My 55th Birthday

I know, my birthday was on the 13th but for some reason I have never gotten around to posting about it. Curt and I went down to Council Bluffs and stayed with Tim and Amy. After attending church Sabbath morning, we had a light lunch and then Curt and I took Smokey for a walk and just as we were returning, Ben and Ashley arrived from Lincoln. That night we all went out to LaMesa for Mexican food where Brett and his friend, J.L. joined us. Since it was my birthday I had the privilege of wearing a big sombero and having the staff clap and play drums so everyone else in the place also knows it's your birthday. It was a good time!

On Sunday we went to the Henry Dorley Zoo which is very large and even though we were there from 10 am-3pm., we still didn't see everything. Unfortunately the train and the skytram weren't running, or we could have at least seem some of it sitting down.
As always it's great to be able to spend time with the kids.

It's Officially Winter (unofficially)

I just returned from a beautiful winter walk. It is 23 degrees with very little wind and the sun is shining! Several flocks of geese blessed my walk on their journey to warmer lands. Even the reservoir has a thin sheet of ice along the shores. We had about an inch or so of snow overnight so the world is sparkling and clean. I think autumn is over and winter has moved in. But if all winter was like this I would be very happy :).
The whole week-end so far has been a blessing. Starting Friday evening Pastor Gary Burns and his wife came from Michigan to hold a prayer conference here. He spoke Friday, and Sabbath for the church service and in the afternoon after potluck. It was all very moving and inspiring for me to have a closer walk with God through prayer and Bible study. I always feel very close to God through nature but am pretty lax on the Bible study. I am starting a 40 days of prayer which I am hoping will open my eyes to the work God has planned for my life.

Beautiful Weather

I just returned from a gorgeous 4 mile walk in balmy 66 degree weather! I hope this weather lasts all winter. I'm getting to the point I could be happy without a white Christmas. This must really be a sign I am getting old. I usually only walk 2 miles on days that I am working but after my feast of cholesterol last night I felt that my arteries needed a little cleaning out. Since my birthday is next week-end and we wouldn't all be together, my co-workers decided we needed to celebrate early so they picked up a bunch of appetizers at Grizzley's. Those cheese curds are delicious but totally sinful. I'm going to be in need of another Lemonade cleanse soon.

Something to think about

I'm a little down this morning because first off, Curt and I had a bit of a disagreement and then he got a call from his sister saying that his grandmother is probably not going to make it through the day. So he left to go down to Aberdeen to be with his family.
I went for my walk after he left and of course started my talk with God. Rounding the bend on the bike path I heard the honking of geese but searching the sky, I couldn't see them. Then a voice in my head said, "That is just like God, you can't see Him but you know He's there. Maybe it's a thought or a Bible verse, but He is there all the time." It is comforting to know that He does hear me but I am really looking forward to the time I can see Him face to face.

My morning walk

It was a beautiful walk this morning. I don't often take my walks in the dark but with the sun coming up so late I decided to give it a try. The sky was so beautiful when I started out. There was only a small cresent of a moon so the stars were quite bright. Orion, Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper... all were brilliant! When I got to the bike path there were no more street lights and I think I have been watching too much NCIS and was spooking myself out, so I just went a short distance on the path and then got back on the streets. It was fun seeing the town wake up, kids waiting for the bus, people leaving for work...And the sky changing from one canvas to another. Gradually all the stars faded and only the moon was still visable as the sky lightened. After they disappear it's hard to imagine the stars are still up there in space. I am always so thankful for the beauty God surrounds me with.

Halloween Fun

I should have posted this earlier but never go around to it. We even carved pumpkins which we haven't done in years. Mine's the one that's smiling. That's Cole and Jordyn in the costumes. I was considering dressing up in my pumpkin outfit for the trick-or-treaters but opted for only wearing the cap. We didn't have many visitors but it was fun seeing the ones we had.