…and God Bless You All.
During the last few days of the year, Big Guy and I have been de-cluttering and cleaning our house. We’ve emptied cabinets, filed old papers, and scrubbed our home within an inch of its elderly life. We were inspired by a bible devotion we studied at breakfast a few days ago, where it suggested that until our physical lives were in order, we wouldn’t be as effective in the work God has called us to do. Now our home is neat and orderly, and we’ve made plans to bring the other aspects of our lives into good order as well. Not a bad way to spend an end-of-the-year vacation!
Last year on this day I was wandering around Dublin in a rainstorm, missing my husband and brewing up an extra-special ear infection. I didn’t even stay up until midnight, though I wanted to celebrate with my new pubmates. This year Big Guy and I will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with the homeless at our shelter. I’ll probably be playing cards with the guests and games with the little kids, and I am hoping that the new year will bring them all some hope. I hope the same for all of my readers!
In the way that one thought leads to another in my over-active imagination, I started realizing that while I can order a beer and find a church or a bathroom in four languages, I am familiar with the celebratory toasts of many other countries. If you have a favorite toast of your own, please add it to my list!
British/Aussie/American: “Cheers!”
Irish: “Slainte!” (Slont’-yah)
Scottish: “Slainte mhor!” (slont’-yah bar)
German: “Prosit!” (proost)
French: “A votre sante’!” (ah votrah sahn’ tay)
Italian: “Cin-cin!” (chin’ chin)
Spanish: “Salud!” (sah-loot’)
Norwegian/Danish/Icelandic/Swedish: “Skal!” (skoal)
Greek: “Opa!” (oh’-pa)
Polish: “Na zdrowie!” (nahs drah’-vyah)
Russian: “Za vashe zdorovye!” (za vah shahs drah’-vyah)
Hebrew: “L’chaim!” (lahk eye’ em)
Japanese: “Kanpai!” (kon’-pie)
Chicagoan: “The Bears!” (dah’ bearzzz)
Published by angelawd on December 31st, 2007 tagged Joyful living
December 31st, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Happy New Year! L’Chaim (l’hkeye-eem) to you, too (it means “To Life,” as any Fiddler on the Roof fan probably already knows). I wish my husband would agree to declutter. Oh, well, no one’s perfect - and he is hanging up curtain rods for me as I type.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Angela, wow. First, I’d love to know more about that devotion you read, I’m a firm believer in that decluttering concept as well. If you have it, could you let me know where I can view it?
Second–oh.wow. It’s a testament to your beautiful relationship with God that you are not only willing to spend the evening with your friends at the shelter, but that you are looking forward to it. God blessed the folks where you will be serving tonight, no doubt. And you as well, for I’m certain you will go away with good friends as well. Have a beautiful evening.
I’m glad to know you’ll check into MiracleWord.net, I can’t think of a better way to step out of my life and into God’s, honestly; it’ll be good to chat on the forums with people about what I learn.
Angela, how very glad I am to begin the new year with a friend in you. May this coming year bless your socks off. xoxo
December 31st, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Suburban, I now have that l’chaim song on my mind! Funny! And since my husband is the primary chef of the family, he had a hard time decluttering the kitchen. Yay for Larry and new curtain rods!
Stacey, I’d love to share as soon as I can figure out an ethical way (you know, copyright stuff). The devos are from the days 12/29 and 12/30 of “Starting Your Day RIght”, by Joyce Meyer.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
God bless you, too! I don’t have any cheers to add to your list, but I’ll be thinking of you at the shelter tonight. Hope your new year is blessed.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
Ya den, happy new year to ya den. you betcha. (origin: Northern Minnesotan. To master the dialect, say it with as little emotional commitment as you can muster, and look no one in the eye! They’ll know that you mean it. You hardly have to say it out loud, really.)
Happy New Year, my friend.
BTW - As far as I’m concerned, you get the Mother of the Year award re: the piercing and your daughter. It’s just a hole and a little jewelry. and it’s not forever.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 am
Happy New Year Angela!
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
That must have been one heckuva devotion! I need more than that to get our house organized. That’s so true about getting our life in order first to be able to really help others.
Happy New Year! I LOVE your blogs!!!
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Ahna, that’s so funny - I could hear your words while reading them! I wasn’t aware of North Minnesotan until I saw “Fargo”, then I realized (oh my gosh!) my aunt and uncle, who live north of the Twin Cities, have that same accent! Thanks also for your encouragement about mothering.
Sue, Happy New Year to you too. Can’t wait to share another year of craziness with you!
Josie, you’re right, those devotions hit me right between the eyes. Of course, more than just my house needs organization. Thanks for reading!