Show and Tell

Time for Kelli's Show and Tell, go here for lots more fun and inspiration.

Today I'm sharing a project I'm working on, it is also my New Year's Resolution to finish this book.

This book is a testament of my life. I am now working on recording it in this notebook. My goal is to finish it this month! I'm showing it to you before it is completed because you may want to do it along with me!

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The following was in our church bulletin a few weeks ago. I want to do this and started the rough draft. First, I've printed it out and writing down things as they come to me, then I'm going to write them in the book above. I will leave blank pages in between each subject to add things later if I think of new things to say. Would you like to join me in this project?

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From the bulletin:
During the last weeks of the year think about the end of time. The phrase “the end of time” may strike a chord of fear in us. A picture of a fearsome, prophetic looking man with a sign around his neck that says “the end is near!” You better pray harder!” is part of our popular culture.

For us, death is a friend, a gateway to hope.

St. Margaret of Colonna said on her deathbed, “I thank Thee, dear Lord, for having permitted my body to become weak and infirm, so that I could the more freely return my soul to Thee.”

Death is our return to God, our birth into the fullness of life promised by Jesus Christ.

To help us enter into the mystery of the end of time, I would like to share with you a reflection exercise by the Jesuit writer Anthony de Mello, a priest who conducted workshops throughout the world on the subject of prayer and reflective living. This reflection tool helps us to write down the story of our life. Writing down our personal story is the best gift we can give to our families. (Al Esposito)

A Testament

I imagine that today I am to die.
I ask for time to be alone and write down for my family/friends a testament for which the points that follow could serve as chapter titles.

“To reveal myself openly and honestly takes the rawest kind of courage – (John Powell, SJ)

1. These things I have loved in life (things I tasted, looked at, smelled, heard, touched):

2. These experiences I have cherished:

3. These ideas have brought me liberation:

4. These beliefs I have outgrown:

5. These convictions I have lived by:

6. These are the things I have lived for:

7. These insights I have gained in the school of life

( insights into God, the world, human nature, Jesus Christ, love, religion, prayer):

8. These risks I took, these dangers I courted:

9. These sufferings have seasoned me:

10. These lessons life has taught me:

11. These influences have shaped my life (persons, occupations, books, events):

12. These things I regret about my life:

13. These scripture texts have lit my path:

14. These are my life’s achievements:

15. These persons are enshrined within my heart:

16. These are my unfulfilled desires:

Choose an ending for my testament. A poem (my own or someone else’s), a prayer, a sketch or picture (from a magazine, etc.) a scripture text, or anything that would be an apt conclusion to my testament. Set a goal, a deadline for completion.


Every new year I assess the past year of my life. I don't want to remain the same year after year. I try to do something new to make my life better and make my family's life better. My New Year's resolution is to complete this project, hopefully during January. I want to leave this for my children. Maybe they will do the same! Perhaps you may want to join me in this project, hopefully it has inspired you to leave something like this for your children or friends.

Happy New Year to all my fellow bloggers! I'm very thankful for the friendships I have made through blogging. I have learned so much through visiting with you! I have met a few of you in person and I hope someday I may meet even more.

May you have a very blessed 2009!!

Katherine
I am taking a blogger break, going to visit grandbabies!! I'll try to check in a few times if I can get online. I look forward to getting back to normal in a few weeks!