LIFE, “SUCH AS IT WAS,” UPDATE – 12/7/2021 to 12/23/2021 (published 12/24/2021)

 Introduction

Merry Christmas Eve, y'all! The weather is cloudy and too warm this afternoon. I'm just “sottin' here,” writing.

The Context

I hope that you are reflecting deeply on God's Eternal Plan of Redemption. Our all-knowing God always knew his plan, as He is eternal and omniscient, among His other characteristics. God's plan had to unfold, in time.

First, God created the temporal universe – including humans, made in His image. The biblical account is in Genesis. (The faith is based on evidence, which I have and can continue to prove.) God knew that sin would enter his creation.

The Old Testament books of the Bible record the next chapter in God's Eternal Plan of Redemption. The chapter unfolded over centuries and includes many details.

The inspired Gospel of Luke (chapter 2, verses 1-7) records the birth of God, the eternal Word, who became flesh, as the Messiah. Jesus, as God incarnate, lived, taught, performed miracles, was crucified, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. The biblical record is inspired and verified. (I have and can prove the faith.)

Since that time, we remain in the unfolding final chapter of God's Eternal Plan of Redemption. The inspired New Testament writers recorded the first several decades of this still unfolding final chapter.

Now that I have set the context, I will regale you with life, “such as it was,” from 12/7/2021 to 12/23/2021.

LIFE, “SUCH AS IT WAS”

12/7/2021, Tuesday: I wish that I had taken the time to write an article that day. The day marked the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The unfolding tragedy of World War II continued, until it ended, finally. I now, by writing, honor the men and women who gave their lives, in service to this once great nation. I wish this once great nation could live, in honor of their collective sacrifices.

12/15/2021, Wednesday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had her “annual, every-six-month” physical examination, by her PCP. My wife is doing well enough to have an annual physical on an annual, not on an every-every-six-month, basis! Her doctor must like the copay.

12/14,15,16/2021: On 12/14/2021, the daughter of my “adoptive sister” attained age 48. Her phone number is no longer valid. I tried. The next day, I left my “adoptive sister” a voice mail phone message. My “adoptive sister,” in Charleston, Missouri, has not returned my call yet. I tried. On 12/16/2021, the son of my “adoptive sister” attained age 44. His phone number is still valid. I left him a voice mail. He has not replied yet. I tried.

12/20/21, Monday: Usually, I work from home, from Monday through Wednesday and at the office on Thursdays and Fridays – doing the exact same job. It has been the work insanity that I have endured, since 2/1/2021. On 12/20/2021, as my '06 Frontier and I were turning from one road to the next -- almost home, my truck told me that supplemental air bag warning light needed attention. At 5:51 PM, I called the Nissan folks.

On 12/28/21, Tuesday, when I am off work – and on the anniversary of Mom's 12/28/1999 ER trip that started my not yet published book "Light at the End of the Tunnel" – my truck and I have a 2 PM appointment -- to fix another sensor, apparently. It will be part of another "Life, Such as It Is" article, eventually.

12/22/2021, Wednesday: I had my ACTUAL annual (i.e., once a year) physical examination, by my fine primary care doctor, friend, and brother in Christ. I worked from home that day. My appointment was at 8 AM. I “flexed my work time,” to not request leave. His office is a five-minute drive from home. Aside from my “bionic” whatevers, which are much improved, I am still “fit as a rutting buck!” If you need a great primary care doctor, and if you live in the Knoxville, Tennessee area, I highly recommend my doctor, friend, and fellow Christian: Kalpesh D. Parikh, MD! (The link is via patientfusion.com.)

12/23/2021, Thursday: Yesterday, I decided to play with SubStack a while. I started my SubStack website, which is not as good as my Appalachian Irishman website, here, that I own. I'm trying to “expand my influence, readership, and profile,” as some folks call it. Who knows? I may find a way to work-at-home fulltime, as an editor and/or writer, in time. We will see.

Conclusion

By the way, I left a very good friend two voice mails today, about 12:25 PM from our landline and about 1:27 PM from my cell phone. I hope that my very good friend calls me back. We haven't spoken, either by phone or face-to-face, in about a decade.

This life, such as it was, update is placed firmly -- on this 12/24/2021 Christmas Eve Friday -- into the context of God's Eternal Plan of Redemption.

Do you understand? I hope so! Otherwise, contact me. I will help you in any way that I can!