blogging january

posted by Sonya

(playing "trains" (Ticket to Ride) with Gma & Gpa)

January was a fun mix of shivers & cozies. We managed to keep warm amidst a freezing midwest month. We enjoyed some times outside in the sun, but mostly learned to have fun inside, with what we have & who we're with. It was a good gift, actually. We didn't blog much, but I'm hoping to begin afresh in February, aiming for a bit more consistency.

Dave traveled away from his darlings for three nights. He soaked up a bunch of fun stuff at an educator's conference. But we missed him lots. The children made a "Cardboard DAD" to welcome him home. Isn't that how you welcome someone at your house? (yes, that is Caleb wearing a duct tape hat he made)

Stephen & Abi participated in some sortof dress up week last week. Superhero day was just too cute to miss snapping a photo. Those are some angry lookin' superheroes.
The little girls love playing with their little dolls. This day they made a little "dollscape" & Stephen helped document the moment by snapping photos of it.

back & forth

(by Sonya)
The past two weeks have been a blessing in more ways than one. We have really enjoyed the time at home, with our kids, just living day to day without much attention to schedules or outside expectations. We had to work together around the home (of course) to keep things moving along in an semi-orderly fashion, but there was lots of empty time & relaxing too. We are feeling so grateful for the time we spent with family, and even the opportunities to connect with family that we couldn't actually see.

Tomorrow we will all attempt to wake up at the right time.
Dave & I are NOT excited about that.
But we begin January fresh. I kindof wish we had a fresh snowfall to match, because it would be so perfectly symbolic. I am attempting to see this new year as an opportunity to let go of any residual baggage from the last. To begin again intentionally living life in each moment, savoring what is good & letting go of what is sometimes just beastly. Appreciating our great kids. Looking into my husband's eyes more. Speaking with love. Forgiving often.
I find beginnings refreshing.
One last thing.
I have been chewing on this interview with Sara Groves .
(not actually chomping of course)
One thing I feel God speaking to me about is the local/global issue. Speaking about meeting needs, Sara says, "Everybody should be involved with one local thing and one global thing. If the Church did that, it would be incredible." This year I am going to struggle through how to be the hands of Jesus in this little bitty place, & how to more purposefully meet needs in the great big world.
Join me if you want...

A Challenge

So I took a couple of days off from posting (I guess Sonya is writing right now as well).

At our New Years Eve service at church the speaker encouraged us to look for one thing - one passion and go after it in this new year. Too often people try to do too much and never really get good at - or enjoy - any of it.

He also told the story of Lot and Abraham - when they both had too many riches for the land to maintain them both so thy split up.. Abraham walked with God - it was brought up in the message that Lot would have been better off with Abraham than he was with all of his stuff - he would've been closer to God!

That night I read in the New Year. I was REALLY wanting to finish a book I got for Christmas, The Only Road North. It was quite the read - about a troubled college guy that gives his life to service - trying to find what really matters. He takes a motorcycle trip through Africa with some friends - in the end they are victims of a suicide attack (spoiler alert) and it kills his little brother...and the bitterness that comes with that. At the end of the book - he also talks about finding your passion - your purpose for God having you on earth. I loved the book by the way - it was fascinating reading about three Americans on dirt bikes and little plans... a bit brief in some points but still engaging.

So I am looking at passion. I know - I like to dabble in a lot of things. But I really want to:

1. Know God better
2. Be a great husband/father
3. Reach the students I teach in a meaningful way

I know - more than one thing - but still focused. How about you?

hello January

Well, Dave is done with blogging everyday for a month.
I knew it would come to an end. I keep hinting that SOOO many people enjoyed his writing & he should just keep it up. But um. I don't think it's working.
We have been working on Thank you cards. Well, some of us have. One of the not-so-nice characteristics I have (that I'm always working on) is beginning really great projects & not really ever seeing them to completion. Thank you's are a perfect example. See, we have to make them. Then collect all of the thank-you's for a specific person (sometimes up to six separate cards for one person) & put them in one envelope. Find the person's address (hard one). Find a stamp (sometimes hard, sometimes easy). Get them in the mailbox or (ugh) have it weighed & mailed at the post office. Wow. Dude. That was a LOT of steps.
To the dismay of all (I'm sure), though, I remain committed to the idea of thank you notes. We need to remember the thoughtfulness shown us by others at Christmas. We need to stop playing with stuff to remember how gifts represent the love others have for us. So there.
Here are a couple of links I'll be using with the kids in the next few days (if needed) to get the thank-you's finished up. Click around if you need a little inspiration yourself.

coloring pages to turn into cards

list of free printable thank you card links (I especially love the envelope mailer--so practical!)