New every morning

In Door County for ten days. Ten. Days. A generous friend allowed our family to use their home last week end, and for my husband and I this next week end. So I stayed for the week between. A couple of the kids stayed through Monday, and a friend visited Tuesday overnight to Wednesday, which makes today the first (and only) full day alone. Solitude. Today’s plan is quiet time with God and Baxter. Read, listen, write, nap, walk, knit, repeat.  That’s the plan.

My first read is Lamentations 3:19-26. Meditating on it. Chewing. Listening.

 Jeremiah remembers his own painful story, and reminds God of it too.  It’s so comforting to have a Friend who knows my complete and total backstory: all the details that have brought me to who I am today. (the good, the bad and the ugly) Jeremiah acknowledges that his soul is heavy, BUT THEN... he preaches to himself.  I love this!  Jeremiah reminds himself who God is, and immediately recognizes his reason for hope. Our reason for hope. He writes out the attributes of God which speak to his downcast soul.  Such an example!

In my Bible I use an orange gel highlighter to mark “promises to plead.” (my term) When my soul is “...bowed down within me,...” I can flip though to an orange-streaked passage and “recall to my mind...and have hope.”

THAT my friend is our reason for being... to know Him better, and to share the hope. “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.”  

Verse 23 speaks of “every morning.” The dailyness of it reminds me of the manna provided to the Israelites in Exodus 16. God provided nourishment day by day, and required a daily harvest. In Lamentations Jeremiah again shows how God’s mercy is a daily sustenance. In John 6:35 Jesus refers to Himself as “the bread of life”- the One who satiates hunger and thirst. Again, bread or food is a daily need. Perhaps the manna was a reminder of our daily dependence on Him... we can’t store enough to sustain us for tomorrow.

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness.” (Note the change from ‘His’ to ‘Your’...Jeremiah is taken from reciting about God to personal acknowledgement and prayer...)

He is our sustenance.  Have you fed upon His Word today?

2011

During my reading this morning I was reminded of Luke 1:37,

"For nothing is impossible with God."

What an amazing truth.

Right then and there I opened the 2011 Moleskine and put it on the inside front cover - a happy smattering of mismatch stickers. My motto for 2011...and beyond. My mantra. What I will learn to say under my breath...

My 2010 red Moleskine journal is literally bursting at the seams. What a year. It will be like putting a dear friend on the shelf...

Reading the Word, writing, journaling, pondering...I love it all. I take time most mornings, and it is my homemade therapy. Maybe 2011 is the year of the journal for you?

Colorado! Florida!

Pocket of Joy ONE! Today a coworker and I made our plane reservations to head to Colorado Springs at the end of May. There's a conference that he is presenting at, and I am the queen of networking so I get to go along. Woo hoo. And we're staying at The Broadmoor which is a FIVE star hotel. Double Woo Hoo.

Our industry is a bit depressed right now (architecture) so my job is VERY busy and relatively stressful. (I'm the one who LOOKS for work...) So what FUN to look forward to a perk like this. We're even going to stay an extra day to explore around the mountains.

Pocket of Joy TWO! My husband is going to Tampa Bay to work during my birthday week, and he's going to buy my ticket as my birthday gift. I'll stay in the hotel and bum around on my own all day, and we'll eat and play in the evenings. (though he usually works late when out of town.) Then we'll stay until Sunday and enjoy an extra lazy pool day on Saturday. What this translates to, as I'm sure you moms have already figured out, is 7 (count them:7) days with no cooking, cleaning, juggling... and most of the hours of those days ALL ALONE with an ocean. WOO HOO. I might need to pay the extra bag charge just for books.

So this evening I am QUITE excited about two trips in the next three months.

It makes the 5 degree temperature just slightly more bearable.

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.

Thursday's Gift

So...on Wednesday I golfed in a golf outing for hospital executives and sponsors of the state's healthcare association. Our architectural firm designs primarily health care facilities, so we sponsor this event which also includes dinners, exhibitions, training, etc.

I was teamed up with two Directors of Nursing (DON)and one of their guests. The DON assigned to my cart had to decline at the last minute, so she sent her delightful husband. The other DON and her fiance were on our team, but in the other golf cart. I knew right away that he was going to be a tough nut to crack. He is a very big guy, an ex law enforcement agent, apparently a decent golfer, and not outgoingly friendly. This was going to be a challenge. Good thing I like challenges!

