Journey

"The road leading toward a goal"

Currently:

Reading: The words that God used to define me

Watching: Tournament of Roses

Listening: "What Are We Waiting For" by Nina Landis

A mystery that fascinates me

His are the greatest kings and presidents

Are all pawns on a chess board in the palm of His hand

He shuffles them about then he orders their step

And we already know how it ends

The strongest enemy, he never wins

And what was meant for then is for today

Don't let the blood poured out be in vain

What are we waiting for

I hear a church that's been crying out for more

But there's a well overflowing

Still she is searching for water

And we have access to the greatest victory

Waiting in the round for it to be completed

Cause we don't really believe that the enemies defeated

What are we waiting, what are we waiting... for?

"does not separate you from the destination;"

Today is one of those days, perfect for snuggling up on the couch. And that was not what I did today. Well not all day. I couldn't sit still any longer. I attacked my kitchen. I tossed everything from my fridge that was spoiled or on the verge of turning. I wiped down the the shelves and rearranged it. I unloaded my dishwasher and reloaded it. I made a run to the grocery store and made this warm and filling dish from Fresh and Foodie, Lentils with Brown Rice and Feta. It it such a set it and forget it dish that sticks to your inside and warms you up! However due to my aversion of raw tomatoes, mine was sans the bright pop of red!

After dinner I took a shower, tried my new heat-less curling method, and sat down snuggled up with my laptop to work on something I hadn't taken the time to work on until now. My goals for two-thousand twelve. I know, I should have done them before now. But I hadn't felt the need. Then inspiration struck, and my thought provoking place did it's job. So I pulled up a new document, focused on five main categories, and pounded it out. Two pages later, I feel relieved that I have clear vision of what I want to accomplish in the next year. And with it came the subtle reminder of who I really am, who God has defined me as, and at the end of the day that His plans are the only one's that matter.

"it is essentially a part of it." ~Charles DeLint

Jump-start, Just stop

"For fast-acting relief,"

Currently:

Reading: The Manual to my Canon Rebel Xsi

Watching: Cute Girls Hairstyles how-to videos

Listening: "Now More Than Ever" by Brandon Heath

Dig my hands into the earth
Sometimes I need You so bad, it hurts
I want You now more than ever

I've been living in a foreign land
Confession of a broken man
I want You now more than ever

The more I see, the more I want
The more I know, it doesn't stop
Your beauty speaks to call me home
Now more than ever

The more I feel that You are here
The more the world disappears
And all I want is to be home
Now more than ever

So tell me something that I haven't heard
I'll be hanging on every word
I want You now more than ever

How long must You make me wait?
Give me hope, give me strength
I want You now more than ever

I will keep my eyes open
Keep my eyes open, face to the sky
I will keep my eyes open
Keep my eyes open for You 

So random story about Brandon Heath... besides the fact that his new album sounds pretty amazing! About a month before my twenty-first birthday I was in Nashville helping out with flood relief after they had torrential rain for almost a week. All the volunteers were meeting at a church to get organized and I heard them mention something about Brandon Heath being there. The next thing I know, I look over to my friend Will and who is he talking to but none other than Brandon Heath. So I walk up to them and ask if I can take their picture as Will gives me this weird look. He then tells me I can have a picture too, if I put on the goggles and earplugs that I am wearing a-top my head. Later I told Will why I took his picture and now it's one of our funny stories.

So anyways, today's been chill. Work this morning wasn't exactly what I expected, but I'm alive. I spent the afternoon on the couch eating, napping, and playing on pinterest. All in all it was a peaceful day I enjoyed. This year I'm soaking up the moments that are simple. Like today.

"try slowing down." ~Lily Tomlin

Due to December

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page."

Currently:

Reading: The Manual to my Canon Rebel Xsi

Watching: Julie & Julia although I would rather be watching Holiday Inn

Listening: "Let's Start the New Year Right" by Bing Crosby

 One minute to midnight
One minute to go
One minute to say good-bye
Before we say hello

Let's start the new year right
Twelve o'clock tonight
When they dim the light
Let's begin
Kissing the old year out
Kissing the new year in

Let's watch the old year die
With a fond good-bye
And our hopes as high
As a kite

How can our love go wrong if
We start the new year right?

"Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances;"

So I was sitting at work today contemplating the rest of my week, realizing tomorrow the date would look like something totally foreign, and checking Facebook. The buzz on the face space today was, of course about the new year. But what was most striking was this snippet from an eight year old via her mother, a list of her new years resolutions:

1.Help the poor 2. Be polite 3. Clean my room every day if it gets messy. 4. Be nice 5. exercise more 6. Eat more healthy 7. Be more thankful 8. And think about everyone 9. Especially think about God. 10. And (love) everyone, even God. 11. Save and Give.

An eight year. So simple, yet so profound. And I sit here and wonder how many people will selfishly put things like lose weight, get a raise, get married; things that all revolve around them. But this child doesn't want these insane goals, she wants to be a better person all the way around. And it made me ask myself, what am I living for...


This past year was a lot about transitioning for me. 

tran·si·tion

 [tran-zish-uhn, -sish-] Show IPA

noun 1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change
I didn't know how I would get through, but I did. I managed to come home. I managed to go back to a work environment. I've pushed through with everything I could. And the word that is resonating in my heart this year is change. 

change

 [cheynj] Show IPA verb, changed, chang·ing, noun

verb (used with object)

1.to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

2.to transform or convert (usually followed by into ): The witch changed the prince into a toad.

3.to substitute another or others for; exchange  for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

4.to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

5.to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

Because for as much as I made gradual transitions this year, I feel like God is trying to do something bigger. Much larger than I can imagine.  I'm susceptible only to Him, and whatever He may do. Because He held my hand through all of this, even the moments I felt faint. All I know is that I am here waiting. And He is throwing doors open.

And in the meantime, I'll continue to be a healthy vegetarian amateur who works out three times a week, works more often, loves her friends and family more than my own life itself, and who writes every pondering thought for the world to see.

"but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."~ Henry Ward Beecher

Letters to Baby P- Everything You Need

Dear Baby P,

You've survived your first Christmas Marathon in your mommy's belly! From what I heard,  you managed to attend five parties/gatherings in one day! That's a whole lot of excitement for one tiny baby!!! And everyone wanted to know about you.
Because you see, little girl, while a majority of the world may think that Christmas is only about the presents under the tree; there is so much more to it than that. And if you ever find yourself thinking it is, I will be the first to come and set you straight. Because Christmas is about a gift, but not any you'll find under the tree.
Your coming has made the real reason all the more powerful. Two thousand some odd years ago a little baby came to earth. And He changed the whole world with just one single breath. Sort of like how you are about to change our world forever. He came to make sure we could truly live, and you are just another reminder of the new life He brought us.
You are so loved little girl. And we are thrilled for you to come. Next year Christmas will be filled with one more person, one more voice, one more little girl giggle. There will be presents under the tree. And there will be definitely be lots for you. But I hope you remember that it's never about the presents but the presence, the presence of God and the presence of those who love you dearly. You may have wants, but you will always have everything you need. ALWAYS. The Lord has never ceased to provide for us. And He will do the same for you. Just wait, you'll see.

But until then... we'll be waiting with open arms!
Love Always,
Aunt Tricia

Delightful Day

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. " ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

Currently:

Reading: Zondervan Comparative Study Bible (I was told it was not that much!)

Watching: White Christmas

Listening: "I Celebrate the Day" by Relient K

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts." ~Janice Maeditere

Today has been such a great day! I couldn't choose between these three quotes for today's post so I hope you enjoyed the extras. 

I hardly slept last night in anticipation for this morning. And it had nothing to do with gifts under the tree. At least not the gifts for me. I woke up this morning, sat in bed, and thanked Jesus for coming to this earth to give me the grace which was so much more than I'll ever deserve. I pictured the already marvelous feeling of having this soft, chubby, little baby in your arms, and imagined the magnificence of all man kind wrapped into it's warm little face.

The presents under the tree

After I had thoroughly enjoyed that time thanking Him for coming to my rescue time and time again; I ran to my mother's room and promptly announced that Santa had come as ecstatically and enthusiastically as my four year old nephew probably did. I dragged my mother out of bed and went to get ready for this day. I didn't want to spend the whole day in pajamas and I was ready to get my day under way. I couldn't wait to give her the Christmas' she always made happen for us. It was a great joy getting to watch my mom guess, unwrap, and register what I had bought her. Even more so than opening my own present, the fore mentioned Bible that cost way more than I would ever spend on myself.

