old, new, and i can't figure it out!

this is kristen celebrating christmas; some of us have to work, but i'm not bitter!

somehow, my blog settings have changed over the new year, and i can't seem to figure out how to change them.
so, here you are, getting to experience this new setting with me.
kristen and ben went to the islands for christmas, and i stayed home.  and i got this great picture, so i'm sharing it with you!  what a way to end 2012; with a splash!
and after all the financial cliff hoop-la, i can honestly say, i don't feel any differently in the new year.
the light still dawns on us, and hopefully, we will be able to share the good news, even if our politicians in washington d.c. can't figure it out!

and the picture below is new year's day; my home; i stayed home on that day too!  you can't really see, but our snow in merced looks a little like what people might call 'frost'.  and it was indeed, cold, and has continued to remain cold.  so walking is a challenge in the early, wee hours of the dawn.  but, alas, somebody has to do it!

i suggested to our communion group at the hampshire that they take their morning walk in the afternoon!

and so the new year has begun.  i started sorting out my taxes, and then this morning, in preparation for 'epiphancy', i began to prepare for our high school/college sunday school class.

we will have an epiphany party, based on the beginning text of matthew, chapter 2.  we'll hear about and explore together what epiphany is and was, and what it means to us today -- seeing the light; exploring the possibilities; sharing the gift of life.

we'll have gifts to share, and cake to eat.

now about the cake....a healthy cake to begin the new year...ok, carrot cake -- from scratch -- well, at least it sounds healthy; carrots and raisins; but then you add things like sugar and oil.  well, none the less, it will be a memorable way to explore why it is that one baby made a ruler (herod) so uncomfortable, and why, 2,000 years later, we still seek to follow in 'the way'.

what does it mean to share 'the light of the world', to you?

how will you share your faith in the coming year?

when will you be willing to serve in mission in the days to come?

who, if not jesus, will compel you to advocate on behalf of those whose voice and lives are being silenced?

where will you find your strength to make a difference -- meditation, community support, bible study, a small group; or will it be a sound bite, a headline in the newspaper, a facebook post or a website?

have you started your new year's resolution yet? 

reading?

lifestyle change?

setting out to make a difference?

are you finding peace and making a difference yet in the new year -- and if not, how are you setting out to find your spiritual place in 2013....

for me, the old continues to keep getting older;

the new continues to cause me to remember that i am old and need to continue to learn something new.

and, there is some comfort in knowing that i can't figure everything out...

leaving me to remember how important it is to ask for help, and offer help to others when asked.

all in all, it's not a bad beginning for a new year!