My golf game started out slow, and I'm betting he was rolling his eyes thinking...great...stuck with a non golfer. I small talked a bit, and concluded that he might just choose to remain grumpy

I asked him to help me with my chip shots for two reasons: I need help, and also I know that men like to be helpful to we damsels in distress. His help really did assist me...and he started cheering on my better shots. The beer cart arrived, and a round of beer helped to smooth the water as well. And then my driver woke up, and I began to hit 200 yard arrows. We used my drive (it was a best ball format) for five or six holes in a row. He was laughing and amazed, and asked how I golfed after TWO beers.

By the end of the round we were fast friends. Score.

He stopped by my exhibition table later, and told my boss how much he enjoyed golf and that I was REALLY good at engaging conversation. He said he met a lot of people in his line of work, and he could spot the genuine ones a mile away. He also guessed my age, in small talk, guessing 36. Well...that sealed it. He was now best friend material. Anyhow, when he stopped by the booth I gave him a dozen golf balls with our firm logo on them. He was gracious and appreciative and complimentary. And his fiancee was so friendly and chatty, as if a miracle had happened before her eyes.

Well...the next morning I was checking out of the hotel and he appeared. He told me he had a gift for me in the car. We walked out to his car, and he told me they had really enjoyed my company and that because I was such a "good kid" he wanted to give me a gift to reiprocate for the golf balls. And he handed me a bag. And inside was a brand new Brett Favre jersey complete with Brett's autograph. !!! He said he had a collection of Brett autographs from working for many years in the Green Bay area. I was incredulous and told him he HAD to be kidding. But he wasn't. He insisted that I keep it as a souvenir of our golf game. ANd not to tell where I got it, as he can't get autographs for every Tom, Dick and Harry... (so...shhhhhhh...this is our little secret)



I went back to our exhibition booth, and stunnedly relayed the story to my boss. He rolled his eyes, and asked me what kind of magic I did on a golf course. Ha.

And so, the most amazing gift. We'll have it framed and on the wall. Although I generally consider football to be a waste of precious time, I do like Brett. If I like any football player, it has to be Brett...he is an icon around here. (still!)

Pockets of Joy. Who could have ever guessed that THAT picture would be in my 2008 journal??

My sons and husband are all putting dibs on it... I'll give it as a wedding gift to our oldest someday...since then I won't have to decorate our family room around it for quite so many years...

Gifts!

It's been a week of gifts.

The WELCOME sign was a gift from my brother and sister in law. They stayed for three nights last week end to celebrate our dad's 83rd. When I had visited them in Minneapolis, we had seen, in the window of a closed shop, similar signs. Each letter is a photograph of something that looks like the letter. The close up shows you that the "e" for example, is a stoplight seen from the side. Since I am quirky in my love of letters and words, these are right up my alley. My bro found this one here in my home town at a shop in the village. Imagine that.




Our foyer and hall are being painted today (WOO HOO) and the bright white ceiling really helps this sign to pop out. I love it. (Our daughter had painted the coffee bar and two walls red the week we moved in, but the ceiling and other walls are still a livable but rather dull taupish gray. In fact, the whole house is pretty much that color -- ceilings too.) I'm especially loving the BRIGHT white ceiling. The foyer/hallway/open stairway to the lower level are being painted "Blonde," a yummy golden creamy blend. And yes, I do love the name.

Back to gifts... there will be a posting on my golf course gift received on Thursday. That deserves a blog of it's own.

But this morning my Saturday Morning ladies surprised me with a thank you gift. Four of us have been together a decade, studying the Word together at my home at 7:30 am on Saturday mornings. There are currently 6 of us, and we have been as big as a dozen. They are my soul sisters.

A couple months ago I made pancakes for Jake, our 12 year old, while the ladies were lingering after study. I had a really pathetic fry pan, and since two of the ladies work at a local kitchen wares shop, today they remedied my pan situation. Way overboard. I am now the owner of a 10 piece Rachael Ray cookware collection in Cobalt Blue. And matching spatulas. And matching whisks. I was inspired to take their photo in the dish drainer...won't they just add some pizazz to our kitchen? They're really too pretty to use, don't you think?



