Junior High Teacher

I enjoy working with children. I like helping them learn, hearing their perspective on life, and of course watching them play and enjoy life. I don't get to this very often, but even short experiences are fun. Usually, I work with kids around age 8-10 when speaking in schools or when I volunteered at CHAMP Camp. Teens are an entirely different dynamic from their younger versions and harder to ascertain what they are thinking and understanding. However, that is the age group I have been working with for the last month.

In 2010, just a few weeks before getting my diaphragm pacemaker, I taught the high school class in my church's Sunday school. It was a short course on geology from a creation viewpoint and was fun to give. I had to bribe the teens with candy to answer questions, but it worked. This school year, I volunteered to be a substitute Sunday school instructor. I knew I couldn't commit to every Sunday through the year, but I thought I could help a few times at least.

Late in 2023, the regular Jr. High instructor had me come and meet the eight students he was teaching. The lesson plan he was using would conclude before the end of the year, so he offered for me to take the final four weeks of the year. I volunteered and quickly made up a lesson plan based on Genesis 1-11, the foundation of the Bible.

Week 2 Worksheet

Since my plan hadn't been approved by the church council, I was initially denied to teach. However, after some adjustments and searching through the approved material, I was allowed to go ahead.

I divided the four weeks into large chunks, creation in Genesis 1, the fall of man in Genesis 3, Noah's flood in Genesis 6-9, and the final lesson on Babel in Genesis 11. For each lesson, I included a question from the Heidelberg Catechism and a few to make the students think. One question was if snow was a result of sin. We thought about Adam & Eve's original clothing (nothing), tasks, and food source. From this, we thought snow, or harsh winter conditions, were a result of the fall.

Overall, I think it went well. As I expected, it was hard to get much feedback from the students, but they seemed to catch on. A few times, our class was cut short due to a long worship service. It made it difficult to cover everything, but also made me mindful of my own preaching and not going too long. Today should have been my final week, but the service went so long that Sunday school was canceled. Therefore, I hope to finish everything next week when the year concludes.

If asked, I would be interested in helping again. I submitted a new curriculum to the council to approve for next year, but I am somewhat guessing it won't go through. God may surprise me though and I'll have a new opportunity to help teach the next generation. This week though, I'm scheduled for my fourth grade school visit with one more to go next month. Hopefully it will go well and students will learn about different abilities.

Hair Care Trouble

Every morning, part of my routine is washing my hair. I've heard it should only be done a few times a week, but my greasy hair needs it more often. No matter how frequently I wash, I use a plastic hair basin that lays under my head while I lay flat in bed. Unfortunately, it breaks down after years of use and needs replaced.

My current basin was falling apart and mainly held together by tape. When I went to order a new one, I quickly realized what I had used for decades was no longer in common use. Trying to find the same hardware was a hard search, but I finally found a few retailers that had it available. The first place I used had a great price, but something didn't seem right.

A week later, I hadn't heard anything about my order and started investigating. After emails went without reply, I called the number on the retailer's website and was connected to an individual. She let me know it was a fraudulent company and to cancel any payment. That was done, but I still didn't have a new hair basin.

Therefore, I tried another company that advertised the basin. I did receive an order, but it wasn't the correct item. Investigation showed their supplier had changed products and could no longer get what I wanted. The company nicely refunded my money, but I still didn't have a basin.

Finally, I found a third retailer that advertised the correct basin, but was also the most expensive. Before ordering, I called the provider to check if the item pictured was the correct product. The representative confirmed it was correct, so I ordered. Several days later, I received a box at my door and finally got what I wanted.

Washing hair is something most people don't give much thought. However, living the quad life makes everything more interesting. Hopefully it will be a long time before I need another basin, I'm doubtful what I like will still be available.

Recorded Interview

It has again been a busy week in the quad life with some days making me wonder how to get everything accomplished. One activity this week was not among the ordinary, but is becoming more familiar.

