Peace

I had a wonderful time at the Trampled by Turtles concert in Ames last night with Beth and Dan, Shelly and Jarod, Stephanie and Ben, Joe, Dave, and lots of other blue grass fans. There was a guy there named Sean that was greeting strangers with a hug, and some people think that's odd, but I love it. I wish more people did that, and I hope that I do it more often. Mara must have taught him that in another life. Beth and Dan brought us an awesome homemade Valentine card, TJ a great birthday card with stickers, and Hippie Bill's tail that he lost at the Wookiefoot concert. He'll be so happy to have his tail back :) I was sad that John couldn't go because we didn't have a sitter, but I'm so glad that we have such an understanding relationship. We're so excited to go to the Spearhead shows next Tuesday and Thursday. I got tickets from a nice guy on Craig's List today, so I'm glad that we have that taken care of. We have made some great lasting friendships through shows, and maybe Evan and his wife will become new friends of ours. We have seen well over fifty Franti shows in the last five years, and I pray that we continue to learn from him and be inspired, and that we don't idolize, but just be grateful for his great message and modeling of being a peace maker. Last night the kids had fun playing out in the snow for a bit. TJ got his priveleges back before Mara because he lost them earlier than she did, and when he realized that she couldn't watch TV with them, he started crying. I don't know if it was empathy or manipulation, but I hope that it was true compassion and love for his little sis. An old student of mine and a good friend, Iris, from El Salvador, has been on my heart the last couple days. I think that she is due to have her baby pretty soon. I need to call her tonight. Our friends, Desiray and John, invited our family to go to the Higher Ground Music Festival this August, so I'm really excited for our family to camp with them for the weekend and listen to Steven Curtis Chapmann and other awesome Christian artists. I have been doing well on being healthy this week. I have been turning down brownies, girl scout cookies, doughnuts, cream cheese, corn dogs. I feel happy with my self control. Our friends, Beth and Dan, are so lovey and sweet and happy and fun. It's so great to be around such positive people. She is going to LaCrosse for two days for a farmers convention. I hope she and Luke and Sally have a safe and fun trip. Chloe and I are going to a World Thinking Day event with Girl Scouts in Mason City tomorrow morning, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm grateful that John is going to deliver Meals on Wheels for me. I wasn't able to give Tutugirl a ride home from her work at Perkins last night because I went out of town, so I stopped by to tell her and give her $6 for a taxi in case she couldn't find another ride, and she looked so mature and professional in her uniform. I hope great things for her. I am looking forward to the Omaha Young Professionals summit next Thursday. I'm going to spend the night on Wednesday with Grandma Betty and Bill. His knee surgery went well. I pray for Brent Nuese's family, for Missy and Kelsey, for Maci and her brother, Joe's son, Hunter, for Victor and his wife, and for the world to have peace. Psalms 85:8-12 I will listen to You because you promise peace...You are ready to rescue everyone...Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite. Loyalty will sprout from the ground, justice will look down from the sky above. Lord, you will bless us, our land will produce wonderful crops.