I'm Baaack!!!

Hi, everybody, did you miss me? I just haven't been able to get to this much this week so now I hope I can get going again. These pictures are a sampling of our time together at Christmas. Tre, Bria, and Emmy are sitting on Jon's lap while he reads the Christmas story from Luke 2. The next picture is the four kids sitting at the counter eating probably spaghetti, cottage cheese, applesauce, macaroni and cheese, or some combination thereof. The picture of Kelli, Tabbi, and Megan was taken while we were watching "White Christmas" and they were singing "Sisters", a family classic at our house. Whenever I really wanted to get on their nerves I could start singing "Sisters" and they would all moan and yell, "Mom!!" It was probably more my singing than the song!! The movie remains the all around favorite for Christmastime.

Thought for the day

So what are your plans for the new year? I won't call them resolutions, but what would you like to do or change? I would like to get my book finished and printed. I'd like to walk more faithfully, hopefully because I'm not having as much pain in my joints and feet. I'd like to practice my faith in new ways...I don't even know just what I mean by that, but I'd like to know that God is doing something new and that I'm cooperating with Him. As always, I want to learn to pray more faithfully and more simply.

Welcome to the Clan, Annie

The house is almost quiet. Jon and Kelli left Bailey with us till some time tomorrow while they are in Omaha. She looked all around the house for them when I came home for work then decided if they aren't here she just as well lay down. Every once in a while she has to get up and make sure we're both still here and lick our hands then she's ready for another nap. Megan will go to Winfield tonight and stay there till Monday morning for Christmas with Greg's family. We wish them all a great time together. Jon and Kelli and girls will head to his grandparents tomorrow (with Bailey) then go home on Sunday. Megan will be back here late Monday night. The big news for today is that there is a new puppy at Trever and Tabbi's house. Her name is Annie and she is a real doll. I'll put some pix up soon. Jon is taking calls for the weekend for one of the other guys, so we don't have any other real plans...except for laundry, cleaning, and starting to put things away again.

Thought for the day

I'm just feeling very blessed. We had such a great time with our family all here yesterday. My mom even joined us for a few hours. The grandkids were so excited to see each other...they hadn't been together since August...that they really had fun. Of course they were a little impatient to open presents after eating, but when they had to wait a little longer they ran off happily playing and laughing. They are such a fun age and it even seems magical to watch it all with them. We have to stay like children and keep that wonder, innocence, and joy in the midst of waiting, expecting, delays, enjoying the moment for what it is, and playing and laughing together. I'm at a loss for how to put into words just what I'm feeling, but I know I don't want to lose it, so I hope this becomes clearer in the coming days.

Merry Christmas!!!

Here we go!! Jon, Kelli, Emmy, and Bria are on their way tonight from Grand Forks and with all the snow we've had, it looks like they will not need to drive in falling snow after going through Fargo...thanks, God!! Megan will come here tonight after work in Des Moines. We will be calling Greg often in NC so we can be together via cell phone. I have tomorrow off and Jon works till just noon so there will be lots of preparations tomorrow. Thursday Trever, Tabbi, Tre, and Tru will come and join those already here for our family Christmas. I probably won't find time to add any posts till the weekend, so I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas full of safe travel, time with family and friends, and safety for those who are not able to come...special wishes to all absentees!!!

As always, may we take time to remember, reflect, enjoy, and bask in God's great love shown in the gift of Jesus and all that He brings. Thank You, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit for the greatest gift!!!

Special Time

It's been a special weekend. Whiteout conditions yesterday morning kept Megan in Harlan and she wasn't scheduled to work today either. Jon has been home most of the weekend as well. We've been working on some Christmas preps, house cleaning, laundry, ordinary stuff. But as a mom with all her children grown it's been a rare privilege to have one on one time with Megan for a stretch of time...it's been a blessing to my heart. We're praying for clear weather and roads for Kelli's family to drive down here Tuesday night, and really looking forward to all being together on Thursday. We will greatly miss Greg, and we're thankful for his good neighbors who will be taking good care of him on Christmas Day.

Thought for the day

Went to church this morning to see the Christmas program. It was very well done and we were glad it included a chance for the congregation to sing carols as part of the program. There are few things more Christmas-y than a stage full of children singing and saying their parts. They did a great job, and it stirs up all kinds of memories of my girls in their programs. I'm glad they were in all those programs and have those memories, too.

