thankful -30

Today I am thankful for a new friend.  In addition to that, I am thankful for an old friendship that has been renewed.  I am also thankful for a long term relationship that has blossomed into a friendship. 

I am thankful for the ways that we can feel about others in our hearts.  I am thankful for the warmth, the joy and the hope that love and care can bring to a person's life.

If you take stock of your life and find no friends, then it is time to start looking.  Start working on you, and start reaching out.  If a man would have friends, he must show himself to be friendly.  Somewhere out there, there is a friend for you.  When you find each other, it is a great joy and it is well worth the work.  But it is sometimes work to find and build a friendship.  There is no time like the present to start the effort.  You will be glad that you did.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 29

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.  I don't believe in circumstances.  The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them."
George Bernard Shaw

The central question to happiness and contentment in this life is the choice that we make every day to focus on what is wrong, or to focus on what is right.  On any given day, there is often something wrong, but there is always something right.  The choice of perspective is ours and it makes all the difference in the world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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Today I am thankful for release.  The ability to release others from bondage.  To free them in my heart.

Someone hurt you.  Someone said something about you.  You are worried about someone.  There are so many ways that we get all tied up inside about another person.

You can choose to let them go.  To free them.  To forgive them.  To no longer count their sins against them.  You have the power to do this.  And when you do, how happy are you!  How happy am I when I no long hold a grudge.  Love keeps no record of wrongs.

If your heart is truly free, it is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful 27

As I sit here on this chili morning, I am thankful for Spring.  It's not here, and it won't be here for a while, but I am looking forward to it.  My feet are cold!

Now while  I am looking forward to Spring, I am not going to look forward to it so much that I ruin the rest of Fall and Winter.  Fall is good and Winter is ok, but I am thinking that Spring is looking good to me right now.

The cycle of life and death, the cycle of renewal that God has placed in creation is absolutely wonderful.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.  Don't wait for Spring to see the good.

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from a friend-

Here is what I am thankful for today. Every morning I read one or more devotionals written by people who do not know me but cared enough about me to want me to grow spiritually and to see the joy in this part of our eternal journey. That list includes all those who labor behind the scenes and publicly to make our spiritual lives more rewarding (and easier in many ways). Included are the authors of the Bible and those who worked to make it available to everyone. Now for the point of my reading today. A couple I have read about for years both recently went thru cancer and achieved remission. The husband’s cancer is back. His wife, an author in one of my devotionals, described a recent visit to the doctor. She told the doc her husband was using the word “hopeless” a lot recently. The doctor shut his office door, looked the husband in the eye and said “your attitude is the biggest ally you have right now. You need to understand each day is a gift you can chose to open or not. I want to you to end each day by thinking of one reason why you were glad you were alive that day. You will be surprised how many reasons you find.” Today I’m grateful for the doctor, his advice (which I’m going to try), and for everyone who takes the time to share their spiritual thoughts with me and the world. What a gift!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 25

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have relit the flame within us."
Albert Schweitzer

And so I am thankful for you, for each of you.  Because although you may not know it, you have relit the flame of my life.  Your handshake, your hug, your voice, your smile.  You caring enough to take time to read this.  You have had a profound influence on my life, on my heart.  And as your caring has touched my journey, so you have great power in this life to bless others.

I am grateful for you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful still

"Saying thank you is more than good manners, it is good spirituality." 
Alfred Painter

I have believed in God my entire life.  I have believed in Jesus as long as I can remember.  There was a time that I thought I was something because I believed.  Then I became grateful. 

Gratitude adds an element to one's spirituality that makes it all about God again.  Gratitude tends to clean out the self and make room for the Spirit.

Of all of God's gifts, gratitude may be the one thing that sets our lives into proper balance.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 23

from a reader -

Things I am thankful for- Cinnamon-the fragrance warms a home. It is medicinal, a weight loss aid, and it tastes so good!  Always a reminder of simpler things, thoughts of home and family.

 

Holding a new baby, listening to the tiny grunts, the cries, smelling the sweet breath, envisioning a bright future; hope in a tiny perfect bundle.

 

Sailing on water;  deep sea fishing, whale watching, or cocktails with friends on the lake. How beautiful to feel the wind in your face, and warmth at your back.

 

Hot air balloons over California vineyards. Swooping down into the valley to grab a bunch of grapes then back up 500 feet. The pristine quiet aloft as you hear everything on the ground below.

 

A solid relationship with my grown children!  God has blessed us in pure joy!  We like traveling together, and meet twice a week to enjoy each others company. And they often bring their friends along.

 

Singing to someone; Happy Birthday, a lullaby, or a praise song to My Father.

