Time to Update

I don't think anybody ever comes here, but I thought I would blog about a few things on my mind.

1. Stimulus Bill--Hopefully, the only negative, the rest, I plan, to be positive and thankful. But let's get this one out of the way--the only thing this bill stimulates is my anger. And at times, fear. But then I remember God is in control. However, let's get real. This is an atrocious bill. Full of pork and socialism, sneaky ways to get things, passed without anyone ever even seeing it. Tim informs me our family will get a whole $7 a week more. Wow. And ha, ha, it's our money, anyway; we're paying ourselves. Bill T. says if you divided the money up for all the people in the U.S., it comes out to $283,000 a person or something near that; where is that? Why don't they just give us that directly? We could do a whole lot of stimulating the economy with that money....oh well. I do wonder at times if we are going to turn out like so many other nations that went socialistic and if America as we have always known it or thought of it as, will cease to exist. We think we are so great, but we are only 200-some years old. Time for some humility and repentance, I think. God help us!

2. Family and friends--I have the best. I just cannot get over the people God has given me. It is humbling and overwhelming and awesome. My husband, my 5 children, my son-in-law-to-be, they are just so unbelievably wonderful. My friends, my church family, my aunt, uncle, brother and family, just incredible gifts. The way they all love me no matter what, the way they love each other and have fun together; the support and encouragement to live for God and get up when we fall, the prayers, the laughter; relationships are what life is about. I am so blessed.

3. Our new cat. His name keeps changing, but right now he is Newman. He is all black with yellowish eyes, and though he is skittish (but getting much better), he is so loving and sweet. I am not an animal person, but this kitty is a cutie. He came to us with a messy ailment common to catteries (places where many, many cats live together), and I nursed him and was diligent about washing hands and doornobs and catbox and so on for a couple weeks and shoved pills down his throat 2x a day, and kept watching, feeling like he would never be better and we would pray for him and us (that we would not contact this dreadful thing!)--and now he is completely well, completely normal, and I am amazed. Thank God for caring about the birds that fall and everything else and giving us pets to love and care for and teach responsibility and give joy (He is Hope's cat). Just simple pleasures God gives us to enjoy here.

4. Simple joys, like snow and spring. A picture of the one snow we have had this year. And then we have spring, 60's and 70's, and I enjoy that, too. If it isn't going to snow, let's get on with spring! But help me learn to be content whatever state I am in! I know that is the main thing, and I am not here for me, but for God, the all-glorious one. But still, He does give us such beautiful parts of creation to enjoy, and I want to be thankful for the feasts for the eyes! Spring picture is at the top, winter below.

5. Health--eyes and ears that work, limbs that function; I can get out and walk and run and feel and smell the fresh air and wake up alive and able to take care of my family. What blessings abound. I am just scratching the surface, but maybe there will be more later. Take care and hope you can find things to be thankful for, too!