25 Years!

Happy 25th Anniversary to my hubby!  

I can't believe it's been 25 years already!  Time goes so fast, but I am thankful to have spent those years with my hubby.  Through the good times and the difficult times, the times of joy and the times of tears, the times of wins and losses, each is a blessing because they were shared with the man I love.  I am thankful to God for the gift of sharing life with a man who loves God, and loves me.  

Happy anniversary, babe!  Thanks for your love, laughter, strength, understanding, and grace.  

Happy Father's Day, Dad

A Godly Man walks in integrity and his children are blessed following him. 

Proverbs 20:7

Dad, your example is priceless.  Thank you for always being there us, for teaching us right from wrong, the importance of living a life of integrity and keeping our word.  Thank you for your example of how to have a Godly marriage and the love you have shown to mom for the past 47 years.  Thank you for being a man who follows God and taught us the importance of putting God first in our lives.  We love you! 

Happy Father’s Day!

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

The Proof of Your Love

This is one of my favorite new songs.  
Things I think about as I listen to this song....Does my life have proof that I am a follower of Christ?  Does my life have proof of His love?  Am I kind, loving, caring, understanding to those around me, even when they may push my buttons or disappoint me?  When I serve others, work in ministry, give to those around me, is it for the right reasons of giving it all because of Christ?  If my heart and motives aren't pure, and for the purpose of giving and living for Christ, then it's shallow, self-serving, and it brings burnout, hurt, and frustration.  However, when I keep the focus of all I do on Christ, then I know it has meaning and purpose because it's for Him.


THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE 

For King and Country

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breathe with every song
I bring, an empty voice
A hollow noise

If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste
With every word I say

So let my life be the proof
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You
And what You're made of
How you lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof
The proof of Your love

If I give to a needy soul
But don't have love then who is poor
It seems all the poverty
Is found in me

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song

Only love remains
Only love remains

Take Time

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.

Take time to honor those who gave their lives for your freedoms.

Take time to thank those who have served our country.  

Take time to thank and pray for those who are currently serving our country.  

Recently, I was in a store, and walked by a gentleman who had a Vietnam Veteran hat on.  As I walked by, I smiled at him, but quickly, turned around and went back, and thanked him for his service to our country.  He nodded his head at me, and thanked me back.  As I walked away, he began to follow me.  I turned to listen to his words, and as I did, I saw his eyes filling with tears.  He told me how he appreciated my stopping to thank him, that it's not something he hears often.  I shook my head, and said he deserved to be thanked for his service.  He went on to tell me how when he returned from Vietnam, three times, he was treated terrible.  People spit on him, called him horrible names, hated him, and even threatened his life.  He said he could not go anywhere wearing his uniform because of the hatred for service men and women during the Vietnam conflict.  By this time, my tears were joining his, but his turned to almost weeping, as he said "it wasn't our fault, we were just following orders, we didn't want to be there either, but we had to be."  I put my hand on his shoulder, as I watched a man in his 70's stand with tears streaming down his face, reliving the pain from the rejection of his country, like it was yesterday.  I told him I was deeply sorry for him, and others who went through that, and how it was so wrong for them to be treated that way.  We talked a little more, and he thanked me again for stopping to talk to him.  I said he didn't have anything to thank me for, he was the one who deserved the thanks.  He managed a partial grin, and thanked me a couple more times.  


I walked through the plumbing section of the store, trying to get a hold on my tears.  When I got out to my car, I called my husband to tell him about my experience.  At this time, my tears flowed as I thought of a country who rejected those who gave up their lives, either completely or partially, to fight in a war.  They deserved, and still do, thanks for their service, as do all service men and women in this country.  You may disagree with war, but our service men and women don't have a choice.  They have to go.  They deserve thanks.  I hope that those of you reading take time to purposefully thank our veterans and those currently serving our country, as they deserve honor for their sacrifices. 


To those who have served, or are serving, to their families, thank you!  You are appreciated and we remember your sacrifice.  

Super Moon

God put on an amazing show with the 'Super Moon.'  When it broke through the clouds here, it was bright and beautiful.  These images were captured over a three hour time frame.   

I Want To Live Like That...

Listening

Listening...we all want to be heard.  When we talk, we want someone to hear what we say, to really hear it, to hear our heart not just our words.  Do you take time to really listen?  Do you put aside everything you are busy with, the TV, your phone, your computer/iPad, iPod, household chores, whatever else has your attention to really listen to the loved ones in your life?  Do they feel like you care and are giving them the gift of your time, your attention, to really listen, to really hear them?  


Give the gift of listening...engaged listening. Listening is an active process involving far more than the ears, it also involves the eyes, heart, and your undivided attention. Take time to hear with your ears, observe with your eyes, and seek to understand others from your heart. Look around you.  Who can you give this most precious gift to today?  

Beauty at the Falls

We went to Falls Park to experience the raging waters, and we were treated with a beautiful sunset while we were there. 

"Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Oh, glorious day

He Is Risen

On The Way To The Cross