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)

covid-19

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.

Plan Fail: The Christmas Reunion That Wasn't

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.

The New Normal? (Part 2)

The New Normal? (Part 2)

Denver!! We “rushed” to get there so we could spend the day with various friends, and even though the end of that grueling 18.5-hour-drive was tough, we were so happy we did it when just hours later, at 9 am, we met Jim and Lois for breakfast.

Theirs is a story only God could’ve written (and yes, I know that He’s in charge of all of our stories, but this one is super special.)

The New Normal? (Part 1)

The New Normal? (Part 1)

We can’t remember a time since 2003 that we’ve spent as much time at home as we have during this 2020 season of the pandemic. Admittedly at the outset, it initially seemed like it would interrupt life for a few months and then we’d be back on the road, but we know now that was wishful thinking. So here we are, 4.5 months into a very modified life, being forced to confirm this is the “new normal” for the foreseeable future.

In the midst of living a cautionary life, over the past two months we’ve managed to fly to Dallas, Texas, and San Diego, California, on two separate trips; to drive 4200 miles across country—from San Diego to Boston; to officiate two weddings and attend a third; to drive to Northern Virginia and back; and to visit (at safe distance) multiple sets of very important-to-us friends. We have masked, sanitized, met outdoors, and been prudent . . . but we have not stopped living.

Hope In the Midst of Pain

Hope In the Midst of Pain

I last wrote on April 6, predicting that my mother’s “mansion in heaven” was nearing completion for her occupancy. Eight days later, she received the key and entered her heavenly home.

Words will always fail to adequately convey the depth of gratitude my heart holds for having had the privilege of walking with her the last 11 days of her life, but I’ve been processing this for these last 7 weeks since her passing, and some of my reflections have crystallized.

Changing Times, Unchanging God

Changing Times, Unchanging God

Well this is different. Another blog, only two weeks later.

It’s obviously not just the timing of my blog that’s different.

Everything is different.

For everyone.

That’s what the “pan” in pandemic means.

As we continue to navigate these uncertain, constantly changing, unprecedented times—which will leave none of us unchanged—our prayers and hopes are vested in an unchanging God, whose assurances, presence, protection, and promises are unaffected by the coronavirus that is affecting everything else.

On the Move (Part 2)

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.