Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day... I challenge each of you to do at least one of the following:

1. Hold onto items that can be recycled... bottles, cans, paper, and plastic. Hold onto that 20 oz. until you get home and can place it into a recycle bin. Don't have one? Start one.

2. Turn off your lights for at least one hour tonight. Enjoy an evening playing board games by candle light or even watching a movie.

3. Turn off your computer when you're not using it. It'll save you energy and it will also help your computer live longer.

4. Don't let the water run while you're brushing your teeth. Use water only when you need it.

5. Send out an e-card to brighten someone's day... many are free and it'll save you on postage and paper!

6. Take a shorter shower without super hot water. This can also save you money!

7. If' the weather is nice by you, start a little garden or plant some potted flowers. Perhaps you'd like to try growing some of your own herbs and/or vegetables.

8. Go through old magazines and newspapers you've got laying around the house and recycle them. Don't just throw them away.

9. If you've got nice weather go for a walk. The exercise will be good for you and the sunshine is a great source of Vitamin D. On your walk notice the changes that are taking place all around you, Mother Nature is beautiful! Take the time to appreciate her.

10. Do a little spring cleaning. Go through old clothes and household items that don't seem to excite you anymore. Box them up and donate them to an organization. For example, Goodwill, PASS Pregnancy Care Center, or the Salvation Army.

Again, Happy Earth Day... let us take the time to show God how much we care for the beauty that he has created for us.

Well, moving on. Here is my weekend report.

Friday, April 17th Dan and I drove up to Minnesota to visit with friends and family. We stayed with his sister, Stefanie, and her husband, Thomas. Kathleen drove down from Fargo/Moorehead and stayed with us on Friday.

Saturday, April 18th we all got off to a late start but still managed to put in a full day of activities. Kathleen, Stefanie, Dan, and I met up with Lauren at the Mall of America where we all did some shopping. I believe everyone bought something, which doesn't happen too often these days. After shopping, Kathleen, Dan, and I met up with Brian and Erin (our wedding photographers). Brian and Erin took us to Minneapolis where they took engagement photos for us. It was a blast and I can't wait to see how they turn out! Dan and I both wore new clothes that we bought at the mall (totally not planned, but worked out great). After pictures the five of us went to Chatterbox Pub for dinner. There we met up with Stefanie, Jonathan, Emily, Lauren, and Scott. It was a blast! In between all the chatting we even managed to squeeze in a game of Apples to Apples. From dinner Kathleen went back home.

Sunday, April 19th Dan and I went to church with Stefanie and Thomas. I ran into an old camp friend and some of Kathleen's Bethel friends. After lunch Dan and I hit the road and began our journey back to Illinois. It was a great weekend!