What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Friday, January 02, 2015

The humbugs





Dishwasher repair crew
A boy and popsicle sticks



Yes, the Christmas card had a bare tushie on it.  It had to happen.





Everyone got Mozzarella for Christmas this year...including the neighbors.




We hosted Christmas Eve for my family and Christmas has not yet come to Matt's side of the family- which left Christmas Day to be all to ourselves.  Bliss.

We have a three present policy at Christmas (one of which is always a book) but the children had been gathering/making/supplying their own presents for everyone as well.  It made for a very sweet and thought-filled gift exchange (and a very full Christmas tree!).

A surprise package in the mail made everyone's day!  Judah had orange lips for a week thanks to Reese's chapstick!  (THANK YOU friend, for your bit 'o happiness in the mailbox to us.)

The majority of our ornaments are birds, or so it seems.


It's the other side of Christmas and a new year is before us.  I am sorry to have missed pretty much the entirety of December here on the blog.  I missed this place...and you all.  I knew that the situation was getting serious when Matt started pestering me to blog again!

I've been absent from blogging in part due to the fact that Picasa is ruining all the pictures that I am taking (!?!?!)  This is beyond frustrating for me needless to say, and has resulted in my not even bothering to pick up my camera.  (What is the use if they are ruined later anyway?)  Anyone have this happen to them or know how to fix it? 

The other, more ambiguous reason is that I have spent the last few weeks feeling hollow and melancholic for secret and sundry reasons. I would trudge weakly through days, forlorn and staring blankly ahead while thinking "This must be what forlorn means.  How odd- that I am just staring blankly ahead."  I really did think those things while in the midst of them...I knew that it was happening but I was unable to snap myself out of it, unable to perk up.  I think it a marvelous thing that I have made it to 32 years old without ever having the opportunity to put real, bonafide feelings with the abstract words 'forlorn' and 'dejected'.  But it wasn't fun to experience.  And, when surviving a day seemed like an accomplishment, blogging certainly wasn't on the agenda.

As the joy inches closer and hope slowly fills, I am beginning to feel more like myself.  2014 was a good year, full of tremendous blessings, progress and beauty....but after the December I've had, I am anxious to be done with it.  If ever there were time for a clean slate, it would be now.  If ever a new beginning were necessary- this is it.

Right before Christmas Eve, I painted up a board with chalkboard paint and added it to my kitchen wall.  The wall was very blank and white and needed... something.  I thought a chalkboard would be a nice opportunity to give myself reminders throughout the day of truth.  Quotes, scriptures... things to help me refocus when my focus is all wrong- and the opportunity to beautify the spot that I spend the most time...the kitchen.  I really love it.  I will change it every month at least- maybe every week.  No structured system to keep up~ just whenever the time feels 'right' for a new message.  

The message I have on it now (in my last picture above) is one I will keep up for a bit, I think.  Because it is profoundly encouraging to me in my present circumstances.  Even at the lowest points, God is working.



My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  
II Cor.  12:9

I'll be back soon to share my goals for the new year.  I love new beginnings- no more so than this year- so I am anxious to get on with it!  A whole year ahead of us.  Oh, the possibilities!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Can I give you a cyber (((HUG)))? I will be praying for you the in the midst of those hard moments, you feel the Lord comforting arms around you. He loves you with an everlasting love...really, truly. YOU. Not what you for what you do or accomplish. He loves JUST you. He sees you. I love the story of Hagar in the Bible. She had a rough go of it, dontyaknow. But God SAW her. He didn't forget her. She was still in the midst of extremely hard circumstances, but He was there, loving her.

I just love all your photos and I don't know anything about Picasa. I barely take photos (the shame) these days let alone edit them. That is SO irritating. I'm sorry!!! :(

I just LOVE your stairway shelving and your chalkboard. BEAUTIFUL. You are seriously such an inspiration and good sorta challenge to me in the hospitality department. Thank you.

Bonnie said...

B. got a tremendous kick out of the bare tushie.
I totally get what you mean (see all of last year. forlorn, frustrated, tired depressed.ugh.)
Thank-you for your wisdom Amy <3
The chalkboard is awesome! We have one in the kitchen and I never think to use it (the shame), you have inspired me! And you've also reminded me where I got the notion to move our books to the top of the steps. I haven't done it mind you, but the idea is spinning.
Much love to you, Christmas looks lovely!

Ulli said...

Glad to see you're back. I was wondering... We all have our down times--some last longer than others, but they come and go. (go mostly, I hope) There is always light after darkness, but without the darkness we can't appreciate the light. Stay on course, you'll be fine. Now it's time for fresh and new beginnings. We move forward.

Love your Christmas home. The blackboard--great idea! Your family picture is complte with the "extended" family--what a beautiful family! Blessings...

beth said...

that is my absolute favorite Christmas card that i didn't actually receive, and you are my absolute favorite person whom i don't actually know - -
yes, that sounded strange, but shucks - it's true -

i think you are just a lovely, super-talented woman and adorable mom, and i'm delighted to hear that your joy and hope are returning in the new year!

Full of Grace said...

Love You Rebecca..Thank you for hosting Christmas Eve. Hoping Tuesday is a go. Thankful to call you not only my sister, but one of my best friends.

Renata said...

Happy New Year to you Rebecca. I love your lists and how you go back through them and share what worked and what didn't. We've just had three little foster boys for the past week so I am behind on my new years resolutions. It was fun though...
Have a wonderful day and I look forward to reading your 2015 goals.
Blessings
Renata:)

Catie said...

What an adorable Christmas card! :) Who doesn't love a cute little tush?!

I'm so jealous of all the bird ornaments!

And that popsicle stick village?? AH-MAZING. What a creative (and clever!) boy you have there!

Catie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.