Home: This year has begun with a new and refreshing start. Things will continue to be challenging, yet God is ever so faithful, merciful and new EVERY morning! Praise the Lord! Even though some things in our world and home seem bleek, I am encouraged and blessed.
I am now coming to you from a BRAND NEW COMPUTER!! In the high tech world, it is not the fastest, most versitile, top of the line sports model, but I love it and I'm learning the world of Vista. We are asking God's protection and blessings on this machine to last a very, very, very, long time!
Every day this week, we are choring out at the Patzers. It's a nice time and keeps us close to the stock. Running to get water, feeding, etc. I really feel that Nathanael is extremely blessed during these times. He is a great worker. Labor seems to be a gift to him and he enjoys a job well done!
I am still cleaning out the house. I've been keeping a box in the living room and putting something in there every day to donate. It is refreshing to see things go. What can be discouraging is the fact that there is still so much junk left! I have to learn to tame that gathering urge. One thing is to not start any new projects until the ones I have are completed or gotten rid of! This is a must. We don't have as much space as we'd like to think we do! It is getting easier as I see the things go. I'm over saving too many things. Like I said, we just don't have the room! I have a huge box of DVD's I'm taking to the Library for donation. It seems we still have too many, but I'll keep rearranging the shelves in the hall to accomodate for what we want to keep. I am thinking about downsizing my VHS also. There are some I'll probably keep forever, and some to just finally let go of!
Paul is bringing up the subject of tearing out carpets, YEAH! Somedays, I think bare plywood would be better than the sneezing I go through. Still, I need to be thankful for my carpets!!!!

I am still on my weight loss journey. I haven't given up quite yet, even though it is very hard at times. I know that the benefits to myself, my spouse and my children outweigh the easiness of giving up. As of this morning, I've lost 42lbs. It's exciting and scary all at once. Over Thanksgiving I was down 2lbs, and over Christmas I gained 3lbs. Now, I'm back to where I was before Christmas (-3), and hopefully will continue losing in 2009. I still am praying for the motivation to continue and to exercise! I've found 2 friends, (really new friends,) that are watching what they eat also. I think I could probably start exercising with them here or at least have some accountability with them. That long, hard A word. We all need more than we have!! Lord help us. I must say that the thought of exercise just gives me a headache. That'd probably go away if I'd exercise! HA!

School is still challenging. I think what has made it better, is that I'm waiting on the Lord, and not freaking out so bad. On we continue, and more prayer and patience later and we'll see...

I need to be nicer to my kids! I'm seeing more and more each day that I'm not nice to them, not very loving. That just breaks my heart to admit, because I love them so much, but it looks to play out truthful in my life. Another area to be bathed in prayer and dicsipline! So thankful that HE is faithful!

Have a blessed day!
Number Nine