"The Greatest Thing in the World"

When unpacking boxes and totes of books from our home library which had been stored in the garage for 3 years, I found this little gem. 

There is no publication date on this edition of The Greatest Thing in the World. A search shows it may be from 1970, but the texts I find online date back at least as far as 1891. And the Introduction by D. L. Moody tells how this book came out of an impromptu, fireside chat with friends in England in 1884.

Author Henry Drummond, a Scottish scientist, teacher and church leader, was a classmate of Robert Louis Stevenson. His writings were circulated more widely than the popular novels of his day, and this little book still continues in print.

So, what does the author describe as "the greatest thing in the world?" Or as he puts it: "What is the summum bonum - the supreme good? You have life before you. Once only you can live it. What is the noblest object of desire, the supreme gift to covet?"

The answer: Love! 

But maybe not just in the way you are thinking this Valentine's Day 2025. This book takes us through 1 Corinthians 13 in detail... which of course is all about Love. 

This excerpt in particular sticks out to me:

"Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole round Christian character - the Christlike nature in its fullest development."

After all... God Is Love! - 1 John 4:9

Drummond continues, "And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by ceaseless practice. What was Christ doing in the carpenter's shop? Practicing. Though perfect, we read that He learned obedience, and grew in wisdom and in favor with God. Do not quarrel, therefore, with your lot in life. Do not complain of its never-ceasing cares, its petty environment, the vexations you have to stand, the small and sordid souls you have to live and work with. ... That is the practice God appoints you... Do not grudge the hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image within you. It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not. "

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Hannah

January 2025

January 2025:

January held a few noteworthy activities for our family.

I got out cross-country skiing for my first time in years, and it felt amazing! A second time at the start of February was just as satisfying. I love this new (old) way to enjoy our 8 acres and surrounding fields in the fresh, cold air!

We ate the last tomatoes from our garden on January 25th... a record for us! They had been picked in hard and green before freeze-up last fall and slowly ripened in a box and then the window-sill through winter. They were even sprouting inside!

Though not like vine-ripened, these were certainly better than from a store. And they worked great in a Fiesta Salad with home-canned corn and beans.

Speaking of canned beans, this was also a first.

I finally tried the several day process I'd been dreaming of and sprouted black beans for extra digestibility, then pressure canned them for an easy protein to add to meals. They turned out delicious!

Elsa launched two new lines in our renamed Etsy shop: Heritage Woolen Co.

Her handknit, soft, woolen bonnets are a favorite with moms and littles alike!

And her new textured mitten design comes in the prettiest earthy colors! (limited edition)

Back to foods:

Mom made our first 2 crust pie (a challenge usually avoided in gluten-free baking) in about a decade. Delicious! 

And we are eating lots of fresh sprouts... courtesy of Elsa's diligence. 

After starting 2025 with a bang... playing Dutch Blitz with cousins at midnight (a family tradition neglected for many years past), we are on a roll!

We are keeping it up by pulling out old favorites for a weekly family game night. My Rummikub memories go back to before age 12 when we sat around Grandpa and Grandma's round dining room table and learned to plan complex moves!

While Nordic colorwork mitten designs for the Etsy shop keep clicking off my needles during family audiobook evenings, I make gifts for my stash on Sundays. This amigurumi zebra is the latest to make me smile.

And the 1 minute blind contour sketch I did of it makes me laugh!

If you haven't heard of this quick sketch practice, it involves looking only at the subject (never even glancing at the paper) and drawing in a continuous line without lifting the pen. A fun challenge!

And yes... I just noticed that this sketch was done in February. So starts a new month...

~ Hannah

Gather Around Jesus

Yes, our home-grown Christmas tree is sprouting again, though less than some years. It smells lightly sweet & woodsey in here!

One Sunday I knit this snowman from my home-raised, homespun wool.

Every ornament on our tree has special meaning and memories attached!

Last time my neice visited, all the human figures in the Nativity scene gathered closely around Jesus (while the animals gathered around the campfire).

Let's do the same... all year round!

~ Hannah

Refilling Our Library

The day after Thanksgiving 2024, I emptied the last box for our main library shelves! There are still plenty of boxes of school books and family history which don't fit in the refinished, rebuilt shelves in our basement. But all the books we were missing during three years of storage due to mold remediation and the long rebuilding process are now accessible once again. 

This sight still makes me smile and thank the Lord for a beautiful, new basement! 

We have a lot of good reading ahead!

~ Hannah

Reset for a New Year

Happy New Year, Friends!

How many places are you hearing about setting goals and focusing on self-improvement these days? Too many, right?!

Too often it seems that lists of goals and “to-do’s” make us feel like we can earn our own health, joy, peace, etc. And then when we fail to live up to them, they seem more impossible than ever.

But what if we instead chose to look more to the One True Source of all we desire? 

The more I learn about neurology, the more amazed I am at the ways God has built us to renew and rewire our minds around His way of truth for life. (See John 14:6) And yes, this deeply impacts us at the physical level as well.

Let me share a bit from a brain rewiring coach who has had a positive impact on my life and faith (and healing journey) the past few months.

I’d like you to meet Brea.

Picture a strong, athletic blonde about my age. Life and love for God and others shine from her eyes. Enthusiasm rings in her voice. But it wasn’t always that way…

About 7 years ago, Brea was homeless, living outdoors in the desert far from her little children, because her body had become sensitive and reactive to everything.

Then she learned of Brain Rewiring. And then she met Jesus in the desert.

To put it mildly… that changed everything.

Last fall I signed up for a group coaching class with Brea to take my rewiring deeper. I saw so many new wins during this time and got the fresh boost and perspective needed to continue in this journey.

That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to join me for her first, free workshop, starting next Monday: New Year New You, 5-Day Reset!

Let’s hear straight from Brea: “I don’t know what kind of 2024 you’ve had. If you’ve been doing your brain retraining practice consistently, then chances are you’re leaving 2024 better than when it started. Perhaps your life has been turned right side up again like many I have coached. Or maybe you can’t tell much of a difference. If so, I invite you to either revisit your journal or simply think back to where you started or ask a close friend or family member. You might just be surprised at how much better you are now! And guess what? If it’s not good, then He’s not done yet!  “If you haven’t started your healing journey with brain retraining, then friend, 2025 can be your year to heal! Wouldn’t that be great?! “You can dip your toe in the brain retraining waters with my free New Year New You 5-Day Reset that starts Jan 6th. This mini-workshop will be delivered via email over the course of the week and includes some special printable handouts and exercises to get your healing journey started.”

Want to join? Simply follow this link to Brea’s website and sign up through the pop-up form. Or email Amber and ask to join the 5-Day Reset: info@breakatrin.com Then let me know how the Reset goes for you! ~ Hannah: BrainRewiringforLife@gmail.com Learn more in my latest newsletter HERE. P.S. - I'm waiting for more snow to get out snowshoeing with my nephew again!