Giving Thanks

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I wanted to share some with you!

1. My Savior Jesus Christ

2. My husband Tom and our three daughters.

3. My Mom for never giving up and never ceasing to pray for me.

4. My Daddy. He is my hero.

5. My big sister Kim for always supporting and encouraging me.

6. Old friends Shelley, Kristie, Michelle, and the rest of my "posse"!

7. New friends whom God placed in my life at just the right time! Amy, Michael, Lori, Renee, Carrie, Tina. I thank God for you everyday!

8. A warm house and food to eat.

9. A dependable car.

10. My Mom for doing my laundry! She's a saint!

11. My in-laws who are always ready and willing to help me in a moments notice.

12. My church family for teaching me that a church can be healthy!

13. My MOPS Family

14. Health

15. My mentors Kathy Wright and Kathy Pendley.

16. Joleen's smiling face!

17. Amy's listening ear

18. Grace and Lilla's giggles

19. Makenzie's imagination

20. Taylor's loving heart

21. My cousins Robin, Roger, Barbie, Tammy

22. My Bible

23. My country

24. God's answered prayers

25. My down comforter!

26. Rich, who is always willing to help

27. My niece's Sydney and Emme for melting my heart when they call me "Auntie Shelley"

28. Todd, for just being Todd! You keep everything interesting!

29. Playdates in the park

30 Storytime at the library

31. The zoo and the Children's Museum

32. Vacation at the Dunes

33. My father and mother in law, Thom and Nancy, for letting us use their camper!

34. Family game nights and Movie nights

35. Listening to Gracie sing and dance

36. My Aunt Diane for always helping

37. My camera! (My girls think I am Paparazzi!)

38. Nights out with the girls

39. Shopping trips with Amy

40. Bobbie, for your generous spirit

41. Roadtrips with Amy

42. Patience and understanding

43. Children's Church

44. Gracie, for asking the Lord Jesus into her heart

45. Mera, for inspiring me to do more for the kingdom of God

46. Carrie for asking me to help baptize her

47. McDonald's Coke!

Veteran's Day

This year on Veteran's Day, we celebrated my fathers service in the United States Army. The girls made him posters and compiled lists of questions to ask him. I made him his favorite meal-pinto beans, meatloaf, sliced tomatos, friend potatoes. and corn bread. Sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen! When he arrived, he proudly layed out the photographs he cherished. The girls started asking him questions. Listening to them talk back and forth, I suddenly got a lump in my throat and stomach. It hit me, I never knew anything about this period of his life. I started thinking to myself, don't feel bad-he never talked about it. I stood there trying to justify my guilty feelings. Here I am 36 years old and I knew nothing about this part of his life. I quickly sat down and just took in what he was saying. The next thing I know, I started asking question after question. The girls could barely get a word in! I so enjoyed getting lost in the moment, just listening to him recall his days in Korea. He talked about how lonely he felt when he showed up for basic training. How he never felt so alone in his life. He talked about how he felt being drafted. He contimued to tell us about being on leave one weekend. Him and his buddies went to a local bar for a drink. The bartender told his friend to get out because he was colored. They all got up and left. They were serving their country but couldn't sit down together for a drink.

Pieces of my life started fitting together in ways they never could before. I suddenly understood my Dad a little more than ever before. Freedoms I take for granted were not so long ago against the law. I cannot imagine living in a country where I could not sit with my "colored" friends.

I learned a lot about my Dad that day. He truly is a wonderful man. I love him so much. I am so proud to call him my Daddy.