Happy New Year 2004

Happy New Year 2004: According to my new calendar a worthy quote: "AND now let us welcome the New Year, full of things that have never been." I wonder what this year will bring.  Whatever it will be a surprise! So, I've decided to go into training by becoming better organized at home since I have little or no control over the endless clutter at the mission.

 I confess to hiding out here at home because I just couldn't face days of constant cleaning and shuffling items from one shelf to another. So, in self-defense, I have rejoined Fly lady (ta-dah....as the organ music swells to a crescendo....) So far this morning we have had a power breakfast, prayer, and devotions, packed Charlie's lunch, and packed off Charlie, my dishes are washing as I type, and my sink is shining! (Are you impressed, Becky?)

 Today I am building my control journal. Sounds impressive, doesn't it? Actually, it is no more than writing out daily routines and having a "portable desk" equipped with stamps, envelopes, writing materials, rubber bands, a stapler, a shopping list, and an address book. Sure, you can add more things and I'm sure I probably will but for right now I'm doing baby steps. I'm not looking at being a perfectionist but rather a minimalist. With kittens climbing on everything I am convinced that we have "too much" stuff that needs tending, and I don't want to spend my life dusting "stuff". We already have a good start from our move.... now it just needs more refining. My only resolution this year is to live my life more purposefully and intentionally and relationally.

    I don't want life to "just happen" I want to be fully in tune with God and with those around me....to make a difference in the world just because I was here... (Oh my, way too philosophical for a Friday morning!) In our devotions today, "Living the Message" by Eugene Peterson, the author talks about how language is unique to human beings. I've always been fascinated with words and word pictures that form in my mind. Perhaps, this ability is part of the divine image of God that He instilled in us during creation.

 Peterson goes on to say, "Turnips complete a fairly complex and useful life cycle without the use of words. Roses grace the world with extraordinary beauty and fragrance without uttering a word. Dogs satisfy tens of thousands of us with faithful and delightful companionship without a word. Birds sing the most exquisite music to our ears, lifting our spirits, and giving us happiness, all without the capability of words. It is quite impressive really, what goes on around us without words: ocean tides, mountain heights, stormy weather, turning constellations, genetic codes, bird migrations-most, in fact of what we see and hear around us, a great deal of it incredibly complex, but without language, wordless. And we, we human beings have words. We can use language. We are the only ones in this stunning kaleidoscopic array of geology and biology and astronomy to use words. We share a great deal with the rest of creation. We have much in common with everything around us, the dirt beneath our feet, the animals around us, and the stars above us, and we recognize links in this family identity. But when it comes down to understanding our humanity, and who we are in this vast scheme of things, we find ourselves attending to language, the fact that we speak words, and what happens to us when we do. " Words....language.... being still before God and listening. I use way too many words and like the sound of my own voice. I like being thought of as "wise and discerning". Perhaps what I really need is to listen more and use my words more wisely... (Just a Thought!)