november 29
outside my window...sunshine, glorious sunshine and a bright blue sky so blue it take your breath away while shockingly orange leaves flutter in stark contrast. It is predicted to be even warmer in the coming days. No snow yet at all. It hasn't yet snowed once. Usually by this time of year we have had snow several times starting in October and already are surrounded by a winter wonderland. Looks like no snow for Christmas. Sigh...
I am listening to...Christmas music...and more Christmas music.
I am wearing...a grey surplice wrap dress with a black turtleneck shirt underneath, black tights and knee-high black boots.
I am grateful for...my friend, Iva, who is a member of our Bible study, prayer group and a great friend lo these many years. She has been a student of Dan's for as long as we have been here and has helped us by translating when we preach. Last week I treated her to some time with me at the spa (I get to bring guests a few times a month). We went in the saunas and the whirlpool and did some swimming. It was really relaxing and super to be able to spend time with her.
I am pondering...
“Christian thanksgiving is the life of Christ in the heart — transforming the disposition and the whole character.
Thanksgiving must be wrought into the life as a habit—before it can become a fixed and permanent quality.
An occasional burst of praise, in the midst of years of complaining, is not what is required. Songs on rare, sunshiny days; and no songs when skies are cloudy—will not make a life of gratitude. The heart must learn to sing always. This lesson is learned only when it becomes a habit which nothing can weaken. We must persist in being thankful.
When we can see no reason for praise—we must believe in the divine love and goodness, and sing in the darkness.
Thanksgiving has attained its rightful place in us, only when it is part of all our days and dominates all our experiences.”
J.R. Miller 1912
I am reading...Rayjak and the Devil's Halo by J.S. White. Mr. White is a friend of mine from waaay back and I am so excited to be reading this first book in a series that he is writing. So far it is incredibly enjoyable to read and I look forward to picking it up at the end of each day to see what will happen next. Check it out at http://rayjak.com/Rayjak/Home.html
I am thinking...about how the simple act of daily sitting at the table around the advent wreath, praying and reading scripture can open our hearts to God and draw us closer to Him and to each other. Why we don't do this all year long is completely lost on me. During lent we also have a daily routine of prayer and scripture, but it is far easier when a big celebration is coming like Christmas and Easter for which we must prepare home and hearts. What to do with the inbetween times? I am contemplating a year long attitude of preparation spanning each festival and feast mentioned in the Bible.
I am creating...a Christmas wonderland in our home and in our classroom. I really love this time of year with decorating and anticipating the good things to come. We have put up the tree in the girls' room and all the advent calendars. We bought our advent wreath at the Adventní Trh (see tomorrow's post). My classroom tree will go up on Thursday and our big tree we will get in a couple of weeks.
I am learning...Hebrew and French on livemocha. Free language learning programs and access to help from native speakers (a must for me with Hebrew)
One of my favourite things...my Kindergarten Christmas Choir. We just started rehearsals yesterday. We will be learning about 5 Christmas songs to sing for our Christmas party. I am teaching them how to stand properly in rows and with their hands at their sides (unless there are motions with the song) and how to sing loudly, not scream.
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