Thanksgiving

No turkey and dressing today. We had breakfast with family. It was nice. We did have chicken and rice for supper...There are many, many things I'm thankful for today and every day. I know Jesus died for my sins which is absolutely amazing and beyond understanding. I have a wonderful loving family who I love to hang out with. I was blessed with parents who loved God and loved each other. I have friends who encourage my walk with Christ, for which I'm very blessed. They don't mind at all chewing me out every now and then when I need it and it's for my benefit and those kind of friends are few and far between. Everyone needs those kinds of friends. There are way too many blessings to list, but I have a thankful heart and I hope that whoever reads this will take the time to count their blessings.

Psalm 100 (New International Version)
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Veteran's Day

Lloyd and Mary, are amazing people and dear friends. Lloyd was my pastor when I was a teen. He baptized me, got onto us during sermons for talking oh, and the passing notes thing...(it was only one note, Lloyd, really) and threw his glasses across the room once during a very spirited sermon :) They camped with our family, ate with our family, their children spent time at our home and my parents loved them dearly, as I do. They have been church planters in several places. They have been to Guam to work with the churches there. But one thing about them that stands way above all else is that they love Jesus passionately and have such a burden for lost people. I have seen God work in their lives for years and have seen Jesus in them.

They lost their son Josh in Iraq. I can't begin to imagine the hurt, confusion or shock of losing a child. Josh was an amazing person. He graduated West Point and loved this country. He also loved Jesus and it showed. As I've said, I love quotes and one from Josh is this..."It matters not if the world has heard or approves or understands...The only applause I am meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands." That's awesome! We should all have that mentality.

Mary is now a member of the Gold Star Moms http://www.goldstarmoms.com/. She is headed to Washington for a ceremony to be held on Veteran's Day at Arlington. She says it is such an honor to participate and be a part of that. I am thinking what an amazing woman she is to have the strength to do that. I'm sure she will be thinking of Josh. I'm sure he would be so proud of her.

I know Veteran's Day is not until Tuesday, but I had Josh on my mind today. I'm saying a prayer for Mary as she participates in this ceremony, and for all the families who have lost family members and friends in combat. I am reminding others to pray for our country. We are truly blessed to live in the USA. God is STILL in control.