The Hope of Spring...

"What is faith? It is the confidence that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see."                  Hebrews 11:1

Spring strengthens faith and brings a sense of hope.  Winter was long.  As we begin spring, there is a sense of hope in the air, even when the air is still cold.  I see it all around in the people out jogging, kids bike riding, grass greening up, and the birds singing outside my window.  We cannot see yet what is ahead for our spring and summer, yet we have faith that it is going to happen.  Each day a few more little green friends poke up out of the cold ground... hope for beautiful tulips and daffodils. The trees are beginning to bud and soon a beautiful painting of fresh spring green will blossom.  We hope for it all winter... we count on it... we wait patiently.  

Spring... a time for new life.... fresh beginnings.... change.  If you don't believe in miracles, just watch spring unfold.  All winter we have been hibernating inside and suddenly life begins anew.  The days are longer, the nights are warmer, and the sun is brighter.  As I look at my yard that was just covered with snow, I now see an empty pallet, ready to birth a beautiful painting.  Who could imagine that my grass covered in snow mold and my dead plants will soon bloom into a beautiful garden sanctuary.  My faith is strengthened - my conviction that He can and hope that He will bring new life.  

My heart has been burdened with much this past winter... all around me is the grief of loss, financial insecurity, illness, relationships in distress... the list goes on. Each day I pray Psalm 25:21 - "My hope is in You, so may goodness and honesty guard me."  With struggles, sickness, and pain around us, we need to keep our eye on the hope of spring... change, rebirth, new growth, fresh starts...  Oh the beauty that is just around the corner!  So all who are tired and weary, be glad that we can know with confidence that winter is over and spring is here!  I have faith that regardless of things that bring us down, God will do what is right and will bring new life to us.  All I have to do is look out into my garden...

The Library...

This morning I opened up the paper to find the obituary of the beloved Mrs. Besecker, our librarian at Indian Trail Elementary School when I was in grade school.  I loved Mrs. B, as did many other children.  Several of us have been reminiscing back and forth on facebook today about her and the imprint she left on our lives.  I have spent some time today remembering her and how she was the one that really introduced me to books and taught me to love them!  I worked in her library and learned so much from her.  Besides being a classroom teacher, all I really wanted to do was be a librarian like Mrs. Besecker.  The subject of my post today is libraries and I dedicate it to her memory and impact on my life!

An old elementary friend wrote a comment on my facebook page today about being "the one in the library that could never be quiet!"  I laughed out loud and then began to ponder the universal rule in libraries - Shhhhhhhh.... Be Quiet!  Why do we have that rule?  I have been in libraries as an adult to study and do appreciate the quiet. I have also spent 23 years in libraries with children and go nuts when it has to be quiet.  Does it make sense to put a good book in the hands of a child and then tell them to be quiet and don't talk about it!  If I have a good book in my hand, I want to share it with everyone!  There are many things in this world that don't make sense and this is one of them.  Maybe after I write my book I will open a library where people can come in and make a joyful noise about the exciting things they are reading!  

The library in my elementary school was a very special place and run by a very special lady.  We had orange whistlestop chairs and what a treat that was to get on to sit in them!  My first chapter book was from the paperback rack - Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.  Thank you, Mrs. Besecker, for introducing me to the love of books and to the world of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle!  I hope the library in heaven is a wonderful as yours was at Indian Trail Elementary School!  

Winter into Spring...

Back in the fall we thought about life slowing down and getting ready for winter - the time to hibernate and rest.  Well, I am here to tell you that it is time to WAKE UP and begin life anew!  We've rested, reflected, slept, pondered, wondered, remembered, eaten, drank, cried and been sedentary.  Facebook has been my "I'm stuck in the house" excuse and my addictive personality has reared it's ugly head.  The time has come to put down the computer and TV remote, fold up the lap blankets, open up the windows and let life in!  

As the snow continues to recede and the grass begins to reappear, I am noticing little signs of life appearing on the trees and the birds are singing outside my windows!  When the sun decides to make an appearance, my heart is hopeful of things to come!  

