ReEntry drama and humor post 4

I will never forget my first Sunday in England.  German had been there for a month before me, and had already begun to make connections at the little church that would be our home for the next several years. I was a little overwhelmed already, and now I was meeting these new friends for the first time.  The pastor came up to say hello, we were introduced and he promptly hugged and kissed me on both cheeks. I.was.not.prepared.for.that. And my introverted self said, "I will never get use to this."

For the first several weeks, there was this awkward dance when meeting someone. Is there a kiss, is there not a kiss? One cheek or both? It was a dance I thought I would never learn. But then, I learned it. And it became second nature.

And, now?  We are back in the States.  And I'm meeting loads of new people. There is this mantra that resounds in my ear as we meet people or greet people during that lovely time at church when they say, "Now turn to your neighbor..."  That mantra is, "Don't kiss, don't kiss, don't kiss." That ting that I was sure I would never get used to, now I miss desperately.

March Goal setting and February review

In February, my goals were:

1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. I read 13 books (7 for school, 6 for me) set in 8 countries plus the US which met 3 reading challenge prompts!
2. Post on social media 5 times I posted 4 times on the blog, but I admit it, Instagram is my go-to for quick posts.  Still writing blog posts, but need to publish more.
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow nope
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin  all but the flag
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic) yes
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks no
7. Talk to K & B about volunteer opportunities through church. Be intentional! I've met with K and then a more in depth meeting, and will look to do come on board A21 as they set up the plans for the new year. I've met with B and had planned to already be doing some work with international students but car trouble has prevented me.  Will start soon.

So, my March goals will be:
 1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not UK or US, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Pack up my Neighbourhood Round Robin and send to stitchers who have volunteered to help me finish it!
5. Scan Flower's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Draw up a rough planning sheet to plan for next year school (starting early since I will have 2 in High School!)
8. Participate in new Bible Study at church. 

Re-entry Drama and Humor--Post 3

When I was in High School, Christmas day fell on a Sunday.  I was quite indignant that my little Baptist Church was not having services, because it was Christmas.  The pastor's argument that church staff (that was him) didn't want to work on Christmas day any more than anyone else just didn't make sense.  Umm...your job is to promote...Christmas... and everything it represents. But, alas, there were to be no services.  I became even more indignant when I discovered that none of the local Baptist Churches, Church of Christ churches or Catholic churches were having services either.  But my teen angst was eased when the Methodist church announced that it would, indeed, have services.  My mother, reluctantly, agreed to take her huffy teen to the service. It was one of those most special church moments for me, since local people from all the denominations were there to celebrate the birth of OUR savior.  It made sense. It was good.  It was joy-filled. And I walked away from that moment thinking that if there was ever a day for the church to be open it was Christmas.  Yet it was the only Christmas morning in my growing up years that I ever celebrated AT church.

Our first Christmas in England, Christmas day was on a Tuesday.  Imagine my surprise to learn that my Baptist church in England was having Christmas morning services.  On a Tuesday! My cynical self expected there to be a handful of people. Instead, the church was crowded.  We happily sang, "Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning," which is the third verse of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." In this church, the third verse is only sung on Christmas morning.  It was a great tradition. All the kids brought toys they had received that morning and the pastor demonstrated how they worked, complete with riding a unicycle down the aisle. It was a happy, joyous occassion. We wished our church family 'Happy Christmas' and then families returned to their homes to continue their individual traditions.

After that, when folks would ask us if we were 'going home' [i.e. to the States] for Christmas, we would answer that we could not imagine not being with our church family at Christmas, so no we would not be traveling. Christmas morning at church was a part of our tradition in each of the four churches we were in while in Europe. It was a given. We would be there for Christmas.  We would sing our joy of Christmas' arrival, we would hug our friends and then we would have our family traditions for the rest of the day. Sixteen Christmas mornings at church.

Then we returned to the United States in September, so we were in the States for Christmas.  And there was so much I loved about Christmas.  It was the first Christmas in our marriage that we were 'home' for Christmas. We loved watching the niece and nephew open gifts. We reveled in the laughter and the food and the traditions. We, as an extended family, went to Christmas Eve candlelight services, and they were beautiful. But Christmas morning, something was missing. I was sad that I did not have a church service to go and sing with fellow believers to welcome the Christ child. NONE of the evangelical or mainline churches in our city had advertised services. Many had Christmas Eve services, but none Christmas morning.  There was one Catholic church down the road from us that held an early mass.  That was all. And it made me sad. And it made me miss my European brothers and sisters who seem to remember the reason for Christmas is more than commercialism and a day off. 

