A Christmas Story

I generally wouldn't post an email like this, but this email I got this morning struck heartstring for me and I just so wanted to share. I got lovely gifts this year, and I am so thankful... but to me, this story shares the real spirit of giving at Christmas. If I didn't *get* anything for Christmas and others were able to receive because I did not, I would hope and pray that I would be filled with true joy. Because Christmas is not about me. It's about love and about sacrifice. And about the ultimate sacrifice made because of love. May your heart be filled with joy and with love this Christmas day. Be thankful and blessed!

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881.. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enou gh money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night ou t and there was ice in his beard.

"Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."

I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something.

"Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked.

The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him.. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I w ould have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then, we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sac k of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference.. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us.

"God bless you," she said.. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try o n the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something.. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

Merry Christmas!

Love to all,

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

My new favorite Christmas ornaments

These are two of my new favorite ornaments on our tree this year... Let me tell you about them... Studying missions and taking a journey around the world with "Pray 4 Kids" in Kings Daughters this fall has just thrown my heart into a most beautiful passion for the precious people and children in other countries. So often I feel like we get so wrapped up in the neatness of our own homes and churches and fall into such pity parties for ourselves for what we don't have or what we can't afford - especially at Christmas! But this Christmas, being aware of the Operation Christmas Child ministry, and the missionaries who are having to come home because they can no longer be supported overseas, my heart is burdened. Burdened for these people I've never met. Burdened for some child, or for some elderly adult who will not know Jesus before they die, and maybe because our economy is tight in the States. Or maybe because we paid no attention and whispered and fidgeted while the Missions video played on the screen at our church. Or maybe because we think we can't make a difference or it's not really our responsiblilty.

That's why I love these ornaments.

This one we made yesterday at our King's Daughters Christmas party. It's a world globe ornament that says, "Pray 4 Kids". Prayer changes things. If we do nothing else, we can pray. That's what we're learning with the girls. - and also among things we *can* do, such as OCC - which they loved! Anyhow, we made these balls to remind us, especially at Christmas time, 'God sent His Son, Jesus, for *all* the world.' We can pray that they will *all*come to know Him and experience His love and His care!

And this one was a gift from some sweet sisters who come to King's Daughters. It's an open Bible, and it came with a card from Samaritan's Purse. - One to tell us that this family had bought a Bible to give to a child in our honor.

"Give This Christmas Away". That's what it's about. Have you heard the new Matthew West song by that name? I suggest you listen to it. It's not about what we *get* this Christmas. It's about what we can *give*. Because of what HE GAVE!!!

love to all and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving Reflections

As I write, the table from our Thanksgiving meal has long since been cleared. Leftovers have been properly stored and await several meals to come; dishes have long ago been carried to our 3 deep sinks to be soaped, rinsed and sanitized under proper Camp kitchen procedures; and I think at least five pies and a giant tray of gingerbread sit on the other side of my office door on a piano-top turned counter. My Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle packed up several hours ago to make it back to Austin in time for the big Texas vs. A&M game. Dad unhitches the horses from the trailer and unloads blankets and canvas chairs from our horse-drawn ride down and around the lane. The girls are finishing up a ride on matching palominos in the arena. I fell asleep listening to Travis Cottrell singing praise and worship. It seemed fitting that he do so today. :) Thanksgiving. It’s been such a busy day. Yesterday I was denying its nearness. Tonight I ponder its memories. But at some point during thanksgiving, I always want to try to pause and take some time to be thankful. And to praise the Lord for His goodness! It’s been rolling around in my head now for a couple of days that I should post a blog entry with some of the things I am most thankful for in my twenty-five years of life. (note… I was going to try to list 25, but by the looks of the length of this, I’d be better off sticking to 10!) :)

1) My incredible family. Of course we’re not perfect, but we sure love each other. My parents have been so great to encourage me in every stage of life. To raise me in a way that is godly, honoring and pleasing to the Lord. My brother and sister-in-law in Dallas. They have many, many times been there for me on the other side of my phone, listening, encouraging, counseling. And the bond I have with my sisters is one I am sure is near un-matched. ;) They are always there for me, always listening… ready to be silly or serious, ready to laugh or cry with me, ready to offer their thoughts or just to sit with me and see what’s next. I SO love you. You know that!

