Reasons to Be Grateful

King David reminds us in Psalm 103 to "forget not all His benefits." This Thanksgiving season, even if we are in the midst of serious trials, we have much to be thankful for each day. Ask your self, "What has the LORD done for me?"
David reminds us why we should be eternally grateful.
As we delve into His Word we have the answer.
1. He forgives all my sins.
2. He heals all my diseases.
3. He redeems our life from the pit.
4. He crowns our lives with His everlasting love and mercy!
5. He is slow to anger.
6. He is quick with His mercy.
7. He won't try to get even with us.
8. He realizes we are frail and need His strength.
9. He is compassionate to His children.
10.He rules over all!

Fan Letters

I haven't wanted to brag, yet the last fan letter I received changed my mind. It's time to share an exciting letter that our book, EMPTY ARMS has generated.
Ann Caldwell and I have heard from a teenager in Seattle the same week we heard from an older woman from North Carolina. That was encouraging.
But two weeks ago, we opened an e-mail from the Ukraine that was amazing!!
The writer was named Ludmilla, and she wrote "Each woman know deep in the hearts the truth: that it was a baby, my baby..."signed Lyuda with love.
EMPTY ARMS had had a strong impact on her life and her letter made an impact on ours.
Thanks for the response...keep those letters coming, we love it!!!

A Week with Nana

A week ago Thursday we were excited to have our daughter and granddaughter coming to visit us, but in God's providence it did not happen. Needless to say my husband and I were very disappointed but my mother volunteered to fill in the void of the sudden change in plans. My sister, Sally and her husband, Rogers were coming to ballroom dance at the Fall Formal and brought our mother along from Franklin, Tennessee.
My mother, Evelyn Beatrice Holm Johnson is a trouper!!!She is 90 years young and stayed at the party until nearly the end. In recent years she faced a broken hip, the loss of her husband,(my dad) of 66 years and a cracked pelvis, yet she continues to trust the Lord and keep on keeping on. She waltzed with Henry at the dance. She attended several Bible studies, church and Wednesday night prayer group. She beat me in a mean game of canasta. She visited in the homes of two of her grandsons. She even attended a CCS musical production of Fiddler on the Roof that lasted until 10:30 p.m. and thoroughly enjoyed and raved at the great performance!
But the most rewarding moment was when we skyped with our daughter,Tacy and granddaughter, Molly. She is just about 2 years old. I heard Molly use the name my children used for their grandmother, calling her great-grandmother, Nana! It was music to my ears!

Time to Tango

Henry and I joined the St. Elmo Waltz Society last week. It was great fun to brush up on the box step, the promenade step and paddle turn as we spun around the classroom floor, following the lead of our teacher.
Excited to be dancing again Saturday night at the ballroom at the Fairyland Club, we also need to brush up on our tango. We are so pleased to have my younger sister and her husband join us as we twirl around to the sounds of a Big Band called Nashville Daze.

Dancing in the Caribbean

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD be praised"
Psalm 113:3
How amazing it was to return to the Caribbean to celebrate 35 years of marriage last week! Henry and I went to Paradise Island for our first honeymoon as newlyweds many moons ago. Now we had the blessing to have dinner at sunset and dance a rhumba under the stars in Aruba, more in love now then ever. We have endured difficult trials with the help of the LORD and the prayers of His people. We felt it was important to take time to celebrate the grace bestowed on our lives as we be continue to seek to serve our loving Heavenly Father. A wonderful milestone in our journey through life together.

Safe Pasture

Yesterday morning I spent time meditating on Psalm 37 which contrasts the way of the righteous from the way of the wicked. It is magnificent poetry by a Jewish shepherd boy who eventually becomes king over the nation of Israel.
"For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever.
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off."
Then yesterday evening Henry and I went to the film "Bright Star", a portrait of the tragic life of another incredible poet,
John Keats.
It was dark and rainy as we traveled home. We were intently discussing the movie when a locomotive engine and one car of a train commenced to cross the highway and the flashing lights of warning did NOT begin to flash until we were 3 seconds from being hit! Henry stomped on the brakes and we screeched to a halt, narrowly missing a collision. I was literally scared speechless for five minutes, then burst into tears realizing the protective hand of the Lord was upon us and His tender mercies preserved our lives!!
"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."
I skipped over this verse in the psalm yesterday morning, BUT this morning I am so thankful for being a lamb in the LORD's meadow.
"The LORD is my shepherd, Nada shall I want,
He makes me to lie down in green pastures"
Psalm 23 took on new meaning when I was in Mexico last February and again last night!

Singing with Strangers

Henry and I have the privilege of hosting an old friend, Diana, who is visiting from Ohio. She had two co-workers traveling with her, Jim and Michelle. It was amazing when last night we began singing old praise songs. Jim played the guitar and Henry played the mandolin. We went down "Memory Lane" as we lifted up our voices to the Lord singing "Pass it On", "He's Everything To Me" and "For Those Tears I Died" , just a few of the favorites we remembered . We laughed together as we realized we grew up in different parts of the country, yet all four of us learned these songs as teenagers. Seeking to serve the Lord Jesus bonded us together as we harmonized late into the evening. What a blessing to be a part of the Body of Christ!