Christmas Question

It's the last weekend to get ready for Christmas. Need to do some cleaning, a little food work, wrap gifts, and get a few groceries. It's supposed to be very cold Sunday, so I'll try to do any running around tomorrow. We will get to have Megan around for a while tomorrow morning before she heads to her second job for the rest of the day. Our plans include Kelli's family coming in late Tuesday night and staying till Friday morning. Megan will be here for that same time frame. We will have our Christmas on Christmas Day when Tabbi's family will also be here. I'm taking off work Wednesday and going back on Friday. I hope your plans are falling into place well. We're praying for good roads and safe travel for everyone!!

Thought for the day

It's not so much a "thought" but a question. What is your most favorite little piece of Christmas? Whether an ornament, some decoration, a tradition, a song, a food, a memory, a piece of the Christmas story... I'm going to have to think about my answer to this, too. Think it over and post your "favorite".

Thundersleet and Thank You

There was a lot going on today...Trever's surgery went well and they were back home this afternoon. We were busy at work with the truckload sale. Megan is staying the night at friends in Des Moines because of the weather. We actually had thundersleet toinght...I think that's a first for me personally. They are still saying 4-6" overnight, but we'll know for sure in the morning. We're praying for a good neighbor for Tabbi and Trever to come and dig them out tomorrow since Trever can't do that for some time now. We're very thankful for surgeries that go well, warm houses, and a safe place for everyone to stay in the bad weather.

Thought for the day

It's so important to be thankful for specific things and to specifically THANK GOD for them. Don't just "be thankful"...tell Him thank You!! We can coast along taking so many things for granted...things we actually do appreciate...but do we say thank you to the One responsible? Imagine for a few minutes what your life would be like without these blessings...safe travel, good health, warm homes, any and all good relationships, jobs to go to, parents, childen, grandchildren...on and on. We think these things are our right, but there are people everywhere around us who don't have some of these blessings...they are a privelege, not a right. SAY THANK YOU!!!!

Busy Time

Tonight Jon was working till around 7:30, and Megan got here around 8:30. In the meantime I made a couple of more Christmas goodies. Tomorrow Trever has his left rotator cuff repaired after way over a year of dealing with the injury. Jon will be going to the hospital to wait with Tabbi, but I have to be at work. Please pray with us for a successful surgery and a quick recovery...it's time for EVERYBODY to be on the mend and healing up. We're also praying for a reprieve from the storm that they say is on its way for here. We just want the roads to stay clear especially for Megan getting back and forth to Des Moines. The next couple of days at work will be busier due to some specials we're running, so run, run, run!!

Thought for the day

I'm tired and need to go to bed. I've been getting up a little earlier which has really improved the quality of my day, but I've got to balance by starting to go to bed earlier, too!! So off I go..sleep well!!

Perfect Snow

It was one of those perfect snows. It fell all day, heavier at times, lighter at others. The wind was blowing some, but still it fell mostly in an even layer about 3 inches deep. It was done by dark, but then the Christmas lights were on shining on and through the fresh layer of white. I know Jon gets tired of moving snow, and I'm no help to him. But I can't imagine living somewhere where you never see this...it is beautiful. The best part is it was COLD so there's no ice underneath. I hear the snowblower running, and I know it's cold outside, but thanks, Jon, for taking care of it so I can just enjoy it!! I came home from work to an empty house for a couple of hours, put on some music, lit a candle and just enjoyed the pretty scene through my windows from my warm house. Thanks, God, for that too!!!

Thought for the day

Maybe it's just me, but it seems the great need of our day is a little block of peace and quiet somewhere, sometime in our day. Whether it's a drive, a walk, a few minutes before everyone else is up or after everyone else is asleep...I know I MUST have that place of refuge. Even if it's brief I feel restored, back in touch with God, refocused and at peace again. Maybe it's the snow "talking" but it does my heart good. I hope you find a little piece to steal away for yourself...even if it's just long enough to enjoy looking at the snow.

