this year and the next

Thankful for a very good year.

In the tradition of many great bloggers (like Ann and Casey and many others) I'm choosing a word and naming this new year; naming it in a way that directs and inspires and shapes decisions and choices. 

2013 will be the year of STILL (don't laugh, I realize I live with a toddler who is anything BUT still). Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." That's my prayer for this year. I'm so very prone to keeping too busy, rushing, trying to do "it all" (whatever that means); just filling my time with stuff and silence with noise. So, this year will be the year of STILL, of quieting, of knowing that God is God and taking comfort in that truth and everything that entails. I read somewhere that "knowing God's past provides us calm for our future". I need to dwell on that more. And for the dwelling, I think I need more silence and more still.

Perhaps a few less podcasts? Less doing four things at once? Less media? Less talking, more listening? Less abandoning the book on the shelf that holds they key to real and abundant life? I don't exactly know what this will all look like, but I look forward to finding out.

a guest post on a Sunday..and snow.

Mom came over for some Levi-time so my Mr. and I just walked through the newly fallen snow to our neighborhood coffee shop to sip some java, relax and *maybe* do a little lesson planning. I don't usually post on a Sunday but I felt compelled to share this powerful advent reflection written by a very dear friend. These words are worth considering...

I Heard the Bells 

Kristin Gelinas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, 

good-will to men!

'Tis the season for carols and bells, and tidings of comfort and joy. It's supposedly the most wonderful time of the year. But each time the Advent season rolls around I'm struck anew by the reality that no one hits the pause button on suffering and sickness and death and evil, just so that we can all have a holly, jolly Christmas. 

Just days ago, the seemingly unthinkable took place in Newtown, CT, shattering the lives of 27 families and the sense of security and justice in an entire nation.

Every weekday my friend's father has radiation and chemotherapy treatments invading his body in an attempt to destroy the cancer that is threatening to destroy his body. 

Last week I sent my pastor friend and his wife home to spend Christmas with their family in Nigeria, knowing that they face certain persecution and even possible death because of their faith in Christ. 

And each day I wrestle with the sickness and sin that are my ever-constant companions. 

That hymn, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, originated from a poem penned by New England poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day, 1863. He was a man familiar with suffering. His first wife, Mary, died in 1835 after a miscarriage. His second wife, Frances, died as a result of injuries sustained when her dress caught on fire in 1861. Two years later, in early December of 1863, Longfellow received news that his eldest son, Charley, had been severely injured (nearly paralyzed) by a gunshot wound fighting for the Union in the Civil War. It is on the heels of this news, and in the context of a lifetime of suffering, that Longfellow wrote this poem that juxtaposes the Christmas tidings of peace and the tumultuous ways of this world. The dissonance reaches its climax with these words:

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"         

And many days it would seem that way. It would appear that the world makes a mockery of our God. For if He has come to bring peace, why is there still such evil and violence pervading our world? If He can save and heal and redeem, why are we all so lost and broken and dying? 

Longfellow's lament has been echoed through the ages, from the cries of Job, to the psalms of David, to the questions of the disciples after the crucifixion, to the doubts in the hearts of a nation in the wake of a tragedy like Newtown. In despair we bow our heads. 

In the allegory series, Tales of the Kingdom, the faithful Rangers often send out a greeting: "How goes the world?"

And the same cry always comes back: "The world goes not well, but the Kingdom comes!"

Since first hearing that cry nearly 15 years ago, it has continued to reverberate in my soul. It is practically a paraphrase of Jesus’ words in John 16:33 where he promises us that we will have trouble in this world, but that he has overcome the world. In one very real sense, there is no peace on earth. The world goes not well. 

But in Longfellow’s words, here is the message of Christmas:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!" 

Can you hear it? The bells are ringing. They are announcing the birth of the King. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David 

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

The King has already come. And His Kingdom is already coming. Indeed, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The reign of the Prince of Peace has already begun and of its increase there will be no end. And he shall reign forever and ever. 

How goes the world? The world goes not well.

But glory to God in the highest – for unto us a Savior has been born. The world goes not well, but the kingdom comes!

