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!"

Slow Fade

"Little feet will follow what you do............"people do not crumble in a Day- its a slow fade...A Price will be Paid....They say sin would not be as popular if they wages were paid right away. This video/song was made several years ago, but the message is just as relevant today. It was part of the Fireproof Movie which I highly recommend along with the Courageous Movie. Consider them for Christmas Gifts for someone.  Take your wedding vows seriously and make your marriage work.

Is There Hope for My Marriage?

By Amy Desai, J.D.

Often we think an unhappy couple has only two options:

1. Stay together and be miserable.
2. Get a divorce.

But there is a third option, and many couples successfully take this other road. In an exciting new study, couples participating in a national survey were asked to rate their marriage on a scale of one to seven, with one being very unhappy and seven being very happy. Those who rated their marriages a "one" had incredible turnarounds just five years later – if they stayed together. In fact, 77 percent of those giving their marriage a very unhappy "one" rated their marriage as a "seven" after five years.¹ Was there some breakthrough therapy involved? No. In fact, many did relatively little – they just "stuck it out" and things got better.

As mentioned earlier, another study found that about 60 percent of marriages that ended in divorce were not bad marriages, but average.² They had average levels of positive interactions and average levels of conflict. Basically, these marriages were "good enough" but could be improved. Most marriages go through emotional ups and downs – times of great happiness and times of boredom and fatigue.

To have good marriages, we need to ride out the "lows" and learn from those times so that the relationship can be strengthened. If your relationship is at a low point and you wonder what happened to the spark, there is good news. It's not too late to revitalize your relationship.

What Makes Marriages Get Better?

Researchers followed up on those couples who rated their marriages as unhappy at first and happy five years later. Here's what the couples told them were the reasons for the dramatic turnaround:³

• Waiting. Since many couples have unhappy marriages due to outside pressures (like a job loss or the demands of young children), the passage of time changed those circumstances. Things just naturally got better again.
• Working at it. Many of the problems in marriage are a result of poor communication. Some couples told the researchers they simply learned to take small steps – like listening to each other – which resulted in happier marriages. For example, husbands learned to compliment wives, and wives learned to encourage husbands.
• Personal happiness/perspective change in one spouse. Sometimes, one spouse simply decided not to base all of his or her happiness on the mood of the other spouse. Instead, one spouse took up a hobby or simply made an attitude adjustment that allowed him or her to be more patient and accepting of the other.
• Credible threat of consequences for bad behavior. Some of the marriages were initially very unhappy because the husbands were engaged in "bad behaviors" – out late drinking with the boys, infidelity or even occasional abuse.⁴ Just as Dr. James Dobson advises in his book Love Must Be Tough, these wives took firm action and let their husbands know they would not tolerate such behavior. The husbands changed.

There are many ways to improve your marriage. Today, there are hundreds of tools focused on ways to build strong, healthy relationships. A few examples include weekend getaway-style marriage conferences by Family Life Today or Marriage Encounter, film series and seminars hosted by local churches under the title "Marriage Enrichment" and mentoring programs through local churches.

1. Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage (New York: Doubleday, 2000), p. 148. ↩
2. Amato and Booth, 1997, p. 220. ↩
3. Linda J. Waite, Don Browning, William J. Doherty, Maggie Gallagher, Ye Luo and Scott Stanley, "Does Divorce Make People Happy? Findings from a Study of Unhappy Marriages," Institute for American Values, 2002, http://americanvalues.org/search/item.php?id=13. ↩
4. While women are also known to exhibit these negative behaviors, in this particular study it was the men who were "misbehaving." ↩

Ma Bear

Someone sent me this video I had to share of ma bear and her cub who will not listen to come down. It reminds of kids who will not mind and even a song I sang as kid in church, called "Zachieus was a wee little man...Zachieus, you come down....." I am sure none of us would ever be like the little bear in this video, would we? I really appreciate those moms who care about their kids and make them mind while they are still young.

A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands s...tarted going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it...?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special-Don't EVER forget it."