2) My wonderful friends. I want to name all of you, but my list would be entirely too long and I’d probably still miss someone! - You all know who you are! You encourage me to be who I am and so much more! Whether you know it or not, the Lord is and has used you to keep me accountable in daily life. I’ve seen it over and over again as time passes. Thank you for that!

3) The ministry we have as Seale Sisters. I cannot tell you a time we have been sometimes more stressed before and yet so much more blessed after, then when we are taking a trip together to sing to, serve and worship our Savior with families and bodies of believers… sometimes non- all over Texas! What an honor it is!
4) The Camp ministry we have here at Camp Winchester. So much blessing is wrapped in serving. I cannot begin to tell you how much. I treasure the times we have with our girls at girls’ retreats, the dizzying heat and yet lifetimes of memories made at summer camp and the friendships found and relationships built in our family camps.
5) My King’s Daughters! God knows how much I love these girls! Precious, precious lives. Sweet times together in discipleship… learning and growing together. – because I am most definitely doing both of these things right along with ‘my’ girls!

6) The twenty-something trips I’ve taken into Houston on a Tuesday night for a Beth Moore Bible Study and time of um-matched worship on this wide of Heaven. I’ll always be thankful and always keep these memories as some of the sweetest. <3

7) My INcredible Pastor and his wife, Ellis and Jerrie McKenzie. What a Godly, Godly couple. Some of the most caring and loving people you’ll ever meet. I have counted on my Pastor so many times for prayer when a request burned on my heart, but I know he prays for me even daily. That is something to be most thankful for.

8) Our wonderful friend and voice teacher, Blake Northam. The nearly roll-on-the-floor laughter we’ve had over the silliest of things. The serious talks we’ve had, over more than music. The counsel he’s given; the music and harmonies he’s taught us. I love you so much Blake!

9) Times of struggle and testing that have shaped me to who I have become and am becoming. We all know how painful they are… but looking back, oh, how thankful I am.

10) My God, who’s allowed all of these people, all of these circumstances to come my way. He’s writing my story. He’s got a plan and a purpose in mind. I sincerely pray that I will never stand in the way!

And these are my Thanksgiving reflections!

Love & blessings to you all!
Hannah

Operation Christmas Child

We have been studying missions and countries around the world this semester at King’s Daughters, our twice a month girls’ ministry. (www.sealesisters.org/ kings_d_home) I had come across a notebook at a resale shop at some point last spring and became super excited to use it as a launching for the curriculum I am putting together and calling “Pray 4 Kids”. We’ve been talking about the environment and culture children around the world live in, eating some of their food, playing some of their games and making crafts specific to their country; learning more about them so that we can learn more about how we can pray for them. The notebook I found was written by Franklin Graham, president of the “Samaritan’s Purse” organization. It’s a prayer journal and he asks that we pray for these children that we’re learning about. But this Christmas I challenged our girls to become more involved. We decided to participate in “Operation Christmas Child”. This is a ministry branching out from the Samaritan’s Purse organization. Their focus is to deliver gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature to millions of children around the world each year. I thought it would be a huge thing for us, as the King’s Daughters club to come together and be able to send shoe boxes this Christmas with Operation Christmas Child to help make a difference in some child’s life. So last Tuesday we did just that. The girls had been collecting shoeboxes and items to fill the boxes for several weeks and during our meeting this past Tuesday we turned on the Christmas music, pulled out the wrapping paper and construction paper and prepared boxes for children around the world. That in itself for me was a beautiful thing... just seeing 13 girls' happy faces as they packed gifts and wrote cards for a child who needed a merrier Christmas. But the most precious thing was, just before we began, I gave instructions and then asked if we could all pray for what we were about to do. Pray for the boxes; pray for the OCC organization; pray for the children who would receive the boxes; pray that God would use us to bless other precious little ones. Thirteen little girls bowed their heads and a few of them volunteered to pray. My own throat was constricted with emotion. I am so grateful to live in a country and in a family where we can celebrate Jesus and His birthday. I am so thankful that I know about Jesus and I so want to be used to share Him. We all wanted each box to meet the needs of each child who recieved them and for them to see Jesus' love through ours. That was our prayer and still is.

