Five on Friday: Looking for Light!

Thanks to Amy from her Love Made My Home blog, I am posting Five on Friday. As I mentioned in my last post, I planned to drive to California and back to help my oldest sister celebrate her 75th birthday, and I did!  28 hours of driving over four days, mostly in the rain, was still beautiful, and I loved the time I had with family and friends.

One:  Heceta Head Light

Even in the mist and rain, I love the Pacific Coast!  From this lookout I looked down and saw many sea lions stretched out on the rocky shore.

Two: Mt. Hood and the moon from the corner of Orient Drive and Waybill Road

When I got home I launched into a busy week of family celebrations [a small group meeting in our home, two family birthdays and a family couple's anniversary] all of which were impacted by the surprising results of the  USA elections.  By the end of the week I was exhausted as I grappled with my part in all of the above.

Three: The night after the Super Moon

 It was cloudy here the night the moon was so spectacularly close to earth, but the next night I snapped this photo...just to celebrate the historic event.

Four: Joy and her Dad crowning our tree with starlight.

 Then it was Thanksgiving, and I celebrated several times in various settings. It is our tradition to put up our Christmas tree as soon after Thanksgiving as possible which was Friday night this year.

Five: The first Sunday in Advent 2016

Sunday night our church home life group started exploring verses that predicted the coming of the Savior of the world.  Next we looked at verses describing the coming of Jesus Christ, and finally we considered verses that declare He, who announced He is the Light of the world,  will return to judge and rule and reign forever.

As the days work their way to the darkest day of the year here, I find myself turning on lights and lighting candles sooner and more!  This last month I have been knitting a preemie blanket and working on some paper folding craft projects. I yearn to be cozy and warm and crafting in the light, do you?

Gracie xx

Enjoying Light!

As the daylight hours slip away so quickly from me in this Autumn to Winter seasonal shift, I am once more caught by surprise...both protesting and embracing the change. 

 This year I am celebrating six weeks of Advent instead of the four I have in the past...longer to focus on celebrating the coming of Christ, the Light of the world:

longer to notice the changes of light around me, the glow of sunlight on the new coat of snow on Mt. Hood, 

longer to enjoy the warmth of candlelight and Christmas tree lights and my funny little electric fireplace in the hearth,

longer to appreciate the little OttLite on the arm of my chair while I stitch on this and that,

and 

longer to appreciate the light of love in the eyes of my family members...

I am enjoying the light around me.

Are you enjoying the light around you?

xx
Gracie