Category: Defining Moments

Advent{ure} Season No. 2

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years… (Genesis 1:14 NIV)

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My sister, J. Gillian, with her surprise Christmas gift!

At times during this season, I have felt behind schedule. I didn’t decorate my house is one full swoop. I bought presents and wrapped them right up to and including December 24th. I could have berated myself, but a still, small voice, reminded me:

“It’s not too late.”

And my friend, Jody Collins’ voice, gently encouraged me,

“Start small. Start now.”

Earlier this year, Jody Collins announced that she was publishing a book to guide us into the Christmas season. To slow down the rush, to re-calibrate with a different calendar, to observe sacred days with a new sense of wonder. I had the honor of being part of Jody’s launch team, so I read her book early, and it set my inner compass. Her words kept the holiday season from overwhelming me.

A few weeks ago…

I planned to write regular posts during Advent to reflect on this season. To rekindle a sense of adventure in the cold, dark nights of winter was my intent. Instead, I chose to live in the moments. Asking the Creator of the Universe how to celebrate this particular sacred time, over and over, as the days unfolded.

One morning, my sister and I were talking about what kind of things could stave off boredom in our lives. We recalled pursuits that brought us joy.We thought about how play could be incorporated into our lives to push back the blues of winter.

On a cold, wintry day, my friend and I strolled through the Botanical Gardens. We turned off the path into a warming meander through the Climatron. She remembered how her sister had wanted to go to film school. I shared my recent insight, “It’s not too late.” Maybe her sister could still go to film school. We both felt a lift in our spirits, just thinking about the possibility of doing something now, starting small, but not giving up on our dreams.

Some time earlier this year . . .

I believed that I had achieved most of my dreams. I finished my English degree in 2011, and at the same time self-published a little book of devotions. The past several years, my husband and I have traveled on our little boat, a dream come true, a dream we didn’t even know we had until we bought the boat. I imagined our sons growing up, and leading successful lives. And they are living happy, successful and love-filled lives. I often thought about opening a small coffee shop, which hasn’t come to be, but I do have a coffee machine, and a home art studio/classroom. Space where we come together and build community and share our hopes and dreams.

As I pondered these dreams, I had a sinking feeling that I didn’t have any more dreams to fulfill. Then I thought again. A dream for happiness, a dream for love, a dream for sharing life with others, a dream of trying something new, or a dream of rekindling an old love may seem impossible. But as I pondered anew, what it meant to dream, my hopes soared.

This year . . .

I have had the joy of witnessing a handful of friends bring their dream to life. Each one followed a similar path, a path to self-publish a book. And their tenacity and hope, kindled in me a desire to re-publish my little book on createspace.

It’s not too late. Check out these labors of love, and cherished dreams:

Jody Lee Collins (Living the Season Well: Reclaiming Christmas)

Cecelia Lester (Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy: Thoughts of God and His Word)

Dawn Paoletta (Journaling for Discovery and Delight: Creative Journal Prompts for Your Journey)

A. R. Stanley (Dandelion Jane: Strawberry Jelly)

And my little dream . . .

Kel Rohlf (Defining Moments: Overflowing with Living Words)

 

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Announce: To Say (Something) In a Loud or Definite Way {Giveaway Announcement Today!}

See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.
(Isaiah 42:9 NIV)
I couldn’t wait. Last night I put all your lovely names in a bowl, those who commented here and on Facebook for the Giveaway. Our winner is Jennifer P! I will contact her and get her the goods: my book and a collage kit based on my recent souldare class, “YOU ARE HERE”. Enjoy!


As September ends, I am ready for something NEW! Earlier in the summer, I was pondering what I might focus on for The Nester’s challenge: 31 Days Of…

So without further ado, here is my theme:


As autumn gradually leads us to Advent Season, I continue to spend my days with ordinary times. I want to fill these days with quiet reflection and refreshing, new ways to enjoy God’s presence, to listen to His voice and to be filled with His desires. 

So I dusted off a little book called 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time by Pam Farrel, who graciously gave me permission to use the contents to share with you this month of October. The book is out of print, but you can still find used copies on amazon. 

© Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). 
For more devotional books by Pam www.Love-wise.com

Pam and her husband, Bill Farrel have a vibrant ministry that offers encouragement for marriages. I bought this little book several years back, and found the quiet time suggestions spiced up my relationship with God. As many of you know this girl loves VARIETY!

Won’t you join me for the next 31 days for some quiet and possibly some LOUD times? And some definite ways to know and love God more deeply?
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Love: Warm Attachment

 
 
Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.
(Zechariah 1:3 NIV)
 
Does anyone really fall in love in the winter? Spring with its bursting song and backdrop of flowers and budding trees seems like a more likely season to fall in love. Summer with its long, warm days beckons us to stay in love, enjoying the pleasures of each others’ company. Autumn grants us moments to linger on walks through the fallen leaves holding onto those we love and have loved. Winter drives us indoors, sometimes to the warmth of the hearth and the comfort of snuggling up in our beds, but the cold creeps in and our passions wane. We begin to feel lonely, and to wonder if there will ever again be anything to look forward to besides cold floors, and bleak landscapes.
It is easy to feel stuck in the winter. I don’t really want to get up to face another day. I make little routines to propel me forward, but I lack the motivation that I have during the other seasons of the year. Yet love is love the whole year through. The unfailing love of God never changes. His love is constant. He doesn’t need a special holiday like Valentine’s to demonstrate His love. He has already sent His love. (Romans 5:8) And if God did send us a Valentine’s card or those little candy hearts with messages on them I think they would say something like “Return to Me.”
(Excerpt from  Defining Moments: Overflowing with Living Words)
 
Defining Moments: Overflowing with Living Words is my debut devotional, which my husband lovingly afforded me to self-publish the winter of 2011.
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Recall: To Bring Back to Mind

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
Psalm 84:5 NIV
 With the 31 Day Challenge completed, I continue on this journey to seek God as we approach the season of Advent. I am preparing provisions, spending time in solitude and recalling the goodness of God in the land of the living.
 
 

As we close in on the end of this year, my mind returns to this time last year. It always amazes me how much can change over twelve months. Last year this time, I was putting the finishing touches on a dream. I was in a flurry of activity. Finishing papers and studying for finals to complete my bachelor’s degree in English. Editing and formatting two books. The first being, a collection of poems, prose and art pieces published for Bellerive,the literary publication of Pierre Laclede Honors College. The second, my own self-published collection of devotions: Defining Moments: Overflowing with Living Words. To recall the vast array of accomplishments humbles me, because truly without God’s strength, I would never have dreamed of completing a degree and a book in the same year. (And not to mention that I still prepared and celebrated the holidays with gusto.)
 
 
 

This year has been a year of rest. A year of saying no to good things, in order to nestle into God’s goodness and wait. To taste and see that God is good in the midst of hard things. He carries us through in ways we never could imagine.
 
 

This time of year brings to mind the munificent provisions that have been bestowed upon us. God sees beforehand every single thing that we need. He knows exactly what will be best for us, even if we can’t see it for ourselves.

As we celebrate this season with gratitude, may the blessings of God restore your hope, peace and joy!
 
Linking up with:
 
 
 

 
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