Giving Thanks, 2008

Thanksgiving .... What better time to stop and reflect on our lives, our families, friends and all that God has provided for us. May you be blessed as you read what folks are giving thanks for this year. If you'd like to contribute, please leave a comment or send an email to cmoore2659@wowway.com and it will be added.

From Michelle Ward:

"I am so very thankful for the truly wonderful life God has granted me! In these uncertain times I am fortunate to have a job, a home, and my health. I have been blessed with family and friends who love me and the many memories we have shared together! And also for the U.S. soldiers, current and past, fighting to keep peace and order and allowing us to live our lives safe and free. How very thankful I am indeed!"

From Lorna Riddle:

I am so thankful and blessed to have a family that I love so very much. I am thankful that God hears our prayers. That he answers them according to his perfect will and timing. I am very thankful that after 18 years the Lord has kept George and I together in spite of us. That he is bringing us out of the yuck and muck and putting so much joy back in our lives. And that I still love George as much if not more than I did when he became my friend and husband. And I am thankful that I am able to see all the blessing in my life. And I have so many. Praise God.!!

From Sharon Kay Smith:

I am most thankful this year for being able to realize that the most important things in life aren't things. I'm thankful that God has shown me, through the beautiful soul of my oldest sister, that so many "things", sometimes so small, can turn out to be the most important. I'm thankful for life. My life, Mike's life, Myndi's life, Megan's life. Our life as a family. Though it may not be perfect, it's still our life. I'm thankful that God gave me Mike. That we've been blessed with twenty six years, and I honestly believe that our best are yet to come. I'm thankful for our health. Though our bones may be stiff, they can still move enough to keep us on our feet. I'm thankful that I still have all my siblings. Though we've been through tough times, we're all still here. I'm thankful that all of my nieces and nephews are alive and well. I'm thankful for the strong ties I have with my Mother. I love that woman. I'm thankful for someone who is more than a sister to me. She's my saving Grace. I'm thankful that every day I have the right to pray. I'm thankful that I have a warm home, food to put on my table . I'm thankful for all of the seasons. Winter, so everyone and everything has to rest. Spring, so I can always KNOW that God is real. I see it when He wakes the world back up. For summer, so I can fish.......Fall, so I can appreciate His beauty. I'm just thankful...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads this. With much love, Kay

From David Moore:
"I am truly THANKFUL for that life that I have been given….. My wife Wendy for 14 years of Love, Friendship and honesty (no matter how much it hurts.). My Daughters, Jackie, Sydney and Perri for reminding me of how much to enjoy myself and not being afraid of “not” acting my age. My parents for being the most incredible template of how a life can truly be lived to the fullest no matter what comes our way.
My Brother Shawn…. For always being there, through thick and thin.
For Jane, Stephanie and Erica for always being Shawn’s guiding light.
My Grandparents for starting ALL OF THIS!!!
I cannot begin to express how much I miss my Papaw’s…. Winford and Vernis, I think of them every day. But I will always cherish what time I had with them both.
And I am VERY THANKFUL to GOD for allowing me to be a part of ALL of your lives.
My Aunts, Uncles and Cousins!!!
I cherish all of you and hope and pray that someday my children can experience the closeness we all once shared!! You have all played a part in my being the person I am today.
I’m THANKFUL to my Lord and Savior for NEVER giving up on me!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!"

From Rita June Neblett

"THIS YEAR I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR: A LOVING HUSBAND THAT CONTINUES TO BE THERE EVEN WHEN I DON'T DESERVE IT. THREE BEAUTIFUL KIDS THAT ARE AS LOVELY ON THE INSIDE AS THEY ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS (KIM, JOSH AND SON-IN LAW BRIAN). TWO TRULY REMARKABLE GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEVER FAIL TO AMAZE US. ALSO, I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY MOM, WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF DAD, LOUISE AN CLYDE, PATSY, GEORGE AN YORNA, LINDA, CRIT, KAY AN MIKE, AND BOBBY. ALSO FOR THE NUMEROUS NIECES AND NEPHEWS, AND THE GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS THAT HAVE COME INTO MY LIFE. I AM GREATFUL TO HAVE A HOME (NOT JUST A HOUSE) AND A SLEW OF FRIENDS. BUT MOST OF ALL TO KNOW THE LORD AND THE LOVE I HAVE IN MY HEART FOR HIM. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL.

LOVE YA, RITA"

"Thanksgiving ... too often we take this day for granted. We over-eat and seldom take time to really stop and give thanks for the blessings God has given. Thanks-giving should be a daily part of our lives, a very fiber of who we are.

I am thankful for each breath God gives me. I too often take them for granted, especially on my 'good' days ... but I am thankful for each one. I know too well what it's like not to be able to breathe and so I cherish the breaths that come without effort.

I am thankful for my Fred ... he loves me when I'm most unloveable ... and he knows that side of me better than anyone.

I am thankful God allowed me to see our sons grow up! I am thankful for David & Shawn, and for their wives, Wendy & Jane. These women compliment these men and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for our girly-girls: Jackie, Stef, Syd, Perri & Erica. All uniquely different, and all ours.

I am thankful to live in the United States and thankful that I can attend church without fear; I am thankful I can have Bibles in my home and I'm free to read them .. there are many places in this world today where that will get you imprisoned, tortured or killed.

I am thankful for my family ... Mom & Dad ... I came from them and wouldn't be who I am without them. I am thankful for my brothers and sisters ... George & Lorna, Pat, Linda & Crit, Rita & Warren, Kay & Mike & Bobby; Kim; Jr & Cindy; Oma & Vernis; I am thankful also for my nieces & nephews & their children, for they carry this family into the future.

I am thankful Clyde & I were able to meet with his Army friend Rick & his wife Nancy this summer. After all these years, it was as though they had never lost contact. There's a special bond in the military and I saw that in action this summer. I'm grateful for that blessing.

Most importantly, I am thankful for the Man called Jesus and for the Cross He bore in my stead. I am thankful and grateful that He loved His Father enough to carry my sins to that cross. I am thankful He chose me to be His child long before I could answer "yes" to His call and surrender my life to His.

My prayer for each member of our family is that you all come to the saving knowledge of who Jesus is and that each need you have is met in Him. I pray for the safety and shelter of our children and grandchildren and ask the Lord to bring them to saving faith as well. May this Thanksgiving be a special one for each of you.

I love you all, Louise"