Switcharoo

I just checked our current and upcoming weather. The temperature is 34 degrees with a wind chill of 29 degrees. That keeps with the trend I've been watching for the last 24 hours. It has been roughly 20 degrees warmer in southern Indiana than here. Their current temperature is 58 degrees. It's an oddity really, but I will take it (and I'm sure my counterparts in Indiana will too.)

Greetings

I *am* wishing everyone a very Merry (isn't that a dreamy word?) Christmas.

I wish that all of you may create as many wonderful and whimsical memories as I have stored in my heart. My mother was (is really) amazing at creating that magical feeling on any special occasion. Christmas was especially breath taking, though. My dad had a way of making it all jolly. Even the bright lights of his movie camera, which we all exclaimed loudly and emphatically that we hated, bring fond and humorous memories.

I am sorely missing my family - the children (that absolutely includes my fantastic son-in-law), Haelley, my sisters and our parents. My grandparents, long passed, too. Oh so much love and hope for you is in my heart.

Moving a lot has allowed me to meet and cherish many wonderful friends. I am grateful for you. You bring to mind such comfort and amazing memories. I hope you *all* are going to have an absolutely satisfying day tomorrow.

This particular holiday just wraps up the year. As it does so, I am, like years past, thanking God for all He has done and has *been* to me. What a positively faithful mooring He has been during so many storms - large and small. I owe all to Him and crave His love.

Choosing a Mate

"But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband." 1 Corinthians 7:32 - 34

I have been thinking again recently about what one should seek in a mate. A few years ago I had a conversation with a friend who had talked to a young woman about a man who was potentially interested in her. The young woman had expressed concern about his not being overtly spiritual. My friend told her that she needed to consider more than that. She went on to point out his qualities of dependability, loyalty and steadiness. Those were big pluses she said.

There are examples of men who are/were spiritual giants but lousy husbands/fathers. I know a grandson of a man who was well and widely known for his numerous conversions resulting from a zealous goal to teach far and wide. He wrote books about spiritual matters and was much respected. His grandson told me that none of the man's children were Christians. In fact, they were quite worldly. He was rarely home because of his busy gospel preaching itinerary. He converted thousands but lost his children. Another man has at times lost his vision for the spiritual well being of his family because he was so engrossed in teaching the Bible to others. The Bible has at least one obvious example and several subtle ones of men who were less than stellar fathers/husbands but were close to God. David was a wishy washy parent, especially after his sin with Bathsheba. The saga that follows is a tragic and disappointing picture of a man after God's own heart.

When selecting a mate one must consider all things. Spiritual maturity is much desired, but it cannot be the lone criteria. The man or woman who cannot balance his obligation to the Lord with that to the family is not well suited to be a spouse. Marriage, as described in 1 Corinthians 7, is necessarily distracting from spiritual matters. It requires that attention be divided. The good spouse can rightly discern that balance. If you're searching/waiting for a mate, watch carefully for the person who can juggle well.

The Final Word

I feel confident (and grateful) to say that Josiah's CT scan revealed that he does not have a fracture of any facial bone. He does have extensive bruising and a pooling of blood, which is causing the look of swelling. The blood should reabsorb over a long time - months. It is possible that he will have a residual calcification that may take years to disappear. I am so grateful that God protected him from a more serious injury. I am completely content with the news we got today. A few years is better than never for sure!

Thanks for your prayers!

Take Three

I took Josiah back to the doctor today because his face just doesn't look right to us. The swelling above the cut is still present - not really any different than it has been. It just didn't make sense that the soft tissue injury would still be causing swelling more than three weeks later. The doctor agreed and thinks it's time for a CT scan. She is going to consult with the ENT about it and call me with details - likely tomorrow.

My biggest concern is that if there is a fracture, there has been too much healing time pass. The ENT and reading I've done have indicated that once an orbital fracture heals there's not much you can do to correct it. Please pray about that?