Joining the iPod revolution....

So it's been awhile since I've been on here and I don't really have anything interesting to say. In fact, I was just reading some of my friend's blogs and I am a little jealous. :)

I'm at home today because apparently winter has returned to Omaha. Don't get me wrong - I love snow days - but couldn't spring come just a little sooner than normal? I guess it gives me an excuse to play with my iPod. I recently joined the Apple family and I have to admit, I'm enjoying it. I resisted for as long as I could and finally caved. I has come in handy quite a few times in the few weeks I've had it so I'm not complaining.

So, normally this is the part where I'd say "I hereby promise to be a more diligent blogger." Yeah, don't hold your breath. :)

Christmas & "The Shack"

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth. It's just been a little busy lately. I went home for Christmas for over 2 weeks and work has been busy, too. Let's just say I just imported the Christmas pictures from my camera tonight. :)

Christmas was great - but it wasn't just Christmas for our family. My mom's parents moved from Nebraska to Wyoming and that process was bittersweet for us. We packed up their house and 55+ years of married life and loaded it all into a 26 foot Uhaul. We were sad to see them go but they are closer to some of my other relatives out there and now they can actually lived as retired folks. I'm glad for them!

The nephew was hilarious at Christmas, as usual. He is really into Spiderman and Lightning McQueen (not the most logical of combinations) and he was excited about his Christmas gifts....can you tell? :)

He's also discovered a new way to make room for more wrapping paper in the trash bag....

Anyway, hilarious. I had a good time but it was really good to be back in the big O again.

Since Christmas, I've done two very exciting things -- I purchased an iPod and I finally read "The Shack". The former has been a solid source of entertainment in the last 48 hours - or perhaps I should say that it's been a solid time waster. Anyway, it's fun to have and I'm glad I joined "the cult". :) As for "The Shack", I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up. I certainly recommend it for the Christian who needs to stretch their spiritual muscles. Of course, it is only a story but it will certainly engage your mind. I would compare it to Frank Peretti's story-telling style. I enjoyed reading it very much. So much, in fact, that I read it in about 6 hours.

Well, Happy 2009! A new year, a new president and a new opportunity to serve the Lord.....I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

Home for the holidays

Happy Holidays! Now that Thanksgiving is over, I guess we can say that. Some people I know can't seem to come to grips with the fact that Christmas is really just three weeks away. I am actually looking forward to it. I already have my midget Christmas tree up and my "Frosty Flakes Welcome" sign on the door. It even snowed a little this last weekend which means it is now winter......at least weather-wise.

I just spent a great time at home with my parents and other family members. We had some yummy meals and I got to enjoy my 4 1/2 year old nephew for a few days. He was really proud of this Lego sculpture -- which he said was an airport. Future pilot or future engineer? Time will tell.

We also enjoyed the antics of my parent's two dogs: Fozzie and Petey. Fozzie is about 11 years old and Petey is not quite a year old which makes him a pretty typical puppy. The two have started wrestling pretty frequently and Petey has adopted the "I'll just sit on your face" defense tactic. I wish I could share the video but the file is a little bit big. But trust me, it's hilarious.

So, I can't wait for Christmas to see what other WWF Smackdown tactics Petey has come up with...and what other fantastic plastic structures Michael has built. Kids...and pets...grow up too fast!

Buffalo wings and touchdowns....

Hey, girls can be sports fans, too you know. My friends Tara and Sarah and I proved it last Saturday by spending nearly 4 hours sitting in a Buffalo Wild Wings with about 100 other crazy Husker fans (mostly men I might add) to watch Nebraska take on Kansas. It was almost like being at Memorial Stadium.....the "GO BIG RED" cheers and the occasional annoying KU fan who flirts with the girls in the next row (or on the next barstool in our case). The only difference was the fact that we were warmer than the 80,000 in Lincoln. :)

Anyway, I just wanted to prove that girls can be some of the biggest sports freaks out there. And it's not just because we like the color of their uniforms or the font their numbers are written in. That stuff only matters when we have to watch professional sports! :)

I always have fun watching football with "my girls" in the fall. Too bad there are only two games left until the post-season. I guess I'll have to resort to watching normal television again until next fall. Or maybe a good college basketball game or two will tide me over until next season. I could always start to care about NASCAR or the NFL.........nah.

The day after tomorrow...

I know all of us are busy changing our Facebook status to reflect our opinions about the results of the elections......I thought I'd choose the only slightly less popular avenue of my blog. :) This morning during my walk to work, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray fervently for our new President and our country as a whole. I think as a Christian, it is now my duty to respect those put in authority over me (Romans 13:1) and to pray without ceasing for them. It is NOT in my job description to become angry and bitter over something that was never under my control to begin with. When I voted, my part in the democratic process was complete. Now it becomes an exercise in both having faith and being faithful. I am choosing to believe that there is a sovereign God who has graciously given me (and all of us!) free will....and I would believe that if McCain had been elected as well.

I'm thankful for a family who taught me to value my faith, remember the blessing of my heritage and take pride in my country. God has a plan for me, my family and all of His children.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NAS

Cast your vote....

No one has to tell me that this year, our country is facing probably the most important presidential election in recent history. I know I'm a fairly young voter, but I think I've probably been a part of more political discussions this year than I ever have. I have learned so much about my friends and their political views than I ever knew before -- and I'm grateful for process that allows me to be involved and make a decision on my own.

In less than 48 hours, we will all be rushing home from work in time to catch the election coverage. Or, maybe you'll be rushing home in time to realize that your favorite show is being interrupted by the election coverage and suddenly wish it was Wednesday. :) Either way, Tuesday is going to be an interesting day.

But you know what? Tuesday will be no surprise to the Creator of the Universe. No matter which candidate wins the White House for the next four years, God has known the results all along. My pastor, Pastor Brian, shared with us today his "8 Things that will Remain the Same Regardless of the Election Results". Allow me to share them with you now:

8. The Bible remains the ultimate authority. 2 Timothy 3:16
7. Prayer still works. Matthew 21: 22
6. Salvation is by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9
5. Love is the ultimate sign of spiritual maturity. 1 Corinthians 13:1
4. The Church is God's agent in today's world. Matthew 16:18
3. We are to obey God and pray for today's leaders. Hebrews 13:7
2. God will humble the proud. Daniel 4:37
1. God is still sovereign! Daniel 4:37

I have already voted (ah -- the miracle of early voting ballots!) and as I sealed the envelope, signed my name to it, and placed it in the mailbox, I was reminded that my part in the process was complete and God will accomplish His purposes in His time. What that means I do not know -- but I am thankful that I can completely trust the One who does.

Mom's first Husker game!

This last Saturday, I got to go with my mom to her very first Nebraska football game. She's been a fan for....well....longer than I have and she's never been to the stadium so, I wanted to make sure she got the full experience. We parked away from the stadium a few blocks and followed the "sea of red" to the campus and we stopped in front of the Music Bldg to watch the Cornhusker Marching Band perform before the game. Then we made our way to the stadium to get to our seats. We had fun taking pictures -- but I mostly had fun watching my mom take it all in. She did say that seeing it in person was "way better than watching it on TV". I'm glad she had a good time. She made friends with the couple sitting beside us and we had a good laugh at the "First Down Guy" in front of us. He would stand up after every first down Nebraska made and make the signal that the officials make. He kind of looked like one of those hunting dogs who point at the prey........

Anyway, we had a great time and Nebraska won the game after a bit of drama in the first half. I'm glad my mom could go and I'm glad we could experience her first game together. I hope we can do more in the future!