Our Mystery Tree tradition is continuing this year. On Sunday we put the back seat down in the jeep and headed to the Home Depot to pick out our tree. Our round trip from home to the store and back again took a little under 45 minutes total! We arrive, we spy out the trunks of the trees in our height range in the piles where the trees are still all tied up, we pick one, buy it, throw it into the back of the jeep and head home where the stand is ready and waiting. Dear cuts off a portion of the trunk and gives it a good thrust into the stand. Tighten the screws on the trunk and get ready for the reveal…
It’s so much fun to stand back and watch as Dear cuts the string off the branches.
Tah Dah!
When I got home late last night Dear had put the lights on the tree so I can now finish decorating it. We’ll see what gets done today.
Little by little it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around this old house.
Life continues to keep us on our knees in the midst of this joyful time of Advent and more and more we look to the Hope we have in Christ. We had one of those 3 A.M. phone calls where you know the news can’t be good. A Brother in law had a heart attack that was caught in time and arteries were cleared. He’ll be home soon. We know the reality of how fragile life can be. We always wait for good news from Afghanistan. “Made it back from the Mission, I’m O.K., going to bed now, talk more later.” We rally around each other supporting each other in whatever life throws our way.
Faith
I will have faith,
However dreams are shattered;
I will have faith that righteousness can live;
I will have faith e’en when my heart is breaking,
To work and pray and give!
I will have faith
When troubled is life’s ocean,
When low-blown clouds the Pilot’s face shall hide;
I will have faith when my fair ship is battered;
I will await the turning of the tide!
I will have faith
That God is still in Heaven;
I will have faith that He is by my side;
I will have faith though every star is darkened,
That He and truth abide!
The Residence, Denver
I like that tree and think it is so fun that you have this tradition of seeing how the mystery will unfold.
That poem says it all. What wonderful words to live by. May we all continue to hold tight to our faith.
I love this tradition of the “mystery tree” you have!!! You sure picked a winner this time! I will hold on to those beautiful words of the faith poem! Thanks for sharing that!
I always love the size of your tree! Giving thanks for a good outcome with your brother in law. Thankful His grace is sufficient, although we feel stretched as we trust in Him. Lifting Katie & Andrew up in prayer!
I love the mystery tree reveal. You got a lovely one this year. That poem made me tear up. It’s beautiful.
So glad that your brother-in-law will be okay. Praying for Katie’s beloved. God is always on the job. Your tree looks beautiful…what a lovely location, too!
Such a great poem, Ellen. I have shared it already today. The ‘no longer a mystery’ tree is great too.
Beautiful tree, beautiful poem
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
ROMAN 10:17 (NKJV)
Your mystery tree is beautiful! Life keeps us humble and reliant, that’s for sure.
What a perfect tree…our tradition is somewhat different…but it’s all about fun. Yes, that poem is ever so encouraging when we thing about those that need support. Thanks for sharing.
It must have felt like magic seeing the mystery tree unfurl in front of your eyes. Your pictorial storytelling is most vivid. And the tree is beautiful! Thanks for sharing a wonderful moment of your festivities.
Your mystery tree is perfect! Beautiful faith poem!
I like your tradition of the mystery tree. It turned out to be a beautiful one! Have you ever had one you did not like? The poem is a keeper.