Good Morning in 2010!

(photo from cjad.com)

This is only the first day that I have had internet connection in almost 2 weeks, when we left for Georgia a few Mondays ago. Yes, there are still little beautiful bubbles of the world void of cell service and internet connection. My Christmas and New Year have been completely focused on family and fun - nothing else. And I'm so grateful.

I sincerely hope that you have had a wonderful last couple of weeks.

We were in Georgia with Landon's family for 8 days. Each day was spent at our family's lodge in the (back)woods of Jasper County. It's so great to have a place for the family to gather together away from the busy world of "in town" and that which is required of us when we do have access to the entire world. I was able to meet my beautiful new niece and nephew - which overjoyed me! My goodness, isn't life beautiful in the eyes of children? My heart is so encouraged by them and I loved being a giver (and receiver) of kisses, being a shaperone of rides on the swing, and playing on the edge of the lake. By the time we left, my heart was over flowing and i was absolutely exhausted. ha!

With 7 McBrayer siblings, most with children, our immediate family is now at 24, including the 8 kiddies. Imagine housing, gifting, and feeding this many over the holiday! landon's parents were so brave (or maybe crazy) to bring us all together again for Christmas. It is really a treat to have the whole family together. The family now resides in 5 different states and is growing exponentially every year, with 2 babies born in 2009 and 2 more expected in 2010 (so far). Now with each of the siblings married, it seems the next time that we should all expect to be together again is Christmas 2012. I can't even guess how many babes we'll have by then! wow!

Christmas was full of fun, including a hay ride singing Christmas songs, Santa visiting the kids on Christmas eve, a production of the Christmas story put on by the nieces and nephews with Uncle Dooney as narrator, early mornings with coffee and conversation, and late nights kid-free next to the fire. What a blessing!

We arrived back to Colorado late Wednesday night and left Thursday morning for M&D's cabin in the mountains. We celebrated the New Year with champaigne, fondue, and cross country skiing. We will be here for a few more days, while we enjoy the Colorado mountains and the Sheely family. Today Dad and Doons are ice climbing near by, and tomorrow we all leave for another Hut Trip through the woods. I love every season in Colorado. Each one is filled with different opportunities for adventure and every season brings breathtaking beauty to this beautiful state. I love being in Colorado.

This next week, we will finish up our time at the cabin and I will go to the Springs for a few meetings with ACSI. Then I will help my sister move into her apartment. All that to say that I'm not exactly sure at the regularity in which i will be posting. So, i'm sorry, friends, but it may be another week yet until I am able to be a more avid poster once again.

Happy 2010!!!!

Faith and Frapps

(photo by live life loud)

Friday I spent a few hours at our local Starbucks. I was focused on some work that I really wanted to get done before the weekend. 'Bucks was packed.

In Utah, Starbucks is different. I've only been to three stores out there (all of the stores within 12 miles of my house), and am disappointed with every one. They are slow. They make drinks wrong a lot. They don't have the charisma from their staff that Starbucks is known for. But, how could they? They live in Mormon-ville. Mormons dont' drink caffeine, so their clientel is very limited, and so is their employment pool.

Going to these Starbucks has been strange for me. They are cold and empty, and just don't feel the same...

Spending an afternoon in a real Starbucks again was great. I've only been in Utah for 5 months, but still I was surprised by my experience at my neighborhood 'Bucks. After I had been there for about an hour, I started to be more observant of the parties around me. I was completely surrounded by [Evangelical] Christians. In Colorado Springs this is pretty typical, but in Littleton, i was caught by surprise. The woman next to me was writing a final paper (i assume) for some Christian course - probably either at Denver Seminary or Colorado Christian Univ. There were ladies sitting on the couches exchanging stories about their missions experiences in China and Kenya. There was a lady beside the door reading her Bible and writing in her journal who had come up to them to ask questions - she had overheard that they were missionaries. 

