A Big Project and a Smaller One

A Big Project

As 2016 draws to a close, I’ve been thinking about my One Little Word for 2017 and what I might want to accomplish. I’ve also started looking back at the intentions I set for 2016 as well.

The biggest project I set for myself this year was to read the Bible cover to cover. Several years ago, my brother-in-law casually mentioned that he had read the Bible cover to cover twice. It made me realize that what I knew of the Bible pretty much came from Sunday School as a child, and the weekly Lectionary readings at church. The following June, I purchase the NRVS Daily Bible and put it on a shelf. It sat there for a year and a half.

This year I read it. Little did I know that it would prompt much additional reading and study as the text raised many questions. I ended up reading, by my count, five additional books and parts of many others as well as taking “Introduction to the Old Testament” at the University of Rochester, and reading the textbook for that class. It was worth the time. I have a new appreciation for The Bible and it’s place in history and influence on so much of classical literature. And it’s propelled me along on my personal faith journey. Today I finished, and I’m wondering which book to pick up next for my morning reading time. I have a long list from which to choose!

Since it’s related in theme, I thought I’d also share a Christmas gift I made for a friend. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t read my blog, but in case, I waited to share it until she received it yesterday.

It’s very similar in concept to the Valentine gift I gave her and my granddaughter last year. The little church is from Papertrey Ink’s Petite Places line, and the path, trees, and lightpost are from the same line, “Walk in the Park.” The glittery snow is from Art Glitter, “Faux Snow.” The jar came from Michael’s. Yesterday was a perfect day to give the gift although the snow here is anything but “faux.” We’ve been hit with three bands of lake effect snow in the last few days, and although it’s beautiful, it’s been bitterly cold, and the roads have been treacherous at times. I never left the house on Thursday. By yesterday the roads were pretty clear, but this morning they are snow-covered again.

Here’s a better look at the scene inside the globe. My friend was happy to have a more seasonal version of the candy jar, and expects to put some greenery and a battery-operated votive candle in it when the candy is gone. Think I’ll try that, too, if I get one made for myself.