Spring is the season when life reawakens and begins over.  For me, it's a fresh time to start again and begin to cultivate new fruit in my life.  I love that moment when you look up and suddenly realize that the gray, ugliness of winter is beginning to fade and signs of life are all around you.  The shroud of winter lifts and new life emerges.  I am trying not to rush my thoughts ahead to summer - my favorite time of year.  Bringing winter to a close is an important time.  I need to reflect on what parts of my life I have let go of, the rest I was able to get, the memories that were made, and my list of hopes for the days ahead.  I really want to live each day of spring with fresh eyes and truly see God's grace, wisdom, and creation around me.  To "think ahead" and wish it were another time is something I struggle with.  Living in the day, the hour, and moment is crucial to living out the life we are ordained to have on this earth.  Summer will be here soon enough and then we will be lamenting the fact that fall and winter will be upon us once again.  We will then wonder where time as gone.  

I am excited for "new life" ahead - in my body/mind/spirit, relationships, my job, my garden and in the lives around me!  While every season is a magnificent show of God's creation and beauty, spring is the one that amazes me the most.  I look at my yard today and know that in a matter of weeks/months, the now dead plants that look as if they will never recover, will be growing and flourishing!  Soon I will be cultivating soil, watering pots and hanging baskets, and will once again be able to sit on my porch without freezing to death!  Today, I am purposing myself to let go of the gray feelings of winter (even though they are still hanging around) and to begin dreaming and hoping for all that spring has planned for me!  What are you hopeful for?  What does spring awaken in your life?  

10 on 10...

My new table lamp... love it!  

My 10 on 10 is quiet and simple this month.  After three weeks of snow storm after snow storm, shoveling, school closures, and the great melt down, I am breathing a sigh of relief and grateful for a new year.  Today has been a lazy day with no commitments or pressures... and I have taken advantage of that!  So, here is a glimpse into the simplicity of my day...

Just thinking about my mom today...

One of my most treasured pieces of art... done by my good friend Phyllis, in CA...

My reading corner... with my new snuggly blanket...

A beautiful winter sky...

And now the best for last... my sweet Abigail who is curled up on a blanket next to me as I type this.... ahh, the life of Riley!  

Gratitude Friday...

So, here I sit... January 2, 2009...cold (and too cheap to turn up the heat), tired (old age has me up at "0-dark early" every day no matter what time I went to bed the night before) and a little grumpy (seven days straight with 3 kids whom I love very much, but are driving my crazy). Silly me thought that once the ball dropped at midnight, everything that had been clouding my mind and heart would magically disappear and 2009 would be here with a bang!  Well, the only bang I had was my arm hitting the pavement as I slipped on the ice, and the snow has NOT magically disappeared.  Hey, who took my rose colored glasses?  I can see clearly now and it is apparent that I am going to have to pull up my big girl panties and make this thing called 2009 a year worth living!  I just read my friend Kerri's blog - Latte Buddies - and once again she made a gratitude list.  She is so good at capsulizing those little things that make life a true blessing each day.  Thanks, Kerri!  So, here I am ready to blog about what I am grateful for and I have to be honest, I am coming up a little thin in the thought department.  I am grateful for...

The beautiful bouquet delivered to me amidst a snowstorm - given to me by very special friends to bring some "sunshine" to my first Christmas without my mom.  This bouquet was created and delivered by another special friend. 

The excitement of kids ringing in the new year (I was counting the minutes till I could go to sleep!)... and the chance to "reset"  -  start a new day and new year.

 

The UPS man who had to forge through an 8 ft wide/ 4 ft deep snow berm to deliver a package!  Go Brown!  

My special friends that come to nosh on my berry tree!  They entertain us each day out the kitchen window!  It is a game to see if we can get out onto the porch to get a picture before we scare them away!  

The absolute beauty of the snow... add a little sunshine and you have the recipe for a Norman Rockwell plate!  

So, as we begin 2009, what are you contemplating?  What are your hopes?  I know that I am going to work on letting go of the things that cloud my ability to live simply, contently and with passion.  It is inevitable that "life" will happen and things may get tough.  How we choose to deal with life and the tough times is a choice me make each and every day.  I pray that you and yours have peace and health in the coming year.  

Let it snow... (did I say that out loud?)

Oh the weather outside is frightful (that's putting it mildly)

but the fire is so delightful  (we don't have a fireplace)

and since we've no place to go (that's because we are snowed in)

Stop the snow, stop the snow, stop the snow!  

It doesn't show signs of pausing (expect when it decides to rain!)

