The world didn't stop

So the Broncos lost the Super Bowl game yesterday -
but the world kept on turning.....
I had hoped they would win; I don't know what happened except that the Seahawks had a very strong defense AND a very strong offense.
And the Broncos made far too many mistakes.
Denver will be in mourning for quite a while.
All the bars in Denver reported that patrons started going home at about halftime - so far less alcohol was consumed, and consequently -- there were far fewer disturbances downtown and no riots.
Go figure.  There's a silver lining for everything!

But I enjoyed the commercials.  My favorite was the puppy and horse love.  Very cute.
Some of the others I liked were the Hero's welcome for the returning soldier, and the Radio Shack - "The 80's want their store back" - very clever.

Plus we had a good time visiting with family during the game.  The grandchildren were cheering for the Broncos, and were very cute with the routines they had come up with.  And of course we had really good snack foods.

And there's always next year....

Life in Bronco Land

Everything in Denver is orange and blue - people who are otherwise fairly normal (I think) are becoming Broncomaniacs!  The AFC championship game is in Denver this afternoon between the Broncos and the New England Patriots.  The Pats have beat the Broncos the last four times they played.  But all the odds are that Denver will win today and then -- two weeks later -- the  Super Bowl!

I will watch the game, probably while reading a book at the same time, but my philosophy about it is "somebody has to win, somebody has to lose".....and that's exactly what will happen.

It's a beautiful Colorado winter day today - the forecast for game time is over 60 degrees with just a little breeze.  Perfect weather for a football game -- or anything else.

Getting warmer

It was a little warmer today, somewhere in the 30's - warm enough to melt some snow and ice. 
It hasn't been as cold here as in other parts of the country; the "polar vortex" is really doing a number on places that usually don't get temperatures below freezing.

I went out for lunch today with my daughter and another friend.  This friend brought along her seven year old daughter who was adopted from China about the same time my grandson came.  She was not a "special needs" child -- in other words, she was perfectly healthy.  But this past April she was diagnosed with brain cancer.   She has undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy; the cancer has affected her eyesight, her hearing, her balance, and the right side of her face is paralyzed.  But she is an amazing girl, just precious.  Her mother is even more amazing; I can't imagine how I'd feel if I was a mother in this situation.  If you believe in prayer, pray for "Daisy" - that's not her real name but the name they are using to protect her privacy, and God knows who Daisy is.

A big day in Colorado

Reporters and their teams are in Denver from all over the country, probably from other countries as well.  The news stories for the last few weeks have been full of anticipation about what will be happening today in Colorado.

Today is the day that recreational marijuana becomes legal in our state.

Medical marijuana has been legal for several years.  In order to be able to buy the medical version, one must have a card signed by a doctor.  Unfortunately, there are lots of unethical doctors around here.  I recently heard a statistic that about 95% of those who carry medical marijuana cards are under the age of 25.  Suddenly they all have unbearable back pain. 

When I first moved to Omaha, I worked for a surgeon, and he told me that back pain is almost impossible to prove or disprove.  Evidently that information has circulated very well through a certain population.

When recreational marijuana use was on the ballot, I was sure it would be defeated - but to my surprise, it passed.  I think the main reason it passed was because the activists made a big thing about the taxes being used for education....so of course it was ok to make marijuana use legal.

In spite of the fact that it affects the brains of young people in a negative way.
In spite of the tact that it attracts the criminal element.

I really think that Colorado will regret passing this law. 
I wonder how many people will die on the roads because users are driving while stoned.

Already there has been an increase in crime involving break-ins at pot shops and at the warehouses where it is grown. 

It is a sad situation.

A Good Question

I've been reading "A Maze of Grace" by Trish Ryan and at one place she says "I sensed God asking, 'Trish, what would your life be like if you believed that I'll take care of everything you've prayed for?  If you knew it would all work out?'"

Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

I've been thinking of this a lot.  There were so many times in my life that I prayed desperately; I certainly wasn't sure I'd get the answer I was hoping for.  And for certain - I was not certain of what I did not see.  But what would life have been like if I would have believed -- after all, I was and am a child of  God.  But I didn't really believe that God thought enough of me to answer my prayers. 

So I wonder about the present time.  When I pray, do I just say the words or do I really believe that God is listening and that He will take care of what I'm praying for?

If we really believe when we pray, then we would not worry and scurry around trying to fix whatever the situation might be that we're praying for.

I had a wonderful grandmother who had several plaques on the walls that said things like "Why worry when you can pray"

And yet we worry.....

The day after

We had a really nice Christmas Day with the family - at least most of the family was present.  Lots of good food, a time to open the gifts, mostly watch the children open their gifts and some good visiting.  I was really tired when we got home and fell asleep in front of the TV set watching a movie that wasn't good enough to keep me awake. 

Woke up feeling refreshed this morning, so I met my friend Janet for breakfast, then we went to the Christian Book Store so I could buy next year's Christmas cards at 50% off.  Then to another store where I bought a skirt and top for a friend.  This friend has been in a nursing home since October a year ago.  She's diabetic and had a leg amputated and has finally gotten her prosthesis leg, but hasn't had much therapy with it yet.  Her husband was able to bring her to church on Christmas Eve, and that was a blessing. 

This has been a Christmas season rich with blessings and answered prayers.  I've had so many Christmases that were very sad for a variety of reasons.  In January 1972, my mother suddenly died, only two weeks after Christmas.  And in 1991, my dad died two days after Christmas.  My first marriage ended a week or so before Christmas and then there were many other Christmas seasons that were very difficult for one reason or another.  Of course my life is not perfect now, nor do I expect it to be, I feel very blessed this year, and very thankful.

A Blessed Christmas to All!

It's a beautiful Christmas morning here; the sky is blue, the sun is shining, the mountain tops are glistening with new snow.  My heart is warm this morning because of all that God has done for me and my family.  Most of all that He came as a baby so that He would walk where we walk, but then make the way for us all to be in heaven with Him some day.

I am busy making my contributions to the Christmas dinner:  the traditional "green bean casserole" and a pineapple bread pudding that goes so well with ham.  We are heading out to Ft. Collins where Paul's younger daughter and her family live.  There will be a houseful, including our young grandchildren Joey and Carly, as well as our adult grandchildren, and then also the two great-granddaughters.  The great-grandson lives in Bailey, CO, but we were able to see him and give him his gifts Monday evening. 

Our church service last night was beautiful, lots of Christmas music, a short message from our Pastor, and finally the song "Silent Night" sung with everyone holding candles.  It's always such a warm feeling to greet my friends at this service, and last night was special because Sharon, a friend who has been bedfast for over a year was able to attend.  It was so good to see her again. 

I am filled with thanksgiving for the blessings I have received from God.  Yesterday there was a really big blessing as I returned to the clinic for more tests which showed that the area in question on my last mammogram was benign.