I've changed some settings, and added a link to a page of links I'm working on. Let me know if you have any suggestins for favorite links!

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.
This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them:
Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:
Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

Thought for the day:
"I will sing forever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts forever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens."...Psalm 89

Here's a picture of Josephine from the website at St. John's.

Happy Mother's Day to Katie! Welcome, Josephine Catherine, to the Kopff family! It's a wonderful world! We all can't wait to meet you.

Also, a little update on the college front: Laura will be going to Truman State U. next fall. When Laura started high school, I was warned tht the four years would fly by. Believe it or not, they really did. Cor Jesu Graduation is next Sunday, May 18th.

"sometimes the way things play out, all you're left with are questions."

"i guess this time that has to be enough."

Good news!! Debbie went to the doctor yesterday, and everything is fine! She goes back in five weeks so they can begin checking her thyroid levels to see if any medication is needed.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers. We have been so blessed!

Debbie's home!!!! Praise the Lord!!!
Laura went to pick her up. (I'm really going to miss our extra driver next year when Laura is off at college.) We were visiting her, (Emily, Caroline, and I) and left just before the doctor came in and told her to go home! I hadn't taken the cell phone along, so she had no way to reach me--I was probably still on the parking lot!
The hard part will be getting Debbie to slow down long enough to recover.
Thank you all for your prayers!

Well, Deb's surgery went well. They took her back to surgery about 2:30 (we thought her surgery was scheduled for 1:00 pm, and they had her listed at 1:50, so it was a little late.) About 6:30, Dr. Boyle came out and talked to me. He said she had a really big goiter on the one side, and the other side was more what he was expecting. In his experience, he said, the goiter looked benign, but they won't know for sure for a couple of days until the tests are done. He said Debbie would come home either on Tuesday or Wednesday. I got to see Deb for a while about 7:45, when she got to her room (Room 564, bed 2). She was sleeping most of the time, but was aware that Laura and I were there. We left around 8:30 pm. I'll be going up today to check on her and see when she is going to come home.
Thank you all for your prayers, and we'll see most of you on Saturday!

If you are desperately seeking Lenten reading, here's a list compiled by Amy Welborn from her readers. I've read many, but not most of the works. I can second the recommendationof 'In this House of Brede' by Rumer Godden, 'To Know Christ Jesus' by Frank Sheed, almost anything by C.S. Lewis.
Now I need to get to the bookstore!.

Well, I hate to say this, Joe & Lois, but it's about 19 degrees and snowing here. I've been watching Tiger Woods on TV and San Diego looks real nice about now. Everything got cancelled here today--Amanda's choir practice, Emily's and Caroline's basketball games--so we are having a nice snuggly day at home. Laura was supposed to leave for her senior Kairos retreat tonight at 5pm, but they have delayed it unitl 8 am tomorrow--she's disappointed, because it means one less night there. Oh, well--we just have to make due with what we get--I hope everyone else is well--Emily, Caroline, and Amanda are fighting some kind of sniffles/fever/cough illness, and feeling kind of tired.
Talk to you all later!...Tom

I just heard from Marianne that Uncle Bernie passed away yesterday evening (Sunday) at 5:40 pm. Visitation will be at Kutis in Affton from 2-9 pm on Tuesday, 2/4, with funeral Mass on Wednesday at 9:30 at St. Simon's.
May he rest in peace!

It's good to see everyone posting! Katie, apparently you neglected to click 'publish' after you posted, so I published your post for you. Let me know if you need any help.
Well, Laura and I left at 6:15 this morning to drive to Truman State University today--it's a 217 mile, 3.5 hour trip. Laura was going down to be interviewed as part of the competition for the General John J. Pershing scholarship--the most prestigious they offer! (Pardon my paternal bragging!) We had a good trip, the weather cooperated, not very cold, and no rain. Laura had her interview, and then we ate lunch with a Cor Jesu alum who is a sophomore at Truman now. She seems to like Truman a lot, says it is hard work but that she was well prepared by CJ. Laura met a girl from Bayless, also interviewing, who has French class with Amanda. Another girl interviewing for one of the scholarships is a girl Laura knows for Assumption Life team. Talk about old home week!
Whenever I go visit a college campus, I am ready to go back. I just love the academeic atmosphere (as a student!). I like the campus, it's pretty compact, and I would have no problems with Laura going there. Now she just has to wait and see what other offers come through. Please say a prayer that God will guide her to make a good choice. I'm really proud of my girl, and very happy for her. Talk to you all later.

heya folks, laura here! snow day today, although, i don't see why. it is barely snowing and the roads are not bad, seeing as how the street crews were out all night pre-treating them. but, i will not complain. no physics class today, no anatomy class, it's an even trade for missing study and design II. i'm between papers right now. just finished my lit paper, a literary memoir, and am taking a break before i start on my religion paper. all this and still working on scholarship applications. but it's not that bad. i know that i have a school (truman) where i will be going if i cannot get enough money other places, so it's a sense of relief -- i know i will be going somewhere next year. well, that's all for now, off to do more papers!

~laura

Hi, Amanda here. Happy New Year. Needless to say, things have been busy around here. I have finals next week. Laura is finishing off applications for scholarships. Emily and Caroline are studying Latin. I am going to start rehearsing with a chamber choir through the Variety Children's Chorus on Sunday. The Washington D.C. trip last month was a HUGE success!!!!! Again, happy New Year!!!