Friday, March 26, 2010

Our Journey

Somehow it seems like the day has been going by and I haven't found the time to post what I'd like to on here. So I decided to just start with a few pictures. Sometimes it seems like so much content is crammed into so little time, it feels like quite a task to recap it. It makes me realize how efficient God is, and how inter-connected and amazing His plans for us are.
We had been feeling for a while that it was time to do a little traveling, visiting friends and family and also maybe take the girls to the ocean... somewhere. We thought maybe in February, but it came and went with lots of snow, and colder temps. than normal in the southern regions. Finally Abe said (on March 5), "How about we head out March 11?"
I felt a bit of pressure... being in the middle of an unusual sewing spree... I wanted to finish the dresses I had started, to take along, sort everyone's clothes, leave the house spic and span, clean the van, clean the garage, lose at least ten pounds, think of thoughtful gifts for the ones we were visiting, and in general, feel on top of it all, organized and successful.
Somehow I knew I had to let go... it wasn't going to happen that way... and that I needed to be OK with feeling UNDONE.
By the way, I've never liked Florida that much, dreaded the thought of such a long drive, didn't feel it was essential to my happiness to go, etc. Are you getting the picture here? I was pretty sure that this trip was going to be a "journey", one where God was going to delve into my heart in a deeper way and hopefully rid me of some more of my own ways, that surely aren't as lovely as His.
Well, we packed up, armed ourselves with munchies for the road, the van halfway clean, but OK. The house was left in normal mode, which means some rooms were vacuumed, floors not washed, island countertop not cleared off, bed made with clean sheets, not ideal, but also do-able. We had a lovely drive to Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Found out having a GPS added some fun to the travel, checking our elevation etc. We ended up going a shorter, car-sick potential kind of road and it was so worth it!!! Breathtaking scenery even in in this dull winter time mode we are in. No one hurled and we arrived at our friends in good time.
We enjoyed seeing where they live. They used to live here in Ohio and moved away almost 3 years ago. Our children have grown up together and are all pals.
Left to right in this picture is:
Wynonah & Damaris (9), Brianna & Chloe(5), Shawn (reading), Patrick (3) on his lap, Robert & Hadassah (7)

The girls all slept in one room, no problems. We parents stayed up late, visiting. The next day, after being well fed twice, we headed out for North Carolina, where Abe's family lives. Somehow we get home and I find out I didn't get any pictures taken while we were there, which is typical for me.
Abe's Dad was actually on a job in PA, so we missed seeing him. Of course, his mom and sisters fed us well, gave us their beds, and made us welcome. We were there from Friday evening till Monday morning.
I have to get supper going and want to get some bread started yet, so I need to wait till next time to continue with details...

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

White Nights & Haiku

I was recently introduced to haiku. I find myself charmed. The dictionary definition reads like this: (hi' koo) a Japanese poem or verse form, consisting of 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, often about nature or a season.
I love words... how so much can be meant or understood or felt in a single word, and yet also how sometimes words are such inadequate means of conveying what you feel...
Sometimes a word feels so powerful, to use too many feels like it would detract. Less is more. Other times it seems like there are not enough words to express the magnitude! Hense the charm of the haiku.
The snow we have been getting this winter has been affecting me. It has stirred all kinds of thought and feeling. It feels a bit strange considering I grew up where snow was the norm in winter. I am left to conclude that it is where I am inside that is making the difference. I think my eyes are more open than they used to be, maybe my ears too.
So... here are a few haiku of my own...

Snow inspires, moves me
Another time, pace, embrace
Always rewires me


White night of snow light
Moon hides but snow refracts
Soft glow defeats dark


Make me white as snow
So I may reflect the light
You shine upon me


Utter darkness fails
To consume the night made light
By pure driven snow