Inauguration Parade

Thanks to C-Span, I was able to watch portions of the Inauguration festivities yesterday while I worked. I had printed out a list of the parade entrants, so I was able to watch those I was most interested in -- like the representatives from the Crow Tribe, who live near my home in Montana. Obama had visited their tribe during his campaign, and was adopted into the tribe with the name "One who helps people throughout the land." The picture above shows the group practicing for the parade -- note the snow and the not-Washington DC-background...

Although separated from the Crow representatives, our Montana delegation (Senators Baucus and Tester; Representative Rehberg; and Governor Schweitzer also rode horseback and carried our state flag.

I especially enjoyed the Obama's smiles and waves to the delegation, as they appeared before the viewing stand about halfway through a l-o-n-g parade. Here is a link to that portion of the parade...

Welcome 2009!!!

Well, my blogging hiatus is officially over. I have enjoyed seeing others take a break from their blogs over the Thanksgiving and Christmas season -- to know that I'm not alone. Saying that, I really enjoy those friends who regularly blog and look forward to what they share. My muse was defitinitely quiet for awhile ;)

This time has been contemplative and prayerful for me. My blog may reflect some of those 'aha' moments for just a time, or may be a lasting change for my life.

One example of this thought, is that I've felt that my blog writing follows my photographs, so there must be an event or I must take photos before I write. It has felt great to release that order -- saying the first of many good 'nays' to routine things.

Another example, is, although I live a pretty simple life by today's standard, I've noticed that I no longer cope with even regular stress well lately -- and have found continuing peace and contentment important to maintain - again saying 'nay' to invitations to events, people's requests for help, etc....it became clearer that I am more of a 'people pleaser' than I admitted to myself or others, which always puts additional pressure to perform.

One blogger friend says that for the past two years, she has begun the new year with a word or phrase - e.g. 'God is faithful' her first year, and 'purposeful' for this year; and then, to be mindful of those terms and their life impact throughout her year.

So, for 2009, my hope is that I will 'Wait upon God's grace'....through the years I have learned a lot about the blessings of obedience to 'wait', but I would like to be able to be mindful of those instances or happenings, and then to rejoice -- even through the waiting time...Thanks, Karen! You are an inspiration to me.