Words

I'm finishing out my 2008 journal this morning. The sun is drenching the living room. Boomer is snoring. Hub is at the health club. Kids are sleeping. Laptop is warm on my lap. Books and pens and markers and stickers are splayed all around me.

A delicious start to the day and end to the year.

It will be short lived, as soon I need to step into gear to get ready to welcome in 2009 with about 20 friends. Games and laughter planned for this evening. Cleaning and a bit of de-Christmasing planned for today.

I dug out some stickers to put on the inside cover of the 2009 journal. A simple word in inch high thick stickers: HOPE. My very favorite word.

In the process I came across a package of stickers of words. Such LOVELY words. The package, still sealed, is entitled "Life's Journey Words."

The package holds:

always

journey

inspire

memories

friend

remember

happy

hope

cherish

dream

love

believe

grow

moments

joy

thoughts

celebrate

future

sweetness

delight

There's my gift of words to you this morning. May God grant you the opportunity to use them all as you describe 2009.

Ice Lanterns

Look at these. They are SO GORGEOUS!

Memorization

I've spent hours on the blogroll today/tonight. I'm thinking I should actually do a bit of picking up around here soon...

Should I feel guilty? No more than if I had been in a great book.

I've looked at some amazing photos, read some amazing stories, journaled a bit, read some more...it's been an absolute delight. My hub is out running the young two around since the old two have two of our three cars out of town, and the third child is not allowed to drive the remaining car - a company car. Thus an evening A*L*O*N*E which is so rare it's automatically exquisite.

I've read an amazing quote about Bible memorization here. That quote by John Piper is so convicting! I need to memorize!

And so I'm going to participate in her MMM in January. I'll have to think on what passage I'll choose... but I'm going to commit to it.

Why is it that I find Scripture memory so difficult and yet songs stick in my head like glue?

We Have this Moment Today

The following song was sung recently at a funeral I attended. I remembered it fondly from 15 years ago when it was part of a musical production we did at church.

It seems appropriate as we anticipate a new year.

May we all appreciate all we have, and live each moment to its fullest. Amen.


Hold tight to the sound of the music of living-
Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;
Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows,
Making mem'ries of what was today.

CHORUS:
For we have this moment to hold in our hands,
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand;
Yesterday's gone, and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment, today

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling
For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;
And my little son running there down the hillside,
May never be quite like today.

Tender words, gentle touch, and a good cup of coffee,
And someone that loves me and wants me to stay;
Hold them near while they're here, and don't wait for tomorrow
To look back and wish for today.

Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest,
The gold and the brown of the freshly-mown hay,
Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn,
And weave you a lovely today.

- Lyrics by Gloria Gaither. Music by William J. Gaither. © 1975 William J. Gaither.

Resolutions

As previously written, I found my list of 2008 resolutions. They're good. They're relevant. They are my goals ...perhaps for life? I am going to recycle them, some almost word for word!

1. Continue to find encouragement and challenge in the Bible, day by day.

2. Pray more consistently and methodically. Intercede for my husband and our children in particular.

3. Look for pockets of joy, and record them. Jan Karon calls them "Patches of Godlight." Live expectantly. Watch for the blessings.

4. Eat gently. Slower eating. Less eating. Healthful eating. Thoughtful eating. Enough said.

5. Exercise. Daily walking, gentle weight lifting (8 Minutes Each Morning plan) and stretching.

6. Take the time to read good books. Keep a record.

7. Create. Write, knit, make cards and quilt. Again, make the time.

8. Nest. Keep organizing, purging, and finding the place for everything...(and put everything in its place!) Home is so where my heart is, and God has created me to find such joy in the slightest improvements here. It fills me.

9. Buy less, give more away...simpler....gentler... SIMPLIFY our finances so there is more to share...

10. Encourage. Correspond more -- birthday cards, thank you cards, thinking of you cards...

11. Be purposefully hospitable. Game nights. Fun times. Spur of the moment...

Blogiversary

As Diane and I sat at Borders yesterday for our annual ceremonial unwrapping of the new year's journals, we both wondered if we had exchanged 2008 new year's goals and resolutions. Generally we do so that we can keep one another accountable and pray for one another. Obviously the accountability failed this year since neither of us could recall a list...

