Happy Thanksgiving!

I am truly grateful this Thanksgiving.

Even though we will not be with family...
Even though that includes my oldest 3 boys...
Even though the economy looks bleak...
Even though we live 1000 miles from our nearest relatives...
Even though we live 3000 miles from the most distant relatives...
Even though I miss having my boys terribly...

I am truly grateful this Thanksgiving!

Because I serve a Great God...
Because He has healed my broken heart this past year...
Because I have a loving husband...
Because I have 4 awesome boys whom I am very proud of...
Because I have some wonderful friends who laugh and cry with me...
Because I will be spending the day with some of those friends...
Because God provides for ALL of my need...
AND...
Because I learned the meaning of Matthew 22:39 this year...

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

I discovered that to love my self is a godly thing to do. I never understood this verse in the Bible before. I actually thought it was an awful thing to do. By the grace of God, today I know what it means to love your neighbor as your self., and that is a wonderful gift from my Savior!

I want to pray God's abundant blessing for each of you today! Be blessed and bathed in the love of God this Thanksgiving Day!

Today We Celebrate our Independance

And the Rockets Red Glare...
The Bombs Bursting in Air... Gave Proof Through the Night...
That Our Flag Was Still There...

We didn't go anywhere to see fireworks tonight, but a few people in the neighborhood were having some fine displays. We walked to the corner to get a better view. The displays were from two opposing vantage points and only lasted 10 or 15 minutes altogether.

When we were living in Korea we had the opportunity, on Halloween, to go see a fabulous 1 1/2 hour firework display. What I noticed after the evening was over is that while they were beautiful, they did not evoke the emotion I usually experience when watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

So tonight I am thankful for our Independence and when I see the fireworks I am reminded of the sacrifices made by so many men 230 years ago so we could be free today.

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

and

GOD BLESS YOU

Blessings and Sunsets!

My friend blessed us with a Gift Certificate for "Dinner for Two" at the Texas Roadhouse. I had a headache that was not going away today, so after a trip to the chiropractor we put the address into the GPS and this is what the three of us had for aonly a little more that the price of fast food. Very Yummy!

On the way home the sunset was stunning! I had a hard time getting a picture going down the highway at 70mph through a dirty windsheild. (I was not driving.) This was the best shot I got. Enjoy!

We Were Blessed this Weekend!

I gave our boys their first trampoline for Christmas in 1995. We have had 3 of them. The mat wore our on the first one. The frame on the second one was warped in a wind storm when it flew 50 feet up in the air and about 100 yards away. It lasted for a couple more years, but the stress was increased on one of the leg joints and the metal tore over time. We sold our third one in April 2004 right before we moved to Seoul, South Korea. We told our son we would get another one when we moved back to the United States. We came to Massachusetts in July 2006, but could not have one on the base. After Willy retired from the Air Force last fall we have not had the extra funds to splurge on one.
Saturday we received this trampoline for free through our local Craig's List! It was raining so we put it in the garage. Today our son was recovering from a stomach virus, but asked if we would put it up so he could play on it tomorrow when he was feeling better. He went out with his pillow and laid on it for a little while. Hopefully he will be back to his normal active self in the morning!