THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

January 22, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

Today was one of those days!

Last night we got a surprise snow, so there was a dusting of snow on everything this morning. And it was a whopping 5 degrees when I left our house to go over to get my nephew's kids on the bus.

My nephew's son was sick today and when I walked in he asked, "Are you going to stay with me today?" He's actually old enough to stay alone, but he was really wanting me there. I told him I could do that, until 12:45, then I had a dentist appointment.

I got the two little ones on the school bus, then got a message from my sister, who has been sick for the past few days. She had gotten up to shower this morning and got really weak once she was in the shower. She hurried and rinsed off, then got out and sat on the lid of the toilet to dry off. Next thing she knew, she was coming to and was lying on the floor. She had passed out, hit her head on the corner of the shower and the gash on her head was bleeding. She asked if I could come please take her to urgent care.

We got to urgent care and they took her back right away, then said she really needed to go to ER. Probably due to the head injury. So I took her to ER; and they took her back immediately once they found out she had hit her head. They did lots and lots of tests and blood work. The nurse came out to get me so I could stay in the ER room with my sister. I kept thinking that they would be finished before time for my appointment, but finally saw that wasn't going to happen.

Throughout all of this, I was messaging to stay in touch with her kids, as well as our sisters, and also my husband, to keep them all up to date as to what was going on.

The doctor finally came in to talk to her.... and he talked and talked... then finally said he was going to go get what was needed to put staples in the gash on her head. I called my sister's son-in-law to ask if it was possible for him to come pick her up. He said he could and would be there in about 20 minutes, so I left for my dental appointment.

I got to the dentist and when the hygienist was cleaning my teeth, a crown fell off. I wasn't particularly surprised, because it had been feeling off for a while. But I was there to get a new crown on the tooth right above that tooth. Too bad that crown wasn't the one that had fallen off!

Thankfully, they were able to glue that crown back on; and I was able to get the new crown that I was there to get.

I hadn't eaten all day, because I had planned on eating after getting the kids on the bus. I didn't have time to get anything to eat before my dental appointment; plus I didn't have a toothbrush with me and didn't want to go with dirty teeth and stinky breath.

But it all worked out and I stopped and picked up an early dinner for me and Jon on my way home. Now I'm relaxed, covered up with a warm blanket, and feeling cozy with the fireplace on.

We all have those days when things really don't go as planned. That's just part of life!

I would guess that Jesus also had days that didn't necessarily turn out as he had planned.

After John the Baptist, who was a cousin to Jesus, was beheaded, Jesus left in a boat to go to a remote place to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Do you think that was particularly what he wanted to do at that moment? But he was willing to put aside his own grief and plans in order to minister to the crowd of people. His compassion for the people was greater than his personal plans. He took the time to heal the sick who were there. (Matthew chapter 14)

Sometimes it's more important to put the needs of others above your own agenda. It's important to show love and kindness; to have compassion. That is just another way that we can be like Jesus!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Sometimes going the way that isn't expected can be good. As the last year ended, I wrapped up all the jobs I had, so was expecting to be bored as this year started. But shortly before the year ended, we received a request for a quote, so I could have a little to do. Then a large set of computers started acting flakey, so I had a lot more to do. And so far, as I've been wrapping up one thing, another comes along.

It might seem like being bored would be fine, but if in my business, my employer can't afford to keep paying me for very long if I'm not bringing in some paid work. So I don't want to stay bored for very long. So I was grateful for that change in plans. I really needed it.

Based on Old Testament law, anyone who sins could expect to pay major consequences like death or eternity in hell. But when Jesus came, He started telling people there was a change coming. He came to free us all from the punishment of sin. He gave us salvation and forgiveness. That's another awesome change in plans. And I'm grateful for that one, too. I really need it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Oatmeal Pancakes

Combine all dry ingredients.

Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Mix all ingredients together.

Cook on griddle. Takes slightly longer to cook than other pancakes.

**Note: You can make your own oatmeal flour by putting oats in a blender or food processor.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My nephew and his wife have a 6-year old daughter. Recently, she snuck a pair of scissors upstairs to her bedroom. She then cut the hair off all of her Barbie dolls.... then cut a chunk out of the side of her hair. She had a bonnet and was trying to fill it up to make a pillow! Needless to say, she was in big trouble when her parents found out what she had done. Thankfully, she cut just cut a chunk out of the top layer on one side of her hair and left long hair underneath; so it's not really very noticeable that she has hair missing.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Never give the devil a ride;

he will want to take over the driving. - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org