Well, I just found mine. It's on my first day of blogging on December 26th, 2007.

So...I missed my blogiversary. Sorry. We missed an opportunity for cake.

As I continue to review the year, I will reread this year of blogs. I need to print it as well...a definite piece of grace history. My 2008 journal is full to exploding too - I guess there are a lot of words in me that just need to escape!

Today will be retrospective as I look back over 2008. The new journal will be begun with new goals, ambitions and a prayer list as I also look forward to what God will do in 2009.

Sounds like a good day for the couch, my Bible, my journals, a sharp pencil...and a laptop.

Changes

So, what do you think of the new blog look? Some of the older posts might be hard to read...I'm scrolling back as I have time... to change colors to be more readable.

I'm working on the Scrabble tiles...since they had a white background they looked funny here...but I'm working on it.

Thanks Diane - my blog coach!

TCX

Our 19 year old daughter headed to Minneapolis today to attend Twin Cities Xperience. I am so excited for her. At the link you can view the schedule, and the speakers, etc.

Four nights, and parts of five days, exposed to 1500 Christian college students and loads of seminars and worship times.

As I recap the highlights of 2008, Emily's growth is high on my list. Our daughter's heart is returning to us, and blooming for her heavenly Father. She is maturing and coming back to her roots. God is faithful.

Pray with me for these 1500 kids, won't you?

knit wits

On a whim I stopped at The Yarn House yesterday on my way home from lunch with a friend. Had never been there - a converted old house stuffed to the gills with all things woolly. The owner, Shirley, has worked there for 40 years. She was a bit puttery and a tad confuddled now and then, but she knew her knitting.

While there, a customer came in in a tizzy - rather rude at first - sort of burst in the door, interrupting our conversation as she asked for help. Woman in her late 60's who I'm guessing needs more human interaction! So I wandered into the book room and became totally overwhelmed with options. Ms. Rude had a scarf in her hands that intrigued me, and was yakking away about needing another ball of such and such in order to finish the scarf. She just kept talking, and said she uses up all her odds and ends on these diagonally knit scarves.

Knowing that I have a treasure trove of expensive wools in my basement, I ventured to ask her about the scarf, and she sweetened right up and told me step by step. As I wrote it down she was patient and kind - obviously pleased with the mentor role.

Years ago a co-worker's mom passed away and she brought me a huge box of cool wools - her mom had been a weaver, buying a skein of two of whatever grabbed her. While I admire and pet them often, there's not really enough of any one kind to make anything substantial. I have a few ideas now, including diagonal scarves.

I purchased some lovely birch tree needles, hand made in Rhode Island, and two sets of rustic needles hand made in the back room. When I asked where the short stubby needles had been made, and why, she explained that the old man sleeping in the back room had made them for her to get onto an airplane. Once he made an unobtrusive enough pair to not be considered a weapon, she knew he was onto something, and now he sells them in the shop. They are funny, but so quaint that I had to have a pair. He was about 120 years old, and very sound asleep against a file cabinet. The Yarn House visit was a bit surreal.

I stayed up too late last night knitting. Watched TWO movies (I don't recall the last time I watched a whole movie...) - Wall-E and To Catch a Thief. A completely different sort of evening for me. I love the scarf, it's super simple, and I have plans for about 102 more... :D I really can be easily amused...

Delightful

Christmas Day 2008 was delightful.

The hour and a half of coffee sipping, journaling and reading the Word was a key to its success. By the time the kids began to appear I was ready and smiling. The candles were lit, the Christmas playlist crooning, the tree and other decor alight, the sun was streaming in, and mom and dad were finished with their respective quiet hours. A very good start.

