The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Happy Birthday, Portia!
UPDATE from the blog-tech
As usual, mu.nu is under a barrage of comment spam. It's great thing they've done, offering a space to all the Cotillionettes, and the blog-marm took up the offer in earnest. But, like I said, mu.nu is under another of the frequent spam-barrages.
In an effort to curtail any mentions of said spam sites, I've taken the liberty of doing the only thing I have at my disposal on mu.nu to get the spam out of the comments from well over 1,000 entries: I removed the comment entry form. It's gone, but the comments aren't.
So, until Porche returns from her blogging-break, you won't have any way to leave a comment on the site. Thanks for your patience.
Portia Rediscovered will be left unattended for an indefinite period of time. Most likely not as long as that sounds.
For further explanation, see the post below. It's a much needed recharge for the new year. I'll be sure to notify the usual suspects when I'm back.
Hope all are enjoying the new year. In the eternal words of our governor, I'll be back.
(Sigh. I just quoted Arnold. Do you see now why I need a break from writing? :)
Probably my favorite gift received this Christmas was Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. (That woman and her team are geniuses beyond compare.) I have always shared Martha's intense love of all things hospitality, including making a home a beautiful sanctuary in which to live and welcome guests. Predictably, this passion was fanned into flame when I acquired my own place. (Perhaps it's the exhorbitant rent in LA that truly ignited the spark.)
All this to say, with a Martha personality, it's often the Mary in me that gets second string (See Luke 10:38-42). I believe that all women battle one or the other complex. There's the Marys of this world who err on the side of passivity or can tend to be takers, and there are the Marthas who give and give but begrudgingly, making the lives of those around them miserable. Both personalities have their lovely and ugly characteristics.
Martha is the consummate hostess: attentive to detail. She knows the business of her home. Mary knows how to receive and cherish moments, a skill highly overlooked by our society.
This Christmas, I was challenged to find the balance of the two. Following Martha's footsteps, I want to truly know the "condition of my flock." Per Mary's lead, I want to sit in the presence of the Lord and hear His heart.
Thus, I am taking a blogging sabatical. School begins for me this week. It's the beginning of a new year and I want to start it on the right foot, spiritually and practically.
Even in the first few days of the year, I've had ample opportunities to minister to those around me. God has heard the cry of my heart for the lost and searching, both in my immediate and not-so-immediate circle. It's a thrill to watch. And I suspect there is only more to come--moments I do not want to miss.
So, here is to a brand new year full of blessing and inevitable hardships, but ultimately opportunities for God to show Himself strong on our behalf and in our weaknesses.
Happy New Year.
See you soon.
What a game, huh? Roses look good on Trojans. After all, they do blend with our color scheme quite nicely.
Yesterday's game was fantastic, and I could not have enjoyed myself more. Well, had my crazy football fanatic roommate been there, I probably would have. But she's in Fla., and I, Pasadena. But it was a great time.
Crow was the meal du jour of many ESPN and other sports commentators who called it for Michigan. Rather than backtracking, many sports journalists have decided to look to the future stating, "USC is the team to beat in 2007." (Hat tip: Muzzy.) That's all fine by me. No hard feelings.
While the Rosebowl was an incredibly satisfying and vindicating win for the Trojans, nothing could compare to the frenzy that was the Fiesta bowl. I came home from the bowl game to hear the screams and laughter of my dad and brother upstairs and was immediately caught up on the Boise St. v. Oklahoma game. (What was life like before Tivo and DVR?)
Congrats to the Broncos and the Sooners. That was a game that will go down in the annals of legendary college football games.
However, I'm grateful our game was not that exciting. I prefer blowouts. For my heart's sake.
For more details and further links on yesterday's games, see Port McClellan.
Happy New Year!
I'm off to the Rosebowl, crossing my fingers that we upset the pontificating armchair quarterbacks at ESPN who think Michigan will take it.
Be back later to blog about new years resolutions and all that boring stuff. Or I might not be back....it all depends on the outcome of the game.
Pasadena has some nice, high bridges. :)