Wow! The video below was shared on a dear friend’s Facebook page. What a great way to start off Friday…..and the Christmas weekend.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Archive for December, 2011
Well, winter 2011 is now upon us. It is Dec 22 and today is the winter solstice and the first day of winter. So far, it has been quite mild. We had a cold snap a few weeks ago but it has mostly been in the 40’s and 50’s – definitely manageable for Kentucky in December. Last year at this time we had already had snow six times with three times of it sticking for 19 days. So far this year we have not had any snow at all. While my son is not happy, I can live with it.
We’ll see how the Kentucky 2011/2012 snow season goes. Below is a summary of what I captured for 2010/2011:
- 12 days of snow
- 9 times it stuck
- 7 times it stuck for longer than a day
- 36 days with snow on the ground
While it ain’t California, I am glad it’s not Minnesota or Michigan. I agree with someone I heard recently who said “This is the farthest north I am ever living”.
Also, below is the Farmer’s Almanac prediction.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.” — Neal Maxwell
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
My daughter K has been morphing into a baking queen lately. From homemade pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (made from scratch) to sweet Italian sausage and spinach calzones, she has been growing and learning in the kitchen with dramatic results. I am very impressed by her and I am sure to gain 100 pounds this Christmas season because of her baking talents.
Below is a more decorative example of her kitchen creativity. I told her it reminded me of a Christmas version of “Monster House”, an animated movie the kids watch.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
This morning I walked into my office and looked out the window facing east to be greeted by an amazing colored sky of pinks, magentas and reds. I poked my head into the office next to me to mention it to a co-worker friend who also looked in amazement at the sky God had painted for us. I completed my arrival routine — docking my laptop, putting my lunch into my mini-fridge and saying a morning arrival prayer — and then grabbed a camera to go out back to take a picture with the intent of sharing it here on my blog.
In the minute or two it took me to do all that and arrive outside, all the colors were gone. All that was in front of me was a cloudy dull grey blue sky. The sun peeking through causing all those red, pink and magenta hues had obviously risen higher above the cloud layer. I was amazed at how quickly that beauty had vanished. On my way in, I bumped into my co-worker friend who was also on his way outside to admire the sunrise beauty. He might have been even more surprised than I was, commenting “You just said something a minute ago”.
I am taking this as a reminder for all of us that life and time continue on, with us or without us. How many sunrises or sunsets do we miss because we are too busy to take the time to pause and enjoy them. Now let’s take this further — how many moments with our children do we miss because we are too busy with work or the house or with chores or errands. Or how many moments with loved ones do we miss because of those same things. Or how many moments do we miss to tell people of the Gospel and that Jesus loves them. So many opportunities that will be gone in an instant if we don’t grab them while they are in front of us.
So my lesson today — for me and you — is grab a hold of those moments when they are right in front of you.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
This is impressive. It is a very good story on determination, creativity, hope and perseverance. Go watch it.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Today is our 7 year anniversary in Kentucky. I look back on that time with amazement — that God led us here; that we moved during the Christmas season; that we moved here cold turkey without knowing a soul. And to think that we have lived in our house here in Kentucky longer than we lived in our house in Thousand Oaks, CA. And that K and D have actually lived more of their lives here in Kentucky than in California.
I am so incredibly blessed I don’t know where to begin.
And 7 is a blessed number. I look forward to what our 7th year in Kentucky holds.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
I don’t know who said this but it hits home about what shapes and develops us.
” In five years you will be the same person you are today with the exception of the books you read and the people you meet.”
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
220 years ago our precious Bill of Rights were ratified for our young country. Unfortunately, other than slaughtering the first amendment on religious, speech, assembly or press freedoms, most people probably don’t know how or where these fit into our modern day of life. Below is the full text and link — something to get better acquainted with. Another good resource and link is the Cato Institute.
Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
I had an up and back roadtrip to Indiana today to pick up my oldest daughter from college for Christmas break. This was a billboard I spotted along I-69.
“Recession 101: self worth is higher than net worth”
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
