Thanksgiving, Winter, and Christmas

It has been over two months since I wrote here. To do some catchup work I will be short.

We had a wonderful family get together at Thanksgiving as usual. On Saturday following my son Timothy, his son Josiah [my grandson], and son-in-law Sam made a trip to St. Louis to watch the Cassville Wildcats defeat the Bowling Green Bobcats 23-7 in the Edward Jones Dome for the 3A State Championship. Quite a trip.

Now Winter has come. Such a delight it always is for me for the shortest day for daylight hours of of the year to roll around, and then, the days start getting longer. The sun has reached its lowest point in the Southern hemisphere and then begins its trek back North. That tells me that Spring and Summer are not far behind.

Now another Christmas has come and gone. We have celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is sad to me that far too many do not know what Christmas is about. How can it be wrong to remember God sending His Son? "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He sent" (John 6:29). "Sent" to die for the sins of the world. "Sent" to do the Father's will. "Sent" through the virgin conception and virgin birth through a woman named Mary. "Sent", born in a manger in Bethlehem. No shame, no guilt, no sin for all who will trust in this One who was "Sent" to die for our sins.

It may be Winter, Spring is however, just around the corner.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Sunrise

As I was driving my School Bus route this morning; it was the first time since beginning this route two weeks ago that I had seen the lake as the sun came up.

I enjoy being up before the sun rises. I use to almost hate being up that early, but I did not know what I was missing. Of course during that time I was also more of a 'Nightowl' and stayed up till all hours of the night and into the morning at times. I know that I would much rather be up and going early and see the sun rising than going on and on and on after sunset.

Now for those who like the sunset, I can also agree with you, but to me there is something special about sunrise. It signals the beginning of a brandnew day. It is the sign of new things. It is hope that this day will be better than the one before.

As I drove by the lake with the sun not yet up over the horizon I could see the reflection of the tree covered Ozarks hills in the waters with the glow of sunrise. I see that and I think, 'My how wonderful our God, our Creator is. That He could make this all for us.'

Let me challenge you; if you have not seen a sunrise in a while try it Tuesday morning April 03, 2007. If you make it that far, then, be thankful that you made it another day.

Thanksgiving Eve

I should be attending Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Meeting this evening, but I woke this morning with runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and that developed into a bad headache.

Not to mention that only, but I had an appointment at St. John's Hospital in Cassville this morning to have an MRI done on me to try and figure out why my blood pressure is not cooperating. I lay in that machine for what seemed almost like forever, with my arms laid back over my head. After about half the time I was inside that tube my right shoulder began acheing, and I could not move, because of the test.

I just realized this sounds like I am complaining, but I do not mean to be. I am thankful that I am able to feel any pain. Pain is a friend, you know. It lets us know when something is wrong and that we need to find out what it is. Or, it could be a friend in letting you know that something is getting accomplished.

This is Thanksgiving Eve and like I said above, I should be in church this evening, but I decided to call and let them know I would not be coming due to the way I am feeling. If, this that I have making me sneeze is contagious, then I certainly do not want anyone at church to get it. I will be there on Sunday, the Lord willing, of course.

I hope everyone heard that WalMart has decided that they will not be giving out contributions to things which are of a controversial matter. That is good news, for which to be thankful.

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving

The Blankenship household of which I am a part; from my parents, to my own household get together for this wonderful day of the year. There have been times there has been 40 or more of us gathered at my Dad's and Mom's home.

My sisters, Jane, Judy and Jill; Jane's husband Allen, Judy's husband David, and Jill and her boys, and her boyfriend and his daughter sometimes; along with my brother Steve and his wife Deanna. All of their children are often there.

Most of my siblings children and Madge's and mine are all married. There is the exception of Steve and Deanna's son Jeffry. He is still in school. Jill's two boys are not yet old enough to even think about marriage yet.

When you get our family together on Thanksgiving it is great to see so many of the family together celebrating Thanksgiving to the One who gave and gives so very much.

Just of my wife and I plus our children and grandchildren there are 19.

Anyone seeing this can see that we do have much to be very thankful for. The thing for which I am most thankful is the grace of my God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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