A Special Visitor Passed Our Way . . .

Two and a half years ago God sent a very special visitor to our family. A foster child by the name of C. joined our clan and in no time won the hearts of all of us. The excitement of a new baby to love, a new brother to adore, a new nephew to cuddle, a new cousin to play with, and a new grandson to spoil -- what an awesome gift! Little did we know at the time that our special visitor would not be staying long.
What seemed to us to be a perfect addition to our family was not to be, at least not in the physical sense. By court order C. was returned to his biological mother and was not placed for adoption. However, the special bonding that God gave us with that little guy over those few short months can never be broken. He may not be with us physically but like the rest of our family he is in our thoughts and prayers continually.
Today is C.'s birthday and while we wish we could hold him and shower him with love, that is not in God's plan at the moment. Instead we continue to pray for God's blessing and protection on C. believing that our Lord will use this special visitor in mighty ways as he grows into a powerful witness of God's love and grace.
Happy Birthday C., I love you, Papa

The Best Father's Day Ever!!!!!

Over the years I have stood in awe of how God has molded and shaped the children and grandchildren He has loaned to Sally and me. This weekend was another such opportunity. . . . a special time . . . .a time to observe God's grace and love being poured out into and through individuals who just happen to be the richest blessing He could ever give an earthly father!

All 19 (soon to be 20) of us gathered to celebrate the birthdays of our grandchildren (we do that once each year rather than nineteen times), Sally and my upcoming 45th anniversary, and Father's Day. We had three fun filled days together of swimming, horseback riding, golf, eating, playing with cousins, eating, talking with siblings, swimming, eating again, loving on each other, and being loved on! WOW!! I was able to be with all of my most favorite people in the whole worl -- at one time -- for a long weekend!! I doesn't get any better than that!!!!!!!

What many people don't know is that several years ago I almost walked away from being a part of this very special weekend because I almost walked away from my wife and family! I came close to giving up the most amazing blessings that God could ever give me. . . . a loving, devoted wife; loving, god-fearing children and children-in-law; and beautiful loving god-fearing grandchildren. I almost gave them up because of my self-centeredness and stupidity! Accept for the grace of God, I would have missed this special time with the most special people in the entire world!

Thank you LORD for Your grace and Your love that kept me from throwing away the

BEST FATHER'S DAY EVER!!!!!!!!