Gathering My Thoughts

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I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

How wonderful is it that on the Christmas when several children received bicycles we had amazingly warm weather? Pretty wonderful.

::listening to 

this has been my soundtrack this week. Collin Raye has a beautiful voice. He teams up with Marie Bellet on this album. Marie Bellet has been providing soundtracks to my life for decades. Absolutely perfect album. I love it! Highly, highly recommended.

::clothing myself in 

Headbands. I can’t decide whether to grow out my hair or not. In the meantime, it’s headbands.

::talking with my children about these books

The final installment for Mr. Benedict and friends. It’s been a lovely time together. Now taking recommendations for books to read aloud and discuss with early teen boys.

::thinking and thinking

About the year just passed and the year ahead. Goal setting, daydreaming, asking God what word He’d have me choose. Thanking Him for the year of Renew.

::pondering prayerfully

“My own idea, for what it is worth, is that all sadness which is not either arising from the repentance of a concrete sin and hastening towards concrete amendment or restitution, or else arising from pity and hastening to active assistance, is simply bad; and I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to 'rejoice' as much as by anything else.

Humility, after the first shock, is a cheerful virtue.”

C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

::carefully cultivating rhythm

I have dearly loved the rhythm of the last few days. Before going to sleep last night, I ventured to open the email regarding soccer practice for Nicholas. Four times a week. In January. And February. Out of doors. Drafting a plan for new rhythm as we speak.

::creating by hand

I’m nearly finished with my third Boyfriend Scarf—the one that’s truly for my boyfriend. Karoline has requested one just like it in a “color for her.” I still have a Honey Cowl to finish for me. I wonder? If I order Karoline’s yarn after I finish Mike’s scarf, can I push myself to finish the Honey Cowl before the new yarn arrives? We shall see.

::learning lessons in

The importance of rest.

::encouraging learning 

I’m looking forward to settling into studies in earnest again soon.

::begging prayers

for all the intentions of our prayer community.

::keeping house

We cleaned well yesterday. The house smells like lemon and eucalyptus oils. The laundry is nearly caught up. We’re ready to welcome a new year.

::crafting in the kitchen 

Mary Beth, Katie, and I completely re-did the spice rack. I had several boxes of 4 ounce jars that I’d purchased for a different project and found to be too small. The rack on my pantry door has different sized shelves. The jars fit in all of them, some better than others. We printed labels and tidied up. This system will work much better for spices purchased in bulk. And it looks might pretty –at least it does today.

There will be Hoppin’ John tomorrow. Always is.

::loving the moments

when he comes home. (I say that a lot, don't I? Reunions are just plain awesome.)

::giving thanks 

for the chance to see that joy does indeed come in the morning—after a good night’s sleep (or two or three).

living the liturgy

These Days of Christmas are such a gift in so many ways. Tomorrow, we celebrate the new year, but we do it with a day set aside to honor Mary in role as the Mother of God. Such a good place to begin. We have so much to learn from her.

::planning for the week ahead

I will go to finish up at the dentist today.

Tonight we’ll celebrate the new year with our family tradition of dipping and dancing. Fondue is the perfect New Year’s Eve tradition for us and every year looks a little different, but I’m so glad we do it this way.

Dance begins again right after New Year’s Day. For real?

And then there’s that soccer schedule. I’m shuddering a little as I let the reality settle in.

Several orthodontist visits are on the books this week (only metaphorically speaking, because I’ve yet to order my calendar.

I have every intention of soaking up the last few days of rest that remain in the Twelve Days of Christmas.

{{{Psst: It looks like my friend Joy has successfully keyed in social media link buttons at the bottom of my posts. Try 'em out for us? :-) Thanks!}}}