Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and MLK Day! I cannot believe it has been a month since I "blogged". My dear friend Kathy Cordell recently prayed that I would just be "whelmed"(rather than "OVER-whelmed"). That has been my soul's whisper in recent days. Where do I begin.......

We enjoyed a quiet Wyoming Christmas. We attended the Children's Christmas Program at the Methodist Church where Dylan earned his angel wings, certificate, and halo. He once again heard the blessed Nativity Story while attending angel training. He learned that angels land gently and speak softly--good lessons for a very active 8 year old boy to learn!

He anxiously anticipated Santa's arrival. Only Oreos and milk would do. He was confidant Santa would deliver a Wii, because the elves had already made one just for him. Thankfully Santa came through like a champ. We were afraid the winter weather and snow showers would hinder our trip to Ft. Collins to spend the afternoon with Kelly's family. My very first white Christmas.

It was a short work week. On the Thursday after Christmas, we left Cheyenne early due to another winter storm---we still have snow on the ground from Thanksgiving! We needed to be in Denver for an early morning flight on Friday. It was in the teens when we boarded our plane in Denver and balmy and in the mid-seventies when we arrived in Tallahassee. Fortunately, we made it but our luggage did not arrive until the following afternoon. We barely made our connection in Memphis. It was good to be home.

We had a short week with family and friends. Christmas with Mom, Angie, Kelly M., and Clara. Visits with Papa. Time with Nedra and Lora. New Year's Eve with Debbie and Jimmy (including a bumpy ride through the pasture and an encounter with a blank angus bull who decided to over take the golf cart!) Brunch with Kim Culpepper. During our visit they experienced their coldest weather this season. Kelly helped Mom shop for a new car. We saw National Treasure. We had a couple of days to re-coup before we returned to work/school.

Kelly is still recovering from his second shoulder surgery in mid-December. His boss did not allow him to work even though he had sufficient work releases from his doctor, which has not been good for his psyche or the bank account. He has started physical therapy again and continues to regain strength in his left arm. He is back at work now.

The Nurse Manager at the clinic resigned my first week back. Initially it sent me reeling--as the only full-time staff person, I am not trained to handle all the clinical responsibilities. We are actively recruiting for her position.

We are continuing to be blessed and challenged at Element Church. They have agreed to help launch the "Can-Man" drive for Need's, Inc. We have committed to be the "spaghetti church" by continually supplying spaghetti and noodles to help stock the shelves at the local food pantry. This month's sermon series is "Deal or No Deal" and focuses on Biblical teachings about our money and finances. Last Sunday, at the end of the service, everyone was instructed to open the envelope that was given to them when they arrived. In obedience to God's prompting, the staff had returned the entire offering from the week before in increments of $10, $20, $50, and $100. They knew the amount God had directed them to use, but were short a few hundred dollars from the week's offering. Not by coincidence, the amount they were "short" arrived in the mail that week. The congregation was instructed to use the money to bless someone else. The only stipulations was it could not be spent on yourself or returned to the offering plate. A separate web-site has been set up to share stories of how the money was used. Check it out at www.elementgivesback.com One of the recipients of an Element Blessing sent a letter to the editor this week. How awesome is that?? You can listen to Jeff's sermons and check out his blog and www.elementweb.net

It has been a quiet weekend. We are hunkering down for a winter storm fore casted to bring several inches of snow and below zero temps. (That does not even include the wind-chill!!! Brrrrr!!!!) Dylan is out of school tomorrow, but has an early morning dental appointment. He enjoys dental visits more than I ever did! Of course, we did not have video games, movies, and other great entertainment to distract us.

It has been fun to hangout in our pj's, drink coffee, watch movies, read, and play Wii. I'll try to do a better job "blogging" as we continue our adventures in 2008.