February 2025 Purging Progress

In order to really stick to any resolution, it helps to be intentional and accountable for progress. When I undertook my 2023 Facebook Prayer Project, I held to particular structure and documentation. This was a tremendous help in keeping me going. This year, my documentation is meant to keep me plugging away at my two-part goals of fasting and purging. Thus, I try to keep a daily tab on these efforts. Plus, purging is hard for me. When I find something my heart longs to keep, I can make note of it and move on with more ease.

I struggled with the record-keeping, however. At first, I was writing down what was eliminated. This was simple when I was dealing with Christmas items, shoes, books, magazines, and even writing utensils. Those were easily calculated. However, then I began sorting through old teaching files and correspondence. Tossing piles of papers is a bit harder to quantify. In looking back over my daily notes, I purged 537 items. Since some of these were merely pencils or pens, I kept track of bags filled for Goodwill (5). Speaking of pencils, how is this even possible???

I decided to offer the better school supplies (certainly not this pencil nub), teaching materials, and games to my local elementary school (once I've cleared the whole section of the basement that I am tackling). Thus, I have two bags heading there (if they respond with interest). By January 22nd, I began tracking how much time I spent in purging activities. Of those 37 days, I worked 30 hours (approximately 3/4 hour a day). Mainly, I am keeping track of things in order to keep up the momentum and to be able to prove to my husband that I CAN, indeed, tackle my clutter.

What amazes me is how much fun I'm having. I have always dreaded tackling my clutter. But, I'm knee-deep in things of the past and loving every minute of it. There is still a tendency to keep more than I should (how do I get rid of all the correspondence from my beloved Mitchell family in England?), but I can take photos of what I don't keep. Or I can write of them here.

Some funnies I found but wanted to toss:

hipatitus = being perpetually cool

intaxication = the feeling of elation one gets when receiving a tax refund, lasting until you realize the money was yours to begin with

bozone = the layer around some people which inhibits wisdom from penetrating

- Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery

- A pessimist's blood type is always B-negative

- Shotgun wedding - a case of wife or death

- I used to work in a blanket factory, but it folded

- Marriage is the mourning after the knot before

- A hangover is the wrath of grapes

- Banning the bra was a big flop

- Sea captains don't like crew cuts

When I discovered my sons' 4th grade journals, I actually sent a thank you note to their teacher (still teaching at their elementary school). It was so funny to read their entries. In one, Sean was bemoaning the fact that his older brother would not be returning home for the summer because he was going to live in an apartment near an internship. He wrote, "They grow up so fast." Ha!

Next, I tackled the files from my minimal years of teaching. My experiences with teaching were not entirely pleasant. In my first year, I was the sole English teacher for a small rural Illinois high school. I had 6 preps: Fresh. Eng., Soph. Eng., Jr. Eng., Sr. Eng., Creative Writing, and Drama. Not only was I stretched to the breaking point, but I had such high expectations and ideals. I felt it was all on me to prepare them for future college expectations. Perhaps I confused the two. In any case, while purging, I found a letter from a mother requesting extra work to help her daughter save an abysmal grade. I shuddered as I read my response, touting the importance of fairness and accountability. I was mortified! I actually sought this mother's old email (she had worked at the local university) and sent her a much-belated apology letter (it is out in the ether, even if she never receives it). Now that I have longed for a second chance for a child, I can sympathize. Back then, not so much!

Thankfully, I also found files from my favorite class, summer school speech. What a blast I had with those students. Not only had I softened, but I gave so many hands-on, interactive activities. When I taught non-verbal communication, I brought in a television and showed 5 minutes of "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," with the sound off. Then, I turned the tv around and showed 5 minutes with just the sound, and finally 5 minutes with both visual and audio clues. Each time, I asked the students to make predictions about what was going on. Then, for sheer fun, we watched the whole movie. To teach personal space, I moved all the desks into one clump in the center of the room and required students to sit in their chairs there for 5 minutes. They were so relieved to move back to the original desk arrangement.

