VBS

My brother and sister volunteered last week at Vacation Bible school at our church. Thank to the abundance of cell phone cameras, I've got lots of cute pics.



They enjoyed hanging out with their friends as much as actually volunteering.



Apparently my brother showed off his acting skills in a skit & the little kids wanted his autograph afterward.



So cute to see my siblings working with the real little kids who are adorable.



Haley finally has a driving friend- Sam.



Not technically at VBS, but this is Haley's new friend (i.e. Hunter's old friend & possibly future girlfriend??). Anyways....can't wait to see how the young-love romance drama unfolds.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: The kidz & Brenda are in Mexico for 6 days on a mission trip outside of Mexico City.

Giving Thanks

Where to even start with all the things that I am thankful for? Well, starting is easy, but listing them all is tougher. Obviously, I believe that everything I have in my life- the good, bad, ugly, happiness, sorrow and love all are a gift from God. I am most thankful for Him sending his Son to be our Savior. All the time, talent, gifts, friendships, opportunities and prosperity I enjoy are a direct result of God's blessing and his plan for my life.

The second thing I am most thankful for today is my husband. These past few years have been so amazing, and I've never been happier to share every day of my life with him. Every morning, he makes my days brighter, and every evening I still can't wait for him to get home. We have so much fun together, enjoying life, learning, reading, traveling, cooking and loving each other. I'm thankful that he is my partner & my best friend, that he's patient with me when I need it and encourages me when I'm down.

The next thing I am thankful and grateful for is my family. I picked this photo of my brother & sister with me back in 2002 at my Grandma's for Christmas because it's one of those memories that just reminds me of family. Holidays can sometimes be difficult to juggle having divorced parents, but I am still so thankful for my extended families and my mother-in-law. Although I won't be seeing my dad's side of the family today, with the aunts & uncles & cousins, I will be thinking about them. My mom and dad have both played and continue to play such an important part of my life everyday, and I'm so thankful that all of my family is healthy, happy and lives near us.

I could spend all day listing other things I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving, but I'll just add a final one that seems timely. I'm so thankful I was born in the United States of America. I'm grateful for all the freedoms that we have that have been fought for by so many other people. I always wonder how different my life would be if I had been born in Germany or Kenya or India. I've been so prosperous here because of all the things for which America stands. There is something great and amazing about our country that everybody wants to be here or be like us. We're not perfect, but the spirit of Americans embodies so much hope and courage that I'm proud and thankful to live in such a wonderful country. My faith in America is renewed by the election of the most unlikely President to hopefully lead our country through this difficult times.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: With all I have to be thankful for, every day is a great day!

Progressive Christian Values & the Election

I wanted to make one last politics post before the big day gets here. If I had to pick 1 book that has changed my life more than any in the last few years, I'd points to Jim Wallis's God's Politics. Reading this book has really opened my eyes to how the "Religious Right" has hijacked the Republican Party in the last few years. Instead of making biblical issues the center of political debate & discussion, abolishing abortion & restricting gay-rights has been an incredibly divisive & inflammatory path. Reading this book opened up my eyes to the real values taught in the Bible and demonstrated by Jesus.

Last week, Jim Wallis sent out one of the best pieces I've seen that succinctly & eloquently describes why so many progressive Christians support Obama. Please take the time to read it & if you like it, you can subscribe to his blog God's Politics.

Republished from his blog:

In 2004, several conservative Catholic bishops and a few megachurch pastors like Rick Warren issued their list of "non-negotiables," which were intended to be a voter guide for their followers. All of them were relatively the same list of issues: abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc. None of them even included the word "poverty," only one example of the missing issues which are found quite clearly in the Bible. All of them were also relatively the same as official Republican Party Web sites of "non-negotiables." The political connections and commitments of the religious non-negotiable writers were quite clear.