 

Hands, all the hands that have served me in the big and the small things. Mother, Father, brother, doctor, nurse, lawyer, friend, wait staff, communion servers, cleaning, Christmas lights, lawn care, pastor, chef, police, fire, neighbors, Aunties, grandmother and husband, my husbands beautiful hands.

 

it' a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful

Today is thanksgiving.  I could write about so many things.  But I am going to write about what is on my heart today.  I am thankful for my children.  Today for the first time in years, I woke up and they were here in my house.  I love that!  They are so funny and so smart.  They are young, and beautiful and they have a start at life, a shot at life, the ability to do better than I have done.

They all three have better jobs than I did at their ages.  They have fewer worries, fewer voices in their heads, and we love each other.  I am the most fortunate man, I am the most fortunate father.  I am thankful, with tears running down my face for my children, Alli 25 - Jenny 23 and Scott - 21.

Now there are lots of other things that I am thankful for as well, but I love my kids, we will talk about the rest of thankful things in the days to come.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am thankful today for the songs of faith that sometimes roam around in my head.  They seem to find a way down into my heart.   There is nothing better than to find myself singing off and on, all day the words to a great tune.

"This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.  This is my Father's world, O let me nere forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet."

or how about this one-

"Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices.  Who wondrous works has done, in whom this world rejoices.  Who from our mother's arms, has blessed us on our way, with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today."

I love it!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 20

from a reader -

I am thankful…

I am thankful he chose to dwell in my heart.

I am thankful for his presence when each day starts.

I am thankful for the smell of flowers, and the smell of hay. The smell of a barn, where the baby Jesus lay.

I am thankful for sparrows and how birds fly.

I am thankful for clouds way up in the sky.

I am thankful for water that quenches our thirst.

And I am thankful for fireworks  and how they burst.

I am thankful for trees and all they provide.

For their leaves and shade and a place for animals to hide.

I think it is awesome how tall some trees grow.

How they give nuts and fruit to feed the kingdom so.

Another thing that is simply amazing is how paper For the pages of the Bible, also comes from trees!

His Word is to guide us and teach us about living.

His Presence is found there and fills me with praising. For wood to build things, like the ark and the manger the baby Jesus laid in.

For firewood to keep warm and the frames of the homes we live in.

I am also most thankful for the cross that was made For the taking of sins so we can live with him today. 

I am thankful for friendships and people to love.

I thank God for the pilgrims and to see a morning dove.

I am thankful for neighbors who live close by.

I am thankful for schools and the flags that they fly.

I thank God for our eyesight, and how both eyes work.

I am thankful for ears and the way God made animal’s ears perk.

I am thankful for laughter, when things are funny.

Smiles and giggles and bees who make honey.

I am thankful for life and the way God chose it to start.

In the womb of our mothers where HE formed our heart.

I am thankful for snow when everything is white, A gift from heaven is snowflakes that glisten in the light.

Reminds me of another gift that came down from above, The precious Holy Spirit that fills our hearts with His love.

 

I love it when it rains, I love it when it snows.

I love the sound of thunder and how the lightening glows.

I love and adore and thank God for his Son.

Jesus…the Holy Spirit, the trinity…three in one.

I am thankful for the cross and the plan God had made How Jesus died there for us and then rose from the grave.

I thank God for family, and that I am his friend.

I am thankful for Jesus and the Holy Spirt, He did send.

He is faithful to all who will trust and obey.

My heart is so full of his love when I pray.   

 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 19

this one is from me.

I am thankful for forgiveness.

For the chance to learn it's importance.  For the ability to give it to others.  The air is always clearer when there is a drenching rain of forgiveness.

I am also thankful for those who have forgiven me.  There are more than I know of.  Think of that.  There are more people that have forgiven you, than you even know.  I have wounded others and didn't even know it, and they forgave me.

We all receive much more grace than we can know.  And so I am thankful for forgiveness.  Given and received.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful -18

This one is from me-

I am thankful that sometimes I don't get what I deserve.  Jesus died on the cross to bear my sin.  Instead of judgment, I have been forgiven.  We get love and freedom, when we deserved something else.

The other night I was heading up to meet someone at La Fluente.  I was running late so I was in a hurry.  I am in the median, in that little strip waiting to turn left into the Price Chopper parking lot.  There is a good deal of traffic.  I see an opening coming in the cars that I can turn through.  I also notice that the car coming up is speeding up, almost as if they are trying to close the gap so I won't make the turn.

Here comes the opening, here I go.  I make it through, but it is much closer than I thought, and it was a very dangerous thing for me to do.  Even careless and imprudent.  It was dark that time of night, so it wan't until I was pulling through that I noticed that the car that was closing on me was...... a police car.

