Hi,

I’ve been sick for the past few days but I’m feeling a lot better today. I missed the Wednesday night Bible study. Bleh.

Riley left yesterday morning. So now it’s just us again. Me, usually. My parents when they aren’t working, Ava when she’s not at school. The house is so quiet now – just Bertram, Shadow and I – except for the dishwasher running in the kitchen.

It’s sad to see them go. Especially Riley. It hasn’t been that long since he lived here, went to school, occupied the room down the hall. You grow up with someone then they go off to college and come back and they’re a different person. College changes people so much.

It’s been so good to talk to Riley over the past few weeks. Catch up. He talks a lot; he’s funny. He makes this household a more cheerful place. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed having around.


Only one thing I didn’t miss: Mom and Ava are always so considerate I’d forgotten how Riley can be. I tried not to get frustrated. See, riley’s one and only fault is he’s messy. He doesn’t put things back where they belong. In the fridge, the cupboards – even little things like the hand-towel – and then I can’t find them. If the milk is out of place I can waste so much time searching through the entire fridge for it and it could be sitting on the table, or he might put the cereal on top of fridge instead of in the cupboard. People don’t understand the sinking feeling I get when I reach in a familiar place for something I need and my hand meets air.

My shirt has functioned it a hand-towel a lot over the past few weeks. :)

But I shouldn’t complain. I live with some unusually considerate people; I bet it can sometimes be annoying for them. That’s my family for you. They’re awesome, every one of them.

Sorry for the rant, earlier.

God bless!
Jason

Hi,

Tonight after dinner we decorated the Christmas tree. A little late, I know. Ava wasn’t happy about that. :) Partly it’s that we didn’t get around to it. Mom and Dad have been super-busy lately. Plus we were waiting for Riley to come back from college. His Christmas break started yesterday and he got in late last night.

Dad and Riley brought the boxes down and Mom and Ava decorated. Riley helped too. Ava chattered on to Riley the whole time. Ava thinks he’s the bomb. She’s pretty much right on about that too. He’s doing really well at college, or so I hear. He’ll probably be great someday. He and Dad are always talking about technical and scientific stuff that makes absolutely no sense to me!

I sat on the sofa, while they decorated, and played my guitar. I didn’t say much, just listened. I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. Not everyone is so blessed as I am. It’s great to have Riley back. And Amy and Brian will be in Sunday evening. That’ll be fun. All my favorite people! :) We haven’t seen much of Amy since she got married. Maybe she’s just jealous of how much everyone else likes having Brian around!

Last night when Riley got in he came up to my room to say hello and he ended up talking to me for an hour at least. It was after midnight but I knew he was coming so I waited up. Everyone else went to bed. I made sure my light was on, so he'd know I was awake, haha!

He sat at my computer desk and told me all about his new car and his various professors and this girl he has a crush on, and of course, all the girls who are stalking him. There was a lot to catch up on because I’ve only talked to him two or three times since he’s been at college. I call at least every week but I don’t want to be annoying. I know he’s really busy.

It was after 1 in the morning and Riley said he was hungry so we went down to the kitchen and I made him an omelet. He made me pretty nervous by standing and watching. I think people sometimes underestimate me. Who knows, probably my manner doesn’t inspire much confidence.

After that he wanted me to come out and see his new car. He must have gotten a lot of sleep the night before. He didn’t seem tired at all. I was just glad he was talking to me. I didn’t end up going to sleep until about 2 in the morning. Lots to think about. Now I’m really tired though.

Here’s a verse that’s been on my mind a lot today:

1 Timothy 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed Lord’s Day tomorrow.

God bless!
Jason