Highlights include:

• hub reading the Christmas story out of Matthew
• sharing an oplatki for the first time - a new tradition
• leisurely present opening - stretched out before and after breakfast, for over two hours.
• staying in our jammies all day
• six of us enjoying one another's company, and the traditions we share
• appreciative children
• my bald hub donning a visor that came complete with a head of hair - the hit gift of the day
• a family game of Apples to Apples
• Guitar Hero Rock Band - complete with dad on the bass and mom singing lead... all six of us rocking together
• Scrabble with the oldest after dinner - he and mom's favorite game
• the movie "Christmas Vacation" (currently being enjoyed while mom blogs and reads)
• four deer trotting through the yard
• Grandpa's visit for the traditional Chinese take out dinner
• guitar and carols
• the fireplace aglow (still a treat having waited 23 years to move to a home with a fireplace)
• reading a book on knitting - inspiration to create - relaxed perusal
• the youngest entertaining us with odd facts from his new Guinness Records 2009 book
• fresh hot coffee throughout the day
• a rousing game of Kerplunk with our 19 year old and her boyfriend

We've had a picture perfect day, which is a minor miracle to a mom of four - aging from 13 to 21. It makes all the preparation worthwhile and rewarding.

Happy Birthday Jesus. Thank you for inviting us to your eternal party.

Not a Creature was stirring...other than mom...

The day began well, before the others awoke...


Sitting in my spot, staring out the window at the snow laden woods, writing in my moleskine journal,


feet up, savoring the Word.


The food was ready to pop in the oven, made late Christmas Eve: overnight egg casserole and overnight caramel rolls;

and the table set for our traditional family breakfast.


The sunlight streamed in the windows, illuminating the tree.



The promise of an excellent day.

Let it Snow

It might be my fault.

I have been so guilt ridden that I thought I should just come out with it: I prayed for snow.

Here's what I'm seeing out my living room window today. Sipping coffee in my spot on the couch is really wondrous most mornings - God provides the artwork...

A few months ago when I was poking about at TJMaxx I came upon a set of aluminum snow shoes. And I thought...wow...that was actually on my list: rent snowshoes for my hub and I for Christmas day. At 69.99 I thought it might be ok to buy them.

Of course he would likely get tired snowshoe-ing with me on his back, so next I had to find a second pair. While TJMaxx is one of my very favorite stores because there is no apparent rhyme or reason to what is in stock, it's not a great store in which to find a second one of anything. When you call ahead, you basically have to hope that the clerk is willing to dig through a lot of stuff to see if what you're looking for is there. It's not like they have a snow shoe section. (they were under the hat rack, if you're wondering)

A second pair was located. An hour drive, but it was worth it.

And then I prayed for snow.

God and I musta been on a super close wave length that day, cuz we're breaking records here in Milwaukee. I thought we had a lot last year, but this is totally ridiculous. We will indeed have a very white Christmas, and we will indeed have the opportunity to try out and become experts at snowshowing.

So, fellow Milwaukeeans, I'm sorry...I think it's my fault.

But it really is beautiful from our kitchen patio door. Tomorrow we'll hop right out this door and head to the woods - on snow shoes!

Merry Christmas!

There is an online e-card waiting for you at CrossCards! Crosscards.com is a Christian website designed to provide the online faith-based audience with great looking e-cards with unique messages of God's love, inspiration, encouragement and fun! Visit the following web address within the next 30 days to view it!http://www.crosscards.com/lp/crosswalkchristmas.aspx

Inspired

Can you even believe that the Tour of Homes has over 900 participants? That's 3 a day to view between now and when I decorate for Christmas 2009!!

One of the homes REALLY inspired me (#5 Mary (Megardengal) when I saw a set of doors used as a headboard on a bed. We desperately needed a new headboard, and I knew that we had some old solid wood doors in the basement. And so, although I had 12 guests coming for a turkey dinner, on Saturday I had my hub drag a bi fold door up just to audition it as a headboard. Hours later, it was dusted, oiled and hung...

Today I bought it a wreath.

It's spectacular. And it was free! Since it was stained to match our dark woodwork, it fits in perfectly, and it's just different enough to be interesting. I'm really excited about it...this photo does not do it justice, but you can get the idea.

I'm not exactly speeding through those homes on tour, but I have completed three projects as a result of the 10 homes visited thus far. Our kitchen window decor was inspired by something similar, as were the the jingle bells hanging from the chandelier, and also the headboard.

Fun little details added from items I already had in the house. Fa-la-la-la-la!

Wise Words

Having just received a very lovely email video, entitled "Hot ChocolateHL.pps" I want to include the adorable graphic along with some very wise words. I saw no credits on the video - whoever created it did a lovely job - thank you!





