They say the earthquake that hit Haiti on Jan 12 was "the big one." I believe it...they're the experts after all. This small completely dysfunctional country has been absolutely devastated. The images of wreckage, death, despair, and loss are heartbreaking, indeed. The entire world has been riveted by the disaster, viewing videos and images posted almost immediately on You Tube and Twitter. Even the Red Cross took advantage of our new social media and amassed millions of dollars in a matter of days. This is truly a disaster of epic proportions.

Today, when I arrived at my mom's apartment, she was having her own disaster. She was flustered that she has lost control of managing her life and her body, and fearful of whatever unexpected and unpleasant circumstance may be next. She struggles to remember words and has to fight to keep her thoughts long enough to finish a sentence. She can't work the first aid tape dispenser and said that if my Dad were here, he could do it for her...he'd know how. And today she forgot how to log on to her computer. My mom has known how to operate a computer since the '70's.

And me? Well, in the midst of her despair, I ran out of patience and it was a disaster. It started when I had to remind her for the umpteenth time that we needed to wait for a certain phone call before I could proceed with certain details, blah, blah, blah... I had to repeat words and phrases so many times that I finally wrote them down on several pieces of paper and taped them around her apartment so no matter what room she's in she can see the list. I basically told her I wasn't good at being co-dependent, and that there are many more people in far worse situations than she is, and that I wouldn't stand for her pity party. Egads...I really said that. Not a proud moment for me. 

An small country leveled.

An long life reaching it's final days.

Youthful arrogance finding it's limits.

Disasters come in all shapes and sizes...and every single one of them can be met with the love, strength, resources, and encouragement of those around us.

So, I just want to say to my friends and family...thanks for your encouraging words. It makes my heart sing.

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I was hoping someone could identify what kind of bird this is. I've never seen one like it here in Santa Cruz, but it is so pretty. We have lots of little black birds and this one is about the same size, but the spots are so different. Anyway..anyone out there know?

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I don't think I've ever read thru the entire Bible. I have read different versions and have studied most of the books in the Bible, but seriously...I don't think I've ever read the entire thing all the way through.

So, on January 1 this year, I dug around and found my one-year Bible, The Daily Bible, written in chronological order, and started to read it, right on schedule. Then, on January 6, I only got half-way thru that day's reading, and the next thing I knew it was January 10...I am now four days behind. At this rate I am tempted to start calling it the five-year Bible. On the other hand, I could quit goofing off and read till I catch up and finally after 54 years actually say without a doubt I have read through the entire Bible.

It's not the act of reading it all that motivates me, or actually finishing something that I start for once, but it's that there are so many stories, lessons, insights, encouraging words, and so much wisdom in God's word...I just want to be sure I haven't missed anything. And the best part...I can do it again next year and find just as much great stuff as I did before, only it'll all be different. The Bible is like that...alive and powerful.

So, here I go once again...now where was I? Oh yes, January 6...Abrahm and Sarai begin their journey of faith...