And I'm recording this because I don't want to forget how amazing worship on Christmas morning can be.

Re-entry drama and humor, post 2

Why on earth do we not include sales tax in the price that is posted???

I totally get that sales tax is used in many States.  We had value added tax on almost everything we bought in England.  We paid an extra 17.5% tax on everything!  BUT, the price that was on the tag already had the VAT added in.  So, I could look at the tag and know how much cash I needed in hand as I approached the register.

Here I am constantly getting to the register, planning to pay with cash, and then looking at the salesperson like they have three heads because the total they give me is not the total I'm prepared to pay.

It makes me crazy.

But, I'm not alone--because my girls are always saying the same thing.

So, if you work in retail and you happen to have someone like me staring blankly at you when you give the total, please be patient.  Maybe they are adjusting to separate sales tax from price. *sigh*



Warning that the next post in this series is a little more serious or bittersweet.

*sheep picture from www.morguefile.com (svklimkin)
 **The original intro to this series: Coming back to the US after so much time away has led to its own set of drama, and often humorous situations.  A couple of times a month I hope to record some of those times.  Mostly this is for our own sense of remembering later, but it also might help someone else who is encountering a "new-old" situation.

What's Saving Your Life--2018 edition

For the past few years over at The Modern Mrs. Darcy on February 2, which happens to be mid-way through winter, she has hosted a round -up of "What's Saving Your Life" posts.  The title may sound dramatic, but she explains (in lasts year's post):

"The idea comes from Barbara Brown Taylor’s wonderful memoir Leaving Church. Even though most of us can easily articulate what’s killing us, few of us pay attention to what’s giving us life.
Once when Taylor was invited to speak at a gathering, her host told her simply, “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” She says it’s too good a question not to revisit from time to time."

This year, with an international move last September and re-acclimating, and a new church and trying to find new friends and homeschooling a Kindergartner, an eighth grader and a Sophomore, and...well, suffice it to say I need to focus on some things that are saving me, not killing me.  So here are a few of my thoughts!

1. My crockpot
And by my crock pot, I mean this beauty that gets a workout 2-3 times a week so that I don't come up to meal time with the "what are we going to eat before we have to get (insert child's name) to (insert activity)" panic.

And I do not mean, this 'beauty,' that I have loved and carried with me (in an unpacked box because it wouldn't work there) for 5 international moves and finally unpacked because it will work here.  Except, it has lost its lid somewhere along the way. And, my family of tv lovers say I cannot, under any circumstances, plug it in. So, now I need to find another small crock pot, preferably before the SuperBowl on Sunday.

2. Having grandparents nearby. Seriously, we have never had the luxury of grandparent baby sitters. Last weekend when we needed to be able to focus on teens for the weekend, the grandparents took the youngest for two nights. It took so much pressure off, he had a great time and they had a great time (but were glad to sleep after he came home!)

3. Bean and Rice Tuesday
I got this idea from Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World as a way to remind our kids how blessed we are in choice compared to the rest of the world. It is great for me this year because it is a little means of identifying with those on the outskirts my life. It is fun to watch my kids relate to things they see in news or documentaries that affirm how blessed we are. And, it is one day a week I just know what we are having for dinner.

4. Bible Study at my new church
It is giving me a chance to get to know a few other ladies, who I probably would not have met otherwise, and to refresh my spirit.

5. Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate with marshmallows in my favourite Polish Pottery mug.
Yes it is selfish and a little indulgent, but it picks me up in the afternoons and warms me up on these cold days.

So, what's saving your life right now?

February Goals and January Revisited

In January I set these goals:

1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
     I read 13(!) books in January, 8 were related to school so 5 were for me! They were set in Kenya, UK (4), US (2), France and 5 unspecified or referency. I've fulfilled 3 PopSugar prompts.
2. Post on social media 5 times
    I posted 3 blog posts in January and several Instagram posts as I am learning how to do that!  I've written 3 more posts, so they will be seen soon.
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow--50%
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin--75%
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)--did not even take them out of attic
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks--did great 1st half of month, only missed this a couple of time 2nd half of month
7. Research volunteer opportunities through church or local outreach center--have done some research, and now have a couple of people to follow up with and get their thoughts on 1-2 ministries through which our church works 

So, overall, it was a good month.