I've been waffling on kitchen colors...we have dated country blue counters that are going to be around awhile yet...so...I need to work with those. The laundry room, attached to the kitchen, will also be Blonde, and the living room will be a darker brown color ...the foyer is Sherwin Williams "Blonde" and Benjamin Moore "Spanish Red." The family room and kitchen have not yet been decided... ANYHOW, blue is definitely the kitchen accent color...and will also be in family room since we have a blue leather sofa. All seem to work into a French Country sort of palatte.

So...I'm feeling QUITE spoiled. New pans, decor and paint all in one week. The two young painter men just left - the blonde is only on the edges thus far, but the ceiling is all sparkling white. It is SUCH an improvement...so much brighter. Our foyer is huge - the biggest room in the house, but also the darkest since it has no windows other than the side lights by the front door. But the foyer sets the tone for the whole house...I'm hoping the warm Blonde walls and the rich red coffee bar will shout out WELCOME. And, if they don't, there's always that sign...

15 months after moving in, we're finally settling in. And I'm overflowing with home happiness! If you want to read more about our parkway home, Diane once blogged about it here.

Happy Week end! I think I'm high on paint fumes...

(By the way, we've never hired painters before. It's quite decadent. Our schedules, my perfectionism and the two story walls of the open stairway seemed like enough reason to try hiring...and really...I'm loving it...)

Mental Health Morning

I took the morning off. I am desperately in need of a mental health break, and the children are delightfully OUT OF THE HOUSE at school.
Does that sound harsh? I do love my kids, but this return of peace and quiet is so so delicious.
I just need to sit and sigh, journal and putter. I feel better already!

My father spent two sets of three days, a week apart, in the hospital. End stage renal failure. He decided to go ahead with kidney dialysis, and is doing much better. He'll spend most of his Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays getting ready for, transporting to, and having dialysis (3.5 hours each time), but in exchange for that he will feel much better and live to enjoy the other 4 days each week. He'll be 83 two weeks from today. I thought we were going to lose him this last time...he was so so sick...but he is one tough old guy! A retired pastor, he spends his days at a reading machine (diabetes has greatly diminished his eyesight) keeping up with the sports news and reading God's Word. He is such a student, even 60 years after graduating from seminary. God bless him!

Four teenagers have really worn me out -- much for which to be thankful, but emotionally wearing all the same. They are supposed to be spreading their wings -- I keep reminding myself of that -- I just need to keep moving out of the way so I don't get smacked by the feathers. I tried recently to explain to our 15 year old daughter that even though her remarks may not seem like much to her, when you add them to three other kid's remarks, it is too much for a mother's heart. She looked at me like I've finally lost it and rolled her eyes. So much for a tender moment...

Work has been so full. I do work flexible hours, but with a big promotion and raise, it's hard to keep balanced... I want them to get their money's worth, and I want to stay on top of things...and ....well...

And so, my mental health morning. As the old song goes, time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...into the future... It has been delicious though. I've purposefully not made a list, but have come upon small projects and conquered them, written a few emails, updated my journal, studied Isaiah 24 (read that to know why Global Climate Change is occuring...it's all in His plans), and puttered. I LOVE puttering. At home. Alone.

And to think I'm an extrovert...hmmmmmm...

Delicious

My hub went with daughter #3 to the Village Festival downtown. Daughter #2 is at work, and Son # 4 (well, child #4) is with buddies. Which left me, alas, home alone!

I have spent the whole two hours on the couch. The ceiling fan is on, the breezes are blowing through the open windows, Boomer is sprawled on the floor nearby, a quilt magazine and a novel have been picked up and laid down numerous times. Rather than read, I have lazily watched the birds feed; the grasses, flowers and trees sway; and the onset and delivery of a summer rain shower. (thank you Lord -- "saturate garden" is now off my evening to-do list) It's been that hazy existence between napping and fully conscious...in and out, here and not...

Ahhhhhh.

A delicious and rare August reprise. These are the views out my livingroom window as I lay on the couch...

vacation

Sometimes I think I lose sight of me.


Today I am in the car (rented minivan if you must know) with the rare commodity of time on my hands. 19 hours from Winter Park, Colorado to home in Wisconsin. An early morning stop at Barnes & Noble in Denver equipped me with four things: the autumn 2008 issue of "Artful Blogging," the August edition of "cards : the hottest trend in card making," a top spiral journal/sketchpad, (unopened...will be used for an artsy prayer journal/verse list) and a book mark called "hold that thought" which is a clear plastic holder of neon flag post it notes.