I don't listen to the radio very much. However, some mornings, and when driving to the city, I listen to a Christian radio station in Des Moines, Life 107.1. I don't care for some of the modern Christian music, but I do get a laugh out of two morning show DJ's, Taylor and Jen. They often promote their Saturday morning podcast that features a variety of people that can help listeners in Christian living. I contacted Jen early this year to see if they would be interested in my story and gave her a book. After a lot of schedule planning, I interviewed with them Tuesday afternoon.

Driving to Des Moines, my caregiver and I went through rain that changed to snow, then, ice, slush, and back to rain again. The rapid change in conditions made me wonder if this was what it was like 39 years ago during our accident if I really should be going. Thankfully, we arrived safely at an office building in West Des Moines and found the station's suite.

Interviewing with two people I've never met, and only heard, felt like going into the unknown. I prayed that the time would be glorifying to God and how He has worked in my life. I read a few sections of what I wrote, but made sure to emphasize the blessings I have received.

Unlike my previous radio appearance, this one didn't go out live. It will be edited into a podcast that should release late this month. One request I made was that I could present the gospel and have it in the final product. I'm not sure if I'll get to preview it, but I hope they do keep it in. The station's motto is "always uplifting" and discussing sin and deserving punishment goes against the theme.

This week looks to be a little calmer with fewer excursions. That doesn't mean the busyness is less, but I'm thankful I am able to be used in various roles.

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday. It is one of two Christian holidays that many people go to church, even if they don't the rest of the year. Unfortunately, the true meaning for the celebration has become hidden in other activities.

For much of my life, Easter egg hunts and egg laying rabbits have been associated with Easter. It may be fun to watch kids run around and gather eggs in someone's house or lawn, but it has nothing to do with the holiday. Sadly, even the "church" has forgotten what we celebrate.

After three years of ministering, Jesus was betrayed by one of His disciples and arrested by the Jewish council. In an illegal trial, He was determined to be guilty of blasphemy in claiming Himself as God. Jesus had very clearly demonstrated He was the predicted Messiah to come and was God in flesh. However, He wasn't what the leaders wanted and was turned over to Pontius Pilate.

Pilate found no guilt in Jesus, nothing deserving of death, but he give in to the mob's demand and had Jesus crucified. He died on what's known as Good Friday, and rose again on Easter Sunday.

Studying the Old Testament, it clearly predicted Jesus' life, sacrifice, and resurrection. Jesus was the only good, or perfect, person that has ever lived. His death on the cross paid the debt for sin that no other person ever could. Now, all who repent from sin (lying, theft, hatred, lust, blasphemy, etc.) and trust in Jesus alone for salvation, not our works, will be saved. That is the clear message this world needs and should have been preached from every pulpit this Resurrection Sunday.

Unfortunately, Steven Furtick from Elevation Church, has been recorded as saying he will say nothing of the resurrection or Christ's blood shed for our sins. This has long been a group of people that call themselves a church, but isn't the case at all. Others include Bethel and Hillsong, groups that only teach a feel-good message and not from Scripture.

As you go through this day, be sure to remember why we celebrate and be sure to come to Christ for forgiveness while possible. This week, six people died in a bridge collapse just while doing their regular job. We never know when our time to leave this life will come, and we can't afford to wait or change the message.

Entertaining Week

Most of the time, I am content to entertain myself by watching videos online, reading, or playing a simulator of some sort. This week, I ventured out to other sources of entertainment.

Several years ago, a movie came out called "Genesis: Paradise Lost." It used computer generated content to depict creation week and had several interviews with creation scientists that covered scientific evidence as well as theological concerns. As a follow-up, the next movie is called "The Ark and the Darkness." It was in select theaters on March 20 and 21, I got tickets for the 21st.

My regular day-time caregiver was also interested in going, so she agreed to stay for the evening. At 4:20, when we're usually wrapping up for the day, we pulled out of the driveway and went to Des Moines. It has been years since I have been in a movie theater and, after finding supper, we were in our seats before 7:00.

