Christmas questions

so the two main Christmas questions that i hear are, "where are you going for Christmas aka how are you spending Christmas?" and "did you finish your Christmas shopping?"

I am not sure if I have ever heard, "how are you celebrating Christ's birth?" or "how are you focusing on Christ?"

I'm not trying to be idealistic... I'm totally serious.


I have so little association with Jesus and Christmas it scares me... I really do love the presents most, and I want that to change.

Indiana Christmas

This winter I am trying to use things... instead of letting them sit in boxes. I pulled out my scrap box yesterday and made a tree skirt out of leftover felt from my time teaching, corduroy from pants... now too small. Linen from our first apartments curtains. and a few other pieces from favorite shirts and sweaters (including the one I used to say made me look like an elf- it was time)
It's actually a little fuller than when I took this photo earlier today, when i find another scrap I like, I plug in my glue gun and so it grows.


Chris and I are talking about simplifying more than ever. What it would feel like to sell everything... really- everything but a few treasured items and outfits.. I have been wondering how much of what I have is currently a distraction from a fuller understanding of and contentment in the Lord- how much of it is a distraction.

So.. maybe the tree skirt will be for sale in the spring- actually- I would sell it now if your interested :)

Pursuing Peace*

Lately

Hello Friends!

I have had no desire what-so-ever to blog for a while... so i didn't.

Today, though, it was supposed to snow- I say supposed because of the forecast, I didn't personally hear from God or anything. Anyway, instead it turned into rain this morning. I was bummed. A lot of people complain about cold weather- a lot! But its such a beautiful miracle. The freezing gives plants a chance to rest so that they can begin new growth in the spring. The cold drives people under warm blankets together or around fires. I love it. Plus, I love snow... I love crunching it under my boots, and I love the way it falls on trees, and I love the way it reminds me of redemption.

So anyway- the weather is why I am writing. I would be walking with my dog in the snow- but it is not snowing, so I am here. I thought it might be appropriate to mention what has been happening lately.

My husband and I have been overwhelmingly blessed in the past two years. We have been able to pursue just about anything we have wanted to; whether we saved up for it or took out a loan based on our budget... we made a system for everything we wanted.

Then, this past summer, someone made a slightly flippant comment about us. I don't think she meant it to hurt. But as I told her about our house and our dog she said, "do you have a white picket fence too?" I knew what she meant- had I chosen American comfort and 'success' over a mission-filled life? I was angry with her initially. But events continued to unfold that asked the same question.

We have had many, 'very legitimate' reasons for every choice we have made in the past few years... but was our reasoning... spiritual? or was it, 'this is the practical way to get what we want'? We have the dog we have always wanted, my husband has his dream workshop. I have an art studio (though cold at times) we have our cars... and just enough left to give 10% each month to God. But were we giving ourselves to him?

We have begun a journey of vulnerable, candid reflection. To love, to live as though I am dead and Christ now lives in me, to be living the gospel, does it include an antique bottle collection, boxes of art supplies and closets full of clothes? Does it include my life as I see it now?

Please pray for us as we ask God to show us what He desires, and what obedience looks like. Whether that is right here in our home, or somewhere totally different.

If you want to read some of what we have been reading check out Radical

More to come... eventually.