Life is Good

Something that I don't recognize often enough is how good my life is. I don't have to worry about where I'll find food each day. I don't have a terminal illness or painful physical affliction. I have an education, and I got to choose where and what it would be. I have a warm apartment to wake up in each morning. I have a family who loves and cares about me. I have the freedom to speak, and to vote, and to worship as I please. I have employment and transportation and clothing. I not only have one pair of shoes to protect my feet, but a whole closet full of them. I can see because I have the luxury of choosing to wear glasses or contacts. I don't have to worry every day about bombs when I go out to the grocery store. I have clean water to drink, and to bathe, and to even water the grass. There is no restriction on how many children I'm allowed to have. I have NOT only all of my "needs," but many of my "wants" as well. It seems kind of funny that we can have a bad day because of a flat tire, our team losing the game, some jerk cutting you off in traffic, tele-marketers, running late, a stain on your favorite shirt, rainshowers immediately following your car wash, losing your keys, or having to do more work than you expected.

I need to keep this list handy when I get down about one thing in my life that might be going badly. I can look to all of these opportunities and blessings to put things back in perspective. By the way, I love that song, "So you had a bad day..." We can all think of things that would make our lives better. Unfortunately, we evaluate how our life is going on what we think we still need rather than on what we already have. Take a second to think it over. Life is good, when you really think about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVab9-G-55g

Meaningful

My good friend Jordan commented that ice storms and not having electricity can bring families together. It forces us to talk with one another more, do things like play games, and be creative with planning things to do. Though Josh and I have had continuous electricity, we've gotten to spend some time with family who has not. Matthew and Kirsten stayed at our place for one night. We had fun joking about old times and then even watched "The Three Amigos." It's a classic comedy! Then Nathan who has been without power for 7 days now, came and stayed one night with us. My cousin Jay also came to hang out (although he had electricity). We all played a side-splitting game of Loaded Questions. I think that Matthew and Kirsten tied for the win. Then we spent quite awhile just remembering old embarrasing stories from our childhood.

My parents have also had a meaningful experience through this ice storm. They have been without power AND water for 6 days now. I begged my mom to come stay with us, but because they have so many coondogs to look after, they wouldn't leave them. I think that she really is enjoying the simple life a bit too. My mom said that she has been cooking with her cast iron skillet over their fireplace. She said that she is learning to appreciate what she normally takes for granted and is getting more quiet time with God this week. Two angels from their church brought gallons of water and some extra firewood out to the house on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm not sure that my parents could have made it staying out there without these supplies. I really pray that they all get their electricity back before the snow that is coming this weekend.

Ice Storm of 2007

Chiseling ice off of a car is never easy. Glad I have a husband for that kind of hard labor. He was great! He even went out to buy me flowers to remind me of warmer days. I thank God that we still have electricity.

Southwest Missouri has been pummeled by ice and winter weather since Friday afternoon. Schools and businesses started shutting down. There was no church anywhere on Sunday. All schools were cancelled Monday. Not to mention that there are 300,000 Missourians without power right now, including my parents, Matthew and Kirsten, and Nathan in Springfield has been without since Friday. Slumber party at our apartment since we're the only ones with heat! Knock on wood.

Josh was acting out a little "Triple Dog Dare" from the 80's movie, A Christmas Story. One boy dared another boy (who said your tongue won't stick to a pole) to stick his tongue to a pole when it was freezing outside. Of course, he got stuck!

The Millikens

Good ol' Leif Milliken got hitched a few weeks ago. We got to go to the wedding and celebrate with Leif and his new wife, Elizabeth. Jordan and Bronwyn stood alongside as beautiful bridesmaids. Proud father, Bob, helped to marry the giddy couple. Josh, who could be part of the Milliken family if only he had red hair, was an usher.

Bronwyn's so cute! She would make an excellent sister-in-law for anyone.

The sistas are giving approving looks for the day's events.

Ok, Josh and Bob and Josh and Leif. No, wait. It's Josh and Leif.... Well, Josh and one of those Millikens. Somewhere in the future, Leif is going to look just like Bob.

My... don't we look Christmasy! Geez, you Millikens are skinny. Go eat some cake!

Nathan's Exhibit

Joplin Daily.com did an article about Nathan's art show. You can read the article by copying and pasting this address to your browser http://www.joplindaily.com/articles/2007/01/10/education/a01judah.txt

My brother Nathan has an art exhibit up this month at the public library show room. Click on the link below to see some of his latest work that is on display.

http://www.postlibrary.org/monthly%20artist%20exhibits.htm

Cotton Bowl on New Years Day

Josh and his dad drove to Dallas, TX to go to the Cotton Bowl. Jack surprised Josh with tickets for Christmas. They had a great time even though Nebraska lost and they got stuck in traffic on their way in.

Nebraska vs. Auburn

14-17

Burwell, Nebraska

We went to spend some time right after Christmas with some of Josh's family in Burwell. We stayed with his grandparents. We played games, ate, went out for coffee, opened presents, and ate some more. We also got about 6 inches of snow on the day we planned to leave. So it was pretty slick trying to get out of Nebraska. The trip home ended up being 13 hours instead of 8-9 hours. There were a lot of cars that slid off of the road. God gave us safe travels though.

Fun & Games

Josh, Jack, Jeff, Scott, & Emmy

Tripoley was our game of choice while in Nebraska

Cathy's Coffey Shop in Burwell

Yum, Yum

Josh was taking some time to study with his cup of Joe

Grandma T. treated us to coffee

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's House

Josh was excited for his grandparents to open our gifts to them. Jack and Genevieve showed us a wonderful time. Burwell is a fun little town.

Beautiful Eden knows she is a Gift!

Opening presents at Grandma and Grandpa Udell's house