So...yay or nay? (Should it stay or should it go?)

 

Hey, there! Hi, there! Did you hear the beat of an old song in my title question? Ha!

Can you believe it's already been a month since the last newsletter? I feel like I barely had time to turn around twice, but I must have because here it is, and here I am again.

I was really looking forward to hearing from more than a few of you in the comments last month. Maybe you can let me know this month...what did you think of the new blog format for the newsletter? Like it? Love it? Hate it..? Let me know (nicely, of course). I want you to be able to comment easily, and a blog seems like the simplest way to make it possible, but if y'all don't like it, tell me so, and tell me why. Brushing Wings is, after all, YOUR newsletter.

I don't have a whole lot of news to share, unfortunately. We've been busy all month, but not on anything big -- just piddly things that always need to be done but seem to repeatedly get put off until we "have time" for them. Yeah. Like we ever actually have extra time. Things usually get done only when we decide to make them happen and carve out a chunk of time specifically for that purpose. At least, that's how things happen around here.

Moving on. 

My pastor recently preached a message that resonated in my heart, and I promised myself I would (at least briefly) share it with you. Remember when Jesus healed a man possessed of many spirits? A man who told Jesus his name was Legion? Yeah, that one. Well, think about this (the title my pastor gave his message): His Name Wasn't Always Legion. 

Did that statement give you the same spirit shivers it gave me? I hope so. Because as we go about our daily lives, it is so crucial to remember that Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Let's not let it be us. We can't let the enemy of all enemies steal our joy, our victory...our very identity! Keep this in mind: As adopted children of God, we take on our new Father's name. I am Delia Latham JESUS. And your name is JESUS too. That is an identity worth protecting! Let's not give the devil any opportunity to take it from us. NOTHING ELSE IN OUR LIVES IS AS IMPORTANT as protecting and cherishing that identity!

Hey, did anyone see the blood moon? Get photos? If so, please share them. I, of course, missed it because...well, because I am me. It's what I do. lol

I was feeling really bummed because neither of the winners contacted me after the last newsletter, even though it's so easy to reply now, with the new blog set-up. And then I started getting answers to my "Something Blue" question. Talk about a perfect something to keep me from being blue! Check out the winners of those beautiful journals (unclaimed from last month's contest), in the Winners post, further down this page.

Here's hoping everyone is doing well. I pray for you all, every day. You are important to me.

Oh! One last request. My current work-in-progress has a blind heroine. I've been blessed and very fortunate to spend a bit of time with a woman in our church who lost her sight to diabetes at age 27. My time with Rachel was invaluable, but I'd love to speak to a couple of other unsighted individuals, as well, since obviously they don't all handle their lack of eyesight in the same way. Are you, or do you know an adult female who is blind and would be willing to speak with me via Zoom, phone, or Facetime? If so, please send me your (or their) information via email. We don't want to make it readily accessible to the public by posting it here on the blog. Thank you in advance. (Note: If you're sending a friend's information, please do so only after obtaining their permission.)

And now it's time to say goodbye for another few weeks. I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter...and don't forget to leave a comment on your favorite (or least favorite) posts. I really do want to know what you like and do not like in the newsletter, so I can make it better!

Thanks a bunch, y'all! Fly high, and brush wings with God's other kids every chance you get. 

Until next month,

A New Adventure with Wings...and Feathers

 OK, y'all, we're off on a brand new adventure! You ready?

I've been trying, for several editions now, to get set up where you all can comment, if you'd like, on any or all of the posts in the monthly newsletters. Nothing worked. This new set-up will require the extra step of clicking a link to bring you here--which you've been doing anyway--but then you can comment! I love interaction, and I think this just might work. Let's give it a try, shall we?

I almost didn't try again. I kept thinking I'm spending far too much time on the newsletter each month, and when I couldn't get it set up the way I wanted, I almost threw in the towel. Know what stopped me?

My word of the year. COMPLETION.

Thanks to my commitment to completing what I start in 2026, I decided to try one. more. thing. This blog--feathers in the overall span of our brushing wings--is that one more thing. I've also decided to use one of the many beautiful journals I've hoarded because they're "too pretty to write in," and keep track every day of AT LEAST ONE action I took to further build my new habit of completing what I start. Want to join me? Grab a notebook or buy yourself a pretty journal, and let's do this together! 

I plan to allow myself one day of grace a week. In other words, if I don't manage a measurable commitment action one day, I'll give myself a "grace pass" for that single day. But I will record it in my journal. Something like, "I didn't do anything today toward my 2026 Word of the Year. Here's why. (Or maybe, "Tomorrow I will make up for lost time.") If I miss another day that same week, grace is gone, and I will hold myself to committing an additional TWO EXTRA ACTIONS prior to that same day in the upcoming week, and make sure to record them in my handy little journal. See how that works?

I can't wait to get your comments. Tell me what you like about the new blog format. What you don't like. What you'd like to see more or less of in upcoming newsletters. Just speak up...I'm all ears! As long you're nice, I will be too, and we can get to know each other better. That said, blatantly abusive, mean, unkind comments will simply be deleted. Golden Rule at all times, both ways.

Don't forget to check the "Winner" page to see which of your Words of the Year won the January drawing. I saw some really nice words come through! Thank you for sharing them. I'm genuinely impressed. You're all winners to me.

So. I can't ring any wedding bells with this edition of Brushing Wings, but in the spirit of commitment (to our Words of the Year) we've got something old (the newsletter itself), something new (the presentation method), something borrowed (because I've borrowed your Words of the Year for the list of them on the Winner page). Where's the "something blue"? See if you can find it. When you do, send me an email (with SOMETHING BLUE in the subject line) telling me what you think it is. I'll draw a February winner from the correct answers and announce it in the March newsletter. Note: Please do not post your Something Blue answers in the comments. That will spoil the fun for everyone. Thank you.

OK, I think that's it. Take a look around. Enjoy your first trip through the Feathers blog - and be sure to let me know what you think. Oh...! I almost forgot. If you don't mind, take a look at the sidebar on the right. Up close to the top, there's a link that reads "Follow this blog/newsletter." Would you take a few seconds to click that button and fill out the very brief questions? I just want to make sure you can comment, should you wish to do so at any time. Thank you!

And in case you're wondering...why Feathers? :) Pretty simple, really. Without feathers, there'd be no wings.

Until next month,