We put together twentyfive boxes and took them to a drop-off point in Sealy. I am so excited about God's work!

Blessings and love to you all,

Hannah

push that boulder

I have an office now. The only thing it is lacking is high-speed internet. Or any internet for that matter. And also Klove. I can’t reach it in my office. :( Yet another reason for high-speed... And so I still must come to the camp office/computer for my online needs. But, it is a start. I used to work from my room. Propped on my bed with my laptop in front of me, books and papers both stacked and scattered all around. Nights were depressing because I had to stack my “work” everywhere to go to bed as there was no real place to put it away. My office here is quiet and tidy. Praise & worship plays softly through speakers on my desk. My Bible sits an arms length away and my study books as well as various notebooks and journals stand neatly in a corner. I’ve set pictures along the wall along with phrases and quotes to encourage me throughout the day. It is peaceful and gives me plenty of space for thought.

I have been thinking a lot recently. Life tends to get crazy for the Seale family and I tend to become discouraged in the ministry by things happening or not happening; or things I want people to say and they don’t; or things people do say and I wish they hadn’t. And so I imagine God has been asking me, “Hannah, why are you doing this? Why are you here? You are loved and appreciated by Me, no matter the circumstances around you, or what someone else may so, or not say. I am the reason. Remember Me.” There is a story I’ve heard many times over the last year or so, but recently it has been working its way to my heart…

God spoke one day to a man, “Son, do you see this boulder? I want you to push this boulder.”
The man wanted to be obedient and he wanted so much to please the Lord, so day after day, he would go out and push on that boulder with all his strength, but try as he might, the boulder would never move. He felt he was making no progress, and he wondered what the use was. But still he remained faithful and continued to push.
Then Satan approached him one day as he was pushing. In a mocking voice he spoke to the man, “Do you honestly think you are making a difference pushing that boulder? It’s not going to move. Surely you see that. You’re definitely wasting your time.” And he laughed at him.
The man was hurt and frustrated. So he went before the Lord. “God, I have been faithful to do as You have asked. I have gone out, day after day and pushed that boulder. But God, it has not moved an inch! I do not understand!”
The Lord looked down at him and spoke softly, “My son, I did not ask you to move that boulder. I have only asked you to push the boulder.”

Recently I have felt like that man. We are in a slow season here at the camp, both financially, and in our programs and I tend to find myself wondering what the use is. Are our efforts even making a difference? Maybe I have misunderstood Him and this is not where He wants me after all. And so I went before Him and brought my frustrations before Him. But He, in His love, showed me that it is not about the programs, or how many people we have here. It’s about working with what we do have and who we do have to grow the Kingdom of God. He’s not asking me to move the boulder. He’s only asking me to push it with the strength and means He has given.

“Now finish the work, so that your eagerness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:11-12

I pray you may be encouraged as well.

Keep pushing that boulder.

Summer Reflections

I love summer camp. I love everything about it. The dizzying heat, the sunburned parts from french braids, the smell of sunscreen, the campfire smoke in my eyes, the smell of it on my clothes, the hugs from campers, the refreshing Dr.Peppers in the afternoon, the early morning staff meetings & the coffee to get us started and to keep us all awake, the Bible Studies & wide eyes the campers give when they "get it".

We have just finished our summer camp program here at Camp Winchester. 7 entire weeks now behind us. I already miss it so much. Where does the time go?! It seems just yesterday we were stressing over wondering if everything was together, if all the needed purchases had been made... if the camper registrations were all in and overflows were worked out. And now, we're left cleaning up left behind crafts, storing used programming tools and filing schedules, registrations and assorted papers. An incredible summer behind us has left wonderful memories behind, new friends to keep in contact with, new commitments to keep and new challenges to face with new resolve. Let's do it well!

