WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT YOUR HONEYMOON

43yrs Later 
You realize your Greatest Adventures 
are still ahead....

 THIS YEAR ANOTHER DREAM TRIP CAME TRUE - Paris & Germany!

PARIS:
Was an epic adventure for Scott & I, with many happy tears moments!


Plan A: We were praying our “Smart Phone” APPS worked, especially Paris GPS map & the French Language Translator!
Plan B: We would look for another “LOST” American (tee-hee), and just hang out at the closest great French Restaurant for awhile!

GERMAN CASTLES:
These Castles were aaaaa-mazing! I felt like we were in a “Disney Movie”. Such adventures, laughter & delicious food!

“How Sweet it is - to be Loved by YOU”, Scott!
These 2 weeks were an amazing CELEBRATION of our 43 years of Marriage!
I cherish every memory - on the planes, trains & automobiles.....even boats we took across Germany & Paris!
Outside of the Day I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior - Oct 4, 1975 (our Wedding Day) remains the most significant day of my Life! Thank you for all you have done as a LOVING - Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Son-in-Law, Friend & Business Partner!
 Thank you for always believing in me, and being the Wind Beneath My Wings!
 Much of who I have become in life - is totally because God gave me the MAN OF MY DREAMS, to build this beautiful life together!
 Growing old with YOU is like having a “Fountain-of-Youth”.....it just keeps getting better!
Love you forever, Sweetheart!

Appreciation Empowers Everyone

A couple of weeks ago - 

We had a precious group of ladies here from our Church, to watch "THE WAR ROOM” movie in our theater room.

I only knew a couple of these women well, before that night. 

But I was so blessed by how gracious and kind they ALL were! 

 

 

I was reminded of the quote, “ A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet!” 

And I felt as tho I had just gained another batch of new friends!

The act of friendship is not measured by the frequency, the length or duration of time together, but on how we APPRECIATE each other!

TODAY'S SUGGESTION: Surround yourself with good people who appreciate, encourage and love you! They will change your life!

*Thank You - to all who came that night!!!  

10 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY

"I WISH STOPLIGHTS HAD - A SNOOZE BUTTON"

Can you relate?

We watched a great podcast from Michael Hyatt, 10 ways to increase your ENERGY!!! 

Notes from that podcast.......

(1) Most Important - get plenty of SLEEP. Be deliberate about when you go to sleep. Most people need at least 7 hours. Even a quick daily nap can improve your creativity and focus!

(2) EXERCISE daily

(3) Drink more WATER

(4) Eat high energy FOODS - avoid process foods, carbs and sugar. Eat a high protein breakfast.

(5) Take good SUPPLEMENTS

(6) Feed your BRAIN - consume things that are mentally stimulating like books, audios, ect!

(7) Maintain a positive ATTITUDE - instead of saying "I HAVE to do something" say "I GET to do something".

(8) Watch your MOUTH - our language portrays our thinking. You can speak things into existence, so be deliberate with your speech! You can program yourself by what you think and say!!!!

(9) AVOID energy depleting people! Ask yourself - "Am I one who is energy depleting or one who energizes people?"

(10) Connect with God, daily! 

Bad news, Christmas time flies - Good news, you're the PILOT

TRUE CONFESSION:

The 2015 Christmas Holiday seemed to fly by so quickly! 

Each year there is always something I didn’t quite find time to accomplish - SO I’VE ALWAYS WISHED I HAD MORE TIME!!!!

I love Holidays - the decorations and the parties!

But its spending QUALITY time with friends and family, that I love most! 

TIME SPENT THIS YEAR - around the dinner table, talking about things that really matter!

TIME SPENT THIS YEAR - playing games and watching movies, that fill the air with laughter!

I’M GUESSING I REALLY DON’T NEED MORE TIME!

It’s more quality use of the time I already have!

The bad news is time flies! 

The good news is we're the PILOT!

AMEN

The VEGGIE TRAIN - Healthy & Fun

A BIG HIT WITH OUR GUESTS

A WEEK OF CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.......

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS THE PERFECT TIME 

To take a step back from our busy lives and enjoy time with our friends and family!!

"If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. 