And I've bought some corn for popping (but we've run out!)

The lights turned way down low (actually there was a power outage)

Stop the snow, stop the snow, stop the snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight (are we sick of each other yet?)

I'll hate going out in the storm (it's your turn to shovel)

But if you hold me tight... 

all the way home I'll be warm (and it will sure save on the heating bill)

The fire is slowly dying (there's that fireplace we don't have - again!)

And my dear we're still goodbying (are the roads clear yet?) 

But as long as you love me so (you still love me after this storm, right?)

Stop the snow, stop the snow, stop the snow!!!

Amen!

So, this is Christmas...

For unto us a child is born...

Unto us... a son is given...

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining...

This is the night of our dear Savior's birth...

Fall on your knees...

To our need He is no stranger

Oh, night divine...

Oh, night when Christ was born...

Merry Christmas!

Gratitude Friday...

I am sitting here on Snow Day #2!  Vacation has officially begun early!  After the 30 hours of snow stopped falling, we were able to get out and begin the clean up.  We spent several hours outside shoveling up our block so that we could have a path to safely walk.  We measured over 2 feel of snow at our house!  Amazing!  It snowed last night and is lightly snowing right now.  There is more shoveling to be done, but man oh man, my back hurts!  Another big storm is expected this weekend.  

As I sit here and look outside at the winter wonderland, I am reminded of all that I have to be grateful for on this gratitude Friday before Christmas...

The freedom we have to worship and celebrate that which we love and believe.  The nativity ornament, for me, sums up why we are here on this earth - to love those around us as Christ loves us.

The many sacred symbols of the season.  I love the peace and serenity of the Christmas tree and the beautiful things we hang to remind us of what is good and right.  

Brian... the love of my life!  Together, we make the ordinary things in life extraordinary!  This latest storm has afforded us the gift to be home together - shoveling, laughing, praying, cooking and stopping long enough to really appreciate the simple things in life!  

Simple thoughts... simple post... simple gratitude...

Happy Gratitude Friday!

Snow!

To shovel snow...

or mow... 

that is the question!  

Well, I chose the snow!  I am sure wishing I were sitting on my porch sipping a Mike's and reading a good book while I gaze at my beautiful yard... I can only dream!  

This past weekend it snowed a very wet snow and then the deep freeze set it.  I did not get my walks shoveled and that wet snow became ice.  Today I was doing a little "dance of the sugar plum fairy" as I shoveled both the front and the back.  My driveway has a slight incline - oh the fun I had!  

But, with all that said, it is beautiful out and we are guaranteed a white Christmas. That is a beautiful gift!  So, here's to winter before it has even officially arrived!   

10 on the 13th... better late than never...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house... not a creature was striring, not even a mouse... that's because the cat was getting into the Christmas chocolate!  

The stockings were hung by the... well, nativity and TV with care...

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon... would guard the front porch in the bitter cold winds... (sorry Santa)

The children were nestled all snug in their beds... while they giggled and giggled  because they ate too many m&m's...

With Ma in her kerchief and I in my... well, long underwear, suspended on a tree...

... had just settled down for a double tall skinny no whip...

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter (that would be the neighbors dogs left out in the cold)...

I sprang from my bed to... well, yell out the window...

 and what to my wondering eyes should appear...

The nativity quietly whispering that Jesus is near...

The wreath on the wall caught my eye as I passed... reminding me to not forget what is most important at last...

The tree sat so stately, glowing in the dark, solidifying in my mind that on this journey I must embark...

(I don't know how to make the underlining go away!)

As this Christmas season is now upon us, let's remember the things that are good and right in our lives.  Take time to get to the heart of the season and ponder what is really important for you to embrace and remember.  Step away from the hustle and bustle and tell those around you that you love them.  Stop long enough to sit in front of your lit tree with your loved ones and share your heart.  Drink eggnog, eat Christmas cookies, chase the cat out from under the tree for the 100th time, open your heart and home to friends, sing Christmas carols, shovel snow (if you are so lucky), hang lights, buy a fruit cake just because you can, kiss someone special underneath mistle-toe and remember why we even get to go through this madness in the first place...

Oh, holy night,

the stars are shining brightly

It is the night of our dear savior's birth...

May you all be blessed abundantly this holiday season and in the new year to come.