I found 2 copies of my college commencement program (seeing all those old names sent me searching on FB). When I found Bryce's baby book, I discovered the newspaper announcement which had his (later) best friend's announcement just above his. I sobbed when I found an unused, now defunct, $20 Borders gift card that had been a parting gift when we moved to Indiana. I actually tossed all but the few written on pages from my own baby book. In happening upon this photo from when I was five, I'm wondering why I didn't get the memo to wear white like everyone else?

Sorting through my college folders brought back great memories. In my Theology of Culture class, I had to keep a current events journal. Isn't this entry a kicker?

I had always remembered my Bible Geography class for the creative way the instructor tested our knowledge. Thus, I was thrilled to find and capture this quiz from his class:

Finally, it was such fun to re-read old correspondence. I found a letter my dad had sent when I was in the Philippines on a mission trip. In it, he explained the events of one evening when he woke at 4 a.m. realizing he had forgotten to have his evening devotions. He was praying and heard a tapping sound outside, coming from the Pizza Hut next door. He watched a burglar enter and called the police. Eleven squad cars surrounded the place and they came begging a hanger, so they could break into the back door. They returned again to ask if he was positive that the burglar was still in there. He assured them he had been watching faithfully. A few days later, he learned that the man had shut himself into the large cooler and passed out. Lucky for the burglar (an ex-employee who had already broken in once before), they found him and saved his life. My dad ended that paragraph with, "No, we haven't gotten a free pizza yet." Ha!

Here's a flyer I found for one of our Salvation Army outreach events, showcasing a photo of my baby brother, Tim, playing an Alto horn:

I had to text Tim a photo of a letter he sent to me with highlights from his vacation when he was around ten. He detailed every state they went through, even including multiple ones "where nothing happened," and every item he purchased. He finally explained that he had saved up $51 from his paper route job and spent all but 13 cents of it. He ended by saying, "Well, I guess I should get to bed. I started at 3 and now it's 10:27." He texted back, "What's going on? This letter took me 7.5 hours to write!! I'm so glad I gave such a detailed account. Even of the states where nothing happened! Hilarious!"

See what I mean? Great fun poring over items hoarded from the past. This is the reason I'm a pack-rat. I cannot bear to part with the detritus that makes me smile. Still, after 2 months purging work, I'm making some progress!

Book Review: Holy Habits

I love to start the new year reading books about values and living out those values, about habits and improving one's habits. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Noah Herrin's Holy Habits: 10 Small Decisions That Lead to a Big Life. Perhaps it was suggested to me from Hoopla (I listened on my library's Hoopla account). I'm not a fan of the subtitle. I guess I'm not really looking for a "big life." Instead, I'm interested in nurturing holiness and deepening my walk with God. Quibbles over the subtitle aside, I think the book holds some value. It provides a sufficient pep talk to set sights on habits of holiness and consider our impact in the world. The insights are fairly standard and delivered with some humor.

Do others see Jesus living inside of us? That's the key question. Is our life different because of Him? So what are the 10 "holy habits" Herrin wishes to nurture in the reader?

1. Seek and obey the Bible
2. Don't run from God when you mess up (repent and return to God)
3. Pray often - Herrin suggests praying in 1-minute increments throughout your day
4. Observe a Sabbath
5. Be content
6. Seek a coach for discipleship
7. Seek to disciple someone else
8. Get comfortable with silence so God can speak
9. Be a team player in a local church
10. Feel and express gratitude

Herrin hopes the reader will practice these habits to develop deeper intimacy with God. I want to seek purposeful habits that embrace God. Thankfully, I already incorporate much of this. My prayer life goes beyond 1-minute increments. (I am not disparaging this encouragement. In our current world, any increase in prayer will deepen one's relationship with God and spur change where it is desperately needed.) Could I spend more time in silence, listening for God? Certainly. Is it a struggle to remain content when I watch my son stray or when things don't go as I believe God wants? Yes, indeed. Plus, I'm sure my outlook would improve if I embraced gratitude more intentionally during my day.

