The cares I am casting today...

These are personal...

My niece Alex, who wants to move back in with her aunt and dad and try to get away from trouble at home and at school.

• Praise God. She was, indeed, able to move in with her aunt (my sister) and dad (my brother). She is doing well in school since another brother lives in the town and his kids are good kids and quite popular.

My brother, for his employment and his need to succeed over his legal and financial troubles

• Praise God. He has been on the same contract assignment for several months and he was able to get insurance. He was also about to get a workout deal on his mortgage so his home is no longer in foreclosure. There are still vast health concerns for his wife so I continue to pray mightily for them.

My team, especially for Matt, that they will be lifted and encouraged and willing to "fight the good fight", and for Mark, that he might be aware of his flaws and work to fix them before they cost him his job, and for our new manager, Vicki, that she might immediately see her role as a leader.

• Praise God. We are doing all right. We won our new contract. It is now January 2008 and we are enjoying the camaraderie of a team "fat off" (diet contest). We resumed our happy hours together at a Chili's restaurant yesterday, after a few weeks "off" due to the holidays. On this new contract, we are moving into a new building and that will take place in early February. Work is still very tough, we are very stressed. As the technical manager, I am trying to manage workflow and help prevent problems and I always ask God to help me in that. But a change is as good as a rest and I'm grateful.

For my sister, always, that she will be protected and lifted and able overcome. Oh, she is faithful!

For my middle brother, that he will have joy in his life

For my little brother, that he will be protected in his travels and in his job, especially, especially in his job, and that his family will be cared for

For my friend Patti, that her husband will continue to get well and to be able to help more with financial and household responsibilities, and that she will have many opportunities to take photographs and earn enough to support her seven children. What a great heart she has, how I love her and pray for her!

• Praise God. Her husband is quite ill, more bad days than good, but there are major changes in the family dynamic, more of the kids helping. Patti has her own studio and gets frequent photography jobs. I have enjoyed a monthly breakfast with her, early on an occasional Saturday morning, before the family is up and about. It makes me feel good that a friend with seven kids has time for me, someone who is single! And she enjoys visiting with me -- we used to work together in Relief Society.

For Starla, for continued healing of her cancer and relief of her pain, and praise for giving her hope. Please help her to continue to earn a little extra money so that she has enough for co-pays.

For myself, for success and protection and victory on this tough, tough day [court]. It's a big care and it's a problem of my own doing. Please forgive me and help me to come to a workable conclusion.

• Praise God. It has been too long since I updated. Court was no big deal at all and yes, I found the documents I needed, much worry about nothing. I made a reasonable payment arrangement and as of this writing, that debt is entirely paid off. My finances are still overcommitted but after a while, you outlast all the debtors and come out the victor. No foreclosure, no bankruptcy. It's all getting done. House is out of mortgage trouble, IRS has a workout deal. It will yet be several months (after eight years) of tight finances but the end is in sight.

And thank you for a neighbor who cut my fallen tree limb and bundled them, and for showing me how to use plumbers tape and work with my washing machine line. Please help me to get it working and to fix the bathtub and the kitchen sink, too, and to find a good way to repay my neighbor.

• Praise God for this neighbor. I have been shoveling their walks for them during snow season by way of repayment for helping with my fallen tree limbs and then the fall leaves.

For Sheila, help her to find security and happiness in her employment.

• See my later prayer experiment. She has turned in notice at her job and things are changing, hopefully for the better.

For Corrie, for her protection. Help me to be alert to her needs.

And just help me to find the documents I need this morning.

Thank you!