This year Bret and I did something we haven't done in several years. We scheduled a "date" (no kids) and went to Borders Bookstore together. We found some comfy chairs, bought some expensive coffee, and took out the laptop and some clipboards. Then we proceeded to brainstorm about our goals for the next five years. We thought about house projects and repairs which may come up, we thought about trips we'd like to take, and we thought about our goals for the kids (in five years they'll be 11 and 15!). It was an interesting conversation. Some things we had both thought about and hoped to accomplish, and some things one of us hadn't thought about at all. We are spending some time praying about our ideas and waiting for guidance.
It was a fun way to welcome the new year and it was good to spend some time dedicated to this topic. Otherwise we seem to find ourselves caught up in the daily chores and the kids' needs and never get a chance to think about future goals, let alone discuss them with each other!
I challenge you (if you haven't done it yet) to give this a try...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Are you ready for change?
I can't believe it's been over one month since I've written anything on my blog! Many of you are probably tired of checking and wondering--"When is Angela going to write in her blog again?!?" You may be thinking, "Is she okay?" "Has something happened?" Perhaps you have not checked my blog in many months and are thinking, "What is she talking about!" Perhaps you have never visited my blog and are thinking..."If this is an example of what Angela's blog is like...I'm not sure I want to read this drivel..." :-) Well, whatever you are thinking, I AM updating my blog--finally! And you can continue to read it..or not..as you wish.
Change. It seems to be a season of change. I'm not sure but it seems there is something in the air...maybe in the water...who knows. One thing is certain, life as we knew it no longer exists. The kid who ran around our house in diapers talking about animals is now writing books and poetry--about animals. The other kid who wanted to be a ballerina cowgirl, now plans to be a petshop owner. An economy we thought was stable is now in question and the future seems to be uncertain. At times like this I find it helpful to remember that I've felt something like this before, and that in previous times of uncertainty, God helped our family through. I, for one, am counting on a replay of divine intervention!
We are busy with the many details of life. The kids are continuing to enjoy piano (Katie more than August) and both of them are doing very well. August (much to my delight) is learning Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" (a simplified version). I'm taking advantage of sitting in on the kids' lessons and am brushing up on my own very, very rusty and very minimal knowledge of piano. I like the simple versions of the classics, but even these clearly take a fair amount of practice on my part before they sound like anything remotely resembling music.
Our Ford F150 came out of our garage yesterday for the first time in many months. It was a red-letter day, a day of great joy and celebration. It was a day of joy rides with dad in the big green pickup. We celebrated by going out for supper! I joyfully parked our minivan in the garage that night! Yay! I guess I'm easy to please...sometimes.
It is also great to finally see some warmer weather on the horizon. Here in Illinois we have had the coldest winter we've experienced in a long time. Our wood supply dwindled and then finally ran out as our wood furnace warmed the house. Now our gas furnace has been back on the job, but it just doesn't provide the same warmth! I'm looking forward to the arrival of spring this year! It will be fun to get into the garden again this year, too. Last year I planted a whole lot of asparagus, so I'm hoping to be able to harvest some this year!
Change seems to be part of God's plan for the world. The seasons, the growth of the green leaves in spring. Their turning to gold, red and brown in fall. Even the cold of winter serves its purpose...and if nothing else, helps us appreciate the spring and summer even more! Blessings, Angela
Change. It seems to be a season of change. I'm not sure but it seems there is something in the air...maybe in the water...who knows. One thing is certain, life as we knew it no longer exists. The kid who ran around our house in diapers talking about animals is now writing books and poetry--about animals. The other kid who wanted to be a ballerina cowgirl, now plans to be a petshop owner. An economy we thought was stable is now in question and the future seems to be uncertain. At times like this I find it helpful to remember that I've felt something like this before, and that in previous times of uncertainty, God helped our family through. I, for one, am counting on a replay of divine intervention!
We are busy with the many details of life. The kids are continuing to enjoy piano (Katie more than August) and both of them are doing very well. August (much to my delight) is learning Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" (a simplified version). I'm taking advantage of sitting in on the kids' lessons and am brushing up on my own very, very rusty and very minimal knowledge of piano. I like the simple versions of the classics, but even these clearly take a fair amount of practice on my part before they sound like anything remotely resembling music.
Our Ford F150 came out of our garage yesterday for the first time in many months. It was a red-letter day, a day of great joy and celebration. It was a day of joy rides with dad in the big green pickup. We celebrated by going out for supper! I joyfully parked our minivan in the garage that night! Yay! I guess I'm easy to please...sometimes.
It is also great to finally see some warmer weather on the horizon. Here in Illinois we have had the coldest winter we've experienced in a long time. Our wood supply dwindled and then finally ran out as our wood furnace warmed the house. Now our gas furnace has been back on the job, but it just doesn't provide the same warmth! I'm looking forward to the arrival of spring this year! It will be fun to get into the garden again this year, too. Last year I planted a whole lot of asparagus, so I'm hoping to be able to harvest some this year!
Change seems to be part of God's plan for the world. The seasons, the growth of the green leaves in spring. Their turning to gold, red and brown in fall. Even the cold of winter serves its purpose...and if nothing else, helps us appreciate the spring and summer even more! Blessings, Angela
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