Epiphany

 We have decided to keep the tree up until Candlemas, I think we did the same last year!  I'm just not ready to let go of its comforting presence and it is so cheery to look at too:

Where The Map Begins ~ A Blessing for Epiphany

This is not any map you know,

Forget Longitude, 

Forget Latitude,

Do not think of distance or of plotting the most direct route,

Astrolabe, sextant, compass

these will not help here.

This is the map that begins with a star,

This is the chart that starts with a fire,

With blazing,

with ancient light

that has outlasted

generations, empires,

cultures and wars.

Look starward once

and then look away,

Close your eyes and see how the map begins to blossom

behind your lids,

how it constellates

its lines stretching out

from where you stand.

You cannot see it all,

cannot divine the way

it will turn and spiral

cannot perceive how the road you walk

will lead you finally inside,

through the labyrinth

of your own heart

and belly

and lungs.

But you step out

and you will know

what the wise who travelled this path before you knew,

the treasure in this map

is buried not at journey's end

but at its beginning.

Jan Richardson, 'Circle of Grace, A Book of Blessings for Each Season.'

I love that the treasure is found at the beginning of the journey and not at the end, that gives me a sense of hope and very much ties in with a Benedictine philosophy that, 'each day we begin again' and listen with the ear of our heart to your words O Lord.

I will not lie, I'm struggling with awful inflammation in my low spine and at one point it became too painful to even sit.  I have some pretty strong anti- inflammatory medication that has begun to take down the swelling and the gentle walking is helping to try and shift everything into place.  I also have an Osteopath appointment next week, Praise God!  However, if I'm not careful pain can really start to drag me down, so having these challenges such as an outdoor hour keep me focused and distracted. Seeing the little shapes being coloured in on the nature mandala wheel is also a real encouragement to keep going. 

Since the 2nd of January I have so far clocked up a total of seven hours outside, which is no mean feat for someone with a chronic health condition.  It has not all been plain sailing and there have been times when I have wanted to stay huddled next to the fire, but every time I have ignored that inclination my spirits have lifted for being in nature.  This morning I took a very slow walk to the nearby river and I sat on the bench to soak up the sounds, finish my prayers and just be in God's presence:

In addition to the challenges we also have a joy jar on the table with squares of paper and a pencil and it is openly available for folk to add something that brought them joy that day.  I'm hoping by the end of the year it will be full of such moments that we can share and reflect upon.

Whilst I was on my walk Pip was busy turning this masterpiece into thank you cards for family and friends:

Christmas Week and New Year

Ben travelled back with Mum H on the 27th and so  we decided to be brave and take Pip out for lunch on the 30th as we figured it would be crazy come New Year's Eve.   In fact it was positively heaving at our chosen venue, however thanks to be God, we had a table at the far side and were sheltered by a huge Christmas tree.  I was so relieved we were not seated in the main part of the restaurant it resembled a rugby scrum 🙄. Despite the nagging Covid worry rambling around in my brain we all enjoyed our meal:

Pip taking a photo of her food to show Ben as he'd been out for lunch with Nanna earlier in the week - she had Chicken Caesar Salad.

Dave had Tuna Nicoise.

Mine was goats cheese and beetroot salad and sweet potato fries.  It was utterly delicious but I no longer seem to be able to tolerate any dairy including goats cheese/milk which is a shame. 

On New Year's Eve we had a visit from some friends, it was lovely to catch up with them and the kids had a fab time.  By the end of their stay I wasn't feeling too great (not Covid just a usual chronic health crash) and in truth I just wanted to go to bed but had promised to make dessert for our New Year's Day family meal and so I set too in making keto friendly Boston Cream Cake. To my surprise and delight it was a real winner 😊

Gluten free, dairy free and very low carb Keto cake.

I've not had a word of the year for several years but felt called to have one this time round and my word this year is 'Faith.'  My faith has most definitely been tested this two years and not entirely due to Covid!!  I haven't lost my faith in fact I'm incredibly grateful to have a real person who is so much bigger than me and knows every hair on my head that I can turn to.  What I have missed is living the liturgical year and feeling safe enough to attend mass in person, assuming we are well enough to attend in the first place.  My hope and prayer is that this year we will live out our faith more liturgically.

In addition to spiritual matters I've decided to have a go at three rather broad year long challenges - de-cluttering 2022 things in 2022, 1000 hours outside and adopting some of the #Home Front Solutions adopted by women and families during the second world war.  I always do better when I have a focus and even if I don't complete all the challenges it's the trying that counts!  I'm also a visual person and had a lot of fun decluttering some magazines, cutting out relevant pictures and making a vision board for 2022:

I love the phrase 'put a pause in your day' a reminder to sit down with a cup of tea and recharge and most importantly to spend time with God.  I've welcomed the return of alfresco breakfast and coffee time with God for the last few mornings:

Outdoor Hours Chart.

Welcome blue skies this morning.

Yesterday's breakfast on a rather damp and dreary day ❤️