True North

I have a whole delicious day spread out before me. One of my favorite things in life is to be able to putter around the house, move a piece of furniture, adjust this and that, organize things a little better. It is well in my world when that happens. Like you, I had to put away all the Christmas decor and get used to the absence of twinkling lights throughout the living space. My final step this week is to try and gut the kitchen. I realize I have flour in the cupboard that hasn't been used for a very, very long time. It's been so long that  I told Tamara we would have to use hers when we baked together. Our lifestyle has definitely changed and baking has not been a part of that. I need to remedy that by finding some nutritious recipes that allow for muffins and things of that sort. Life's too short to eliminate baking altogether!


I don't know about you, but the holidays simply create a time warp for me. I never seemed to know what day it was because every day seemed like a festive day so it stood to reason that it was a weekend. Also, traveling has that affect upon a soul as you leave one time zone for another, change living spaces and enter into someone else's routine (which turns out NOT to be THEIR routine either because it is the holiday!) We came home from the Rocky Mountain Christmas experience (which was soooo delightful) to a home that still had everything Christmas. It's been a transition to get back to what is normal.


Someone said normal is just a setting on a washing machine. Our lives are so fluid that sometimes we cannot identify what is normal, until you realize that everything that happens is normal because that is how life is. It just keeps coming at you. We set boundaries, create schedules and deadlines, make appointments and try to get to bed at a decent hour but we are not in control of the universe by any means. For instance, one of the first things we did when we returned home was to attend a funeral. No, that was not something we planned for.


As the New Year came and I had thoughts of what 2010 might bring and contemplated what things I should do to maintain order and simplicity in my life, I was once again struck with the profound awareness that Jesus is my True North. How could I possibly live upon this earth without a sense of Him being the firm, faithful, unchanging Way that exists in time and eternity? I order my life around Him and that is the bottom line. He gives me so much wiggle room and grace, showers blessings and gives the abundant life for us to enjoy but He is the purpose of it all. I want to ever come to Him and say, "Your will be done, not mine." I want to live with a white flag planted firmly in my heart as I yield to His Lordship.

Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

I, for one, can say that His purposes have never let me down. Granted, I haven't always understood them but I'm a girl who loves a bit of mystery and intrigue and basically I don't want to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders when I know Jesus holds all things together by the Word of His power. Someone  wiser holds the key to my entire life.


It is with this sense that I enter 2010. I am here upon this earth to do my part. I want to grow creatively, expand my friendships, roll up my sleeves to do whatever work comes my way. I will look to my True North when I feel bewildered or confused but also when I am filled with inexpressible joy and happiness and I will continue to give thanks to the One who makes my life normal.


Following are some snippets of our Rocky Mountain Christmas.

Here is a picture of the Banff Springs Hotel. I hadn't visited there for years. They have added wings and a conference center next door. My Grama For came for a visit when we lived in Idaho and we all went up and stayed in Canmore with her. Who would have ever dreamed that Sara would one day live there? For that matter, that the whole Peragallo family would live in Canada? Just think, our girls have all married Canadian men and my grandchildren are pure Canadian. See what I mean about plans and purposes? I could never have dreamed this one up!

Sara and I standing on the observation deck behind the hotel. See the moon in the right corner? It is just breathtaking. There were people sitting in hot pools right below us.

Auntie Sara and Sophia taking a break from their ice skating.

Me and my man...

A little visit with Santa

Little Miss Pearsonality...Sophia survived the mountain of presents.

Another example of normal life!