Baptism

Our family was priviledged to be a part of our son-in-law's baptism yesterday. It always makes me feel so good to see another person say "YES" to Jesus and want to be baptized. Having my son-in-law say it makes it even more special.

In the biblical days, there were pools where people would go to wash and make themselves "clean" if they came in contact with anything that was ceremonially unclean. They went into the water defiled, and came out clean. That's the way I see baptism. We accept the water because we know we need cleansing and forgiveness. When we receive the water, we come out clean and pure. What a great gift that God has given us!!

After his baptism, he and Amanda joined the church (First UMC in Manhattan). My hope and prayer is that God will use them for service in their new church home, and they will continue to grow in God's love and grace.

De Colores

Hard Drive Crash

We experienced a hard drive crash of our main computer system here at the bank I work at. It is a very helpless feeling when the system shuts completely down, because it renders you totally incapable of helping customers with any type of banking transaction. It is funny how we have become so used to computers for our daily work and living. We take them for granted, always assuming that when you hit the power button to turn them on, they will fire up and let you do what you do every day. When it doesn't happen, we don't know what to do!!

Don't we kind of take our Chrisianity the same way? We wake up each morning assuming life will be pretty much the same as the previous day. God is conveniently stored away in the back of our minds, and life is good. All of a sudden, when our life "crashes" we throw up our hands and wonder what in the world happened, and what in the world are we going to do? If we could only learn to live with the same faith in our God every day, whether it is good or bad, we would be so much better off. If Christ had the power to conquer death and rise from it, surely He has the power to help us when we have our trials and problems in life!! Trust in God, rely on His goodness and grace every day, whether it is a good day or a bad one.

I know I've mentioned it before, but I try and remember to say this prayer to start each day. "Lord, you are in charge of everything that is going to happen to me today, both good and bad, positive or negative. Help me to be thankful for everything, for I know that you are with me."

I know that eventually our computer system will be fixed, and we will go on again. I also know that life's problems are only temporary, and I will get through them. My hope is that you will maintain that same faith and trust in God on the bad days as well as the good. God remains steadfastly faithful to us, let us do the same for Him!!

De Colores

Spring Break

Our family took a trip to Phoenix Arizona this past week to escape the Kansas winter. This was Brian's first trip on a big airliner, and he seemed to enjoy it. We spent two days watching some MLB spring training games. Got to see some big name players like Derrick Lee and Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs.

Erin and Brian had a good time watching them, although they were disappointed that none of the players made themselves very accessible for autographs. They played the KC Royals, and it was a very good game. Unfortunately, the Royals lost the game in the bottom of the ninth.

On Wednesday, we watched the Okland A's play the Anaheim Angels. We got to see Vlad Guerrero hit a grand slam home run.

After the game, we took a side trip up into the Superstition Mountains. It was a very interesting drive, as we were used to seeing lots of trees and snow when we have driven in the mountains of Colorado. Here in Arizona, they have forests, but they are forests of Saguaro cactuses.

Up in the mountains, we came across a hokey little saloon, who's walls were plastered full of $1 bills that were signed by the thousands of tourists who have visited the place over the years. Quite interesting!!

All in all, we had a great trip. It felt sooo good to get away from the cold and especially the wind for a few days!! As I am sitting here typing this, the wind is blowing a constant 20-30 mph. Oh well, at least I have the memories....

De Colores

St. Paddy's Day Run & More

Yesterday, our family went to Manhattan to help our oldest daughter Amanda celebrate her birthday. While we were there, I participated in a St. Patrick's Day 2 mile run. Amanda's husband Chad and his dad and step mom also ran. (Note the ambulance behind us. Gotta love it!!)

Besides us, about 300 - 400 others also line up at the start line. It was supposed to be a "fun run", but Chad and his family are really competitive, so of course it turned into a competition. At the sound of the gun, we were off. I had no idea how fast I was running, I only knew that I needed to keep up, or get overrun by the mob!! I finished the 2 mile course in 16 minutes 11 seconds. A personal record for me!! I took 5th place in my age category (45-49). I also smoked Chad and his parents. By winning the first ever "family" competition, I got to take home the coveted winner's medal!!!!

