Meeting Abe Lincoln

So Bonnie, from the Sioux City office, had a little surprise for all those who attended the library meeting in Storm Lake on Tuesday. She was doing a presentation on adult programming and talking about how this was Lincoln's bicentennial year when who should show up but Abraham Lincoln himself! Really! Well, can't you tell from my picture that it was old Abe himself? Actually this guy is from Orange City and is in a Lincoln reenacter's organization and he has won dozens of 'Lincoln look alike' contests. But of course, the best part wasn't just looking at him. It was hearing him. He gave about a 40 minute presentation on 'his' life including doing parts of 2 inaugration speeches and the Gettysburg address. I tell you it was amazing...and really cool. It most definitely felt like history alive right in front of our eyes.

Celebrations

Now here's a list: Look around you every day and find all the little celebrations of God's goodness in your life. Here's mine:

the morning bird song (an owl this morning) Misty mornings

orange sunrises a friend to walk with

cool days and a warm bed soup

books and the libraries that are full of them

fresh vegetables (green beans...) early prayer times

"When you worry about what you don't have, you won't be able to enjoy what you Do have." See Mt. 6:25

Retreat

This weekend was the Women's Ministries retreat at Hidden Acres in central Iowa. I've never been to this campground before and it was well worth the trip. Not only that, but I actually came away with some wonderful insights. Though, I have to say, I didn't get much sleep. One of the best things about these retreats is that we get to hear 'the stories'. I love hearing how God has been at work in everyones lives. I am often so amazed and inspired and humbled by how much He is accomplishing in and through us.

Based on Prov. 10:9: God magnifies HIS name when we are weak. We don't have to be eloquent or strong or handsome. We don't have to be beautiful or brilliant or have all the answers to be blessed of or used by God. He honors our fatih. All he asks is that we trust Him, that we stand before him in integrity and in faith.

To bed early tonight!

Construction projects here

If you're interested in how our summer projects are going here is a brief update! Keep in mind that summer is over in just a couple of weeks. The roof is on, but the ridge roll isn't quite finished on either the house or the garage. That means that the cupolo for the garage is laying in our backyard. The gutters aren't up yet either. But the little garage is moved, the cement is gone and the new garage is all staked out. They will be doing footings here this week. To me, the perimeter of the garage makes it look HUGE! Ron doesn't think that. Our neighbors are going to have a little problem with seeing the alley once that new garage gets put in there! And our problem seems to be, still, too many projects distracting us from getting any one thing done. Pictures later!

Sick Sick

So I think I got this from Ron. But he wasn't really very sick at all. He had only a little runny nose. Me. ARGH! Last night I purely miserable. My eyes hurt. My ears hurt. My cheeks hurt, my head hurt. Not to mention the nose that wouldn't stop running. At one point in the midle of the night I had to get up and go outside because I was so hot. I haven't had a cold.... or is it the flu... like this for a long time. So, do you think this is geting it over with for the rest of the winter? That would be great. I spent the greater part of the day laying on the couch in misery and sleeping. I did see a doctor who gave me some antibiotics and said, "there's a lot of this going around". So much for that. Hopefully this will be over with shortly. I have too much to do to be sick.

Colorado Vacation Pictures for you to Peruse

Vacation Books

Mushing through a day at work. Had to readjust to the schedule. Does anyone feel sorry for me yet? So, now that you have been thoroughly bored by pictures and adventures I wanted to tell

of great books that I read while I was on vacation! Great summer reads. (OK, end of summer)

The first one was Gary Schmidt's lastest book, Trouble. It's a Young Adult book that was one of the best I read for the summer! “If you build your house far enough from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.” ...This book is the story of a middle school boy and his discovery of grace in the middle of agonizing pain. It's the story of an immigrant family and the son who has to deal with the pain of living in two different cultures-his parents and the American culture he has grown up in. I found this book gripping and very moving. If you get a chance to read it, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Then I read another Bernard Cornwell book. The thing about Cornwell books is that it really doesn't matter what he writes, he is so believable anything from him is fantastic. This historical fiction book is no exception! In this one, Copperhead, was a Civil War story featuring main character, Nate Starbuck. It spared none of the details about the gruesomeness of war, especially war during the 19th century. The efficency of killing during that war was truly horrifying. Funny how much I enjoyed it. It is part of a series so I will look forward to reading the next one. It did lead to a couple of odd and graphic dreams, though. Be careful with it!