FACES OF THE NEW YEAR

These are the faces I look forward to seeing this coming year.

NEW CAR

I wish you could see it, but we live in the midwest and we're not allowed to have anything nice outside until Spring. The Taurus was finally costing me more to fix than it's worth, and we needed more room anyway now that we have Sean. (I really didn't like the Ford anyway...I'm not sad to see it go).

FROM THE BOSTON NEWSPAPER

Lightning bolts appear above and around the Chaiten volcano as seen from Chana, some 30 kms (19 miles) north of the volcano, as it began its first eruption in thousands of years, in southern Chile May 2, 2008. Cases of electrical storms breaking out directly above erupting volcanoes are well documented, although scientists differ on what causes them. Picture taken May 2, 2008. (REUTERS/Carlos Gutierrez)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

UNCLE KEVIN AND LIZ

We made it to Chicago, after having a flat on the interstate, and spent time with Dawn's Uncle John and Aunt Yavette. Liz and Uncle Kevin found something to take a shot of...for me, it was them.

THINKING OF WARMER TIMES

With it being so cold here, I started thinking of warmer places. Cambodia is always warm, so I thought I'd mentally transport myself there, and pray for them too.

IN THE MOOD

WORST JOB EVER

IF I WERE JAMES BOND...

and I was asked what I wanted to drink, I'd say, " a Martini please, shaken, not stirred, on the rocks with a twist of lime," or something like that. Yesterday, my drink was Barium Sulphate, chilled, shaken, with a medical cap on top. That was in preparation for my CAT scan. I've been having lower abdominal pains, so the doctor checked for a hernia (turn and cough). "yea, there's something there, so let's get a CAT scan," he said.

I got the call this morning and they said everything looked normal. So no hernia I guess. I've also been having lower back issues and the doctor said it could be related to that. Time will tell. Maybe I need a girdle. Ughhh!

DOCTOR VISIT

Tomorrow I go to get a Cat Scan, so in celebration of this visit, I post one of my favorite comedians (Brian Regan)who has some appropriate words for me.

CHINA

I grabbed this photo from the Boston Globe in which they were profiling stories from China. The caption for this photo says kids in Hanyuan county, Sichuan province, China actually walk three hours to school, and walk along this path which has a 5000 foot drop off.

TIME TO RE-ARRANGE

Let's try this for awhile.

Psalm 121

I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
-New Living Translation

FINANCIAL METLDOWN

Tyndale and Focus on the Family are publishing a new book due out early January. In light of all the financial mess we see happening in America, I know I need daily assurance about the future, especially with economic matters. I'm also pretty guilty of getting wrapped up in all the bad news and not taking my cues from God. I think over the next few posts, I will place some of the highlights I can grab from the book and put here, more or less as a reminder to myself, but if you find them helpful, great. Also, if you go to church and think this would be helpful to others in your church, talk to your pastor.


8 Things Not to Skimp On during Tough Economic Times
1. Giving (acknowledging God’s provision in this way really does bring peace)
2. Mortgage payment and property taxes
3. Utilities
4. Car maintenance
5. Health insurance
6. Patience and long-term vision
7. Bible reading and prayer
8. Fun times with your spouse and kids (just look for the many free or low-cost options available)

OFFICIAL HAIRCUT

It didn't start out too well

But it got better once he sat on mom's lap


The final look

It's still a little itchy