Focus on others...

To start off, I want to thank everyone for helping out with sending birthday cards to my dad for his 60th birthday. I'm looking forward to seeing his reaction to receiving all the cards this week!  I love getting personal letters/cards in the mail, and I'm sure he will as well. 

Life is going to start picking up the pace a bit now as I start track season. It's hard to believe as I look out my window at all that light fluffy annoying beautiful snow.  This week also starts 40 days of Lent.  I haven't always been one to give something up from my life during Lent, but I do make time for more reflection. I came across on Pinterest an idea that a pastor posted last year and I think I will try this Lenten Season: 40 notes in 40 days - cultivating relationships through Lent. 

Here is what Pastor Robb said about the idea: There are no real rules to this idea.  This is just a way to write a note to 40 different people, and pray for them in the process.  I’ll leave the content of the note up to you.  Only share what you feel comfortable sharing with others.  For example, you don’t have to tell someone that you’re writing them a note to fill in their “might be fearful” slot, and you don’t have to offer forgiveness to the person on March 27.  Any note could be as simple as saying, “During the course of my prayers today, you came to mind.  I hope you are doing well.”

He also shares ideas of different people that you can send a note to during the time. I probably won't follow it all, but it is a great way to get some ideas.  Find out more here http://fatpastor.me/2013/02/12/40-notes-in-40-days.     

Curious to hear what you do for Lent. I'm praying that I'm able to complete the task. 

By the way a little update on my diary writing.  It has become a daily habit now, and it's been great to reflect everyday of what I've done.  Thanks again to my Aunt Anita for the journal at Christmas to spark my interest in starting the diary. 

2014 - Keeping History Alive

As a fan of technology, I finally purchased a smartphone a few months ago. Nothing fancy - not an iphone - but it does the trick.   I've fallen into using the instagram app.  I find that its fun to catch a moment in time to share with others every so often. I take a picture now and then to share with my friends.  What I've realized though is that we live in such an instant world. It makes me wonder though have we lost the art of keeping the old traditions alive.

Does anyone out there miss when you took photos with film, and then waited for it to be developed to see the surprise?

Do you miss getting a hand written note in the mail or a real phone call from a friend?

Does anyone miss the sound of music from a record player?

What about not having the internet and actually looking up information in a book?

Speaking of books, when using an electronic device to read, don't you miss the smell and feel of a real book?

I like to say I have an "old" heart.

My family has a beautiful tradition - writing in a diary.  We have diaries from several generations ago, and there is something magical about reading what people did on a day to day basis many years ago.  My parents have kept the tradition going by keeping a diary too. Every so often, my dad will get out a diary and read about what we did that day several years ago.  We might look up when we were born or what we did on our birthdays.  It's fun to hear about the weather and what we did to have a good time.
For Christmas this year, I received a journal from my aunt. It has encouraged me to continue on with this family tradition of writing about my daily life in a diary format in my own handwriting.  I can't wait to look back and read these memories with my family some day. I hope to keep you posted with this goal.