Living Insight from Chuck Swindoll....

With temperatures soaring up in the low to mid thirties today, we took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. We started off playing "Fox and Geese" on the pond (frozen, of course). After some time though, this fat, old, out of shape goose was weary, so we moved on through the woods just shooting at stumps with the BB guns. We ended up walking along the big creek, which was fairly solid, but had some open and flowing water. I let the boys go check it all out, warning them to test the ice, and not get too close to the open water. Well, here are the pictures, showing that they really didn't heed my advise.










Zach did fall in, but was able to catch himself, so he didn't get soaked. We got cold pretty quickly after that though, because he was a bit wet. So, instead of staying out and playing longer, we had to head back to the house sooner than we would have otherwise.


As we got back inside, I thought to myself how I too, sometimes like to be right on the edge. Maybe you have times that you also enjoy playing too close to the edge, I don't know. What came to my mind, and what I'm attempting to convey here is that we do often tend to linger just at the edge of the forbidden. Living on the Ragged Edge came to my mind, and I hope Chuck doesn't mind being quoted here, but on page 4 in the study guide of Living On The Ragged Edge by Charles R. Swindoll he points out some conclusions drawn from the life of Solomon.
The sensual lure of something better tomorrow robs us of the joys offered today.
In our case, the thrill of playing at the edge, on thinner ice, robbed us of the joy of staying out longer today. We came in because the boys were lured into a "thrill" and it ended up sending them back to the house.
The personal temptation to escape is always stronger than the realization of its consequences.

Again, in our case, the temptation to enjoy the thrill of perceived danger was stronger than the realization of its consequences. They didn't think about having to go back in once they were wet!


I'll leave you to draw your own applications. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
I think we're going to play Sorry. How ironic!
But first....here's a picture of the little woodsmen sitting in our favorite red bud tree.

Record Setting Cold!

We were about the only school in the area to have classes today! Our temperature was about 14 below zero. School started two hours late, and after lunch I am driving the third grade classes to Keokuk for Bald Eagle Appreciation Day. I'm hoping to get some really good pictures. I came home mainly to get my camera, because I forgot to grab it when I left for the morning run.
Here at our house, the bird feeder is abuzz with activity. I counted 18 beautiful, bright red cardinals at one time in and around the feeder. They can go through a 50 pound bag of seed quickly!

Sunday Afternoon Fun!

After church, and a fine dinner at Mom and Dad's, Tyler, Dennis and the boys went ice racing with Michael on Kern's pond. It was a perfect day for it...not too cold, but cold enough! The pond had about 8 inches of ice.

Tyler put ice screws on all their tires, as did Michael and Dennis. Without those, they would have no traction. Tyler and Dennis have done this before, but it was a new experience for the little guys. Of course, they loved it. They wanted to keep going after the old guys were ready to go, but there will be other days.





































These big boys will race anything. You may not notice unless you inspect this picture closely. There are two motorcycles and one four wheeler trying to beat each other around the corner. Dennis is leading, with Michael coming along inside going for the pass. Tyler's behind it all, just waiting for his opportunity to pass them both.
Tyler did this jump several times, coming up the pond levee and jumping about 60 feet out onto the pond. Dennis went over to stand in as a "measurement" for height, and Tyler went over his head! Dennis is over 6 feet tall, and he couldn't believe it!