News You Can't Use

Yesterday after church I started coming down with some kind of bug. Actually, for 2 days prior I'd been feeling a bit "off", but figured it was because I hadn't been sleeping well again. So, I'm just starting to feel better...sigh.

Here is the "Neighborhood News" from the past week:

**Nattie had her first club basketball game last Thursday night. They played 2 really tough teams. They're 8th graders, and boy, a year makes a difference. Not only that, but these girls have been playing a lot longer. The girls didn't seem too discouraged until the last game, when they were exhausted and way behind in points. It was a good experience for them, but they played harder than they've ever had to and it was tough out there. Nattie scored in the first game, which gave her lots of confidence!

**Patty came up from Vicksburg on Saturday to attend a crop with me. I was glad, because no one else I invited showed up, as usual!! There were a few other people there, none of which I knew, but they were a fun group and they encouraged me to come back. We actually went in early so we could scrap longer, and it worked out well. We made a mid-day run to JoAnn's for supplies. So, I have resolved the fact that no one wants to scrapbook (except for Jenn, who had plans that day), so I will just do it with this group as long as they plan them. I guess that's the best way to find people to scrap with, right? I guess you can tell I'm tired of begging.

**On more important fronts, my dad got his 5 year cancer free bill of health today!! Praise the Lord for his healing! Today is my parents' anniversary (42 years!) as well. It sure is a better anniversary gift than the bad news they received on this day back in '05. It was the first Thanksgiving that we weren't together. Mom and I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital with my dad. Since we knew all of the tumor had been removed and no other cancer was found, it was the best cafeteria meal we'd ever shared!! A party is being planned in his honor!

**Sophie's health has improved!! She is back to her sneaky self, but still needing a bit of assistance. She has some challenges, for sure, but she seems happy and pain free. As long as that remains, so will she. I have a heart for all animals, and the biggest reason is that they are such a source of unconditional love. There is nothing I can do to change her affection for me!

**I worked Children's Church on Sunday, and although I was feeling a bit "off", I thoroughly enjoyed it. I keep wondering if God wants me to do something with kids, as being with kids makes me happier than anything else! Before my health started to bug me back in May, I had planned on doing some babysitting here at home. I have a heart for kids too for the same reason as animals. They love you no matter what!! Since having babies isn't going to happen, I suppose I'll have to love everyone else's babies! Not a problem.

**About 7-10 deer are visiting us every day. Mostly does and young ones. They were sparring a bit the other day. I wish we could feed them again. I used to love watching them come in to eat every night. We've had about 27 turkey hens coming as well. One day I looked out and they had invaded the swing set. Three on top, 2 on the sides, and 3 in the sand box. Then one hen dropped from the top of the swing set into the trampoline and couldn't get out. Steve was on his way to Detroit, so I called to ask him how to get a turkey out of the trampoline. After he stopped laughing.....actually, I just walked out on the deck and she flew back out. They really are comical to watch. It's really fun to watch the squirrels crawling in and out of the pumpkins on the deck. You really can't beat this kind of entertainment, ya know? I love living the wild life!

**This week we have PT conferences, Physical therapy (Natalie's OTHER knee is acting up now!), practice, 2 games, 3 birthdays....the list goes on.

**I witnessed a beautiful thing tonight. As I was not feeling well and my medicine hadn't started working yet, I was just sitting in the living room quietly. Natalie started playing "I wanna Hold Your Hand" on guitar, and Serena started singing the lyrics. I'm not sure what blessed me more, the fact that they have a natural knack for music (something I've always hoped for), or if it was the way they were making such beautiful music together as sisters. They are so close and good to each other most of the time. (something else I'd always hoped for). When people say God will give you the things you lacked, they're not kidding. I may not have gotten them when I asked, or even when I thought it was time, but God has given me these things through others, and I see it in my girls all the time.

And THAT is news you can USE!!