I rushed through the parking lot, another dangerous move, parked, turned off the lights, and headed in.  I watched for a while to see if a cruiser was lurking around looking for a brown truck.  The police car never came back.  I dodged a bullet.

Sometimes we deserve something, and we get something else.  So I am thankful today for good fortune and for God's amazing love and grace- all undeserved.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 17

Shared by a reader -

I thank God for my son’s disabilities.  He was born January 6th and has been my Epiphany baby in more ways than one. I will condense our story by saying that my son’s disabilities have led us down a twisting path of incredible disappointment and devastating pain.  We face daily challenges ranging from life threatening situations, to less than supportive family members, a hostile school environment, financial challenges to emotional breakdowns.  Every time we took a step forward, we would be handed a new diagnosis, a new challenge. But at each moment when I don’t think I can handle it, God has shown us the way. 

I've never been more challenged in every conceivable way.  There have even been times when I questioned if life was worth living.  How could God keep letting life deal this innocent child blow after blow? I often find myself at the absolute end of my rope.  But then I open my eyes, and see God has shown me unbelievable opportunity to grow, to teach, to help, to get involved.  He has given me a luxurious struggle.  

I have grown in ways I never knew possible.  I've learned what selflessness means.  I've learned what commitment means.  I've learned what sacrifice means. 

I've learned how to appreciate the smallest joys of just getting through the day.  

I thank God for an otherwise more than comfortable life.  I thank God that I have the resources to afford to leave our school district.  I thank God I have the time and skills to run a support group to help others find their way.  I thank God for a nice car to use to get to various therapy sessions.  I thank God that I have good insurance to cover the various doctors’ appointments.  I thank God that I have a degree in education and can help my son get the resources he needs.  I thank God that I have a supportive husband and friends who “get it”.   I thank God for my son, no matter the challenges that come along with being his mom, every day of my life.  My Epiphany baby has taught me, more than anyone in the world, about being a Christian and becoming closer to and trusting in God.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful -16

from a reader -

I am grateful for the pets I've had in my life. I am grateful for the unconditional love they give. The first one I really remember was a poodle that Santa brought me several weeks before Christmas when I was 5. Heidi was such a good sport- she let me dress her up in doll clothes and would set in the doll high chair while I fed her pretend food. I also had a pretty white kitten, a pet goat (Nanny) that wasn't supposed to be a pet, several turtles, a really fat male mouse that, come to find out, wasn't fat... Or a male. (15 baby mice popped out of that thing!). Into adulthood, I had Maisy, the sweetest Rottweiler in the world, and Keesha, who had doggie-heimers. Having them put down was almost unbearable. It took two years before I'd even consider getting another pet, but I finally gave in. My Husband wanted another Rottie, and I didn't want one at all- so we compromised and got a baby Chihuahua named Bella. :) 9 months later... We got a second one named Bear. Bella & Bear (with a combined weight of 6 pounds) are the happiest and most loving little puppy dogs! When I come home they are so excited to see me. They make me feel 110% loved. Pets are sweet little 'extras' God created... not out of need for survival, but simply to bless us.

Dear God, thank you for the sweet creatures you made that we call 'pets'.

What are you thankful for?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 15

From one of our readers..........

I am thankful for marriage, the opportunity to build 2 lives into one entity, something greater than each of us separately.

Rest, in the arms of a friend, a lover or my Father.

For a heart that loves.  To be able to extend a hand in friendship because I only want to love them. 

Light-sunlight, moonlight, starlight, electric light, candlelight, firelight. All beautiful, all different, all creating a different perspective. 

The American Soldier-some gave because they had to, some because they wanted to, and some gave it all, just as Christ did, so that I can be comfy cozy in my life. God, shake up my life!  Give me discomfort, that I might recognize need in others.

The human brain-gosh how I enjoy conversations with creative and positive thinkers. And the inventions that bring so much to my life, electricity, that brought radio, television, computers, IPad, ovens, microwaves, washing machines, clothes dryers.  And then there's tFal, and crock pots, and food processors!

what are you thankful for?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 14

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for the ability to think.  To examine how and why I do things.  To pray to God about how I might need to think and act differently.  Thinking and examining my life keeps me on the road to being closer to God.   I am thankful for the ability to think.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 13

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am grateful for my mom. She is the kind of mom that always makes you feel loved. Never have I doubted that she loves me, and that's what I have always hoped that's boys could say about me. No matter what- I know my mom will always love me. She's always been there for me and I know that she would do anything she could to help me. Mom has had more than her share of hardships, but she continues to push forward and be grateful for the things in her life. She's never stopped learning new things, and she never gives up. She doesn't hold on to grudges and she isn't bitter. A lot of people get grumpier as they get older, but not my mom. She becomes more content, more understanding, and less judgmental all the time. She's my mom, and I love her much!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 12

