There is frost on the car window this morning, but Spring is surely on the way here. The daffodils are starting to appear everywhere. Texas has bluebonnet fields. North Carolina has daffodil fields. The azaleas are even popping out in some parts of town. The Spring Peepers have been out off and on for a few weeks, but they are becoming nearly constant in the evenings now. And I haven't worn my long johns in 3 days now! My husband would say that is the best sign of spring!! Another certain sign of the seasonal change is my younger son's activities. The land here is often separated by ditches for irrigation drainage. The land is so flat that the flooding would be tremendous without the ditches. One of our ditches runs along the road and is partly drained by a pipe under the road into another ditch. Where the pipe empties out there is a large puddle. My son has been developing "mixtures and solutions" out of the gunk there. He adds the gravel and sand from the road and makes his stuff. He has spent hours out there lately. Of course he comes in covered in dirt and mud. I have had to do a lot more laundry lately. And the "sun room" is now the "mud room". But I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

Remember the miracle of our heating oil last month? Without buying oil, we had more oil in the tank than we have ever had before. There was no explanation except a miracle from God. Well the miracle continues. I was telling a friend last week of our miracle. She then told me about her situation. She and her family have been without heat for a week because they can't afford any more oil. She was going to stay with family for a couple days while the bad weather came through, but then she would have to come back. She was thankful for a mild winter and praying that warmer weather will be on the way VERY soon. I came home thinking about how God had blessed us with free oil and why didn't He bless them? Then it hit me! He blessed us so he could bless them through us. Oil has been delivered and they are doing well. Praise be to God! And praise be to the Spirit who prompted that conversation.

I just read Bono's speech given during the National Prayer Breakfast. Wow! I can't tell you anything about Bono or his music. I don't listen to him, but I am sure that if I did I would be surprised by his speech. How dare I judge rock stars without knowing them. I hope more celebrities will take an active role in helping God make the world a better place. --------- I am struggling with my tongue. I have heard about some injustices, at least I and a few others believe them to be unfair, and yet I don't know how much to say. To say nothing is wrong. To say some things could damage the prospect of fairness later. To say much is pointless, for those who are unfair do not see that they are. I am asking God for wisdom to know what and when to speak. --------- We have finished the science fair! Yeah!! Just the 4-H state project to finish up. Then...can't think of it right now.

I thought I would jot down a few of the things I have heard my just-turned-nine-year-old say lately. Upon listening to the song "Down in the River to Pray" he started telling his father that they were "in the river to get baptized. Because lots of famous baptisms take place in a river, you know." ------ Upon watching a video from Discovery Channel, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Life was so much simpler before I saw this!" The conversation went on to explain that before he could just say because God made it, but now there are questions. ------ Same video: "Could they extract DNA from the bacteria (that live as deeply as we have been able to drill) and create a suit from it? Then it wouldn't be too hot for us to explore there." Is that smart or what!? ------ "I wish I knew when God is taking the earth." Why? "Then I'd know if I need to be saving for college or not." ------ This is my favorite: "Mom, do you like having children?" Yes. "No really, be honest." Yes, very much. I love having children! "I don't think I want kids." Why? "They're so dim-witted." After much laughter from Mom he went on..."I guess they are ok once they learn some useful things, like how to multiply."

Last month one of the prayers I prayed daily was for God to let me enter his heart and see what breaks it. Then to let it break my own heart. I don't think I like having God's heart. It is so tiring to have your heart broken so much. I have been very fatigued lately and I am wondering if that isn't part of the problem. I am not saying that I don't have joy in my day. I surely have felt the Presence of God and His Joy, Love, Faithfulness, and Goodness. He has daily granted me those blessings. What has been hurting me is the lack of Love and Harmony among Christians. Certainly we all believe different things about Christianity, even within one denomination you find several differing views. But within the Kingdom there seems to be so much division. We used to live in Texas. Cooking chili is an art form there. There is the very popular meat only chili, chili with beans, hot and spicy, and on and on. But when it is all said and done, you eat chili. It seems that the Kingdom is that way. You can read the "cookbook" and come out with many recipes for your Christianity, but when it is all said and done, we eat Christ. Who am I to judge if you have the right amount of spices and beans in your chili? And who am I to judge if you have followed the Bible's directions for Christianity? The following are excerpts from Romans chapters 14-15. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling blocks or obstacle in your brother's way. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. To be honest, there are things in the Bible that seem to be against each other. There are good points for many of the differences denominations contain. Discussing those differences in a manner of love is very acceptable. Just as a discussion of whether chili ought to have beans in it is an acceptable argument. But there is still only Christ to eat each day. I am afraid God has heartburn from all of the arguments of how to make Christianity. May we all feast at the table in the Kingdom and enjoy the fellowship of all the Family of Believers. I think God would like those "Tums".

How long have you been in my life? For Forever and a Day. I have no memories of being without you. You were there when I ate lunch in Kindergarten and when I was punished in First Grade for spitting on Christy. You were with me as I tramped through the pasture with my imaginary friend, Beth. You were with me in puberty when I cried because I didn't want to grow up. And again when I cried my wedding night, You were there. You have been with me in dangerous places, when a car ran out of gas. You have been with me in friendly faces, always providing someone for me to talk and laugh with. You have been with me in the promise of my children, and you are with me still as I beg your help with them. You open my mouth with words I never had; you brighten my eyes to see what I didn't see before. I have never been without you Lord, although you have often been without me. You are like a foggy mist, creeping into every nook and cranny of my life, until I am thoroughly soaked in your Presence. I hope to drown in You.