Christmas Night

It's Christmas night. The house is quiet. Even the crackle is gone from the fireplace. Warm coals issue a lighthouse glow in the darkened den. Stockings hang empty on the mantle. The tree stands naked in the corner. Christmas cards, tinsel, and memories remind Christmas night of Christmas day.
It's Christmas night. What a day it has been! Spiced tea. Santa Claus. Cranberry sauce. "Thank you, so much." "You shouldn't have!" "Grandma is on the phone." Knee-deep wrapping paper. "It just fits." Flashing cameras. It's Christmas night. The tree that only yesterday grew from soil made of gifts, again grows from the Christmas tree stand. Presents are now possessions. Wrapping paper is bagged and in the dumpsite. The dishes are washed and leftover turkey awaits next week's sandwiches.

It's Christmas night. The last of the carolers appeared on the ten o'clock news. The last of the apple pie was eaten by my brother-in-law. And the last of the Christmas albums have been stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases, and red-nosed reindeer.

It's Christmas night.

The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I'm awake. I'm kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed. The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stop watches and weapons. We stepped off our racetracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.

It's the season to be jolly because, more than at any other time, we think of him. More than in any other season, his name is on our lips. And the result? For a few precious hours our heavenly yearnings intermesh and we become a chorus. A ragtag chorus of longshoremen, Boston lawyers, illegal immigrants, housewives, and a thousand other peculiar persons who are banking that Bethlehem's mystery is in reality, a reality. "Come and behold him" we sing, stirring even the sleepiest of shepherds and pointing them toward the Christ-child.

For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accustomed to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty. All of a sudden he's everywhere. In the grin of the policeman as he drives his paddy wagon full of presents to the orphanage.

In the twinkle in the eyes of the Taiwanese waiter as he tells of his upcoming Christmas trip to see his children. In the emotion of the father who is too thankful to finish the dinner table prayer. He's in the tears of the mother as she welcomes home her son from overseas. He's in the heart of the man who spent Christmas morning on skid row giving away cold baloney sandwiches and warm wishes. And he's in the solemn silence of the crowd of shopping mall shoppers as the elementary school chorus sings "Away in a Manger." Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.

It's Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin -- lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half-price. Soon life will be normal again. December's generosity will become January's payments and the magic will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that's why I'm still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can't help but linger on one fanciful thought: if he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?

Max Lucado

Isaiah 65:1
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’

How dare I...

I can't believe it. I JUST CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT.
I forgot two of my all-time favourites... the Christmas goodies I have already consumed must have clouded my thoughts...

AHEM - here are two EXTREMELY wonderful Christmas Movies that are on my "must-watch" list:
SCROOGED

Oh, Bill Murray. If you thought "What about Bob" was good, wait until you see this! Honestly, He's one of my favourite actors... he has the kind of humour that I just adore.

A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL

Instead of commenting, I'll sing along: "It's true wherever you find love it feels like Christmas!" "DOOMED, Scrooge! Doomed for all-time! Your life is like a horror story written by your crimes!" "And after all there's only one more sleep till Christmas!" "There goes Mr. Humbug, there goes mr. Grim. If there was a prize for being mean, the winner would be him!"

LOVE it.
My apologies to both of these movies for not including them originally. There's no excuse.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. May your days be merry and bright, and may you know the love of the Lord Jesus this holiday season!

a few of my favourite things...

I LOVE Christmas, and although I had originally intended on listing some of my favourite Christmas songs for you all to enjoy, I found that trying to narrow down the list practically threw me into a panic! SO, I've decided to list Christmas movies that I MUST watch every year (and I'm sure you all have a similar list). Let's do "top 7" shall we?

#7 - White Christmas


Let's face it, hollywood has taken a major dive in the areas of talent and class - compare someone like Lindsay Lohan or Seth Rogen to stars from the 1950's like Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye or Rosemary Clooney... see my point? This movie is a classic - "Vermont's beautiful this time of year... all that snow!"

#6 - Home Alone

There is something about watching robbers who get "poned" (as they say) by a little kid that is unceasingly hilarious. LOVE the theme song from this movie. McCauley Culkin deserves MAJOR props for being a flipping amazing actor at such a young age.

#5 - The Grinch

Brilliant. Whoever thought of combining Jim Carey and Christmas deserves a gold medal. I can almost quote every line from this movie and it's STILL not old (nor will it ever be!). "Kids these days... so desensitized by movies and television."

#4 - It's a Wonderful Life

Beautiful. Jimmy Stewart will always be an integral part of Christmas traditions... what an amazing actor. My favourite line? "this is a very interesting situation!" (as he holds the robe beside the bush). Man, life is good.