February goals (look a lot like January):
1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Talk to K & B about volunteer opportunities through church. Be intentional! 

Re-entry Drama and Humor, post 1

Coming back to the US after so much time away has led to its own set of drama, and often humorous situations.  A couple of times a month I hope to record some of those times.  Mostly this is for our own sense of remembering later, but it also might help someone else who is encountering a "new-old" situation. I'll start with humor.

If you have traveled in Europe you will know that there are no light switches inside bathrooms in Europe (and only shaver plugs, no electric outlets). 

So for sixteen years, I have turned on the light before entering the bathroom.  It is second nature.

Our hall happens to have a light switch for the hall just outside the bathroom door. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have switched on the hall light, walked into the bathroom and wondered why the light was off. At least two or three times a week!  I am not sure I will ever again get used to the idea that I can turn on the light in the bathroom.

Little things that I must re-learn.  And it helps to be able to laugh at myself.  Especially as I stand perplexed in a dark bathroom.

Setting Goals for January and Beyond

As always, I am much more apt to meet my goals if I write them down.  So, I've gone back to see how well I did in achieving my 2017 goals.  I am mostly pleased with the results.
Master 2017 list:
Books:  Read 100 books (including those used for school)--YES
             Read books set in at least 30 distinct countries--Only Read 20 Countries
             Complete PopSugar Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge (52 books)--YES

Cross-Stitch/Quilting:  Complete stitching A Mind Independent and Free--YES

                                      Complete Neighbourhood Round Robin 2--It is at 75%
                                      Complete Bride's Tree Ornament sets--no
                                      Start/Finish Autumn and Spring Garden--no
                                      Participate in Ornament Exchange--YES

                                      Stitch Ornaments for each of the children--YES

                                      Make baby quilt for godson and his wife (June)--YES

                                      Organise and participate in Round Robin with CSC--no
    (plus I stitched and finished 2 pillows for gifts, started Bookshelf cross stitch and quilted a Christmas banner from a previous cross stitch project and framed a large cross stitch project)
  

Other: Eat healthy and lose some weight--Lost 15 pounds, was doing great until move
           Blog 3x per month minimum--not even close
           Memorize 24 verses--only 10
           Decrease paperwork saved in household by 50%--I don't know the percentage but I made great progress on this

So, here are my 2018 goals, many are similar:
Master 2018 list:
Books:  Read 100 books (including those used for school)
             Read books set in at least 40 distinct countries (have actually planned 30 countries already)
             Complete PopSugar Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge (50 books)

Cross-Stitch/Quilting:  Complete stitching Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
                                      Complete Neighbourhood Round Robin 2
                                      Complete Bride's Tree Ornament sets
                                      Complete Bookshelf cross stitch
                                      Start/Finish Autumn or Spring Garden
                                      Participate in Ornament Exchange
                                      Stitch Ornaments for each of the children
                                      Organise and participate in Round Robin with CSC or a stitching gathering
                                      Frame another project

Other: Eat healthy and lose some weight
           Post something on social media 4x per month minimum
           Memorize Job 26:5-14
           Decrease paperwork saved in household by 3 boxes in the attic

Personal goals regarding family have been written down and shared with family and will be reviewed at end of year with them.

In order to achieve these goals, here are my January plans:
1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Research volunteer opportunities through church or local outreach center

Outskirts

    Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
    and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
    But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

    Job 26:14

The pastor read these words two weeks ago.  He was encouraging us that the goodness we see of God is only the very edges of what God has in store.

And I agreed. There is so much more that God has in store than what our finite minds can understand.

But one word echoed in my head.

Outskirts....outskirts...outskirts....outskirts.

Yes, we are on the outskirts of his ways, of his power, of his goodness.
But we are also on the outskirts of his justice.
And if we are not reaching out to those on the outskirts of society, then how will that justice, that power look when it falls on us?

And, then, some of us feel like we are on the outskirts of the society that gave us birth because it has become....too....much.
And some of us feel like we are on the outskirts of the evangelical church because it has become...dogmatic, closed.
And some of us have come from situations that forced us to the outskirts of who was welcomed. Thus we are drawn to those who are also forced to the outskirts.