Our Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Faithful

It's Friday again!! We went out to eat tonight with the group that Jon helps with harvest. Good food and good company. My plan for tomorrow is to put on some Christmas music and bake, bake, bake. Hopefully I'll get to print up my letters also so I can mail them soon. I'm really looking forward to it!! I'm sure that it will take at least some of Sunday to do all that I need to...it's all good.
We got some really good news today...Greg's dr appt included a repeat of a test that measures the nerve response in each arm on the specific injured nerve. The last time he had some reading in the left arm and zero in the right. Today they were both equal showing a little delay. He still has pain and more kinds of healing to do, but this was incredibly good news surprising even the doctor. He was released to go back to work and his company wants him to return next week!! That means he'll be staying in NC for now, but is all very good news for them in the big picture. Thank You, Jesus, for answering prayer

Thought for the day

God is faithful. God is faithful. God is faithful. Sometimes we have to wait, and wait, and wait, but He is faithful, He is faithful, He is faithful. Keep praying, keep praying, keep praying...no matter whether you are seeing any progress or not. And did I mention that He is faithful?

Loving and Serving

Went to see the movie "Fireproof" tonight...pretty good. Megan called today...somewhere in Albemarle a truck hit a pole and they had about a 3 second power outage that fried their computer and wii. They're in contact with their insurance company to get things handled. I said something about it at least not being another car accident and she said well, it was another person in North Carolina that couldn't drive and caused them damage even when sitting in their house. Crazy. Tomorrow we go to the city for the day. I have a bone density scan and the van has an appointment at the shop. I'm sure we'll have time to kill...I have just a LITTLE Christmas shopping to finish and a couple of things to check on, but mostly it may be some free time. I'm good with free time. I hope all of you have a great day and stay safe.

Thought for the day

There is no substitute for finding ways to serve and support one another when it comes to relationships. Love is a choice and is demonstrated, not by words, but by actions. We tend to see only whether we are being loved and served rather than to find more ways to do the loving and serving. It isn't possible to love in this way in our own strength, but only by first receiving what God offers to us. The world cannot understand or love in this way...not possible. But we who are His can live a life of love as we receive what we need from Him instead of expecting it from others.

Some Pre-Christmas PIctures

These are pictures of the boys seeing Santa and Tre's Christmas program last night. Isn't Christmas fun??!! Today was pretty routine, but I did get caught up at work again from the end of the month and being gone last week. It really felt like winter today...cold, windy, icy. I don't mind the cold and snow so much, but I'm not friends with the ice. I got caught up on some paperwork at home, did some laundry, made supper, but I haven't gotten ambitious enough to take the next step toward Christmas letters or cards. Hopefully yet this week, then I need to bake over the weekend. Jon is snoring away in his chair...guess I'll have to wake him up so he can go to bed. So, Kelli, did you recognize the Santa?

Thought for the day

Okay, I'm fresh out. I hope you all have a good night's sleep...I think I need one!!

Christmas Program

Kelli shared this picture on her blog today, too. I think it is everyone's favorite of my parents. Bria was 2 days old and we took my parents to see them the day they came home. He was beginning to forget more and repeat himself alot, but as you can see, he could laugh really well. Some Alzheimer's patients become harsh and mean; we were blessed that he didn't do that. He had some difficult times if he had to go to the hospital and would get afraid, but in his usual environment he enjoyed joking around almost as long as he could communicate. We had a special treat tonight...we got to go to Tre's first school program Christmas concert. It was very nice and he did a great job. We got to see him afterwards for a little while and we walked out to the parking lot together. It was getting icy underfoot, and if you know me well you know I don't do well walking on ice. I had hold of both boys' hands and soon Tre said something about holding his hand and I answered, "I'm holding your hand". We repeated the conversation then he finally said, "No, you're hurting my hand." Poor little guy...I didn't realize I was squeezing his hand to hold me up!!

Thought for the day

We have a way of hanging on to whatever is closest when we feel we may fall...even if it's a 6 year old. That's another good reason to make sure that the one we are staying closest to is God in the ordinary, routine days of our lives so that when there is an occasion when we may get tripped up and we reach out, it's Him we are hanging on to. The world offers many substitutes, even good things, that we can use for support and a helping hand, but even if we take advantage of some of these things we must keep them in perspective and remember that every issue or challenge is ultimately a spiritual matter at some level and our truest help and answer is Christ.

Christmas Decorating

Okay, it's done!! The tree is up, the houses are out, and I finally found the advent candle I KNEW was in the hall closet. Jon got outside lights up yesterday. After years of fighting strings of lights that don't keep working he bought some LED lights this year hoping they'll work longer...we'll see. Most of the decorating was done yesterday, then we had to go to my work Christmas party. We went out to eat at Danish Inn in Elk Horn (very good food) then back to Howard and Tara's house for games and snacks. It's the first chance I've had to see their house addition and it is beautiful!! It was a very nice evening. Today Tabbi and the boys came for church and helped decorate the tree. After going to BK for lunch we did get to take the boys to Hy-Vee to see Santa making a special appearance for pictures. Megan and Greg are safely in Charlotte, so praying they have a restorative week.

