We are to pray without ceasing. We are to ask God for things we desire in life. To thank Him for His grace, mercy and love. Sometimes the answer to our prayers is yes. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes maybe, sometimes wait a while. Yesterday, my best friend received the answer we have all been praying for. He was told that he has finally reached a remission from the leukemia. This is his 5th remission from 3 types of cancer, but it is never old news. It was welcome, and very good news. It brought tears to the eyes of all who heard it. I know that it is God's will for this, that He has a reason for it. I am just thankful, and wanted to share the good news.

Ephesians 1:

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and cards. He is not "out of the woods" just yet... but this is GREAT news and a BIG step in the right direction. Please continue to pray for Larry and the many other who need it.

It wasn't my intent to leave anyone out in my last post... I'm gonna need a bigger car...

I'm going to Heaven. I'm taking all of you to Heaven with me. Just thought you should know. :)

So, I usually find some way to helps kids during the holidays who probably aren't going to have the greatest Christmas. In the military, I always did Operation Kids Christmas (OKC), where we would hold fundraisers throughout the year and then before Christmas, use all the money to buy the kids in the local area things they needed and wanted. It was always the greatest thing in the world to see the look on their faces when they didn't expect anything on Christmas morning to see a bunch of boxes with their name on it.

This year, Larry & I got 3 kids some Christmas gifts. There is a Salvation Army Angel tree at the Collin Creek Mall in Plano. It felt great to help 3 kids have a better Christmas this year.

Isaac 6 year old boy
Need: pants
Want: cars

Antonio 8 year old boy
Need: shoes
Want: remote control car

Maria 14 year old girl
Need: comforter
Want: CD player

They have such basic needs: pants, shoes, and a blanket. These aren't kids in a third world country, they are kids in north Dallas. It breaks my heart to see kids like this. I've never met any of these 3 kids, nor will I probably ever. But that doesn't matter. I've never been happier to spend money (yes, even for Apple stuff!). It was the greatest thing to go around the mall all afternoon and then put those packages together for the kids and know that the smile on their face that morning is because of me.

We are all so fortunate and have so many things, I think we often forget what we have because we are too focused on what we want, and getting it. I would encourage us all to give to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Things happen in life. Good things. Bad things. Stressful things. Downright ugly things. The test of family is that they always stand by your side when things are hard, no matter what. I have a whole new level of respect for a few people in my life, you are my brothers, my sisters; and I love you dearly. You are no longer acquaintances, no longer friends. You are family. I love you guys. I cherish you. I will always be there for you, through the good times and the bad. You inspire me. You make me want to be the best Christian man I could possibly be.

Thank you JenThank you AimeeThank you Kay
You are my rock, my strength, my shield.

Also, thank you to Mike and Breck. You are both examples I look to and men I respect greatly. When I grow up, I want to be just like you guys. :)

And thank you to several people who aren't on Pleo, you know who you are.

I love you all.

Matt 19:26 "...but with God, all things are possible."