Yes, the word has bounced in and around my thoughts for a couple of weeks.  It speaks some of the feelings that have not found words.  It speaks the desires of my heart to be with those who feel marginalized. It reminds me that God is sovereign and that his justice and his power and his love will all come to fruition in his timing and that I should be in awe of that, and working for that, and watching for that. It makes me want to see more than the outskirts of his plan and simultaneously be grateful that I am but on the outskirts of his awesome justice. It moves me to action and drops me to my knees.  

It is a place of  community. It is a place of reflection. It is a place of conviction, and also a place of hope. It is the next step in my journey of less. It takes me to the outskirts of stuff that others may deem as necessary but I feel a need to leave. It causes me to want to identify with others who are finding 'more' in the 'less'. It draws me to groups of people who can encourage me and for whom, hopefully, I can be an encouragement. It is my word of reflection for 2018.

What will it look like at the end of 2018? I don't know.  It will start with memorizing the passage from Job 26. It will continue with looking for places to volunteer or come alongside others on the journey.  It will mean speaking out more and being silent less. I live in a community where there must be Dreamers, and I'd like to know them and understand more the ambiguity in which they find themselves. I live in a University town that must have international students. I'd like to hear their stories. What can I learn of their home countries, of their experiences, of their hopes and their dreams? This journey is about broadening my vision of who feels on the outskirts of society--whether they look like they live on the outskirts or not. This year will be about continuing to read on  difficult topics, and maybe finding a community with whom to discuss those things. It will be about listening to God's whispers and sharing that hope with others.

There may not be a single, tangible thing upon which I can reflect the last week of December 2018. But I know that there will be a change in me if I focus on the outskirts. So that is what I will do.

Reflecting on Less

Last January I wrote,

"... I read Falling Free by Shannan Martin about how they had left their life of abundance for a life that was based on much less but gave them so much more (my description here). I was challenged. I was awe-struck. And that little voice that was telling me that I did not care about 'more' got louder. It was not telling me to sell the house and move somewhere else. It was telling me that maybe I could find "more" in my life by dealing with a lot less.

Various things over the last two months have sung this song.  Reminders that stuff is not what makes anyone happy. Sermons reminding of caring for the least of these. A Bible study of Proverbs that warns about accepting wealth and status quo without balancing it with the wisdom of God. By the middle of November I knew what my word for 2017 was to be, and it was daunting. It was........LESS"

It was a daunting word, and I really did not know what would happen during the year.  But I knew that it was a journey I had to start. Some of the dreams I had materialised. Others did not. Major changes happened that highlighted even more my desire for less. I came away changed, but maybe not as materially changed as I had hoped. Internally I am more minimal, and that is determining decisions and actions. It is a slow journey, but one that I will continue for a long time. Some of my dreams were:

"Less accumulation of paper and materials that are not needed."  I did continue to digitilize a lot of paper and then get rid of it. I finished the early homeschool portfolios. I was not in a head space to deal with the last box of my mother's papers, so it still sits in my attic. My high school pictures are gone except for a few that were actually good or special.  We did move this year, and it was a huge move.  I moved less than it would have been two years before, but we still moved a lot of things that I have no reason to keep.  So this is an ongoing battle.
" Less time spent worrying what others think of the life I am called to live". I gave a lot less head space to worrying about this right up until we moved back to the US. So many people have questioned why we do things, or why I don't want to just do things the 'American way' that I've become paranoid and defensive.  I need to get back to trusting God with the life he called me to lead and ignore the pundits.
"Less time doing things that do not build me up." I have read hard things this year that have made me think and grow. I've not read popular books that would not be good for me. I've stopped watching 'must-see' tv that was not healthy for me. And I've stopped apologizing for that. I'm happy with how this goal has proceeded.
"Less voiced negativity and more thankfulness need to be in my daily conversations." In general, I do believe that some of the negativity has curbed. It has been a tough year.  There is much in the world to be negative about--and finding ways to express disagreement without it only being perceived as negativity is tough. This is especially true when many of those around me do not agree with the stance I feel called to take. I am extremely grateful for the things God has done in our lives this year, for the places he has offered us protection and even for the conviction and dismay that accompanies confrontation of long-held prejudices and traditions. But it has been tough. I've said LESS than I would have liked in order to not be negative, and I'm not sure that has been totally healthy. I'll still work on this goal.
"Less half-hearted rituals and more focus on what God is saying." I cannot give examples of this, but I know that this is pruning that God has definitely started and continues in my life.
"Less unhealthy things entering my life. Whether it is junk food or junk TV or toxic people, I want to be more diligent to let in healthy and exclude the unhealthy." I've cut out almost all TV (except DIY or science shows for noise, and even the DIY shows make me get frustrated about topics of gentrification and privilege so they may go) and I have not missed it at all. For most of the year, junk food was cut out---then a move happened. I will get back to this. Recognizing toxic people has happened, but I am not always very good at protecting myself from their influence.  More of this in 2018.
"Less holding on to people." Oh, this has been hard.  Moving from England after sixteen+ years has been heart-wrenching. I miss my old life, my old friends, my old routines.  But God has taught me immense trust in the last three months. I did not have any clue when I wrote this, how much this one would hurt.