Wheelchair spots haven't changed, I was still in the third row from the front. However, all the other chairs were leather recliners with elevating legs. It looked pretty comfortable as nearly every seat filled and the movie began. Sitting for the next two hours, it was fun seeing the big screen, but I froze in the cold theater, even with my coat over me.

It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still good. The CGI was well utilized to depict possible life before the flood as well as some of the flood and ark. Dispersed amongst everything was again extensive discussion on scientific evidence for the global flood. It then transitioned into prophecy in the New Testament that used the flood as an example for future judgment. We were back home again by 10:30 and I was ready to get back in bed and warm-up under the blankets.

Last night, my parents and I went to a local high school play, "To Kill a Mockingbird." The classic book has been placed on the "do not read" shelf by some political groups as being racist. However, it's good to see the students, and our friend's son, depict the story on stage.

This week looks to be another busy one in the quad life with teaching and medical testing. Hopefully all goes well and I look forward to working with more kids.

Vacation Week

I have said before, I am primarily a home body. I am perfectly content to stay around the house or go to attractions and events nearby that don't require much travel. I do enjoy seeing new areas, but hotels are hard for me to use and managing caregivers while away is challenging. Therefore, I haven't been anywhere overnight since my last year at CHAMP Camp in 2019. My parents, however, do like going out on excursions.

This past week was spring break for many schools in the area. My college intern caregiver, Brenda, wasn't planning to do anything during break and volunteered to stay with me in the evenings if my parents wanted to get out. It may have taken 2-3 seconds for them to happily say yes, so my parents went out during spring break.

They left early Tuesday morning, before I got up, and returned Saturday afternoon less than 30 minutes before Brenda was scheduled to leave. That meant Brenda worked four evenings in a row as well as the regular ten-hour shift. This allowed me to have 24-hour care without my parents for over four-and-a-half days.

It has been a busy time for me in various projects, which means I didn't do much out of the ordinary. However, it did allow me to bike five days in a row and be on "my own" again. Mom and I planned meals before she left so that Brenda and I mainly just needed to thaw frozen meat a few times and put together whatever was planned. Just the two of us didn't eat much, which made for plenty of leftover choices for Saturday night.

Brenda will be graduating soon and plans to return to her home in Arizona to continue her education. Therefore, these extended times of freedom will soon be gone again. I'm thankful for the time we do get and the relaxation it gives to everyone.

It looks like another busy week ahead which started by preaching this morning. The quad life continues through every day and I'm thankful for the blessings God has given.

What to Watch?

As I've grown in knowledge of God's Word, I pay closer attention to what I do and what I watch. Therefore, when I am flat and watching YouTube, I prioritize Christian teaching and apologetics. That doesn't mean I completely cut out items just for entertainment, but I don't make it the majority. This week has been a conundrum on what to watch and where to prioritize time.

First, Answers in Genesis has been having a conference in Australia called Living in Babylon. It is unique in that it is a four-day conference, but each day is in a different city. Each session is streamed live on YouTube for anyone to view, if you have the link. Watching the website as links change, I have three of the four sessions in my watch list, each four-hour session.

Second, Dr. John Macarthur's church, Grace Community Church in California, first had a conference for their international training followed by the Shepherd's Conference. As you may have guessed, these have also been streamed live on YouTube. The conference is for pastors and had an in-person audience of 5000 men from all over the US and several other countries.

Both sources are excellent for theological learning and preparing for preaching and evangelism in modern times. I have been rapidly building my watch list, but some of the teachings only stay available for a day. Therefore, I try to watch what I can while it's still listed. Between the two conferences, they have around 45 hours of viewing time.

Attending a pastor's or apologetics conference would be a great opportunity. Unfortunately, living the quad life makes it very challenging. I'm very thankful I can at least watch the same teaching that's available in person, but just not all at once.

Tonight, I am scheduled to preach at a local church, my first sermon since October. During that service, I had trouble remembering words and part of my message. It was only ten days after surgery, but I still have difficulty thinking clearly when speaking sometimes. I pray it goes well, but that will be next week's topic.

