Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad

Milad Majid

Feliz Natal

Tchestita Koleda

Velike Vanoce

Glædelig Jul

Vrolijk Kerstfeest

'Ave a bonza Chrissy, Mate

Joyeux Noël

Froehliche Weihnachten

Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova

Mele Kalikimaka

Buon Natale

Sung Tan Jul Chuk Ha

S Rozhdestvom Kristovym

Feliz Navidad

God Jul

And all that to say, In every language, tribe and tongue there is need for the savior born that 1st Christmas. He is the reason we can say "Merry Christmas."

On Picking up Amy (sort of)

I'm up early, as usual. Something about that internal clock that won't let me sleep past 5:30 on a week day. Scary, huh? I'm also on a strange computer and in a strange place. Well, ok, it isn't that strange, I'm actually fairly comfortable here. it's just that every one else in the house is still in bed and I'm trying to be considerate. So working at the computer in the far corner of the house is a quiet, reasonable thing to do for a half an hour or so. (I've noticed that I can quickly kill 3 or 4 hours at the computer without batting an eye! So I actually have to pay attention to my time here) So as I looked at pictures on this computer I found a very nice one of most of the kids. Taken before their children were crawling all over and needing lots of attention. Don't they look refreshed and relaxed? My how quickly things change!! Ha! (But we woudn't have it any other way)

Well, happy Friday everyone. Hope you get lots done in these last few days before Christmas.

25 Skills Every Man Should Know!

Being in the library on a regular basis means I get to read some interesting stuff once in awhile. Today I found this in Popular Mechanics, of all places. I was delighted by this list. I'm not sure if the "man" in this title refers to the gender, or if it's a generic term. If that's the case I'm in big trouble because I think I can do maybe three of these things. Ron on the other hand is a genius because I think he can do about 23 out of 25. Wow. Anyway. Here's the list. See how you stack up!

1. Patch a radiator hose

2. Protect a computer (not with a gun either. from a virus)

3. Rescue a capsized boater. (ok. This one is just weird)

4. Frame up a wall.

5. Retouch digital photos (easy peesy, japaneesy)

6. Back up a trailer (not in a million years)

7. Build a campfire. (I can do this one! useful, huh)

8. Fix a dead outlet.

9. navigate with compass and map. (I tried this once and the results deserve a whole story)

10. Use a torque wrench

11. Sharpen a knife

12. Fillet a fish

13. manuver a car out of a skid

14. perform CPR

15. Get a car unstuck

16. Back up data

17. Paint a room

18. Mix concrete

19. Clean a bolt action rifle

20. Change the oil and filter in your car

21. Hook up HDTV

22. Bleed brakes (I think this one is dumb too. better change a flat tire than this)

23. Paddle a canoe (another one of my very useful skills. This one belongs on my resume)

24. Fix a bicycle flat ( for your kids of course)

25. Extend your wireless network.

There. We can all see the most important things in life from this list for sure! Your vehicle, your computer and some very weird odds and ends. Go figure!

The greedy Techie inside of me:

Don't you just love technology. Here's my list for Christmas: (that is if I'm being my most materialistic self. You may disregard if you think I should be more spiritual,i.e.less materialistic, about christmas) Oh, and I know, you only have a few days left to find this stuff!

A digital photo frame
An IPOD (brand name. I'm impressed)
A Web Cam
An external hard drive for all my memory consuming photos
An IPhone (shouldn't I be able to get one of these from the telephone guy?)
A laptop computer. (there for a second even the name of this cool thing escaped me)

There see. That wasn't so bad. My list is fairly short for now.

Winter Days

This morning was one of the reasons why I love winter in Iowa. Why the changing seasons and their variations make me able to endure even the coldest of weather. It was a splendid and beautiful Sunday morning. Worship was meaningful and challenging. Our bible study time after was as well. We have been working our way through John Ortberg's Spiritual Transformations. I know that even when I hit 87 (my magic # that I'm going to be playing volleyball until) I will still have the need to grow and live in grace. I am so thankful that God is still at work in me and I can see new things both spiritually and physically every single day.

Haiti

I have a chance to take a trip to Haiti in February. Saying "take a trip" is sort of misnomer because it certainly wouldn't be a vacation. It would be a work trip, a 'how-can-I-help' trip, an experience to see the world that I never have from my isolated vantage. I have been having a struggle with this for lots of reasons-part of which involve having to give up some things in order to go. Part of which involve not being sure I really have anything to offer in the group that's going. I do know most of the people who would go. I also know the people who we would work with and are the mission group we would be heading toward. Hmm. I have sent my kids on countless trips like this. I have thought about doing this since the day I was married and lots of things have been in the way since that day. It's easier to let someone else do this, for sure. Anyway, tell me what you think.

Santa Claus

I played Santa today and I have to tell you, I really enjoyed myself. Ok. So I didn't quite get dressed up in the suit and all, I just mean I took presents and delivered them and surprised and pleased people. It wasn't even a big deal. (and I'm probably ruining any brownie points I get by telling the whole world about this in the first place) I mean your family expects presents. You've gotten them stuff for all of their lives. These people expected nothing and so the little bit that I did was an unexpected treat for them. I tell you, I should be doing unexpected random nice things more often. Even for my family. I wouldn't even need a million dollars. Just some creativity would work.