My life in 2017 was filled with much MORE than I ever dreamed when I began a journey to LESS. I'm more content. I'm more self-aware and I'm more other-aware. It is a journey I'm not willing to end. It will continue to feed my focus for 2018. But, more on that later.

Book Review 2017

In 2017 I read (so far) 98 books, about half of which was reading for me and half of which was reading alongside home education of a kindergartner, eighth grader and sophomore.  To say my reading is slightly varied is an understatement.  At the end of the post is the full list of what I read.  But, first, here are my top five, in no particular order.

*The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time! Full of reminders of other books and characters that grew throughout the story.  Loved it!
*Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans could have been written from glimpses of my growing up years.  This book undid me, made me laugh, made me nod in agreement, made me angry and made me cry.  An amazing reflection on what it meant to grow up evangelical and learning to make sense of it all. I'll read it again and again.
*The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas made me angry, made me sad and made me more aware. This is probably the most important book I've read in the last 3 years (at least). It highlights so much of what is wrong in our society but still manages to find hope.  Recommended by my 15 year old daughter and must reading for teens and up.
*Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber was recommended on an edition of "What Should I Read Next" and intrigued me.  The book surprised me in its writing, its depth and its sensitivity. 
*Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston was a school book for my then Freshman which we read aloud together. Rich language, strong story and believable characters.  I can't believe I waited so long to read it!

There you have it.  My favorite books of the year.  What have you read that I should add to my ever-growing To-Be-Read list.  My goal for next year is another 100 books set in at least 40 countries.  Do you have reading goals?  Happy Reading!

The full list:

Reading for Me:

The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Moore, Beth

The Wedding Dress by Hauck, Rachel

Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Bogel, Anne

The St. Louis 12 Days of Christmas by Nusbickel, Ryan

Cloudy With A Chance Of Toasted Rav by Nusbickel, Ryan

"Who Moved My Gooey Butter Cake?!" by Nusbickel, Ryan

Surprised by Oxford by Weber, Carolyn

I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame by Brown, Brené

The Night Parade by Tanquary, Kathryn

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alda, Alan

Once Was a Time by Sales, Leila

Maude by Mabry, Donna

Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time by Martin, Jamie C.

Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School, #1) by Calonita, Jen

Book Scavenger (Book Scavenger, #1) Bertman, Jennifer Chambliss

The Hate U Give by Thomas, Angie

The Little School: Tales of Disappearance & Survival in Argentina by Partnoy, Alicia

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World: How One Family Learned That Saying No Can Lead to Life's Biggest Yes by Welch, Kristen

Bringing it to the Table: On Farming and Food by Berry, Wendell

March: Book Three (March, #3) by Lewis, John Robert

We Should All Be Feminists by Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Laferton, Carl

The Seventh Wish by Messner, Kate *

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Ahmed, Qanta A.

The Broken Road: From the Iron Gates to Mount Athos by Leigh Fermor, Patrick

The Case of the Girl in Grey (The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, #2) by Stratford, Jordan *

Mother-Daughter Book Camp (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #7) by Frederick, Heather Vogel

Gods in Alabama by Jackson, Joshilyn

Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith by Mayfield, D. L.

Daddy-Long-Legs (Daddy-Long-Legs, #1) by Webster, Jean

Winter Solstice by Pilcher, Rosamunde

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Roberts, Cokie

Ishtar's Odyssey: A Storybook for Advent by Ytreeide, Arnold

El Deafo by Bell, Cece

Born with Teeth by Mulgrew, Kate

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Dunn, Mark

The Traveller's Tree: A Journey Through the Caribbean Islands by Leigh Fermor, Patrick

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Strout, Elizabeth

Wonder by Palacio, R.J.