Picture Phone

In 2020, I did a challenge to include a picture with every post of the year. Looking back, I had fun with the project and thought I would try it again this year. As 2020 started, I didn't know how strange a year it would be and one we wouldn't forget. Hopefully this new challenge won't repeat the past, but time will tell. This week was one of small trial, but it isn't over yet.

Several years ago, I heard about a program through Medicaid called Safelink. If someone received Medicaid or SSI, they could get a cell phone and plan for free. I like the idea of free, and thought a phone could be useful, so I signed up. It was a very limited plan, allowing only 60 minutes of use per month, but it worked fine for my needs. Most months, I got in trouble for not using a single minute or text and had to remember to use it.

Every year or so, I would get an email asking to confirm my eligibility. I went through the hoops and everything went well. I even got a few phone upgrades over the years and now have a basic smart phone. Since more people were using phones in 2020, the monthly limits were increased and renewals were also put on hold. In the four years since, I still didn't get my regular renewal messages. However, I must have missed something.

Using a mouth stick means touch devices, such as smart phones, don't work for me. Therefore, I still use my phone very little. The only use it gets is for entertainment while biking (via caregiver's hands) and verifying codes on some accounts. This is when I noticed a problem.

A few weeks ago, I needed to verify with Amazon I live in the US so I can receive book royalties. In signing into my account, I chose to send a code to my phone. It never came, and further investigation found my service had ended on February 17. I didn't receive any letters or emails, it just stopped.

Web work has been very busy, along with other projects, and I didn't have much time to work on the problem. However, Friday afternoon, I went through several automated loops to try to see what happened and how to restore service. Getting something for free doesn't come with great customer service, but I finally found an actual human that mainly spoke English.

At some point, my service provider changed to another company. I found their online forms, submitted my information and even a copy of my Medicaid card. However, that still hasn't reactivated my account or been accepted as proof. Now, I hope I can get my number back and be able to access accounts again. Time will tell if that will happen or not.

Living the quad life has fun times, and this seems to be the current one. I'm thankful such programs exist, otherwise I would not bother to have a phone. Hopefully this week will resolve it and I'll be back to other tasks.

Dinosaur Mania

Around 2008, I started following creation apologetics. It opened my understanding of the Bible and God's design in the world. Since then, I have studied through online classes, multiple books, videos, and conferences. With this knowledge, I have taught a Sunday school class, preached sermons on creation, and helped teach others about God's world.

Last week, a friend notified me about a four-day conference going on at a local church. Looking at the schedule she sent and a recap of Sunday's message, it was a creation conference. Unfortunately, much of the church in America, and the Western world, have abandoned the truth of Genesis and embraced atheistic evolution. I was thankful to hear the conference was going on and local schools and churches were attending, but I wasn't planning to go. I figured I heard most of the material already and it was a ministry I hadn't heard about. However, Dad and I went to the final session on Wednesday evening that talked about dinosaurs and the Bible.

Arriving a few minutes before the session started, we looked at the church platform filled with replica dinosaur fossils. I haven't seen such a portable display before and was impressed with the number of artifacts. Dad and I found a place to sit in the third row from the front as the worship center quickly filled.

The speaker went on for about 90 minutes and, as I expected, much of what he said was very familiar. However, it's good to hear from multiple sources and some points were new to me. I knew about soft tissue, and red blood cells, being discovered in a T-Rex bone. However, I wasn't aware that a creation scientist wanted to do carbon dating on it and pay for the expenses. This would show the age of the bone and, most likely, that it's much younger than 66 million years. However, the offer did not go well with the bone's owner and very little of the originally live radio conversation could be played with children present.

Overall, it was fun to attend and let Dad hear some of the teaching he hadn't before. Unfortunately, a family with young children sat in front of us and their kids were allowed to run all over the building, including around the speaker. It was rather distracting, but hopefully they will learn from some of the children's resources.

This week, I plan to enjoy mainly at home. With the arrival of March, calm days are coming to an end very soon.

Starting Another Year

In two days, I will start a new year of living the quad life. Looking back, this 38th year has had its highs and lows as well as times of learning.