If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere."

Today was just the 1st of four Christmas Party's here, this week!

Mom had one of her new Card Groups over, and the laughter was contagious!!!

As I watched Mom prepare the food and serve her new friends, it warmed my heart to see the joy she brought to their day! Once again I was reminded of the impact we can all make, in the lives of others! 

THANK YOU, MOM!!!!

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Taking Holiday Loneliness - to the throne of God

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

Is it really necessary to gather your family and friends together for special events and Holidays? 

Is the event even about them? Isn’t a Birthday just about YOU? Your Anniversary just about you and your spouse?

5 SIMPLE TRUTHS:

(1) Christmas - is ONLY about the birth of Jesus

(2) Thanksgiving - is ONLY about the Pilgrims landing in America

(3) Weddings - are ONLY about one couple

(4) Anniversary’s - are ONLY about one couple

(5) Birthdays - are ONLY about one person 

THE REALITY OF THOSE TRUTHS:

For those of us that cherish our friends and family - we want to be together for these moments.

That is not only normal - its how God wired us, to seek fellowship.

There is nothing strange or selfish about your desire to gather with those you love.

We all want that place of belonging and being treasured by our loved ones. 

IT’S OK TO CRY:

If you're alone because someone close to you has died, or because your marriage or relationship has ended, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. If you can’t be with your children or parents at a distance, realize that it’s normal to feel sad. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season. 

LET GOD THE FATHER CARRY YOU THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT HOLIDAY: 

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

TAKE ACTION………..

(1) REJOICE IN THE LORD - Play great worship music in your home and car. Study God’s Word and celebrate that Christ HAS come to free us from our sins and fears—to deliver us from the power of Satan, hell and death.

(2) VOLUNTEER - You don't have to be alone at the holidays. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, your Church or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. Volunteer your time to serve or deliver holidays meals for people in need. Ask your local hospital if the children's ward needs volunteers. 

(3) DECORATE OR BAKE - Don’t tell yourself that it's not worth decorating or cooking when it's just you (maybe spouse too). Trust me, the lack of any festivity will make you feel more helpless. What's wrong with decorating your place or cooking a special meal just for yourselves? Chances are that doing the holiday activities that you're used to doing with family or friends will give you a lift. 

(4) TELL SOMEONE - Don't hide the fact that you're spending the holiday/event away from family, tell someone. And don’t be afraid to tell someone that you need them. It’s okay to invite yourself.

(5) OUT OF YOUR HOUSE - Line up a special treat for yourself, like a concert, a massage, a short trip or something else that will get you out of the house and make the day memorable. 

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(6) CHILDLIKE - Do some of the things that you did as a child, like watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, go ice skating, take a bubble bath, read a good book, make Christmas cookies, hot chocolate or popcorn balls.

All these tips have help me, and I hope they help you!

But all LONELINESS has brought me (and still brings me) to the throne of God. Even if I’d never had a family to share my Holidays with, I have my place as a child of God. I belong to Christ. And He is also mine. We are family, we are one. And with Him I will always be home!!!!

I pray if you are lonely and hurting this holiday season to be comforted by peace in knowing Jesus Christ. I pray that God would provide relief to aching hearts as He sets the solitary in families. He’s done (still doing) that for me and I know He’s faithful to be near to the brokenhearted and save those whose spirits are crushed!!! REJOICE IN HIM!!!!

It's NOT the ornaments that make a - UNIQUE TREE

Many of my friends are surprised to hear - "I ONLY BUY CHEAP ARTIFICIAL TREES."
Years ago I discovered a unique trick when decorating my Christmas Trees, its adding more green picks to the tree!

Yes - I start with a very plain/cheap artificial tree! Before the lights & ornaments go on my trees - I ADD A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVERGREEN SPRIGS!!!

I also use this same thought process with GARLAND! I love to buy at Hobby Lobby - but I don't buy their pre-decorated 6' garland for $89.99 each, especially since I would need 3 of those 6' garlands for  projects like our fireplace!

So instead - I buy very plain 6' evergreen garland, for $15 each. Then I add a variety of picks to create EXACTLY the look I want, at a much better price!!!