DAY FOUR OF CHRISTMAS

Yep... We're still in Christmas!

A New Look,
On The First Day of Christmas a Parishioner Gave to Us,
Fr. Tony Update: New Chemo regimen,
and On The 3rd Day of Christmas My Doctor Gave To Me,

LEAVEN Complete and Ready to Roll,

In Closing: My Christmas Wish for You and Yours

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A New Look:

Our Clavier Family Blog has a New Look. Check it out! Was feeling a bit "green", and decided to change the look of the blog, I guess in honor of the fact our (not so beloved) president has finally decided there might possibly be a bit of global warming (geeee, ya think?), and has designated the ohhh, so adorable Polar Bear ENDANGERED.

On this note, if you've not seen the movie An Inconvenient Truth, it's high time you did. We can all continue to bury our heads in the sand, but if we continue on the path we're taking, generations to come may be paying the price for our selfish abuse of this planet we call home.

(sing it with me) On The First Day of Christmas a Parishioner Gave to Us... A Letter Sent From Heaven Above,

I won't mention any names, but I must share the following with you all. It's a letter like this that makes all the stress, strain, challenges and blessings allll worth while. The letter you're about to read came from a parishioner, and it was the grandest gift a clergy person could receive! Please, read on!

and the letter begins...

So this thing very nice thing happened to me last evening.

I was sitting at the 5 pm service beside this guy. He wasn't very young. Nor was he anywhere near old. (I've seen much older so I should know). He seemed a wee bit tired, even more than most of us after our hectic day of last minute Christmas preparations. He even shuffled with a stick. (A nice stick, mind you--one of those like Moses used to have. Only I'm not sure this guy has parted any seas lately, least ways not that I've heard about.) In the service he sat quickly and rose slowly. Perhaps the earth's gravity pulled just a touch more at his place. Or perhaps he carried the burden of a heavy thought or two. I could even hear him mumbling about one thing or another, maybe a bah humbug about some ache or pain somewhere, or about his last cup of tea being one lump short. Not that I would know for sure, as the guy seemed rather pre-occupied with a task seemingly near at hand.

This man arose (ok, so he then soon sat down again, but such details are superfluous) and began to speak. He pretended to ignore the adults around him (and perhaps he was not pretending). Instead he spoke to the children gathered ‘round at his feet. The adults pretended not to listen (and perhaps some were not pretending).

He spoke about many things; about alternate words for "valley"--of value to any child doing the next morning’s crossword. And about wagering, but seemed disappointed that none of the kids had $50. (or was it 50 quid?) on them with which to gamble!

Then this wonderful thing happened.

The more the man spoke, seated, resting with his cane, the more he seemed to grow less tired. As the children fidgeted and did pull ups on the communion rail—and listened, I might add (as confirmed to me later that evening by two boys)—this man spoke about Jesus, and about love, and about forgiveness (Somehow he fit in blackmailing our spouses—an idea I kind of liked but I dozed at that point and I’m not sure whether he was for or against it.) He spoke to the children and to the adults who pretended to listen about playing kindly with each other, about working together, about respecting each other. He suggested Christmas was a perfect opportunity to not just hear what Jesus has to say but to accept Him into our lives and to change us.

This guy seemed energized by his own message and in sharing it with those around him, young and not-so-young alike; he seemed happier and closer to Christ himself. The weight on his soul earlier in the evening seemed less of a burden, as if his words were not only reaching the ears of those around him, but echoing back to him as well.

After his message it seemed to me that although his physical impediments were still evident, his spirit was lighter, and his voice in singing carols was stronger, and his face was glowing more with peace. (My face was also glowing but I believe over consumption of communion wine may have been a factor!)

So, I must say that this man’s message on Christmas eve made the frenetic flying of paper and packages this morning a rather anticlimactic activity--although the joy on the faces of two young boys while seated around the tree was priceless! Perhaps in the years ahead these boys will also come to feel and understand the joy I felt last evening while seated with my family, my friends, and this man around the manger.

I can’t thank enough that guy beside me for helping me last evening in worship and in preparation for Christmas today.

I hope you and Fr Tony have a merry and peaceful Christmas season, with better health in the year ahead!

How's that for a God Given Blessing?

This unexpected letter will certainly be etched in the brain of one weary and cancer fighting priest, and shall surely be part of the mind/body/soul healing balm needed for the days and months ahead.

