Taxes

One word says it all, doesn't it! An image immediately comes to mind... papers all over the kitchen table, a calculator sitting in the middle of the mess, bleary eyes, lights burning late into the night. Well, part of it is true. I wasn't as organized for my annual tax duty this year as I usually am. But Thursday and Friday were the days. So out came the stuff and the sorting and calculating began. Only I didn't work late into the night. Last year I had an accountant do them because of the changes in my life. There were enough things different this year that it would have been easier to have the guy do them again. But now I have them figured out -- I think. I will have a professional look them over. So how did it work out? Well, it could have been worse. My frustration is that I would get it finished, double check it, and realize an error. However the correction to the error always caused me more money. It was finally, "just leave it alone."

The Ministerial Education and Guidance Board meeting which I mentioned in the last blog was Tuesday. It was a loooooong day... but a good day. We interviewed about 7 people who are in various stages of entering the ministry. Three will be ordained as elders (for our church, that means minister, pastor, reverend, preacher -- whatever you want to call them). That will happen this coming June at our Annual Conference.

We had a great time with Ginger. Joyce went with her to a class she taught to some of the ladies her organization supports on how to protect themselves from those who would try to take advantage of them. Remember, she works with mentally challenged clientele so this kind of instruction is much needed. All in all, it was just fun to spend the evenings with her.

And then, in addition to all that... I did nothing. Or at least, very little. I am spending a lot of time carrying in fire wood -- it's just plain cold here! At night it has been getting down to the high 20s. They tell us this will end soon. I hope so. I'm ready for spring -- or going south again. Today we worshipped at the Pursuit Church of Nazarene. They have an interesting history. There used to be 3 Nazarene Churches in the area -- one in Murphy, one in Rogue River, and one in Grants Pass. None of them very large. About 2 years ago they closed all three, sold the property (or listed it for sale), united as one congregation, and began a new church plant. They presently meet at South Middle School about a mile from our house. They still aren't very large but it was a good service and a good sermon.

So that's it here. Not very exciting but you know what they say... "we can't stand much excitement at our age." How is the excitement in your life? Hope you aren't overwhelmed.