Getting into Trouble at Church

I was raised in church, we would attend 3 times a week in fact, so I can relate to Bob Smiley today as he talks about getting into trouble at church. I am a grown up now, and I still get into trouble at church?...I am glad God has a sense of humor.

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, ‘Johnny, what is the matter?’

Little Johnny responded, ‘I have pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.’

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ she asked, ‘Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’

Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, ‘Thou shall not kill..’

I Shot Rudolph

I try for a variety of videos and this Christmas video falls under humor possibly. I hope your Christmas is full of laughter for you as well as many good memories. Merry Christmas!

A Russian couple was walking down the street in St. Petersburg the other night, when the man felt a drop hit his nose. "I think it's raining," he said to his wife.
"No, that felt more like snow to me," she replied. "No, I'm sure it was just rain, he said." Well, as these things go, they were about to have a major argument about whether it was raining or snowing. Just then they saw a minor communist party official walking toward them. "Let's not fight about it," the man said, "let's ask Comrade Rudolph whether it's officially raining or snowing."
As the official approached, the man said, "Tell us, Comrade Rudolph, is it officially raining or snowing?"
"It's raining, of course," he answered and walked on. But the woman insisted: "I know that felt like snow!" To which the man quietly replied: "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!"

A guy bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas.
After hearing about this extravagant gift, a friend of his said, "I thought she wanted one of those sporty four-wheel-drive vehicles."
"She did," he replied. "But where was I going to find a fake Jeep?"

Pages Turn

December 21st, 2012, around noon, my mother in law passed away. She is in no more pain and I know she is rejoicing in Heaven. She accepted Christ at a Kroeze Brothers Crusade in Coulee Dam back in mid 70’s. She was actually born near Colville, Wa. She moved to Columbia Heights in Wenatchee, in 2009. They treated her very well, and I think we gained many friends there as well. Before that, she lived in the same house in Coulee Dam for over 50 years- it was tough on her to say good bye to her two dogs and having to move to Wenatchee. Her stubbornness helped when we almost lost her twice in the Emergency rooms. Christmas will be different yes, but it would be selfish to not rejoice with her being in Heaven. I am glad many of her kids could be with her during her last week- she really rallied that day when they were by her side. She had 9 kids- and all have been so helpful and supportive. She had 28 grandkids and 45 great grandkids as well when she passed away; that she was so proud of as well. She liked to read and do puzzles in her spare time and I loved playing Phase 10 and Yahtze with her. We enjoyed going with her on the Lady of the Lake and to Smallwoods, several years ago. She also would attend church with us when she could. Her home was ready for her- mine is still being prepared for me- that is a promise in the Bible. Christians need not say Goodbye, just "See you on the other side".

Irene DuCette, 89, of Wenatchee and a former resident of Coulee Dam, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2012.

She had resided in Wenatchee for three and a half years and in Coulee Dam for 61 years. She had been a homemaker.

Survivors include her children, Cynthia Best of Sagle, Idaho, Roberta Brown of Tororo, Uganda, Africa, Patricia Mahlum of Chaing Mia, Thailand, Gordon DuCette of Oregon City, Ore., Donald DuCette of Bonanza, Ore., Janice Hendricks of Wenatchee and Marian DuCette of Lake Tahoe, Calif; and her sister, Jessie Mangold of Spokane.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Neptune Society.

Don't Sit In My Pew

I am trying to round off  my blogs for the year to even numbers- and noticed I had not posted this one by Tim Lovelace yet. I know seating will be at a premium on Christmas Sunday- so wanted to let you know you can have my seat if needed. See You in Church.

An elderly man in Oklahoma calls his son in New York and says,
"I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 45 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!"
"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son yells....
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old dad explained. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!".
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.
"Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."
She calls her elderly father immediately, and screams at him, "You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, you hear me?" she yelled as she hung up the phone.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay", he says, "it's all set. They're both coming for Christmas and paying their own air-fare."

Christmas Dinner

During the holiday season I was determined not to gain weight, so I promised myself I would not visit my favorite bakery-cafe for a whole month. I even altered my drive to work to avoid passing the spot. However, one day there was a traffic jam and I forgot and accidentally drove by the bakery. There in the window I saw the yummy pastries I loved. Since nothing happens by accident, I prayed as I slowed down. "Lord, it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery." And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was! God is so good!

