dancing with the natives

On January first we joined with about 20 Native Americans for a prayer & drum gathering in the mountains. We met at Fish Creek where a ridge juts out overlooking a deep gorge on three sides. We huddled in blankets, hats and gloves against the cold wind as it whipped through the canyon. The shofar echoed through the valley as we prayed over the land, the state, the nation, and Israel. We gathered around the drum and beat out songs about Yahweh and Yeshua. Some songs had a Native American sound and others were familiar songs sung in many churches. We worshiped and prayed for hours before heading back to the valley to share lunch together. It was a wonderful way to bring in the new year.

dancing through the house: dining room

I love the new feel of the dining room since we hung new thermal curtain and cleared out to take advantage of the view.


The inside wall of the dining room is lined with bookcases Jay found that were being removed from a church library.

This beautiful hand-carved table was a gift from a Bulgarian friend.

dancing with the post man

I was surprised when I went out to pick up the mail on Thursday. There was a large package at the door. I was even more surprised when I saw the package was addressed to me.

What fun to open the box and find the photography backdrop stand that Betsy had made for me.

I love the creative carry case made out of a pair of jeans.

Thanks Betsy for the fun and photograph inspiring gift!
Love you-Aunt Carolyn

dancing in the new year

Somewhere in the mid-80's I was invited to a new year's eve journaling party. At the party we were given a list of questions to help us reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming year. Each year since I have spent time around the new year, rereading journal entries and evaluating as well as praying for direction for the new year.

Three years ago during a phone conversation with one of my Korean students the topic of journaling came up and my student mentioned that he had purchased a 10 year journal. I had never heard of such a thing. He explained that the journal covers ten years of time. Each day of the year has one page divided into 10 parts. There are four lines for each day's entry. There are also extra pages at the back of the journal for entries that can't be captured in such a small space. I thought it sounded like a wonderful way to chronicle the years. That year I used Christmas gift money to purchase a 10 year journal of my own.

Journaling with the 10 year journal has caused me to learn to write very concisely. It has also made the end of year journal reflection process much easier...in the past I have spent the majority of January reading through a years worth of journal entries. The 10 year journal also allows me to reflect back to previous years each day of the year as I glance at the previous entry on that page. I really like my 10 year journal.

Blessed New Year!

ok corral square dance

When Tim, Stephanie, and David visited this weekend we visited a local riding stable and took some horses out for a test drive. The weather was mild, the scenery beautiful and the ride delightful.

danceing with the artist

We visited a Messianic fellowship on the north side of Phoenix today. We wanted to see the mural paintings a local artist has been painting there.

Christmas Blessing

May shalom surround you.
May your heart be content.
May your day be full of your favorite people.
May you lay your head to rest knowing the God of all creation cares for you.