I want to suggest a different approach this year and share my personal list of "faith priorities" that will guide me in making the imperfect choices that always confront us in any election year — and suggest that each of you come up with your own list of "faith" or "moral" priorities for this election year and take them into the voting booth with you.

After the last election, I wrote a book titled God’s Politics. I was criticized by some for presuming to speak for God, but that wasn’t the point. I was trying to explore what issues might be closest to the heart of God and how they may be quite different from what many strident religious voices were then saying. I was also saying that "God’s Politics" will often turn our partisan politics upside down, transcend our ideological categories of Left and Right, and challenge the core values and priorities of our political culture. I was also trying to say that there is certainly no easy jump from God’s politics to either the Republicans or Democrats. God is neither. In any election we face imperfect choices, but our choices should reflect the things we believe God cares about if we are people of faith, and our own moral sensibilities if we are not people of faith. Therefore, people of faith, and all of us, should be "values voters" but vote all our values, not just a few that can be easily manipulated for the benefit of one party or another.

In 2008, the kingdom of God is not on the ballot in any of the 50 states as far as I can see. So we can’t vote for that this year. But there are important choices in this year’s election — very important choices — which will dramatically impact what many in the religious community and outside of it call "the common good," and the outcome could be very important, perhaps even more so than in many recent electoral contests.

I am in no position to tell anyone what is "non-negotiable," and neither is any bishop or megachurch pastor, but let me tell you the "faith priorities" and values I will be voting on this year:

1- With more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about how we treat the poor and oppressed, I will examine the record, plans, policies, and promises made by the candidates on what they will do to overcome the scandal of extreme global poverty and the shame of such unnecessary domestic poverty in the richest nation in the world. Such a central theme of the Bible simply cannot be ignored at election time, as too many Christians have done for years. And any solution to the economic crisis that simply bails out the rich, and even the middle class, but ignores those at the bottom should simply be unacceptable to people of faith.

2- From the biblical prophets to Jesus, there is, at least, a biblical presumption against war and the hope of beating our swords into instruments of peace. So I will choose the candidates who will be least likely to lead us into more disastrous wars and find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in the world and make us all safer. I will choose the candidates who seem to best understand that our security depends upon other people’s security (everyone having "their own vine and fig tree, so no one can make them afraid," as the prophets say) more than upon how high we can build walls or a stockpile of weapons. Christians should never expect a pacifist
president, but we can insist on one who views military force only as a very last resort, when all other diplomatic and economic measures have failed, and never as a preferred or habitual response to conflict.

3- "Choosing life" is a constant biblical theme, so I will choose candidates who have the most consistent ethic of life, addressing all the threats to human life and dignity
that we face — not just one. Thirty-thousand children dying globally each day of
preventable hunger and disease is a life issue. The genocide in Darfur is a life issue. Health care is a life issue. War is a life issue. The death penalty is a life issue. And on abortion, I will choose candidates who have the best chance to pursue the practical and proven policies which could dramatically reduce the number of abortions in America and therefore save precious unborn lives, rather than those who simply repeat the polarized legal debates and "pro-choice" and "pro-life" mantras from either side.

4- God’s fragile creation is clearly under assault, and I will choose the candidates who will likely be most faithful in our care of the environment. In particular, I will choose the candidates who will most clearly take on the growing threat of climate change, and who have the strongest commitment to the conversion of our economy and way of life to a cleaner, safer, and more renewable energy future. And that choice could accomplish other key moral priorities like the redemption of a dangerous foreign policy built on Middle East oil dependence, and the great prospects of job creation and economic renewal from a new "green" economy built on more spiritual values of conservation, stewardship, sustainability, respect, responsibility, co-dependence, modesty, and even humility.