Blissful hours later I have savored all of "cards" and it is happily highlighted and post-it-noted. I have read some favorite Psalms, and some of Isaiah (my current read), I have written pages of notes for a women's retreat I'm speaking at in September, I've caught up on sending a few emails via my Blackberry (amazing to send email at 70 mph)(no, I'm not driving!!) And now "artful blogging" is half savored and festively flagged.


As I get inspired I realize the joy I have in creativity. And the sad fact that creativity can be pushed so quickly off my to do list.


In reading a lot about mixed media art I'm close to salivating. The art blog photos are bringing my creative juices to the forefront, and greeting cards might be an attainable medium. (Small intimate hellos to cherished friends). I think of the row of old hymnbooks I have...what lovely backgounds those pages would make. And I have literally thousands of my father's hand written sermons. (He was an ordained minister for over 50 years). My mom's journal dated 1942 is on my dresser...and two redwork quilts are downstairs. (My great grandmother would trace product logos and then embroider them in red floss. Although the quilts have holes, certainly I can salvage some of her handwork.)


If I could find some more minutes for creativity, I'm thinking it would help me to sweat the small stuff a little less. It brings joy, true joy, just to read and savor...how much more to actually create?


Daylight hours are fading. I'm writing this blog as an email to myself...from somewhere east of Omaha...at 70 mph at 7:10 pm. Time to get back to reading "artful blogging" and writing in my moleskine as inspiration hits.


I need more of this.
Roadtrip anyone?

On Vacation

It must be vacation, because:

-I'm actually blogging! Sitting in one place and thinking enough to find something to write!

-My journal is overflowing. I'm writing the events, processing feelings that get brushed over in the busyness of life, taping in ticket stubs and bits of flyers...

-My body is aching (in a good way) from the increased physical activity

-I'm getting 8 or more hours of sleep each night

-I've read two, count that TWO novels in the last 5 days

-It's the middle of the day, and I'm finding myself enjoying cutting up celery, onion and cooked chicken for a chicken pasta salad to serve with dinner. I don't HAVE to, I'm not trying to squeeze it in...I just had the urge to make a salad for my family.

Our family is in Colorado, in Winter's Park. Our 21 year old is not with us, so there are 5 not 6. We have a 3 bedroom condo with 3 bathrooms...which is so incredibly luxurious compared to six in a hotel room or six in a tent!

The scenery is stunning, the pace is relaxed, and yet...

...vacation is a tender time for me. I think it is because my life is so full, and some of my pain is masked by busyness. I take time to be real with God each morning, but some of my aches and longings just get squashed beneath the to do list and the grocery list... there's never time to explore them. So many blog ideas come and go...there's not time to sit and record them. Correction: I don't take the time to sit and record them. (We all have 24 hours a day...)

But on vacation, the layers start to come off. Like an onion, I begin to shed skins. The skin of weariness peeled away after 20 hours of cat napping in the car and 10 hours of sleep our first night here. The skin of work began to shed as my Blackberry stayed on my bedside table instead of in my pocket. The skin of toughness is shed as I spend hour after hour with two teen age girls and one 12 year old boy. I wrote in my journal yesterday: is parenting teens supposed to be this painful? They seem to have an opposing opinion, a question or a remark for every facet of my life. "You're going to wear that? You're not going to curl your hair? You want us to do what? You'd actually buy that? I'll do it later. I'll get to it. I don't want to do that. Why should I set the table? It's vacation...why should I wash dishes? Why do I have to go check the laundry?" It just NEVER ENDS. And I seem more vulnerable...more susceptible...now that my layers are less. I'm not just reprimanding on the run...I'm feeling hurt by the lack of consideration. I'm missing adult interaction and cooperation. Nobody talks to me like this at work!

LATER: Well, I never got this posted...and now I'm back into the daily grind. Our vacation sped by, and was filled with much activity and much relaxation.

Interestingly, as I heard my 19 year old on the phone upon our return, her response was "Oh...we had a GREAT time..." She didn't mention once (at least not in my hearing) how hopeless her parents were... That's encouraging!

