Just Because...

Ahh! Time flies! So, I thought I'd share a little fact sheet, as that's about all I've got at this time of the year.

1. I have a new phone number, if anyone is wondering why my old number no longer works. (Email if you don't have the new number.) RING - RING!

2. We just finished a very long and tiring bus push, but we're praising the Lord that it was a profitable push, as well. We were blessed to break a record for our route and to meet quite a few new families to work with over the summer. What a blessing!!! AMEN!

3. I've been studying, making tests, and grading papers galore! UGH!

4. School is almost done for us...in three days, to be exact. WHOOPEEEEE!!!!!

5. Finally back to running. After a couple of ice skating injuries, I've been hobbling around like an old lady. Now, they have just about healed up, and I'm back on the road...losing weight, picking up speed, and feeling... GREAT!

6. Still working on buying a house. SCARY!

7. My family is coming to visit...in eight days. FINALLY!

8. Spring/Summer has finally come. Seemed like it would NEVER get here. It's still waffling back-and-forth a bit, but you can feel summer. It reminds me of the little couplet my mom used to say, "Spring is sprung, the grass is riz', I wonder where the flowers is."

That's about the extent of it. Have a great day!

A New Church Bus

Our church is looking to buy another bus. This is especially good news, as the van route that I am on is in desperate need of additional seats on Sunday mornings.

While searching for pictures on the internet, I came across an option for our "bus search," to make sure to do it right, you know.

Any advice?!?

Back in Town!!!

Portillo's

Garrett's Popcorn

Need I say more?

Thought for the Day

Someone said,

The Revolutionary War was fought

because there was taxation

without representation.

They should see it now

with representation!

Candy Sale: Day One

The first day is always my favorite.

We have high spirits, yet undampened by the rain or snow.

There's potential to be reached for.

And, we are not yet tired of sharing every day with the same three people.

Most of all, though, I love the first day because we have a great place to go!

This town is up in the mountains.

In fact, a ski run comes right into town.

Skiers race down the mountain,

pop in for a bite at a restaurant,

then snap on their skis and go at it some more!

Beautiful!

This town is also very diverse.

We met people from Georgia, Alabama, China, and England today.

Many others from around the world own second and third homes in the area.

And, It is a popular vacation spot for die-hard skiers,

students on Spring Break, the uppity-ups, and many more.

Due to this broad range of clientele,

the shops and people are armed with an even broader array of merchandise.

Items range from intensely beautiful to astoundingly weird.

Let's see...We started at the Alpaca Store.

They had scarves for 20% off! What a sale!

That would be 20% off of $169. Gulp!

Then there was "Olive & Tweed."

Very cute, quaint, and quintessential Park City.

The town moose...

Fully clothed, of course.

And we just HAD to stop at the "Cowboy Store."

T-shirts for all of the tourists.

(My favorite)

I actually might jump on that bandwagon!

The town-wide mantra is plastered everywhere, it seems.

And, Ewwww........WHAT is THAT?!?!?

I cannot confirm that this sweater is actually taken from a real owl.

It may only be synthetically designed to look that way.

Although why you'd want to look like an owl is beyond me!

Of course, if you have beady eyes...

Oh, whoops! We're supposed to be Candy Selling! Yep, better go!

Opening Day!!!

This is the year. I can tell. The Cubs are gonna win it all!

As a Cubs fan, I have to say that at the beginning of every year, and I have to believe it. That’s what we Cubs fans do.

There is no logical reason to being a Cubs fan, so please do not try to apply reason to the matter.

And, as a Cubs fan, I have to be a die-hard. There is no other kind. We do not have championships or great years to look to. We just love the Cubs, and we love cheering for them!

I started cheering for the Cubs by listening to the “Pat & Ron Show” on WGN Radio. It made the games truly enjoyable. For three hours in the afternoon, I was fully entertained with baseball trivia, personal banter, and the emotional roller-coaster of a dyed-in-the-wool Cubs fan, Ron Santo.

This came in very handy during long, hot days mowing grass, or pulling weeds at the Motleys (for those in the know there). Time went by much faster on summer evenings…cleaning by myself, or working in the garden, as long as “the game” was on. Baseball was always there for me.

Of course, it rarely lasted into September, but that is a discussion for another day.

The truth is, I love the pace and rhythm of baseball.

It is so fun watching the game, cheering for an occasional good play, eating good food, chit-chatting with family and friends, holding out the white “W” towels, and enjoying a beautiful summer evening.

So, today is the first day, the first game, and the beginning of something beautiful. Spring is here & summer is coming! It’s baseball time!!!

Baseball time is here again

You can catch it all on WGN

So stamp your feet and clap your hands

Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You’re singing now …

Go, Cubs, go

Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say

The Cubs are gonna win today

Didn't Know That!

I just found a great story behind the hymn, In Times Like These.

Did you know that it was written in the middle of World War II? I didn't know that.

Living in the war-torn world of the early 1940's, Ruth Caye Jones was busy about her work as a housewife, when she came upon the words to this song. She felt they must have been inspired by the Holy Spirit and she just wrote them down as they came to mind.

In times like these you need a Savior.

In times like these you need an anchor.

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

Refrain:

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He's the One.

This Rock is Jesus, the only One.

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

In times like these you need the Bible.

In times like these O be not idle.

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

In times like these I have a Savior.

In times like these I have an anchor.

I'm very sure, I'm very sure

My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

With all of the trouble in the world and at home today, this song seems even more appropriate. It brings to mind Psalm 46.

¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Well, Think of That!)

¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (Well, Think of That!)

God is so Good!