I'm in trouble...

We got our snow last week, yeah!  Nobody likes me for that:)  I shouldn't have said anything more:(

On Sunday at church, I told a couple people how much fun the girls and I had snowboarding in the ditch beside our house.  Then I said, "the grass is showing through, it would be nice to have a couple inches to cover it up."  People went from smiling and saying, "ah so cute to snowboard into your ditch", to frowns and saying, "hey, watch what you're saying."  It seems Pastors have a direct pipeline to God.  We can get what we want.
Actually, the truth is, we all have the same access to God, because of Jesus.  Pastor, saint, and sinner can all talk to God and be changed.
Well, today it's snowing again.  I'm in trouble.  It's my fault.  I better get out of town for the next several days, if the snow doesn't stop me:)

Snow is finally here

For those of you familiar with Nebraska weather, here are some numbers.
Average winter precipitation: @10inches
Last winter precipitation: @30 inches
This winter (prior to last Saturday): @1.5inches
Well we've got it now!  Over the weekend we were pleased (some of us) to receive about 6-8 inches of snow.  Light, white, fluffy stuff.  Then, of course it began to blow and now we have drifts in the yard, drifts on the roads, drifts in the church parking lot.  And cold... the last two mornings it has been at least 5 below zero.
We are thankful (truly thankful) for a warm house.  The girls and I have been out playing in it; off and on as we can stand it.  May you be warm and safe and loved.

Happy New Year

As I lamented last year, the ball only drops in Eastern time zone; not Central.  So, to ring in the new year with health, fellowship, and a negative calorie deficit we went for a two mile run at 11:15pm.  This is my fourth annual (Hesston ks, Kidron oh, Shickley ne, Shickley ne) and second annual in Shickley.  We doubled our numbers from 2 to 4:)  Below you see the before and after temperatures (although the town sign said 4), and to the left and right... you'll see the crew striking a pose.  Thanks to Wes, Don, and Jeremy!  And may you all have health, time, and the presence of God in 2011!

Weather and pics

We had some great times with family over Christmas.  We played outside a lot.  Here is a picture from some soccer on Thursday before Christmas.  It was quite chilly about 20 degrees and cloudy and windy.

Suzanne bought me a Huskers shirt for Christmas!  So, you can see a rivalry coming with Nebraska joining the big ten next year.

We had a boys versus girls gingerbread house competition, which came out as a tie.

 7 kids in the house, need a good game of marshmallow dodgeball!

 And of course some "calm" games of cards - Super Uno - and Scum.

 We went bowling in Edgar, NE.  First time for the Hershbergers.  Everybody had a great time and did good!

This is only 5 days after the first soccer picture.  The Hershbergers are on their way back to Ohio.  The sun finally comes out, the temperature goes up to 50 something.  The girls and I played some ball at lunch.  Notice the short sleeves and flipflops.

And today?  We are headed to single digits into Friday, New Years Eve.  Going for an annual run, and it's going to be about 4 degrees, 20 mph winds, and 100% chance of precipitation.  Blessings to all!

Merry Christmas

Peace, hope, love, joy!

Double in 3, 2, 1...

The population of our house is going to double in about an hour.  We are ready for the slaughter onslaught:)  The three girls who normally live here all got sick on Wednesday morning, and seemed out of it all day.  Now the house is scrubbed, disinfected, and laundried in preparation for Suzanne's Sister and family.  For the next several days, there will be an extra 6 of us here.  Lots of hugs and love and energy and hot drinks and games and Christmas cheer.
Merry Christmas to you and your kin,
The Nolts

Do you know how to be a sibling?

Tonight, we are taking our girls to the hospital where we will be delivering our next baby girl and having them take a siblings class.  They will learn how to hold and take good (safe) care of a baby sibling.  We will also get a tour of the hospital.  We are all really looking forward to this!
As you pastors may know, nothing escapes spiritual application... How do we take care of new brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do they need special care?  Do older siblings need to be taught how to take care of the new "babies"?
In honor of Kevin Wilder - Discipleship!

Do you have time for Christmas?

Suzanne and I have made the comment that it would be nice to have at least a foot dusting of snow.  Most people around here would prefer the dryness that we have had so far:)  There is something about snow that feels like Christmas.  Here is the funny thing.  Those who don't want snow are probably more right in their ideas.  It is doubtful that there was much snow on that first Christmas Advent.
Oh well!  The real questions should be whether we have time for Christmas.  And what really is Christmas, anyway?  Is it a holiday in December?  Is it a day off from work?  Is it a time to get together with family and eat a ton of food and exchange presents?  Is it a time to give money to charities (like MCC or the Heifer project or Crisis pregnancy centers) instead of buying that latest gizmo for our loved one?  Is it a time for singing carols?  Is it a time to exercise that family tradition?
Actually all the above can help us celebrate Christmas.  But they can also stress us out and keep us from observing the Christ, the Messiah, come to earth, God with us.
Take a moment.  Take another one.  Can you spare another one?

Its gonna be a...

Just in case you hadn't heard.  Early next year, we'll have 4.

Rain

Last night we got some rain!  It was beautiful to watch.  We have been quite dry this harvest season, for instance here are the rain falls for the last two months:
09/15/10 0.24
09/21/10 0.25
09/24/10 0.59
09/25/10 0.10
10/25/10 0.25
Then, it rained last night.  I haven't seen how much yet.  It continues to drizzle this morning.

I was up on  the roof last night cleaning out the gutters from all the leaves.  I put them in a bucket on a rope, then dropped the bucket down to Courtney.  She put them in a bag... most of the time:)  I think the last three buckets ended up on the ground, due to the wind and Courtney "accidently" spilling it... then "accidently" throwing the dumped pile into the air.  Which then blew into our neighbors yard:)  Sorry, Gary and Deb:)
Enjoying these memories!