"Hi, i'm so sorry to disturb you, but do you love the Lord? I love the Lord!" she shouted with such joy and anticipation.

And i rolled my eyes as I hear these women near tears, talking (rather loudly) about their time with other cultures overseas, finding a kinship in each other through similar experiences and through a mutual love for God.

For the first time, i really understand what it feels like to be in the religious minority, even though in this instance I wasn't.

It's amazing to me how coffee shops attract the Christian crowd in many places. And I guess even I was sitting down working on a student sponsorship program that helps kids living in poverty around the world to receive a Christian education. And Starbucks is my favorite place to go and read and write in my journal. As I've previously mentioned, the coffee shops are where I have met with ladies for prayer and accountability and Bible studies. And there is nothing wrong with that. I was just so surprised by my annoyed response to these womens' interactions. I was surprised by my amazement when i realized that I was surrounded by Christians.

It is pretty strange to be on the outside looking in...

You probably guessed it by now.

And i'm sorry.

I'm so lousy at keeping up with my blog when i'm not in my usual routine.

(photo by subtlet: of the "downtown" street in my hometown!)

We are in Colorado. It's amazing to drive 8 hours and make it home. Versus the 15-18 it took us to get here from Illinois. And the drive is lovely. We left after I worked until noon and we got "home" in time to eat a late dinner and hang with the fam a bit! And I was well-slept with low stress so Landon and I just had so much fun together laughing, talking, and listening to good music (thanks Titol and G - the ipod dock makes ALL the difference in our road trips!)

I'm working today. Landon's planning mountain adventures and catching up on the much missed sleep these last two weeks of finals have bestowed upon him.

I am SO EXCITED for tomorrow, because it's Saturday and there will be no working from anyone. Only "family fun time" as we once mockingly called mandatory family time. But I think we're all looking forward to it.

And then once Monday arrives, we're flying to Georgia to spend Christmas with the McBrayer's! Hooray!

Lights

Some days there is so much that i want to share with you. I am saddened to have to wait for another day for my next post. I want to share it all NOW!!! I really should start writing those down, because I know that yesterday was one of those days and today I am at a total loss when it comes to posting ideas.

Welp, this will have to do.

Remember i told you that I have put together the most embarrassing display of Christmas lights? Seriously, the houses around her are all lit up in a very organized and beautiful way - you know, when the lights line the frame of the house right beneath the roof? I love that. Mine isn't quite as grand.

But because Christmas decorating season ALWAYS seems to come at the busiest time of Landon's semester, the last few years I have been decorating by myself. Which is fine, but Landon has asked me not to get on the roof, of which i gladly oblige.  So I dominated our railings this year.

We have white lights leading up to our front door, and on my back porch we have colored lights (whenever i type colored my fingers automatically jump into colorad....o? analyze....). I even went to the womens' meeting at my local ward (The Mormons call this group of women The Relief Society. We had an inspiring talk, prayer, dinner, and crafting. It was nice) and women there stopped me to tell me that they can see the lights on my porch from their kitchen! Wow. I wondered what ELSE they could see from their kitchen. Reminded me to shut the blinds in case i need a drink of water at night and i'm wearing nothing but my birthday suit.

But these lights are growing on me. Makes it feel a little bit like Christmas around here!

Bonnye's Breakfast in a glass

Landon's parents made us Bonnye Woodlief's famous breakfast smoothies while we were at their beach house with them this summer. They made them for us again while they were visiting us here in Salt Lake City this fall.

We've been enjoying them every once in awhile ever since. I thought I should pass it on, because we all love it.

Disclaimer: this was never written down, so this may not be exactly right, but it's still yummy.

Ingredients:
Ice
1 cup green tea, brewed concentrated
1 banana
1 cup of yogurt
A handful of almonds
1-2 tsp of ground flax
1/4 - 1/2 cup of frozen blue berries

(I've been known to add orange juice, or vanilla ice cream on occasion. and keep in mind that the measurements are guestimants.).

