Disappointments, His appointments

I think that title came from a Phil Keaggy song that we heard way back when. I thought it sort of fit what I read this morning in my devotions.

Jonah was part of the reading, and I was struck with the phrase, "God appointed". It's used several times. I take great comfort in God's sovereign control over all things. It gives me peace to know that HE APPOINTS, not fixes! In the book of Jonah God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh. He doesn't, but tries to leave the presence of the LORD. He even tells his shipmates that's what he's doing!

However, God always gets His work done so, first of all He (I like this translation) "hurls a great wind". God controls the wind. Eventually the sailors decide to throw Jonah into the sea and "God appointed a great fish".

Jonah repents, goes to Nineveh; they repent. And Jonah pouts. But God still has lessons for Jonah to learn so "the LORD God appointed a plant" to keep Jonah cool, then "God appointed a worm" to kill the plant. Jonah's mad again. Then "God appointed a scorching east wind". Wow. God controls fish (the Bible also says God talked to the fish!), the plants, the worm, and the wind. All to help Jonah to see His sovereign control in all things and love for His people.

What has God appointed for me today? "Despise not the day of small things!"

It's COLD!

Our computer has a link to the time and temperature and this is what it said after I got up this morning! I knew it was cold! The wind is also blowing about 20 mph. Welcome to winter. Wait, it's not officially here yet!
We also have a running photo album that rotates all the photos in our computer. It happened to be on Luisa in Nebraska City when they visited.
Looks like it's a good day to do some baking. Stay warm, now!

They're in!

Yes, they finally got started about an hour after they said they'd be here, but by 5:15 that afternoon, all three windows were in place, thoroughly insulated and the mess cleaned up. It's lovely to have tight, smooth windows. And I only have to take out two panels to wash them instead of 5 in the other windows. These are double-glazed, so I don't have separate panels. And the warranty transfers to new owners if we sell our house. All in all it was a good deal. There are lots more bits that need to get tidied up around here, but this is a start!

Waiting for workmen

Waiting for scheduled workers is a real pain. They give you a window, but rarely show up within the window. And speaking of windows....We are getting three new ones today. We started this process in October! Yes, Columbus Day holiday we went to the Andersen windows place and got started. A few days later a guy came out and we signed papers. Two weeks later another guy came to measure the windows and order the custom-made windows. That guy was supposed to come at 2. He showed up at 4. I didn't sub that day because of the scheduled appointment. I could have. Now, nearly two months later they are scheduled to install them. I'm thinking that maybe Lowe's wouldn't have been such a bad idea after all. It would have saved us lots of money. These windows aren't cheap! However, we did need them replaced. They are metal sliding panel windows where the air blows between the panels on windy days and the windows frost up in the cold. We usually just put plastic over them in winter.

I enjoyed first grade yesterday at OCA, for those of you who don't read my Facebook! :) They phoned me at 8:20 and asked how soon I could be there. The teacher had an emergency. There are only 11 students, 4 boys and 7 girls. Very cold outside, so the three recess duties I had were inside. Not too bad. Kids hug you at this stage. Nice.

I've taken up, well trying to, a couple of old hobbies. Crocheting and counted cross-stitch. I think the projects I chose were ill-suited to my first attempts. The cross-stitch project is a book mark on dark blue 22 count. How does one even SEE the threads? And that doesn't even count the challenge of just threading the needle. The crochet might've been OK except that I chose this really cool looking yarn that is all knotty and variegated. HA! What was thinking??? I've ripped it out about five times. Think I'll go find some nice smooth even-colored yarn. I'm trying to do a hat. Winter evenings seem to call for some kind of hand work.

Ah, the window man just phoned. He'll only be about a half hour late. :)

Yuletide scenes

Decorated the mantlepiece for the first time.









My very amateur attempt at a centerpiece!















Taken from outside the front of the house. The stained glass looks great with the white Christmas lights!

Young artist

At hint of where I've been the past couple of days, subbing in elementary school. Ft. Crook both days which is really nice because then I don't feel like the new kid BOTH days.

Whenever I sub for elementary, someone, generally a girl, wants to make a picture for me.

This one was done by a lovely brown-eyed, brown hair girl named Sophia. What a lovely name!

I'm still caught up on my December photo project. Maybe I'll do food tomorrow. Jeannette's over at Moot Thoughts...is making me hungry!

O Divine Redeemer!

I heard this song on the radio yesterday. AMAZING!! I heard it in high school, and I don't think I've heard it since. Where did we hear this, Melinda? As soon as I heard it on the radio, I melted.

Listen AT LEAST until you get to the chorus. It sent my soul into the heavenlies!
I've lost the words to describe my feelings.