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I'm not even sure where to begin. My heart is so filled with gratefulness to God for so many, many things.  Today, I am grateful for life. I'm grateful for the emotions (all of them!) that make me feel alive. So today, I won't complain about getting older... For it sure beats the alternative! ;)

Dear God, thank you for giving me my life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Thankful -11

From a reader -

I'm thankful that in the midst of God's apparent silence...sometimes over an extended period of time as I continually lay my nagging unanswered prayer before Him, He moves in such a way that I am aware He hears and is being God, even in my situation.

His answer to my prayer, as it comes, will be better than giving me what I ask. I am asking for the bad in my life to stop. God is crafting my story...and it's about Him, not me.

The reason I am frustrated with His "answer and timing" is because I'm more like me than Him. But, the more time I spend with Him...I suspect the more like Him I may become. One day, I'll come to think like Him...perhaps not soon, but one day. Then, I'll look back and bless His name for not "answering" my prayer by giving me my wish. Rather, on that day, my wish will be for His answer.

So, I'm thankful for a Father that cares more about my future than my appetite this hour. There's a peace that comes with trusting God. Bad things in life become manageable in a peace-filled place.

So, today I'm thankful for peace. That's a pretty awesome answer to prayer.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 10

from a reader-

I am thankful for change!  That sounds very strange coming out of my mouth, because I resist change at every opportunity.  I never move the furniture, switch out pictures or holiday decor.  I am the girl who sat on the third floor of my high school on my last day before graduation crying, because things would never be the same again.  I stayed in a destructive marriage because I didn't want to get divorced, worked at the same company for 30 years and have mourned excessively when loved ones have died.  So how can I possibly be thankful for change?

Every once in a while I have a moment of clarity and realize that life may not be going in the right direction for me.  I start to see options instead of rigidity, light instead of darkness, hope in place of despair.  I like to say that I see the stepping stones in the pond.  Suddenly big changes are possible, moving half way across the country, going to nursing school, getting a new job, finding my Lord and Savior.  I know now that these changes are fueled by his Holy Spirit.

So now I see that I have actually moved from point A to point B.  I HAVE CHANGED!!  It still scares me, but it lets me know that I am alive and that God will be with me all through the stages of change.  He knows that I am afraid, but he does not leave me.  It is through Jesus that I can be thankful for change.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful -9

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for people that are not afraid to do the right thing.  They seem to have the ability to step into difficult moments with poise.  I am thankful that they are not destroyed by opposition or anger.  I am thankful that their perseverance usually pays off. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful -8

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for all of the good that can come to us in life, out of circumstances we would not choose.  Many of you know that my bride of 45 years went home to be with Jesus in August.  While the blessings in such a struggle that lasted 4 months, may seem to be overshadowed by the struggle, in my life that is simply not so.  I am thankful that I saw the church really become the hands and feet of the Christ.  While those times of ministry to me and my family were from mostly my WCC family, God chose to use many others in the roll He has given each of us, from His greater church.  Care givers that really care, medical professionals that were assigned to bring "bad news" and did it with such grace and mercy.  No matter what was going on at the time, there was someone who genuinely wanted to help in some way, so they did.  I have said many times, since Lynn passed on that it was such a blessing to see the church be the church as God intended!  From the prayer at mealtime of a preschooler expressing to God his hope for Lynn's suffering to end, another preschooler who wanted to "sing to Lynn" and did, to the many who reached out to our family in so many ways, God was glorified and I am truly grateful.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving Celebration and tell your spouse each day that you love him or her.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 7

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

Gratitude

I am thankful for my Lord and my God-to know He is mine, He is always there, a comfort beyond all boundaries, my encourager. 

For the fruits of the Holy Spirit, especially joy.  To be joyful in all circumstances.

For music; it stirs my soul.

For color;  and the eyes to see it!  But I think if I were blind, my mind’s eye would still see it.

For a sense of humor; being able to find the irony in our humanity! ;)

For self discipline.

For each sunrise; a clean slate for me, and all the world.

For the gift of prayer; an open communication with my Abba, for myself and to pray for others. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 6

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for the life of prayer.  For the ways that I am learning to not just live, but to think about my living.  I love this quote from Meister Eckhardt -

"What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action."

