Encourage

2019.  Wow.  It's another New Year.  I don't do New Year's resolutions.  I do Hopes and Goals.  Also, each year, I choose a word that describes where my thoughts and focus seem to be leading me for the year.
I haven't been focusing much on the new year; I've just been trying to keep up with Christmas activities with my kids.  So when I realized that it was almost the new year, I hadn't considered any words to focus my intentions for 2019.
Then out of the blue, out of the wider world of thought, the word ENCOURAGE popped into my head.  For the past few months, I've noticed that my role among my friends and family has been moving in to encouraging them.  Rejoicing with them.  Mourning with them.  Sometimes, they have encouraged me, too.
I think that ENCOURAGE is how I am supposed to my time and energy this coming year.  I will encourage friends who are struggling, encourage loved ones to trust God in all circumstances.

I have written down a few hopes and goals, too.
1.  Keep on knitting and weaving through my yarn stash. (will that ever end?}
2.  Read through the Chronological Bible again this year.
3.  Pray more.  (keep my prayer journal handy all the time)
4.  Get back to exercising regularly and eating a more healthy diet (I already do these, but I want to refocus)
5.  Use up various consumables that have just been sitting around in drawers and cupboards--mainly lotions and cleaning supplies.
6.  Focus on learning more about gardening and growing herbs.

I think that's enough.

Do you have hopes and goals for 2019?  How can I be an ENCOURAGEMENT to you?

That Week Between

I have been away from most blogs and websites for three weeks or more.  That's because I left on an airplane and flew many many miles and have been away from my little cottage.  It's been fun to spend my time with kids and grandkids and just focus on them.  The Professor and I are enjoying the season!

This Friday Fave Five is going to be a catch up session. Follow the FFF link to share your faves and to read what others have written.  I have been counting my blessings and have been remembering to be thankful.  I just haven't written them all down.  So, anyway, here goes:

1.  That list:  I finished the weaving projects and almost all of my knitting projects.

                         knitted scarf
                         six knitted hats in Christmas colors for my friend's studio open house
                         knitted hat for PAL's cousin
                         another knitted hat
                         woven scarf
                         knitted vest for baby boy (church friend)
                         knitted vest for baby girl (another church friend)

                         some knitted bunnies-these are half done and that's the last on my list left to do.

2.  Christmas is my favorite holiday and I just love singing Christmas carols!  Christmas morning I woke up with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing running through my brain, and it stuck with me all day.

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King! 

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 

God and sinners reconciled." 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 

Join the triumph of the skies; 

With th' angelic host proclaim, 

"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored: 

Christ, the everlasting Lord; 

Late in time behold him come, 

Offspring of the favoured one. 

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; 

Hail, th'incarnate Deity: 

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, 

Jesus, our Emmanuel! 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born 

Prince of peace! 

Hail! the Son of Righteousness! 

Light and life to all he brings, 

Risen with healing in his wings 

Mild he lays his glory by, 

Born that man no more may die: 

Born to raise the son of earth, 

Born to give them second birth. 

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King !"

3.  Dr. Mike was able to pause in his travels and research long enough to spend four days with us!  We put him on a plane Thursday night and waved goodbye but promised him we would try to get to his place in the next couple of months.

4.  We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with three of our four children and three of our four grandchildren.  And we were able to Skype with Chaplain Dan and his family (especially our PAL!) What a blessing!  And guess what...I didn't take any photos!  I can't believe it!

5.  No photos isn't quite right.  Someone took this photo of The Professor and me and I put it on my facebook page where it has gotten lots and lots of 'likes' and 'loves'.  We like our matchy shirts.

So Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to everyone!  Are you looking forward to 2019?  I'm reflecting on my word and focus for this next year.  Are you?

That December List

Do you have your December To Do List?  Have you been checking it? Twice?  As in twice every hour?  I have.  I've been working my way down that list, crossing items off as I complete them.  In fact, that is my focus for Friday Fave Fives.  Here is where you go to join in being thankful this week.

1.  Christmas letter.  We have (nearly) finished writing it and will be printing the copies to mail out.  The fave is that the addresses are all updated and labels printed.

2.  That letter:  I asked my children to contribute their paragraphs and they all sent me the information in (mostly) timely fashion so we could format the letter and add some cute photos.

3.  Activities.  I wrote them on my To Do List and checked them off.  Pick up my earrings that were being repaired at the jewelers.  Open House at my friend's weaving studio.  Steering committee meeting for my Mom to Mom group.  Two Christmas dinners with groups of friends.  Last Bible Study for the year.  Buying books and stocking stuffers.  Buying yarn and buttons for some knitting and weaving projects.

4.  I have been knitting and weaving like crazy to finish those projects before I leave for points in eastern US for Christmas.  You should see the list.  It's getting done!

                         knitted scarf
                         six knitted hats in Christmas colors for my friend's studio open house
                         knitted hat for PAL's cousin
                         another knitted hat
                         woven scarf
                         some knitted bunnies
                         knitted vest for baby boy (church friend)
                         knitted vest for baby girl (another church friend)

5.  Shopping.  Almost done.  I think all I have left to buy is one book.*  Amazon to the rescue! *The Professor just ordered it! Done!

This is definitely a busy time of year, but making my lists really helps me get things done!  I'm thankful for the time to get it all organized and get it done!