{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

What's Important

It's tough here in my world right now. Things are not flowing the way I want them to. I don't think they're flowing the way God intends either, but I am waiting for Him. I know He is present. I know He is in control.

I keep asking Him what He wants me to do. All I hear is "Wait". But waiting can be difficult and lonely. I am waiting in faith. Faith that He has this covered. That He won't abandon me. I have evidence to support His faithfulness. So I'm clinging to that.

I'm praying for myself, but I'm praying really hard for someone else. Someone who is struggling. He's depressed and dissatisfied and scared. Maybe he's feeling hopeless, I'm not sure. I want to fix it, but I can't. I've got some ideas on things that might help, but he's not receptive right now. 

So I'm waiting. It's not something I'm particularly good at, and it's not something our society encourages. We are the "get it now" society. "Just do it". "Have it your way." In America, especially, we are the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of people. 

None of those are going to cut it in this situation.

So I keep praying, reading, confessing, and asking, with no end in sight. I know what I want, hope, believe to be the outcome -- I just don't know how it's going to happen. 

Welcome, 2015

Welcome, 2015.

Welcome a new year. A clean slate. A fresh start.

A chance to do better at everything. At loving myself.

I'm welcoming in more thoughts and actions concerning things that are important to me.

I've been a wife and mom for nearly 30 years (yikes! I'm old) and I'm just now recognizing how important it really, really is to feed my passions and nurture myself. How good it is for me, yes, but how much better a wife and mom I can be when I do that! It seems foreign and counter-productive to me. This focusing on me, to help others, but that's how it works.

Once again I am reminded of Jesus' words -- 

37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 22:37-39)

If I'm not loving me, I can't be loving others. And that is what I'm called to do.

So, welcome, 2015. A new year of learning to love myself because Jesus said so.

Blessings.

linking up with Five Minute Friday

New Year's Eve

3. If the way you spent your New Year’s Eve is any indication of how the rest of the year will go, how would you say your future is looking right about now?

Given that I can't even remember what I did on New Year's Eve, that should tell you something about this post!

I know I spent the day with my daughter doing fun, girly things -- shopping, lunch, and mani/pedis. That was great.

I know that I was at home that night with my husband and son. We drank some sparkling grape juice and went to bed by 10:30, but that's it. I've got nothing else. No special foods or activities. Just a normal evening and then bed.

I'm choosing to see that as a positive. I spent time with people I like, doing things I enjoy. And still got to bed on time. WINNING!

I'm a bit like Mama Kat on the whole NYE thing. When I was in college I developed an aversion to NYE after 2 tragic events occurred on 2 concurrent years. The first year, a friend's grandfather committed suicide, and the second year, 2 sisters I was in school with were hit and killed by a drunk driver on New Year's Day while the sisters were on their way to church.

So, no, I don't want to go out and party. I don't want to go out at all. I don't have people over because I don't want my friends out driving on NYE. I don't like to drink and I don't want to start the new year feeling grungy and foggy from too much food or drink, and too little sleep.

I am an introvert, remember?

Based on this information, I'm hoping my upcoming year will be peaceful and spent with those I care about the most.

Blessings.


linking up with Writer's Workshop

Raspberry Scones

linking up with Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . January 6, 2015

Outside my window . . . it is still dark outside. I'm up earlier than usual. I had trouble getting to sleep last night and woke up 2 hours earlier than usual this morning. We're about to get hit by the cold front that is taking it's toll on much of the nation. It's currently 30 degrees and going up to 40 today, but then temperatures are going to plummet for several days. Of course it is January.

I am thinking . . . that all the holiday hoopla is behind us now and we are at the beginning of another new year. Dh is working fewer hours at his "day job", and starting his internship towards his new degree today. Ds goes back to school in a few more days, and I am looking at what the future holds for me personally.

I am thankful . . . for a safe and pleasant weekend away with the extended family. The weather was not cooperative for hiking (lots of rain), but we got a few hikes in and some games played. On the whole everyone seemed to have a good time.

In the kitchen . . . over the weekend I handled most of the food prep for the 10 of us. I did a better job of delegating set up and clean up, though. That made the weekend more enjoyable for me. There were lots of pancakes, bacon, monkey bread, sausages, and eggs for breakfasts, while dinner was hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, and chips the first night. Spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad the second night, and soup and grilled cheese our last night.

I am wearing . . . my Vermont Country Store gown, Dh's robe (as mine is in the laundry) and my faux Crocs.

I am creating . . . my beautiful afghan (this pattern from Attic 24, and a lovely set of DK yarn from Stylecraft). I haven't done a row and stitch count lately, but things are moving at a slower pace right now.

I am going . . . to strike order! All my decorations are still up as we were out of town over the weekend (when I traditionally "undecorate"). So now I have decorations, unpacking, and the usual cleaning to do today. 

I am wondering . . . about communication and walls which can sometimes seem unmovable. 

I am reading . . . I finished The Rule of Four over the weekend. It was quite good, and I have several things I want to look up now to fact check what was true and what was fiction. I started Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott. I'm not much of a Civil War buff, but the premise of this intrigued me. So far it's quite engaging.

I am looking forward to . . . finding another new normal.

I am hearing . . . quiet right now. Dh just left for the YMCA, and Ds and the dogs are still sleeping. I have started a load of laundry, so I can, periodically, hear the washing machine.

Around the house . . . the aforementioned chaos, but also some rearranging is going on in my head that I hope to make a reality soon.

I am praying . . . for Dh in his transition. For kindness in our family, and for a better sense of purpose for me.

One of my favorite things . . . is reclaiming the house after the holidays. I'm sorry to be late doing it this year, but I'm looking forward to having it completed.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . not much on the books this week beyond the usual. Hopefully some quiet time for setting up new routines and contemplating 2015.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

my Lego mini camper and friends set

(hedgehog included!)

linking up with The Simple Woman

Most Read Posts 2014

1. Punched

2. Surviving Them

3.  It's My Birthday and I'll Smile If I Want To

4. Late

5. Real Life

6. Understanding and Perceptions

7. Again

8. 31 Days of Writing

9. What's in a Name

10. Worst Christmas Gift Ever

So there you go. The top 10 posts of 2014. Here's to more writing in 2015!

linking up with Writer's Workshop