Happy Thanksgiving

Me And The Love Of My Life/Photo Duane Donecker

It is hard to believe the holidays are upon us once again, it seems like Thanksgiving and Christmas 2009 was just a couple of weeks ago, I guess that's what happens with age.  I remember as a child it seemed like a year in between each Christmas was an eternity and today it just marks how fast time goes by the older you get.

Allot of things have happened in my life the past year, and so much I am thankful for, first of all I am thankful for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for without him I would be nothing and have nothing, I remember the day I accepted Jesus into my life like it was yesterday.  It happened on Oct 31, 1998 which I believe is such an appropriate date.  I was a heavy drinker at the time, probably about a case or more of beer a day if I wasn't out at sea.  I had asked Sandi to marry me, but in her past their had been issues with people in her life as a child and alcohol, and she said she would marry me if I could stop drinking.

Sandi had already introduced me to God and the church but I was still unsure how I felt about the whole concept of God, you see as a child probably between the ages of 5-10 I enjoyed going to church very much and I believed, but when I was about 12 years old I left my mom and moved in with my dad, (they had divorced 11 years before) and their I was introduced to the Catholic Church, after a few months of attending this church I began to feel really turned off, then I didn't know why but today I know it's because the teaching their began to make me feel guilty about every little thing I did that was deemed a sin, before I knew you where to ask for forgiveness when I was going to the Baptist church which I did and never felt guilty, yet I didn't understand why when I was going to the Catholic Church I felt constantly riddled with guilt.

I began earnestly reading the bible, listening to radio programs and praying for the first time in my adult life, and after about two months I felt the Holy Spirit invade my body.  I didn't understand the concept of the Holy Spirit and had barely even heard of it, but the minute it happened I knew in my heart that the Holy Spirit had entered my heart, mind and soul. From that day one not drinking became natural, despite all my fears of how I would function with out a drink every day and to this day the Lord continues to help me fight the temptation of drinking.

Second, I am thankful for my family. Sandi and I were married on 22 January 2000 so here we are almost 11 years of marriage, and though we have our tough periods as any marriage I wouldn't want to share my life with anyone else, she truly turned out to be my soul mate.  Jesiah was born on 03 March 2006 our first and only child, and he too is truly a blessing he makes our life fun, exciting and yes even challenging.  He is healthy, smart and a very handsome young man.

Also of course I am thankful for the rest of my family, my mom Sandi  has passed away and I miss her very much, I lived with her during most of my early childhood to about age 12 and I must say she was a wonderful mom and she is responsible for my love of knowledge, she always encouraged me to learn, learn, learn and because of her I was reading the 4th to 5th grade level when I entered kindergarten.  My father too I am very thankful for as he taught me the importance of working hard and trying to do things to the best of your ability and never give up when you have started something it is those things he taught me that ensured my success during my naval career.

Also I am very thankful for my in-laws, Sandi's mom Kathy and her step-dad Gary. Although we have had out disagreements through the years both of them have always been supportive and their when we needed them and they are very loving grand parents when it comes to Jesiah.

OK I know this is kind of  rambling on but the last thing I am grateful for is the US Navy and what 20 plus years of service has done and though I am now retired still does for my and my family.  I learned allot about myself during those years but I won't go into that now, that could be another post for a later date but in a nut shell I grew up in the navy and because of the navy I learned how have respect for other people of other cultures, races, and religion and in this day and age where I believe intolerance for others are higher than they have been possibly since our civil war.

My Loving Son/Photo Gary Vines

Well that is enough rambling so again to everyone happy Thanksgiving, if you are traveling be safe, enjoy family and friends but most of all take the day and dedicate it to the Lord giving thanks for all He has done in your life.