Gee, I hope someone else wins it next year!!

Lori and I are packing up Erin and Brian and taking them to Phoenix for a few days this week for spring break. We are going to take in a couple of days worth of MLB spring training ball games. I can't wait to bask in sunshine and 70-80 degree temperatures for a few days!! Should be fun!! I'll post a few pictures of our travels when we get back.

Have a good spring break!!

De Colores

Livestrong

In this world of high stress, it sometimes seems impossible to be able to be content and at peace with our lives. Financial pressures, work related pressures, family pressures, etc. can really take a toll on our ability to feel at peace.

Several years ago, after being downsized out of a job that I had, I felt pressure like I had never felt in my life. How could I be such a failure? How was I going to provide for my family? Thought after chilling thought poured through my mind, building up pressure like a kettle.

One day while we were in a Dick's Sporting Goods store, I noticed the little yellow wrist bands that the Lance Armstrong Foundation puts out through Nike for cancer awareness. On the wrist band is a simple word "Livestrong". The moment I saw them, I felt God was speaking to me saying "You don't need to worry about your situation, I'll take care of you. Just "livestrong" for me." Immediately, I felt relief from the stress and pressure of life. I knew that God would take care of me.

I wear one these wrist bands virtually every day to remind me that God is in control. Yes, I still have stress, yes I still feel pressures in life, but I know that I can feel contentment in my life because of God's promises. Paul says in Phillipians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Got stress? Give it to God and trust Him. He won't let you down. LIVESTRONG!!

De Colores

Bugs

What's up with all the bugs? I'm not talking about the ones that are creepy crawly, I'm talking about the ones that make us sick. People are dropping like flies (no pun intended) with various ailments. There is the garden variety stomach thing where you don't know whether to kneel beside or sit on the pot (I had that one last week), there is another one where you get a headache and fever and generally feel lousy. Also, there is the one where you get a terrible head cold and moves into your chest and feel like you have pneumonia. Strep throat is everywhere.

I am so ready to have warm weather where we can open windows and clear out the air!

Speaking of warm weather, Lori and I along with Erin and Brian are heading to Phoenix next week for spring break. We're going to catch several MLB spring training games. We're looking forward to 80 degree weather!! WOOHOO!!

Stay healthy!!

De Colores

Basketball Letter

Brian learned this week that he got enough varsity minutes in this past basketball season to letter. He was pleasantly surprised to hear that he played enough to get a letter (although I'm sure he was hoping all along that he would). He was one of 3 sophomores who played on the varsity this past season, and they are looking forward to next year and improving on their disappointing record.

They started baseball season this week, and are out at the ball field in heavy sweats, stocking caps, and whatever else they can find to put on to stay warm. Come on spring!!

De Colores

Happy Noah Day!

Today, March 4 is "Noah Day". What, you've never heard of it before? In the bible, today was the day that Noah opened the doors of the ark and told all the animals to "MARCH FORTH"!!

In Genesis 8, it says 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 17 Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it." 18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. 19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on the earth—came out of the ark, one kind after another.

Noah and the animals obeyed God's command to march forth from the ark. Happy Noah Day. I hope you have the boldness to "March Forth" for God today.

De Colores

Close, But Not Quite

The Cinderella story run of the MHS girls game to a close Saturday night, when they were defeated in the sub-state final against Southeast Saline. They were just a couple steps faster, and hit their shots, while our girls looked a little tight, and had too many turn overs and missed shots. Of sourse there were lots of tears, as they didn't quite make it to State, but they represented MHS well, battling all the way to the end.

It was a great run for the young Lady Warriors, as they finished the season with a winning record (the first one for the girls in many, many years). They will return 5 sophomores and a junior who saw a lot of playing time this year, so it should be exciting to watch them next year.

Congratulations Lady Warriors!!

De Colores

MHS Girls Still Going!

The MHS girls basketball team extended their season last night with a sub-state semi-final victory over Remington. The final score was 62 - 52. The girls played very well as a team, defeating the #1 seeded team with a stifling full court press, great ball movement, and lights out shooting.

They play for the sub-state championship and the right to move on to State tonight. Great job girls, keep it up!!

GO WARRIORS!!

De Colores