A Lucky Life Interrupted: A Memoir of Hope by Brokaw, Tom

Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Evans, Rachel Held

Five Children on the Western Front by Saunders, Kate

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Zevin, Gabrielle

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Chiaverini, Jennifer

Operation Thunderbolt: Flight 139 and the Raid on Entebbe Airport, the Most Audacious Hostage Rescue Mission in History by David, Saul

The Birth of the Modern: World Society 1815-1830 by Johnson, Paul

Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love by Sobel, Dava

Between Shades of Gray by Sepetys, Ruta

Kidnap in Crete: The True Story of the Abduction of a Nazi General by Stroud, Rick

The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Mathematics, from One to Infinity by Strogatz, Steven H.

All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir by Manning, Brennan

Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Oxenreider, Tsh

Coming Clean: A Story of Faith by Haines, Seth

Wild in the Hollow: On Chasing Desire and Finding the Broken Way Home by Haines, Amber C.

Kindred by Butler, Octavia E.

The Princess Bride by Goldman, William

The African Trilogy by Achebe, Chinua

The Accident by Pavone, Chris

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Rushdie, Salman

The 19th Wife by Ebershoff, David

Dubliners by Joyce, James

The Secret Scripture by Barry, Sebastian

Touch by Zentner, Alexi

The Book Thief by Zusak, Markus

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Elwes, Cary

The Sacred Romance Drawing Closer To The Heart Of God by Eldredge, John

Pies and Prejudice: In Search of the North by Maconie, Stuart

Chronicle in Stone by Kadare, Ismail

Read Alouds or Read Ahead for School

Tadpoles and Frogs by Milbourne, Anna

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears by Bealer, Alex W.

Eggs and Chicks by Patchett, Fiona

Adventures in Ancient Greece by Bailey, Linda

Here's a Penny by Haywood, Carolyn

Danny and the Dinosaur by Hoff, Syd

I Can Read It! (I Can Read It, #1) by Holzmann, John

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (Samurai Detective, #1) by Hoobler, Dorothy

Till We Have Faces by Lewis, C.S.

God spoke Tibetan; the epic story of the men who gave the Bible to Tibet, the forbidden land by Maberly, Allan

Outliers: The Story of Success by Gladwell, Malcolm

The Monk Who Shook the World: The Story of Martin Luther by Davey, Cyril J.

The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, John

American Tall Tales by Productions, Greathall

101 Favorite Stories from the Bible by Miller, Ura

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Twain, Mark

A Grain of Rice by Pittman, Helena Clare

Mary Jones and Her Bible - An Adventure Book by Wright, Chris

Winnie-the-Pooh by Milne, A.A.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee, Harper

100 Best-Loved Poems by Smith, Philip

A History of Us: Ten-Volume Set: Ten-Volume Set by Hakim, Joy

Uncle Wiggily's Story Book by Garis, Howard R.

Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit by Borgenicht, David

The Second Mrs. Gioconda by Konigsburg, E.L.

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Gallo, Carmine

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Hurston, Zora Neale

A Single Shard by Park, Linda Sue

The Silver Branch by Sutcliff, Rosemary

Back onto the Blogging Horse??

Obviously, I fell off the blogging wagon mid-year.  In my defense, that was about the time we begin to realise that a move to the US was going to happen.  But more than that, I just didn't have words that were not frustrated, political and not necessarily edifying.

We did make a move to the US in September. We are settling into our new home and routine. We are dealing with all kinds of re-entry culture shock. I'm still frustrated and political, but maybe I can be edifying in the midst of it.  I miss writing.  I miss the community of people who once blogged, and now do not.  I don't know for certain if my new year will find me blogging, or tweeting, or maybe dipping my toes into instagram.  I do know that I will be present somewhere.

For now, know that if you read this, I have missed you.  I'll be back to do a recap of a year of LESS, and I'll be introducing my 2018 word as well.  I'll be back with some goals, and maybe some progress.  Maybe I'll even be able to articulate what sixteen years in Europe has done to me and for me.  But, in Texas-words, I need to get back up on this horse and see where we go next.

Enjoy the end of your 2017.  New things are in store for all of us in 2018.

Siesta Verse 9

Father of orphans, champion of widows, is God in his holy house. God makes homes for the homeless, leads prisoners to freedom, but leaves rebels to rot in hell.

Psalm 68:5-6

The Message

Happy Easter

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

Siesta Verse 8

Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: “I’ve had enough; I’m on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.”

