What I am learning to do when anxiety tightens its grip on my throat.

Coupon for Bath & Body Works new Pink Chiffon (free bottle)

A sampling of our evening activities as we wind down from the busy fullness of the day and enjoy simple, finer things, gathered together, with a little independent creating and delighting in a little music and an excellent story.

{this moment} – A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Visit SouleMama if you’d like to join us or see more moments.

also linking in with

I started this book a year ago, and put it aside.  Other thoughts pressed in, life changes happened.  But  the book made it’s way into my hands again, and the oxygen of gratitude that the LORD breathes into my soul lungs continues on.  As I desire to leave a heritage of bitterness in the past, and to pursue my FATHER with a wholehearted love, the counting begins again, on the computer, in words, in photographs, on an electronic device, on a white board in the dining room, on a family calendar.  We will offer the sacrifice of thanks throughout our days, whether in or out and wait expectantly for the whole restoration.

• gifts as we start a new year #660-672
• Creative nieces, reflecting their creative Maker
•  A pile of sisters, cousins asleep in the back bedroom
• My husband and my dad, dreaming of spring time adventures
• Long hair flying
• Late night forgiveness, grace, unconditional love between a grandfather and a struggling boy
• Candy affirmations, hunt for the beautiful, cheery, uniquely presented kind for the precious rhombus peg among all these round pegs
• Grief washed by understanding.  The cycle of dementia is being repeated, but this time it is different.  This time it is washed and carried by grace.
• Girls with New Year sparklers
• Girls and Boys and Men with New Year firecrackers, loud and bright
• 
• Puzzles at both houses to slow us down as we connect pieces and people
•  Filling a pew, worshiping together
• Pink mountain in the morning

With Builder’s encouragement I have put together a basic reading list for 2012. We’ve worked on several goal catagories and I am excited.  Here’s what I plan to read or listen to this year:

My wonderful brother in law and my sweet little sister

My mom, my sister and me with some of our daughters

Totally fun girls day out courtesy of our dad/grandpa

My Granny Grace

Celebrating my dad’s 65th birthday

The fun was non stop.  The visits with grandparents, cousins and aunts/uncles was refreshing and encouraging.  This was a really great way to ring in the new year.  So many things to be thankful for as we start 2012.

A song from Jerry Barker, Black Beauty, chapter 35

What we do here is just the beginning
New life is starting at every ending
We are a part of the story unfolding
This is the weight of the world we are holding

this could be our day…

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This is my prayer for you, dear reader.