Butterfly in the Wind

My One Word for this year is JOY. A decade ago I used Ann Voskamp's journal to count 3 gifts a day for 365 days. That practice began a change in my lift to look for small gifts of joy in the day. We encourage the staff and students to pick One Word each year using the kid version of Jon Gordon's book. Last year my word was Kindness and I made a vision board with my word. In the next week I will have my 3rd graders make a vision board with their One Word. The 3rd graders humbled me last year with their sincerity when choosing their one word. The passion in an 8 or 9 year old's eyes when they spoke about why they chose that word was inspiring.  I took time during my winter break to read my first Donna Fletcher Crow book. I love church history and after rereading How the Irish Saved Civilization  I visited a friend who introduced me to Ms. Crow. A Very Private Grave was a fast read for me as I traveled through Ireland and followed the roads that Cuthbert had walked.  My frien

Molly stood there for a half hour, just looking at the Nativity collection.     I have found this season to be a time of rest and "unpeopling".  I finished up my university studies for 2021 in mid-December and still had to work until December 22nd. On the 23rd I just sat in my chair and rested. As many in my school district had struggled with THE sickness, loss of family members, and many other calamities in 2021 I just struggled with exhaustion. With a mild sinus infection I just sat like Molly in the above photo, and stared into space. Rose Sunday, "Rejoice the Lord is near."     On December 24th I was at the church creating beauty for worship. December 12, Rose Sunday was our last full service. Many in our parish had gotten sick and after that Sunday I still felt devotion to continue to adorn the altar for the Lord even if only two of us were present for service. "   For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.&qu