Letting Go and Simplifying

I mentioned in a previous blog that I tend to over- complicated my life at times. Christmas is a perfect example of this; I want to make meaningful gifts by hand, bake every cookie under the sun and maintain a long list of family traditions.

This year I'd decided to create hand- made Christmas cards. I gathered most of the materials from various craft shops and had an idea in my mind of what I was doing. However, I hadn't had the time or inspiration to get started. The last few days I've felt myself grow increasingly anxious over the cards as the time pressure of international shipping mounted. Then, I couldn't find half of the supplies I'd bought and was unhappy with the way the photo printed. Every step seemed so needlessly difficult that I sensed the Lord was not blessing this process. Next came the epiphany, I thought "what's the worst thing that could happen? I don't send them!" The more I pondered this possibility, the more I felt I was not supposed to send these cards. I felt a calm flood my spirit as I released the entire thing. Freedom. I realized I wasn't focused on sending the cards in a spirit of love, but pride (look at my cute family and card). I've decided to simplify the process by sending a few hand written notes to people I love who don't hear from me otherwise (if you are reading this blog that's not you, sorry).

The whole decision was liberating to me because I was able to refocus my priorities. Now, instead of spending the weekend trying to pump out a bunch of cards while keeping my toddler from ripping them to shreds, I enjoyed the beautiful day outside in the park with Jason and Josiah. Christmas (life actually) is about being, not doing. So, I give you all permission to let some Christmas duty go and be in the moment!

Because this post needs some pictures, here is a glimpse of our little place this time of year. Wish you could stop in for a cup of apple cider!

Tiny winter clothes make me happy

Do you like the neighbor's laundry out the window?

I love this advent calendar because it is focused on Jesus

This is the latest addition to my collection of nativity scenes from around the world. It is made from recycled newspaper and from Vietnam, which is perfect because we are traveling there this Christmas! Can you see Mary is wearing a Vietnames syle hat? Love it!


This is our Christmas tree all the way from Sweden! Real Christmas trees are very rare here, but Jason surprised me this year with this beautiful tree (delivered by IKEA). I've never had a short needled tree and love how the ornaments hang on it. Josiah loves the "balls!"

Time

Last week at our church we heard a message on “Going Deeper in Giving”. It left me with a lot to think about in terms of how I am using my resources (time and money). In particular, I felt urged to reflect upon where my time is going. For most of my life, this has been an easier question to answer: 10- 12 hours a day at school/work. Now, some days I really am left wondering, what am I doing all day? I feel busy (I love to be busy) but do not want to be satisfied at that.

I decided to document the hours in a week to see how my time breaks down. This is based on a 5 days a week, 12 hours a day (roughly the hours Jason is gone each day)= 60 hours. I’m not sure how accurate this really is because every day/ week is so different. I didn’t make Josiah a category because I can’t slot him in; he is a part of every category.

*Housework (cooking, cleaning, laundry) - 12 hours
*Socializing (hanging out with other moms and kids) - 10 hours
*Projects (blogging, correspondence, making crafts, planning events, internet research etc) - 8 hours
*Running Errands (grocery shopping, bank, printing photos, doctor’s visit) - 7 hours
*Ministry (planning/ leading PLUS group, meeting with leader and members volunteering at African Fellowship) - 7 hours
*Transportation (buses, trains, ferries, walking) - 6 hours
*Down time (exercising, napping, quiet time with the Lord) - 6 hours
*Tutoring- 4 hours

I don’t have any real conclusions at this point, although I am surprised I spend so much time socializing and running errands. Also, I thought I had more down time but I seem to avoid voids in my day.

I was reading this morning from 1 Corinthians this verse “There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple”
I certainly have a knack for inviting complication. When I fill my life with lots of details and projects I remove my availability to hear and respond to the Holy Spirit. When I am rushing to yet another play date or trip to the market, I am no longer free to stop and talk with a neighbor or carry the groceries of a stooped over old woman.

I have been trying to pray each morning “Lord, what do you want me to give today?” Ultimately it is about surrendering all of my time to Him.

What do you think? Where does your time go?

Presenting. . .

. . .the belly



*Angela I took these just for you (:

Abundance

Last night Emily and I hosted the ICS Thanksgiving potluck. I am still stuffed this morning. In the past we've only invited the American teachers, but this year decided to invite all the teachers (so long as they didn't bring Chinese food!!) In addition to the many Americans we had Brits, Kiwis, South Africans, and Canadians. I have no idea how many people were there, but we bought 80 dinner plates and ran out- it was such a big, lively family!
Last year the (CANADIAN) elementary principal played a prank on our Thanksgiving. So of course, when he came this year we had to give him a hard time. He was a good sport and led us in the Star Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle (: Aftter the meal Jason organized a putting tournament with some of the guys. It was a great night of laughter, games, pecan, apple, pumpkin pie. . . a heart- warming reminder of how thankful we are for our friends and family near and far.

Grandpa Comes to Visit

Jason's dad has spent three weeks helping out some missionaries in Thailand and came to visit us at the end of his trip. Josiah had an instant connection with Grandpa and has been his little shadow. They've built airplanes together, gone "golfing" (on our little putting green), and played on the playground. Harry brought all of his plumbing tools to Thailand, so I put him to work on my sink(it works now!)

On Saturday we look a ferry out to Lamma Island. This place is so relaxed and a haven for hippies. In four years we'd never made it out to this island, so it was fun to explore some place new. It was so great just strolling around, eating a huge Chinese lunch, and then hiking across the island to where the other ferry took us home.
The fishing village at Lamma Island


Lunch

I love this photo!!

What a ham!

The three generations

Thanks for visiting Grandpa! I love you!

Boys to Men

I love my husband. I love him because he is so into the big picture and concerned with the heart. He also attempts things that are chaotic, messy and a ton of work because he believes they are worth wild. I love that he is a dreamer and has big expectations that people can be transformed through the power of love.
This week is the annual "Week Without Walls" trips for ICS. The last few years Jason has led a trip to the Philippines. This year he designed a local trip on an issue that is close to his heart, manhood. "Boys to Men" consists of 18 middle school boys and 3 awesome men. Over the week the guys are participating in lots of fun "guy" stuff including kayaking, go cart racing, air- soft duels, competitions, community service, hiking, and camping. At the heart of trip the boys are receiving affirmation from other men, their fathers, and ultimately Jesus. Each father wrote his son a letter that the boys will read on their camping trip, and the last night the fathers will join the sons for a closing banquet.
I've been joking with Jason that for him the trip is "Men to Boys". He gets a boyish gleam in his eye as he builds a potato launcher, jousts, torches and other "man stuff". It is fun to see him doing something that he is excited and passionate about. Tonight I am especially proud of them as they are camping on the coldest recorded night of the year (12 C, about 53 F- doesn't sound that cold, but with the dampness it feels freezing).
If you love Jason too, please pray for him this week and for the boys that they would grow into men after God's heart.

Tickle Torture

Josiah and I love to wrestle. I steamroll him, toss him high in the air, and chase him around the house saying "I am going to get you" in a voice that immediately guarantees giggles and the pitter patter of feet away from my presence. Often it ends with a tickle attack, like the one shown here. I feel a bit guilty, since I am very ticklish and remember others pinning me down deaf to my pleas to stop. At least it helps squeeze that ever flowing fountain of energy of out him so he can sleep more soundly.

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