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thanksgiving - 5

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

Jeff, I was feeling down and worried today. Thinking about how we were going to be able to deal with some issues. Thinking about what we don't have. Then I saw this and I stopped and started thinking about what I do have that I am grateful for. I am grateful for a good husband who is my friend as well. I am grateful for our two beautiful, amazing, daughters. I am grateful for our two dogs who can always make me smile and feel loved. God sure knew what he was doing when he created those "pure" little beings who only want to love and be loved. Well they like to eat a lot too, but their needs are few. I am grateful that I have a church family that I dearly love. I am grateful that I know I can have 3 meals today if I choose. I am grateful I have a home to go to and a 12 year old car that runs well and i still love it. I am grateful that i have health and no serious pains. I could go on and on for quite some time about what I have that I am grateful for. Even though it doesn't make my current problems go away, it made me feel so much better to think about all the wonderful "things" I do have in my life. The list of what I have and am grateful for is much longer than the list of things I don't have.  Thank you. Sometimes we just need a little prompting to remember. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 4

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful that God's wisdom is so much more complete than mine. I pray that my focus will always be on understanding this, every day. It is such folly to think that we are the best person to guide our way through this life on earth.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 3

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

Thanks for the chance to do some evaluation about our lives.   I am most of all thankful to two young college men at a small Catholic collage in Montana who brought their room-mate home with them in 1940.  But most of all I am grateful to them for asking me to be his blind date to go to hear Tommy Dorsey play at the Wandamere  Ball Room on Thanksgiving eve.  It ended in a marriage which took place in 1947 and is still going strong 66 years later.  While, like any marriage, it has had its stress and sadness and struggles,  it has been filled with blessings "pressed down and flowing over" and that is the thing I am most grateful for this Thanksgiving --- and every day of my life. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful - 2

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for. To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email. Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for the selfless decision our daughter's birth parents made a little over 7 years ago in deciding to let us adopt her from the day she was born.  I wake up every morning thankful to be a mom!  After waiting over five years for this to happen and enduring many heartaches, hearing her sweet voice makes my heart smile.  My husband & I are truly blessed.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

thankful -1

During November, I hope to post something from each of you about what you are thankful for.  To participate, simply post a comment or send me an email.  Here is today's testimony of thanksgiving, from a reader of this blog-

I am thankful for my parents, they don't come any better than my Mom and Dad. I was raised in an average American home with 3 brothers and both a Mom and Dad in the house. My Mom and Dad were children during the Depression. Mom was 16 when she married my Dad then 20 after only knowing each other for about 6 weeks. My Dad was drafted just days later and served in the Korean war. WIthin 9 years they had 4 children. My Dad worked hard and Mom managed the house. They raised us to be honest, independent, resourceful, God fearing and to make the best of bad situations. My mom saw the good in everyone . They got to know our friends, they took us to church, they were Scout leaders, pack mothers, camp fire leaders, softball coaches, Sunday School teachers,MYF Leaders you get the picture. They attended probably every event any of us were ever in. They were always there. When i came home at night no matter how late i knew my Mom would be there to greet me and find out how my day/evening went. We played board games and card games together all the way through high school.. My Mom helped us with our English and History and Dad helped us with our Math and Science homework. We went to drive-in movies, wathced tv and ate popcorn, went fishing, made homemade icecream and ate dinner at home together. We were spoiled with love, rather than things.

As we all got married and moved away my parents continue to be there for us, our spouses, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They have spent time a great deal of time with each of their 18 grandchildrent individually. They know them, and each of the Grandchildren know Grandma and Grandpa are there for them! They treat everyone equally whether spouse, step, or adopted. They continue to be heavily involved in their church. They have become parents to some of our spouses who no longer have parents. They do things for people in need. My Mom still sees the best in people. When we have each gone through tough situations, they were there to support us and cheer us on. We still have a yearly get-together for Christmas and for the most part the entire extended family is there. Dad retired from KCP&L after 30 years. He worked hard and earned his way up the ladder. We affectionately call Mom the food-pusher. If you are at their house you are going to get fed whether you are hungry or not. She is a great cook.

My Dad turned 80 in August. He has had a lot of health issues over the years. He just got out of the hospital last week after a 2 week stay. In December of last year he spent the entire month in the hospital (and yes we all were there on Christmas to see him). But they keep going.
You will still find Mom and Dad at the church,either singing in the Choir, cooking for pancake breakfasts, or participating in some commitee or event..Dad as well still serves at military funerals. They are busy. If anyone of us asks them to come to an event, they will be there.

In just a few weeks my Mom and Dad will celebrate their 60th anniversary. They have been an example of Christs love on this earth in action.
I am blessed beyond belief to have them as parents. Parents don't come any finer than the set God gave to me.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.