Welcome to yet another installation of Swirly Saturday! Not familiar with this terminology? No worries. Very few are. Here’s a “formal” introduction to the concept if you’re interested.

I’ve been having so much fun with my fam tonight that I almost forgot to blog. Egads! I’ve only been on this strictly regimented posting schedule for 12 days now, and my old lackadaisical ways are trying to creep back in. It’s late, I’m tired, and I fear I’m on the verge of making next to no sense.

But never fear! Swirly Saturday is here! The perfect time to blog while incoherent. Let’s get started, shall we?

~~Thanks for the birthday greetings for Papa-san! I’m going to print them out for him to keep and cherish forever. I called him today and wished him a happy birthday, and the first thing he said was, “You wrote a book about me on the internet.” (Um, that would be a blog, Dad.) Then, “And you put a picture of me in a diaper on the internet.” (At least it was from 56+ years ago and not last week!) And then, “I’m going to put a picture of you in a diaper on the internet.” (Go right ahead. Too bad you have no idea how to go about that.) I love my dad. He and Mom and Bethany and Isabelle came over for a Birthday Supper tonight. I made tacos. I make amazing tacos. I don’t really make much of anything else that would qualify as amazing.

~~Speaking of Bethy and Izzy, Bethy’s hubby Stewart is out of town with the youth group, so they’re spending two nights with us. So fun! Just a heads-up–the adorable baby you’ll see in the Word Sabbath pics tomorrow is not mine. She’s my 2-month-old niece, Isabelle Kate. We six girls are spending tomorrow watching American Girl movies, eating yummy food, playing games, giggling and taking a trip to the thrift store. Stephi, Jess, and Anna–we’ll miss you!

~~I had so much fun learning your ages and a little more about you! Claire (20) was the youngest commenter, and Sue (70) was the oldest. Sue was our realtor when we moved to Columbus almost 3 years ago, and I have never, in all my 33! years, met a 70-year-old who looked and acted as young as her.  I noticed her birthdate on facebook page a couple months ago and thought, “Oh my word! Now that’s a misprint if I ever saw one!” I had no idea!! I thought she was maybe 55. Maybe. She is stunning. And darling. And fun. And loves the Lord. As she said in her comment, she hopes to accomplish much for His glory in the next 20 years. You rock, Sue!

~~And now for the winners of the Scrounge-Around-My-House-for-Something-Cool Prize!! I did the random integer generator thing, and the winning age was…36! Holly and Carrie, you win a prize! Holly, I know where you live! Carrie, send me your address if you would please. Congrats to you both! (And apparently, I have a lot of friends named Kelly/Kelley/Kelli. 6/86 commenters–7%.)

~~Speaking of young gals, my mom and dad are going to a wedding tomorrow. Donna Lou was the secretary (and a Sunday School teacher) at the church I went to growing up and has faithfully served the Lord for many, many years. She’s 61. This is her first marriage. Her new hubby is a widower and a great guy from what I hear, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I wish I could be there. That church is going to be PACKED OUT. You can’t even imagine how many people Miss Donna Lou has impacted in her lifetime. God bless you, Donna Lou! You go, girl!

~~Some of you have asked if the ads (your ad here) on my sidebar are real or just for decoration. They’re real, and I’ve been meaning to mention them. If you have a business or website you’d like to promote, you can buy a 125 x 125 jpg ad for up to 3 months (at a pretty good deal). If you need artwork designed, Gabe can do that for a small fee. Questions? E-mail me. I’ve got some people thinking it over right now but nothing set in stone. So, there are 4 spots for the taking. Grab away!

~~Last thing. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement this week. There were a couple days there when I felt physically smashed down from the emotional stress I was going through. I haven’t felt like that in a long time–maybe not ever. Your prayers, God’s Word, and me crying out to Him relentlessly–well, it worked. Not a whole lot has changed with my circumstances, but wow, I feel better. God is good. I am His. And I’m here to glorify Him–not to live a comfortable, happy life. So, thank you. Thank you MUCH. Have a fabulous day!!