I’m moving!!!

Now settle down, girlfriends… it’s actually my blog that’s moving, not me. Wish it was the other way around sometimes, but hey, it’s a lot cheaper and simpler to just pack up old blog stuff than it is to pack up a house! So, for now… you are invited to follow me to my new home…  let me warn you, it’s nothing special, but it feels right to me.
As with all moves, this was not a decision made lightly. I have hemmed and hawed about it for weeks. Should I open my blog to the *gasp* public again? Well, I decided to do it this way. It’s public, but this blog is still here and stays private. Let’s just say it’s been boarded up, but not demolished. No one will be living here, possibly ever again!
I did say I was going to do the A to Z  blog challenge for the month of April. Don’t know if that’s a wise decision or not, but I think I will give it a go. Making no promises, though. I would much rather just blog whenever, but I thought this might be fun for a change.
I have now officially completed my second set of portfolios, and Spring cleaning and Easter  festivities are on the brain. Spring Cleaning – new and fresh! Easter – new life! …. so a new blog sort of fits in, somehow.
Thanks for following my random blog here…. hope to see you once in a while across the way!

Be a Tree

“A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying Him….  The more a tree is like itself, the more it is like Him….”   Thomas Merton

New Year’s Resolutions and Lent

Sometimes they feel an awful lot alike, don’t they?

Except one sounds much more spiritual than the other.

If Lent is all about self improvement and self discipline, it’s really about having another go at bettering myself. Not much different than New Year’s Resolutions, really.

Or maybe it’s about suffering. Do I understand Jesus’ suffering more when I do Lent? How can I compare fasting from net surfing to the suffering He experienced? I can’t.

I was mentioning to a few church ladies the other day that I was having a hard time cutting out sugar (for health reasons). This wasn’t even about Lent, because I wasn’t going sugar-free for Lent this year. One of them  piped up excitedly, “It’s been so easy for me to cut out sugar! No problem! I just say no to it!”. I was happy for her. I guess that’s not really suffering, then, though. 

So, it seems that if the thing we choose to fast from is easy peasy, then Lent is not even about suffering at all.

What I am learning from Lent is what I’ve said before. It brings me face to face with my weaknesses.   Oh me of little discipline. God help me if I can’t even abstain from whatever-it-is-I-have-to-get-a-grip-on for 40 days. Or add on that practice-that’s-good-for-me consistently. It’s frustrating!

I read recently that Lent can be thought of as “Spring Cleaning for the soul”. Maybe that’s true.  But maybe it’s God who holds the cleaning cloth. 

Not Your Ordinary Christian Movie

Blue Like Jazz (the movie) is coming out soon. And I have to admit I’m a little nervous about watching it. Maybe, because I think it might be offensive in some way. Or specifically, it might offend people I know. Maybe even me.  And here I am saying I’m looking forward to seeing it.  I read the book, after all, and thought it was interesting and provocative..and different. I like books that make me think. I don’t think the Christian experience can always be tied up neatly into a tidy bundle. And the journey takes detours sometimes. There are always lots of questions and not always immediate answers.

I have been a helper at Alpha the past month or so. I find that I still have questions…after how many years of following Jesus? Sometimes it’s more important to be a good listener than the one with all the answers. It feels safer having all the answers, though.

Came across this article, which I also found interesting. http://donmilleris.com/2012/03/21/the-christian-movie-establishment-vs-blue-like-jazz/

M & K’s Excellent Adventure

It was in the works for quite a while. And now it’s happening. A dream is coming true for them.

It’s been over a month now since our  son Mike and our daughter in law Katie left for South America to backpack, camp, and hostel for three or four months. So far they have visited Peru, and I believe they are now in Chile. Lots of adventures so far, beginning with them both being sick as dogs on Valentine’s Day!!

Mike’s Facebook status on that day read: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re hugging the toilet.’ Apparently, they both ate something they shouldn’t have. They lived on crackers and water for the next few days!

They have been to Machu Picchu, have had wild dogs chase them down a mountain, have had children run after them with cans of shaving cream as part of some cultural festivities, have had an angry villager mistake Mike for someone not so nice, have had a little boy follow them  for hours with no worries about where his parents were… and who knows what else will happen!

Thankfully, Mike and Katie are good about keeping in touch with both sets of parents. Whenever they get internet access, they usually update us on their experiences, whereabouts,  and plans. So thankful for that!!

I know we’ll be hearing so many stories when they get back (probably slightly embellished, since that seems to be son’s forte!) As well, I can’t wait to see some amazing photos.

And one of the main questions on our minds: How big will Mike’s beard get this time?

We all miss them a LOT! The family just feels incomplete when they aren’t around. Because it IS. *sigh*

 Trusting and praying  for excellent adventures and safe travels!