Christmas Eve Courage

 In times past my mother (middle)

on Christmas Eve would be urging us to eat all the good things she knew we loved and she loved preparing for us. So today, December 24th, 2011 was a hard day on her and I (left) both as did the best we could with “ it is what it is".

It started the day before Christmas Eve early in the afternoon after driving four hours we stopped at the nursing home to prepare Mom for our excursion the next day. Carrying her Christmas present we walked into her room her roommate seeing us first. Laying my hand on her shoulder I spoke, Mom, its Jo. She finally recognizes me and as always her voice went up three octaves’s as she said what she always does, "well Jo I didn't know you were coming"! God has so blessed my Mom with a sweetheart of a roommate who usually leaves so we can a little private time.

    I laid the stuffed package in Mom's lap as we kissed, hugged and she begin to retell us things she had told us a few weeks ago and would retell many times that day. All the time she is handling the wrapped package....in-between the retells her lips begin to tremble as she added, I don't have any money to buy you something, you shouldn't have, you need your money. Telling her it's ok, she does not have to give us anything, it's our turn to give to her, we understand, (but we don't really for we have not come to the place my Mom has YET.)

   I am anxious for her to unwrap the present, wanting to see her delight at receiving what I picked out for her, all her favorite color, pink. Of course she says she likes it all and I proceed to tell her we are going to take her out the next day to Wal-Mart and out to eat. She completely breaks down...apologies for her tears...she says I don't know what’s wrong with me, I can't quit crying. My husband and I are both in tears ( tears flow again as I type this). No, she says, I need to stop crying, this broke our hearts even more and I hugged her and said Mom, tears are ok, they are a release, good for us. Finally she chuckles a little and agreed. After enjoying a little more time with her we left and as we drove to my sister in laws it was me who broke down. My husband just laid his hand on my shoulder wishing he could fix this but knowing full well he cannot. (more tears)

At 10 am the next day, Christmas Eve we picked Mom up and took her to Wal-mart, buying her every little thing she had told me to put on the list I wrote down for her. Vaseline, hand lotion, eye brow tweezers, nail clippers, band aids, little things that were either already in her nursing home drawer or they readily would give her. Only things she did not really have and best part, a small bag of chocolate Kisses...a big one cost too much she said, besides she was not supplying them for everyone who came in her room.  (J)  To choose those items herself, actually to JUST BE in a Wal-mart was the best Christmas present we could give Mom.

Lunch at Wendy's with hopes she would see people she knew like she did at Walmart. As we drove around afterwards my husband ask Mom, "Mildred how far away from here did you travel growing up"? She named a town about 30 miles away...not far. He reminded her of how later in her life we took her to the Grand Canyon, down to the Ozarks, lots of trips with her son and daughter in law to hear a good country singer,  a trip to Vegas with a friend...good memories. I knew he wanted the day to end with those good memories since her future days would be spent in the nursing home till God calls her HOME.  Knowing she was getting tired we ended the day. As I helped her unpack her Wal-mart bags and did some things for her she was a lot more in control by the time I left.

Disease and age has brought my mother to the place of depending on others to do the simple daily things she did for herself for so long. Since most of the time she is totally aware of "where' she is she must keep her emotions in check. The nurses tell us she participates in more activities then most residents.  Mom says it helps in the acceptance of having to allow others to take care of her.

I write a lot about courage, see it often in so many women I meet, pray for it daily.  Today on this Christmas Eve I received a blessing from being in the presence of a courageous wise hearted woman, my mother.   

Merry Christmas

And the angels called Him Jesus
Born of a virgin
Mary called Him Jesus
But I call Him Lord



After viewing Christmas blog after Christmas blog I decided to look for a Christmas scene to post on my blog this year.  Thought I too could add a verse or quote meant to speak volumes to maybe the  two or three who might view my blog. And hopefully one might add a "thank you" comment on how it was  "just what they needed to read that day." Great post Betty!  

 Then I  almost picked a cabin in the snowy woods because my heart longs to be together with our children and grandchildren tucked in some beautiful mountains celebrating Christmas with them. In my mind I can see us gathered around a huge real pine brightly lite tree, presents waiting to be opened, the smell of ham, pies and all sort of yummy food just waiting to be eaten, fireplace filled with dancing flames of fire.  Ohhh....sounds like a Thomas Kincaid painting doesn't it?  Good things dreams are free....I'll save that dream for another year. 

As I scanned the "inspirational" Christmas scenes on the internet and believe me there are thousands upon thousands to chose from I was almost ready to give it up.  I don't think my little blog without tons of followers and advertisment to draw people will create a big loss if I don't post. 

Running in the back of my mind was the chorus to a song I have been trying to recall in case I am called upon to sing at church.  When my search located this simple design with nothing on it but His name I knew this was what I wanted post. 

                                   Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there just something about that name
                                   Master, Savior like the fragrances after the rain
                                   Jesus, Jesus let all heaven and earth proclaim
                                   Kings and kingdoms may all pass away
                                   But there something about that name

                And God has given me the free paid for choice to call this Jesus my Lord. 

 

    

                                                  

Three Crosses

These three crosses show the heart of the people who placed them in the concrete outside the little apartment they graciously allow us to call our home away from home.

  We had sold our home, was attending a new church looking for a place to rent till we could raise support to once again go over seas.  That day we ask the pastor if he could make an announcement the Draper's were needed a place to rent and we trusted God to provide.

Little did we know God had already worked this out for us before we even got to church.  A couple we had never met had decided just that morning on their way to church to offer their pole barn apartment to  missionaries to use.  

After church they approached us with great excitement how fast God had answered their prayers.  I think that very day we drove out in the country down a long gravel lane to see the place.    It came with a garage  to park our car inside and even a cat to catch the mice's.  He leaves  them at our door as a thank you gift for the petting we give him. 

This is the view we see from our front door....most relaxing place we have ever lived.  It was place designed by God for us to heal from hurts and disappointments that had come our way.  A place to refresh our souls.  A place where those three crosses were not there just for looks. 

.  A place where three crosses were put in concrete when it was built, a place dedicated to the glory of God.  Only a few knew we so needed a place like this even this couple did not know.  What they did know was how to listen to a Holy Awesome God who loves people who give of themselves, give their finances, give of their belongings so that the gospel can go out all over the world.   

We went over seas and every time we had to come home to report to our supporters, get medical help, see a dying family member our little place has been there to retreat to.   This couple etched those three  crosses not only in the concrete but  they were etched in their heart.  They bear the resembling of our Jesus who gave His live for us and charge us nothing for the sweet salvation His death brought us.   And that little apartment is put to use while we are over seas by other missionaries needing a place to stay.  This couple has been challenged themselves and take yearly mission trip to Africa.   When they place those three crosses in the concrete they had no idea how God would use them.  In our years of travel we have found few who live those three crosses as fully as they do.  

It's Thanksgiving week and we find  our selves so grateful for all those God has used to be a part of our ministry of reaching the least reached.  Thank you Wayne and Nancy for those three crosses you left in the concrete to remind all who see them to be thankful for what Christ did for us on the cross.