I'm not smart, I just like clouds.

I have a thing for clouds...cirrus, stratus, cumulus, but its not a scientific thing. Its just that they fascinate me - I could look at them for hours.

Anyway, tonight on the way home, I saw the most AMAZING sky. I wish I had a picture, but I was already in danger of wrecking my car and probably didn't need the added distraction of trying to photograph it while I was driving. I can't even really describe it in words, but I'll try.

I was driving down 64 West...first, I saw a cloud that looked like a mountain... then, it changed and looked like the parting of the Red Sea, walls of clouds on both sides with a path of blue sky in between, the sun shining through. Whenever I see skies like this I think of the return of Christ and get all excited. Anyway -- I got off at hwy 55, and as I started to turn ...............I saw it, or at least the beginning of it.....a rainbow, and as I continued to turn onto 55, I saw more of it....a full arch! I can't remember the last time I saw a full arch rainbow (okay, maybe, I think it was in Mexico a few years ago). It was beautiful and so big. Rainbows are reminders of God's promise....what a wonderful reminder.

So, yes I do get kind of excited about clouds, and skies. They are God's artwork... these awesome, glorious displays show me who God is, what he is like...they show me a glimpse of his beauty, his glory, his majesty, his grandeur. I am reminded how big he is... how wonderful he is. After a long day, when I am usually tempted to complain, suddenly things come into perspective. I can't help but magnify Him in those moments.

Today.

Several exciting things happened today:

• I got 9 hours of sleep last night - it was wonderful.
  
• Altoids were buy one get one free at Walgreens. Since I'm currently addicted to peppermint Altoids, this made me happy.
• I filed my taxes...pretty important since its April 15th.
  
• I went to BodyFlow classat the gym...one of my favorites.
  

Time for bed, but I'll leave you with a few niece pictures...

Me and sweet Alice

She turns two on Thursday!!!!

Friends. (Ava w/ Lydia)

More pictures to come...I'm off to bed.

After long last....

I am right now sitting and watching a new episode of "The Office" with my family!
(and laughing hard)

One of the reasons I love this show is because I work in an office... every once in a while something will happen that makes me think 'This could be on "The Office"...'

Here are few of those moments.

One day, I could hear Laura laughing from the other side of the office and the next thing I know a bunny sprints past my office. It was my co-worker Donna in a bunny costume that she was returning for a friend. Our division manager thought it was so funny he made her go into the conference room to get pictures. He also asked her to do it again at the end of the week so he could bring his little girl in to 'see the Easter bunny'.... fun times at Choate.

Another time...
There I was just sitting in my office busily working when - out of nowhere - I hear a fog horn blow twice. I looked across the hall at Jim and we were both like, 'should we go outside?'
But then - here comes Dave (our division manager - 'Big Boss') rounding everyone up - 'alright, everyone to the front for an announcement, come on everybody.' So, we all go being herded up with wondering looks on our faces. 'So, that was him blowing the foghorn?' I asked our office manager, 'Yes, I just about had a heart attack being in the office next to him.'

Turns out we were awarded a REALLY big job. Dave said we would hold off on the party because a log of people were gone that week. A Choate party -- that will be another story.

Early Morning Battles.

We all have them. Mine have been particularly hard to fight this week...and more than once, I have lost. But, by God's grace I have been made more and more aware of how desparately I need to meet with the Lord in the morning, and as George Meuller says, 'make my soul happy before God'.

That is why this post on the Sovereign Grace blog was so encouraging for me to read today! Here's a few excerpts: (it was a podcast by the SG leadership team)

C.J. Mahaney: Well, what brings me here so early in the morning is my need for the Savior, an awareness of my need for the Savior, and some eagerness that I will,
through my meditation on Scripture, freshly encounter the Savior. So that is
what brings me here. Although I need to add that I am never brought here apart
from a conflict in my soul. Indwelling sin is a particular and formidable
opponent against all practices that involve the spiritual disciplines. So this
does not take place effortlessly. I’m now 54 years old, so even after 35 years,
I can assure you that tomorrow morning when I first awaken, the first voice I
hear will be a voice of protest. That voice will be distinctly the presence of
indwelling sin appealing to me and seeking to persuade me to stay in bed. That
voice never subsides. And that voice also negotiates, so that if I make an
initial movement, that voice doesn’t subside and assume that that voice has
lost. No. That voice continues to exert effort, and then presents to me various
distractions.

.......

Jeff Purswell: So now I am no longer surprised. I can be discouraged at times, but the coldness that I feel just reminds me how badly I need God. Because apart from him I can do nothing. And apart from getting food for my soul this morning, I will be starving.…

Click on the link above to read the whole transcript...lots Biblical encouragement and practical suggestions.