:::::::BLEND::::::::

It's obviously full of antioxidants and is really yummy. Landon and I both like it!

Happy blending

and slurping...

Remember when i said that the way to my heart is with cheese?

A few days ago I received my first Christmas present delivered to my doorstep by Mr. UPS!

The past couple of years, my uncle and aunt have been getting me this delightful assortment of delicious goodness. I don't want to be hasty and say that it is becoming a tradition (wouldn't that be great!?), but each year I have enjoyed this gift for weeks.

Because it is edible, I didn't see any sense in waiting until Christmas to enjoy it (of course!). So for the last few days Landon and I have been savoring delicious summer sausage with Edam cheese, flat bread crackers,  and Spicy mustard. 

It's amazing. And wonderful in another way. I absolutely refuse to go grocery shopping the week before we leave for a long period of time. And we are headed to Georgia (by way of M&D's) at the end of this week. So we are still getting our protein (and saturated fats!) even though our refrigerator is practically empty of all but pickles, green beans and orange juice.

Thanks Uncle Chuck and Aunt Cathy!!! You always know how to love this girl in such a special way!

paper waster

I've mentioned a few times before that Landon and I are trying to be a paper-less family. I did succumb to purchasing paper towels a few weeks ago when landon offered to trade in his toilet paper usage for just a roll of paper towels. But that was tough on me. And hopefully this roll will last us the next 3 months.

I alluded to the fact that one of my great pet-peeves is when there aren't electrical hand dryers in the bathrooms. Drives me nuts, even, when i'm sitting in the stall and I hear the automatic paper-dispenser chugging along for a wasteful person that wants three towels for their two hands. at least they're washing their hands...i guess.

when we were traveling through thailand, there was a woman at the door to the womens' restroom that you paid for 3 squares of toilet paper... most opted to drip-dry i think. (i snuck in my own toilet paper!)

The Sierra Club is doing a initiative for Christmas, trying to get people to be creative about their gift wrapping - foregoing the traditional paper wrapping. Can you think of some creative wrapping alternatives?

Landon refuses to get the local news paper when we can just read the news online. I have a hard time imagining that the traditional and powerful newspaper will some day move into oblivion because of the internet. But maybe it's a good thing, really...

Maybe a tiny  (and totally attainable) new years resolution for this year would be to waste less.
Here's some easy things to do:
1. buy a few cloth table napkins. do not buy any paper napkins in 2010. see how you like it.
2. buy cloth grocery bags (they're $1 a piece and I usually just need 3 or 4 per trip) and forgo the paper and plastic bags at the stores. seriously, if this is too difficult, then you're just plain lazy.
3. reuse, reuse, reuse: wash and dry your ziplocks, wrap sandwiches in cloth napkins instead, reuse the paper and plastic bags that you get with your chick fil a, bread loaves, cheese, chinese, etc....
4. abandon bottled water. if you really can't handle the tap, buy a filter and a nalgene. seriously.
5. invest in a pile of rags and use those instead of paper towels to clean your house. you can do ALL the glass surfaces with one towel, ALL the wood surfaces with another, you end up using 3 or 4 towels in the whole house and save TONS of paper towels.

I noticed that almost all of these say "buy" which could turn you off. I just did some calculating in my mind and realized that for all the things i mentioned buying (besides the water filter), this entire purchase would be around $15-$20. Which all of these things are REUSABLE, so you will spend a TOTAL of $20 for the entire year instead of continually stocking up on paper products. So don't let that deter you, friend. (and if you're being even more resourceful, you could make rags and napkins out of old clothes that are too tattered and not spend a penny).

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned each of these on my blog before, but I haven't actually challenged anyone to do this. And granted, when you have kids, you probably are cleaning up many more messes (my goodness, i can only imagine!), but maybe for that reason it will be even more worth it!

