I feel kind of bad leaving my girls to shovel the snow that’s supposed to be coming tomorrow (hehehehe!  NOT!)  They’ll have to hold down the fort for the week while we’re off sunning ourselves in the balmy Bahamas.  Assuming we don’t have any weather/travel problems flying out today we will be home next Saturday and I’m not taking my laptop with me so I won’t be posting for the week unless I hook up with the onboard computers or borrow a friends.  I decided to REALLY, really rest on this trip.

If you know me that’s not something I ususally do very well.  My husband says I have two speeds "Full On" and "Dead Stop!"  We’re travelling with my agent and his wife who are dear, dear, dear friends.  We will have a blast together.  Angela and I are pajama-wearers-to-work type girls and we’re thinking formal pajamas will work perfectly for the formal dinner night on board ship, what do you think?! 

Let’s see, clothes packed, swimsuit packed, pictures of new grandson packed… we’re ready!!!!  Have a great week and I’ll tell you all about it (including pictures) when I get home.

THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Matt 11:28-30  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."   NIV

PRAYER:  Lord, sometimes I’m not very good at resting (Okay, MOST of the time I’m not very good at resting!)  Instead of resting from my labors I think that I need to redouble them to catch up!  Help me to understand that if I am diligent and faithful and give you my best efforts and it is stll not enough, I need to rest and in that resting I need to trust you to make up for me what I cannot do for myself. 

When my work seems heavy and burdensome, help me to turn to you and learn your ways, learn what your plans for my life are and rest in your goodness, mercy and love!  AMEN 

My son-in-law, Michael’s Dad, "Grandpa Jim" has been keeping us in pictures as we wait impatiently to get to go see our grandson.  He just sent these to us including the first picture they were able to capture of Ellington smiling.

Ariane, Michael and the baby have been trying to catch up on the sleep they lost in the past week (good luck :-)!)  It seems that parenthood is an exercise in sleepless nights!

This second picture is of his other two grandmothers.  Grandma Pardubsky (Gloria) on the left and Grandma Byrd (Cheryl) on the left.  Cheryl is Ariane’s mom and Gloria is Michael’s mom.   They both are blessed to live in the same city so they will get to love on Ellington frequently.

The black hair is definitely from Michael who affectionately refers to himself as a "Chech’s Mex."  Gloria was born and raised in Mexico and Jim is of Chechoslavakian ancestory.

Steve is feeling better but still not well.  He’s scheduled to finish up his tests tomorrow (fingers crossed!)  If he passes, and maybe even if he doesn’t, we might make a short dash to San Diego so we can see everyone before we head out on our cruise Saturday.

 I read Spurgeon’s Daily Devotional on my PC Study Bible program almost ever day and today’s reading was so awesome I wanted to share it with you.  The writing is old English as it was written probably in the 1800’s (I’m not exactly sure when Spurgeon was alive) but it is still quite easy to understand.  I hope youll enjoy the selection.

February 18 PM 

"Father, I have sinned." –Luke 15:18

It is quite certain that those whom Christ has washed in His precious blood need not make a confession of sin, as culprits or criminals, before God the Judge, for Christ has for ever taken away all their sins in a legal sense, so that they no longer stand where they can be condemned, but are once for all accepted in the Beloved; but having become children, and offending as children, ought they not every day to go before their heavenly Father and confess their sin, and acknowledge their iniquity in that character? Nature teaches that it is the duty of erring children to make a confession to their earthly father, and the grace of God in the heart teaches us that we, as Christians, owe the same duty to our heavenly father. We daily offend, and ought not to rest without daily pardon. For, supposing that my trespasses against my Father are not at once taken to Him to be washed away by the cleansing power of the Lord Jesus, what will be the consequence? If I have not sought forgiveness and been washed from these offences against my Father, I shall feel at a distance from Him; I shall doubt His love to me; I shall tremble at Him; I shall be afraid to pray to Him: I shall grow like the prodigal, who, although still a child, was yet far off from his father. But if, with a child’s sorrow at offending so gracious and loving a Parent, I go to Him and tell Him all, and rest not till I realize that I am forgiven, then I shall feel a holy love to my Father, and shall go through my Christian career, not only as saved, but as one enjoying present peace in God through Jesus Christ my Lord. There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit, and confessing sin as a child. The Father’s bosom is the place for penitent confessions. We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children of God.

I don’t have a picture yet as my son-in-law was staying at the hospital through this afternoon and probably will hit the sofa when he gets home this afternoon and remain unconscious for a significant length of time!  He was up for close to 36 hours or more including a long work day on Monday.  As soon as I get a picture I’ll pass it along for those of you who are waiting to see my beautiful grandson 🙂

Here’s the vitals:  Ellington Israel Pardubsky was born at 12:30 PM on February 12th, 2008.  He weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz and was 20 inches long.  He has a thick head of dark hair and steel blue eyes like his father.  We will be heading down to see them probably on Friday.  It’s so hard to keep my mind off of him and on to some work so that they time passes a little more quickly.

I’ll keep you posted once I have some pictures to show off!

We have such a privilege and an honor in that we are allowed to participate freely in the selection of our leaders.  Some years it’s very easy to decide others it can be excruciatingly difficult, but always it’s important.

If you haven’t voted yet and are a registered voter, please take the time and make the effort to make your voice heard.  I created a little piece of digital art  as a little gift for those those that would like it.  Feel free to use it as you wish, no strings attached!  Just click on the image and it will take you to the download.  It’s a png file, only 100 dpi meant mostly for online sigtag usage.

THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: 1 Tim 2:1-2  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  NIV

PRAYER:  Lord, we are electing new leaders for our country and  we do not know the heart of each candidate like you do.  We don’t know the best choice, only you do and we ask that you guide us in our elections that we might place the best men and women in each position.  We pray that their hearts would be led by you, changed by you in some cases and strengthened by you in all.  We pray for wisdom, character and integrity for each office holder and that any evil, crooked individuals would have what they have done in darkness exposed to the sunshine.  Help us Lord, by giving us not who we deserve, but who we need to keep our land safe, our children protected and our feet headed towards the right path.  Amen