The happiest people don't have the best of everything. The just make the best of everything they have!
Live Simply...
Love Generously...
Care Deeply...
Speak Kindly...
And leave the rest to God.

Remember, the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

Such a lovely reminder for this time of year. Good night

2008 Christmas Tour of Homes

To see the other homes on tour, click on the logo above or HERE. You'll see the hostess' home (Boo Mama) followed by a LONG LONG list of links for other decor tours.

Welcome to our Wisconsin home. This is our second year in this home, and our first "tour."

When you enter our front door, you are in a spacious foyer. The wall directly in front of you holds the chalkboard. The doorway to the living room is pictured to the left, and the coffee bar is the doorway to the right. We love to add personalized greetings to the chalkboard.

The coffee bar is behind pocket doors which are always open. You can grab a cup, and make the coffee right there. The snowman mugs are perfect for cocoa.



Two double bookshelves line the foyer wall next to the living room doorway. The baskets above are lit each night by a ropelight which recesses into the top of the book case. For the holidays we nestled our village into two small shelves of one of the bookcases.

At the corner of the bookshelves is a 4 foot tree, covered with snowmen. Before snowmen were all the rage I began collecting them, and they have multiplied. Smiling snowmen are tucked onto shelves throughout the house. The snowman lamp is always on to welcome you in from the cold.

Across the foyer from the wall of bookshelves is an open staircase to the lower level. This red tin punch mirror is adorned with a hand needlepoint wreath ornament that I made my mother in junior high. She treasured it, and it hung on her dressing mirror year round.


The doorway to the left of the snowman lamp takes you into the kitchen. Greenery on the plate rack holds "teacups and gingerbread" ornaments. All kitchen themed ornaments hang here.


Adding these lights and ornaments above the kitchen sink makes clean up a little more fun. And our dear neighbors actually moved their tree in front of their family room window so that I could see it out my kitchen window. Can you see it in the distance? It's a cheery scene.

Our kitchen Advent Candle is lit each Sunday. This candelabra is more than 15 years old, and is one of many family traditions that we have maintained with our four children.


The living room and dining room are one long room. One end is flanked with a three part china cabinet. The two end units are pictured below. The center unit has frosted, beveled glass doors, and that is where the "Happy Birthday Jesus" is hanging. The Christmas china, on the top shelf of one unit, was a wedding gift some 24 years ago...





The creche, on the bottom shelf, belonged to my husband's grandmother. His father brought back various animals for the scene, hand carved from olive wood, when he traveled to Bethlehem.


The dining room table is often aglow with candle light.


Jingling Bells hang from the chandelier.


Our fireplace is two sided - the mantle on the dining room side holds a large hand painted nativity set.


The tree is always the center of attention. Each of the four kids have an ornament collection in addition to our family ones. Frasier firs are my favorite, but their thin branches are weighed down by December 25!



The tiny plastic nativity scene was purchased when our youngest was 2. (1997) We spent many hours looking for those animals and that baby over the years. This plastic set was well enjoyed by Jake's little hands.

The family room is snowman headquarters. And of course the stockings are hung by that chimney with care.



This Charles Wysocki print is entitled "Pie for the Parson." It was a gift to my father, a retired minister, from a couple in his church - given in 1993. I love commemorating his 50 plus years of ministry with it.

Thank you for visiting! Merry Christmas!

Decadence

If you've been reading here long, you might know that I love a good cup of coffee. Love. We have a great coffee maker that grinds the beans and everything. However, it does take a bit of work to clean out the grinder area, refill, etc etc. I often just opt for a cup of nescafe instant, unless we're having guests.

Until now. I've bought myself a wee gift. I'll have to blame Rush Limbaugh.

While traveling to a client lunch with my boss, we heard Rush raving about the Keurig individual coffee system. Raving. My boss was instantly intrigued. We stopped at a local store, where he purchased one, along with the individual coffee cups. Later I bought one, at SUBSTANTIAL savings, at Sam's Club. The one I bought is pictured here.

You never touch the filters, or the coffee. It is simplicity defined. It's pricier - about 40 cents a cup if you don't get the coffee cups on sale, but I am fine with 2 cups from each pod - the second cup is weaker but still good. My husband can have regular. I can have flavored. Anna had hot chocolate this morning. At the press of a button. In 30 seconds. It's absolute convenience.

