Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Maryland Daybook on New Year's Eve.

Outside My Window
The Maloys' backyard. I'm in the living room where I spent countless hours as a high schooler.

I am Listening to
The toaster oven ticking. It's quiet! I'm the only one home :-(.

I am Wearing
Jeans, cream sweater. About to go to the Wolfs' for New Year's.

I am So Grateful for
People who have loved me long and love me so hard and so well.

I'm Pondering
How I can feel so completely glad I live in Oregon and also so completely long to be with the people here more often.

I am Reading
Living into Community by Christine Pohl, who wrote Making Room. It focuses on four practices: truth-telling, promise-keeping, gratitude and hospitality. Clearly written, inspiring and convicting.

I am Thinking
Happily about how cozy tonight is going to be: stopping by a couple small gatherings and then most likely tucking myself in well before midnight. I'll see you in the morning, 2014.

I am Creating
Plans in my mind to make Hannah a unicorn-applique dress. Don't tell her. I'm super excited.

I am Missing
Newberg people + pace!! And people here preemptively.

Towards Being Faithful In This Time
Asking Him to help me use this break well, to see the people that I'm supposed to, and to love my family well. And trying to trust that it will happen. Breaks and trips home are gifts; and they are also difficult for me to know how to do. Almost always.

I am Hoping and Praying
Thanks for this time. That this semester goes better than last.

One of my Favorite ThingsMemories.








Sunday, December 22, 2013

.oh come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.


Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice- it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances- but it is the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will
come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox,
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

-Mary Oliver








local hot buttered rum recipe: my new favorite drink.


brown paper packages; love written and sent.


seven-years-running inside jokes.



new and life-giving friendship with sweet neighbors across the street.









Know that in all these things,
really I am speaking to You.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

.how silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is given.




"Waiting is essential to the spiritual life.
But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting.
It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we wait for.
We are always waiting, but it is a waiting in the conviction that we have already seen God's footsteps.
Waiting for God is an active, alert- yes, joyful!- waiting."

-Henri Nouwen

We were playing hide-and-seek. Not sure she super gets it.






Last year my mom sent me some of our family's Christmas decorations. I love that.


I miss Chicago's snow, but Oregon's mist frozen is a different kind of winter beauty.


Christmas carol serenade to cookie-baking.


(Glitter + leftover Halloween candy + end of cereal boxes)

"God cared enough to come and be one of us.
We matter to God. We matter that much.
He cared enough to be born.
That's the whole point of it all…
that He cared enough to be born."

-Madeleine L'Engle



Cross-continental shared joy.


Out to dinner by the river to watch the Christmas-lit ships go by.

"So the Christmas message for all people runs:
You are accepted, God has not despised you,
but He bears in His body all your flesh and blood.
Look at the cradle!
In the body of the little child, in the incarnate Son of God,
your flesh, all your distress, anxiety, temptation,
indeed all your sin,
is borne, forgiven, and healed."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Favorite movie by Christmas lights.






Monday, December 16, 2013

"What are you grateful for?"


My church had a photo booth at our Thanksgiving service a few weeks ago. These pics by Fawn and Feather just came out and are making me pretty happy.




















Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.