There are two habits I struggle with and could pursue more: local church involvement and discipleship. The church we attend is my husband's choice. I long for a church focused on drawing unbelievers with greater variety than a hymn-only stance, and with words that inspire a deeper relationship with God, more than accentuating the deep chasm between God and man. I think of where my son is at and know he would feel like an outsider. Indeed, I often feel I don't belong, with my enjoyment of modern worship and Christian writers to supplement my Bible reading. Perhaps my struggle comes from growing up in The Salvation Army with a founder who believed we should "Go for sinners and go for the worst!" I thoroughly appreciate their commitment to seek and obey God's Word. Too many churches water down God's Word in their effort to reach the lost. Yet, I continue to struggle. While I wish to support my husband's leadership, I long for a church that pursues attraction more than condemnation, and freedom more than rigidity. The God I love and serve is not limited to a fixed avenue of communication. "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake." [1 Corinthians 9:22-23]

I also could pursue discipleship more. While I believe I touch the lives of others through my involvement in Bible Study Fellowship (my weekly Bible study group), is that really enough? Would I benefit from finding someone to mentor and disciple me? I'm sure. Yet, I seek friends rather than spiritual/life advisors. Perhaps not everyone is in a place of discipling or being discipled. Does the lack of discipleship mean an individual is not following hard after God? I don't think so. Still, I will consider these suggestions and strive for holy habits that deepen my walk with the Lord. I want to become so like Him, that others see Him, instead of me!

Book Review: Lost on a Mountain in Maine

After seeing an enticing trailer for this Angel Studios movie, I wanted to read the book. Although written for kids, it holds interest for adults as well. Lost on a Mountain in Maine tells the true story of Donn Fendler, who, at age 12, got lost for 9 days on Mount Katahdin. I'm sure my love of Gary D. Schmidt's outstanding book, Trouble, which also involves a tween on that mountain, heightened my interest. 

What a harrowing tale! And how heart-wrenching those days must have been for his parents. I listened to the audio book on Hoopla. The primary narrator is a boy who presents the story from Donn's perspective. An adult narrator then provides tiny asides with deeper information and details about the story. Although I would love to see the movie, I'm not interested in getting the Angel app. I'm hoping my library will somehow secure a copy one day.

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Just discovered: My library has this movie available now on Hoopla! Hoping to find time to watch it soon!

2/23/25 - We watched the movie on Hoopla last night. READ the BOOK! Or watch the trailer. They must have taken every action moment and combined it into the trailer. It was heartbreaking, yes! But, oh so slow. As usual, the book is better than the movie. I was also surprised that an Angel Studios film would begin with so much casual cursing. At the outset, they are interviewing an old man about the occurrence and his language is not something you'd want your young children (who may be interested after reading the book) to absorb. Moreover, the book emphasizes Donn's reliance on prayer during his challenging days in the wilderness.

Book Review: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Appropriately enough, this is an ambling tale. Lillian takes a walk in New York City on New Year's Eve of 1984. We, as readers, come alongside her and listen in on her ruminations as she recalls her life over the years. It was also appropriate that I read this book between New Year's Eve and January 3rd. I'm a fan of walking and of authors who seek inspiration through walking (Dickens, among others). At one time, I walked city streets myself. I lived in Chicago during my teen years. During one college summer break, I lived in New Jersey and walked the streets of New York City. Indeed, one Saturday morning, unwilling to pay the subway fare, I walked across Harlem to get to the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage. Thus, I appreciated this tale of an elderly woman's walk on the edge of a new year. It was full of interesting tid-bits of historical facts.

Lillian Boxfish is an 85-year-old woman who will not let others spook her out of her favorite activity, walking the streets of New York City. Despite recent criminal accounts, Lillian is feisty and unafraid. The story develops in a stream-of-consciousness manner as Lillian walks or ambles through the city with several destinations in mind. She is heading for a small party but makes many stops along the way (walking 10.4 miles in total). For the reader, it feels as if you are walking with her and reliving her past through her witty banter and sharp eyes. She has spunk, verve, and stories galore. By the final pages, I felt quite sad for her, but pleased she triumphs in the end.

