Headline

This story made me sad:

UK Caused Cholera, Says Zimbabwe

Smile

I got an email from my baby brother tonight. Sharing some news that made me smile in delight.

It hasn't been an easy year for any of my siblings or me. We've all faced and continue to face some pretty big challenges.

But this news, (that I'm not going to tell you) made me smile.

I needed a reason to smile tonight.

Friday Night

It's blizzarding outside. There's a severe winter storm warning going on, and the temperature is supposed to drop to -30C overnight.

So, I'm curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and a favorite wool sweater. The Christmas tree lights are turned on and a brand new ornament with a rose on it is sparkling tonight.

I ate a half-pint of blackberries and thoroughly enjoyed them.

I'm trying to figure out a way to use my laptop to record my voice. I want to make my own audiobooks. Mostly because there's a book I've been reading that I'd like to be able to hear while I'm driving and working and such like.

For the weekend, I'm mostly planning to hang out inside.

I'm making a quick trip to my parent's house to pick up some ingredients for baking tomorrow.

And I'm going to a Saturday evening mass with a friend.

But mostly, I'm going to hang out inside. (Unless I go stir crazy.)

I'm broke until payday on Monday, so Christmas shopping is out until then.

So, reading. Baking. Writing. Cleaning. Resting. These are the orders of the day for the next two days.

These, wool sweaters, comfy jeans, and lots of cups of tea.

Oh, and some chocolate. Because what would a weekend be without chocolate?

Advent (and Lent)

I feel the pressing of the darkness
the weight of the season

it's not hard, at this time of year
when I arrive at work in the dark
and leave when the light has already begun to fade
to feel the darkness encroaching
and understand the longing for the light

on my stereo a lone voice sings
of the journey to the cross
"Into the darkness we must go,
gone, gone is the light.
Jesus, remember me
when you enter your kingdom."

"This feels more like Lent -
like a journey to death and a grave,
than like Advent, and praying for birth"
I said to her
"Advent and Lent are the same"
she said
"A conversation for another night,
but Advent and Lent are the same"

Cyclical seasons
journeying through the dark
ever longing for light
for life, for restoration
to come.

Jesus Christ, have mercy on me
as I wait and walk in darkness.

Raw Hope

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.

6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,

9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.

10 I believed; therefore I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."

11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.