One of the largest accomplishments was completing my autobiography and getting it published. I despise praising myself our saying I'm an example to follow. I am a fallen man and don't live as I should. However, I will gladly say what God has done in my life and how He uses every ability to serve Him.

With the accident anniversary this month, I have done two radio interviews and one television interview about my book. In all of them, I tried to make sure to point to God's glory and not my own. I wasn't fully successful, but it is was my goal. This year has also been a reason to remember God's Word.

In John 5, Jesus healed a man who had been "sick" for 38 years. The word sick is translated as infirmity, paralyzed, or sick depending on which translation you read. Whatever the exact term is, the man had a major physical ailment for 38 years. Jesus chose to heal him out of several others laying at the pool of Bethesda. He didn't know who Jesus was, let alone have faith in Him. After a confrontation with the Jewish leaders, the healed man had a second meeting with Jesus where He said to stop sinning to avoid a worse fate.

Living a large part of life with a physical ailment is hard, and I have learned this very well. As I recounted in my autobiography, looking only at problems resulted with me thinking life wasn't worth living. However, looking solely to God, we can see how He uses each person and that life is precious in His sight. As I now enter another year, I look forward to seeing what God brings me to do and how I can serve Him.

What Am I Reading?

When I read, I usually have physical books that require setting up on my book board and page turning with my stick. It takes a bit of work, but it's what I prefer and I know what I'm reading. With digital books, that may not always be the case.

A couple years ago, I installed a program called Accordance. It's a Bible software program that allows you to study the Bible, compare English with Hebrew/Greek, and several other features. I mainly just use it for Scripture reference and some basic reading, so I have hardly looked at how to access all the available features. However, I have added a few electronic books to the program, other than Bibles.

One book is by Dr. James White, Qur'an: What Every Christian Needs to Know. I started reading it around November in order to help keep up my knowledge of world religions and how to bring toward

Christianity. The first chapter was interesting, but the next time I opened it, I had a list of word definitions. It had been a few weeks since I last read, so I figured I forgot something and Dr. White was defining key words or something.

Through December and January, I would return to it on occasion and reluctantly drudge through more definitions. I kept telling myself this section had to end soon and I would be back to the point. Just to be sure, I also checked the title and saw it was still on top.

Early this week, I saw an advertisement for more books available on Accordance (a weekly occurrence), but one screen shot showed the book's table of contents listed. I started my software, looked around, and saw the same button. Clicking it, the book I was reading only listed chapters with alphabet letters, A, B, C, etc. Therefore, I had been reading a dictionary for two months and not the book I thought I was in.

I closed the dictionary, clicked the same book title I had been seeing all along, but it now was a regular book. This week, I have returned a few times with much more enthusiasm and progressed through a few chapters.

If I was reading a "real" book, nothing like this would have happened. I'm not sure why it switched, but it may be a good idea to actually take some time and further learn about the software I'm using. Finding how to navigate between chapters in one click would have saved much scrolling in earlier books I've studied. I guess I will mark it as a quad life learning experience and go from there. Hopefully this coming week won't include any more surprises, but still learning opportunities.

Which Way to Go?

In life, we have to make decisions on a regular basis. Most are pretty mundane, such as what to have for a meal or what to wear around the house. For these, the course taken doesn't have major consequences and can be adjusted easily. Major decisions often have good and bad circumstances for either choice and can alter a person's life. However, still other situations seem to not have any easy solution no matter what a person does. Right now, I am dealing with the last scenario, and it's a regular part of the quad life.

I have been working with pressure sores for many years. Thankfully, two of the three I had are completely healed. The third sore is doing well and measurements taken in late January showed it had shrunk since November. This is indeed good news, but I still need to be careful to stay off of it as much as possible, eat plenty of protein, and keep biking for circulation. That seems easy and is a very familiar way of life, until complications come.

For over a month, I have had more drainage from my trach button that continues to increase. For the last few weeks, it has also been red and even started growing a hole in my skin under the button. When I lay flat, with three pillows under my head, the skin gets scrunched, sore, and hurts more. Therefore, it's better for my neck to sit rather than lay flat. That is how a good predicament forms, one area of my body is better when flat and the other is better while sitting. Which way is the best to go?