In a small southern town there was a "Nativity Scene" that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature bothered me.
Snowman The three wise men were wearing firemen's helmets.
Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, I left. At a "Quik Stop" on the edge of town, I asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She exploded into a rage, yelling at me, "You stupid Yankees never do read the Bible!" I assured her that I did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible.
She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in my face she said "See, it says right here, 'The three wise man came from afar.'"

Night Before' Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest,

and all of us seniors were looking our best.

Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry;

Our punchbowl held prune juice plus three drops of sherry.

A bedsock was taped to each walker, in hope

That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap.

We surely were lucky to be there with friends,

Secure in this residence and in our Depends.

Our grandkids had sent us some Christmasy crafts,

Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts.

The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth,

And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath.

The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row,

Reflecting our candle's magnificent glow.

Our supper so festive -- the joy wouldn't stop --

Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.

Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great,

Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.

The social director then had us play games,

Like "Where Are You Living?" and "What Are Your Names?"

Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats,

Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats.

Our resident wand'rer was tied to her chair,

In hopes that at bedtime she still would be there.

Security lights on the new fallen snow

Made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below.

Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter

(But we are so deaf that it just didn't matter).

A strange little fellow flew in through the door,

Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.

Twas just our director, all togged out in red.

He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head.

We knew from the way that he strutted and jived

Our social- security checks had arrived.

We sang -- how we sang -- in our monotone croak,

Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight-p.m. stroke.

And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds.

While nurses distributed nocturnal meds.

And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest.

fore long you'll be with us, We wish you the best!

Actual children's versions of Christmas Carols:

"...sleep in heavenly peas";

"Joy to the world, the Savior rains";

"This is he whom Sears of old...";

"Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plane";

"While shepherds washed their socks by night

1. We Three Kings of Porridge and Tar.

2. On the First Day of Christmas, My Tulip gave to me.

3. He's making a list, chicken and rice.

4. You'll go Down in Listerine.

5. Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap, and hay.

6. Olive, the other raindeer.

A woman takes her 16-year-old daughter to the doctor. The doctor says, "Okay, Mrs. Jones, what's the problem?"

The mother says, "It's my daughter Darla. She keeps getting these cravings, she's putting on weight and is sick most mornings."

The doctor gives Darla a good examination then turns to the mother and says, "Well, I don't know how to tell you this but your Darla is pregnant. About 4 months would be my guess."

The mother says, "Pregnant?! She can't be, she has never ever been left alone with a man! Have you Darla?"

Darla says, "No mother! I've never even kissed a man!"

The doctor walked over to the window and just stares out it. About five minutes pass and finally the mother says, "Is there something wrong out there doctor?"

The doctor replies, "No, not really, it's just that the last time anything like this happened, a star appeared in the east and three wise men came over the hill. I'll be damned if I'm going to miss it this time!"

Cheerios

I love being a Grandpa- I am blessed with six wonderful Grandkids. My youngest is 7 months old and oldest is almost 15. I so miss watching Billy on Friday mornings since I now work on Fridays. Only a Grandpa or Grandma can relate to todays video.

"My name is NO NO but Grandma calls me precious!:

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside.

Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven't thought of yet.

I was telling my three boys the story of the Nativity and how the Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the infant Jesus. Clearly giving it a lot of thought, my six-year-old observed, "Mom, a Wise Woman would have brought diapers."

Funny Christmas Commerical

I have an entire label just for Christmas Commercials- and many of my friends think Santa is a nice guy. So for those friends, I am posting this video for you and a short story of how things changed below.  I hope either does not offend anyone or tell you who the real santa just might be today.

What we tell our kids about Santa by Mark Driscoll
'Tis the season . . . for parents to decide if they will tell the truth about Santa.

When it comes to cultural issues like Santa, Christians have three options: (1) we can reject it, (2) we can receive it, or (3) we can redeem it.

Since Santa is so pervasive in our culture, it is nearly impossible to simply reject Santa as part of our annual cultural landscape. Still, as parents we don't feel we can simply receive the entire story of Santa because there is a lot of myth built on top of a true story.
Redeeming Santa

So, as the parents of five children, Grace and I have taken the third position to redeem Santa. We tell our kids that he was a real person who did live a long time ago. We also explain how people dress up as Santa and pretend to be him for fun, kind of like how young children like to dress up as pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a host of other people, real and imaginary. We explain how, in addition to the actual story of Santa, a lot of other stories have been added (e.g., flying reindeer, living in the North Pole, delivering presents to every child in one night) so that Santa is a combination of true and make-believe stories.