This summer we were talking about delight, from Psalm 37, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Truly it was awesome to see the girls understand that the Lord is for them. That He loves them in a real and personal way. We shared delight stories about what the Lord will do and has done just to see us smile and to laugh out loud for joy in Him! The best thing was having a couple girls come to me and thank me for sharing. That that was what they needed to hear. And then to even recieve email follow-ups from one about what the Lord has done already to show her His love and delight! - I am so pumped! But then the question comes to me, why? Why me? Why Camp Winchester? Why does He choose to use this place to recieve His glory. It truly humbles me and I pray He always recieves the glory, the honor and the praise. I love Him so.

These would be some of our summer volunteers... love them all!

STGMA Convention & Horizon Group Award

We (the Seale Sisters) just returned from the South Texas Gospel Music Association Annual Gospel Music Convention. Praise The Lord! It was an incredible weekend! We met so many wonderful people and were inspired by great music and the passion of the songs from the hearts of HIS children! The 'Horizon Group of the year' award was an added bonus. - Yes! The Seale Sisters were awarded with the "Horizon Group of the Year"!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!! Just when you start to wonder if you fit in with all the amazing talent, God, gives you a boost to say, "No, this is where I want you, and don't forget that I am with you." It was totally unexpected and an incredible honor...

Just thought you'd want to know...

Whatever's been happening here...

Busy, busy, busy..... Today my brother, Shawn & his two children, Kirra & Ezra came in from Hawaii. So, Kirra is out riding horses with Elisabeth & Abigail, Ezra and Deborah are picking out melodies on the piano behind me & I am back inside working on colonial era dresses for our George Washington Family day next weekend.... well, that is, that is what I should be doing. Instead, I am writing on my blog?!

This morning Elisabeth and I went to Bible Study with some sweet ladies from Muldoon Baptist Church. We are studying with Beth Moore in the book of Esther! That is one incredible study right there, I highly, highly recommend it to any woman! I have thoroughly enjoyed digging into the word & watching the story come alive to me! I mean, I've read the book of Esther many, many times & learned it's story by heart since I was a little child in Sunday School, but to see the pieces of the puzzle put together in ways that I've never imagined... seeing parallels between the circumstances in Esther and prophecies & songs and writings from other places in the Bible, and seeing how God's name, though not officially in the pages of the book of Esther, is most definitely on it, has been so, so awesome! My favorite quote, and I learned this at the beginning of the study... recently has been this. Cause you know how we, especially as homeschoolers, and protected young people are told again & again to surrender the pen of our lives and our stories to the hand of God for Him to write. Well, the truth that I found so incredible is this : "When we trust our lives to the unseen but ever present God, He will write OUR LIVES into HIS STORY & every last one of them will trun out to be a great read with a grand ending... And not just in spite of those catastophies. Often because of them. Don't just wait and see. Live and see."

Now about those dresses....

My Magnificent Obsession

So, I have a blog. Regardless of whether or not anyone reads it... :) I have commited this year, 2009, to be my 'Jesus Year'. & it has definitely started out with a bang! I attended a Beth Moore & Travis Cottrell Conference in December & there I purchased an audio series taken from the verse in Psalm 37, "Delight yourself in the Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart." I took the challenge to Delight myself in the Lord & let Him become the delight of my heart this year & already He has changed my life!! When I was in the middle of listening to Beth's series on delight, I was also listening to a CD by Steven Curtis Chapman. The song that caught my attention was "Magnificent Obsession"

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explanations
I cried and prayed
And sitll I seem to stay
In the middle of life's complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I'm chasing down the wind
But now it's brought me back to You
And I can see again

THIS IS EVERYTHING I WANT
THIS IS EVERYTHING I NEED
I WANT THIS TO BE MY ONE CONSUMING PASSION
EVERYTHING MY HEART DESIRES
LORD, I WANT IT ALL TO BE FOR YOU, JESUS
BE MY MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

So capture my heart again
Take me to depths I've bever been
Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy
Return me to the cross
And let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love
That You've shown me
Cut throught these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground
Until this one remains

Seriously. What powerful lyrics. My magnificent obsession. This is my heart for 2009... and for the rest of my life. "His love is better than life." Nothing else... Nothing else matters.