Trains

Matthew slept over lat night. After dinner he got to choose what we were going to do.
He decided that he and grandpa should play trains.
So we got out the track and built and played for the next 2 hours.
Then it was snack time and story time.
Two Robert Munch books later it was bedtime.


This morning we went out and found the train tower on clearance at Target so we bought it.
We have played with it for about another hour.
I guess this is train weekend.

Always fun to be a kid again although maybe I've just never grown up!

So You Want A Driver's License ? (Ha Ha Ha Ha)

The new license renewal rules went into effect January 1st. Oh how I wish I had know and renewed in December. My quickie license renewal turned into a half day nightmare. There were six people in front of me. Not one of them got through. Each one had problems with at least one of the ID pieces. I was feeling confident until I too was shot down. I think the woman actually enjoyed her 7 rejections in a row!

After going home and picking up my passport my confidence was growing.
I was only 5th in line this time. 2 of the 5 actually got through.
I was feeling confident.
And I too made it past the screening desk.
A partial victory and now I was rolling.
What could stop me now.
Apparently the agent in station 8 could stop me again.
Everything was going well until it was time to pay.

No VISA!

Apparently they had issues with them and dropped them.

No problem I'll write a check.

After writing it and handing it in I was told it was unacceptable because our address line was not on it.

I left very unhappy and left to get cash.

When I got back I had the priviledge to wait in line gain.

After being passed through the screening desk I watched as 3 of the 4 clerks discussed lunch plans and what to order for the next 10 minutes. I guess I was invisible.

I finally got to the counter to pay. I happened to mention the bank telling us not to put our address line on our checks due to identity theft. She said that was a great idea and she had done the same thing., I asked her why the license bureau after seeing 187 pieces would not take my check. She looked at the check and said it would have been fine. Apparently the other guy I had first didn't know ll the new rules.

I asked her if she would give him a smack in the head for me.

She assured me that it would give her much pleasure and agreed to do it.

By the way the first guy looked just like Dwight Schrute from the Office.

Did I mention that he forgot to save all of my finished license work and the girl had to start all over.

Is it really worth driving?

I'm not sure.

Seasons of Life

Have you ever been in that place where you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Have you ever felt so low that you can't see the the top?

Have you ever had a stretch where nothing seems to go right?

Congratulations.

You are experiencing life.

Life has it's ups and downs.

Life has many seasons.

But there is a better day coming for those who are followers of Christ.

Isaiah43 says it like this;

The one who formed you says,
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Wherever you are on this journey, be sure to trust in the only One who will bring you through!

True Strength

From Isaiah 40

28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

This is our ultimate source of renewable energy!

Perception

7 The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.

Good words for trying times.
Sometimes we forget that God never changes.
We change and sometimes he feels distant but that is our doing. He is still right there like he always is.
It is good to know that we have a safe place in Him.
And then to know that He is close to those who trust Him.
Do you trust Him?

Then He is close.

Always close.

Let that be a comfort for us today.

He is close!