Carol and I took a week off from our jobs to work on some unfinished items in our house. We have been in this house for about five years.  The house had a large unfinished area that we remodeled into a nice family room, a spare bed room, and work shops for Carol and me.  We finished most of it several years ago, but as for our shop areas, we did not.  During our week off, we framed in windows and closets, trimmed up the doors and windows, installed closet doors, added shelves in the closets, and finished the base boards around the rooms.  We also decided to move the door in our bed room from one side to an adjacent wall.  Click a picture to see larger views.

– John

The Weather Report V.S. Reality… The weather report says we are supposed to get less than a half inch of snow.  It has reported this for a couple of days.  It has been snowing steadily, but lightly, for over the past 24 hours and we now have close to a half a foot, not a half an inch.  Click on a picture to see a larger view.

We are used to living in this odd little weather bubble at Jefferson City, Montana.  I guess it is time to go plow the snow!

– John

Now that Christmas is over, and the new year is in swing, I have had chance to get our photos together from Christmas.  Here they are.  Click the picture to see our Christmas photos.

– John

Alia celebrated her 10th birthday in December. A few days later, she had a small party and a sleep over with a couple of friends.  Click the picture to see more from her parties.

-John

It is amazing! Performers can come out at half time and disrobe, and there is hardly a whisper heard about it. Talk about a mothers love for her son (before and after he is born), and all hell breaks loose… literally. Hell does not like messages of hope and life, and it is showing in the media, in the feminists, and the liberal left. All these people who are crying out against it have not even seen it yet!  We have to remember though, that they are not the enemy. For our war is not against flesh and blood, and these poor souls are confused and deceived. Lord, open their eyes to see The Truth, and The Truth will set them free!

All the controversy is around a commercial by Focus On The Family.  Some information from Focus is below.  The actual commercial won’t be available until it airs during the Super Bowl.  A handful of private individuals put up the money for the ad, and Focus’ general fund was not tapped.  God bless you Focus, and God bless America!

– John

Marriage | Parenting | Online Communities | Media Center | Family Store | Support Family Ministry Focus Action Update™ Feb. 5, 2010 This week: The whole country is talking about the sanctity of life, thanks to an upcoming Super Bowl ad featuring star quarterback Tim Tebow and his mom. Dear Friend, By now you’ve likely heard about what’s been called the most controversial ad to appear in the Super Bowl in many years–a Focus on the Family® spot featuring Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother, sharing a message of “celebrate family, celebrate life.” For the past two weeks, major television networks, news outlets and even Saturday Night Live have jumped into the dialogue. We’ve been accused by a few organizations of being anti-woman, intolerant, divisive, and spewing hate. But what’s most amazing about these charges is that they’re based entirely on conjecture–none of our critics has yet seen the ad! (Beginning on Sunday, after the game, you can access the ad on FocusOnTheFamily.com.) In responding to these charges, Focus President Jim Daly has had the chance to share the true message of this ad in interview after national interview–and the sheer volume of coverage for our message of celebrating family and life has been worth far more than the cost of the ad itself. Besides that, the media, in covering the controversy, has conveyed many more details about the difficulties surrounding Tim’s birth than we’ve been able to put in one 30-second ad. From the beginning, our goal has been to stimulate a discussion about the beauty of life and a mother’s determination to bear that life. Wow, is that conversation ever happening. This week’s Focus Action Update™ online video discusses the Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad. We’ll tell you what inspired the ad–and how God miraculously provided the resources to produce and air it. Go here for our special report on the Super Bowl ad. A “win-win” already! The Super Bowl is the single biggest TV attraction of the year. What better way to reach what many estimate could be 100 million people with a life and family-affirming message? People seeking help with their marriages or children will see a message of hope during one of the biggest family gatherings of the year. Please join us in prayer this Sunday during the Super Bowl that those people who need help with their families will contact Focus via our toll-free phone number, (800) A-FAMILY (232-6459) or visit FocusOnTheFamily.com. I also hope you’ll forward this message on to your friends so that they’ll know to watch for the ad and know why we aired it. For faith and family, Tom Minnery Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy

On November 28, there was a party helping Missionary Mary Ballenger celebrate her 70th birthday. Mary is a Missionary to Africa and is the Academic Dean at the West Africa Advanced School of Theology (WAAST).  It was a very nice time giving honor to this fine servant of God who has dedicated most of her life in His service.  Click HERE for more information on WAAST.  We love you Mary!

Click the picture to see more from the party.

I am late getting pictures of J.J.’s 6th birthday up. He had a fun party with a few of his friends last November.  Click the picture for more.

I’m very late posting a fun evening the kids had at a Harvest Party that First Assembly of God church hosted last Halloween.  Click the picture to see more.