Where have I been? I’ve been “pondering”. I’ve been lost in thought on events that have occurred, changes that have been made in holiday traditions this year, and the exciting plans that may happen this coming year.
I’m not alone when it comes to pondering.  In Luke 2:19 we read that “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  You see, things were happening!  Angels were appearing to shepherds and praising God.  Shepherds were being afraid, and then amazed.  And little ole Mary was busy pushing and “pondering”.  Why?  All this was happening because Jesus, the Savior of the world, the Son of God, was born.
This past week has been a peaceful joy!  I am a happy girl when I’m surrounded by my family. This holiday break started off with Tim and I playing host to my three brothers and their families. Food, fun, fellowship, and a fire are what filled my Friday night before Christmas with joy.

The following day we celebrated Christmas at my mom (nana) and Grandpa Carol’s home.  We sure did miss a handful from the Bassett side of the family, but ALL the Parker kids and grandkids were there.  Woohoo! This Christmas we had two babies added to our large family, after three nieces got married this past year we have three handsome gentlemen join our family, and one of my nephews got engaged just days before.  Our family continues to multiply! My cup runneth over with blissfulness.
The family-time didn’t end there. After church on Sunday, two-thirds of my brothers and their children were able to join this Shuff crew for an afternoon of target shooting.  Fun!  Then we gathered at our home to spend time with our dad (Grandpa Parker) and step-mom, Mrs. Wanda. Laughter and love filled the air.  It was a beautiful weekend to start the Christmas break.
Traditions change.
As you can tell from the family scenario above, we had a divorce  in our family years ago.  When I, the baby of the family, was eighteen years of age, that’s when family traditions changed for our family.  Thoughts of “how Christmas used to be” came to mind while I was messaging my cousin, Traci.  Tim and I were in our backyard oasis and tears just started streaming down my face.  Why?  I’m not sure.  Maybe it was just the “little girl” inside of me that was pondering on what used to be, realizing that things don’t stay the same, and yet still appreciating the now.  Whatever the reason why was, Tim allowed me to have my moment of reflection as we chatted about how divorce and death are a lot alike.
Last Christmas was our first Christmas without his mother.  Mrs. Jany was a huge holiday traditionalist. Things have changed.  My mother was/is a big traditionalist as well, and things changed. Death and divorce happen, and things change.  But…Although things changed, God has a way of keeping memories alive while building new memories.
This Christmas was the first time in my husband’s forty-six year memory that his mother’s family didn’t gather together on Christmas Eve. When I first heard the news that this tradition wasn’t going to take place, I had tears in my eyes for our family.  I had a quick selfish thought, and then just gave my emotions to God. Although we missed visiting and laughing with the Dunbar Clan, this change resulted in a peaceful and pleasant immediate family evening.  Christmas Eve we spent the day baking, watching Christmas movies, wrapping presents, and attending the candlelight service at church.

Christmas evening was modified as well. We had our traditional breakfast spread for whoever arrived to our home.  We gathered with precious friends (“family” by choice) that filled our afternoon with much laughter and exchanging of gifts.  When evening came, the gathering wasn’t what we have been used to for years.  Our gathering of the Shuff family had dwindled down to just the Tim Shuff family.  We did spend a brief time with Tim’s brother’s family late morning. (Best gifts of the day created by my niece Kayla!) Tim’s dad and his new bride, Becky, came over during our traditional breakfast time and we got to continue that visit at Todd’s home.  When evening came, Todd’s family relaxed at their home, and Wayne and Becky left for a fun vacation together with friends and family in Georgia and South Carolina.  This year, Christmas evening was different.  Was it bad? Not at all.  Was it understandable? Absolutely.  Do things change?  You bet.  Although a small tradition changed for this year, the bond of love between our family will never change.
Well, next year will be, hopefully, all together different as well.  Talk about tradition…we live in the beautiful home that Tim grew up in.  We dated in this home, and now have been raising our children here for the past thirteen years.  For years we have been praying and searching for either a beach home or land.  God has placed a new home and acreage within our reach.  (We have a contract! Giddy!) If all goes well and if it is what God wants for us, we will be celebrating our traditions in a new location.   Now that I think about it, maybe the Christmas evening tradition changed this year, so that next year’s will be sweet, welcomed, and appreciated.
So like Mary, I’ve been pondering.  And like Mary, I will treasure up all these moments.  There may be tears, but smiles, joy, and peace do come.  Hallelujah!
I may have given you TMI (too much information).  This was a bit of reflection time for me. You’ve only seen a snippet of my thoughts. I could write a book with ALL my pondering over the past week.  Thank you for joining me as I journal.
In a nutshell…

• Treasure your family, friends, and memories.
• Home isn’t necessarily a building…is where the heart is.
• Things change, but God’s love will never change.

I pray God’s abundant love and much joy for y’all.