5- Every human being is made in the image of God, so I will choose the candidates who are most likely to protect human rights and human dignity. Sexual and economic slavery is on the rise around the world, and an end to human trafficking must become a top priority. As many religious leaders have now said, torture is completely morally unacceptable, under any circumstances, and I will choose the candidates who are most committed to reversing American policy on the treatment of prisoners. And I will choose the candidates who understand that the immigration system is totally broken and needs comprehensive reform, but must be changed in ways that are compassionate, fair, just, and consistent with the biblical command to "welcome the stranger."

6- Healthy families are the foundation of our community life, and nothing is more important than how we are raising up the next generation. As the father of two young boys, I am deeply concerned about the values our leaders model in the midst of the cultural degeneracy assaulting our children. Which candidates will best exemplify and articulate strong family values, using the White House and other offices as bully pulpits to speak of sexual restraint and integrity, marital fidelity,
strong parenting, and putting family values over economic values? And I will choose the candidates who promise to really deal with the enormous economic and cultural pressures that have made parenting such a "countercultural activity" in America today, rather than those who merely scapegoat gay people for the serious problems of heterosexual family breakdown.

That is my list of personal "faith priorities" for the election year of 2008, but they are not "non-negotiables" for anyone else. It’s time for each of us to make up our own list in these next 12 days. Make your list and send this on to your friends and family members, inviting them to do the same thing.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: No matter the results of the election, we still live in a free country & have the right to elect our own leaders and serve our God.

Christ the Redeemer

To kick-off our visit to Rio de Janeiro, a half-day city tour was included with our GAP package. The tour was outsourced to the company called Be a Local, and our guide was nice. We started with the iconic Redentor (in Portuguese), which was recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Unfortunately, we came on a very foggy morning. Though at the base of the statue, the Corcovado Mountain was covered with low clouds at 3,000 feet.

The statue itself stands another 130' tall and can be seen from nearly everywhere through out Rio.

The statue itself was impressive, but I was more wowed by Iguazu Falls. It did offer spectacular views of the pockets of the city nestled at the base of the mountains, when the clouds weren't in the way.

Sadly, one of the best photos I captured just as we were leaving. We could clearly see the statue every other day we were in Rio, but our visit wasn't to be a clear one.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Finished our My Publisher album for our first year and it's ordered.

My SCFR Results

I thought I would share the results of working through the book Smart Couples Finish Rich and doing all the "assignments" since I enjoyed reading it.

First assignment was to define your values. Things that matter to you, things that are intrinsically important and that you consider valuable. These aren't goals or milestones or achievements, but over-riding principles that you adhere to or fundamental beliefs that your life is controlled by. I really firmly believe that writing these out, thinking about them and sharing them with the world is a great first step to making them a reality.

MY VALUES

Family/Marriage

Faith

Fitness/Health

Fun/Adventure

Knowledge

MY GOALS

Plan & Goal set: increase financial smarts, use the money I have as an opportunity to express my faith, dream of retiring with my husband and plan our fun trips

Go to Africa: new experience to learn about a new culture & region, a fun adventure to a foreign land, a great trip with my hubby and a place to see Christianity in it's most raw form

Volunteer Politically: increase my awareness of current events & policies, meet new (hopefully fun) people, put my faith values into action, all of this H loves

Run for Fun: hopefully in new places, keep training & in shape, maybe run with H

The next assignment in the book was to write down specific components of those goals that I could accomplish in the next 12 months and list actions that I could take this week to further those goals. So here are my plans to put my values-based goals into action.

PLAN & GOAL SET

• reading through all the books I'd like to discuss with H
  
• setting actual dollar amounts for our emergency fund & saving it
• increasing our monthly pay off amounts on our house & calculate when it will be paid off
• decide on retirement goals & needs
• file our taxes and start working on future deductions
• get his will/medical directive/life insurance/power of attorney started & finished
• accelerating my car payments and planning a new car purchase for the end of the year
• evaluating all of our retirement savings accounts & mutual funds
• evaluate rental property & begin work on repairs/upgrades
• discuss how/when we would like to start having kids and how to best save for them
  
  

AFRICA

• VISIT- This is pretty much a done-deal for 2009 (if all goes as planned, which it often doesn't). We would like to go on a mission trip with our church to visit the orphanage the church is building. We would also like to consider part of it for our anniversary trip- see South Africa or Victoria Falls. There's not much we can do on this right now, other than learn more about what exactly we want to do. I contacted our church to get the exact names of the cities they will be traveling to & approximately what time of year they will be going.


