Hmmm...

The last few days of February ... almost the "end" of the big push for filings due March 1 all about this huge country to the 50 states + district of columbia (fondly referred to as the 51 monkeys in my life :)

My camera to computer connection hasn't worked smoothly since post-Christmas when somebody plugged Dave's new ipod shuffle into my computer. Drew and I have tried several things to re-initiate the "I See You" connection between my harddrive and my camera, but to no avail. That's such a bummer since I love loading up pictures randomly and posting them to this, my photo journal. I can make it work but it takes work going through the backdoor of programs and such in manners that never seem replicable so must be dreamed anew each connection.

Rocky said he would help me figure out how to add video posts to my blog... I'm looking forward to that since I have lots of cool things on video. Like Dave doing a bounce-bounce-front flip-bounce-bounce-back flip on the tramp ~ perhaps the only person (other than Ingrid's friend Vince) who can accomplish that move. Dave's really awesome and cool like that :)

Speaking of Dave, we're in week three of "Heartcare for Couples" class which examines five foundations in our lives on which our relationships are based. It is really focused on how we are all designed for relationship ~ not as one of many things, not as an extra, not as it would be great to get that right but if not there's other stuff ~ but as THE thing we're designed for. We've looked at Personality styles (last week) and this week the focus is our Attachment styles. Upcoming are the Mom Component, God Concept, and Self Concept. The goal of the class is to spiritually facilitate emotional and relational wholeness. It's been awesome.

Sean's really enjoying being off-track this month. He and his friends (especially Sam) have been playing, playing, playing, playing, playing, playing. Each day we see the sun is such a gift. Our front yard is still quite deep in snow while most of the backyard has tired, dirty grass that has emerged from the melt. Thanks to all of Dave's shoveling, the backporch, basketball court, connecting sidewalks, and tramp are always snow free for great outdoor play. And throughout the neighboorhood, the sidewalks are (finally!) ice free! Celebration time. Funny to think that March is our historic snowiest month ~ but at least those big deep storms are followed by warm days and sunshine for quick melts.

Trey is doing well in middle school. His grades are high and he's enjoying classes and friends. His recent highlight was the winter retreat in Estes Park with the youth group from church. It is always such a special time of growing, building, bonding, and developing. He's growing like a weed and has just a bit more to go before he'll be passing up his mom. I'm guessing that by the time summer is here I'll be looking up to four of my five guys :) Trey and I discussed the other day how much easier it was for him to get along with Drew and Sean lately ~ it seems he's really "settling" into himself this second semester of 7th grade and that's been very nice.

We had an awesome board meeting for Int'l Bible Society this past few days and have unanimously approved a worldwide merger for the purpose of accelerating the efficient and effective translation, publication, and distribution of the Word of God around the world, especially in the Global South where God is doing mighty, mighty works (e.g., Africa, India, China, South America). 200 million scriptures to be distributed in 2 years ~ an outlandish goal that God's hand can accomplish. I've been selected to serve on the Global Board of Directors going forward and am anxious to follow the leading of the Lord as He blazes the path for His purposes. Please pray for Chairman Mike and the mestaticized spot of cancer on his liver, my eyes tear up whenever I think of and pray for this most incredible man of God.

Our church is still struggling in the aftermath of Pastor Paul & Char's resignations and we've had 5 staff reductions announced. More hurt and ouch. On the flipside, last night I was blessed by seeing "new life" from the 20-something crowd for stepping up the levels of their personal investment and service to others. Is this the life that comes from the dead seed? Glimmers of hope for my soul.

Ryan has been accepted for a six-week Messenger mission trip this summer and to live in the Annex ministry house on campus next fall. He continues to spend hours upon hours daily on course work and homework (calculus, physics, and humanities) while he works making specialty rice bowls to order for the finnicky boulder crowd. He's nervous financially about God's calling to the mission field for a long-term trip this summer, especially since he's made his first funding of his retirement account and 1/2 of tuition, room, and board are a big bite each semester. He's such a hard worker, low spender, and big saver.

Drew's been accepted to Metro State College this Fall to major in business (management is his thought right now) with a secondary emphasis in technology. He's going to study and re-sit for the ACT because if he gets two additional points of score, he'll qualify for admission to the University of College at Denver which may be a stronger business school. We'll be working on budgets and plans with him for this year as he'd like to live on campus and we'd like for him to live at home the first year... an unfortunate point of some tension in the house right now, but this too will pass. It always does.

I'm considering skiing sometime soon ... which will be the first time in a zillion years. Dave and the kids have really been enjoying skiing (Dave) and snowboarding (Drew, Trey, and Sean) these past few months. It's a new season in life for our family ... the first time in many, many years we haven't had "little" kids ~ now they can all manage themselves and all their gear for such adventures. I'm a bit nervous about two things though ~ my knees and the cold. Or should I say the cold and my knees? But either way, the important thing is to push through and enjoy the time with our precious family ~ what lovely gifts they are.

Finally, I've been really pondering how thankful I am for the lovely people regularly in our lives ~ Robyn & Darold; Jules & clan; Sam's family; Sandy; Deana & crew; Rocky and his momma and dad; Inger's kiddos; precious brothers and sisters from church ~ what tremendous gifts of blessing.

Love, true love ~ we are so blessed to receive so much and to be able to share so much.

Nose back down to the filings ... Big hug and love to all!! Sherrie