New Year's Thoughts from 1905

I just finished re-reading the 1904-1905 journals of my mother's father's mother's mother which I typed into a digital version years ago. 

Yes, that means these are the words of my great-great-grandmother! And since it was written in Norwegian [albeit while living in rural, midwestern USA], her daughter later translated the writing into English.

What perfect timing to come across the following entries of a New Year's 119 years ago!

Keep in mind that Great-Great-Grandma Johanna was widowed just 2 years prior and had 13 living children, ages 5 through 27. Nine of the youngest were still at home on the farm most of the time, and 1904 was very difficult in many ways. Yet Johanna knew where to find Hope! As she wrote:

"Dec. 31st - Nice and mild weather. All have been busy. [Then follows an explanation of who drove the horses in to meet an older son and wife at the train depot plus others coming for visits... all ending up at the Christmas program with tree and gifts at the Norwegian church.] 

"This is the last day of 1904. God grant grace to leave our old sinful habits. He assured us that our sins are forgiven for Jesus sake, so we may enter the New Year with peace and joy in our hearts.

"1905: Jan. 1 - Sunday. [After description of walking to church and prayer for as good a pastor to replace the beloved one who was resigning...] 

"God grant that the New Year may give:
Less of grief and sorrow.
Less of gnawing loneliness and need.
Less smarting blows and strikes,
Less of roughness and deceit.
Less of anguished sighs and cries.
Less of anger, revenge and hate.
Less of empty cupboards and dishes.
Less of slavery and tyranny than the year that now is past.

"God grant that this new year may give:
More of the spirits of springtime,
More of good fortune for women and men in their homes and huts by mountain or shores,
More of truth and honesty,
More of brotherhood and peace of heart.
More of concern for righteousness.
More powerful forward drive.
More of that which lifts our spirits.
More of that which strengthens our hand.
More of that which makes us free,
than the year that now is past."

• Johanna T.

[Footnote by my great-grandmother: "A very poor translation. It is beautiful in Norwegian."]

What is your prayer for this new year of 2024?

~ Hannah

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Friends!

I haven't been online much this month, which feels great! But there has been no lack of activity...

For one thing, we welcomed an overdue November baby at the beginning of December!

All the waiting was worth it for a precious new nephew!



Big brother is enthralled and was already reading (reciting a favorite book) to him on Day 2, after suggesting that I start reading to the baby. Such a responsive listener! 





A devoted big sister tries to help as much as she can with care for "My baby..."



In spare moments, I developed a new product line for The Nautical Nordic: Scandinavian Mitten tree ornaments!





Meanwhile, much of November and December was filled with the sounds of tools for demolition and carpentry. The husband and wife team are more than meticulous finish carpenters, but have also become friends!



Gone are the old construction stairs that were under the carpet we ripped out two years ago...



What a beautiful change to the new maple stairs with the old bannister skillfully reinstalled. Without all the creaks and cracks, we can't hear when the stairs are used anymore!

The basement trim is also done, and new basement stairs will be the project to start the new year! 



With all the action indoors, we didn't start decorating for Christmas until the middle of the month, but we were thrilled to get back to cutting our own real tree after several years of using a vintage artificial tree due to allergies.



Decorations were ready just in time for our original December birthday! (Don’t try to figure out Elsa's complex math involving the candles we had on hand... but with some division, multiplication, and addition, they stood for her age, which isn't far behind my four decades.)





Three days later it was time to celebrate a 2 year old!





[Can't get enough of this baby face!]



The 2 year old got new booties knit by Elsa for growing feet, and the doll, Daisy, has a new dress sewn by grandma and a poncho crocheted by me.



And of course a bunch of new books! Her reading aloud is mainly a combination of sounds from her favorite words: baby & kitty.



Our whole family Christmas celebration is still ahead, but our newborn has been a special illustration of the birth we are celebrating this season.



What wonder that the Creator of everything was willing to become a helpless baby, clinging to the fingers of a man and woman whom He had created!



...All to save His rebellious creatures from our own sins. 

All because of His perfect love!



"He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly
Lived on earth, our Savior holy."

• Cecil F. Alexander, 1848



[Nativity ornament made by Dad of the telephone wire which was his livelihood]