• READ- Be informed of the current events & crises that are playing out. I have also put some more books about the history, culture and fighting onto my reading list so I am informed and stay focused on this goal.


• GIVE- Find a way to donate to relief & humanitarian efforts, including food and medical treatments. I've signed up with SaveDarfur.org and will learn more about their organizations. I'd also like to learn more about Doctors Without Borders and World Hunger Relief.

Volunteer Politically

• I've already started by making modest financial contributions to my favorite presidential candidate, and I'm subscribed to his blog.
• I'm following the news much more closely & am able to discuss current events and politics like nobody's business!
• I have applied to be a poll worker in my county on election day. I'm working on talking H into it since he can speak Spanish.
• Hopefully once we get past the primaries, I will be able to participate in a local campaign and volunteer my energies there too.

RUN FOR FUN

• I've mentioned that I am toying with the idea of running the NY City marathon this fall. I've been to their website & the lottery doesn't open until later in the spring. H even said he would do it with me.
• I would also like to investigate running more half-marathons and going to some place for long-weekends in 2009 (since our big trip will be to Africa).
• Set up a better gym and swim schedule to complement the running.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: It feels so awesome to actually write these all out and share them with everybody.

Bumper Stickers

I've recently run across a website that has some hilarious and often fairly edgy bumper stickers. Though I'm not a fan of actually putting anything on my car, I thought I'd share some of the favorite ones I found, so that if you are a bumper sticker fan- you can order your own.

DISCLAIMER: These are intended to be funny.

(Don't worry- I still support our troops, just not the war in Iraq.)

(Wow- this hurts cause it's so true!)

(Another truth that hurts me. Trade religious rules for faith and judgement for forgiveness.)

(heehee....this one just makes me laugh)

(Sad, but true. We've won and been wrong before.)

(We don't even have a clue about poverty in America.)

(Another one that should shame the "religious right")

(I can't believe how many people who say they love God are so full of hatred.)

(Have I mentioned how much I love trees & nature?)

(Absolute truth!)

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: I've got a blog to put bumper stickers on instead of my car.

Reflecting the Good News

I'm proud (and nervous) to announce that I'm taking my limited blogging skills and branching out. I've started a separate blog to focus on the reflections about my faith and Christian walk. I hope that the reflecting title represents that Good News of the Gospel that I can learn about and then share with others through the blog.

I'll try to get this blog fairly faith free, or at least posts that are wholly about my faith, will show up on Reflecting the Good News. If you don't already use Google Reader, I encourage you to check out this this amazing (and totally free) service that instantly delivers any blog updates directly to you.

Head on over there to read my first post!

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Weather is looking good for the marathon!

The Night Before Jesus Came

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'
written by Unknown Author

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound.

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: A great mixture of two old tales!

BOOK REVIEWS

My favorite librarian often shares with her blog readers what she's reading to her kids and she recently asked for audience participation in what we were currently reading. I've actually been on quite a reading spree lately (mostly on airplanes to Detroit and Los Angeles and Arkansas), and I received a few books for Christmas I am looking forward to reading.

3:16- The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado

I obliviously just finished this short devotional book and doing the 40 days of meditations. I thought it was, great, simple and focused. Anybody, no matter how busy you are, could do the 1 page daily devotionals. Great gift idea if you know somebody interested in learning more about Jesus.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This books was on my Amazon wishlist, but I saw it in the airport and grabbed it to read on the plane. EXCELLENT book! I couldn't put it down. In many ways the story of the struggle of the young boys transcends time, culture and geography and could have been set anywhere. However, using Afghanistan as the background for this wonderful novel lets the reader have an inside view of the culture and the country that we only know about from news reports. I can't wait to see the movie and look forward to reading the other book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, when it's out on paperback.