I rarely encounter unfamiliar words. Although I have seen some of these words before, my exposure didn't explain the words. So, I looked them up to learn how to use the words myself. Here were the nine I learned: inchoate, pulchritudinous, oleaginous, poniard, idee fixe, aldehydic, mulligan, Stendahl syndrome, and anhedonia. Of course, when I mentioned them to my husband, he rattled off the dictionary definitions.

I adored the author's note at the end of the book. Kathleen Rooney explained her research into the life of Margaret Fishback, the inspiration for Lillian's character. Fishback was a poet and advertising copywriter with great acclaim. Since I once worked in an archive, I was thrilled to read the author's notes about acquiring Fishback's papers and handling the facts of Fishback's life and works. Rooney clarifies that this is a work of historical fiction and not biography. Basically, she merged her own love of city-walking with Fishback's story and enhanced her character with an entertainingly acidic voice. Lillian is a character you will never forget. I loved Harold Fry's walking tale. It made me want to follow his steps through England. I could see myself trekking through New York following Lillian Boxfish's trail. Who knows, maybe they've already created just such a walking tour!

Mid-month Mention: Overdose Lifeline

Last month, someone in the West Indy women's friendship group from Facebook invited me to volunteer with Overdose Lifeline. Volunteers gather every other Tuesday night to pack NARCAN Nasal Spray kits for distribution throughout Indiana. I took part on the first Tuesday of February. I appreciated this amazing and meaningful opportunity. My son survived an overdose in 2023, thanks to NARCAN.

What an impactful non-profit organization to support! They provide youth prevention programs, educational training, grief support, and prevention supplies. Overdose Lifeline offers these statistics on why overdose prevention matters:

• "1 in 4 noncancer opioid users struggle with addiction"
• "100,000+ overdose deaths in the US were estimated to have occurred in 2021"
• "90 % of addictions have been proven to originate during the teenage years" 

Our simple volunteer work allowed us to talk with others while we slapped instruction labels on the fentanyl test strips. We felt we might not get through the quantity of strips, but many hands working cleared it in no time. After that, we packed NARCAN Nasal Spray kits. I hope to go again with my son, Sean. On this particular Tuesday, I knew a few of the other women, but also met new individuals from the friendship group. 

After the 5-7 volunteer event, we drove to a nearby pub, Chatham Tap Butler. What a tasty dinner! Their menu offered so many appealing options, but I settled on the fish and chips (hoping for another nostalgic British experience). Though not served in newspaper (a British thing), and very hard to eat (falling apart before I could dip it into the tartar sauce), it was delicious. 

Sadly, I struggled with the night driving and parking on the Butler campus. I parked in the visitor lot down the street. When I attempted to leave, I pushed in my ticket, swiped my credit card, and a receipt churned out. Only problem, the gate didn't lift. Instead, the machine indicated I had taken too long and needed to take another ticket and pay again. Frustrated, I tried to move to the other machine with my new ticket. Alas, the same thing transpired. I was worried I'd be stuck in the parking garage all night. Thankfully, some kind-hearted student noticed my dilemma. He ran over and swiped his card to let me out of the garage.

When I returned home, I looked more carefully at the credit card receipts. Apparently, it had denied my card. That is why the darn gate didn't lift. In my flustered state, I don't think I even thanked the lovely student who saved me from the parking garage purgatory. It was a much later night than I'm used to (early bed, early rise gal I am), but I was grateful for the invitation.

If you are in the Indianapolis area and are interested in helping this cause, visit Overdose Lifeline to sign up for a volunteer slot some Tuesday evening. At the end of our volunteering shift, a young girl rose to thank the volunteers and to share the opportunity to take supplies home with you to keep in your car or home. She also mentioned that they pack and distribute 24,000 of these in Indiana each month. Wow! Feel free to contact Overdose Lifeline to secure some NARCAN Nasal Spray kits and fentanyl test strips you can keep in your car or home, in case you come upon someone who is struggling with opioid addiction. You can also offer financial support to enable this fine organization to continue their fight against this pervasive social dilemma.

Book Review: The First State of Being

I adored Erin Entrada Kelly's Newbery Honor Book, We Dream of Space. As usual, I feel I must apologize when I don't relish a book. I'm guessing I might have had a different response to this Newbery winning Kelly book, The First State of Being, if I had read it years ago. Maybe, I'm just in too deep a funk to rally. The story held my interest, but didn't wow like the other one.

