Lisa Zahn

While we're all praying for our neighbors to the north, in Moorhead, Minn. and Fargo, N. Dakota today, I thought I'd share some photos I took yesterday of the Mighty Mississippi right here in St. Cloud. We live just a 1/2 mile from the river, on very high banks so we don't worry about flooding at all, but it's amazing to go down and see the river so swollen and rushing right now. These are taken across the river from St. Cloud State University, and you can see there's a dam here where it's fascinating to watch all that water pouring over. Even many yards away I could feel the cold mist on my face. It's heartening to see all the people working hard in Fargo/Moorhead trying to keep those rivers at bay. Three rivers converge at that spot, and they've got their work cut out for them. As the river crests today at levels never before seen , keep the folks up there in your thoughts and prayers please! (click on the words above for the story)

Elijah turned 12 yesterday. All my friends are astonished he's twelve already, but you know for me this birthday wasn't as hard to grasp as when he turned, say, two or ten. I'm liking having kids who are 10 and 12. They're fairly responsible, and can be more independent. And, they can babysit themselves now so George and I can go out on dates! Like the art crawl we went on last Friday night, or dance parties like we're going to this Friday night. Ten and twelve-year olds are also really silly, and these two get along with each other much of the time. (Elijah still hates to show his face in pictures, but for his birthday one he knew there would be no cake until the photo was taken!) Below is a cartoon drawn the other night by our very artistic boy. He's got the best sense of humor of any kid I've ever known...