Happy Birthday, dearest Chris

my mom sent the little Austrian cape for him

first day in Sunbeams at Primary!

Chris mowing our lawn in Oregon

 Jamis's baptism day at the church in St. Gallen.

Calm

I know this is something of a cliché by now, but still, I really like it.  It could be my motto for 2013.
Simple and elegant and motivating. Just what I need.
 It has a fascinating history:
In the spring of 1939, with war against Germany looming, the British government commissioned a series of posters to be distributed throughout the country at the onset of hostilities.  The posters were intended to offer the public reassurance in the dark days which lay ahead.  This one was the last in a series of three.  All three used the crown of King George VI as the only graphic device.

First week

This, the first week of the new year, has been very painful.  I tried my best, but failed miserably in something very important.  I feel terrible.  Reading in the New Testament has brought a bit of comfort. I think I'll take as theme for this week, part of friend Loretta's favorite scripture, from Paul:
Troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; ... cast down, but not destroyed.
2 Cor. 4: 8,9