The Countdown is Coming

It is so hard for me to believe that at this time tomorrow I will be preparing to countdown the seconds before the clock strikes midnight when one year will end and another one begins. I always remembered hearing adults talking about how they felt like the years just keep going by faster and faster when I was a kid. It always sounded like such a strange idea to me, but now I fully understand what they were talking about. It seems like just yesterday I was ringing in 2006 and thinking up "New Year's Resolutions."

I was just looking back on a post I made at the beginning of the year to reflect on my 2006 resolutions and see how I did. And I was pleased. My resolutions weren't your traditional laundry list of specific things to accomplish, but rather a few key ideas I wanted to find ways of embracing. This year I focused on community, creativity and courage.

I can see so many ways in which these 3 things were fulfilled throughout the year. Many new friends entered my life, as did commitments toward being a more active participant in my existing communities (co-leading a bible study for college women at my church and being a regular in the worship ministry also). I spent time working on new songs and being more diligent about playing my guitar daily. I also branched out in my knitting and moved from simply making scarves to knitting hats as well. Could a sweater be on the horizon in 2007? And courage played a part in all these things as I stepped out from the comfortable and familiar to see what joy could be found in the glorious unknown.

I have already begun to contemplate what I would like to work on in 2007. And seeing how well 2006 went I am eager to begin anew and see what adventures lie ahead. Blessings to all as you reflect on the closing of another year and hope for what awaits us in the next!

Treasures From Under The Tree

My friend Kristen had the brilliant idea of posting photographs of her Christmas gifts. Since I am still in California and it will be a little while before I can show folks my new treasures I thought I would follow Kristen's lead.

Here is a festive little sock monkey that Santa brought for me.
A new wool coat from Mom & Dad to replace my very tattered pea coat.

Some new games from Mom & Dad! We already tried out Turbo Yahtzee and it was so much fun. Much laughter will flow from these games for sure.

Some fingerless glove/mittens from Mom & Dad to keep me worm at the bus stop this winter.

My parents also got me some new Keen's. They are so comfy and I think they shall be my new favorite shoes.

This lovely crocheted scarf and hat were given by my sister, Lisa, and her husband, Andrew.

And last but certainly not least this fabulous pair of pajamas from my parents. Somehow my mom manages to find the perfect gift. Sock monkey + pajamas = Happy Bree!

I hope you all are enjoying your new treasures!

If Scrooge Can Do It, So Can I

Transformation is a tricky thing. I long desperately for it, yet somehow when I begin to feel it taking place I cringe and seem to pull away. How can this be so?

Saturday night I witnessed another man wrestle with this same thing. I attended a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Act Theatre. It was a marvelous perfomance and each of the players did an amazing job. And for 90 minutes I watched as Ebenizer Scrooge wrestled with his own transformation.

I found myself identifying with Scrooge in many ways. His life had been filled with heartache, dissapointment and bad choices. Somehow in the midst of all that hurt he decided it would be best not to feel anymore. He hardened his heart and kept out all those around him that longed to show him grace and love. It took 4 ghosts and a trip through time and space to tear down the walls that had entombed his soul. In the end Scrooge sees that to risk heartache, dissapointment, and bad choices is the only way to find true joy and life.

I loved the transformed Scrooge. He was so undignified, so wreckless and carefree. He danced and shouted in the street. The years of holding everything back were replaced with an explosion of joy and generosity.

On the whole I am no "Scrooge", but I have my moments. Lately I have found myself apathetic to the world around me, somehow unable to care or feel much for anything. A condition I fear, if left unchecked, will turn into full blown Scrooge-like behavior. So I must search for transformation. In spite of the terrifying "ghosts" that I might have to face up to I must open my arms to welcome transformation. That's the thing with transformation, it isn't easy or comfortable, but it is the only way to make our broken lives whole again.

It will take a miracle to transform me into what I am truly meant to be but this is the season for miracles, isn't it? This is the time when God sent his Son from heaven to live on earth among us. The most precious gift of a Savior to walk beside us and help us be transformed by His love and grace. A Savior who came to show us how to be made new, made whole.

A Poem to Ponder

As we head into the final weekend before Christmas I thought I would leave you with a poem to ponder. I know so often I find myself swept up in the excitment of the season. There are gifts to buy, festive parties to attend, and travels to be made to visit loved ones. It is easy to lose sight of what Christmas is all about.

I found this in a collection of poems by Madeleine L'Engle (Best known as the author of A Wrinkle in Time). Her poems are beautiful and full of challenge. She has so many poems in particular about what Christmas really means. This one is short and yet holds more power and truth than many works twice its size. I hope that it will stir your heart as it has mine.





After Annunciation
by Madeleine L'Engle

This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There'd have been no room for the child.

Dusting off the old keyboard

This past week I received a message from a dear old friend who told me that she missed reading my blog and hoped that I would begin to post again. I am not entirely sure why it has been so long since my last post. I suppose there are many reasons. Work gets busy. Thoughts feel too muffled to even begin the task of writing them out. The calendar fills up with activities and before you know it months pass you by.

As I look back at the past year of blogging I love to read back over old posts and remember the things that have been thinking about this year, the places I have been, the adventure I have had. It's like a journal, only better. Not only my thoughts are captured here but photographs and encouraging words from friends. What a treasure to have such a cronicle of the past year. I feel a desire stirring in my heart to rededicate myself to writing more frequently on this little blog of mine.

But first I think an apology is due.

My dear Blog,
I am so sorry that I have neglected you so these past few months. I have missed you and the space you give me to explore my own thoughts and hopes and fears. You have been so gracious to humor my little ramblings on life. There are no excuses that are good enough to forgive my negligence. Please except this apology for my absence and know that I will do my best to mend my ways.

Yours Truly,

Bree