pause: (HE IS RISEN INDEED!)

The risen Christ meets us at the tomb,

and turns our tears to joy.

For your love and goodness

we give you thanks, O God.

Christ comes through our locked doors,

and turns our fear to courage.

For your love and goodness

we give you thanks, O God.

Christ comes to daily life and work,

and turns our failure to new vision.

For your love and goodness

we give you thanks, O God.

Christ breaks the bread,

and turns our despair to hope.

For your love and goodness

we give you thanks, O God.

"Thanksgiving for God's Love and Goodness"

-Bosco Peters

pause: Easter Saturday

Michelangelo, how you pondered this tragedy.

Friday: (were you there?)

Good Friday: My favorite songs are "Were You There?" and "Hallelujah, What a Savior."  I found this ancient recording by Johnny Cash that I want to share.

monday musings: (to myself)

Dear Self,
How do you know if you are doing the right thing?  Is there a way that seems right that only leads to death?  Absolutely.  But you are not following that way.  You cannot when your path is bathed in prayer and reflection.  Wisdom makes itself known in these choices--these daily choices that make up life.  Some are easier than others: be patient in traffic, answer with a kind word, take time to be thankful.  Some are not moral decisions: buy the computer, fill up the car with overpriced gas, walk to the grocery store.  Then there are the harder questions.  Questions I'm not ready to post.  Fear of the unknown future holds me back from making any choices.  I have not been asked to live in fear or confusion.  And I'm looking for a sign that if I make a choice and any hardship comes from it, then that is confirmation that I didn't make the right choice.  Like a newly married couple having their first fight and knowing, just knowing, that they made a mistake and this is the confirmation that they married the wrong person.

Life isn't supposed to be this way.  Hardship is no confirmation of a wrong decision.  How could I ever think that when I've grown up on stories of people making the right, moral choice in the midst of hardship?

Keep going, self.  You can trust the peace that follows prayer.  I know you want to do great things, but it's the little things that matter.  So whatever big choice you make, don't neglect the little ones.

----
post some of your fears/worries/big choices/little choices.

pause: (Sunday prayer: "DELIVER US FROM FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN")

O Lord, we beseech thee to deliver us from the fear of the unknown future; from fear of failure; from fear of poverty; from fear of bereavement; from fear of loneliness; from fear of sickness and pain; from fear of age; and from fear of death.  Help us, O Father, by thy grace to love and fear thee only, fill our hearts with cheerful courage and loving trust in thee; through our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

-Akanu Ibaim (Nigeria/1906-1995)

thorough tuesday: (list: wisconsin vs. california)

I’ve been thinking a lot the past year about what I want from the next five years of life.  I’m still single and love it and have used the past five years to travel a lot.  It’s been great, but when I think about settling down a little and making a place “home,” the list comes into play.  What is the list?  It’s the “JoAnn’s California vs. Wisconsin” list.  It answers some of the questions surrounding: “Why would you want to go to CA when you can stay in WI ?”

(Bolded items are especially weighty considerations.)

Wisconsin ׀ California

potatoes ׀ avocados

Mom ׀ Aunt

childhood friends ׀ college friends

new friends ׀ potential new friends

job ׀ possibility

Elmbrook Church ׀ church

Grandparents ׀ Grandma

cold ׀ warm

lake ׀ ocean

High School girls ׀ ----

construction ׀ traffic

Hairdresser I love ׀ ---

sunglare ׀ sunsets

Calatrava ׀ Disneyland

Bilbo ׀ pet cactus

blizzards ׀ smog

Canada ׀ Mexico

closer to Europe ׀ closer to Hawaii

--- ׀ piano lessons from Ashley

lunch after church ׀ ---

Aaron Rodgers J Aaron Rodgers

pause: (Sunday prayer: "I Cannot Do This Alone")

“O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you;
I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely; but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me. . . .

Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before men.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
Amen.”
--Dietrich Bonhoeffer

pause: (Saturday poetry: "Invictus")

At the age of 12, Henley fell victim to tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later, the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. It was amputated when he was 25.  Victorian text-books professing stoicism were popular in English public schools, and in 1875, the Stoic ideal of indifference in the face of suffering inspired Henley to write his poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until his death at the age of 53.  (source: wikipedia)

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

--William Ernest Henley, written in 1875

fun friday: (guacamole tip 101)

What could be more fun on a Friday that making guacamole?  I'd like to share a little family secret: all you need for great guac is a ripe avocado and some lawry's seasoned salt.  That's it!  I bring it to all of my favorite functions and people rave about my mad guac skills.  Now that this secret is out, I might need another great recipe with only two ingredients to wow people with. 

Also, I'm super bummed that I missed the California Avocado Festival...maybe next year.  Start planning ahead for fun times in October.

travel thursday: (indonesia)

some photos that i love from Indonesia
(I cannot believe it's been almost 5 years!):

(beginning something new)

Welcome to my newest creation!

I have long deliberated over creating a blog. I worried about the responsibility of routine maintenance and thought there were enough blogs on the market. Like a new author in an ancient library, the competition was daunting. I didn't want to burden people with another book when there were so many classics on the shelves. Plus I didn't feel the need for documenting countless random thoughts.

Recently I have realized that the other authors are friends. They are teachers. They are a grand buffet--you don't eat all the food, but take a sampling. So, I have decided to make friends with my teachers and begin posting. Because I have so many varied passions, this blog will be spiced with variety: photography, quotes, prayers, thoughts, poems. Come back often and hopefully there will be something to your taste!

Jo Ann