NASA pictures

Friends,

I had a friend send me some pics from a NASA source...I thought these two were particularly cool...

Don

Enjoy!

Thankful

Friends,

I am very thankful to report that Devyn Peacock came through surgery very well today -- no bleeding and the surgeon was happy that he was able to get all of the "growth"...but the best news of all is that he said all signs point to it being a benign cyst! The MRI's had indicated that it would likely be a malignant tumor, and they still have to send it off to be examined, but all were pleased with the initial news. Before the surgery, the surgeon got down on his knees and prayed with the family which was very cool. So...all this to say -- THANK THE LORD for His guidance on all involved. Devyn is not completely out of the woods yet, but the prospects look good at this time. Keep praying.

Don

P.S. In my e-mail to some, I said "remarkably, but not surprisingly..." concerning the surgery. It is important to note that the indications were that there was about a 10% chance of everything going as smoothly as it did go today, but we are not surprised, because we all believe in a God who can turn 10% into 100%...and for this we are grateful.

First Practice

Friends,

We finished our first soccer practice in Stephenville with Ian's new U-10 soccer team...and it couldn't have gone better. I was impressed with the nine (ten total) young men that we have, and it is apparent that they have all had some experience. I was equally impressed with the parents. If this afternoon was any indication, Lord willing, I believe that we will have a good season. We will have six teams in the U-10 boys division, or about 60 kids. We will play each team twice so, we will have a ten week season, which is about twice as long as we have done before, but it should be fun. It will give us ample time to work together and do some serious soccer learning. It is amazing that there are over 500 kids in this association...the largest that we have ever been a part of, taking nothing away from the other excellent groups that we have been associated with in seasons past. One other thing that I did find out is that I have a ways to go to get back into soccer (coach) condition -- which will be a good thing ;-). Take care,

Don

Eclipse Too

Friends,

If you go outside right now (9 PM CST) you will witness a lunar eclipse (concerning which I spoke about a couple of weeks ago in my post about solar eclipses). The moon has gone red...it reminds me of the apocalyptic language found in the Old and New Testaments about the "moon turning to blood (or darkening)" and "the stars falling from the sky" -- interesting language associated with past or coming significant, if not cataclysmic, events. Why certain writers chose such language to communicate is interesting...and for discussion another time. Nevertheless, we can just appreciate the majesty of the Lord in His great creation. Thank you Lord for such amazing displays -- like eclipses, meteor showers, comets, sunspots, etc.

Don

Great Race

Friends,

This year's rendition of the Daytona 500 lived up to all of the hype. With the new "Car of Today", Toyota's big splash this year, and Dale Jr.'s move to Hendrick, one knew that this was somehow going to be special...and it was. But, who would have guessed that the story line would be the Dodges. Six of the top ten spots in the race were filled by Dodge at the end. I don't think anyone expected this kind of showing -- from Chevrolet (of course), even from Toyota (no one would have been surprised), but good, old, crafty (Dodge man) Roger Penske figured out a way to finish 1, 2. Though Penske has won several Indy 500's, this was his first win at the Daytona 500. Also, congratulations to Ryan Newman for breaking a 80+ race winless streak (and gain a pretty good pay day)...and what better way to do it than to win the Super Bowl of Racing. Good show!

Don

The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift

Friends,

We had a wild and wacky, fast and fun Valentine's Day. I had a good and busy day in Stephenville, while Kim and the kids helped down at Jim & Anita's floral store preparing and delivering flowers and flower arrangements. (Imagine that, delivering flowers on V's Day
:-)...trumped only by Mother's day for busyness, as I now understand it). The best news of the day came five weeks early as our friends Jeff & Sara had their baby girl, Aubrey Grace...wonderful news! We have all been praying and waiting for this precious little one to come, but no one expected her to come so soon (as the due date was March 19th). This family has experienced some significant trials in the process leading up to the birth of baby Aubrey, so we are ever so grateful for her safe arrival. Gpa and Gma, Dennis & Bonnie, were glowing last night as were the many other family members and friends who stopped by for a visit to the hospital. Because she is early, they have taken some necessary precautions for the next couple of days...so, keep the family in your prayers. I am so thankful to the Lord for new arrivals...and tis the season -- our friends Joey & Mandi welcomed baby Jake a couple of weeks ago, and our friends Chad & Jenny and Toby & Jennifer are also expecting soon. Keep all of these families in your prayers in their times of transition. God bless,

