>It's been over two weeks since I posted and I haven't posted at all in 2006! Since I included my URL in our Christmas letter this year, I'm sure lots of friends and relatives are eagerly awaiting my next post. Well, maybe one or two have wondered if it was worth their time to visit.The … Continue reading >Catching Up

>While I was driving to Cedar Rapids yesterday, I was praying and thinking about prayer. After I had prayed for some time about chronic concerns, I suddenly realized that I was getting depressed. Then I simply prayed, "Lord, You know my concerns" and tried instead to recall scriptures and hymns that express praise. I think … Continue reading >Praying Doxologies

>After being polite and well-behaved through a day of three extended family celebrations, my grandson Gabe fell asleep in a chair on Christmas Eve. We were blessed with some wonderful times of family fellowship celebrating the miracle of God with us. Reflecting on Christmas, the two terms that stick with me are "Incarnation" and "Immanuel." … Continue reading >Christmas Reflections

>Today is the winter solstice. The sun rises at 7:45 and sets at 4:45. Tomorrow it will again rise at 7:45, but it will set at 4:46! After today, every day will be longer until June 22.I would like to celebrate by taking my daughters out to lunch, but one may not be able to … Continue reading >Winter Solstice

>There are some very small things that give me very great pleasure. I love noticing how the colors of my robe match the colors on my pajamas in the morning. I love the pungent smell of Earl Gray tea when I tear open the packet containing my morning teabag. I love drinking water from my … Continue reading >Taking Pleasure

>My husband and our two sons took Friday off and we saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with our son's family. We all enjoyed it very much. It is quite accurate to the book with most additional dialogue and action complementing the narrative. My negative first impressions are that … Continue reading >Narnia

>Temperatures can be amazingly relative.A week ago, I would have considered a 26 degree high and a 15 degree low frigid.After several days of lows below zero and highs hovering in the single digits, however, tonight's forecast for a low of 15 degrees sounds moderate and today's projected high of 26 degrees sounds downright balmy.

>My husband and I aren't exactly polar opposites, but his interests lie somewhere along a latitude of 80 degrees north while mine are more like 80 degrees south. He's a man of outdoor action; I prefer to read in front of a fire.That's why it's difficult to say who was more surprised, him or me, … Continue reading >What I did this morning

>Dave is home today, nursing a bad back, and he just pointed out two deer sleeping in the woods south of our house. We had about three inches of snow last night, so today would be perfect for tracking and he is anxious for first season to begin the day after tomorrow.I'm thankful that it's … Continue reading >Breathtaking

>Well, Bethany is back at college, and it's back to work for all of us today. Ever since we picked up Bethany a week ago Friday, it's been one long week of family fun.It's a bit difficult to return to working mode today.