If nothing else........Xanga sure has variety.

Comedy (puckmark - if you haven't read him you're really missing something)

Nonsense (there seems to be preponderance of this)

Boring (mine for example   )

American Idol (klshops - yes it can be addicting just ask her)

I don't travel around Xanga much - mainly just family and their various friends. You know what impresses me though? Some of you are really serious about your relationship with God. You tackle big issues, you pray for friends, you wrestle through the meaning of what you read or hear. It makes my heart soar knowing my boys (sorry - young men  ) have friends like Sarah, Linnea, Emma, Jess and others who are not afraid to explore and openly enjoy their relationship with God. Keep it up kids - you are buildng a wonderful foundation of exploring and defending your faith that will really yield fruit as you move ahead in life and become college students, employees, spouses and parents.

My on-line devotion to day was

I know I have struggled at times with "How can God love me and want fellowship with me when a deliberately disobey Him?" But he does. So remember everyone, we love you (all of you - family and friends) and when you get discouraged don't forget "...the joy of your salvation" 

I'm out.........

Halfway !!! We are officially halfway between putting the truck/trailer away and getting it out again. Not sure what all we will do this year. For sure a couple of weeks at Poncho's, doing some sprint car races (not sure if we'll take the trailer), Kath has some time she wants to camp with friends, etc. Can you tell I am ready for spring?

Let's see........what else. Rotten snow this weekend caused us to run on Sunday afternoon vs. Saturday morning. Still alot of slipping and sliding for 11 miles on Sunday but at least we got out.

Looking forward to Lil Sibs at Cedarville in a few weeks. Trying to decide if I trust any of my vehicles to make it or to rent something. We'll see..........

Now, onto the lighter side of the news.......

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense.

Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, then she spilled a bit in her lap and was awarded a huge financial settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

I recently saw a quote "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?" Right away I jumped to things like race a sprint car, tear down and rebuild a car, home improvements.....

But wait, what if I couldn't fail in my Christian walk? What if I never failed (or always pleased) God in everything I did. Now wouldn't that be cool?

Ok - time to do a random update

Its TACO FRIDAY - YEAH. Would you believe Ryan was home for 3 taco Fridays and did not spend a one of them with me! So sad......

Next year something must change! I had the time off between Christmas and New Year and I was so sick of being busy that I hardly accomplished a thing.

I was accussed of being a scrooge this year (thx alot Ryan!!) So I caved and bought a real tree. But guess what, its time to take it down and put decorations away. Without me asking for it, how much help do you think I will get (Hint it rhymes with zero)

I am so ready for sprint car racing to start!

Okay - I'll save some ranting for later

Mystery
A Child was born on Christmas day
Born to save the world
But long before the world began
He knew His death was sure
The pain and strife secured

Mystery, how He came to be a man
But greater still how His death was in is plan
God predestined that His Son would die and He still created man
Oh, what love is this that His death was in His hands

The Christmas trees they glow so bright with presents all around
But Christmas brought a tree of life with blood that sacrificed the greates gift of life

I am just a man and can't begin to comprehend
When you look into this traitor's eyes what do you see that justifies the LAMB

God predestined that His Son would die and He still created man
Oh, what love is this that His death was in His plan

Mystery, mystery

By: Todd Smith of Selah