*Before I list the next three, please note that this was a VERY difficult decision...

#3 - A Charlie Brown Christmas

"I can tell you what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown! Lights please?!" This little movie speaks for itself... Charles Schultz, thank you for "Peanuts".

#2 - A Christmas Story

Can you believe that some people don't even KNOW about this movie?! I can't imagine Christmas without it! "Fra-Gi-Le... must be Italian." "I think it says 'fragile' sweety", "So help me God, yellow eyes!", "I like the Wizard of Oz"... Who wrote this? I want to get a tattoo of their name.

#1 - Christmas Vacation

"I don't know about the dog Clark, but I sure am enjoying it!" This is probably the funniest movie of all time. I honestly can not think of a movie that I enjoy watching as much as this one... "She'll see it later honey, her eyes are frozen".

And there you have it! If you have not seen any of these movies - shame on you! Go out, right now (put on a toque because it's VERY cold), and rent... no no, BUY them immediately.

Merry Christmas friends - stay posted for a Max Lucado story...

Rash Report

Hey Team -
Just so you know, I don't look nearly as hideous now as I did in the picture below - however, I found out from the doctor today that they expect my allergy test results to take ANOTHER week to three weeks. Lame. That would make it 4-6 weeks of waiting... (which, in the grand scheme of things, is practically no time at all but feels like forever when your mouth feels like it's on fire everytime you eat!)

On another note, I'm super stoked for Christmas! (I've been celebrate since Nov. 1st, but it's getting pretty legit now). Stay posted for a wonderful blog post on my most favouritest Christmas Songs... (coming soon to a computer screen near you).

Rash McGee.

Hey team.


I decided it's time. Time to tell the world.

For the past 7 months (beginning just before the wedding) I've had a trace of redness under my eyes. Not a big deal, right? At first, it was no problem... nothing a little makeup couldn't hide! The months raced by, and it seemed as if every calendar change equalled a new development of this "redness". The progression went a little something like this:

1) a slight discolouration under my right eye that would come and go.

2) a similar spot under my left eye.

3) patches at the back of my hair-line quite consistently

4) behind my ears, quite dramatically.

5) on one side of my neck, irritating, but not unbearable

6) all across my neck - extremely itchy

7) below my eyes, above my eyes, around my entire mouth, my temples, my hairline, my entire neck and down onto my shoulders.


There was a time (probably back in August) when it would flare up and disappear a few days later (all except a small patch under my eyes). That was when I first called the Dermatologist... my appointment? November 23rd. So, for all of August, September, October and most of November, the "reaction" worsened. Multiple doctor's visits, diagnosis (stress, ocular rosacea, hormone imbalance, food allergy, eczema, etc.) hydrocortisone creams, naturopath exams and a $312 allergy test all took place as I waited. After the allergy test (which was a week and a half ago) I considered cancelling the Dermatologist appointment. After all, the allergy test was expensive enough, and was SURELY going to give me the answers I'd been searching for!

...Thank goodness I changed my mind.

This past Saturday morning I woke up with my eyes almost swollen shut and my mouth looking like a sock monkey. I would classify it as the worst "allergic reaction" I've ever had.

So, after a four month wait, I headed to the Dermatologist on Monday - looking worse than ever (which, for once, was a good thing)! He looked at me and immediately said "this isn't good". (Shocking revelation, Doctor! thanks for your time!) With some closer examination, he diagnosed me with a "contact allergy"... which, once again, could really be anything. He gave me a prescription for a specialty face moisturizer and a non-hydrocortisone eczema cream which would, he warned, "feel stingy for awhile". Holy crap - it burned like I had rubbed cayenne peppers all over my eyes... while they were open.

So, I wait. I wait for this cream to work, I wait for the test results to come back, I wait for the day I can wear contact lenses again (my glasses strategically covered the redness below my eyes), I wait to wear makeup (eyeshadows, lipglosses, eyeliners, etc.), I wait for the confidence to show my face in public without wanting to run and hide in the nearest local washroom!

I'm going to attach a picture...sorry in advance. I know it's not the "loveliest" I've ever taken.



Inspite of the frustration and irritation of this "thing", God is really teaching me how very blessed I am. This isn't forever, it's temporary. This isn't life-threatening, it's just annoying. This isn't crippling, it's just itchy. I still have a face - rashy though it may be!
Anyways, if you think of it, pray for some answers. I would really appreciate it.

love and such.

Rashy McGee

unexplainable love.

These aren't really going to be my own thoughts... I'm reading "Soul Cravings" by Erwin McManus right now, and I wanted to share something that caught my attention...

