The End Of 2012

The end of the year has come and it's already the final post of this great year.  When I typed my first post an entire year seemed quite long but I wanted so badly to write about and focus on the positive things that happen in our lives.  My intention was to talk about the good things that people are doing and the touching acts of kindness that would impact my life and the lives of those around me.  I hope that I have sufficiently displayed that there is a lot of good going on and that just because our society highlights many of the negative things doesn't mean that those are the only things that are really happening.
Take every opportunity to seek out the joyous things of life and go out of your way to do something for somebody else that will bring the love and true happiness into their life.  It not only blesses the person that you serve but your life is also blessed for your kindness.
I end this year with an experience of my own.
Not too long ago a man approached me.  This was a man who by the world's standards was poor and without anything of worth.  His clothes were tattered and the filth of his way of living was obvious.  That didn't matter at all to me.  He needed something and I listened to him as he uttered the desires of his heart.  He was hungry and he asked for some money to purchase a meal that would satisfy him for a time.  I gladly gave.  His response was sincere and he walked away.  My mind thought about many things with regards to this lonely man.  I thought about his way of life.  He understood poverty but not just because he had no food to eat, it ran much deeper.  Did he have a family who was living this sad way of life or was he literally all alone?  These were the thoughts that raced through my mind.
In 2013, I ask that each of us please try to do everything in our power to help in every way we can.  Let it not be a question of whether you can help rather the opportunity to help where you can.  Even a tiny bit of help goes a long way.
Welcome to the end of 2012 and welcome to a new year of refreshment and newness.  It's going to be a fantastic year and the blessings that we see will be life-changing. 
I love my life!  Thanks for spending a small part of my life with me through this daily work.  It's truly blessed my life.

There Are Always 'Firsts'

Tonight was a night of a 'first' that doesn't even seem possible to me.  Danny and I went and watched Brady play in his first church basketball game.  He has been waiting for this time to come for sometime and it finally got here.
There are a lot of boys on the team and everybody got a chance to play and enjoy the game.  I watched Brady and thought about how quickly time has sped by since I was his age and was experiencing the same fun time that he is currently having.
This is just one of many other 'firsts' in life.  I am thankful for these times and I hope that I will always enjoy 'the moment' that these experiences offer.
Life is full of wonderful moments and I challenge everybody who reads this to take the time to enjoy the journey of the many moments that bless your life.
It was a joy to watch the happiness and contentment that Brady wore on his face.  He was in the moment and the memories he made tonight with be life-long ones.

The Thing I Look Forward To

Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy being home with Becky and our kids?  I am grateful for good employment but at the end of the day, I like to go home.

I spoke with a man who found that a little boring and somewhat strange that I could be so ‘tied’ to home and family.  I expressed to him the feeling of complete satisfaction that I gain from the peace that is there.

I believe that you can feel that same way if you don’t already have that feeling in your life.

I recall as a young boy the feeling of safety that filled my heart because of the stability and the love that was shown by my parents. 

The happiness I feel comes from that same kind of stability and a love that is unmatched.  I’m grateful to have a sweet wife and a family I adore!

Music Teaches

A song came to my mind that caused me to reflect on my childhood days gone long ago.  They were such happy times for me and I feel exceptionally grateful for the way I was raised.  “When we’re helpful, we’re happy and we sing as we go.  For we like to help mother cuz we all love her so.  When we’re helpful, we’re happy and we sing as we go.  For we like to help father cuz we all love him so.”

I am grateful for my life and I appreciate the things I was taught and can now implement in my own child rearing opportunity.

Sing A Song

We went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, last night, to see the beautiful Chinese lantern display all lit up.  It was stunning! 
Some friends of my brother and sister-in-law were also there with us.  One of the young boys in the family has autism.  He is such a nice ten year-old.  Toward the end of the night, the young boy approached me and asked me what song I liked to sing.  I told him that I liked to sing, "We Thank Thee, O God For a Prophet."  That is a favorite church song that I have liked since I was a young boy.  It's lyrics are enlightening and hopeful to my soul.

"We thank thee, O God for a prophet, to guide us in these latter days.  We thank thee for sending the gospel, to lighten our minds with it's rays.  We thank thee for every blessing, bestowed by thy bounteous hand.  We feel it a pleasure to serve thee.  And love to obey thy commands.  When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us, and threaten our peace to destroy.  There is hope smiling brightly before us, and we know that deliv'rance is nigh.  We doubt not the Lord nor His goodness.  We've proved Him in days that are past.  The wicked who fight against Zion will surely be smitten at last.  We'll sing of His goodness and mercy, we'll praise Him by day and by night.  Rejoice in His glorious gospel and bask in it's life giving light.  Thus onto eternal perfection the honest and faithful will go.  While they who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know."

Each one of us has a song whose lyrics touch our very soul.  When your heart is troubled, those lyrics will act as a strength.  This young ten year-old reminded me of a favorite song and my heart is enlightened today.