 

amen and amen.

tonight

Outside my window... remnants of a very windy and very rainy winter storm (that I secretly not so secretly wish was snow..I can barely wait to take Levi sledding!)
I am thankful... for these slow and restful vacation days, for family get togethers, dates and lots of eager babysitters, for time to putter around the house, watch movies, read, knit and play.
I am thinking... about starting a painting or two in the morning  
In the kitchen...there is way too much candy. 
I am wearing...a new sweater from Kimmie, my Mom-made wedding quilt and a new haircut.
I am creating...a second go at this scarf, because I just LOVE it (with less itchy yarn!)
I am wondering...how to be a firm and loving disciplinarian..it's getting to be that time. Heaven, help me.
I am reading... ok, let's be honest, I'm reading "Cat in the Hat", "The Foot Book", "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" and "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site"...impressive, I know.
I am hoping (and praying)... that Dad's daily treatments are successful with few side effects, for full healing, that God would be glorified in this suffering
I am looking forward to...getting a tax refund (i think?) and taking a continuing ed course in February at a nearby art school; learning some new techniques, especially working with encaustics.  and spring. I'm definitely looking forward to spring. 
I am hearing...the sweet sound of strumming and the writing of a new song
Around the house...the christmas project tornado is mostly tidied, dishes and laundry are finally getting done, and of course some new fun toys and gadgets are sprinkled around the Kettle
I am pondering... which new warm and hearty crockpot recipe to cook tomorrow
A few plans for the rest of the week...
- a giant grocery run, the cupboards are bare
- experimenting with some new camera equipment, making a DIY soft box
- dinner and perhaps a settlers match with my BFF and Co.
- craft/art room organization
- thinking about new church art for our new space, make plans for an arts festival this spring
- starting a new (more grown-up) book
- January lesson plans

Goodnight friends, I'll be back on Monday with a week chock full of project posts! 

(prompts from The Simple Woman's Daybook) 

Christmas was

Christmas was well-spoken kids proclaiming the gospel, carols led by Mom and Brian, singing in a two-family choir led by Dad, Levi in his suspenders eating way too many cookies, matching sister ear warmers; it was a Mexican feast, a rousing game of "Cat and Mouse" (yes, Nana with a plunger!), Splickety Lick, a sappy Christmas movie, a giant family sleepover; it was the last of 12 daily letters from my beloved recounting our story, a perfect Christmas morning snow flurry, it was hot chocolate and stockings, an abundance of thoughtful gifts, a happy little boy soaking up love and lots of new things to read and learn and play with; it was a lasagna dinner, dancing to festive music and a Levi-sized disco ball, a philosophical arts debate, more "Cat and Mouse" and even more presents. This Christmas was love, family, music, joy, warmth, togetherness..a fitting celebration of the giver of all of these good gifts.

Mary's Song

...older than eternity, 

now He is new...

Now native to earth as I am,

nailed to my poor planet,

caught that I might be free,

blind in my womb to know

my darkness ended.

Brought to this birth

for me to be new-born,

And for him to see me mended,

I must see him torn.

(from "Mary's Song" by L. Shaw, tucked inside a Christmas card from some dear and far-away friends; art by B. Moser)

Whatever joys or troubles this season may hold,

know that this baby was born that you might be new-born, mended and free.

Wishing you a very merry and peaceful Christmas!

these evenings

merry christmas to us!

At a family Christmas party on Sunday, my great Aunt mentioned that her friend was looking to get rid of a piano...and did anyone want it? Like, for free? ..Um, YES! 

The 96 year old woman is moving on January 1st and needed it out asap, so we quickly juggled around some furniture and gathered strong and willing men of the family for the big move...and by Monday night, we had ourselves a piano. Not only did we acquire a beautiful piano in great shape and recently tuned, but also a lovely hand-stitched piano bench, a lamp with a handmade lampshade and a large pile of vintage piano books.

I do not think she could not have given this instrument to a more appreciative family. We've barely stopped play her.  It's the very first thing Levi wants to do when he wakes up; I've been slowly dusting off my chops and muddling through the Christmas carol book; Brian's been practicing Bach's Invention #1 after Levi goes down for bed(show-off.); even Dmitri enjoys sitting on his new perch.

My mom is a pianist and my siblings and I all played, so growing up my house was always filled with piano music. I'm so very happy that Sea Kettle will sound the same. And perhaps Grammy will give Levi some lessons in the not too distant future?