Happy New Year!

Steering in the New Year

I haven't blogged in over a month! Not that there hasn't been anything to write about, much has happened. Lots of good things, as Martha would say. Here's a list of a few things rattling in my brain.

1. I've been inspired to vamp up the girls' playroom and bedroom. I've got two projects (well, two for now). One was inspired by something I saw at a McDonald's on one of our long drives to Florida. The other is about butterflies. They look really simple, let's hope they are.


2. I'm going to complete my kid's baby books. I know one is already fast approaching manhood at 5 and still no completed scrapbook. I am working on my procrastination.


3. I'm reading a book about organization called, "Organizing For The Spirit". I thought it was a Christian inspired book about getting your stuff in order. No, it's a book about why you have so much stuff and the process of how and why you choose your stuff. The author claims, "There is no such thing as clutter." She wants to get down to the heart of why you can't clean up after yourself. She says it's a character issue, not a cleanliness one. She's already hit a nerve, but I'll continue.


4. I need to be motivated to pursue finishing school. I've had one email to the counselor at UAB. He's responded and wants to meet, I'm shuffling my feet.


5. And speaking of feet, mine still hurt like crazy but a wonderful new pair of shoes has radically changed my life. They were a gift from someone who gave them to me because she was so dramatically changed by them too. I am 3 inches taller and loving it. I am also very touched at her special blessing because it was a sacrifice for her, these shoes cost over $200.


6. Special blessings is Gloria going to the Philippines and taking the time to look up my adoption/orphanage home. Something I don't think I'll ever have an opportunity to do and yet I did because she blogged about the whole experience with pictures. There are not enough words to conceivably express my gratitude. She knocked the socks off both my parents(my husband and everyone else I have told), you had my mother weeping when I told her you made a donation in my name. There's a facebook page dedicated to my adoption home. The place has moved from its original beginnings but the pictures of the staff bring back alot of memories - all good. I'll have to share the story of how my adoption transformed from thoughts of abandonment and unlove to Christ-like love and sacrifice of my birth mother. Lots of healing and forgiveness.


7. I try to come up with a theme for the year, a focus to work towards all year. I usually ask God to direct me. In just 29 days of this year, I've already received such healing and restoration from God because I asked him to lead me down this path. It's always good when God is at the center of things. We tie ourselves down with too much baggage when we hold on.


8. Guido and I celebrated our 7th year together as husband and wife. We were both so sick that day, we just looked at each other and said "Happy Anniversary". We couldn't even kiss each other. So pathetic. We have a make-up anniversary dinner to plan.


9. I'm rummaging around the idea of an area women's retreat for the ladies of my denomination. I've gotten the approval from the Bishop's wife, I just need to iron out details. I have a cohort who just was beside herself when I mentioned it to her. I'm also meeting with another friend next week to get her input.


10. I'm on the 40th chapter of studying Isaiah and am elated that I've gotten this far. I've even admitted to women in my group that I've had to first read Isaiah with my child's Bible. Three of the ladies in my class are pregnant and all do within weeks of each other. I'm afraid to drink the water at the church for fear of baby #5. And yet I rest knowing that God's perfect number for our family is in His capable hands.

So that's only a smidgen of what's floating in head. I can't wait to show you my craftiness and other things. Here's to a new year full of good things!