What a Year!!!!

I sit here reflecting on the past year - WOW!!! What a year it has been. At times it's been a roller coaster, but we made it thru. I finished school and became licensed in Massage Therapy - It wasn't an easy task and my family sacrificed for me. I turned 45 in February and it was hard to make the decision to change my occupation this late in the game, but God had the greater plan.

We lost Martha the end of March. We rejoice because she gave her heart to God. She was admitted to the nursing home in October of 2007 after having some fractured ribs and tail bone - she could no longer take the proper care of herself and we couldn't be over there all the time due to school, work and the fact that kids got on her nerves. She received fantastic care but you could tell by January or February, she had given up life. She resolved her fate would be to live in the nursing home the rest of her life. Anyway, We'll miss you Aunt Martha!!

God has shown favor to Ron in his job. His boss looks to him for a lot of counsel. You couldn't ask for a better employee. Always "johnny on the spot" whatever is needed he's right there. I'll have to say though, Ron has sacrificed a great deal for our family so I could go to school. Thank you Honey!!

We joined the YMCA in August because they have such a wonderful family swim facility. That part in has allowed the membership to pay for itself. The kids took their first round of swiming lessons and had a blast!! We hope to let them continue the lessons until they become Olympic swimmers or until they can stay above water.

My baby girl turned 7 in November. I'll never forget the day she came into this world - it was the happiest day of our lives. She has brought so much joy to us and God has blessed her with the ability to whistle since she was 2. She's my little songbird. She has no care in the world. She loves to listen to K-Love and knows the words to any of the songs played. We look at her in amazement!! She is definitely a daddy's girl - has Ron wrapped around her finger - go figure.

Then, my baby boy turned 5 in November as well. He's my boy!! I know what makes him tick and can turn a crying and whining fit into a calm conversation. I know what chains to pull when it comes to his temperament. Poor Ron gets frustrated sometime and it turns into a battle of wills - I guess the testosterone plays a factor. God told Ron that he would have a boy one day, he thought he had heard him wrong and resolved we would only have a girl. But God knew what this family needed - a red head mild manner little boy that is a comedian. Thank you Lord for this beautiful family!!

Anyway, didn't mean to go on a tangent - but this year we have been so blessed. The feeling of family has been even greater to me than ever before - don't know if it's because we no longer have family here in Iowa or that my family is so far away. I know that greater things are yet to come in the Scott's life for 2009. My prayer for you is God reveals His plan for your life moment by moment and minute by minute until you see a beautiful flower begin to unfold.

Happy New Year!!!
Ron, Sandy, Katrina & Logan

A Good Story for the Day!!

Due to weather and the fact we couldn't get into the church driveway because of foot high drifts, and 40-50 mph winds, (our church is on one of highest hills in the city and the winds are stronger) church was called off today. Our pastor emailed a true story I would like to share with everyone.

This story was Back in 1994 two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on Biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage. It was nearing the Christmas season, so for the first time in their lives these Russian orphan children heard the Christmas story. They were told about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room in the inn, so they stayed in the animals’ quarters, where Jesus was born and placed in the manger, an animal feeding trough.

They were told how, later, the baby Jesus was visited by wise men from the east as they worshipped Jesus with fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Throughout the story, the children, according to one of the Americans, “sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.” As a follow-up activity to the story, each child was given three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was also given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins, which the children tore into strips the paper and carefully laid them in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel from a thrown away nightgown were used for the baby’s blanket. From pieces of tan felt, a doll-like baby was made.

As the American teachers made their way around the room to observe the children one of them noted, “All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. This little boy looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy’s manger, I was startled to see, not one but two babies in the manger.

Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. The translator then related how Misha very accurately recalled the story that had been told until he came to the part where Mary put Jesus in the manger. Then the little orphaned boy, Misha, started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story and here’s what he said: “And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him, ‘I have no momma and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay.’ Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn’t have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me, ‘If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.’ So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him – for always.’

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed.

The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon or abuse him, someone who would stay with him – FOR ALWAYS!

Hope your week of Christmas is filled with anticipation, family and especially the hope of Christ!!

Love to all!!
Ron, Sandy, Katrina & Logan

WILL IT EVER END???

Hello to everyone!!

Woke up to 10 inches of snow this morning - this was in addition to the 3 inches we received late Monday night. To top it all off, last Sunday was 40 mph winds with blowing snow. The regular temperature was -7 with the wind chill being -21 or more. My poor dogs were hesitant to do their business outside. I was glad our pastor called off Sunday night so we could stay home in our warm house - Thank you God for a warm house!! I think we take things like that for granted sometimes. It is pretty coming down and the glistening of the snow under the moon is breath taking - but this Southern girl does not like driving in it. Although I am getting better at it, when I was coming home from work during our first snow, I came down a

hill started loosing control of the car, hit a curb and ended up popping the tire right off the rim. I've been a little skittish ever since. Anyway, I'm posting some pictures of our winter wonderland.

Love to all!! Ron, Sandy, Katrina & Logan