Ketchup (and mustard) day

Actually, the ketchup and mustard were on our burgers last night.  But TODAY was a CATCH UP day - get it?  Sounds like ketchup?  OK, ANYWAY, we did a bunch of laundry and did homeschool and generally straightened up the place.  Just a good, routine day.  It was supposed to get up to 39 degrees, but every time I hopped in my car to go down to the camp store laundromat my car said it was 27 degrees outside - maybe the weather froze the car thermometer or something.  Tim set the thermostat down to 65 degrees today in the camper to try to conserve LP so we won't have to unhook just to get LP before we leave this place on Wednesday, and I've heard there are actually people out there who live with their thermostats down at 65 degrees!  Argh!  I wore a long sleeved shirt with another shirt over that and a sweater and my coat with my hood over my head and 2 pairs of socks and a pair of slippers, and I was still cold!  Nicole and I begged and pleaded with him to let us set it up to 70 degrees tonight and he finally gave in (actually, Nicole just asked if it would be OK if she set it up to 70 degrees for tonight and he said OK, but it sounds so much more dramatic if I say we begged and pleaded).  Tim and I talked and prayed more about what in the world we are doing here (well, not specifically here in Alabama, but here - on the road - in a camper - with 4 kids) last night.  A friend asked me today what I feel we have gained so far that we wouldn't have had at home.  Besides all the regular stuff you learn when you are out there geographically, scientifically (at all the museums we've been to), historically (Williamsburg, Jamestown, etc.), I told her that there have definitely been more bonding times with the kids especially when it comes to life lessons.  More heart to hearts with each other, because we have more time for that, and more time to seize teachable moments.  I told her I'm still confused as to why we don't have more direction on the ministry side of what we believe we have been called to do, and that I feel a little pressure in myself to have something to show for it - all this talk about ministry.  But I told her I also trust God's timing and as we continue to pray for direction and provision we know beyond a shadow of a doubt He will give us both in His time, which is what Tim and I talked about last night.  So please keep praying for us along those lines, as we really do need and appreciate those prayers!  Blessings to all!