Stories from the Porch in December

Oh, December, I have such mixed feelings about you. I adore Christmas season, even when we approach all the festivities simply like we did this year. But I’m not so sure I’m ready for 2018 to end. Obviously, I don’t have any choice in this matter of time. I’ll take the mildness that let me go on walks outside, the sweetness and joy that come with Christmas, and wonder for just a little bit longer if I’m ready for 2019.

Highlights

Obviously, Christmas was a highlight. I love the way Christmas lingers while we catch up with friends are who aren’t always near, reminisce and plan with family members, and enjoy some slow days of working puzzles, reading books, and building new Lego sets.

I also really loved reflecting on 2018 and anticipating 2019 with my friend Kayse Pratt from Anchored Women. She hosted #reflectandrefresh2018 on Instagram and the prompts were just what my heart needed. (Here’s one of my posts. I’d love for you to scroll the others and share your reflections. Plus I didn’t realize how much this challenge would help me sort the thoughts in my head and come to a word for the year I wasn’t expecting. More on that on Wednesday.)

Favorite things

“One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book” — I’ve filled this out almost every day this year and am excited to begin year two in the five-year journal. I gifted it to three people this year.

23andMe DNA tests – I wrote a post about our experience testing my kids and then ordered kits for Greg and me. We’re going to send off our saliva samples soon!

Murray State Basketball – We love college basketball around here, and are happy to be in the midst of a fun season cheering on our Racers. In December, we took a road trip with friends to see MSU play at Middle Tennessee State and got to watch an exciting game against Auburn on TV the Saturday before Christmas.

Christmas cards – I know social media threatens this tradition, but I sure do love sending and receiving Christmas cards, family photos, and year-in-review letters. I’ve got the ones we’ve received hanging in our kitchen bay window and I may just keep them there for a while.

From the bookshelf

“Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional” by Paul David Tripp – I really enjoyed reading this advent devotional and have no doubt I’ll bring it out again in the years to come too.

“Letters to the Church” by Francis Chan – I’m reading this one slowly, but it’s excellent. Our small group is actually getting ready to work through the video series and study guide.

“God Over Good: Saving Your Faith by Losing Your Expectations of God” by Luke Norsworthy – I’m excited to be into this one. I’ve been waiting for the mental space to start reading this.

Here’s a list of all the books I read in 2018. I got several new fiction titles on my Kindle, so I’m reading to immerse myself in those.

On the screen

“Smallfoot” — We saw this in the theater for not-quite-first-run movies while visiting my family before Christmas and I really loved it. It reminded me of “Trolls” in some ways, but I loved the message so much.

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” — I think I liked the second season better than the first. (This is included with Amazon Prime!)

*****

As one year ends and another begins, it seems appropriate to share some lyrics from Rend Collective I’m loving:

“Your grace will never be forgot
Your mercy, all my life
Will be my source forever song
My story and my light

From mountain top to valley low
Through laughter and through tears
Surely the goodness of my God
Will follow all the years

For all that You have done for us
For every battle won
We’ll raise a song to bless Your heart
For all that you have done

… In unity we’ll stand as one
As family we’ll go
Shoulder to shoulder
Hand in hand
Into the great unknown …”