Miscellaneous Missives

                                    Last week one of the church members said he would donate $10 to the Red Cross for anyone that gave blood.  I had received an e-mail that week saying I was eligible to give again. Today I gave blood. It seems I need to go home and rest after giving blood.  J and I went to Ikea.  Shopping at Ikea is never a pleasant experience, but when I need to sit down every fifty feet, it's super unpleasant.  My guess is that was even more unpleasant for J.  The good news is that I did give blood and made it home without passing out.  Woot Woot!

In one more week, I'll be back at school (without the boot).  This winter break I promised myself not to do any schoolwork the first week.  Today I realized that I should probably get a start on some of my work.  I also realized that I didn't have the needed materials, so I had to go into school.  When I returned home, I realized that I needed to get ready for the gym, so I didn't do any schoolwork.  At some point putting off this schoolwork will become a problem, but for now I think I'm doing OK.

www.crimeandjustice.org "None of us got where we are solely by pullig ourselves up by our bootstraps.  We got here because somebody -- a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns-- bent down and helped us pick up our boots."       ~Thurgood Marshall This morning my plan was to sleep in and stay out of the cold.  When a friend asked my to attend her church, I whined that I would go if she picked me up.  This church, Covenant, sits directly across the the Metrodome, so it was interesting parking for church as fans dressed in purple to watch the last game in the dome arrived.  As we walked in the church doors, there was a display (doesn't really explain and/or describe) about stories of criminals.  The premise is that we are all criminals and have done illegal acts although most of us have not been caught.  Perhaps, I personally could add the obvious such as drinking under age, driving under the influence, stealing candy from t...

Yesterday evening my Sabbath group met.  It's amazing that we've been meeting since we formed this little group last Lenten season.  We meet once a month to share spiritual readings, discuss life, and sip wine.  It's always thought provoking to meet with these warm ladies.  During yesterday's discussion we talked a lot about psychics and mediums.  I feel that most of us believe in some form.  When I mentioned that I'm always intrigued when I listen to the psychic, Gary Spivey, on the radio, I was given strange looks.  Since we all had mentioned some belief, I found this strange.  J asked me if I had seen him.  After a brief conversation, I looked at his picture online... Oh!  I don't think I'll ever be able to take him seriously again.  Anyone have any thoughts/stories on the psychic world and/or psychics?

                        I've been a slug this week... reading, napping, reading...  Today my boot and I went to the gym.  It wasn't an amazing workout, but I was able to use the recumbent bike without pain.  Since "let pain be your guide" is the only advice I could use, this worked out ok.  Maybe being able to go to the gym will alleviated the sluggishness.  Now for more sugar cookies...

Day 25: Light In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him. But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born ...

Day 24: Joy The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. - Isaiah 9:2-7, Common English Bible I love Christmas eve services.  Since I have a boot on my foot, I decided it would be...