When the Nile Runs Red by DiAnn Mills

This book was for sale at church after our special missions Sunday sermon a few weeks ago. Our church has recently purchased land on the Nile River to build an orphanage for children with AIDS. The author of the book was signing them & all of the proceeds were going straight to Africa. We had also recently watched Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda and God Grew Tired of Us. I've learned so much about the civil wars and genocides in Africa that I'm honestly shocked and appalled that these situations continue. This was an interesting fiction novel set in modern day southern Sudan, where there is fighting between the Arab Muslim government from the north and the African tribal, mostly Christian, groups in the south. I really learned quite a bit about the situation and the background on the fighting, and I'd recommend this book to anybody who wants to know more about this on-going tragedy, but finds it hard to read newspapers or academic books on the subject.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Another airport buy! Since this book has been on the best-seller list for months and I *LOVE* travel, I thought I would give it a read. It was pretty enjoyable, although I liked the Italy and Bali parts the best. It was a great introduction to meditation and how you can still use it within other faiths.

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

This was a Christmas gift from my Amazon wishlist that I can't wait to read. After reading the Kite Runner and other books about political happenings in Muslim parts of the world. I'll hopefully start on it very soon and update you when I'm done.

How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth by Gordon D. Fee

I saw this book recommended and thought, that after doing my 40 day devotional, it would be useful to learn more about how to read the Bible. It has great reviews on Amazon and I think, as a Christian, it's vitally important to understand the way the Bible works together was a whole, how it was written and why the authors wrote what they did.

Smart Couples Finish Rich

I did a TON of financial reading in college and my first few years out of school, but then turned more towards reading books about my faith and then of course, marriage and relationships. I thought it was a good time to re-focus on our finances and learn how we can reach our goals (after we figure out what those long term goals are!). We're doing great and will hopefully be on target to reach all our short-term goals.

Frommer's Brazil & Argentina

Can I just say what a great Christmas present!?!? We've already spent at least an hour scouring the pages, sticky-nothing things we need to copy to take with us and resigning ourselves to the fact that we will definitely have to go back to Argentina again to cover the rest of the amazing country. I'm getting so excited about our big trip- just 6 weeks left!

National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography

As you can tell by our Colorado Trip- I love the great outdoors! Most of our travel dreaming places include amazing scenery, so I had to include a book on my Amazon wishlist. I've only flipped through this book so far, but the pictures are unbelievable. I need to add several more places to my "must go soon" list! I can't wait to read all the tips and tricks for taking spectacular photos of God's masterpiece.

A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power

After reading/watching/hearing so much about all the struggles that are going on throughout the world, I think it's vitally important to understand who the American government and the American people have contributed, in both good and bad ways, to the atrocities that are going on in South America and Africa. It looks long and very detailed, but when we are talking about millions of people dying, I don't think you can ever read enough about it.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: So much learning going on- I love it!

DAY 40 WITH THE SON

I'm taking the 40 days leading up the Christmas to focus on the life of Jesus and do a mini-reflection and devotion. I'm following along with Liza on her special blog called 40 Days with the Son, based on the Max Lucado book 3:16.

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

HIS LIFE MEANS LIFE: "My purpose is to give life." John 10:10

The rest of the verse is "...and that you may have it more abundantly." Jesus came to give life, but He also came to make your life better. I can guarantee that even those who follow Jesus still have bad day and tragedies in their life, but it's our faith in Jesus and our focus on our heavenly life that makes those trails bearable. When you start living in light of Jesus gift, you become more thankful and grateful everyday and start learning to put bitterness and envy behind you. The closer I draw to God, the more thankful I am for every blessing that He's given to me.

