Happy New Year!

In my element

I think that part of my emotional well-being is affected by my surroundings.  So the changes I want to make in this area have to do with my physical surroundings.

Resolutions for my emotional well-being:

• Clean house.  My goal is to set up a cleaning schedule to eliminate procrastination (what? who me? procrastinate? never!) and make it easier to "keep up" the cleaning throughout the year.
  
  
• Uncluttered.  My goal is to go through each room of my house and get rid of the things that are cluttering up my life.  Which means getting rid of things that have no sentimental value, are unused, and/or not needed.

Balance

well-balanced (adj) 

1. nicely or evenly balanced, arranged, or regulated 

2. emotionally or psychologically untroubled

Last year about this time I made some resolutions -- listed some changes I wanted to make in my life in the upcoming year.  Some of them I accomplished, some of them I attempted to accomplish but the result have little to be desired.

This year I am going to focus one (maybe two) changes in four areas of my life: intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual.

Resolutions for my Intellectual Life:

• Increase my vocabulary -- I have subscribed to a couple word-of-the-day websites.  I want to be able not only to learn at least one new word per week but also to be able to use it competently
  
  
  
• Read at least 5 of the classic books I have been meaning to read (the ones that are "on my list") 

Classics to read (partial list):

1. 1984 by George Orwell
   
   
   
2. For whom the bell tolls by Ernest Hemingway
   
   
   
3. The wind in the willows by Kenneth Graham
   
   
   
4. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
   
   
   
5. The catcher in the rye by J.D. Salinger (actually a re-read)
   
   
   
6. The grapes of wrath by John Steinbeck
   
   
   
7. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
   
   
   
8. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
   
   
   
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
   
   
   
10. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
    
    
    
11. Silas Marner by George Eliot
    
    
    
12. Red badge of courage by Stephen Crane
    
    
    
13. The sound and the fury by William Faulkner
    
    
    
14. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
    
    
    
15. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
    
    
    
16. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (re-read)
    
    
    
17. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
    
    
    
18. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
    
    
    
19. Gone with the wind by Margaret Mitchell (yeah, I know -- what have I been reading?)
    
    
    
20. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

5 things . . .

Over my break this weekend I was going through some of the bookmarks of sites I saved to visit at a later date -- when I had more time to peruse them.

One of the sites was the Flickr photostream for the Smithsonian Institute.

Here are 5 of my favorite photos:

Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Magi

(1) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem (2) and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (11) On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 11)

Wrappin'

I am finishing up my Christmas gifts tonight. Have everything purchased or made and just have the wrapping left.

Then tomorrow . . . out to the farm!

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(19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:19-20)

Brrrr

It's cold outside! I thought I would post a couple photos of my shoveled driveway -- I am very proud of this accomplishment.

I will have even more shoveling practice this week as we are expecting more snow tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday! :-)

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(17) When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:17-18)

Shepherds visit

(15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." (16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. (Luke 2:15-16)

Glory to God

(13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, (14) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14)

5 things I'm thankful for today

1. The innocence of children
   
   
2. The opportunity to enjoy family and friends
   
   
3. Laughter
   
   
4. Sunny days
   
   
5. My salvation

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(11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)

Not snowing yet but . . .

I should start anytime now. I'm not looking forward to this storm but I am grateful that I don't have to be anywhere.

I would like to be out at the farm with the sister but I am just thankful I am not working.

I am getting ready to head to bed and snuggle up with a good book!

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(8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:8-10)

Bracing for a storm

Snowstorm that is.

Full pantry. (At least half full.) Check.

Reading material. (Just a sec. Yup I think two piles of library/borrowed books and shelves of my own will do!) Check. And double check.

Tea and other assorted hot drinks. Check.

Projects to work on. (Christmas gifts to finish, wrap and send.) Check.

Well, it looks as if I'm ready. For the storm not necessarily the shoveling. Heehee.

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(6) While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

Leave your chair for 5 minutes and you will find this

when you return . . .

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For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

A little Christmas spirit . . .

I have been working away on my Christmas gifts today. I am starting to get into the swing of things.

I have baking today too. That almost always puts me into a good mood!

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(4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, (5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. (Luke 2:4-5)

Emmanuel

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

Joseph

(19) And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. (20) But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (21) She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:19-21)

5 of my favorite Christmas decorations

1. Mini Christmas Tree: I (the brother & the sister got one too!) got this for Christmas one year way back when I was in Jr. High so we could decorate our rooms for Christmas.

It is only a little worse for wear.


2. This is a jingle bell wreath currently being used as a candle ring. I made this one year -- I can't remember where I got the idea from. Most of the bell I bought at craft supply store with a few others thrown in. Most of the "others" are from Mom's collection of stuff!


3. This is only the second Christmas I have displayed this nativity -- because it is the 2nd Christmas I have had it. Grammy gave it to me when they moved from their house to the Good Sam condo. I really love it. (Grampy made the stable piece.)


4. This is from my Grandma. My mom has a set like this too. I love this nativity because it reminds me of my childhood . . .

All the pieces are set in white sand so they can be arranged and rearranged. It is really great for kids -- a hands-on Christmas story.


5. This set of four figurines is from Grandma too. All the angels hold a different item (gift, bells, etc.). A little slice of the 60s.

These are not all my favorite Christmas decorations by any means. I didn't get my tree decorations out this year because I didn't put a Christmas tree up this year -- time just got away from me.

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But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. (Micah 5:2)

Ready for the weekend . . . I think

It is crazy how busy this time of year is. I have a lot on my plate this year and it seems as if something is always buzzing in my brain.

Either I'm singing through the songs for the upcoming cantata, or I'm planning the direction of the children's program, or I'm running through my schedule for the next couple weeks. My brain seems to always be a couple steps ahead of the rest of me.

I'm not sure I will catch up to it either! :-)

On to other more impressive feats: I have complete my snow shoveling (at least until this weekend when it is supposed to RAIN and then snow some more).

Yes, yes, it only took me three and a half hours over three days to complete. And towards the end of my shoveling stint, when it seemed my body might revolt and fall exhausted to the snow covered driveway -- a kindly neighbor boy (with a shovel) helped to make the last LONG 5 minutes seem a little bit shorter.

I properly rewarded him with peanut butter cups.

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(1) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. (2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. (Luke 2:1-3)

Census of Quirinius : The Virgin and St. Joseph register for the census before Governor Quirinius. Byzantine mosaic c. 1315

Snow days

I miss snow days!

Real true snow days . . .

I was thinking today how when I was a kid I would hope for snow and the chance that school may be called off. Then I would fill my day with playing in said snow and doing nothing much but enjoying the day.

Now snow days mean:

shoveling sidewalks
shoveling driveways
icy walk or drive to work
colds
heating bills

Oh how I miss SNOW DAYS!

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Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)