WE CAN ALL BE NEW AGAIN

I guess you could say that I took a break from blogging. Seems I was just needing to get caught up on some things, I guess. Hopefully, I'll be able to be more timely with my posts from here on out.

It is officially Spring. We did get the early Spring we were promised by the groundhog. At least we did in Central Kentucky. I'm afraid we are currently experiencing a cool down after some very summer like days this week. I'm hoping my blooming daffodils and budding tulips can weather this dip in temps. Because we were in Florida visiting Mark's folks, we were able to experience the full spectrum of Spring's magnificence. Going through Georgia and Florida this time of year is like getting hit with a full palette of God's brightest colors. It is just so amazing to me to see so many blooming trees, shrubs and vines traveling through these areas. And so many of them are just growing wild, especially those Wisteria vines covered with clusters of purple blossoms. It just gave me a preview of what is to come here in Kentucky, I can hardly wait. Spring has officially become my new favorite season over Summer.

We had a wonderful time in Florida. We always love seeing family. Good to see our family members in the Sunshine State doing super. We also celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary on St. Patrick's Day. I can say, though, that it was the only St. Patty's Day I can remember when I hadn't wore something green. That's because Kentucky was playing basketball and I know my priorities. We've done so well these last weeks of the regular season and into tournament play. It was great seeing UK again be crowned at the end of the SEC tournament. Now, hopefully, we'll continue to do well against the overall number one seed in the nation after struggling by Princeton and triumphing over the Mountaineers.

I was amused to read that the freshman point guard of OSU was the player who was photographed with Bruce Pearl at a cookout at his home. Evidentally, that, or the cover-up of that, was what ended Bruce's career at UT. I really hate to see him go. Wondering if Arkansas will be at all interested in taking a giant risk on him to get their attendance at Bud Walton Arena up. I sure hated to see John Pelphrey lose his job at Arkansas, coaches should know by now not to let themselves be photographed anywhere with recruits. I believe that God will open the right door up for our Unforgettable John Pelphrey.

My daughter has been in Vietnam the past two weeks and is due back this weekend. It will be so good to have her home. I know she's really enjoyed being there with the International YMCA helping with classrooms and schools in the rural areas of the country. They've also learned as much as they could about the country, so they can share their experiences with the middle and high school students they interact with throughout the year.

Because of the Lenten season, I had hoped to be more disciplined with certain things on a daily basis. I have failed miserably, but am still hoping to do better. Not only do I continue to listen to my favorite song, New Again, by Brad Paisley, but I'll also get out my cd of Jesus Christ Superstar, which always helps me prepare my heart for this season preceding Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I hope you're preparing your heart, as well, to celebrate the most awesome day ever. We have been studying Lent on Sunday mornings and God's Grace on Wednesday nights. Amazingly, both studies have taken us to the same spot in the Bible, Romans 5. It is a very powerful chapter in the Bible that reminds us how we were made sinners because of the actions of Adam in the garden of Eden, yet, made righteous because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which removed our transgressions and reconciled us to God. When we can grasp the awesomeness of this dual reality, we can begin to understand how much our God loves all of us. Romans 5:8 states, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for US."

I hope you're enjoying Spring and all the newness that comes with it. Take care and be safe, luv, Susan ps I may not have worn green on St. Patty's Day, but all five dogs had their green shamrock scarves on to help celebrate the day.