"The truth of the matter is that we're uncomfortable with God. We're disoriented by the way he loves.
We want God to love us for an endless number of good reasons.At the same time, we find ourselves nervous before him because he sees right through us and knows everything that isn't lovable. He tells us that he is our place of rest and acceptance and unconditional love, yet we cannot reconcile this love. We know who we are. We know all that is unlovely within us. We wonder how we have become worthy of such love, and that's what worries us - we know we're not. So we run. We run from God because he sees us best; we run from God to escape our own sense of unworthiness; we run from God because we are certain that the closer we come to him, the more guilt and shame we will feel.

It's just too hard to believe that if you come near to God, you will find yourself not drowning in condemnation, but swimming in compassion.
Jesus called to all who were weary and who found their souls exhausted to come to him and find rest. He is telling us that God will be for us our place called home.
We run from God because we long to be loved and we have convinced ourselves that the One who is most loving could not and would not embrace us.
We run from the One our souls crave."

This is a reoccuring theme in my life... never being able to fully grasp how God could REALLY, deeply love me.

Not if he knows me, the real me. Not if he had any idea of my pride or envy or selfish ambition...

and yet, despite knowing my messed up, junky inmost being, God loves me with a love that I could never have thought possible - a love that will never cease to amaze me.
My favourite verses are found in Ephesians 3:17-19 : "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. "

What an amazing life I can live in the undeserved and precious love of my Lord.

- J

09.09.09

Ode to my Daddio.
Dale Bradley Saip - born September 9th, 1959.

This post is about him.

My dad is now fifty years old, and I thought it would be appropriate to share a couple of thoughts and some fun pictures in celebration!

First of all, I'm very grateful to my dad for the years he spent coaching me - not just in softball or hockey, but in life. I have always known that my dad loves me dearly, and wants the very best for me - and because of that, I count myself very blessed.

My dad also knows more people than anyone I know... I remember as a child we would go out for dinner or to a movie and there would be a handful of "acquaintances" that would approach him at one point or another... we kids would always ask "who was that?" to which he could usually give an answer...

Dad also belongs to an extremely entertaining clan... family get togethers with Uncle Grant and his family, Uncle Barry and his family, and the "grandma-ma" are always an absolute hoot.

I will also add that my dad has many titles, dad, chairman, vice-president and coach - he is also one of the most genuine "cowboys" I've ever met.

Basically, I love my dad.
I'll throw in some pics to entertain you all...

my own glee.

So, I’m officially addicted to Glee… after only one episode.
I think it’s because I miss that aspect of who I am… singing, dancing, acting. I miss the way it used to feel to be on stage, even just in rehearsals, because I felt like I really belonged their… like God had blessed me with this passion for something I was fortunate enough to pursue.
But that was a while ago.
I’m so thrilled to have experienced a multitude of loves: hockey, softball, painting, writing, dancing, running, reading, photography, teaching, camping, etc., but there is nothing I’d rather do more than sing and act.
Back to business – musical theatre – I’m GOING to do it again… maybe not today or tomorrow… but soon. Very soon. I feel this stirring in my soul… maybe the Lord will open doors for me to return to the stage… and in the midst of it all, create deep, lasting relationships with fellow cast members where I can show them the love of Christ through loving them just as they are…. I don’t know if that makes sense, but sometimes the theatre can boast quite a cast (no pun intended) of unique individuals with varied life styles. They don’t want some goodie-goodie Christian coming in to judge/condemn them… because that’s garbage. So, I’ll follow my passion with an added bonus of emanating God’s love for them. I like that.

Well, this was a mish-mash of thoughts.
Watch “Glee”, I love it.

my dear friend...

My eager friend has left his subtle fingerprints across a day that is not his own.
A scent, one smell - a memory. "Back so soon?"
But no. Just a hint, in jest, before retreating - almost undetected - into the August midday.
A shade, a hue, has caught my eye - a leaf anxiously embracing my dear friend's splendor.
A deliciously majestic auburn, shaming it's neighbors in appearance.
But this poor, beautiful leaf will be the first to fall... a leader for the myriads to follow.
"You're too early, dear friend", and I know he agrees as the wind catches my hair.
"A couple more weeks, then?"...and I know he's gone again.
But soon, as time dances away another season, he'll return.
With ferver and passion he'll paint his canvas in rich golds, intermingling reds, oranges and browns - a stunning work of art.
But his welcome is never as warm as the world which he creates around us.
A sigh, at first;
a mourning time over the loss of another sweet season who left us much too young.
in this sad state we sit, as my friend labours, unappreciated, to remake the world around us.
He knows his time will come...
And then, before it even seems he was here at all, he will be the one dearly missed.
I've missed you, my old friend. Welcome back.

