- The Morgan Trail: Journals

It’s been over a month since my last post, and I’m sure you’re all sitting there wondering whether or not I’ve spun into some sort of ADHD/OCD-induced coma or something. Let me assure you I’ve done nothing of the sort. In fact, my most recent trip to the doctor included only an x-ray of a toe I did NOT break and a reassuring “It’s just a bad bruise” from the doctor. So, we can now add hypochondriac to my growing list of “quirks.” Super.

In other news, Brian’s dad and step-mom spent a week with us over Thanksgiving, and I must say we had a blast! Not only is John a mean grill-master, but also he loves to fix things around the house. So, before he arrived we cut wires, broke things, and arranged the garage in the most inefficient way possible to keep him occupied for an entire week. It worked. The grass was cut, the dog was walked, my car trunk was fixed, and I’m pretty sure we now have a dozen more tools than we did before he arrived. John, I forgot to ask earlier, but did you fix my car window? Or was that the fix-it fairy?

Robyn and I had the great task of solving all the world’s problems and beating the crap out of the guys at Taboo. Both of which we accomplished skillfully, I might add. It was a fantastic visit all around, and there were definitely a few highlights for me:

Watching John and Robyn play with and love on JJ. I never get tired of seeing our family and friends interact with him!
Going to see Wicked in London with Robyn. I can’t say enough about that show. The acting, the singing, the set, the costumes, the score, the script…it was amazing! By far the best show I’ve ever seen. Ever.
The two days where everyone let me sleep until noon. Best sleep I've had in about eight months!
Eating, and eating, and eating. Between Thanksgiving at church, Thanksgiving at home, John's famous ribs, and all the great food we ate in London, I’ve successfully gained the obligatory Holiday poundage.
Visiting the Churchill War Rooms in London. We've been meaning to go for years, and it was even better than I imagined.
Watching Brian set off the burglar alarm at the Churchill War Rooms. Apparently, big signs that say, "Do not lean on glass" don't apply to pilots.
Strategizing with Robyn about our businesses. She motivates the heck out of me.
The moment I realized that Brian and I did not get an iPad from them for Christmas. No, not AN iPad. TWO iPads! Did they realize that it would have been World War III if they had given us AN iPad to share? Share? Are you kidding me? Brian and I can share anything…except technology. And, honestly, do you really think I’d want to use it again after he went into the bathroom with it for two hours? So, yes, I’ve had the joy of playing with my very own iPad, and I LOVE it!
Beating the crap out of the guys at Taboo.

Now, I won’t say that the iPad was the most memorable part of their visit…but…wait, I can’t remember what I was saying.

The "Morgan Way"

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:05AM | by

Katy

I can't wait any longer. I'm all out of patience. I have no choice but to give into my urges and pull out the Christmas decorations. To be perfectly honest, I'm a full two weeks behind last year's schedule thanks to our wonderful vacation. I usually give in and bring out the decorations a few days after Halloween.

Now, I know it's the "American way" to wait until one giant food-filled occasion has passed to even think about moving on to the next one, but Christmas is different for me lately. There's a new "Morgan way" we need to discuss. First of all, there is no such thing as Thanksgiving in the UK (although, some people do celebrate the harvest in their own way). Brian and I hope to do like we did last year and have our own Thanksgiving celebration with our British neighbors. However, one side of the living/dining room will have harvest decorations, and the other side will have Christmas decorations. So, rest assured, I will still get to use my pumpkin-shaped dishes.

Second, there's just something about our journey through Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the rest of the Promised Land that makes me want to celebrate Christmas differently this year.

Allow me to explain:

For those of you who have been to Israel and seen the places where Jesus lived out his ministry, you might feel the same as I did when we first arrived. I couldn't believe how kitsch and tacky it all felt. It seemed as though someone found or designated (i.e. made up) "the spot" they believed had some significance in the life of Jesus, they built a massive church (or three), hung millions of oil lamps and paintings of Mary, and camped outside of it to sell cheap souvenirs probably made in China. Honestly, it was a bit disturbing. If one more person asked me if I wanted a wooden baby Jesus or Mary figurine, I was going to scream! Perhaps that is why I found it very difficult to buy any souvenirs from the Holy Land. Admittedly, we did purchase a few items for family and friends, but very few.

The Stone of the AnointingAs I think back on our tours through some of the churches erected in Israel, I can't help but wonder if Jesus' words to Peter, "I will build my church," are lost on most of the individuals who visit those sites. (Notice Jesus didn't say, "I will build lots of churches.") One church that sticks out in my mind is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is believed to contain within its walls the places where Jesus was crucified and buried. Within that church is a large stone (called The Stone of the Anointing) that is said to be the place where Jesus' body was laid in preparation for burial. Although we will never know the exact details and locations, there are thousands and possibly millions who travel to this church each year to "bless" their physical objects on this stone and in other places around the church. We could hardly even approach the stone for people shoving and pushing toward it to bless their bags of souvenirs. (Click here to see a better picture of the stone.)

It was disheartening to see how these places had become shrines complete with relics, idol worship and superstitious rituals rather than sites of silent prayer and remembrance. I desperately wanted to clear away the altars, the gold and silver trinkets, the candles, the paintings, and the oil lamps and to see the earth and stone beneath it all. Next to one of the altars, I caught a brief glimpse of some stones that are believed (there's that phrase again) to mark the site of the crucifixion. Next to that rock was an altar that housed something I was unable to see. There was a man standing there who shielded it with his robe and refused to allow the women in the church to see it. Although I can venture a guess, I am uncertain of his motivations behind this behavior. But regardless of his actions or my own beliefs, I chose not to press the issue or his patience (which was obviously wearing thin).

Instead, I chose to take away from Israel what I suppose I should have expected all along: 1) lots of crowd-filled pictures of places and things I will soon fail to recognize and 2) a deeper gratitude for Jesus' miraculous birth, his perfect life and his sacrificial death.

This Christmas, I still plan to decorate our home in my usual way, and I still plan to give into the urge to shop (and shop and shop) for Christmas gifts. I've already given into the urge to listen to hours and hours of the same Christmas songs I listen to every year, so that hasn't changed. I suppose what has changed for me is a greater love and affection for the person of Jesus and a deeper desire to know him better. My prayer for my family (and for all of you as well) is that this Christmas season will draw you closer to the One who redeems us rather than the stuff that distracts us. That's the new "Morgan way."

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