People have commented to me that washing these cloth napkins and rags wastes power and water! it's a catch-20-20. but it's actually not. It's not even one whole load to wash those each month. He have a HE washing machine, but still - i'm sure yours won't do much damage.

Please comment if you have anything else to add about how to waste less. Maybe you want to challenge me to do something I've forgotten when it comes to conservation.

And read my friends blog today about water conservation and environmental stewardship. It hits the nail on the head.

Christmas Bells

(photo by ali tse)

I don't think i knew all the verses to the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:


Christmas Bells


"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

the war with the alarm

(photo by francis paraan)

listening to Landon's alarm(s) going off. Landon sets his two alarms five minutes apart and hits snooze as long as it takes to get him out of bed. So each morning, i usually hear his alarms A LOT. sometimes he hits snooze for an entire hour.

Poor guy; this week he is working from morning light until well past midnight. He has found himself amidst final papers and exams as well as "Holiday" end-of-the-semester dinners. Come next Monday, he will emerge into a month of FREEDOM!!! yay! But until then, the alarm clock beckons him from the flannels as he tries his hardest to open his eyes, and ultimately, succumbs to sleep still.

I have turned on the area heater in his office (there are no heating vents that go to the bottom level of our bi-level and it is about 15 degrees cooler down there), have the tea kettle roaring, and am about to go wake him up with kisses....again.

Good luck to many of you dear friends who are amidst final exams - you have almost reached a time of respite - just push on a little longer! you can do it!

a lesson from the Deut

(photo by John Wilcox)

I was reading Deuteronomy this morning as the sun rose, muted by our continuing snow storm (yay!). Warm cup of coffee, flannel-lined khaki's, fleece socks and fuzzy slippers have been keeping me warm today while "the weather outside is frightful!"

But I wanted to share with you a little bit from my reading today, if I may. At the beginning of Deut, we find Moses leading the Israelites after the Exodus from Egypt, to the land that God promised to them. Yet, when God told them to take possession of this land (by first destroying the Amorites), the Israelites "rebelled", and "grumbled" and concluded that "the LORD hates us" and desires to "destroy us" (1:27). And then Moses tells the Israelites something that continues to soothe and encourage me,

"Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." (1:29-31)

I love this passage. And thus begins the theme in Deuteronomy that challenges and excites me: remembrance. Moses tells them to remember what the LORD did in Egypt, remember how he has provided for us until now. Remember, for many years, God provided for the Israelites: food, water, the 10 commandments, victory over all of their enemies, etc... And now they doubt him again (AGAIN!). If I could be a woman of remembrance, i think i could walk more confidently forward in my life. If i could hold on to God's promises and remember the life of Jesus, remember God's hand in my life, his healing, his provision, his glory that I have seen in countless lives of others.... God is the same: he is not changing: he is not a different God to Lindsey than he is to Maggie;  he is God.

After this encouraging testimony and reminder from Moses, the Israelites did not "trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day...to show you the way you should go." (1:32-33) So God chose not to give them the promised land. He only would allow Caleb who "followed the LORD wholeheartedly" and Joshua and those children who were too young to have moral calpability to enter into this land that he had promised.

So God leads the Israelites into the wilderness for 40 more years. Yikes! And even during this time,

 "The LORD your God has blessed you in all the works of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert...God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything."(2:7)

And I am encouraged, that even if i forget God's promises, and doubt his leading, he will still provide for me all that I need as I wait on his timing. He will give me that time (hopefully not 40 years, eh?) to acquire the faith to follow him to bring about what he had always intended for me.

When i got onto Facebook this morning and saw some of your status updates and read some blogs, i thought to myself that this is a truth that some of you might be encouraged by. I'm not a theologian, and I am especially inarticulate in these matters, but I hope that maybe you can read these passages for yourself (Deut 1 and 2) and remember his faithfulness and see God's provision and purpose during the waiting and transitional periods of your life.