Thought for the day

It definitely does feel more like Christmas now that the decorating is done. Now to think about cards, wrapping, and so on. After finishing the decorating I realized that tomorrow it will be 4 years since my dad went home for good. Because of Alzheimer's we lost him gradually and in so many ways it really was only his body that was left by December 8, but it was a relief to see him go and know that he would be whole again, more whole than he had ever been. I knew that he would be laughing again and that someday we would laugh together again. Love you, Dad!!

Home Again, Home Again

We are home again from Des Moines. I got to do a little shopping yesterday morning while Jon was in meetings. Strolled around Barnes and Noble and drank chai tea, went to Target. The guys got their 25 year certificates in the afternoon followed by a reception, then most of the Harlan group went out for supper at Biaggis...very good. This morning I spent a couple of hours at Kohl's after dropping off the guys at the meetings, then sat in on the session "The Richest Man in Town". That was excellent. Small group of us went to Applebee's for lunch then drove home. I even survived the whole dressing up ordeal for Thursday afternoon and evening. Today was more casual which was fine with me. Megan and Greg will be here during the day tomorrow then go to her Christmas party and we will go to mine. They leave on Sunday for NC for a week, and they're looking forward to some together time in their own space.



Thought for the day



The speaker today on the richest man talked about a gentleman he came to know and how loved he was because of how he treated people. Even though he worked at a job most of us would not want to do, he treated the people he met there with such grace and sincere appreciation that the ripple affect of his life has reached across continents. What a legacy to leave...it gives us much to consider in this season of hurry and stress...to decide to be happy ourselves and give that away to the most random people that cross our paths is to live as we are called to live. During an interview with today's speaker this humble man quoted Francis of Assisi "Preach the Gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words."

Conviction or Condemnation?

Megan was back about 7:00 tonight and we went to China Pan...Pan called Megan "Tabbi's sister" before we made introductions and said they are both very pretty and they look like their dad. Megan wondered if I would have to explain to Tabbi why we can't go back to China Pan (because Pan said Jon was good-looking). That probably makes no sense when you read it, but it was pretty funny at the time. I have to figure out what to wear at the REC deal on Thursday and Friday...dressing up for me is when I wear my good jeans, best sweatshirt, and better tennis shoes. So this is a challenge for me. The good news is the wives don't have to attend all the meetings that the guys do...I don't think I could stay awake through annual meeting, nuclear energy, and so on.

Thought for the day

I'm really slow with getting started on Christmas decorations...makes me feel a little overwhemed to think about trying to get that done with the schedule out ahead. So I'll do what I can without feeling guilty. Amazing what sort of little things can stir up feelings of guilt. We insist that our relationship to God is based on faith, but the smallest things cause us to feel guilty. That is not legitimate guilt...it is a false accusation from the enemy. I've been taught that the way to tell the difference between false guilt from the enemy and true conviction from God is that accusation from the enemy leads us down into hopelessness, despair, and condemnation while conviction from God trying to make a true change in our lives leads us upward into hope, and answers, peace, and a way out in Him. Scripture supports that comparison and I 've found that test to be very helpful. More than that, there is a sense of rightness, peace, and cleansing about the voice of God when He makes a point about something that He wants to change. Also, let Him make the issues and don't go on a "witch hunt" in your own heart. He will do the work He needs to do...you can trust Him.

Post-Thanksgiving

Wow, back to the grind. End of the month, statements the next 2 days, lots of corn reports because of harvest. On Thursday and Friday Jon and I go to Des Moines for an REC recognition thing. I'm tired but I need to get some Christmas decorating done...we'll see how that goes. Megan works late tonight, but fortunately not the rest of the week.

Thought for the day

Are you done Christmas shopping? Not me. I don't have a lot left, but some. I always feel a little disappointed in the gifts I give. Once in a while I feel like I get just the right thing, but even then I wish I could give more...not necessarily in quantity, but certainly quality...I want to give those I love the blessings that really make a difference--health, time, safety, provision, purpose, fulfillment, love, the things that really matter. Of course I can't buy them any of these things. What I can do is pray all of these things for them, and I do. I hope they know that when they open their "gift" there is so much more that I want and pray for them. What a blessing to know that God answers prayers and wants to bless us.