ROAD TRIPS

If you follow my blog, you know that I look forward to road trips. In order to qualify as a road trip, we must spend at least 2 nights on the road. One of my New Year's resolutions will be to average one road trip per month. We'll get off to a good start in January, when we visit David, Lois' brother, & Carmen, my cousin, in Texas right after the first of the year. Then toward the end of January we'll be in Minnesota for our newest grand-daughter's Baptism. (Laura is due on Jan. 4.) 

ONE LAST RESOLUTIONS CHECK

How did I do with my 2019 New Year's resolutions? I'm glad you asked.

• Not to read any partisan diatribes re:  the 2020 elections. I'd give myself a C-.
• Add to our list of National Park visits & cross something off our bucket list. We visited Teddy Roosevelt & Glacier National Parks, & we took in a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert. I'd give myself an A.
• Lose 10 lbs. As of today, MON 12/30, I've lost 9.8 lbs, so I think I'll achieve my goal by tomorrow. I'd give myself a B.
• Treat Sammy, our dog, with more patience. I'd give myself a B-/C+.
• Help Lois put out all of our Christmas decorations. I'd give myself an A.
• Work out at least 3X per week. I'd give myself a D-.
• Continue spending an hour or so in "quiet time" each day. I'd give myself an A.
• Write a devotion book for the 2019 Orphan Grain Train convention. I'd give myself an A.
• Receive a DNA report from Ancestry.com. I have to give myself an F.

MONDAY WHIMSEY

• "STUDY:  Caffeine may off-set holiday weight gain" --Drudge Report 12/26
• "Cannabis-related psychosis, addiction, ER visits:  For young users, marijuana can be dangerous game" --ditto
• "Steep rise in pets needing treatment for anxiety" --Drudge 12/30
• "Scholars now believe Jesus ignored Magi's gifts, just played with the boxes they came in" --Babylon Bee, 12/30

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Perhaps on this day after Christmas the letdown seems more acute. Maybe you are lying in a hospital bed or a prison cell. Perhaps the loved one you thought would never leave has walked out the door—or has departed this earth. Or perhaps today is simply a subtle reminder that Christmas cheer can’t last forever. How our heavenly Father longs for you “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Christmas is overflowing—and is here with us even now!  --Danielle DuRant, Slice of Infinity