# 117 Beat Up

Hail damage in the forest.

The leftover hail 12 hours after it fell, and temps were in the 40's. How big was it when it fell!?

I went for a walk in the woods with a friend last weekend and he asked how many cameras I had! Huh only TWO!

I got a fit bit for Christmas so I have been working my way up to the 10,000 recommended steps. I ended up at 11,800 for the day. Now I know for some of you that is not a big deal, but consider some 95 days ago I could not walk to the mailbox or put on my own pants. That step count was just over 5 1/2 miles Somewhere on one of our stops for a drink of water my friend mentioned the beauty of God's handiwork in the woods. He did not know the extent of my surgery so I filled him in on the gory details. When I finished I told him he was walking in the woods with one of God's Miracles!

Most days that is the way I feel..Just Blessed!

You are too.

Luke 6

41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

# 116 Happy New Year!

2016 here we come!

I hope you have set a few goals for yourself this year. Find a place and write them down.

 I looked back on my simple list from a few years ago and it was three things.

 Read, Write, Speak.

I will change the order but they will remain the same for this year. When I do all three of these I feel like I am sharing some of what I learned along this road of life.

 I may add "fish more" to the list for 2016! 

The shot above was taken last year on my trip to Matagorda. 

Nothing like the sunrise from the kayak seat and a quiet conversation with the Almighty.

Give God a chance to speak to you.

Matthew 6

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

# 115 Tis the season

Santa did not disappoint!

The joy and blessing of having two little girls just under three years old in the house for Christmas is beyond explanation.. It did not stay like this for long! The look on their face when they realized there was a pile of presents to open was priceless! I am happy that everyone was able to be at our house early Christmas morning for homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee. It has been our family tradition that before any gifts are opened we read the account of Jesus birth from the bible. This is the real reason for the season! I have given up midnight mass in favor of the 5 pm vigil mass. I still need the nap Christmas afternoon though...Once again my wife did a masterful job of finding just the right gifts for each family member..including me! I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas too.

Matthew 11

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 

26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

# 114 Welcome!

I am late with my posts because of a great event! Our third grandchild was born this past weekend.  What a blessing it is to be able to watch your children have children. It is yet another reminder that we all have seasons in life that we should enjoy. It does not seem like that long ago that we were in that season of babies and no sleep! We will enjoy this Christmas season with a newborn in our midst. I would like to wish all of you a blessed Christmas and hope you will enjoy some family time and lots to eat.

Luke 2

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

# 113 You Don't Know

You really don't know what you don't know!

I spent a fair amount of time over the past couple weeks returning the favor on the prayer front. My youngest son was in the hospital for a few days and I found out what it was like to be on the other side of things...It was not fun. I was also reminded that plenty of things are going on with friends and family that you may not know everything about. So my hope for you is to remember to pray, even if you think everybody is doing great.....

My son is doing better and some other situations with friends are improving.

I will continue to pray for all of them!

Take some time this week to pray for your families, they may need it more than you know. 

On a personal note I am feeling better each week. I am taking a day of vacation this week to meet with some folks from the Texas Parks and Wildlife to look at a kayak paddle trail on Lake Conroe, that I submitted an application for. You can read more about the program here.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/

I will let you know how it goes next week.

Ephesians 6

 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

# 112 For the Birds!

Most folks see robins  (the bird above) as a sign of spring. In Texas they are also a sign of the fall migration. Things must be getting cold up north. I enjoy the many species that travel through the south for the winter. There are new birds,...new for me, every year to add to my life list. Take some time to look around, and up! There is no telling what you may see.

Mathew 6

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

# 111 Thankful

I have plenty to be thankful for! And as we start December of another year it is hard to not stop and think "where has the time gone". I am once again reminded how precious our time on this earth is.

I am blessed to have my sons and their families close by so we can visit often. I am not sure what Grandma would do if she could not see the grand kids every few days. I continue to heal and work is good therapy. I guess this means retirement to the rocking chair is out of the question. I am sure one day I may change jobs but I will have to remain busy in some capacity to stay anywhere close to some form of sanity. Winter is a good time to reflect.

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.