We do not, however, demonize Santa. Dressing up, having fun, and using the imagination God gave can be an act of holy worship and is something that, frankly, a lot of adults need to learn from children.

What we are concerned about, though, is lying to our children. We teach them that they can always trust us because we will tell them the truth and not lie to them. Conversely, we ask that they be honest with us and never lie. Since we also teach our children that Jesus is a real person who did perform real miracles, our fear is that if we teach them fanciful, make-believe stories as truth, it could erode confidence in our truthfulness where it really matters. So, we distinguish between lies, secrets, surprises, and pretend for our kids. We ask them not to tell lies or keep secrets, but do teach them that some surprises (like gift-giving) and pretending (like dressing up) can be fun and should be encouraged. We tell them the truth and encourage them to have fun watching Christmas shows on television and even sitting on Santa's lap for a holiday photo if they so desire. For parents of younger children wanting them to learn the real story of Santa Claus the Veggie Tales movie Saint Nicholas is a good choice.
The Truth about Santa Claus

The larger-than-life myths surrounding Santa Claus actually emanate from the very real person of Saint Nicholas. It is difficult to know the exact details of his life with certainty, as the ancient records are sparse, but the various pieces can be put together as a mosaic of his life.
A Gift-Giver

Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. He was born into an affluent family, but his parents died tragically when he was quite young. His parents had raised him to be a devout Christian, which led him to spend his great inheritance on helping the poor, especially children. He was known to frequently give gifts to children, sometimes even hanging socks filled with treats and presents.

Perhaps his most famous act of kindness was helping three sisters. Because their family was too poor to pay for their wedding dowry, three young Christian women were facing a life of prostitution until Nicholas paid their dowry, thereby saving them from a horrible life of sexual slavery.
A Bishop and Saint

Nicholas grew to be a well-loved Christian leader and was eventually voted the Bishop of Myra, a port city that the apostle Paul had previously visited (Acts 27:5-6). Nicholas reportedly also traveled to the legendary Council of Nicaea, where he helped defend the deity of Jesus Christ in A.D. 325.

Following his death on December 6, 343, he was canonized as a saint. The anniversary of his death became the St. Nicholas holiday when gifts were given in his memory. He remained a very popular saint among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, with some two thousand churches named after him. The holiday in his honor eventually merged with Christmas, since they were celebrated within weeks of one another.
Misnomer

During the Reformation, however, Nicholas fell out of favor with Protestants, who did not approve of canonizing certain people as saints and venerating them with holidays. His holiday was not celebrated in any Protestant country except Holland, where his legend as Sinterklass lived on. In Germany, Martin Luther replaced him with the Christ child as the object of holiday celebration, or, in German, Christkindl. Over time, the celebration of the Christ child was simply pronounced Kris Kringle and oddly became just another name for Santa Claus.
Folklore

The legends about Santa Claus are most likely a compilation of other folklore. For example, there was a myth in Nicholas' day that a demon was entering people's homes to terrorize children and that Nicholas cast it out of a home. This myth may explain why it was eventually believed that he came down people's chimneys.

Also, there was a Siberian myth (near the North Pole) that a holy man, or shaman, entered people's homes through their chimneys to leave them mushrooms as gifts. According to the legend, he would hang them in front of the fire to dry. Reindeer would reportedly eat them and become intoxicated. This may have started the myth that the reindeer could fly, as it was believed that the shaman could also fly. This myth may have merged with the Santa Claus myth, and if so, explains him traveling from the North Pole to slide down chimneys and leave presents on fireplace mantles before flying away with reindeer.

These stories of Santa Claus were first brought to America by Dutch immigrants. In the early twentieth century, stores began having Santa Claus present for children during the Christmas season. Children also began sending letters to the North Pole as the legends surrounding an otherwise simple Christian man grew.

In sum, Saint Nick was a wonderful man who loved and served Jesus faithfully. So, we gladly include him in our Christmas traditions to remind us of what it looks like for someone to live a life of devotion to Jesus as God. Our kids thank us for being both honest and fun, which we think is what Jesus wants

To All My Democratic Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2014, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.
To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2014

Canadian Police Chase

Winter does not start for 13 more days. my winter schedule started officially last Tuesday morning at 5am. I will be working Tuesday thru Friday till March. I got to plow our first snow Friday morning, maybe half inch- barely enough to plow but slick roads. We drove to Kirkland yesterday and roads were great on Stevens Pass but temp. was 2 degrees. Can't imagine how cold it would be without having to deal with Global Warming and all that has been spent on that.  Gotta keep a sense of humor in winter driving and remember to slow down and that the wheels be on the road at all times.