My husband, accountant that he is, was balking. So I just ordered him a single cup keurig filter - he can (and will) putter with refilling it with his coffee. I also ordered the spinning rack to hold the k cups - one for me and one for my boss. (Christmas gift for the man who has EVERYTHING)

The kids can make the regular hot chocolate packets. Without a pod inserted, it simply fills the cup with very hot water. Hot chocolate and tea will likely be made like this.

But for my one cup of coffee each morning, and maybe a decaf at night...I'm going to splurge. Bed, Bath & Beyond gives me 20% off coupons weekly, and they sell the pods. So I figure if I can get 1.5 cups out of each pod, each cup is less than a quarter. The pod is tiny - way less waste than a Starbucks cup.

I had my first (and second) cup in the last two hours. I love the ease and the freshness.

Bye Bye Nescafe!

Full Throttle

Christmas is a busy and wonderful season in our home. The days are flying by, but all is quite well. I did miss doing an Advent posting, so must do two today...but I'm forgiving myself as I've had QUITE a month thus far.

• Thanksgiving was, of course, only two weeks ago. We had a picture perfect, heart filled Thanksgiving. The best of my life. My brother, his wife, my dad, we six, and two co workers shared warm fellowship and delectable bird at our dining room table. The evening was filled with our music. Truly, the only word was magical.
• The next day I drove two hours north to sing at a funeral. The first of two funerals that were necessarily squeezed into this full two weeks. My friend's dad - I had to be there for her.
• Saturday we began to decorate in earnest.
• Sunday I drove to Minneapolis for my brother's concert where he sang the bass solos in the Messiah. He told me that my fitting that 12 hour round trip excursion into my season was the best gift he had ever received from a sibling. Is that not worth while? Investing in relationship.
• Monday I drove home, stopping at a central Wisconsin hospital for work. Listened to an amazing and edifying book on CD the whole way, along with The Messiah. Amazing.
• Monday night our worship team practiced in our living room, 45 minutes after I got home!
• Worked all week.
• Friday the 5th was "Dickens of a Christmas," where our quintet sang, some with guitar and much a cappella, for 1.5 hours in our downtown village square. Afterward we enjoyed food and fellowship at the local pizza pub.
• Saturday the 6th we had 20 neighbors over in the evening. Anna, our 16 year old, came through BIG TIME and worked side by side with me all day. She cleaned and I decorated. I kept the hors d'oeuvres simple, and had asked the neighbors to bring something sweet. We truly worked like crazy all day. I kept telling myself that what needed to get done would get done - because I had not procrastinated - there had not been time to do more preparation. By the time the first neighbor arrived, the house was fully clean and decorated. It was SUCH a push, but for me the push is necessary... I am now able to enjoy our Christmas setting all month - and that major job of decorating and deep cleaning was done by the first week end due to that deadline.
• Sunday was full with music practice after church. Later, a friend and I attended a "Messiah Sing a Long," a fabulous experience. A full community orchestra, some amazing soloists, and we - the congregation - seated by vocal part and standing to sing the choral sections. LOVED THAT.
• Sunday night my husband and I and the two youngest spent time with my dad at his nursing home.
• Monday was blessedly a day OFF work. Breathe. Read. Write. Pray.
• Monday night - worship practice.
• Tuesday night - a snow storm cancelled a dinner with friends - worked late to get caught up. Managed to get 330 cards mailed from work - part of the client relations part of my job.
• Wednesday evening - a funeral of a dear 64 year old friend. Lingered at the church, getting caught up with many friends. Very difficult loss, but a celebratory and honoring funeral.
• Thursday evening- led our church's women's Christmas celebration. Sang some carols and shared a brief devotional. Enjoyed warm fellowship.
• Friday - 8 am to 1:30 am...at work or at my bosses home...hostessing the Christmas dinner. 54 people at his home. Catered meal and then a gambling casino with black jack, craps, and poker. Each person received $500 (fake) dollars in chips to play with, and received raffle tickets according to their winnings. WHAT a blast. WHAT an incredible amount of work. I've decided that hosting a party in someone ELSE's home on someone else's behalf is nerve wracking. I wanted everything to be perfect. Thankfully he has a housekeeper who did all the cleaning and had Christmas decor up. I supervised the moving of furniture by a couple young co workers, followed by the table and chair rental set up. Mid afternoon the caterers arrived and began prepping, and also set the tables with rented linens and dishes. I added the "extras" to the tables, and arranged all the centerpieces which became prizes later for the casino night. The hardest part of the evening was figuring out who sat where and with whom - office politics you know. I dressed and readied at his house, and the guests began arriving at 6:30. (The host wisely did not make his return from work until 5:30 pm - he missed all the hard parts!! ) I had previously made 3 large containers of my frozen Christmas slush which was the drink of the night, (spiked or not) and had hired a bartender who arrived right before dinner. She also served wine, beer, soda and limited mixed drinks. WHAT a production. I'm pleased to report a COMPLETE success. I was busy the entire evening, orchestrating the movement of people and chairs and activities. "Mr. Blackjack" began arriving during dinner, and they set up a full casino in the lower level while the party supped on the main floor. I must say, this party WAS a challenge for me, and today I'm still in my jammies at noon, sipping coffee, dozing and recapping the last few weeks in my mind.

