HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!

WE LOVE YOU KIM - HERE'S HOW MUCH...

Happy birthday Mom!! You honestly are the best mom that I could ever ask for. I know that I don’t always show it in the best way that I could, but I am so thankful for everything you do for me and the rest of our family every day. All the little things that we often overlook. Thank you for being here for me every minute of every day. As I think through this past year, we have had so many good talks. I know that whenever I am struggling and whenever I need to talk, you are always here for me. You know me so well, and can see right through the mask I put on for people, and you always know when to give me a hug. J I love you so much Mom, more than I can put into words. J Have a wonderful birthday
Love, Cady Sue

From the first time I saw you in college, I was drawn to you.  22 years later, I still am. I'm grateful that God created you for me, and I love walking through life with you. You've given me a happy home and an awesome family I love to come home to.  I am blessed that I am yours and you are mine - forever. 
Doug.  

Happy birthday mom you are the greatest mom in the entire world. I am so glad you are my mom you give me what I need   when I have problems you always help me. You are the only mom I could ever want. I could never replace you I do not know how I could live without you. You always spend time with us you make sure  I am okay. When I am sick you make us better. You take us out for special occasions even if there is no reason. I am just trying to tell you thank you for everything you do for me and I love you with all my heart.
Love, Emma Sue    

Mom, I can't even put into words how important you are to me and much I appreciate and love you.         You are always there when I need someone to talk to, a boost of encouragement, or simply help with my homework.  I can always count on you to turn one of my frowns upside down!   I don’t tell you nearly as much as I should how much you mean to me.  You do so much and I often don’t think of all the time and effort you put into daily things.  Even though it may not seem like it at times I greatly appreciate every little thing you do for me and the rest of the family( including the animals). I love you so much and can’t think of what I would do without you!!  -
Kendie!!

Dear mommy thank you for everything you give us I love you soooooo much.
Riley.    

Dear Mom,                

I am so thankful that you are my mom. You do so much more for us. I appreciate everything you do for us like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and taking us places, even though at times it doesn’t seem like we care. You are always here for us when we need you and I know that no matter what stupid stuff I do you will always love me. -Love Cooper

TRUE STORY FROM THE ROAD

RE-POST FROM JULY 2009

I dedicate this to all you road warriors out there who have experienced similar days.

Crazy day today, here's a recap:

Had a full day in Dallas yesterday, started the drive to Houston last night, drove a couple hours and stayed in Fairfield TX. Got up and drove a few more hours and went to Calvary Chapel Houston to shoot pictures. Visited with the church and had a good time. Went to lunch. Had a few hours to kill until next meeting, so went and saw "Public Enemies" Good movie. When I came out of the movie, it was approx 4:00 and I had a appointement at 7:00. PLENTY of time.....I thought. Here's where things went south:

-rental car boke into. driver's window smashed. glass everywhere.
-my brand new $500 GPS stolen
-i call Hertz, they tell me to call police
-after police come, hertz will tow the car to the aiport, I get a new car, and I drive 1 hour back to my appt
-i call Enterprise rent-a-car as a back-up plan since they could come meet me where i am
-police come and fill out their report
-i call Hertz and tell them I'm ready - they say 1 hour
- i tell them "too long" send me a cab instead
-I call Enterprize and tell them I'm ready
-my cell phone begins to die
-luckily i have an inverter in my luggage. i plug in the inverter
-at 5:30 I call Enterprise to check on their status, they inform me they haven't even located a car yet
-I call back Hertz and say to send cab
-while tow truck arrives, cabbie arrives, but doesn't see me
-i pick up all luggage and race across the mall parking lot carries all of my luggage like a sweaty rhino
-i get in the cab
-i say how long to airport
-he says "1 hour"
-i say "No"
-i say where is closes rental car place
-he says Thrifty
-i call Thrifty and make reservation
-i close the deal and they then say "I'm sorry, that location closed at 5:00"
-i ask cabbie, "where is the next rental car place"
-he says another Thrifty at the Hilton
-I call them and reserve a car. I require a GPS since MINE WAS JUST STOLEN
-they take the reservation
-cabbie drops me off
-i go to the counter
-they can't find my reservation
-they finally find it
-her printer doesn't work
-they have no GPS
-I go to Hilton Business Center to try and print some maps online
-Busines Center CLOSED
-I got to front desk and sweet talk the front desk lady to use her computer
-she prints me out a map to my next appointment
-i go back to Thrifty pick up my paperwork
-jump in car
-although i paid for a full tank of gas, there is only 3/4 in there (minor irritation by this point)
-drive to stafford TX
-meeting goes well
-drive to my hotel
-arrive. they don't have my reservation - i'm at the wrong hotel

All in a days work. God is still good. I never said a harsh word, and never stopped being thankful for the day. Sweet dreams...

Missionary Homecoming

I didn't write this...I heard the story on TV and managed to find a transcript online.   Great story.

Doug 
 Missionary Homecoming

---

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and were returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid.

As the trip began, they discovered they were on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong."

"Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said.

He replied "I can't help it; it just doesn't seem right."

When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President's arrival. No one noticed the missionary couple. They slipped off the ship, disappeared in the crowd, and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly." His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"

The Lord settled it with me. I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said;

"You're not home yet."