Little Quartet

Music is a big part of Christmas- and lots of different music styles to choose from. I love southern gospel music and these kids did a good job on this Christmas Song. (J.D.Sumner would have been proud of them.) It is the kind of music you can laugh and have fun with- sadly many of those gospel greats have gone home- but they were my heros growing up and I attended many southern gospel concerts.

This holiday season, in lieu of gifts, I've decided to give everyone my opinion.

Myra was going to the Christmas office party but needed a new party dress.
In the clothing store she asked, 'May I try on that dress in the window, please?'
'Certainly not, madam,' responded the salesgirl, 'You'll have to use the fitting room like everyone else.

12 Days of Christmas (Drinking)

This morning we had our monthly safety meeting at work. We strive to be safe and list hazards of jobs, but we often overlook the hazards of being hit by a drunk driver. What can we do to avoid being killed by a drunk, since this time of year it seem to rise, as does it when working around 2am in the morning? It seems ironic to outlaw electronic devices, when more people are killed by drunk drivers? When you drink and drive, you are a bloody idiot and could ruin someone’s Christmas.

There are some things more stupid than drinking and driving, but the list is pretty short

Mr. Snow Plow Man

Most of you know I made this video years ago- it's become my most viewed video I made on youtube.com. and vimeo.com as well. (under search type in Dennis Hendricks Mr. Snow Plow) Most of you know I work for WSDOT and drive a snow plow truck in the winter. People have been so nice to us, I have had only one person complain to me (as well as to my  boss about me)- and that was a fellow EW city snowplow driver for plowing his city street. I apologize for taking away his overtime and plowing his street.  But other city and county employees are so  helpful and work together with us to keep roads safe. Thanks for your patience and allowing us to do our jobs safely. Safety is our priority and then we must consider the damage the wrinkle of snow can do when it hits something.  Change is hard for some-I remember we had several quit when we were switching over to chemicals instead of sand, over 10 years ago. We also probably eliminated half our crews when we switched to adding wings to our trucks-we heard all kinds of excuses, and some cities still will not try them.  Its fun to watch the debates regarding studded tires and snow burms in center of streets-with "we have always done it that way".   Its even more fun not to be a city councilman and have to deal with that!

Two Feet of Snow in Wenatchee!

 What it looks like from inside my truck on the 4 lane plowing tandem.

Can you see why it is not wise to pass a plow on the right?

 (Can you see the wing?)

Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler
December 8 6:00 PM
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had!
Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.
This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see
snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of the stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The damn snowplow came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying.
Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white shit fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think he is lying.
December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.
The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!!
Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch who drives that snow plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the snowplow.
December 25
Merry Christmas! 20 more inches of the slop tonight - Snowed in
The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate the snow!
Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
Still snowed in. Why the world did I ever move here? It was all HER idea.
She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The wife is driving me crazy!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his *&%. The wife went home to her mother.
Nine more inches predicted.
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Salt and Pepper

 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you can share it with family and friends- even if its a new family and friend. Looking forward to new memories.

Melody Beattie, a noted self-help author, often stresses the importance of gratitude.                       

She says, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."                      

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, let us commit to being grateful 365 days of the year

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident..

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving- Thanksgiving is not about a day, but rather a choice and a lifestyle. It is easy to post a video and photo, but harder to put into words, what I am thankful for. I am thankful for Life.  Sure I believe in Heaven- but I want to thank  God for not only giving me another day- but so many of my friends and family. I am thinking of the one who was flown to Harborview with only 30% chance of surviving a flesh eating disease, a co worker who beat cancer, a friend who survived diabetes and heart problems as well as those babies who survived abortions. I am thinking of those who I cannot wish a Happy Thanksgiving to this year but have influenced my life so much and I cannot tell them now. Perhaps I do not know how close some came to not being here today- including myself? I value life more each day, not because of my age, but to see so many loosing it- many needlessly. Your life is important, sadly some took their own life  last year, that is so sad and selfish. You are important, and I am thankful for you- even if I have not met you yet- you have a purpose and God Loves You.

