The last few years I've preferred to jump on the bandwagon and go with a word that defines the year ahead. This is less overwhelming to me and forces me to contemplate life at a level that makes me pause and take notice. While recently researching and writing a hymnology study on "Of the Father's Love Begotten" (CW 35), I became quite taken with the repeating line at the end of each verse "evermore and evermore". If I live this year with this in mind - that this evermore that defies human logic and comprehension but is and always will be, with no beginning and no end and continues on into eternity - and that I am part of this evermore through faith in Christ who is Alpha and Omega, along with a creation seen and unseen that is made to praise and adore him every second of every day? That's some kind of eternal perspective in light of eternity that I could use in 2013! While I don't want to miss out on the gift of here and now or fail to treasure the day to day grace he gives me, what difference might this awareness make in knowing that this year is finite in a very infinite reality!? So that's it - my word for 2013 - evermore.
January fits so well into what I need by the time I get to this point in winter and life. The cold days are good excuses to find indoor, brain activities to do. Ours didn't start so well with the flu passing from one to another with Wayne managing to avoid it altogether. When my kids start falling asleep in strange places in the middle of the day, I know something is off! But even those days are good in that they force us and give a good reason to hunker down and rest our bodies and souls.
I've been reading a fair amount lately and it feels good to rock in my wicker rocking chair with a hot cup of tea at my side and soak up some wisdom. Reading Lyle Lang's "God so loved the World - a study of Christian Doctrine", recommended by a sweet friend from church, is not light reading! But good. So good! It's funny when the reading of something fits so well into other things that come up elsewhere and give you insight that you wouldn't have had otherwise. I've also been reading "Margin". Oh, yeah, I could use more of that. Like the margin around the page of a book or newspaper, that's what our lives need to keep sane, happy and healthy. Why do we live overloaded lives and wear it like a badge on our shoulder as something to be proud of? I want to have time for relationships. I want to nurture friendships. I desire to extend hospitality. Loving this read! After all, if I'm living evermore than a lack of time is not the problem.
I drive around a fair amount too whether it's as mom taxi to get the kids to whatever field trip or extracurricular event I have them in or running needful errands. I find these little trips can really add up and are the perfect opportunity to listen to more interesting and worthwhile things. I'm now an issues,etc. talk radio junkie. If you're WELS be warned this is LCMS but it has some pretty decent stuff. In my defence, I also downloaded the WELS app and will patiently wait for them to "cool it up". I also love, love, love booksshouldbefree.com and download books from this website.
We continued our home studies in the new year with a study of Africa. We're currently working on memorizing all the countries on this continent to song. It's a rather embarrassing display if you had the opportunity to witness it. Which you won't. There's interpretive dancing and booty shaking and well, I've said too much. We're also memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. I'm wouldn't go so far as to say that memorizing is a new years resolution but something we could definitely do more of. Works the brain, you know?
And there are plenty of times I shut my brain off and watch TV. I'm thrilled that January has brought new episodes of Republic of Doyle and Murdoch Mysteries. And my newest favourite reality show that makes me howl with laughter every. single. time? Duck Dynasty. happy, happy, happy!
These hibernation days also bring lots of cooking - stews, casseroles and soups - lots of soup! And of course baking. I tried the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls that make me weak in the knees and it makes such a big batch that now I have 4 pans of rolls waiting in my freezer. I did half traditional cinnamon and the other half orange rolls. Yum - oh. I've also done some granola and some jam filled oat squares. Maybe I should also start working out in the new year? Nahhhhhhhhh.
The children are hibernating a bit too - but more active than their mother, thankfully! Will's been working on his Lego NXT -
He was also responsible for dinner one night - he picked out Fish Pie to make (an English favourite) - and it was quite nice having an evening off (more or less).
Zanna has been playing with her Barbies and Playmobile she got for Christmas.
Loving the great ideas for a life on purpose found here!
