a season. And we all know what matters most!
Heather Dowling at 12:41 PM
Thursday, December 15, 2005
More Than Enough
It seems I haven't put my thoughts down here for quite some time now. A lot has taken place and many things have been altered in this life of constant change.Monday night the strength I built up since my family left was broken just a bit. R.Jay and I ventured out in the cold to pick up a few things in the big green empty house. The coldness and the silence was a little nauseating. Of course, I had to add to the sting of sadness by walking through each and every room. Each room played visions in my mind of memories of childhood and growing into a woman. I envisioned my sisters at the Piano with white lights and garland sparkling on top of it. This house, this shell, was something I dreamed my babies would crawl around in and Christmas time would be the same-always. Now, new memories will be formed in new houses. New traditions will begin and new Christmas decorations will hang in new places. He makes all things new. His mercies are new every morning. Newness isn't so bad. Just a bit scary sometimes. So, my friends, I think I've cried my last tears in a victorian on Elizabeth Street.
Our Wednesday night discipleship course that Pastor Kevin has implemented is going well. We're learning and digging and rejoicing all together and it's nice.
Tomorrow will be our church's Christmas Program complete with a skit from Bill and Andy (my husband and his friend) that I've been so anxiously awaiting. Our youth group has a skit to perform and singing and poetry will bless our little Adirondack area. Saturday we'll go to yet another wedding and Sunday brings my father-in-law's birthday and a visit to my husband's grandmother's for a little fiesta. Everyone keeps saying "It's just the season that brings the business. It will pass". Not for us. It's always busy. Christmastime never went this fast when I was a kid. Then again, every day didn't necessarily go this fast when I was a kid either.
Each morning when I wake up I pray for emptiness. I stumble to the shower and release my own personal desires, needs, and ambitions until I am an empty vessel. And then it comes. The overflowing joy of being a child of God. Being stretched, being broken, being ruined for Him and for more of Jesus in my life - in my very soul. Every day I find myself more and more excited to do His will. Everyday I find myself more and more in love with Him. So when I think of these days that seem to fly by so fast. It's all okay when I think that each one that passes brings me closer to doing His will, closer to being with Him, and so much more in love with God. I've learned (and some days the hard way) that though I believe there may be so many things I want or need the only thing that matters is my need for Him. I want Christ and that's sufficient for me. His love is more than enough for me.
Every day with you Lord
Is sweeter than the day before
Heather Dowling at 10:27 AM
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Coffee
There is so much I want to write here.So much I want to share.
It seems I never have the time.
For now... I'll think of you all
Miss you all
Pray for you all
And drink my Chocolate Mint Chai from Borders that I love so much this time of year.
Perhaps I'll have my thoughts down tomorrow
Or perhaps the next day
For now... Smile- It's Christmas time
Heather Dowling at 12:55 PM
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Birthday Wishes Little Brother
Happy Birthday Samuel.Heather Dowling at 5:00 PM
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Cleanliness
I played hookey yesterday. A doctor's appointment in the mid afternoon left me with a free day off from work and home to clean.Now...
- each room in my house is tidy
- 1/2 of the Christmas presents are wrapped
- invitations for the Christmas party are written out
- menu for the Christmas party is final
- homemade banana bread is made
A day like yesterday was something I miss and long for more of. A clean house, candles lit, a refuge for my husband. Being home when my husband walks in the door. Time to read His Word and talk with Him more. Time to bake.Time to sit with my husband and really talk and enjoy each other's company. Time to breathe. Time to exhale. Time to remember who I am and who I am in Christ. It was refreshing. I loved each moment.
With so many things catapaulting one right after another in our life right now, the Lord reminded me this morning to trust Him. Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Today I'm happy because I'm clean... My soul is clean and refreshed in him. My home is clean and filled with the presence of His Spirit. My life is made new in Him for His mercies are new every morning. What a blessing.
Have I told you we now have our tree. After talking about our "first Christmas" as a married couple since...mmmm... I think JUNE... we set out last Saturday morning and cut down our first Christmas tree together. (Well Heather was in charge of the videotaping of course) Now it sits in the corner of our little dining room in front of our picture window with presents lining the gold tree skirt and gold and burgandy bulbs hanging on the brances with white lights and pearls looping all around. It's just beautiful! The excitement of having my FIRST real tree was almost overwhelming. I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning as we drove the truck in to pick one out. The garland with pearls and white lights spiral down our pillars that separate our living room and dining room as well adding so much beauty to our little home. I love Christmas. I love celebrating our Saviour. Can't every day be Christmas?
A side-note to some loved ones:
* HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINA! 14!!!
* Happy Anniversary Tim and Kathy (tomorrow). 5 years and getting better each year!
Heather Dowling at 12:13 PM
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Be Still And Know
Word of God speakWould you fall down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your Majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In your Holiness
Word of God speak...
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God...I will be exalted among the nations... I will be exalted in the earth."
Our church is in a critical and crucial season. Mindsets, hearts, ministries, wills, and relationships are being mended, broken, stretched, and transformed. It's hard. It's exciting. It's new. It's different. I'm willing. I'm ready. Am I able?
I talk a lot. Ask my husband, he won't deny it. I pray a lot. Ask the Lord, He won't deny it either. In this season of a little bit of craziness in my own personal life and a little bit of craziness at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Center, God is speaking a simple activity to me: be still. I tend to try to think things through, talk things through, figure things out. Be still. It's quite simple really, isn't it? I believe He is speaking something to me, but I also believe I'm trying to dig into things without a true sense of listening. The truest sense of listening to the Lord's voice in this season is my mission. Please pray. Everything is still so different from what I've come to now. So that's it. I'm listening....
Heather Dowling at 12:29 PM