Return to Makin Island

Happy Veterans Day! Todays video is true story. I was born after this war, but I owe a great debt to those who fought for my freedom. It is with great honor, respect and a lump in my throat, I say Thank You. I do not take our freedom for granted. Freedom is not Free- someone paid the price. May we never loose our freedom. Those wars go on every day still, and we must stand guard- so our grandchildren can enjoy the freedoms we have. Thank you to every one who has served our country.

The Unknown Sentinel

After 21 seconds he walks 21 steps and repeats the process again and again.                
Since July 1, 1937 a relatively small number of hand-picked soldiers have stood guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tough duty is not for everyone. Over 80 percent of the soldiers who try out for guard duty at the Tomb do not make it.                
Each soldier must have strong military bearing, discipline, stamina, and present an outstanding soldierly appearance. Each sentinel must be able to flawlessly perform seven different types of walks, honors, and ceremonies. They must retain vast amounts of knowledge concerning the Tomb, Arlington National Cemetery, the United States Army, and their unit. They can have no military or civilian convictions for violating the law. They must score a minimum of 250 on the Army Physical Fitness Test. Their height must be within 5’11” and 6’4.” They need a 30-inch waist and be able to present a soldierly appearance in the Army Blue Uniform.                
The Tomb Guards make personal sacrifices to have the honor of serving in their special role. They work on a team rotation similar to firefighters at a firehouse. Those soldiers who serve well for at least nine months are rewarded with a special badge to wear on their uniforms that acknowledges their service at the Tomb of the Unknowns. If they ever bring shame on the tomb that they guard or otherwise fail in their duty they are stripped of the badge and the honor that goes with it.                
-- Michael Otterstatter                      

I had to share this too, from Darrell Elliott

Blessings on all the VETS today. I pray that each of you would know the one who fought and won the battle for your eternal life. He is not buried in an honored tomb but if he is the " unknown soldier" to you his name is Jesus

Return to Makin Island iPod Version - YouTube

Humor by Aaron Wilburn (Why)

What a Beautiful Day in Grand Coulee. The leaves are so pretty and air so clean.  I moved to Coulee Dam back in  September 1971 and lived there until the late 70's.  we were married there in 1974 and Our first child was born there. The Bureau hires us to stripe their highway in the spring and fall. I love comedy and I have several videos by Aaron Wilburn. This one the video is jerky, but  the humor is still there in the words and I know you will Enjoy it and have a good laugh. I love his humor on tatoos.

You might be A redneck if.... 

·You think "loading the dishwasher" means getting your wife drunk
·Your wife has ever said, "Come move this transmission so I can take a bath."
· Directions to your house include, "Turn off the paved road."
· You think the French Riviera is a foreign car
· You recycle motor oil by moving it from the car to the truck
· You think a subdivision is part of a math problem.
· Your mother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.
· You consider the fifth grade your senior year.
· You think a "thesaurus" was a dinosaur.
· You believe all-star wrestling.
· You've ever been involved in a custody fight over a dog
· You prefer car keys to Q-ips.
· You've ever bought a used hat.
· You've ever hit a deer with your car, deliberately.

Secret to a Long Marriage

I admire people married over 50 years- they all have such a sense of humor as well- maybe that is one reason they are still married. I don't think we celebrate anniversaries over 50 years enough. Zig Ziglar was one of my heros- he has gone on and I expect to see him in heaven someday. Here is a video where he explains how to  have a long marriage- without using the Bible.

You approach the buffet table and see a golden-brown turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes, lumpless gravy, buttery vegetables, and freshly baked pies. Your friends await your arrival so the feast can begin.                      
“No thanks,” you say, “I couldn’t wait, so I ate a bologna sandwich and bag of chips on the way.”                      
Ridiculous! Who would choose a bologna sandwich over a turkey dinner?                   
Okay, this is a simple allegory. But still, it illustrates something powerful: The abundance Christ offers us if we trust and obey. Jesus calls us to look beyond our immediate satisfaction to what He is preparing for us in eternity. He has made wonderful provisions for our future with Him.                       

