Tuesday nights are fun at my house.  I love my youth!  I got home from the Y around 6:45 and one was waiting.  Then by 7 (mind you, c-groups start at 7:30 pm), I had three guys in the kitchen and we were having a grand time doing absolutely nothing.  I was making puppy chow which makes them happy and I had the teapot on the stove for the hot water for their hot chocolate.  Before long the kettle was making its train-whistle noise which started all of us making music with whatever we could find in the kitchen.  Our very own "kitchen stomp".  So fun.  Preston – you would have been proud.    They are great kids and we had a great turn-out tonight – probably 16 or 17 youth.  Plus one youth had here "Baby think it over" baby from her class at school and man – it has some lungs. It was funny to hear the youth talk about how much the baby ate, how long it cried, how it always wants something, etc.  I think "Baby think it over" really lives up to its name.

The New Year’s YMCA crew hasn’t died down yet.  Usually January is very, very busy with those folks who resolve to make the year a healthier year.  And by February the numbers drop back a bit.  But last night and tonight it was very, very busy.  I wish them all well but sometimes it is a little crazy to find free equipment to work out on.

That’s it for tonight.  May you allow your day to be guided by God as you open yourself up through prayer to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Peace -  Melissa

I enjoy have Sunday nights free in January.  No church responsibilities are a welcomed break.

I preached this morning and the Lord was gracious once again in using me share the Word. It was a good self-reminder message on the beauty of faith and the wonderful mystery of God. I struggle with appreciating the mystery of God and the unknown faith journey ahead.  It was helpful to share that this morning as I sought to encourage those present to look for "where God just was" in their lives to bolster their faith.

After Winter Bible Study, I played basketball with some CG folks.  That is such a great workout.  I’ve just started playing basketball this past year and really enjoy it.  However, I get frustrated when I have days like today when I can’t seem to make a shot or learn plays fast enough.  I’d really like to just have some one on one coaching to develop some skills so I can hold my own in our games.  Playing volleyball every week has improved my skills in that area. I’m hoping the weekly basketball game will do the same.

It was a very quiet and relaxing evening tonight. Honestly – I was in my flannel pjs by 4 pm!!  I watched some tv (football games weren’t much) and did some reading.  All in all, a great way to wind down and prepare for the week ahead.  The quiet space is very good for me.

Much love to each of you that drop by the site to read my self-focused ramblings!

Peace – Melissa