Don

This World Is Not My Home (I'm Just A Passing Through :-)

Friends,

Okay. I truly understand the meaning of this song (in a much more poignant way :-) after the past several months. I also have a much greater appreciation for Abraham (as many of you have heard) who did not know how, what, where, when, or why (in relationship to his station in life) but only that he would trust the Lord. As most of you well know, we are waiting for our house to sell in WA. Now, this has all become -- Ringing Bros. has nothing on this mess -- a circus. We can laugh about it because we know that it is all in the hands of the Lord and that His timing is perfect, however...it does make me stop and occasionally reflect on our dynamic heavenly home and that the dynamics of "moving here and there...or from there to here" -- however it works -- is pretty small potatoes compared to how spectacular our final destination will be. I am so thankful to have a trust in and a relationship with the Lord. I could not even begin to understand what the trials of life and the goings about from here to there would be if not for a relationship with Him. We sing the song "Lord, Take Control" and I think it is such a good, pleasant and right thought. We like to think that we are in control, and sometimes we may need to or just may receive some reminders that this is simply not the case. We should truly want to (and need to) sing this song in our hearts on a daily basis. Someone asked the question one time -- "what is God's will?" This is a very broad and open-ended question, but a good and simplistic answer (without being trite) that I heard one time was "whatever is the closest thing to you that you can do in the name of the Lord." I encourage us all to consider just going out and "doing good" in the name of the Lord whether we are at home, at work, at school or anywhere else that we find ourselves...and we will indeed be having an impact for the kingdom of God and truly be storing up treasure in our heavenly home (which really is home).

Don

Jr. Back On (the) Track

Friends,

Hey Jr -- how's the new ride at Hendrick Motorsports working out for you? Good huh? Well, I think so...he all but dominated the Shootout Saturday night. Granted, this was a pre-season race where no points are awarded, but there has to be a sense of pride knowing that with your new team, new motor, new #88 that it could be the makings of a very good year. Now, this is to take nothing away from Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and the rest, but...it will be nice to see Jr back in the winner's circle in the regular season -- which hasn't happened since May, 2006. Stay tuned for the Super Bowl of racing this weekend.

Don

Eclipse

Friends,

The above is a picture of an eclipse seen at sunset over a dozen years ago, but is also representative of an eclipse which can be seen today (February 7th) over New Zealand and Antarctica. I hear its balmy this time of year in that part of the world. :-) Now, this eclipse can be seen today, and today only, so if you really wanted to get there -- it isn't happening (unless you can teleport, which gets us into sci-fi, which isn't the purpose of this post). So...the best you can do is enjoy this picture with me. What is amazing about an eclipse is -- 1). There will be another one come along in the not too distant future, not only in our hemisphere, but also over our continent; 2). It is truly amazing how the Lord made the sun and moon the precise right size and distance from the earth so that, many times, eclipses are complete coverage (that is, concerning the solar variety -- moon passing between earth and sun). In the case of our above pic, the orbital variation of the moon -- it is further from the earth -- allows some of the sun's corona to shine around the edge of the moon. Also fyi, lunar eclipses occur when the earth passes between the sun and moon and the earth casts its shadow on the moon (which, most times, appears as a dusty red color...concerning which, you probably knew all about it anyway). Nevertheless, to our Kiwi friends and Antarctic explorers (or residents), enjoy the show.

Don

Super! Bowl

Friends,

The Super Bowl was simply one of the best pro football games to be seen in a long time. As much as I hate to have to say it -- kudos to the Giants; they took down the Cowboys, Packers AND Patriots all in one fell playoff swoop. Understand, I can't stand the team, but I am happy for Eli. Back to back SB wins and MVPs for the Mannings also is quite amazing. The hilarious ESPN commercial with the Manning family should be raking in huge bucks at this point. But...THE PLAY -- you know which one I am talking about -- is perhaps the greatest play in Super Bowl history (although the leaping Lynn Swann grab about 30 years ago still is amazing). It was truly an indication that this was just going to be a game where the Giants were not going to be denied the victory. Too bad for the Patriots -- they were game. Surely they thought they had the game in the bag after scoring with about 3 minutes left in the game. C'est La Vie. Tom Brady and many of the other Patriots handled the game and the loss with class. It would have been good for the hoodie (Coach Belichick) to take a page out of their book. Well, this is it for football 'til next season. On with MLB and NASCAR. :-)

Don