I'm very very content. Yes, it's been a blurrrrrr at times, but it's what I want to do at this time of year. The only stressful time, where I really wondered HOW we were going to pull it off , was last Saturday with the neighbors coming and the house not ready. Otherwise it has all moved like clockwork and has been so gratifying and FUN. I am SO thankful for good health and stamina and such a full roster of friends and family. Although I'm completely spent today, I was able to sleep in a bit, and here I am staring at the tree, listening to Boomer snore, and blogging. I hope to post a few dozen Christmas cards today, but if I don't, I don't...

THIS is what the season is to me. It is a challenge, and it is a hustle and a bustle. My goal is to prioritize people. No one else on our block would have hosted the party - hospitality seems to be such a lost art. The neighbors lingered and so enjoyed one another's company. I felt so privileged to facilitate that, and that satisfaction outweighs that day's exhaustion.

Our home is warm and glowing, drawing us to stay in and sip warm beverages. The work of decorating creates that inviting atmosphere, and entertaining is simpler for the month of activity. Some might scale back for simplicity, and that is perfectly right for them, but to create beauty fills me more than it depletes me. It's how I'm wired., and draws me to home.

Last night was a gift to my boss. He has a huge 12,000 sqaure foot home, but when he was married they were never able to pull off such a shindig, and now, divorced, he certainly doesn't do it on his own. He was choked up as he told me what that party, that huge house full of laughter and happy memories, meant to him. I am so honored to spend myself on PEOPLE. Happy memories. I can rest in January! :)

I am in the Word in the Word each morning due to the flexibility of my job, to stay connected to the Lord during this, His season. He is the source of my energy as surely as the electricity lights up the Christmas tree. I'm finally old enough to realize that without Him I can do nothing. (John 15:5) Singing is another time commitment, but our songs are all about HIM. It was exciting to bring Christian carols to a secular setting last week end. And of course at church God is honored by our efforts and the congregation is blessed. What is Christmas without music? How INCREDIBLE to experience Handel's Messiah live with the orchestra, even if sight reading the choral parts was a bit daunting. That afternoon was a Christmas gift I gave to myself.

I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6

The women's gathering was so intimate, filled each of us up. My friend's home was warm and literally glowing with Christmas, the perfect backdrop as the women shared happy memories and we focused on Him. Relationships grew.

This is an amazing December. I feel so blessed to be so blessed. My organizational gifts are being stretched and used. It blesses me to use the voice He gave me. I've nurtured a love for His Word, and am honored to be invited to share that as well. We've celebrated the Advent candle and readings each week as a family too- our children are content and anticipating THEIR time of attention in their weeks of Christmas break. Joey and Emily will be home for a month soon -we have a lot of celebrating left to do!

This year I feel that I am right where God wants me, doing just what He has called me to do, and I stand amazed as I recap it all in type. I'm living in my sweet spot. It's been a blessed month, and it's only the 13th! No regrets.

December is full. To the brim. But not overflowing. It is my heart that is overflowing.

