Wednesday HodgePodge 12/19/12

  1.  How will you spend 'the night before Christmas'?

Unfortunately, Favorite has to work Christmas Eve evening and Christmas Day evening so I'll be spending afternoons and mornings with him and my family.  The night before Christmas will find me with my Mom's side of the family at her house.  It's usually a good time.
 2.  What is one thing you are not?

   These days?  I'm not someone who can multitask without freaking out.  In the hustle and bustle of preparation, I called Lil Bro and lost my mind the other night.  Normally?  I'm pretty together.  But something about prengnacy and lack of memory for the sake of organization just screwed.me.up.  Thankfully, it doesn't happen often.

3.  Fudge--are you a fan?  Your favorite flavor?

  I've always been a big chocolate fan, but I just can't find it in my to like fudge.  This holiday season, I doubt I'll be eating too many sweets since they give me such horrible heartburn.  (It's one way to keep the weight at bay!)

  4.  Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December?  Do you prefer homemade goodies or the ore professional stalls?  Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?

 I went to a craft fair last month with my mom and aunt, and there were some really cool things there.  Since I am a lover of purses, I especially appreciated all the handmade bags the vendors had available.  Some of them look SO PROFESSIONAL!

Generally, I don't give homemade gifts because I am not together enough to handle all the planning along with my regular job stuff.  And this year I'm busy crocheting an afghan for Ryan's room.  I'll post pictures as soon as I have time to take one. 
5.  What's your favorite type of holiday gathering?

 My favorite is the same type of gathering I appreciate any time of the year--people who are willing to get together and laugh until their sides hurt.  I think it's why I enjoy Christmas so much--my whole family is together.  I so enjoy my brothers and their significant others.  Their presence in my mom and dad's house with my Favorite is my definition of home, you know?

  6.  We're approaching a new year...what's going to be different in 2013?

Well, for starters, I'm going to be a mom.  But I think that responsibility really has me considering the priorities in my life.  I'm reassessing my focus and continuing to order my days.  Some days that's harder than others.  And I'll admit that the holiday season and the rush of the last minute semester fixes has kept me from consistently getting into my SOAP devotions.  Honestly, exercise has taken a back seat for the last month, too.

Fortunately, I feel like those things are only minor set-backs.  In 2013, I refuse to dwell on what's behind and look toward what's ahead--which is really something I've been working on in 2012. 

But I have a break on the horizon (two whole weeks)!  And if there's anything I hope 2013 brings, it's an understanding of what is worthwhile and what doesn't deserve extra time.
7.  Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

Earlier this week Big Mama posted something about these lyrics.  Since then, that's been one of the few things circling in my mind.
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.

I 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.

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."

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!
  8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 I keep trying to write about belief in my life and how it's affected my journey so far.  But the only intelligible thing I can think is this:  Despite what's happened or is happening, I still believe.  I do.  It was one of my deepest frustration this time last year and one of our prevailing joys this year--the hope of expectation.

And I pray that expectation for people who are waiting.  For those who are hurting.  Or lonely.  Or still working through the frustration of hope in general.  And I pray those people see Christ in a very real way over the coming year.