Friday Reflection

New on the Site this Week:
from Sitting at His Feet
Philippians 2:3-7: Taking the Form of a Bond-Servant


Philippians 2:8-11: Do This in Remembrance of Me_




My favorite thought provoking posts this week from around the web...


Top 10 Reasons our Kids Leave the Church by Marc at marc5solas.  I thought he had some interesting insights to share

What Shames Us- good thoughts from Tim Challis on the importance of doing more than just putting off the sinful man.

From Skeptic to Salvation- In this very brief look at James by Jim George I found some new insights to ponder.

Spinach Burgers. Okay this just made me laugh. They may be tasty, but burgers? I don't think so.

Big news in my world this week.  I joined the workforce on Monday.  It is part-time which I am very thankful for as I need time to write and quilt and well, just stay in pj's all morning if I feel like it.  I believe I am the first paid staff person for the International Asteroid Search Collaboration, IASC for short, pronounced just like the name Isaac.   This is an amazing program that was founded by Dr. Patrick Miller, my new boss, and my oldest son Jeff.  I have already had the chance to email back and forth with a leader in the field of astrophysics, who sang the praises of my boys once he learned I was their mother.  (he is a team member of the group that won the Nobel prize in Physics last year, by the way, and has worked with both of my sons over the years.)  That was the highlight of my first week, connecting with new people.  The lowlight...realizing that my 50 something brain is not as sharp as it used to be and learning a new field and terminology is challenging.  I've no doubt I will have it figured out, but it was frustrating not to get it right away which hasn't happened to me since Algebra way back in time.  I really think it is time we stopped looking for x and left the poor fella alone, he obviously does not want to be found.

I found some fun links to share related to my new job, and my two wonderful sons who have been so instrumental in the success of this program which has an ever growing international reach.  If you want to read more about it, do click on the links, they do a wonderful job of describing IASC.

Son Jeff had a part on founding IASC--you can read a little article about his early involvement.

Students at Mt SAC in California- good article for overview of what we do- written for the non-astronomer.

2010 article on the growth of IASC and accomplishments, and a little about the man I work for.  We share that little office in the basement it talks about now- though he is threatening to knock down the wall between our office and Ken's as the program continues to grow.

Just a few of the students from India...

Matthew on a trip with Dr Miller to Germany. They will go again this year and spend some time in Greece as well.

Matthew designed the logo for IASC. The image is linked to the website which he is also in charge of.

The bluebonnets are out and that means photo-op time. Just loved this little fella's face.

Spring in Texas can be pretty wild, freezing one day and the next in the 80's.  We have had a few thunderstorms rumble through this week, but the main thing is to enjoy the return of some favorites...

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It was short lived with the crazy weather this week, but the wisteria that Miss TheoAnn gave us a few years ago bloomed. I miss this neighbor lady who would just appear in my yard on her electric cart that was so silent I never heard her coming.

I spotted our first scissor-tailed flycatchers of the year too. Glad there are some photographers out there who actually succeed in capturing good shots of this one. This photo is by Larry Ditto and appeared in Birdwatchers Digest. The male's tail is 9 inches long!

And finally...I was sitting out enjoying a quiet afternoon in the backyard today when suddenly there was a squeaking cacophony that in a mad dash of wings tried to convince me to vacate the premises so they could take over my porch.  This pair and I engage in this battle every year- once they were victorious and raised a brood on our front porch.  The sneaky things moved in while we were on a vacation.  Now while I enjoyed watching the little ones grow None of us enjoyed being dive-bombed by the protective parents every time we set foot into the front yard.  Even our German Shepherds where not immune.  So another ritual of spring begins.  I love this time of year!

Blessings!
Deb

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