Whew! This has been a tough 40 days. I hope I didn't run off too many of my regular blog readers & I really appreciate the kinds words and encouragement that many of you have left me. I'm going to take a break for a while talking about my faith, but I hope to use this blog to memorialize important things that I learn and milestones in my spiritual walk.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 (MSG)

DAY 39 WITH THE SON

I'm taking the 40 days leading up the Christmas to focus on the life of Jesus and do a mini-reflection and devotion. I'm following along with Liza on her special blog called 40 Days with the Son, based on the Max Lucado book 3:16.

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

GRACE BEFORE BREAKFAST: " 'Now come and have some breakfast!' Jesus said." John 21:12

Wow, I honestly don't remember reading this passage before. I'm not sure how, but I had forgotten about this passage when Jesus appeared to John & Peter after his resurrection. It makes me wonder why the disciples are fishing. I'm not sure what I expected, but this man, the Christ, whom they have followed around for almost 3 years and devoted their life to, had recently died. Did they just give up on him and return to the regularly scheduled life? The Bible clearly states that this is the 3rd time the risen Jesus has appeared, yet the disciples are acting like nothing has happened.

I can only compare this crazy denial of Jesus power and being to ourselves. We have heard the Good News. We know all about Jesus' death and Resurrection, yet we too carry on with our lives like nothing big has really happened. We know we are going to Heaven, we know Jesus has told us what our priorities with our time and money should be, we know that in obedience we should share our faith, but we live in a crazy state of denial too. It really is amazing how, after all these centuries, we can still see ourselves in the sinful, human behavior of the disciples.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: I'm glad to say that God is daily making more more aware of the need to live each day for Him and slowly softening my heart towards the kingdom.

DAY 38 WITH THE SON

I'm taking the 40 days leading up the Christmas to focus on the life of Jesus and do a mini-reflection and devotion. I'm following along with Liza on her special blog called 40 Days with the Son, based on the Max Lucado book 3:16.

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

What a busy day! I started out with my last long training run before the marathon this morning. Finished up shopping for stocking stuffers, delivered some Christmas groceries to the family of the special little boys and then passed out for a nap. H and I are going to hit up an Brazilian restaurant tonight, in honor of our wedding anniversary and to celebrate our upcoming trip.

VICTORY RAGS: "Every detail in our lives of love for GOd is worked out into something good." Romans 8:28

Another one of those super-detail passages, where you wonder "What's the significance of this tiny detail?". I wonder if this could possibly be the fabled Shroud of Turin. We may never know, but the author of Romans told us that John "saw and believed." Remember that Jesus was the one that said "Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29). Over 2 thousand years later, we can't see the cloth or examine the empty tomb. All we have is the Bible and our faith. We are truly blessed when we believe without seeing.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: My 21 mile training run, although very warm and slightly rainy, went well this morning!

DAY 37 WITH THE SON

I'm taking the 40 days leading up the Christmas to focus on the life of Jesus and do a mini-reflection and devotion. I'm following along with Liza on her special blog called 40 Days with the Son, based on the Max Lucado book 3:16.

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

IT'S ALRIGHT TO DREAM AGAIN: "As the new day was dawning..."- Matthew 28:1 (NLT)

I can't even begin to fathom the emotions of the 2 Mary's after Jesus had died on the Cross. I don't believe they were expecting him to disappear from his tomb, much less be resurrected and walk among them. I wonder if, when the found the tomb empty, it all immediately clicked. Did they stand around a while scratching their heads and wondering what the heck is going on ? I guess so, because the Angel had to explain the situation. How I wish angels would come to me and explain the many situations I often don't understand. I also personally like that it was women who discovered the empty tomb, and it was women whom the angel brought the message of the Resurrection.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Gifts are (mostly) wrapped and we're going to start the first round of exchanged tonight with Dad & Company (the kids and Brenda).