Bonde Bits & Pieces: January 2010

Pictured counter clockwise from upper left: Luke, Jacob, Beth, Julie, Pete, Erica, Karl
Picture taken at our Christmas celebration on January 1, 2010.

Dear loved ones,

I’ve been struggling to find the right words to summarize the year 2009; a year filled with travel, activity, adventure and change for all of us in our family. On a whim I decided to check out one of facebook’s** applications which counts up the top ten words you have used in your status updates. Since I update my status at least ever few days, I thought this would be interesting. Lo and behold, I believe I have a way to simply describe 2009 and what it was all about. So here they are…my top ten in order from top to bottom:

Love life more

New friends singing

Good work

Still (as in be still)

Today

And on this 11^th day of Christmas and 4^th day of the new decade, 2010, here is my thought and my prayer for you my dear friend—whether I’ve known you for my whole life or we have just met a month ago…

I am so honored to have met you and to share this time in history on this planet with you. I look forward to the times we will be able to reconnect and boost each other’s motivation and energy with love (whether that is by phone, email or in person). I pray that you will be blessed in your life, finding deep joy within, wisdom to know which way to go next, courage to let go when it is time and strength to hang on when you need to. And may you feel the Holy Spirit and those around you wrapping you in a blanket of love and kindness. Amen…may it be so!

Sending my love and light,
Jules

For expanded stories about my year and more news about my family, see side bars about the boys, slide shows and other blog entries below.

**facebook is an internet social network where friends “talk” to each other and share their thoughts about life in brief. If you are not one of these people…no big deal. I have just found it is a way to close the gap of miles and time and still have connection with people I would or have lost track of by now.

TURNING 50 IN MARCH 2009! --On March 6, Pete & I celebrated big with approximately 50 friends in our church fellowship hall. Thanks to all those who graced us with your presence; especially to those who shared a song, a memory or a poem. (my birthday is March 6th, Pete's is March 29th)

MORE ABOUT PETE
Julie likes to tease Pete that he is the only person she knows who after 28 years still has his first job out of college, lives in his first house and still has his first wife. :) Yes, Pete still works for Thrivent in the IT department.

The Dragonfly Project In addition, Pete continues to be very active volunteering for The Dragonfly Project as both the Quickbooks Manager, computer expert and treasurer on the board. The Dragonfly Project has sent out over 23,000 packets with cards, story & key-chains over the last 7 years. In March 2010 we will celebrate the DP's 8th anniversary. As if the DP is not enough, Pete also offers as much time as he can helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity. Around home, he stays busy advising the boys about cars, bank accounts and helping to keep everything running smoothly and everyone fed.

MORE ABOUT JULIE
I continue to work part-time in the office at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church and also part-time as an independent Spiritual Director. In addition, I have led a few retreats throughout the years. In between work, volunteering and my other adventures, I try to remember that I am still a wife, mom, a sister and a friend.

Italy--the last 2 weeks of July 2009, I traveled with the Umbrian Serenades tour group in the Umbria region of Italy. Umbrian Serenades is a tour that is a combination of choir singing and traveling through medieval towns in Umbria. Although I didn't feel prepared to try out for the choir, I ended up going along with a friend as a traveling companion. It was fantastic, fun, and inspiring with a spiritual pilgrimage thrown in as the group visited the cathedrals at Spoletto, Orvieto and Assisi. The directors, Paulo, Holly, and Pamela were fantastic as was our amazing tour guide, Daniela.

Singing--I am still keeping busy singing with my hospice choir, Morning Star Singers, Singing in the Light with Barbara McAfee (who is also my voice coach), and with choirs at Nativity Lutheran church with David Livingston. Through singing, I have met so many amazing people in this world. 2009 has added quite a few new friends to my singing circle. I am so grateful.

Sacred Life Gatherings--along with my friend Conie, I jumped into the unkown for a six-month experiment in worship on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm from June through November. With Pastor Dave Person, we created an informal and intimate worship experience that focused on community, prayer and participation rather than liturgy and doctrine. I learned a lot about worship and look forward to my next worship adventure when it comes.

Prayer and Silence--"be still and know"--I can't look back on 2009 without also noting how important silence, stillness and prayer have become for me. Whether in centering prayer led by Sister Joan or in meditation with my small prayer group, whether in a Lutheran church or Italian cathedral, in homes or walking one of the snow or sand labyrinths I have made, I have come to treasure these moments of emptiness and silence...and the whispers of wisdom that I hear there.

JULIE & PETE'S ADVENTURES TOGETHER

Boston, Massachusetts--we made our way to Boston twice last year...happy to spend some time and see Boston with Jacob & Beth in February 09 and delighted to return in June 09 for Jacob's graduation. There is nothing quite like a Harvard graduation ceremony. The June trip involved some driving and some flying in order that Jacob & Beth might be able to move back to Minneapolis using our van.
Austin, Texas--in March 09, along with Karl & Erica, we made our way down to Austin to see nephew Chad & Julie get married, to reconnect with Julie's siblings Peter & Vangie and also to reconnect with some of the Torvik family, part of the greater Madagascar missionary family.
Ross' Teal Lake Resort, near Hayward, Wisconsin--the week before July 4th, Julie & Pete managed to slip away to the peaceful and pristine waters of Teal Lake while staying with friends at the friendly Ross' Teal Lake Resort where guests are treated like old members of the family. We highly recommend the experience.
Cozumel, Mexico--as part of our ongoing plan to spend more time in warmer climes, we spent a week in Cozumel, just the two of us in October. Vacation has never been more peaceful!