In which we spent Christmas Day hopping around government offices updating our cards. But it was a happy hopping since the reason for the update was the beautiful gift that we were blessed with this Christmas/year. Thankful.
One big thing I was taught of this Christmas. To slow down. To not rush. To focus only on the essential. Thank you Po for chastening me.
all the house dust got unsettled from all the packing. End result, we had to wear masks inside the house and open the windows even when it’s wintry cold. She didn’t complain at all and was happily playing with whatever toy she could get her hands on. Albeit we think she enjoyed climbing boxes the most.
The email for choir singers came 3rd week of September; calling singers who can devote their Sunday lunches for practice in preparation for the Nine Lessons and Carols – the ecumenical service in which nine lessons/readings from the Bible are read interspersed with Carol singing. For The Sacred Heart Cathedral and Christ Church, this tradition has gone on for fifty years.
When I read the email, there was only one thing my heart and head said – join! Some logical part of me reminded me how busy we are this last quarter of the year because of the moving. And joining the practice meant less time yet again for bonding with Yui and Hubs since I already have my Nihongo class very Saturday morning. But Hubs was supportive and told me to follow my heart. And so join I did.
It was worth it. The practices in itself were a joy for me. With every song, with every high note it’s like I’m lifting my voice to God, singing his praise for the wonderful blessings He gave us. With every pianissimo, it’s like I’m whispering to Him what was in my heart.
This evening, as we sing the last note for every song, as we looked at Fr. Andrew (our choir director this evening) closing his hand so the choir would end the note, a smile plays at the corner of my mouth, a praise springs forth from my heart with the words “thank you Lord for making us sing that song beautifully”. I didn’t have any solo parts but I can truly say that I felt so fulfilled singing my soprano parts and even more so when people told me after the service that the sopranos sounded really good.
As I was singing, I was also thanking God of how supportive Hubs has been for me on this. He was really very tired from all the packing, but he took care of Yui and ran around with her at the park outside the church when yui already got bored sitting on the pew. I know God was also moving Hubs because as I was urging him that we leave already (after some snacks and chat with the choir and congregation), he told me that we should pray our thanksgiving right there on the church pew.
We actually missed a Christmas party with friends this evening. The party would have been fun! But I know we were where we should be.
As we walked home, we passed by the illuminated America Yama Park and Motomachi. A beautiful sight to cap a beautiful night.
I pass by this place every workday, to and fro Yui’s daycare. Will miss this scene for sure.
This autumn had been exceptionally beautiful. With our schedule being loaded, preparing for something new in our lives, we didn’t have the luxury this year to go sightseeing autumn’s wonderful colours. Nevertheless, no matter how busy we were (and once there was a week when our hearts were really troubled), we still had the chance to pause and try to catch our breath as we looked at God’s wonderful creation. Cloudless blue skies, tree trunks so dark, ground matted with yellow, gold and red, colours heightened by the setting sun. Snow-topped Fuji against the backdrop of the blue sky; against a golden sky; against a sky with hue of pinks, purples, reds and blues. My heart can only sing praises of You, dear God as we look on.
