Happy New Year- Documenting The Journey, and Saying or Writing Your Prayers

Happy New year everyone!

So here we are! I've been anticipating this day haven't you? 

We went to bed early last night and Myguy was snoring long before midnight. 

I cracked open my new hobonichi and water colored the first page;  a habit

I want to be more faithful with this year.  As the big hand got close 

to midnight I slipped out of bed and onto my knees.  

Our old church used to have the doors open at midnight so people could come in and 

pray together to usher in the new year.  I so loved that.  

And this year especially, its just something I really wanted to stay awake and do. 

 On social media this week

so many posts were how horrible 2020 was... - you know the good riddance 2020 thing...

and I know it was a hard year.  But still there were many blessings too.

So I've started getting this little magazine and really enjoy it. 

I love the artwork on the cover of this issue.

Those 3 masked NY city nurses.  {{{HEART}}}

While thumbing through and reading some of 2020's pages in my own 

faith journal I came upon 

this page again.  Someday won't 2020 media and journals be crazy  to read? 

A year ago this was something I couldn't even fathom. 

A global pandemic... here? global?  What? 

Yall know what I mean coz you're living it too. 

Flipping through 

and reading what  life has been like in 2020... it's mind boggling.  

This is another page that will likely stick with me into the new year ... I dunno maybe until I get to  heaven 

and ... you know; get a new bod!!!  ha  Aging is something I still struggle with and 

seems to be something often journaled.  There is so much that goes with just getting older. 

Like thinning skin.  Here I had written about snagging my skin on the shopping cart and 

it bled like a war wound.  Actually I wrote a "stuck hog." ha 

-We get  this one body for life. I wish I'd have treated mine better.

If only I had never smoked those stupid cigarettes or 

spent all that time cookin these gizzards in tanning beds.  

If only is done past.  But today I can do something right?

 Imagine if we only had one car or truck for life.  We'd baby her ... Keep her oil changed... wash the dirt n salt off  after every trip to town.  

Grease those U joints, and do everything to keep the sun from fading her shiny paint.

This one body... I've been hard on her.  

While I don't do resolutions.. getting back on board with eating a little healthier  and walking 

is a new year's goal.  Every year it's the case.  Anyone else relate or 

... or don't you ever chow down your feelings?   

Confession: I've put on alot of feelings lately. 

The fitbit is charging and tomorrow ... 

things are gonna  change.  

Anyone else walkin the same path... we can encourage eachother.  

 

So back to the little magazine I shared up above... is this article inside. 

I love it so much... praying on paper.  It's so inspiring and makes me 

want to just bust out pen and paper. 

If you don't know how to go about journaling... but you've wanted to... just do it.

Dare to share your  heart... in a notebook or journal.  

So often simple morning pages turn into actual prayers for me now.  But it's  always been easier  

for me to pray on paper than outloud.  

Reminds me of this girl I knew when she was about 17 years old. She was a wild thing. 

When she was little she went to church and catechism but then her family moved alot and 

she turned crazywild.  Her family broke up and she lived alone with just her Mama who gave her 

too much freedom.  Well the girl met this boy out cruisin one night and they started dating.

He had to go to youth group one evening and didn't want to go but his parent's made him.  

So he asked his wild new girlfriend if she would come along.  She was nervous but did it anyway.  

At the end of the session the leader made them sit in a circle and he went around  having 

everyone pray outloud.  He started the prayer off ... then the next kid prayed and so on until they got to 

the wildgirl's new boyfriend.  He didn't hesitate at all  and prayed so sweetly and genuine... she was kind of 

blown away.  Wow he had a whole side to him that she'd never seen before. (It was in there though.)  Back to the circle prayer...  then.... he finished 

and she was the last one in line!!!!!!  There was an awkward silence... she didn't  have a clue what to do much less say... -- She thought about getting up and running... but two people had ahold of her hands.  She stammered... and then opening her eyes she looked around the circle at all those bowed little heads ... ...she gulped and said..."AAAAAAAAAAMENNNN!"  She saw all those heads bob up and laughter just filled up the room.  Her  face flushed so red; she knew coz she could feel even her ears were about to bleed red.  And her new boyfriend he squeezed her hand and never did let go of it. He just smiled and said 

 "Good job," 

Oh the memories. 

And prayer life?.... yeah it's still hard sometimes to pray out loud for me.  

But on paper ... it's safe and flows.  

Thankfully God hears however we choose to talk to Him.

This past week I did so silently in an MRI tube.  

When I've had them before it wasn't too bad but this time I had two scans back to back...

that's a long time to not move a muscle and try to breathe through a mask.

I talked to Him... then 

found myself praying  the Lord's prayer over and over again... 

Then sang "Jesus Lover of my soul" in my head on repeat.  

A comfort came remembering He was in that tube  with me.  

I wasn't alone. 

I wrote about it later that night.

And again here now ... -not sure why...

Maybe it will encourage someone else.

Or remind you that you're not really alone. 

Today was fun starting all these new books and things!!!!!! 

I did take a photo of my nativity to stick in my dashboard and 

keep Christmas a good while longer.  

My grandgirl is on the other side  so 

I can see her sweet face everytime I open my book. 

The insert next to her picture is my monthly planner

where I work things out, brain dump,  and write everything. 

I used this photo I once made using an old postcard of 

my beloved  Britton Catholic church 

It's where I began and felt right to begin 2021.

This is looking outside my window today. 

The birdfeeders are all full and the cardinals, are so happy. 

I sing because I'm happy

and I sing because I'm free

His eye is on the sparrow and 

I know He watches me. 

I sign off with a few  books to get me started on my "to read list."

Goodreads has a challenge every year and you decide how many books you want to read. 

Last year I put down 12 thinking one a month was doable.  Ended up reading 17 fairly easily. 

Tried to finish the Good and Beautiful God by the end the year but didn't make it.   

This year I think I'll try 25.   Just thought I'd share a few I want to read.

Manchester Christmas was from one of you... and I look forward to getting into it! (thank you again!)

It's okay that Christmas is over ...I'll still read it.  - I listen to Christmas music year round too!

I have two other books coming.  One is on it's way from Alaska.  It's called: A Place In The Woods by Helen Hoover.  Found it on Ebay.   And from Amazon I ordered: Enjoying The Presence Of God by Jan Johnson.   

Maybe one of you other bookworms will see something here that sparks interest.  

And if you know something you think I should read... shoot me an email!  I'd love to hear.

Guess I better get out and put the chickens to bed.  

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! 

I'm glad our dots connected. 

Until we meet again, 

<*)))><