So don’t settle for a bag lunch (sin and immediate gratification) when you can have the whole feast (salvation and sanctification). It’s worth the wait. The glories that await us in heaven far outweigh any trials or tribulations we might have to deal with here.                   
-- Adapted from Jule-Ann Lattimer

Get off the Crazy Cycle

 

I attended a love and respect marriage class and have heard Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs in person, in Spokane. I find that it helps not only in marriage, but even at work to know the differences between men and women. I may be a slow learner, but it always helps to learn as much as I can about women.

What Women Means is Different

FINE
This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use “fine” to describe how a woman looks – this will cause you to have one of those arguments.
FIVE MINUTES
This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it’s an even trade.
NOTHING
This means “something,” and you should be on your toes. “Nothing” is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. “Nothing” usually signifies an argument that will last “Five Minutes” and end with “Fine”
GO AHEAD (With Raised Eyebrows)
This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over “Nothing” and will end with the word “Fine”
GO AHEAD (Normal Eyebrows)
This means “I give up” or “do what you want because I don’t care” You will get a “Raised Eyebrow Go Ahead” in just a few minutes, followed by “Nothing” and “Fine” and she will talk to you in about “Five Minutes” when she cools off.
LOUD SIGH
This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A “Loud Sigh” means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over “Nothing”
SOFT SIGH
Again, not a word, but a non-verbal statement. “Soft Sighs” mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.
THAT’S OKAY
This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. “That’s Okay” means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you back for whatever it is that you have done. “That’s Okay” is often used with the word “Fine” and in conjunction with a “Raised Eyebrow.”
GO AHEAD!
At some point in the near future, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.
PLEASE DO
This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance with the truth, so be careful and you shouldn’t get a “That’s Okay”
THANKS
A woman is thanking you. Do not faint. Just say you’re welcome.
THANKS A LOT

This is much different from “Thanks.” A woman will say, “Thanks A Lot” when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have offended her in some callous way, and will be followed by the “Loud Sigh.” Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the “Loud Sigh,” as she will only tell you “Nothing”

Excuses, More Excuses

Its a fine line, do you go to church to be a blessing or receive a blessing? I wonder if I need both. When you give, even make the effort to attend when you don't feel like it- God blesses us. I am so thankful for our pastor(s) and the many who work to make it happen each service. (nursery, janitors, teachers, ushers, soundbooth, and those how gave so we could have such a nice building) I am so blessed with a wonderful church home- I hope you are as well.

“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.”

Dear Pastor:  

You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated.
Christmas Holidays (the Sunday before & after): 2
New Years (the party lasted too long): 1
Easter (get away for the holidays): 2
July 4th (national holidays): 1
Labor Day (need to get away): 2
Memorial Day (visit hometown folk): 1
School closing (kids need a break): 1
School reopens (one last fling): 1
Family reunions (mine & wife’s): 3
Sleep late (stayed up too long Saturday night): 9
Deaths in family: 2
Anniversary (second honeymoon): 1
Sickness (one per family member): 5
Business trip (a must): 1
Vacation (three to four weeks): 6
Bad weather (ice, snow, rain, clouds): 2
Ball games: 2
Races: 2
Unexpected company (can’t walk out): 2
Time changes (spring & fall): 2
Specials on TV (superbowl, etc): 3
Pastor, that leaves two Sundays per year. So, you can count on us to be in church on the 4th Sunday in February and the 3rd Sunday in August unless we are providentially hindered.

Sincerely,
A Faithful Member                      

Blonde Pregnancy Test

In memory of Steve Jobs I have to play one of his apple commercials and before people forget what this was. Steve was actually just 6 months younger than I am- what a tragedy to die so young. Naturally I quickly read about his life achievements- he had 4 children and a wife- I am sure that is what he would want to be remembered by and not his billions of dollars he left behind. I also admire his adoptive parents for turning his life around, life is not always fair, but it is up to you to make your life what it is- well done Steve. 

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best ...invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Steve Jobs