To Paris and Back...in 48 hours

What a week!  Monday was a much needed holiday for my guys and girls...only the girls had to work a half day.  They were having to make sure everything was ready for the new branch acquisition that took effect on Tuesday morning.  Dennis, Ricky and I didn't really do much at all...just relaxed and enjoyed the day.  The girls came over for supper, and then we watched the new Shrek movie and played Bananagrams.

I had an appointment on Tuesday morning with the urologist that is going to help with my surgery.  Spent a couple of hours in his office...waiting and then having tests run.  I finally (as of yesterday afternoon) got my surgery scheduled.  It will be on March 9.  (The last week in February, we plan to be on vacation in Missouri...which is why we are putting it off.)

After I got out of the doctor's office, I headed to Paris.  The trip went great.  Stephen and Mandy were still tied up with appointments, so I spent my downtime in Hobby Lobby.  I actually made it out of the store without spending any money!  I spent close to an hour just in the yarn aisle...drooling over the wonderful variety.  I don't often get the opportunity to shop there...the closest to us is in FW.

Stephen's surgery was scheduled for 7:30 Wednesday morning, so we had a short night.   Had to be at the hospital by 5:30.  He was through with surgery and recovery and in his room by about 11:00.  The surgery went well, and he didn't have any problems with the anesthesia.  So thankful for that!  He has been in quite a bit of pain, which is to be expected with a double hernia repair.  He was dismissed from the hospital around 7:30 that night.

The weather was looking bad for Thursday, so I got up and left around 7:30 to try to beat the worst of it.  It drizzled on me all the way to Dallas, but the temps were above freezing.  From FW to home, the temps dipped down below freezing, but there wasn't any precipitation; so I made it without any trouble.  It sure felt good to get home!

Dennis and I have been working on getting our house refinanced for the past 2-3 weeks.  We had an appointment Thursday afternoon at 4:30 in Weatherford to turn in all the paperwork and pay for the appraisal, which will take place tomorrow.  We will be knocking 10 years off our payout time, dropping our rate by almost 2%, getting rid of our PMI, and lowering our payments by about $20 a month.  Talk about a win/win situation!

Next week, I'll be making the cake for Bro. & Sister Wayne Darnell's 70th wedding anniversary, Lord willing.  I'm very excited and honored to be able to do that for them!  Linda and Karen will be taking the cake with them earlier in the week.  I hope to be able to make it to the party though.  That is such a wonderful occasion, and I'd dearly love to be there with everyone.  They are such an inspirational couple!

Ec 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

A New Year

I enjoy the coming of a new year...a time to reflect on my life, re-examine goals, and monitor where I am in my relationships with God, my family, friends and my community.  I don't do New Years Resolutions, per se, but I set goals for the year.  I ALWAYS need improvement in every area of my life, and this provides a good opportunity to evaluate those areas and make plans to work on them.  I'm really good at doing this "on paper" (which is now actually on my computer), but I struggle with the follow-through.  I very well understand Paul's dilemma-  Ro 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

I really enjoyed the weekend.  The girls' party was a lot of fun, and it was good to spend time with Daddy and Bobby...as well as the Browns.  Sunday morning, Brian spoke for us at Highway and did an outstanding job!  His lesson was on "Facing the Lions" and dealt with how we all have our struggles that we face, but that God is bigger than our problems.  It was a very emotional morning.  My heart was heavy, thinking about Koh and Michele's loss, then the song service was very inspiring...as was the lesson.  In fact the whole assembly was special.  I love it when "everything comes together" like that.  I had to wipe away many a tear.  It is kind of ironic that sorrow can lead to joy and peace, but that is what happened.  I'm so very thankful for God's plan in designing the assembly, as well as the working of His Spirit in our hearts!

I hope each of you who takes the time to read this has a very blessed year...facing your "lions" with the comfort of knowing that God will provide the strength and peace needed.

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

New Years Eve Party

We had a wonderful New Years Eve.  The girls had a small party at their apartment.  We ate, visited with friends and family, played a hilarious game of Apples to Apples, played Quelf and karokied.  Most of the older folks left around 10:30, but Anita, Sherrod and I toughed it out until 2:00 a.m.!  Much laughter and good times!