Snow!

I don't know how well you can see it but this morning we had SNOW!! I left for the mall at 6:20 a.m.. It was chilly but no windshield to scrape. Okay morning. By the time I left at 7:50 a.m. it was snowing!!! We had about an inch. It was all history by 10:00 a.m. but was nice while it lasted. A beautiful, chilly morning!!!!

Halloween Perspective

I've been subbing a lot lately. I hear a lot of "Happy Halloween" and talk of scary stories, dressing up, etc. It's not our thing. It's not my thing. Bill is into scary, gross stuff. My idea of scary is reading a book and the pages that tie the story line together are missing. Now THAT'S scary!

Josephine and Travers didn't dress up once they entered elementary school. They had a great principal at Ranchvale. He was from our church, Bill Pyle. Bill insisted Halloween festivities become "Fall Parties." No costumes. No skeletons. Just a fall celebration. It was great from this parent's perspective.

At home, we didn't go trick or treating. Instead of dressing Josephine & Travers in cheap costumes and dragging them to base housing or a packed mall for Halloween, Bill always said "I'll buy them a bag of candy. They don't need to go begging for it."

Jo informed me last week, almost apologetically, that Richard "did Halloween" when he was growing up. Still not sure what that meant... I do know they plan on greeting trick or treaters, with jack- o- lanterns by their front door and candy. I told her that was fine. I have no problem with it. I'm not sure what their views will be when they have children of their own. It's always interesting to watch these things evolve.

I do know our door will be locked. The lights in the front of the house will be turned off. We will buy candy. We always do. Bill will take it across the street to the neighbor's kids before trick or treating officially begins.

I have no Biblical perspective on this. I don't need one. Celebration or commeration of "Halloween" is stupid. I don't even need an "alternative" as so many churches offer. I'd rather spend my days celebrating Jesus.

Richly Blessed!

My heart is overflowing with praise today. God has blessed Jo and Richard. To not recognize Him for what he has done in their lives would be wrong on my part. (BTW, it's NOT grandchildren. I know. I'm disappointed, too. Later. In God's time.)

When Richard was hired at Target it was as a "seasonal" employee. Translation: when they were done with him, "good-bye." He walked in Sat morning and found out his name was on that good-bye list with several other employees. Management said they were taking his name off. He would be permanent AND would receive a $1 an hour raise.

Saturday Josephine was proding Richard to give us his good news about school. He was supposed to start South Plains College this past Sept in their Paramedic program. Richard's paperwork didn't get through and he didn't make it. Richard's news? He's ready now! To top it all of, because of the G.I. Bill he will receive $1,500 a month. One check will cover his tuition for the semester. He can still continue with his job at Target because his classes will be on-line for at least this semester. Right now, the plan is for Richard to attend school year-round until he's finished.

In the Army, Richard can start I.V.'s and all kinds of things a paramedic in the civilian world would be qualified to do. In the civilian sector, Richard is an entry level EMT. He needs to become a paramedic.

Another concern of mine has been answered. Richard's been working 3:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and they've been unable to attend church. They've been looking for a church that had a Sunday morning service atmosphere on Sunday night. Richard's hours have been changed to 10:30 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.. They can begin attending church together again.

Jo is still subbing for now. There is no shortage of teachers in Lubbock so she's content with subbing. Yesterday she was getting sick with a cold and sore throat. We were texting today. She's not feeling any better. She's doing a lot of sleeping. Please hold her in your prayers... She's always catching these bugs in the winter.

Sorry. No pics today.