We had a quiet new year's celebration. Our Christmas holiday was busy and we needed some quiet family fun time to bring in the new year. We barely made it up til midnight, but brought in the new year together and were blessed. This was my first year of NOT making any new year's resolutions. I'm still trying to decide if that was because I think I'm being wise by not dreaming up things that need to be changed just because it's the thing to do at the start of a new year or if it is because I am lazy and am not wanting to work on things I know I need to change...only to fail miserably. Sounds kind of depressing, but I needed to challenge myself with the question. God's still working in me to find the answer. (Well, I think I know the answer - but I'll wait to share til I know for sure:) I am, however, always thankful for a new beginning - whether it is a new year, month, week or day. Goodness, sometimes I am just thankful for a new minute! 2008 was a full year. God has been so good, true and faithful in our lives.
Our first two weeks of January continued the series of long, dark and frigidly cold days. Sub zero temps and a great decrease in the hours of daylight minimized the time we were able to spend outside. It wasn't long before it all caught up with us and we found ourselves dragging mentally, emotionally and physically. 6pm felt like 11pm - yawn!, and planning a meal or making a grocery list seemed like an impossible task because of our frozen and cloudy brains. The post Christmas blues were more intense than ever and all 5 of us could have slept anywhere, anytime. yawn!!!!!! My kids actually liked the idea of taking naps...and we took a few more than usual. Soon, God sent us Spring.... yes! Spring in January! It came blowing in with winds up to 100+ miles per hour (which feels really scary) and with A LOT of rain, but it melted much of our snow and gave us a few days with temps above 40 degrees....glorious! We even went for a bike ride on a sunny Saturday afternoon....in January...in Alaska.....hmmmmmp ....(and NO, I don't have a picture of it because that would have required me to go IN to the house to get the camera:) The 'defrosting' of my mind gave me so much fresh perspective in all of the areas of my life that I felt were lacking. I feel it was God's way of reminding me, once again, that HE is the ONE who can supply all of my needs at any time. Thanks, Lord!
Oh, and just so you know, winter has returned to Alaska.....it is, after all, only January! :)
Our kiddos continue to be such a blessing to us. The little things they say and do refresh me and challenge me and brighten my moments.
Eric is still crazy into cars. I guess that is nothing too new. The joy he expresses when someone will sit on the floor with him to play cars is indescribable. He becomes giddy and it is very cute. He now beckons us from his crib calling "hello Mommy! hello Daddy!". He has learned the question "why?" and "you 'kay, mommy?" (when I sneeze or stumble or do something clumsy) and he tells us his name is "Elmo", not Eric. Actually, he says his name is "Elmo Ca-a-a-a-r". I have no idea where this came from, but it cracks us up coming from a kid who wouldn't talk prior to his 2nd birthday only 3 months ago. And the very cutest is how he stalls when it is time to change his diaper (even though the stalling is kinda' annoying) because he wants to ride his "homey", which is what he calls his large, stuffed, riding 'pony'. These are only a few of the darling things he is saying and doing right now. Gotta love that sweet little, growing guy!
What a classy dude!
Ana is growing more lovely each and every day. She continues to be outgoing and is a friend to many. She is sensitive and growing more aware of the needs of those around her (most of the time). She is quick to offer help and assistance in any way she can and loves to bless others. With her growing up so quickly she has encountered new obstacles that require her and us to establish boundaries for the things that she experiences on a day to day basis. We're so grateful that for right now she tries to yield to our guidance and honors our best hopes and wishes for her life. I know this can and most likely will change at some point. But for right now, we're thanking God for the openness we share with her. I'm so grateful for Torrey's wisdom in leading her. He has a way of getting through to her in a special way. And though I know that she and I have a precious relationship of our own, it's a comfort to trust Torrey to get through to her in ways that contribute to our desires and efforts to raise her up in a way that blessedly challenges her to joyfully follow her Creator.
Being silly for the picture she takes of herself:)
Gracie reminds us often that we are almost "true" Alaskans. She has her eyes open often for business signs with digital thermometers that will tell us the day's temperature. At the start of our 'warm up' weather last week, she spotted a thermometer that said it was 23 degrees and she rejoiced, saying "Mommy! We have to thank God for giving us a really warm day today." Precious. (but truthfully, 23 degrees really does feel much warmer than 30 below) She is at the fun age when profound thoughts and questions are coming to her mind regularly. Questions like "does bacon come from an animal?" (to which we answer "yes") and "so, you're making me eat a pig?" Other times she is more spiritual and asks "why do some people raise their hands when they sing and worship in church?" and in response to our attempt to answer she says "well then, why doesn't everyone raise their hands?" hmmmmmm.... she's growing deeper. She's also growing taller - most of the clothes she was wearing perfectly this past Fall are now what she calls "capri pants and belly shirts".
Her art work display:)
As for the big people in our family - we are the same, but forever wanting to be changed in to what God wants us to be....which as we all know, is a painful and humbling process. God's grace is so evident in our lives and we are unworthy. We so desire to know Him better and to better make HIM known to those around us.
Torrey is busy and actively seeking out opportunities to grow in the ministry God has given him here. His days are full with new learning experiences where ministry is concerned and he is surrounded by wonderful, God fearing people. His job and our church family is such a gift to us. He comes home often tired, but challenged and driven to love and lead us better. In his spare time he has taken up snowshoeing, which has been a fun blessing for him, I think. He has enjoyed being outdoors, in places where he can clear his mind and refresh his spirit while being surrounded by the gifts of his Maker.
Daddy time!
And for me, I feel like God is answering my prayers for the wisdom and perspective that I feel I've been lacking for awhile now in the areas of better managing my days and balancing my roles as wife, mom, etc.. I continue to seek the same wisdom in learning how to be a better daughter, sister, aunt, niece, granddaughter/great-granddaughter and friend to those who are not right here with me. It's a struggle being far away from the many that I love so dearly and I want to be better for them, despite our distance. I'm flooded with His blessings and I want to treasure them wisely. It's a moment by moment challenge, but He is faithful.
I'm praying you are feeling blessed by His faithfulness today.
Sweet blessings!
Clare
this is a photo taken about a week ago from our front porch as the sun was setting...sometimes there are no words.
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