December Daily

This is the first year that December has flown by with many of my goals for the month out the window. I have always enjoyed December Daily but this year, I have to admit, it has been a challenge for me. Many people who are life artists (those who document life with journaling, paper art, or photography) say to write or capture the everyday even if it is bad, because well, that's life. Life isn't perfect or always goes as planned.  For me, though, I want to remember the good. Remembering the bad just makes you think negatively. Sure, I know life isn't perfect or all sunshine and roses. But, don't you want to remember the sunshine and roses more than when you got locked in the bathroom again and in the stress of it shaved your eyebrows off? You may be laughing right now, just imagining it, but it is a hard life to live. Maybe potty training wasn't the smartest thing to do in the month of December, but when is it the best time than the present? 

In the mist of it all, we also found out that my boss found someone perfect for my position, earlier than expected. He wasn't going to be looking for someone until February but God doesn't work in our time line, but His own.  At the same time, the camp is looking for a new food service manager, which means we might be finding a new place to live in a couple weeks. It all depends on who they hire, how big the family is, or if they want to even live on camp. So much uncertainty. 

I am reading One in a Million - Journey to Your Promise Land, by Priscilla Shirer. Becca and Sarah are teaching this book in their bible study coming up next year. I originally got it so I could know what they were talking about when in conversation. I had no idea it was exactly what I needed right now. Life feels like a dry trip in the wilderness right now. Just taking one step in front of the other to get through the day. Priscilla gave great advice in the book; she said to write down every miracle or glimpse of God down. Then when you are going through a new wilderness or hard time that you can pull out that list or journal of all that God has done to remember that He will always be there. 

So, in the last few weeks, I have had a few glimpses of joy that have kept me in the spirit of Christmas. I will list them below...

Sweet fellowship with women at Bible Study.

Blessing our pastor's wife on her birthday with a handmade gift. 

Going to the Singing Christmas Tree at church. (I love choirs!)

Ethan sitting on my lap while I read him Christmas stories.

A trip to coffee and Blackberries (a new gift shop we found in Salem) with Becca, Josh, and Ethan.

Going to see Christmas lights with Mom, Dad, Ethan, and Dave.

Making a foam gingerbread house with Ethan. 

Sewing projects just for fun.

Josh, Becca, and Sarah taking me out to coffee, a crepe, and another trip to Blackberries. 

Then, last weekend, I created a beautiful video of Ethan. I realized that I should make more of these just so I can watch them while in a dry-spell on the way to the Promised Land. It really gives encouragement. I can't wait to figure out how to export the movie so that I can share it. Becca watched it and cried. So, it must be good. ;)