Economic Stimulous Package

WELL...

since we received a check from the government in hopes of stimulating the economy, it seemed unAmerican to not turn around and spend it...

And since my husband and I could use some relationship time, as well as some exercise...

And since we live in an enclosed suburb where everything we need is within two or three miles...

We chose to spend most of our check on a kind of fun item.

Yep, that's a TREK tandem bike (who knew?) with a removable basket, a light, a bell and a tripometer. (my husband, the accountant, of course wants to log in miles and speeds...) We've taken it on a few test runs, and even those have reminded me of muscles long forgotten!

This is more relationally challenging than you might guess, for the person in the back has no brakes, no gears, and no steering. The person in the front has to communicate all intentions of turning, since the person in the back has to lean properly. Even coasting at the same time is a challenge.

This might indeed improve marital trust and communication!

Springtime in Wisconsin.

still kickin'

Such a long time between postings. April was simply a whirlwind.

Work took me in many directions, most notably my first visit to Ohio: Cleveland and Cincinnati. Other April Wisconsin destinations included Lacrosse, Madison, Tomah, Hudson, and last night Pewaukee overnight. Today I am putting my suitcase back under the bed where it belongs!

In the beginning of this blog I promised to look for "Pockets of Joy," and recently there have been many overflowing pockets. Although there are some major challenges in my life, God is liberally sprinkling blessing. I'm enjoying searching out those blessed moments.

In Cincinnati I was absolutely spent as I checked into the Hilton for a three day conference. I wearily asked the desk clerk if any upgrades were available. Due to my husband's frequent travel, we are Gold Honors members, and so I was upgraded. On the sixteenth floor I found myself in a double sized suite down the hall from the Belvidere Club...an exclusive club for Gold Honors members and higher. The room was dreamy, with a comfy club chair and ottoman, spacious desk area, two queen beds in fluffy cloud linens and an extra deep soaking tub. The Belvidere club was well stocked with fruit, coffee, soda, water bottles, hors d'eouvres and our own continental breakfasts. This club kitchenette was surrounded on two sides with a balcony and outdoor seating, and the club also had a business room complete with computers and printers plus a large lounge area with flat screen TVs, couches and chairs. I didn't know these clubs existed in hotel chains...whew was I spoiled. Since my room was just down the hall, I found myself going at all times day and night to refill my coffee and grab some fruit. What a treat.

I have blogged before about the delight this mom of four finds in a hotel room alone. To have a deluxe huge room was amazing. As I studied at my desk, I journaled many verses of thanksgiving, feeling pampered and spoiled by the King himself...it was a very personal feeling. I needed some balm, and the alone time and the spoiling was perfect. It was hard to check out of that room, even after three nights.

Last night I was only an hour from home, but a late night networking reception followed by early morning meetings afforded me a room. The only room left at my reservation time was the "Governor's Suite." WHEW. This hotel room had a HALLWAY. The bathroom was the size of a normal hotel room, anchored by a two person pedestal whirlpool bathtub in the center. A walk in shower filled a corner, and an enclosed commode took another. The other side was a wall of mirrors with a long marble double vanity. I could live in that bathroom. The living room and dining room (yes you read that right) were separated from the giant bedroom containing reading nook and king sized bed.

Once I checked in I began to doubt the necessity of that late night networking session... ha. Back in the room at midnight I filled that monster tub and soaked until I could no longer stay above water. (I did not, by the way, use the remote mounted next to the tub to turn on the flat screen TV on the wall in front of the tub. GOOD GRIEF! )

After I showered to wash my hair this morning, I took another hot swirling bath...I just couldn't help myself.

And so, yes, I've been quite spoiled in the month of April. But in spite of it all there is no place like home. Home is where I intend to spend the month of May, staying put to tidy up, garden, putter, study and blog. May will contain pockets of joy as well...right here at home.

January 2nd... resolution check list

Having just finished 35 minutes on the treadmill (resolution #5), I am going to spend some time blogging (#7) and then read a chapter or two of Holly Springs, (#6) while I gently eat an orange(#4). I bought nothing today (#9), and I kept things neat (#8) (although didn't really make any progress on that one...) I had a quiet time with the fabulous Preparing My Heart for Advent devotional (it goes through January 6) this morning, so #2 was definitely covered. That leaves #3 -- prayer, and #1 --identifying Godlight. # 10 will have to be put off until tomorrow morning when I'll send an e card to dear Sue on her birthday. (It must be a bummer to have a birthday near the holidays...)

