I've lost my wisdom (if I had any)

In December my dentist informed me that I might have to get my three wisdom teeth out. So we went to the oral surgeon and the nurse informed me that I definitely needed my wisdom teeth out. Now I wasn't about to get it done during my Christmas break. I wanted to enjoy all the good food! My appointment was at 7:45 in the morning and we got right to it. The nurse took my blood pressure(a procedure that I have never liked) and then she poked me with a needle that made me feel like a balloon. She kept talking to me but my balloon-like ears couldn't hear too well so I have no recollection of what she said. I don't remember much after that and they said upon waking up I proceeded to hit myself. My mom let me sleep all morning and later she let me eat ramen noodles for lunch(which are delicious). My mom bought ice cream sandwiches and I now appreciate the fact that you don't have to chew ice cream. Here is a picture of me twelve hour later.

Chicken Sunday

We had delicious chicken at the Brookville restaurant with a family friend, Laura Buenning who traveled here from Knoxville, Tennessee . We had a wonderful time catching up with our typical bursts of laughter and storytelling. A great combination for a frigid cold afternoon in Kansas.

My life

In church today our pastor talked about having a ministry in the church and a mission in the world. I think my ministry and mission if not very similar are the same. I love talking to, teaching, and playing with children. So far I've taught Sunday School since seventh grade and my first class was when Grace was three. My mission is to teach children who have never heard the Gospel. Many in the public schools don't have an idea about God and so it is a joy for me to see them really get an idea about God and the Bible. I've been able to do this through Good News Clubs and 5-day clubs. I've learned a lot of lessons on discipline, and how the mind of a child works. They're really amazing!

Brights Lights Subject: Contentment

This week I had Bright Lights. We learned about contentment (as you can see from the title.) I learned many valuable insights, about contentment, covetousness, and greed. In the future I will try to control my desire for things of this world. I hope that you will do the same.

Final Clearance

It is with not a little sadness that I have to report that we are receiving what appears to be our last shipment of tangerines from my sister and brother-in-law Melody and Cliff Anderson in California. For years we have been the recipients of a shipment of fresh, tree ripened tangerines from their yard in Bakersfield in the middle of winter. Truly a serendiptous occasion for many years running. Because of Cliff's change of employment, they have relocated to Placerville in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in northern California. They still own the house down south in Bakersfield. The shipment came marked with the phrases "Final Clearance" and "Out of Business Sale" from Anderson Farms Inc. So with mixed emotions we will partake of the "fruits" of their labor and generosity.

An answer to prayer

On Thursday there was an answer to prayer. Michaela and I have been praying that more children would come to our Good News Club. And this past Thursday we welcomed another girl to our club. This makes a total of four girls if they all come next week. I guess I'll have to be specific in my prayers if I want to have a boy come. Another exciting thing is one of the girls has been inviting others to come. Of course they also were girls, so we have the potential of having ten girls next week. Whether girls or boys we are thankful that God leads them to come.

Eagles!

On Saturday we went to Milford Lake to observe bald eagles. As we were driving along, I was thinking I hope we didn't come all this way and don't see an eagle. Then, Michaela interrupted my thoughts, "Hey, I think that's a bald eagle flying over there." The eagle (for that's what it was) came soaring over our car and soared along beside it while we were driving on the dam. The eagle was close enough you could see some detail, Michaela said she saw the talons. With the aid of binoculars and scopes we saw six more. It was a very memorable experience which I won't forget.

facebook

I very reluctantly started a facebook account. I never had the slightest inclination to do so but my former college roommate and bestman in my wedding is a missionary in Croatia. He sent me an invitation to view his facebook that he had started. I thought it was a good way to keep up with him in between monthly letters. Little did I know that facebook cannot be viewed without having an account. So I started an account just to visit his page. I purposed to do nothing else. Again, unbeknownst to me, other people can find me on facebook. The first contact was a recent former student. Then a few high school classmates from over 30 years ago. I wouldn't call the contacts a flood but more like a steady trickle. After having an account for a few months I have been added as a friend to 49 other accounts without initiating anything myself. They all found me somehow. The trickle is definitely less now than a month ago. I couldn't imagine going steadily at adding a contact every 1.5 days. I pretty much accept anyone I recognise except young people who haven't graduated from high school. I see too many pitfalls and no advantages there. I won't be one of the " I am getting ready to eat a snack" type of poster and don't find them that interesting to read. I am considering starting a group of Salina South performing arts people. The main thing is that is has helped me reconnect with people and that is the real magic/use of facebook for me.

A Picture of Faith

While meditating on the first few verses of Psalm 91 it gives to me a word picture of faith. In the first verse the psalmist writes about dwelling with the most High God. It appears to be a place to stay and hang-out or a most permanent position where you become like His shadow moving only when God does. Later the psalmist says God spreads His feathers to cover us, here is where the faith comes into play, you can't see. The feathers cover and while under his wings we are restricted and unable to move much maybe just enough for a step at a time, yet this is the place according to the verse we trust. His truth is our shield (front protection) and surrounds us (our buckler). I began to look at the psalm again as I was inspired by a testimony given in church on Sunday by a woman who had been a resident of Greensburg a small town wiped out by a tornado some 18 months ago.

Dawn in the Winter

This is a poem that I wrote Monday morning.

All is still as morning comes;
Across the pale sky I glimpse the winter sun,
All the trees draped in black,
Standing there like silhouettes;
Everything is still waiting for morning.

Mommy really liked the poem, and I hope you do too!

Sincerely,
GRACE