Day 193

Well, a cold front came through today.  It was pretty cool to watch as it came over the horizon, and then across the terrain.  It  lasted most of the day, dropped only enough snow to cover the grass, and then it was gone.  Just like so many things in life, it's here only a short time and then it's gone.  So, enjoy it while you can.  Opportunities come way to far apart to let them slip by.  What causes us to miss those opportunities?  You can make all the excuses you want, but it is mostly because of fear.  We simply don't know the outcome so we are not willing to risk our time or dignity.  Are you more afraid of failing or succeeding?  Think about it.

Day 188

Did you ever have one of those days that seem last forever.  I guess Scooter had one of those days.  He sure looked like it anyway.  He didn't even perk up when we fed him.  Some days are just like that.  But for Scooter everyday is a new day.  He wakes up and yesterday doesn't matter.  He doesn't remember today why I was upset with him yesterday.  Actually, neither do I.  If we treated our friends like we treat our dogs, how many more friends would you have?  And, how many would run away?  Scooter has no reason to run away, he has it good around here. 

Day 186

Day 186, a photo by dgakins2 on Flickr.

I am posting this picture directly from flickr just to see if I can. I took this picture some time ago, but I like it and wanted to show it here. I just thought that it deserved more attention than what it was getting. Every picture should have its fifteen minutes of fame. If only we could be satisfied with that, and quit wanting someone else's fifteen minutes too.

Day 182.  Poor Mr. Man.  In order to ensure that he stays out of trouble we had to place him in a Hannibal Lecter style face cage.  This will ensure that he won't be falsely accused of wrong doing.  Strangely enough, I think he likes it.  He is still smiling anyway.  Actually, Mr. Man was just playing around with Stacy's back scratcher.  He has such a strange sense of humor.  It is fascinating how appearances can make a wrong impression, though.  Just because someone has a tattoo doesn't mean that person is in a biker gang, and having a gun doesn't make you a murderer.  Appearances cause us to jump to conclusions, usually wrong ones.  Instead of looking at people though critical eyes, try to see them through compassion.

Day 181.  Even in death some things can be pretty.  I picked up one of my ministry books and these petals fell out.  I had picked them up and put them in the book some time ago, when they were fresh and still fragrant.  They reminded me of the rose sitting on a shelf behind me that is itself all dried out.  So, I put them together.  Here is the thing, the petals and the rose are from different funerals.  Somehow they ended up preserved and lying around my office.  This week in our area we have had three fatal accidents.  Every one a tragic loss.  Sometimes we think that we are indestructible and life will never end.  The truth is, every day is a gift.  Unwrap it with excitement and enthusiasm, but unwrap it carefully.

Day 180.  Mr. Man is taking a walk on the treadmill.  Maybe it's part of his New Year's resolution.  Actually, I think he was trying to run and hide but he got sidetracked on the treadmill and couldn't get off.  He gets blamed for a lot of things around our house.  "Mr. Man hid my home work, Mr. Man took my shoes", and so on.  It's like that comic strip where they have an extra kid named "Not Me" that no one ever sees.  But, when the parents ask who did it all the other kids say, "not me".  Around our house it's Mr. Man.  It's easy and no one gets into trouble for whatever he did.  Besides, isn't blaming some one else for my mistakes and problems normal?  It seems that taking responsibility for the bad as well as the good in our lives is a thing of the past.  It's always some one else's fault.  Ok, I'll get off that soap box.  Annie likes to blame Mr. Man when she cant find something, but she found out pretty quick that he won't help her find it. 

Day 178.  This picture is from Saturday.  We took the bible quiz teams to a meet.  It was a good day and the teams did an awesome job.  Maggie was so psyched because the team she is helping coach went undefeated.  Dugan and a friend spent their lunch time setting up the tables and chairs in all six rooms, so he was tired.  Then he had to turn around and keep score in one of the rooms.  He did such a great job.  These kids have memorized more scripture than most adults know.  It's not just the scripture but the references too.  They also have learned doctrines and truths that have helped them in other areas of their lives.  Dugan and Maggie are smart kids anyway, but I believe that all of the studying and memorizing that they done through JBQ has helped them in school as well.  Every time we get a report card their grades just blow us away.  When the meet was over Dugan went to work loading up the tables and chairs, and hauled them back to the storage room.  I love that I didn't have to beg the kids to work hard, they just did it.  Wouldn't it be great if more people would work hard and stop waiting for someone else to do it.  The bible does have a lot to say about being lazy and not working, and it's not good.  I like to eat so I will keep working, and teaching my kids to work also.