A Helping Hand

Years ago, a Thanksgiving Day editorial in a newspaper told of a school teacher who asked her first graders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. Most of the children were from poor neighborhoods, and the young woman sorrowfully thought of how little they had to be thankful for. Nevertheless she knew most would draw pictures of stubby brown turkeys on tables loaded with bowls of food.                      

That's not what a little boy named Douglas turned in.            
The teacher was taken aback with his picture of a childishly drawn hand.            
The whole class was captivated too. The teacher asked them to guess whose hand it was. "I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child. "It's a farmer," said another, "because he grows the turkeys."            
Once she put her pupils back to work, the teacher bent over Douglas's desk and quietly asked him whose hand it was.            
"It's your hand, Teacher," he mumbled.            
The woman smiled and went back to her desk. There she recalled that frequently at recess she would hold one of the children's hands. She hadn't thought much about it. But obviously Douglas, a scrubby forlorn child, had. That simple, caring gesture was something he was thankful for.            
"Perhaps this is everyone's Thanksgiving," the teacher said to herself, "not for the material things given to us, but for the chance, in whatever small way, to give to others."            
-- Adapted from a sermon by Eric Lenhart, illustrated by Stories from the Heart (Multnomah Books: Sisters, OR 1996).

Count Your Blessings

I have so much to be thankful for and Thanksgiving does not end or begin on a certain day. I am thankful for the real meaning of Christmas. I had posted this on Christmas Day actually a few years ago, it is called "Count Your Blessings.

"Don't you think its ironic that Americans spend the most money on new things they day after they say they are grateful for what they already have?"

We Are So Blessed

We are So Blessed
Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace…you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you work up this morning with more heath than illness..you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death..you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married.. your are very rare.

If you can hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, your are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder… you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message, your just received a double blessing in that, someone was thinking of you, and furthermore you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a Good day, count your blessings, and Thank you for being part of my friends who I can share this with.

Forgive Me When I Whine
Today upon a bus,
I saw a lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her -- she seemed so gay,
and how I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle;
she had one foot and wore a crutch,
but as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two feet -- the world is mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
the lad who served me had such charm;
he seemed to radiate good cheer,
his manner was so kind and warm;
I said, "It's nice to deal with you,
such courtesy I seldom find";
he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir."
And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue;
he stood and watched the others play,
it seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go;
with eyes to see the sunsets glow,
with ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed.
The world is mine; oh, God,
forgive me when I whine.

Thanksgiving Comedy

I wish you the Best Thanksgiving- I know it is not until Thursday, but with Christmas being pushed up, I need to start today. We have lots to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks

Q: Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?

A: The outside

Q: What did the turkey say before it was roasted?

A: Boy! I'm stuffed!

Q: Why did the turkey cross the road?

A: It was the chicken's day off.

Q: Why can't you take a turkey to church?

A: Because they use such FOWL language

Q: What's the best dance to do on Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey trot

Q: What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
A: Plymouth Rock

You know you ate too much when you have to loosen your bathrobe.

The Fourth Man

There is a lot of talk about the 12th man- I am not a big sports fan, but I am a big Southern Gospel Music fan, and I think you will enjoy this song called the Fourth Man by Tim Lovelace from a Gaither Homecoming Video several years ago.  Even if you don't like southern gospel, I am sure you will get a laugh from it. And yes, I knew the fourth man long before there ever was talk of the 12th man.

It was visitor's day at the lunatic asylum. All the inmates were standing in the courtyard and singing "Ave Maria," and singing it beautifully. Oddly, each of them was holding a red apple in one hand and tapping it rhythmically with a pencil.

A visitor listened in wonderment to the performance and then approached the choir. "I am a retired choir director," he said. "This is one of the best choirs I have ever heard."
"Yes, I'm very proud of them," said the conductor.
"You should take them on tour," said the visitor. "What are they called?"
"Surely that's obvious," replied the conductor. "They are the 'Moron Tapanapple Choir'."

A church had a man in the choir who couldn't sing. Several people hinted to him that he could serve in other places, but he continued to come to the choir. The choir director became desperate and went to the pastor.

"You've got to get that man out of the choir," he said. "If you don't, I'm going to resign. The choir members are going to quit too. Please do something."

So the pastor went to the man and suggested, "Perhaps you should leave the choir."

"Why should I get out of the choir?" he asked.

"Well, five or six people have told me you can't sing."

That's nothing," the man snorted. "Fifty people have told me that you can't preach!"