I'll begin my prayer journal after I blog -- it's a red Moleskin weekly date book, 5" x 7", with a slot for each day on the left and a blank page on the right -- just enough for prayer notes and lists. (I use a black daily dated Moleskin for my journal...this is my third year, and I carry a small Moleskin in my purse to jot notes...) (I should add Moleskin to my list of favorite things!)
So...
That leaves the Godlight.

Today's Godlight is that I'm alive and healthy.

About a week ago I had emailed the woman who called me about singing and asked her how her sister in law had died, if she had had children, etc. I felt it important to know something about this woman before spending 2 days with her relatives. Today a wonderfully descripive email arrived.

She was 51 years old, and fought breast cancer for 9 years. She has a 15 year old daughter (so do I!) and a 21 year old son (my oldest is 20). She was described as "Martha Stewart," a fabulous cook, a talented artist, a nurse, and a "sweet and caring person, devoted to her family."

Wow. We likely would have been fast friends, had we had the chance to know one another.

And so, my patch of Godlight, my pocket of joy, is that I am alive and healthy. My problems are quite small in comparison to breast cancer. Nine years of fighting it...incredible. Those years were likely filled with many thoughts of "this could be my last..." I'll bet she was noticing the Godlight. How open her eyes must have been as she struggled with her own mortality.

Chances are I'll live past age 51. But it's not guaranteed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could live as if each encounter might be the last one... each holiday, each celebration? Oh, if only I could recognize the small stuff as small stuff, consistently, and celebrate the moments.

I am alive, and I am healthy. Thank you, Father.

Singing

Believe it or not, I have spent two plus hours reading Diane's blog. I'm a junkie. I'm almost afraid to hit one of the long list of links...I'm thinking those are all bloggers that she reads too. Whew. Who knew this was all out there? (Diane is listed as one of my Favorite Reads...look left...)

I'm to live expectantly, and look for pockets of joy and patches of Godlight.

So...I just had to write about the most incredible phone call...

A woman called and identified herself as the daughter of H and D, both of whom have gone to heaven, and reminded me that I had sung at their funerals...did I remember? Of course. They were a dear couple.

Well, it turns out that H & D have a son, and his wife just passed away. His sister, the caller, was seeing if I might be willing to sing at her funeral. Of course. That is always an honor. The funeral is January 11th...ok...I'll make it work. Oh...one more thing...the funeral is in New York.

Grace was quiet. (That is rare, so it is worth noting).

Tim is glad to fly you out, she continued, and pay for your hotel and expenses, if you'd consider singing.

Wow.

And so, a week from Friday, I am being flown to Albany, NY where I'll be driven to Saratoga Springs (which, by the way, was mentioned in the latest Oprah magazine...some retreat center is there...) and then, on Saturday, I'll take a van with their family members north to Lake Placid, where I'll sing at the Chapel of the Adirondacks. He has arranged for a cello, a viola and a piano as well. WHEW. Two songs will be sung, including, Amazing Grace. (ha!)

2008 is beginning with a very lovely gift. I truly hope that my songs are a gift to the bereaved as well, and offer some form of comfort. The family is in my prayers.

And, just between you and me, I'm praying for a snowstorm. Snowed in at Lake Placid sounds like a perfect blog posting, doesn't it?

Looking to 2008

One of the Bible Studies I recently finished contained a phrase I loved: "Pockets of Joy." Even dark days and stretches of winter can be, will be, sprinkled with pockets of joy. And so, in 2008, I plan to blog and record these pockets that God creates just for me. Perhaps I simply need to be more cognizant of the moments that He sprinkles over each of my days.

Nicole Johnson, in her article entitled "Death of a Dream," states Never forget that we are in process on this journey and while we don't know what what the future holds, we trust God for very good reasons, and those reasons are still true in the midst of our losses. God has a way, uniquely his, and a time table, unknown to us, and he has great love that guides us toward bigger dreams, the kind that will never disappoint and never die."

Unwrapping my new journal is always exciting. Who knows what will be recorded in the year to come? I'm hoping that blogging will add one more reason to search for the blessings, and to share them with whoever's reading...