I feel as though I am constantly seeking balance in my life. Just because I can (fill in the blank) doesn’t mean I should. From most perspectives we are ahead of the curve this Christmas – with making the gifts, decorating, preparing and mailing packages to out of town recipients, etc. Yet I feel as pressed for time and as rushed as always. Being finished earlier than usual is only opening slots of time in my schedule that I continue to fill with more of the same, making gifts, decorating, etc. What is it about me that causes me to try to do more than to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of good planning and labor?

God gives me what I need when I need it. The following came to me yesterday in an e-mail.

A Christmas Adaptation of
1 Corinthians 13
by Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Content taken directly from Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes, published by Moody Publishing, copyright 2005.

The Lord gives me permission not to obsess about the details. I am hoping I can follow that advice.

…..to a blog near you. Confessions of a Farmvillaholic!

I have always admired my nieces’ (speaking here of 2) abilities to set and adhere to boundaries. I believe it is one of the things that enables them to do what they do in their careers. Help people without becoming so attached as to be destroyed in the process; being involved without becoming enveloped; swept away to the point of being of no use to the very people they set out to help in the first place.

Boundaries are a very good thing. I think I’m going to buy me some of those some day

How broken does a dish need to be before we throw it away? Give up trying to repair it; replace it? A blemish? A chip? Broken into two pieces? Completely shattered?

What about a person? When is it okay to give up? When is it NECESSARY to give up? This is what I am struggling with today, and likely for quite some time to come. Please pray for me.

Dear God,

Please forgive me, I am new at this. Please, in your own wonderful way, let our two very favorite day-of the wedding coordinators see past our attempt to hire them for what one might construe as embarassingly less than the going rate, less than their customary asking price, frankly, less than what I am certain they are worth. Let them know that deep down inside, we are cheap. Moreover, let them understand that 2 weeks ago we were taking her home from the hospital. Last week, she broke her leg jumping off a trash can, learned how to ride a crazy horse and graduated from high school. 3 days ago she went away by herself to college and yesterday, she fell in love. Please let them know that we meant no harm or disrespect, we’re just a couple of crazy kids ourselves, trying to give their baby girl a good send off. Thank you, God, Amen.

The view from Cadillac Mountain of our cruise ship off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine – Tuesday, September 15, 2009

15 September 2009

Our tales, photos and observations from a grand vacation to the east coast are like an overflowing cup of tea where you are frantcially trying to contain it all, not to waste a single drop of goodness. So much fun, so much history and many, many memories. I don’t think we visited a single place we didn’t thoroughly enjoy; few places we wouldn’t be excited to visit again. Beyond expectation, especially NYC. Our trip was, in a word, GRAND.

We’re both back at work now and have many things to catch up on at work and at home before we depart on another adventure in 15 days! Between now and then I will try to post a few tales and images from our New England and Nova Scotia trip while they are still fresh in our minds.

My hubby is the best travel buddy in the whole wide world. I am ever grateful for his adventurous spirit and steady reassurance as I step out way beyond my comfort zone & into a world of fun and fascinating places and activities. For without his love, support, encouragement and companionship, my world would be little more than a well worn path between 134 South F Street and 800 South Victoria Ave.

Michael James Tyler Bill
9.02.09
2:10 a.m.

There is really nothing more to say.

the beginning of the next generation

Another view from the future site of our retirement home (Lord willing).