Blogging

Our oldest daughter Emily, age 19, is reading the advent blog daily, along with her roommate and her boyfriend. This SO THRILLS MY HEART that that blog is priority these days. I'll try to post here too now and then, but likely I won't be back here consistently until after Christmas.

WHEW

Just wrote the preceding blog. Next I began my list for today, and also went to itunes to download today's podcasts. I follow three podcasts: Joyce Meyer's, Living on the Edge, and Kay Arthur.

I download them daily (or so) and then listen on the treadmill and in the car. (my ipod plugs into the car stereo system)

As they were downloading, I noticed Kay Arthurs' title from yesterday: Surpassing Peace for the Righteous. I clicked on it, so that I'd be listening to it in the background as I work on my menu and to do list...

Guesss what passage Kay is teaching? ISAIAH 26.

WHEW. God is definitely keeping me in that passage.

Perfect Peace

My dear buddy Margo just called. When schedules allow, we pray together at 7:30 am on Friday mornings. Margo is a mentor in my life, and was one of my Bible study leaders when I was a young mom. Margo and I have history.

She asked if she could recite her "piece" to me over the phone. She has been asked to be Elizabeth on Sunday, to recite some of what Elizabeth may have been thinking, based on Luke 1, and then light the second advent candle. Margo wrote the recitation herself.

Tears ran down my face as I listened to what Margo had written. The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah gives me such hope, as I've written before, and Margo's way with words and her passion for the Truth touched my heart.

Margo's (Elizabeth's) introduction included, "I'm here to tell you that you can have peace in the midst of heartache and pain. You can have peace when your world is turned upside down. And you can have peace when you're waiting with anticipation and hope for what God will do in the future."

THAT is exactly what God has been teaching me through Luke 1.

Yesterday I landed on the verse in Isaiah

Is 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

This verse so encouraged me, and I tentatively chose it as the theme verse for the fall 2009 retreat I've been asked to lead for our church. How to experience God's peace in fallen world. And today Margo, as Elizabeth, recited that verse to me - the only verse cited in the 3 minute narrative prepared for this coming Sunday.

And so, first thing on a cold and crisp Friday morning in December, God has warmed my heart and whispered in my ear, "Grace, you're on the right track." When God brings thoughts to me as I study His word and talk to Him, and then they are reinforced from another direction, it is a very personal "hug" experience for me. I LOVE it when that happens. God shows me that He orchestrates details right down to what verse I am reading to prove that He is indeed the artist designing the tapestry of my life. Generally I see the underside - a seemingly unrelated mish mash of colored thread. But once in a while, a pocket of joy, He allows me to see the pattern.

At this moment in time I am in perfect peace, because I trust in Him.

Thank you Lord.

My Personality

Yup...that's me. I took this test about 6 years ago and got about the same results. Extrovert/Introvert is a pretty close run, as is Thinker/Feeler.

These tests always amaze me.

Cardinals

My mom loved cardinals. And now I do. I can't help it - I think it's genetic. When a bright red bird arrives on my bird feeder I drop everything. They mesmerize me. A couple mornings ago a small female was on the feeder - must have been a 2008 nestling.

Today at The Clinic (there on business) I wandered into the art gallery on the first floor where there are always interesting displays of (expensive) local art. Today there were a lot of gift items for the holidays mixed in with the art.

I spotted cardinals. In birch trees. I LOVE birch trees. And so this plate came home with me. There is something about it that simply makes me smile. When I have more time I'll do a cardinal display around it on a shelf for the holidays.

I think it's time to put more black sunflower seeds in the feeder...baked, of course. I really do love those cardinals...

Driving

On Friday I drove to Two Rivers, Wisconsin to sing at a friends' dad's funeral. Four hours in the car, alone.
On Sunday I drove to Minneapolis to hear my oldest brother sing two of the bass solos in The Messiah. 1.5 hours with Joey, our oldest son in the car, and then 4 hours alone.
On Monday I drove from Minneapolis to Marshfield, WI, and then home. About 8 hours of driving in the car alone.

AND I LOVED IT.

The CD player held The Messiah - the full 2 CD set, and also Beth Moore's book Get Out of that Pit. What a great great book that is.

Even though I put a whole lot of miles on this week end, I feel as though I worshipped for the majority of them. I actually feel refreshed.