early spring in California

These almond trees are beautiful in March when I travel west to northern California for spring break. I'll miss seeing them this year as well as Danielle and Aaron.

But no worries, our wind-sculptured snow is lovely in its own rite. Plus the bonus of No School in Watertown because of a Feb. 26th blizzard. I'll bet the Cal kids never had school called on account of the bloomin' trees. There are perks in the Netherlands.

childlike or childish

Sometimes being a 50-something child doesn't pan out!

Today as I was going towards my car, I noticed long icicles streaming from my friend's garage. Too tempting! They just screamed, "Come knock me down!" I love the clatter of icicles falling especially if I caused it. So I set out. Three steps into the excursion across the driveway, I nearly bellied-up. Icy indeed! I never made it to the taunting icicles. There they hang 'til the sun takes 'em down. Wish I could hear the clatter!

Robert ~ Man of much worth

Photos: Robert fishing for golf balls at Griffith Park in L.A. and our family building the new home in Watertown, SD, 1992. I still happily dwell in the House that Robert built.

He waded into the Watertown reeds to capture lost golf balls on our course here also. "Kind of like an Easter egg hunt," he remarked! Priceless

I love you, Robert. Although life here is sweetness and light, I can't wait to see you.

Four years

February 26th, will mark four years since Robert joined the Glad Reunion.

This year's memorial features Danielle's tribute to her Dad during her wedding. Our lifetime Colorado friend - Dave Svenson - read Danielle's words at the marriage ceremony:

Robert MacMurchy - A man who's life was dedicated to the Lord, dedicated to his wife and dedicated to raising his three children. Robert MacMurchy father of the bride. Before Danielle even went on her first date as a teen, her father urged her to wait for a prince. He wanted both Danielle and Joy to hold out for a man who would seek the Lord for validation and for the strength to lead a family. He insisted his girls wait for a man that would treat them like the princesses God made them to be. And he raised his own prince who would do no less. Robert modeled the type of husband worth waiting for. He referred to Caren as his bride for the 26 years that followed their wedding day. He prayed that Danielle would be blessed with a man that would not only change her car's oil every thousand miles, but unconditionally love her and care for her. Aaron, you are the man - the prince- Robert would be pleased to have given his daughter to today.


Photos: Aaron and Danielle's response as Dave reads tribute

Helpful article by Star Parker. Check it out...
worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=88182

Anyone interested in the truth behind the bull-roar?

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell012709.php3

Happy blessed bday

Dear Danielley ~ Happy birthday to you, my beautiful Midborn! The day of your appearing - 19 January 1983 - made your Dad and my heart sing: A daughter has been given. We have rejoiced ever since. You have chosen well your life's helpmate and surely Aaron has chosen well.

I wish we were together to pop the Vino and celebrate 26 years of "following hard after the Lord."

I will love you for always ~ the mom/care

Finally

I have searched high and low for a Bush legacy essay or article that would balance the scales between bungling fool and honorable man. Everytime someone disparages the President, my heart is heavy with sorrow. I have always felt he was a man of integrity with a single-hearted focus to protect American citizens.

Thomas Sowell has critiqued President Bush's eight year tenure. It seems both accurate and just.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell011609.php3

Is there any human endeavor that escapes effort and discipline? Learning a language, mastering a musical instrument, perfecting the craft of writing, communication, ballet ~ all require practice. This is true of our walk with the Dear Lord Jesus: Training is required as we learn from Him.

What are some of the disciplines? A primary one is solitude, which must go hand in hand with silence to be complete. In solitude I arrange to be alone, out of human contact, for lengthy periods of time. This allows my inner compass to stop whirling in response to the demands of others. The elasticity and wholeness of my soul is restored as I grow "still and know that God is God." (Ps. 46:10)

Only solitude and silence, extensively practiced at wisely allotted intervals, can take the world off my back and forever release me from both hurry and loneliness.

Interested? http://dwillard.org/articles/artview.asp?artID=5

the lovliest thing ever

Cast your color vote

Knowing y'all relish a New Year's contest, what say you on Cheri's 2008 Olive Oil label? The label background color.

Endless options? Not sure but think outta-the-box extravagant, if you must!
red, yellow, pink, chartreuse, whatever. The bottle this year is dark dark green. Very stylish but needs a catchy label.

fun in the sun

west coast Christmas

1) Las Vegas sunset
2) a bit too much saki with the sushi ~ NO! Just sleepy
3) best reads of the holiday: Anything by Malcolm GladWell

Highlites not photographed: The belated Kleyn Cousin Christmas in Visalia. Fabulous! Although come to ponder it, Ron will probably float his photos my way. Stay tuned!

New addition to the fam

Aaron and Danielle picked up a new bauble to ring in '09! It's a 2006 325 BMW. Danielle is in search of the perfect name for the 'mobile. Any suggestions?

Christmas message

"And there were in the same country shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flocks...and the Glory of the Lord shone all around them..."

The angels did not take their message to Caesar's court or to the religious leaders or to key influential people. Instead, they went to the lowest of the low on the cultural ladder of the day. Shepherds were despised – so much so that the testimony of a shepherd was not even allowed in a court of law. The only people lower than the shepherds at this particular time in Jewish history were those with leprosy. Yet the shepherds were the people to whom the angels delivered their message of joy.

"Do not be afraid! I bring you joyful news that you have not imagined. God Himself has come to dwell among men."

Let us end the year full of Gratitude that "Unto us is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

Love to all

countering myth with truth

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell122308.php3

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWJjYzgzNjIwMGU
wNzdmNTJkYjcyYmYyNzIzMTY4ZTY=

Tis the season to Come Home

FOUND

you were lost

wandered away

into the luring night

without Me

you chose to stay

alone and out of sight

anguishing

in pain to find

I knew what I must do

leave My other 99

to run and rescue you

This Christmas, let's remember who we are

Excellent article by Star Parker, one of my favorites. And I would add to the title, Let's remember Whose we are.

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.
php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84057

Vegas turned Winter Wonderland

It snowed more than three inches in Las Vegas today! Aaron and I celebrated the cold weather with chili, corn bread and by making a rather attractive snow-woman. The weather man said, “This is the most snow we’ve had in Las Vegas in almost 30 years. It’s a significant historical event.”
If you want to see the Las Vegas Strip under snow, visit www.lvrj.com.

worth reading

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell111108.php3