The line that stands out for me the most?

"After his message it seemed to me that although his physical impediments were still evident, his spirit was lighter, and his voice in singing carols was stronger, and his face was glowing more with peace."

THIS is what it's all about, folks! Most don't realize that something very, very special goes on at the altar, and within a priest used as a vehicle for God's work. At the altar, all the aches, pains, and burdens of this mortal life disappear. Tony does not prepare his sermons, they just happen. At the same time, following a Eucharist, Tony's quite exhausted, as if he's been possessed by something very powerful.

When I forwarded the letter to Fr. Tony, his reply to me was:

"There was something special going on, and I felt it. The children were intent... and so were the adults.... If that had been my last sermon I would have been satisfied because it wasn't mine at all but as if I was being used by God"

So, next time you're sitting in the pews wondering where he got the crazy theme for whatever sermon he's preaching on.... Don't look to shoot the "messenger". giggle

The other wonderful FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS gifts....

my very own, long wished for, Coconut Cake..... (picture coming soon!) Abbey and Lee arrived with a huge box in hand. It was a bakery bought Coconut Cake, from Raleigh, NC. This thing is massive! I think we could feed the congregation with it!

Abbey thoroughly loves her new quilt I made her (yes, picture coming soon), and Lee loves his Mighty Mac/Apple Sock Monkey I made him. I had so much fun doing the sock monkey, and as usual got a bit side tracked with creative ideas, then added a super-man like shield, and iPod. Very cute!

Abbey, Lee and Tony showered me with some wonderful Lavender gifts. I'm a huge fan of Lavender, so I'm now set for the year. I'll be the Lavender Smelling Lady you walk by on the streets. Yuuuummmm!

Before I forget... thank you to all the friends and family who gave gifts to the Claviers. Our hearts are ever warmed by your love and care, during this very trying time.

***

Fr. Tony Update: New Chemo regimen:

Last week Fr. Tony and I ventured down to the cancer center to have labs drawn. I think I may have mentioned there would be a new chemo regimen, as a result of the labs. On the 26th Tony sat patiently while they infused Rituxan into his body, after a quick infusion of Steroids. As did happen the last go round with the Rituxan, he began breaking out in hives during the last half hour of infusion. They pumped him with a bit of benadryl (I think) and pressed on. As our Dr. Craig has eliminated the 4 day VAD (Vincristine, Adriamycin and Dexamethasone) regimen, Tony came home and will now chill out a bit while we wait to see if there's any reaction... and hope the Rituxan will bump off some of the evil rogue cells.

Yesterday Fr. Tony's temperature began to rise, getting up over 100 degrees farenheit. With the aid of Tylenol and a wee bit of Ibuprofin, we kept the fever at bay for the night. This morning his temperature is fine, and all is well. We hope he'll continue to manage well with the Rituxan over the coming 4 weeks, and pray the goal of using this drug is successful.

OH.. almost forgot.... I took Dr. Craig his Christmas gifts.... 2 of which were made for him, and not only did they fit, but he looks quite dapper in them! I made him a kakhi colored custom design scarf and hat! So, if you see a VERY well dressed guy walking the streets of Morgantown, that'd be our Dr. Craig. grin

On The 3rd Day of Christmas My Doctor Gave To Me...

Heredity and too many hours on my ample back side, in front of the computer, have caught up with me. I'm now on beta blockers. sigh I shall give these bloody things a try, and get out and walk 3 days a week! Must get this under control! After the high blood pressure and emotional roller coaster called Christmas, I've also had my anti-depressants increased. fun, aye? I hate it, but when your body chemicals just won't function as they should, one must do what's necessary. Geee, can't imagine what I could be SO STRESSED ABOUT!!!

I think I need a cup of coffee, on that note... be back shortly.

Much better.... Now, where was I?

LEAVEN Complete and Ready to Roll,

For all you Episcopal Clergy folk out there, the First LEAVEN (NNECA Journal/Newsletter) of 2007 is now complete and off to the printer. There are several great articles and information about the NNECA 37 Conference being held in Virginia, to celebrate our 400th Anglican Anniversary, here in the USA.

Enough of my burbling. I shall leave you all with one very special wish... that you all continue to have a gloriously wonderful and peace filled 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May our Christmas mornings
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evenings bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake. Amen and Alleluhia