The First Month

Hello 2013! Hello friends...  Whether you live in North or South America, it's the first month of the new year. That probably means a new calendar and hopefully new goals and dreams and plans.  But what else does this month hold for you?  I've been musing a bit (because that's what I do when I'm doing the dishes) about the difference between January and Enero (the first month in Spanish). At least if you live in Fresno or in Northern Peru, here's what it might look like...

JANUARY + ENERO = JANU-ERO

January is winter white COLD.
Enero is summer bright HOT.
January is hot tea and blankets.
Enero is sun tea and mosquito repellent.
January is chattering teeth and frozen fingers and toes.
Enero is sweaty everything.
January is a trip to the mountains to play in the snow.
Enero is a trip to the beach to play in the sand and waves.

January is sledding, hot chocolate, and warming up in front of the fire.
Enero is swimming, ice cream, and cooling off in front of the fan.
January is icy roads and fog lifting.
Enero is iced drinks and sun burning.
January is a tangy (maybe homegrown!) sweet orange.
Enero is a juicy drippy oh-so-good mango.
January is scarves, gloves and boots.
Enero is ponytails, sunscreen and flip flops.

January is frosty mornings with cars frozen shut.
Enero is asphalt heat waves and thankfulness for AC in the car.
January is a snow man.
Enero is a sand castle.
Both will come and go.  Are here today and will soon be gone.
Let Christ make the most of this month - this year - by making the most of Christ.
Don't just put him first.  Put Him in the center of it all.
And whether you are cold or hot, you will have a month and a year full of JOY and ALEGRIA.

Wherever you are, Feliz Año Nuevo and Happy New Year!

~From the Ens Family