New Year.

Brain Dump.

1. A couple of years ago I read something written by someone. The author of that something was a woman. A mom. And I remember nothing about that article except the part where she said she had purchased a daily devotional for all her grown kids - the same one that she herself had - so that no matter where everyone was, they would all be reading the same inspirational words every morning.

I loved that. A mutual point of connection regardless of circumstances.

So.
For Christmas I bought 6 devotionals.
I WAS hoping to get copies of my favorite ones, but I couldn't find them. So it was either "My Utmost for His Highest" or the one I did get:

Each of my boys got one, I kept one, and I gave one to Halee and one to Danica.

All of us are walking on different paths on this faith journey thing and the way we live reflects that. My prayer is that whatever road we each are taking, it will ultimately bring us closer to the one true God. My other prayer is that the friends we encounter along the way will love us enough to point us towards the One who matters most.

Today's reading?
You can't THINK your way to God, or use wisdom alone. You  must use your heart. 


2. It was New Year's Day today. But it looked alot like Saturday around here. Despite the absolute beauty of the day (clear skies, crisp air, bright sunshine) I did "Saturday" stuff... I had the dishwasher, washer, dryer and self-cleaning oven all on.

Then because it just felt like the right thing to do, I threw open all the windows and let the old air from 2010 escape and invited the invigoratingly fresh air of 2011 to come on in. Then I washed all the bedding because that too seemed like the right thing to do.

And then, with all the fresh air blowing through my house, I prayed through each room, asking God to put His complete protection over it so that evil would be unable to enter by any means. I prayed that He would fill each room with His love, peace and joy - making each room a holy place where He dwells.

What I didn't do was take down the Christmas stuff. I'm not sick of it yet. And besides, the tree still smells good.

3. I am partway into my (second) 101 Things To Do in 1001 Days project.  Do you remember me being all excited about a website that allowed me to manage my list? It was called Day Zero and I started a pixnprose account, listing my 101 things. There was a check box system and it calculated the percentage of days passed and the percentage of things done. Last time I checked, 28% of the days had passed and I'd completed 27% of my challenges.

One of the things one my list was to do a Lord of the Rings marathon. Which I did between Christmas and New Years. So today, I went to check off another item. (You have no idea how incredibly satisfying it is to cross another to-do thing off that list.)

ANYway, the site is GONE. My list has disappeared. And I am much forlorn.

So I guess I have to start over and set up an excel spread sheet to keep track of it all. Deep, sad, sigh.

Can I put "Do a Lord of the Rings marathon" on it so that I can give myself a check mark right away?

4. Back in mid-December, I attended an Arrow alumni luncheon. Steve asked all those present to share their number one resource of 2010. What a great question to ask these leaders. I didn't memorize all their answers, but the ones that stuck with me are:
 - ted.com
 - people. (Not People magazine, but people in our lives.)
 - Harvard Business Review
 - a few books were listed
 - one pastor said "The Holy Spirit" was his best resource.
 - and one pastor said, Proverbs. And then he mentioned that there are 31 days in January and 31 chapters in Proverbs. And he always starts the year reading through Proverbs.

So I decided I would too.

Today was the first chapter. I sharpened a yellow pencil crayon and highlighted the following:

These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. (Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.)


My child, if sinner's entice you, turn your back on them. Don't go along with them, my child. Stay far from their paths. 


So that became my prayer for my kids.

5. I've got a new calendar and I can hardly wait to fill in the squares. Not just with outings and coffee dates. But with birthdays and anniversaries. I'm dying to block off dates for travel and vacations. And times for parties and celebrations.

But this year, I'm holding back for a day or two before I go all crazy with my calendar-pen. I think that verse about 'man making plans and God laughing' is hitting home with me... maybe I shouldn't be so quick to plan the next 365 days.

Three things I'm thankful for:
1. I mentioned the sunshine and blue skies, right?
2. Drew is home. I like it when my kids are in the house.
3. My washer, dryer, dishwasher and self-cleaning oven.

Shalom,