There went the title!

The dragonfly was so pretty, but waaayyy too dark for my taste. So it's off to pink, and I lost half my title. Hum-dee-doo!

Snow, beautiful snow!

Obviously, I didn't get to go to McKinney (sorry, Ledbetters! You are so missed!), but I do have beautiful, beautiful snow outside! What do I think of when I see snow? "...Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow...." Seeing a beautiful bright red cardinal outside contrasted against the snow really enforces the image in my mind. I'm trying to upload a snow pic from my kitchen window (the only time I've been glad for no screen there!). What a glorious day!

I was talking to the cashier at Wal-Mart, and I asked him to please check a price for me. He went on and on about the word, "please," and how wonderful it is to hear. At the end of the conversation, he called it "the most beautiful word." I couldn't leave that alone, so I said, "One of the most beautiful words is FORGIVEN." He agreed, and spoke about how some people's religion is a sham, and I said, "Yes, but for some it is their foundation."

Maybe I'll get to talk to him again. Nice guy.

Lovin' it!

Lovely weather, eh? I'm loving it, but it might hinder me going to McKinney tomorrow! Dean's Wal-Mart has its Grand Opening on Thursday, and the kids need a babysitter. I hope to be the one! The weather really is awesome; I can't believe it's staying so cold for so long! I don't think it's been over 32 degrees for the past 4 or 5 days! The water's running in the sinks and outside, and the cabinet doors underneath are all open. Enjoy this wonderful WINTER weather--the AC will be on in the car within a month, I can almost guarantee. I love the cold....

Jacob made me cry.

I'm going through The Bible in 90 Days with a sweet online group of ladies. Yesterday I finished Genesis. First a comment on Jacob.

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, Jacob, the father, thinks he's dead, there's a famine in the land, and now the older brothers come back from Egypt, telling Jacob that the man in charge of the food wants them to return with the youngest brother, after keeping Simeon (another of the brothers). Listen to what Jacob cries: "...Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME." (Caps mine.) --Genesis 42:36. In the times I've read this story, I usually cry when Joseph sees his brothers (coming up), they don't recognize him, and he has to leave to cry. But this time, upon reading THIS, I cried. Poor Jacob! I cried because I KNOW THE END OF THE STORY! This appears to be the very WORST thing that could happen to him--he must be ready to give up and die. BUT GOD is working behind the scenes, and all these things are working together for Jacob's good!

What was last year like for you? For us, we went through THE most difficult trial of our Christian lives. I felt like Jacob--All these things are against me! Against us! BUT GOD knows the end of the story from the beginning, and He IS working behind the scenes, and all these things are working together for OUR good. Linda, take heart! If we could know the end, I'm sure we would laugh with joy and wonder. And cry with amazement. How great is our God! "O for grace to trust Him more."

The high temperature has not been up to 30 the past three days, and we are iced in. I'm enjoying my Blogfest! AND my husband!

TRADITION

From our Top 10 Movies comes the song, "Traditon" (Fiddler on the Roof--watch it--even the songs!). One of our traditons is a cold evening, homemade sticky buns, and watching Moby Dick, on GREG'S Top 10 Movies. Sadly, the Ledbetters could not join us, so that left the Blanket Risses and the Early Miggy-and-Family. Captain Ahab "beckoned." A cozy fire on a freezing cold night completed the picture. Wish everyone could've been there. Made-from-scratch hot cocoa, rice, beans, and wocca-wocca (guacamole) were also on the menu, though not in that order! A good time was had by all.

Growing in Grace

A perfect evening. A welcoming hostess, door prizes, a wonderful meal--beautifully presented, and a searching Bible study. Our verse was, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."--II Peter 3:18. We discussed what it means to "grow in grace," shared some excellent quotes, talked about what "knowledge" meant, and were encouraged to start a journal of God's workings in our lives this year. I was blessed to see the growth in grace evidenced in my two precious friends. As one challenged us to step out of our "comfort zone" to minister to others, I marveled at how I was seeing that happen right before my eyes! It's wonderful to see how Christ conforms us to His image, while still keeping our personalities. May Jesus Christ be praised!

Chin-up Queen

If she looks unsure of herself, it's only because she's only done them once before on my canopy bed! Isn't she dear?

...but can they name the twelve disciples?

These guys! They can tell you the score to any sport game in the past 30 years, along with other "relevant" stats... A fun reunion after Howard Payne's bb game produced this pic, which I absolutely LOVE:

(AND he can preach!)

Ho-hum....

Some thoughts on David

Does something in the Scriptures ever catch your eye? In II Samuel 7, the prophet Nathan (the bravest man in Scripture, methinks!) tells King David of God's covenant with him--how God will bless his house and his kingdom. Verse 18 has these interesting words: "Then went king David in, and SAT BEFORE THE LORD (caps mine)...." (I'm smiling as I type.)

Did he sit in a chair, on the floor, on his throne, on a cushion? We don't know. If the verse had said, "He knelt before the LORD," it wouldn't have captured my attention. He SAT.

And he had a talk with the Lord, a wonderful session of praise and thanksgiving. Read this: "...and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" (the rest of verse 18). Imagine a humble KING! He understood his SOURCE--the God of grace! That is precious.

Then David says this in verse 20: "And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant." It's not surprising that this is the same man who, inspired by the Holy Ghost, wrote Psalm 139, which begins with: "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me."

What an excellent time of praise it is that we get to "eavesdrop" on! King David sat and talked to God. And we can do the same. May our New Year be filled with many such days. How worthy is our Lord!