Visitors

Every morning for the last few weeks when we come out to leave for school and work, we find these visitors on our sidwalk and/or lawn:

If I had a gun and didn't live in the city limits, I would be ready for Thanksgiving! :0)

On The Road Again...

Somedays it seems like all I do is drive, drive, drive (and did I mention I HATE to drive!)...

Today's Driving Schedule

• Drive from Redding to Palo Cedro to take Lyle to school
• Drive from Palo Cedro to Anderson to go to work
• Drive from Anderson to Palo Cedro to pick Lyle up from school
• Drive from Palo Cedro to Redding to take Lyle home
• Drive from Redding to Anderson to go back to work
• Drive from Anderson to Redding to come home from work
• Drive to the store
• Drive from Redding to Palo Cedro to take my Mom her laundry I did for her
• Drive from Palo Cedro to Redding

With all those miles, I could have been halfway to somewhere fun :0)

Time To Give Thanks

WOW, it's November 1st! Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I have been thinking a lot about "giving thanks". So often I find myself griping and complaining when I have SO much to be thankful for. So often I dwell on the things I don't have instead of being grateful for the things I do have.

I have a roof over my head. I have enough food to not only sustain my health, but to expand my waistline, hips and thighs. I am in relatively good health. I have two children that if I think about them deeply enough I truly believe my heart would explode. I have a husband who has been faithful to me for over 26 years and who I trust whole-heartedly. I have a mother who loves me. I have a brother that makes my life interesting and fun. I have true friends. And I even have a cute cat! And that’s only a small list of the things I’m thankful for!

"Oh, that men would give thanks

to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works

to the children of men!

For He satisfies the longing soul,

And fills the hungry soul with goodness."

Psalm 107:8-9

A "Good Read"

My good friend, Becky, loaned me this book, The Noticer, by Andy Andrews. It's a "good read"!!! The New York Times reports, "Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer beautifully blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration. It provides simple, yet powerful distinctions about love, relationships, value and integrity and will inspire readers to take that first step towards a major life change."

I wanted to share a quote on wisdom from the book. It's profound!

"One way to define wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present. You see, with a degree of intelligence and a hint of wisdom, most people can tell the difference between good and bad. However, it takes a truly WISE person to discern that oh-so-thin line between good and best."

A Relaxing Sunday Afternoon

Ethan's parents invited us over to Douglas City on Sunday afternoon for a BBQ. We had such a relaxing car ride (well I did since I wasn't driving), enjoying the beautiful scenery along Highway 299. John and Peggy are delightful people, and we felt "right at home". The Trinity River is literally right across the little one-lane road that runs in front of their house.

The afternoon was spent walking down by the river:

Trying out the swing they have in a tree in the front yard:

(Ethan can REALLY go high! He's had lots of practice!)

Relaxing in the porch swing:

Riding John's new bike:

And visiting!! Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner and a fun card game!! Thank you, John and Peggy, for welcoming us into your home!

A Healthy Brain

When Hilary was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia in July, the neurologist said it was unusual to see this disease in a young person. Often times when it does show up in a young person, it is associated with MS. So, he wanted Hilary to have a special dye test/MRI to determine if she had MS. The test was scheduled but, much to my displeasure, it was a month away. Then the neurologist had to go to India for a family emergency, so the test was postponed until the end of September.

All that to say that this "not knowing" has been hanging over our heads since July. Well, I am sooooooo happy to report that we saw the neurologist last week and looked at many, many pictures of Hilary's brain!! The final result: Hilary has a healthy brain!!! NO MS!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! There was much rejoicing in the Jones' household this weekend!

God, Could You Sell A Cow?

Let me preface this post by saying that my Uncle, Aunt, and my cousin and his family have a 1,200 acre cattle and sheep ranch. My cousin recently took some of their shorthorn cattle to a special sale in Illinois. One of their heifers brought $6,000! I didn't even ask how much they got for the prized bull they sold.

The next day, I got this dreaded bill in my mailbox:

Yes, a bill from Mercy Medical Center. Made me wish I had a cow to sale.;0) Almost instantly, the words to this little chorus (written by John W. Peterson) that we used to sing at North Valley Baptist Church came to mind:

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell -
He is my Father so they're mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -
I know that He will care for me.

And, this verse (which I assume the chorus is based on) came to my mind next:

"For every beast of the forest is mine,
and the cattle upon a thousand hills."
Psalm 50:10

God, could you please sell one of your cows and give the money to me?