December 12/13 with Brendan

Friday: I picked Brendan up today at his house right after he came home from school. We drove over to my place and hung out for awhile. Brendan did some drawings while I was making our dinner, and then we attended "Destination Bethlehem", the Christmas play at Calvary Church. We got there quite early to make sure we got a good parking space and a seat where we could see the orchestra, choir, and actors.

The play was rather unusual--I'm not sure exactly how to describe it. It was a multi-media production--so lots of screen usage, very beautiful winter scenes, a few maps of the ancient Middle East, and all of it intermingled with the premise of the play--which was a few people boarding a plane to go to visit Bethlehem. Somehow or other, they are transported back in time, to the real event of the birth of Jesus. There was a lot of singing--the adult choir, as well as our children's choirs--and Brendan seemed to enjoy himself quite a bit. There was also congregational carol singing--this was my favorite because I love to listen to Brendan sing. He puts his entire heart into it! And you should see his face as he sings--it is more beautiful than I can describe to you.

"Destination Bethlehem"

 After the production, hot chocolate and cookies were served in The Gathering Place--so we did that. It was super crowded, and I didn't really recognize many people at all. Calvary is a super large church. At times, I wonder if it wouldn't be healthier for me to attend a smaller church that wasn't so overwhelming! Except that I have been at Calvary since 1992 and I do know many folk here and have many friends as well.

We drove home from the Christmas play and settled down to watch a movie. Brendan very badly wished to see "Flow" about a flood (that never seemed to end) and a little cat. SO ... I looked it up and we rented it via Amazon Prime. It was quite interesting. There is not one word spoken in the entire 90+ minute movie, but a very compelling depiction of a serious flood and several little animated (but very realistically drawn) animals--mainly the cat, a capybara, an enormous bird of some sort that I just looked up--called a Secretary bird! And then there is the Labrador, a lemur, and a whale. There were other dogs and animals too, but not as major characters. I think it was a very interesting story, but quite sad! I did not understand the ending of it at all; I'll have to look it up and see what other people thought.

After the movie was over, it was nearly 11pm so we went to bed. We slept in until nearly 8am! We just hung out around my little place for the next few hours. We did play a few word games together, which is always fun. Brendan is very good with words and is a strong reader. But that is also my strong suit! 

I am very thankful for this time with Brendan. He is such a precious person and has such a gentleness to him. I am always amazed when he still agrees to come and spend the night over here. I realize, very acutely, that this will not last much longer. 

Oh Lord, please do a great work in the heart of this young man. Keep him from every harm from without and within. Direct his heart into the love of Christ and grow his faith in Your Truth.