Sure Is Quiet Around Here

The tree and decorations have been put away. The family has all returned to their homes. The friends have come and gone. The 30-or-so church friends came and played cards, snacked, laughed, greeted the New Year, and then left. We've made three day-trips for wonderful times with family and have made two airport runs to collect and return travelers. The dishes are done, the furniture has all been returned to its places, and the towels and sheets are washed and put away. It sure is quiet around here. Okay -- so which ones of you are going to make your way here next? We're ready!

Kansas Christmas Greetings

This is a special greeting to the New Mexico family from the Kansas family. We love you guys and missed you at this side of the family gathering!

How am I supposed to get any work done???

I've seen downy woodpeckers (like this one), flickers, nuthatches, brilliant cardinals, chubby juncos...right outside my office window this morning, sitting in the frosted redbud tree, eating at the suet feeder, flying about distracting me lots. I'm not getting much work done!

Brrrrrrrrrr!

Six degrees this morning -- but at least we don't have the 30+ winds and gusts that we had all day yesterday, blowing around about an inch of snow and making the roads, etc., slick!

I would guess that we're sending this your way in Pennsyvania and then Boston, so bundle up warmly, Shaffers and Kings.

Abby and Reyna were all snuggled together on their cushy pillow in the garage, keeping each other warm for the night.

Yay for sunshine today that perks up the spirits even if the temperature is cold! I guess it's almost winter.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY BOY

Today's Daddy's 85th birthday!! Happy Birthday, Daddy; I love you and am so thankful for you!

"Super" Bowl

Luke's 5th grade Superbowl made me think of when our girls were in 7th and 8th grade. At the end of the season, the 7th grade and 8th grade football teams would play against each other for bragging rights. That was called the "Toilet Bowl". Remember that, Carrie and Kim?

Perspective

I ran across these verses and thoughts as we consider the outcome of the elections -- no matter what that will be, no matter who you supported at the polls -- and found this very encouraging:

Daniel 2:21 - "It is He (the God of heaven)...who removes kings and establishes kings."

Job 42:2 - "I know that You (the God of Israel) can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."

"It is the Lord God who will ultimately decide who will lead the American nation through tubulent times ahead. He also decides who will lead Israel, Iran, Iraq, and all the other nations of the world. His will cannot be thwarted. Let us, therefore, pray that His will would be done.