Virginia Friesen
Plan Fail: The Christmas Reunion That Wasn't

We were home the WHOLE month of December and it was good.

We continued walking five miles a day, praying for snow, and preparing for our family Christmas reunion: the first one in New England since 2015 and the first all being together for Christmas since 2019.

We had very high expectations.

Ministry events in December included Engagement Matters, the Patriots women’s study, and LOTS of counseling, but that left plenty of time for decorating the house inside and out, getting together with friends, wrapping and sending packages, sewing Christmas jammies, making gingerbread houses, and preparing for our long-awaited reunion which was to commence the 22nd of December.

Plan Fail: The Christmas Reunion That Wasn't
Virginia Friesen
Around the Country in 22 Days

Since my last post on Dec. 27, we’ve only been home eight days.

Maybe that contributes to me forgetting that when I last wrote, my reflections ended with Engagement Matters (EM), which was held Dec. 4–5, and not after Christmas, which the blog post date would indicate.
Whatever the reasons, before I write about our most recent last three weeks—which literally took us to the four corners of our great nation—we must finish December. Strangely, that seems SO long ago already. But what fun to sift back through my December photo library and have many sweet memories surface.

Around the Country in 22 Days
Virginia Friesen
A Bit of Heaven on Earth

It happened.

The “decades birthday-family reunion” celebration, postponed for a full year, is now in the books, but even more deeply, in our hearts.

It was uncertain until an hour before the six flying from Oakland were to depart due to two lost Covid tests, but mercifully, new tests were done at 6 am, the results of which were registered less than 60 minutes prior to boarding.

The trip was on.

A Bit of Heaven on Earth
Virginia Friesen
More Than a Cookbook

It was a sweltering summer day in Louisiana. My 8-year-old self stood in the kitchen of my paternal grandparents’ home in Shreveport, watching with fascination as Grandma Collins stirred the hot pot of boiling figs, on their way to becoming preserves. With sweat running down her brow, just beneath the thin brown elastic that kept her hair net in place over her thinning curly hair, she turned to me and said, “You know, Virginia, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” With that piece of wisdom pronounced, she simultaneously clicked her cheek and winked her eye at her wide-eyed granddaughter, leaving an unforgettable impression.

More Than a Cookbook
Paul and Virginia
On the Move (Part 2)

My plans to write “Part 2” have been derailed by the maelstrom of craziness driven by the Coronavirus Pandemic. I’m taking a break from all Coronavirus talk to take us back a month ago, when "Life as We Always Knew It” was all we really knew. What a difference a month has made!!

After speaking in Maine for the Valentine’s event, we flew to California for the annual ProAthletes Outreach “Increase” conference, which we fronted by spending two days with my dear mama. As per usual, I “made" her go on a field trip each day because getting out is good for everyone. Off to Coronado we went for Paul to get his every 4–6 week haircut by his favorite barber, and while he was getting shorn, my mom and I rolled through town. This photo was taken by accidental tourists, who just happened to be from Lexington, MA!! Small world moment. The time with my mom is never enough but we’re always so grateful for any time we have with her.

On the Move (Part 2)

Eusebeia

What a month of my favorite things!

What a month of my favorite things!

More than a few of my favorite things have been a part of this past month and in fact, in some ways, it feels like I’ve been standing under Niagara Falls with all the blessings and expressions of love which have come my way.

Starting back on Oct. 17, for the seventh year in a row, we were honored to partner with Dr. Harold and Dalia Arnold, who founded and direct the Eusebeia Live Marriage Experience. Eusebeia LIVE is one of my favorite things. Held in Annapolis, MD, 137 couples gathered to be encouraged and challenged in their marriages. We love this movement. Harold and Dalia share our deep passion for healthy marriages and this conference is helping to accomplish just that.

Wherever you are, be all there

Wherever you are, be all there

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” —Jim Elliot

These wise words from Jim Elliot have taken on an even deeper meaning over these past two months as we’ve transitioned from a 32-year history of living in the Boston area to our new address in Fairfax, VA. Since making the move on August 20, we’ve actually spent less than 4 weeks in Fairfax and those days have been largely dedicated to unpacking and settling in. We don’t yet have a good answer to “how do you like living in Fairfax?” . . . but we are “living to the hilt, believing we’re absolutely in the will of God.

All Things Fall

All Things Fall

What’s not to love about a New England fall? We’ve been mesmerized by the most incredible parade of exquisite, show-stopping color over the past four weeks and I have about 500 photos to prove it. :) Leaves crunching underfoot have provided the soundtrack for an ever-changing treescape donned in reds, oranges, salmon, and yellows. It’s been spectacular.

Beyond exhilarating.

Autumn is heavily weighted with some of the most delightful activities, events, tastes, and sights of the year. Apple picking. Apple cider. Apple cider doughnuts. Apple pies. Cranberry harvest. Pumpkins. Pumpkins. And more pumpkins. Football. Visits from friends who are lured by leaf peeping promises. Crisp air. Falling temps. Harvest fairs.

Here, There, and Everywhere

Here, There, and Everywhere

In the past two months, we have made six trips to California, two to Maryland, one to Virginia, one to Pennsylvania, one to Tennessee, and one to Georgia. Of the 23 days we slept in our own bed (out of the past 62 days), we have had seven sets of houseguests, many full days of counseling, spoken at four weekend conferences, celebrated two God-honoring weddings, walked about 400 miles, gone apple picking and leaf peeping, bought and processed our annual supply of fresh raspberries for jam making, and been with all of our children and grandchildren at various points along the way.

It's "Falling!"

It's "Falling!"

"Good morning Lord, this is your day. I am your child. Show me your way!”

This song ran through my head and heart on this early September morning as I feasted on this incredibly beautiful sunrise while doing my Quiet Time in our great room. The six weeks that have passed since I last wrote have been full of such color, as summer has gently faded into a most extraordinary fall, and minutes of sunlight have been chipped off each day.

What a glorious time of year in New England!! How thankful we are it’s “falling."