"time flies"

And the world spins madly on…
And on.
And on a little bit more.
It’s the middle of August.
Before I know it, I’ll be hugging my siblings goodbye as they venture off to Briercrest…
I don’t like the thought of that…
but I guess they deserve their turn to be hugged goodbye instead of always doing the hugging.
And Kyle will be back in classes – buying books, writing papers, absorbing tidbits of info
(because who really absorbs it all? Be serious).
But things won’t change much for me… which is new.
Fall has always consisted of new beginnings, (new outfits), new adventures…
But not so much, this year.
I love my job, it’s just a strange feeling…
Growing up.

I look forward to buying books, learning things, hopefully finding a stage with a spotlight where I can play make-believe in front of an audience again.
But until then, I’m content.
… a strange feeling, growing up.

I want to learn.

so... I want to learn about photography. I want to figure it out... so I will.


Shannon - if you read this, thanks for taking the time to patiently explain the different settings to me. I really appreciated that.



Here are some of my favourite's (so far)...

Ode to the "Rom-Com"

I find it appropriate to write a blog solely devoted to the fabulous world of romantic-comedies... or girly movies. May I share my favourites? I'll start with some classics...

8) Sleepless in Seattle - wow. They don't even SEE each other the entire movie and your heart is just pulled RIGHT in! Major props to the ever-lovable Tom Hanks.

7) When Harry Met Sally - Once again, thanks Meg Ryan. How cute is this? Friends finally figuring out that they are meant for one another. Dang.

MORE RECENTLY...

6) America's Sweethearts - LOVE John Cusack. Seriously. I love him. haha. This movie is just... funny, wonderful, once again with the "finally figuring it out!" Great timing julia roberts!

5) Notting Hill - who HASN'T dreamt of meeting a major movie star and falling madly in love? It's always a shame when your hollywood lifestyle pulls you apart - but there's nothing quite like the moment when Julia is asked how long she'll be in England and she says... "indefinitely".

4) The Wedding Planner - "you saved... my shoe". Hell ya, he did! Matthew McCounaghey, thank you for showing me the importance of only eating brown M&M's... LOVE it!

3) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Day - how hilarious is this? "Princess Sophia"... "Benny boo boo boo!" Kate Hudson is so fabulous in this... and SO gorgeous! Jealous. Once again, the rom com king, Matthew McConaughey - let's get a round of applause...

2) Never Been Kissed - Drew Barrymore. QUEEN OF THE ROM-COM... I don't think I've disliked a single movie she's been in. Never been kissed is just... wonderful. I love that she can be an idiot, look unattractive and still be awesome. How brilliantly endearing... the baseball field scene at the end just SLAYS me everytime.

AND THE NUMBER ONE, MOST FAVOURITEST GIRLY MOVIE OF ALLLLL TIME?!

1) Ever After - Might not even count as a Romantic Comedy, but I don't care. The perfect Cinderella story... and I could almost quote the whole thing. "I will not yield!" "then you don't deserve her". I want to BE Danielle duBarberaque (or shall we say Nicole duLancre?)

So there you have it... I would watch them all RIGHT now if I had the chance!

21 years.

The past year has been… quite something. There were ups and downs that I never would have seen coming, and yet, looking back fills me with such a joy and – maybe more accurately – peace.

I’m learning, growing, changing, and that’s just fine by me! Jeremiah 18 says “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.’ So I went down to the potter’s house and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed in into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.’”.

That’s me. I’m the “house of Israel.” God, the potter, is shaping me ‘as seem(s) best to him’.

I like that. And yes, it’s sometimes painful realizing that you don’t know everything (and sometimes it feels like I don’t know anything), but that’s alright – God knows. For this next year of life, with all of the excitement and change, I’m going to continue to trust that God knows exactly what my finished “pot of clay” will look like – and I’m sure it will be quite wonderful.

For Michelle

I realize I'm a terrible blogger.
I'm aware of it... there's no need for an intervention.
I want to do better... keep things up-to-speed.
Even if the only people that follow my blog are Whitney, Michelle, and some Random girl from Korea, I'm STILL going to try harder! ha HA!
*cue heroic music*

So, I'm sure all of you are dying for details on my life, and here they are: I've been sick this past week with a cold, the light in my room has been extremely unpredictable lately, and I'm finding that my feather comforter is just too dang hot at times.

How's THAT for an update?

I'm going to be 'illin at the Kawkawa booth (11am-3pm) and Power to Change booth (3:30-6:30) tomorrow at Missions Fest, and I'm looking forward to it. I've never been on the "info" side of Missions Fest... I'm kind of a big deal, I suppose.

Is this good for today, Michelle? I wanted to give you something NEW.
"Here's lookin' at you, kid."