Mom's big surprise

I've made breakfast, video chatted with the kids, and am now snuggled in on the couch with a blanket and cup of hot cocoa before I prepare to make this evenings dinner of cheese stuffed tortellini with a homemade pesto cream sauce and garlic bread. Oh and my grandmother's jello salad we had every holiday she was here. The only thing I am missing is a fire... but there's a cozy one in my heart.  

The kid's in their Christmas outfits I bought them.

My brother and sil said they were told they were the best dressed kids all night!

I hope you are celebrating this day. I hope you enjoy your family. 

And I hope you see beyond the presents you've received today.

Because the greatest gift is the one we received two thousand some odd years ago. 

Merry Christmas from mine to yours!

"This is the message of Christmas:  We are never alone."  ~Taylor Caldwell

(Yes I know I cut off faces, it was intentional to maintain privacy for my family who may not want to be spread across here! Their faces are in the actual, un-cropped photos)

December Dance

"The color of springtime,"

Currently:

Reading: The back of my eyelids

Watching: The Santa Incident, ? Homeland security shoots down Santa???

Listening: "Once Upon A December" by Deana Carter

 

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory...

Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns to remember...

And a song
Someone sings
Once upon a December

"is in the flowers."

Today is the first day of WINTER!!!!!!

Don't ask me why but my two favorite seasons are summer and winter. I know they are polar opposites, but I do. I think it's because they are both in the business of pausing and renewing. And I just love them. Growing up in the Chicago-land area you have people who are on both sides of the winter spectrum, but I grew up on the side of appreciating it. It's such a magical time and I LOVE it. It's really because of the snow. I remember crawling in the double evergreen covered in snow. I remember snowball fights in the church parking lot that lasted at least half an hour. The reverence of stepping in fresh snow. And pulling on the snow suits. Yes it was a suit. And no I couldn't get up if I fell.  I had my first kiss in the snow. I've said goodbye to two different places in the snow. Everything pauses. And when it starts, everything has changed again. So here is my winter ode.

"The color of winter,"

The seventy-five reasons I love winter:

1.  It’s the beginning  of the year

2.  Advent Calendars

3.  All the Creative Things to do with Wrapping Paper

4.  Being able to see your breath

5.  Blanket Weather

6.  Brighter Stars

7.  Bubble Baths

8.  Business is Always Good!

9.  Candy Canes and Peppermint  Kisses

10. Cardinals Against Snow

11. Carols

12. Chili

13. Christmas

14. Christmas Stories

15. Cinnamon and Evergreen Candles

16. Comfy Sweats

17. Cookies

18.  Crimson, Evergreen, Vanilla as colors!, enough said

19. Cute Boots

20. Decorations

21. Feeding the Homeless for the Holidays

22. Flannel

23. Footprints in the snow

24. Fresh Pine Trees

25. Funky Hats

26. Fuzzy Socks

27. Gingerbread Houses

28. Glitzy Dresses

29. Good Food

30. Grandma’s Jello Salad

31. Horse Drawn Carriages

32. Hot Chocolate

33. Ice Cream (yes, I actually prefer this now, and popsicles in summer)

34.  Ice Hockey

35. Ice Skating in the Park

36.  Jingle Bells

37. Kids Winter Breaks

38. Layering Clothes Again

39. Lights in Store Windows

40. My Mom being giddy

41. My yearly ornament

42. Nativities

43. Pageants/Plays

44. Pale Skin, Rosy Cheeks

45. Parties for all the Holidays

46. Peoples extremes come out!

47. Poinsettia

48. Present Giving

49. Red Lipstick pops in the winter

50. Ribbons!

51. Season Fruits and Veggies like… BRUSSEL SPROUTS

52. Secret Santa

53. Sledding

54. Snow Angels

55. Snow Caps on the Mountains

56. SNOW Falling!!!

57. Snow Men

58. Snowball Fights

59. Soft Gloves

60.  Soup Weather

61. Sparkling Grape Juice

62. Staying under the Covers

63. Story Times

64. Suntans in the snow (I always love when I get one of these)

65. Sweater Dresses

66. The Parades

67. The Quiet Mornings

68.  Time to Light Candles!

69. Usually Chocolate Covered Pretzel Season

70. Walking in Heels in Snow and Ice (It’s risky!!!!)

71. Warning Kids to Listen for Santa

72.  Wool Coats

73. Wondrous Things Happen

74. The memories

75. ….and the end of the year

Now if only we had a White Christmas!

"is in the imagination."~ Terri Guillements