Sometimes, I am able to get positioned on my side and let my skin be open to the air. This is good for both areas, but it limits what I can do. One of my caregivers and I experimented with getting the keyboard and mouse where I could reach it. I was able to use them, but very limited. Depending on what side I'm on, I have to either view the computer through a mirror or turn my head at odd angles that eventually start hurting my neck and button. I will do it for 45-60 minutes, but that's about all I can take.

Later this week, I plan to break my winter hibernation rule and see my ENT. Hopefully he will be able to help without making any major changes. The day after my appointment, I'm scheduled to open and give testimony at a virtual event for Iowa legislators. I will be home, but need to be able to speak clearly without distraction.

For now, I'm sitting in bed a little longer than I have been and it hasn't been causing an issue. I do like the extra time upright, but need to be careful not to do too much. I will see what another week will bring.

Ventured Out

Over the years, dad has told many stories of his childhood, and repeated most of them several times. Some of them include cold Iowa winters with lots of snow and the various challenges that came as a result. Weather patterns have changed in 50 years to have cooler summers and more mild winters, at least according to dad's tales.

The last few weeks have resembled what winter was like in dad's recollection. Central Iowa had nearly a week of daily snow followed by another week of dangerously cold temperatures. After that, we have had highs in the mid to upper 30's with almost constant fog and drizzle. I also can't remember the last time I saw the sun.

Due to this, I have stayed at home since leaving church on January 7. On Thursday afternoon, I finally ventured out to get a much needed haircut. The temperature was around 35° with a light rain/mist under gray skies. Relatively speaking, it wasn't bad, but I still wore a t-shirt, sweatshirt, insulated jeans, and put my heavy coat over me. Of course I stayed barefoot, it wasn't THAT cold.

Getting into the van, the lift was very sluggish and could hardly lift my 500+ lbs into the vehicle. My caregiver and I assumed the battery was nearly dead and an attempt to start the van was unsuccessful. With me stuck inside, we called dad at work and he was home a few minutes later to give the battery a boost. Since the commute from home to the barber may take five minutes, it wasn't long enough to charge the battery. Therefore, dad drove my caregiver and I into town and stayed in the van with it running while I got my hair trimmed.

Even with all the extra work, I only ended up being about 10 minutes late. I'm very thankful for the parents God has given me. They not only stay with me when nurses call off, but come at a moment's notice when stranded in the garage. Living the quad life indeed has unexpected times, but it was also a lesson to check vehicles when they have hardly been used.

Room Update

Some people like decorating houses to keep up with the latest trends and modern looks. They may paint walls, rearrange furniture, or get new furniture to replace outdated styles. I am not one of those people by any means. My parents and I moved into our house 30 years ago when I was in Junior High. My locker wallpaper has long since been replaced and furniture updated, but less than other areas of the house. This week though, I did have an adjustment.

My room was originally designed so that my caregiver had a chair to the left of my bed, just a couple feet away. At some point, their chair moved to the other side of the room, about 15 feet away, and a large computer desk took up the same space. For a few years, some of my caregivers would use an old computer to browse the internet during down time, but that eventually faded away as well and the desk became a space for paperwork to be collected and processed as needed. It also took up a lot of space in my room.

After more than a year of debating on options, I got a new desk to replace the old one. It came in a box early this week and dad spent a few evenings dismantling the old structure, relocating its contents, and assembling the new desk. Now, it's sitting next to the wall beside me with most of the former desk's contents placed somewhere in or on it.

I may spend 4-5 hours a week outside my room, but that's even an exaggeration sometimes. Therefore, I'm very familiar with my surroundings. I'm getting used to the shorter desk and less stuff directly beside me and am starting to like it. The desk is a little larger than the space it's allotted though and covers a small section of my window. However, it is very minor and my caregivers are enjoying having more space to work with me.

