This is a re-post; but I thought it was an appropriate way to start the new year ................

You hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. It gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband

were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about

the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway,

and cars costing more than

her house. The first day

and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live.

The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to

the finest restaurants.

Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again; so she was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on

the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped,

and a few cigarette butts.

Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled,

then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.

How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection,

and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said.

"Read what it says."

She read the words

"United States of America"
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"

"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"

"Yes!"

"And?"
"And if I trust in God,

the name of God is holy,

even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription. It is written on

every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him?

Who am I to pass it by?

When I see a coin, I pray,

I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick up the coin as a response to God; that I do trust in Him.

For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold.

I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on

the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying

and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words,

"In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God,

I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!

And,

God is patient . . .

Happy Year Year

 For some, December 7 will always be linked with the loss of life associated with the attack on Pearl Harbor. This date has a much more personal meaning for me.....................

Some of you may remember me stating that the twins were the result of in vitro fertilization. That is a process where eggs are "harvested" and fertilized in a petri dish and then implanted into the womb. Seventeen years ago, on December 7, is when the twins' eggs were harvested. 

This process was necessary because of their mother's tubes being blocked and there not being a clear path for fertilization as nature intended. A month long series of injections necessary to cause her to "super ovulate" (and sending her moods into rollercoaster like ups and downs) brought the number of harvestable eggs to 13 ......... 11 of which fertilized and of those, the Dr. picked the best 5 to implant. At this point, it is simply a matter of statistics ............. there is a 20% chance (1 in 5) of a fertilized egg attaching to the wall of the womb and developing ...... and we got 2 (on the second try.....so the odds for us were 1 in 5).

I have never understood how they determined the "best 5". These are pictures of two of the fertilized eggs on Dec. 9 when they were inplanted. The first baby pictures of the twins......................... 

Love you guys .......