There's just some things you do regardless of what contradicts them...

So how are you, dear friend? Things have been crazy here at the homeplace, but good. After the rush of the Christmas season at work, I've been enjoying over three weeks of just being home. It's gone by so fast, but the time has been so goooood for me. And I can't even name anything specific that I've done. Clean. Cook. Ride my Horse (only once did I brave the weather for it). Clean. Read a little, wrote a little. :-) I've missed doing these things very much, and found a simple joy in them I haven't known in awhile.
I did add a new member to the barnyard, imagine that. However she inhabits the house, imagine that.
So I have always wanted a parrot. Ever since I met one that belonged to a friend of ours, and ever since that sweet thing (mind you, he took to none of the strangers, save for me) plucked a green feather from his supply and placed it on my shoulder, I've been sold to wanting one. I still have that green feather in my jewelry box, by the way. :-) However, the fact that our friends had to finance the bird has somewhat kept me from seeking one out. But I found a Cockatiel in the paper several weeks ago, and was interested in the price.
So I have this bird, that was supposed to be a boy, but apparently had a complex because she finally laid an egg, revealing her true gender identity. She won't talk, since the males are the only ones that do--my Dad found that rather backwards--but we love her anyways.
She interestingly came about at the perfect time for me, and I had a hard time coming up with a suitable, yet uncorny, name for her. I kinda liked the name Darcy, cause it could work male or female, but I wanted it to mean something. I've always found it interesting in the Old Testament how the Israelites tended to name their children depending on where they were in life, what they'd learned, or things they'd gone through. So I looked up words in different languages (leaning towards Italian, naturally) that were key words to where I am and where I'd been lately, spiritually. And I came up with Fidarsi, which in Italian, means trust. :-) The kids have shortened it to Darsi, so it fits now.

A note to whom may be interested--as most of you know, the Lord has put it on my heart to begin a newsletter again, ever since I discontinued The Christian E-Girl Newsletter in '04. After praying about it, and lately feeling the pressing on my heart moreso to share the things He's bringing me through, the Lord has made a way (in more ways than one) to start again. It's called Cameratismo, meaning "fellowship". This time I have so much help, which is a blessing beyond deservant words. It's going to be very open, the mission of just sharing our hearts in hopes to edify and encourage each other in whatever part of life we're coming from! It is free to receive and through mail this time, so if you'd like to be added to the mailing list or would like to share (which is sooo needed and welcome!), just drop me a comment or e-mail me your address! Prayers would be so welcome too. :-)

My dear friend, I need to find some warmth. You may find this backwards, but my brother just proposed ice cream and I find myself happy to follow. :-) There's just some things you do regardless of what contradicts them. Like trust your Shepherd, when where He's leading is the last place you thought to go, and eat ice cream when the last thing you want is to be cold. But you find what you've chosen to do is the sweeter choice than it's "logical" option. :-)

Be blessed, for we're loved by One utterly willing and capable of loving us. :-)
--Jen