It has only been a few days since the change and everyone is adjusting habits of where to lay equipment when using it on me and new storage locations. I don't think I'll be making further changes any time soon, but it is fun to have a slight redesign every decade or so.

Snow Fish

The mild start we had to winter came to an abrupt end this week. Monday-Friday, Iowa had snow in various amounts. Monday and Tuesday had a winter storm warning with a blizzard warning on Friday. Dad has been clearing snow from our driveway, sidewalk, deck, and roof before having to do more clearing at work. He has been very tired, but keeps going.

My night nurse couldn't make it in Monday night and my Tuesday caregiver was ill and also couldn't come and only worked half days on Thursday and Friday. Therefore, my parents have had a busy week and I'm thankful for their care. In an attempt to make dad's life a little easier, I ended up making for another long afternoon.

A few years ago, my large plecostomus (cleaner fish) died and we quickly noticed my aquarium's algae increased rapidly. Dad purchased more algae eaters from local fish stores, but they died within a week,

or less. A friend, who is really into fish, suggested an online store that he has liked. Therefore, for the first time, I ordered live fish online. Checkout said shipping may be delayed due to weather, and I agreed. With a cold week of snow and next week forecast to be below 0, I guessed it would be a few weeks before they came. My estimate was wrong, they shipped Wednesday and arrived Thursday afternoon.

I kept tracking their progress and the delivery time continued to get delayed. Finally, three hours later than expected, the box was dropped at my door with no knock, doorbell, or other acknowledgement. Thankfully, mom was watching and swiftly retrieved the box from the frigid outdoors. Carefully opening the cold package, she eventually found the bag with very cold water and six objects in it, one that slightly moved.

Over the next few hours, she put the bag in a bowl of warm water to slowly start warming the new arrivals. As she did, movement started to increase and more signs of life appeared. When dad got home, he rearranged the lid of the aquarium so the bag could float on the water. The new fish now all seemed active and alive. Eventually, they joined the other tank dwellers and all seem happy and doing well.

Now, they have been swimming around and seem to be fine. I presume they arrived in some state of hibernation with the cold water and just needed to wake up. It's fun to see how God designed animals to adapt to different scenarios, including cold shipping boxes. Hopefully they do their job and love eating algae.

Living the quad life has unique times indeed. This week, I'll be staying inside. Hopefully it is a little calmer with other activities.

Long Start to 2024

It's Sunday, January 7, 2024. It is the day for my first blog entry of the year and looking back at the past week. So far, this has been a year that has not started off very well.

My parents were not feeling well in late November and early December, but I was thankful to have stayed healthy. Unfortunately, that changed a few days before the end of 2023 and has continued this entire year, so far. I haven't the coughing and chest tightness they had, but mainly just higher than normal temps, little energy, and no appetite. My temp got up to 100.7° a few nights, but not anything dangerous. Finally, by late Friday and Saturday afternoon, I started feeling more like myself. Germs have been around though as my caregiver had to leave early Friday due to being ill.

The year also did not start well for the community of Perry, Iowa. Thursday morning, a teenager entered the before-school breakfast program and opened fire. He killed an 11 year old boy and injured seven other people before turning the gun on himself.

School shootings are unfortunately too common, but one that's closer to home brings it more to thought. I've already seen the regular arguments for increased gun laws that don't do anything except make regular citizens more hindered. If a criminal wants to get a firearm, they will get one no matter what laws are in place. Other tools, such as knifes and vehicles, have been used to kill people in large numbers. However, I rarely see requests for more regulation on them. The problem that causes everything is sin, and living in a fallen creation.

The very first recorded murder was in Genesis 4 due to jealously. Since then, many more have happened, and will continue to increase. Bacteria was also originally good and helped with digestion and decaying leaves. However, now some have changed so that they cause illness and even death. Both of this year's events serve as reminders for the same root cause, sin.

As 2024 continues, pay attention to reminders, both good and bad, of the world we're living in. Repent from sin and trust in Jesus alone for salvation. He is in control of all things, and we may be selected to answer Him for our conduct in life when least expected.