Updated Reading List

Added a few titles to the reading list for 2008 in my sidebar. One of those books I've actually read twice already this year, and am in the midst of reading a third time (Echoes). One of them will get it's own post in the next week or two, as it's been vastly inspiring and challenging, and will require me to read it at least once more as well (Take This Bread).

To be lifted...

One of my friends has this as her facebook status update...

"...... is praying for heavy hearts and tired arms to be lifted."

Love that as an update. Love that she's praying for that.

Thinking I'm going to go light some candles, and lay in a hot bath, and join her in her prayers.

A List Post (To Prove I'm Really Home!)

Two lists for you today - "Things that are Making Me Smile" and "To Do List"

Things that are Making Me Smile

• clean jeans after wearing the same ones nearly every day for close to five weeks
• long shower
• the possibility of taking a shower and a bubble bath in the same day, without adversely affecting anyone's water bill (thankful for utilities included in our rent)
• Matt Redman's song "Salvation" which kind of defined chunks of my trip
• slow, lazy schedule
• an email from Shelley
• a fortune from the fortune cookie that came with my Vietnamese food last night "your lucky number this week is nine" - kind of an inside joke, but a great smile reminder anyway!
• quiet, empty house while my roommate is at work
• the prospect of purchasing a new journal today
  
• a house where you don't have to wear 5 layers of clothing indoors (no marble floors in sight!)
• central heating
• my own bed
• prospects of reconnecting with some friends and family now that I'm home
• no need for socks for sleeping (or for walking around the house) - bare feet are where it's at today
• fresh snow outside - that I don't have to go out into unless I want to, but it sure looks pretty!
• a beautiful rosary and crucifix purchased in Rome, and an icon purchased in Malta
  

Things to Do in the Next Day or Two

• go to the bank and exchange currency back to Canadian dollars
• buy a new journal
• buy a baby gift
• sort out the gifts from my trip for various people
• unpack
• burn a cd for a friend
• get over jet-lag
• buy cough drops
• laundry
• change voicemail message to indicate I'm back in the country
• call my best friend, M.
• call my baby brother, T.
• learn how to use the chat feature in g-mail
• write a blog post (oh, wait, that one's nearly done)
• cook - food that is post travel upset stomach friendly
• light candles
• burn incense
• long walk in the park