Snow days!

Hello!

Been a while again since I've been on here.  I can't believe that January is half-over already!  I always thought that January was the slowest month of the year, but it's moving fast.  Before I know it, the Superbowl will be upon us, and I will be enjoying the antics of the Puppy Bowl :).  I can't help it; I enjoy watching the Superbowl for the commercials, as my husband will attest, but I get bored with the game.  Not to mention that the half-time shows have been incredibly bad ever since the Janet Jackson incident, what has it been now, seven or eight years ago?  Seems like they only want bands who have had recent hip-replacement surgeries that will ensure no "wardrobe malfunctions".  But, it is still fun to "watch" with hubby and we usually have some fun foods to go along with the game.  Too bad the Colts won't be playing this year!

Christmas Is Officially Over

Well, we finally went to see my in-laws for Christmas.  We were also there to help my husband's brother move into his new house, and we got to spend time with all of the nieces and nephews.  We had a good time, but unfortunately, it led to me catching the stomach flu bug from them, and I spent the first half of this past week in the bathroom.  Thankfully, though, my husband hasn't caught it, and his parents and brother and sister never caught it, which makes me think that they had it sometime in the past and don't have to worry about catching it again.  Nevertheless, I've been sanitizing everything I can think of in my house, just in case I'm wrong.  Seems like everyone I know has either had it or knows someone (besides me) who has this year, so it must be very contagious.  Just a warning: wash your hands and use lots of hand sanitizer!!

Some Sad News

I have some sad news to share: my sister informed me last weekend that her dog has lung cancer.  She had it before they adopted her.  She loves her dog, and I have had a photo or two and mention of Ninja the dog on here back when my sister and brother-in-law first adopted her (see November 1).  I would like to ask that you might keep them in your prayers, because this will be hard for them.  They can't afford to, nor do they think it would be right, to pump the dog full of medicines to prolong her life, so they will eventually need to put her to sleep.  It's too bad, because she is the sweetest dog I've met in a long time.  They don't know how long they will have, so just keep them in your prayers occasionally.  I would be grateful.

Serious Case of the Winter Blahs

I think it's true.  I have the mid-winter blahs now.  I'm itching to go on vacation somewhere, but it's not an option!  I usually start to get cabin fever about this time of year, since there is not really anything to look forward to for the rest of the season.  We seem to be getting a lot of snow right now, and the temps are forecasted to be bitter cold by the end of next week, which makes me want to stay home and sleep all day.  Don't get me wrong--I like winter.  But I think that I would be fine with snow in December and January, and then it can be spring from February through June :).  It's really almost time to start thinking ahead to my garden for this summer.  I need to figure out what I'll grow this year, at least...probably more green beans, onions, tomatoes, my row of asparagus, and lettuce.  It's so great to have fresh produce right in your back yard!  Perhaps in another year we can think about adding more garden beds. 

Prayer is an important part of any Christian life.  Without it, we are not doing much in the way of communicating with God, nor are we helping our relationship with Him grow!  He wants us to talk to Him, even though He already knows what we want, need, think, say, etc.  Luke 18:1-10 is the parable of prayer: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' " And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"  Pray without ceasing, because God hears His children, and He loves us in the way only a parent can love a child.  He will always be there for us!