What Phase Am I On?

Our family enjoys playing card games. There are many games that require some sort of 'scoring' system to keep track of who wins at the end of the game. When Becky and I play we never keep score. We just like to play games to have fun and enjoy each other's company. Several years ago, we had an evening where we invited our friends over to our home to have an evening of games. We pulled out Phase 10 and began to set up to play the game. Our good friend asked if we had a sheet of paper to keep score on. Becky stated that we never kept score. Our friend looked at Becky and asked. "Why even play the game?"
We have laughed about that moment in time. We're just funny that way. I already know that Becky is a great person and I don't need her to beat me at a game to prove her worth to me.
It is my opinion that life is the same way. Who is really keeping score? I believe that I am in charge of keeping track of how I do and not anybody else. Becky and I do have responsibility to teach and give guidance and direction to our children.

We Will Go On

It is a fact that when our wives and mothers are 'down for the count' the house just doesn't feel quite the same.  That's how it feels at our house.  Becky injured her knee and it has a potentially lengthy recovery time.  I am so grateful for those who take the time to inquire about how she is doing.  Those are our true friends, for which we are eternally grateful.
I want our children to know how much I love and adore them.  They are such great kids, who are trying to do what's right every single day.  I love all four of you.  Thank you for all that you do.
With the combined effort of our family, we are able to see this 'hick-up' through and all will be well. 
Families are amazing and we are so grateful for ours!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday, America!
What a rich blessing it is to live in a land of freedom.  I am thankful, on this day, for the blessings that I have.

I love our national anthem.  Whenever it is sung, tears come to my eyes and I am filled with gratitude.

"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
(Francis Scott Key)

May God continue to bless this land that we love.  If we do our part, I know He will do His.

I'll Go, Even Give My Life

I talked with a friend who told me about the news of the death of a cousin, in Afghanistan. My heart felt saddened by his loss. I have thought about this man's ultimate sacrifice. I can't help but think about the happiness I feel to live in the land of the free. We are so blessed. Tomorrow, we celebrate the birth of this country. Those freedoms come from men and women who both live and died. To each one of them I give my sincere thanks!

Modern Medicine...Thank You

I spent some time in the hospital and how thankful I felt to have doctors and nurses who were trained and schooled to deal with the various ailments that our bodies sometimes endure. There was one particular nurse, Tyanne was her name, who took the time to get Becky comfortable with the excruciating pain she was feeling. She was detail oriented in her job and did it very well. I have to tell you something really funny. A male nurse came into the room because he was given the task of starting an 'IV'. It has always been difficult to find good veins in her arms and so normally she has to get pricked a couple of times in order to get the 'IV' in correctly. After several minutes of examining both arms, the man told us that he wasn't comfortable with doing it and that he would get somebody else to do it. Not even a minute later a female nurse came in and promptly looked at Becky's right arm and began to quickly prep her arm and in no time had an 'IV' started and that was that. There are always people who are very good at their jobs and can do specific things very well. I was so grateful for that nurse and her expertise. We live in a wonderful time. We are so blessed with so many different things. I am so thankful to live in this time and I hope that you are too.

My Faith Brings About Peace

There was a time when I heard a young man as he spoke of his experience as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He spoke of the kind of young man he was throughout high school. He said that at that time his faith was a part of his life. After serving a mission, he learned that his faith was his life. My faith is my life and the peace that I receive from the knowledge that I have is remarkable, even life-changing. I am so grateful for all that I have in my life!

Have I Done Any Good?

I have stated many times my deep gratitude for the blessings of my life. I wonder at the end of each day if I have done something that would positively contribute to society. There are many people who look for someone to look up to and try to pattern their life after. It is amazing to me the number of people who long for direction. They aren't accustomed to fully understanding what life is all about or where their place is in this world. I want to be somebody that people feel comfortable with to be their friend, someone who will accept them for who and how they are. There is a lot of good that we can do. I hope that I am the kind of person that I am supposed to be. The most important contribution that we can give lies within the walls of our own homes. That is my greatest desire!