NOT ABOUT ME

I have to say, "I love the Winter Olympics". I think I've always enjoyed them better than the summer olympics. It must be because of figure skating. I remember, years ago, not liking Dorothy Hamil, at first, because I was a Janet Lynn fan. But, eventually, I became a Dorothy fan and was thrilled when she earned her gold medal. My favorite skaters of all time, though, had to be Tai Babiloni and Randy Gardner. If you're at all familiar with the sport, they were our best chance or all time to win a gold in pairs skating. At that time, the Soviet Union had dominated pairs forever. As at many olympics, drama played out, as there was tension between the Soviet pair and also an injury to our Randy. Rather than try to skate through the excrutiating pain, he got a shot to dull the pain, so he could skate the long program. Well, it not only dulled the pain, it numbed his leg and he fell over and over during the program. Tai was stunned and confused on the ice as her, previously reliable partner, fell apart, so to speak. Needless to say, they did not win gold. That went again to the Soviet Union. Randy and Tai returned to the states and joined a professional ice show. We saw them in Providence. They were wonderful, what grace and beauty, but Tai, this time fell on her butt during the performance. I still thought the were great.

This year, the head to head battle is for men's gold. I look forward to seeing Evan Lysochek, no I don't know how to spell it, and the Russian skater, I'm not even going to try, take the ice to battle it out. I remember when Brian Boitano won our last men's gold medal many years ago. Go USA!! Go Evan!!

It still looks like the winter olympics around here with all the snow, though we do have a nice dry driveway again. Mark, being from the Buffalo, N.Y. area, takes pride in being able to drive in the snow and battle the snow when it comes to his territory. He'll always win the driveway battle with snow, when he has the opportunity and the time to tackle the job.

The dogs and I look forward to spring, warmer weather and our walks. But while I'm looking forward to the weather and season change, I'll continue to seek out and rely on my reliable partner in heaven. He never falters and never lets me down. In order to understand what He's doing with our lives, we need to go to the instruction manual, the Bible. Through the book, The Purpose Driven Life, I'm reminded that our lives are really created for His purpose. We can't figure it out ourselves, we have to go to our creator to know what our life's purpose is. I'm so thankful for the many means of doing that. The Upperroom is so helpful to me when I am looking for His guidance. Each day's reading gives me the encouragement to continue to see Him at work in my life.

Last night,after Shawn White won his gold medal, he said he was going to get a tattoo with his coach to comemorate the achievement. I'm reminded in today's Upperroom reading that God has us "tatooed", in a sense, on the palms of His hands. ( Isaiah 49:16 ) Will I go out and get a tattoo to remember God? Probably not, because I hate, really hate, needles. But, I don't have to, because the Holy Spirit is there in my heart as my constant reminder of His love. ( Ephesians 1:13 )

I hope you enjoy the olympics, this winter weather and all your many blessings. I will continue to be thankful for the remarkable blessing of friends and family and the many ways we have of staying in touch. You are one of my blessings. Please stay in touch with me. Have a safe and wonderful day, luv, Susan