Psalm 12:5

The Message

Making More from Less

German is a self-confessed packrat.  He doesn't easily let go of things. He collects many things.  So after working for one company for 18 years, he had accumulated some things from work.  Some of those things were t-shirts.  This company did a lot in the community--and each project came with its own t-shirt. Over fifty of them, if one was counting. I finally took those t-shirts that were taking up space in a spare wardrobe and did something with them.

So now, we have one double-sided quilt full of memories. And a lot less in the closet. Win-win.

Siesta Verse 6 (oops) and Verse 7

Totally forgot to post verse 6

I am God.
    At the right time I’ll make it happen.

Isaiah 60:22b  (The Message)

My new verse is:

But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.

Psalm 19:12 (NIV)

April Goal Post

In March I wrote:
1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. (3 school-related books, 6 non-school books, 6 countries-UK, US, Nigeria, Bulgaria/Romania/Turkey/Greece, a Fantasy location and Ireland, 8 reading challenge prompts)
2. Blog 5 times--oops
3. Finish stitching the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and begin stitching the Romania block--yes
4. Start baby quilt when materials arrive--not yet (wrong material arrived, came whilst I was out of town)
5. Complete 1/3 of hand quilting on t-shirt quilt (will be at 2/3 complete)--I'm at 80%, desperate to just finish it
6. Organise bottom drawer of file cabinet, disposing of as much paper as possible (housing history, warranty and instruction books, etc)--didn't even touch it


For April
 1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Start baby quilt
4. Complete  t-shirt quilt 
5. Enjoy some down time with family for Easter break

Coming Full Circle

Those of you who have followed me for a while know that we, as a family, went through a very difficult time as things fell apart at a previous church. It was a defining moment in my life, so I wanted to give you an update of how it ended.

I had come to the point that there were friendships that were over and I would never find the reconciliation that my heart so desired.  I had forgiven..and then been bitter again..and forgiven again and again and again. I knew that God had worked much healing in my heart, but it was altered and it still hurt.

One early morning I got out of bed, checked email as I do every morning. This particular morning there was an email from the person I had most grieved losing. It was addressed to German (we share an email address) and he was traveling. As soon as he was awake, I texted him to "CHECK OUR EMAIL" and yes I did use all caps because it was important. This particular email began (in essence), "I regret how I mishandled our friendship and want to know if you could forgive me." German sent an immediate answer that said, "I'm traveling and can't answer much now but thank you for saying that and yes already forgiven." German and I cried together, rejoiced together and then sent an email that showed how God how worked in spite of how devastated we felt.  We did not hide how much we hurt, but we rejoiced at a second chance. After an exchange of several emails, the relationship was really beginning to renew.

We have not been able to renew the friendship face-to-face. Distance has happened. And yes, it is altered because we missed six years of each other's life. But the empty hole is no longer there.

I tell you this, not to brag on us or him, but to celebrate what God can and does do. It would not have been possible to so readily say "Yes, forgiven" if we had not allowed God to prune and minister and challenge and comfort our hearts during those six years. God had already helped us forgive. And he did that when we could see no hope of ever reaching reconciliation. If you are in a place that has been deeply hurt by others, please, please, please don't turn to bitterness. Keep giving it to God. Keep asking for him to allow forgiveness to rule. He will honour that. And, if the opportunity for reconciliation arises, you will be ready because you will have already forgiven.

We are working toward a plan for face-to-face meeting. If you do the math you will see that these sweet friends have never even met our third child. They were so important to our girls in the early years, and I desperately want them to meet Tree. It will be sweet, because it comes after such a desert time. I am hopeful.

Be encouraged. Forgiveness is sweet.

March Goals

In February I wrote:

1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not England or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. (Six books, 4 not school related, set in US, Ireland, South Korea, Scotland, Canada and Germany, meeting 5 prompts)
2. Blog 5 times (only 4 published, somehow forgot to publish one that is written and you will see soon)
3. Stitch the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin (about 95%)
4. Plan baby quilt and gather materials (planned, waiting for materials; but whilst I wait I finished 1/3 of the handquilting on another quilt)
5. Finish scanning Jewel's school portfolios from Germany and scan Flower's as well (done)

Goals for March:

1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Finish stitching the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and begin stitching the Romania block
4. Start baby quilt when materials arrive
5. Complete 1/3 of hand quilting on t-shirt quilt (will be at 2/3 complete)
6. Organise bottom drawer of file cabinet, disposing of as much paper as possible (housing history, warranty and instruction books, etc)