Family

A few very sweet moments from the last two days:
-singing Christmas carols at my parents' apartment
-having Vic and the children -- ALL of them, including Tim and Liz in their PJs -- walk into the bedroom on Christmas morning singing Happy Birthday
-an incredible interesting pile of 75 'cake balls' for my 53rd birthday cake -- very easy to serve! "Chocolate, vanilla, or citrus?" Plop - on the plate!
-family members liking the presents I made for them -- Ben's t-shirt quilt, my sisters' decorated gourds, my neice's barretts and cloth bags
-seeing Vic and the boys work together installing technology
-walking upstairs and finding out that Betsy had cleaned both bathrooms
-giving out my okra santa ornaments to friends
-enjoying my cleared-out work-room by having plenty of space to sew, do crafts with Emily Vastola, and set up an extra eating table for Christmas dinner

Making

I have developed quite an urge to make things over the past few years. I've done a little painting, sewing, woodburning, and other 'crafting', and it is so satisfying to produce something that I like and give it to someone I love, even if it's just a simple apron or Christmas ornament. Is this one of the ways we are 'in God's image'? Look at all the beautiful gifts he gives us each day.. I find there's a particular pleasure in looking at something I made and that I'm pleased with despite its flaws. Remember when God looked at it all and said it was good? Is that something like trying on the apron and looking in the mirror, or spreading the quilt out on the table just to enjoy looking at it?