He has risen!

Resurrection Sunday!

I know:

I am a sinner and can't get to heaven on my own.

God paid the price for my sins: dying by crucifixion.

He rose from death, as promised, three days later.

By taking on my sin, Christ has redeemed me for eternity.

He loves me - and you - like crazy!

Happy Easter everyone.

He is not here; he has risen! Matthew 24:6

he breathed his last

‎It was now about the sixth hour,

and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

for the sun stopped shining.

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Jesus called out with a loud voice,

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46

family photo

January 1, 2011:

Granddaughter Ari's first birthday, in Charlotte, North Carolina

with lots of family in attendance! The Hallers

and [my daughter-in-love] Jenny's parents, sisters & husbands, and little ones.

I came across this photo and realized that

all of us look pretty darn good ... quite an accomplishment

for 17 people, including 3 children. No eyes closed, no hidden heads!

Happy birthday - again - Ari.
But then, I wished you a special first birthday already.
So happy almost-16-months!

pine needle picker

Do you have trash pickers in your neighborhood? People who find goodies up and down the street on trash day? Well last evening I became a pine needle picker. On a quick walk around the block with Ellie, I spied an entire trash bin of gorgeous pine needles, awaiting pick up tomorrow. Yard waste!

I took Ellie home, got our rolling trash can from the garage, and headed back. I don't know these people well, so it was a little weird to knock on their door. The Mister happened to be at the kitchen window, shirtless, and I motioned to him, "may I have these?" He opened the window and said - what else - "sure!" He must think I'm crazy.

Home I went, happy as a clam (are clams really this happy?) with my load of pine needles. I spread them out back along Ellie's "trail" and they look dandy. They should help the mud issue.

Ya know, some of the best things in life certainly are free.

my county

My county is a paradox. It holds the superlative as one of the fastest growing counties in the state and, at one time, the entire country. I live near the center of the county.

The booming growth lies to the south of us, but to the north you will find stunningly peaceful, quietly beautiful, rich farmland. Trains daily blow their whistles as they journey through Delaware County.

Tidy family farms dot the landscape and I never tire of a drive through this gentle countryside. It speaks strongly and lovingly of the generations who have worked the land to produce corn and soybeans. I love my county!

(see the train?)

family of four

I came across this five year old photo last night.

It made me laugh.

Dan and Jenny were dating and juniors in college.

In about two months,

they WILL be a family of four

just like their little snowman family.

And then I shall have two darling granddaughters!

happy birthday, little brother!

Little brother:

friendly
gentle
compliant
agreeable
non-confrontational
a pacifist
loving
cooperative

Big sister:

bossy
argumentative
controlling
sour
friendly only if she felt like it
loner
would fight for little brother, who was all of
the above

I'm not sure why my little brother put up with me. But we had fun as pre-schoolers; at least I did because he followed all my orders!

Happy birthday to a great guy: my brother Mark!
(photo: Mark, age 3 and me, age 5)