Set at the turn of the century, the story follows Michael Rosario as he prepares for the uncertainties of Y2K in 1999. His encounter with a boy named Ridge, from the future, leaves him hoping for answers to ease his fears. Alas, Ridge cannot offer any consolation. The only real tid-bit Michael gleans is a prediction of an earthquake across the world. He has plenty of challenges apart from his Y2K woes and Ridge's appearance may bring even more.

The title focuses on Ridge's advice to focus on "the first state of being," or the present. It is easy to allow fears over the future to overwhelm and capsize our equilibrium (I'm guilty). Through the story of Ridge's intersection into Michael's world, young people gain a powerful message of strength and resilience in the face of the uncertainties of life. Kelly writes well, and the story is worthwhile. For readers aged 8-12, it appeals to those interested in time travel or science fiction. 

Book Review: The Intentional Year

This book, The Intentional Year, by Glenn and Holly Packiam, argues that fruitfulness comes from intentionality. The Packiams take retreats to plan how they want to live in the various spheres of their lives (prayer, rest, renewal, relationships, and work) in the coming days. They take time away to connect and process, to reflect and plan, to inventory what they’ve been given and what they feel called to do, and to shape a vision together. 

This idea appeals to me. However, my husband doesn’t share my enthusiasm. I proposed it and could tell it wasn’t something he desired. Sad. Of course, I can be intentional myself. This is what I do when I plan a project each year.

In the reflection section (unintentional rhyme - ha), they speak of St. Ignatius’ Prayer of Examen. It begins by sitting in silence for 3 minutes, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak. Next, reflect on the past year (mountains, valleys, joys, issues). They recommend finding something to express gratitude for in each month of the previous year. This is like setting up memorial stones for how God has carried you. Another part of the process of reflection is repentance. I’m sure I would benefit from reflecting on what God may have been trying to teach me through the struggles of our past year and in what areas God wishes me to grow.

In a section on praying, they suggest an acronym I had not heard before: PRAY, pause, rejoice, ask, yield. They also recommended the Lectio 365 app, something other friends have suggested to me. In a section on rest, they remind that “if you want the land to be fruitful, you have to let it rest.” In the section on work, they offer an insight that reminded me of a Frederick Buechner quote about finding your purpose. Your mission lies at the intersection of God’s glory, the world’s good, and your joy.

As they challenge readers to live intentionally, they offer these questions to ask the Lord: “Who are you calling me to be? What season am I in?” and “What rhythms do you want for me?” Another question to ask at the end of each day is, “Lord, where did I fail to engage with you today?” Each question aids in creating a big-picture vision for your life. I read this book in December, a prime time for approaching a new year, new season, and new opportunity to carve out space for God’s plans for my life with intentionality.

Book Review: Brightly Shining

Isn't the cover of this book a beautiful thing? And if the shimmering gold stars and snowy tree don't entice you, the accolades will. Indeed, the many glowing comments lured me in: "a magical modern classic," "dazzling contemporary fable of hardship and grit," and "absolute best that has been written in Nordic literature." Somehow, sadly, my experience didn't match these reviews. I don't know where these reviewers found "instant hygge and a warming of the heart" or "a song of unbearable beauty."

Brightly Shining tells the story of two young girls, and their alcoholic father, facing another challenging Christmas. Perhaps I'm simply too raw to read about addiction when it resides within my experience. The narration is well-done; the author nails the childish perspective in this scenario. Yet, I couldn't agree that this story inspires hope. It scoffs at faith; nihilistic perspectives pervade. It labels Jesus as a "great medicine man... that is all."

For me, this perspective was depressing and hope-dispelling. When you tear down the surest path to hope, what is left? Empty despair. This is exactly what these girls face and experience. Alcoholism and addiction are ever-present realities in this world. But, for me, faith brings the hope that invades the darkness. In this tale, the "brightly shining" star hides under a bushel. I ended this book in a real funk. I'd love to get back the handful of hours I invested.