Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogging buddies and everyone who visits my blog! Hope all of you have a wonderful day!
Blessings ...nel

On the road again...

Yes we are on the road again as of tomorrow. Headed to Arkansas for almost 2 weeks. We are having our Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday, November 22nd at my daughter’s house. Looking forward to good food, good fellowship and good times. Nothing like spending the holidays with people you love and care about. My brother James and sister-in-law Carole are joining us for dinner, as well as Jan’s dad and mom #2 and her kids.

This year I am thankful that I am married to a dear man who loves and understands me unconditionally. He understands all of my wants and needs. He is ready to go when I say I need an Arkansas fix. He doesn’t mind Jan’s dad, Doc and his wife Gina sharing holidays with us at Jan’s. I am so lucky to have him in my life. I love him more than words can say!

So… I guess I will see you in 2 weeks!

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

VETERAN'S DAY...

The Webster’s Dictionary defines Veteran’s Day as: November 11, a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the end of World War I and in honor of veterans of the Armed Forces, formerly Armistice Day.

But it goes so much deeper than that. Where would we be without our veterans? We as Americans take so much for granted. I would like to take this time to THANK ALL OF OUR VETERANS whoever and wherever you are.

I also would like to honor my Dad. He served as a Private First Class in the Army during WWII in Germany. He was a quiet man, did not talk of the war at all. He was not a hero in the Army, but he was my hero… And I still miss him.

MY DAD
He stood about five feet four
A fairly good size man
But oh, he was so much more
I was his biggest fan!

We always had a roof over our head
And plenty of food to eat
It could go without being said
Family needs he always did meet.

There was always love in his eyes
Even tho it was not always spoken
He seemed so friendly and so wise
That was one of his greatest tokens.

He was as calm as he could be
Unless you crossed his path
Then he would talk till you could see
The road you were on would lead to wrath.

I never remember him raising a hand
Or speakin’ an unkind word
He was actually as gentle as a lamb
And almost as quiet as a bird.

I was always Daddy’s little girl,
the only one he ever had.
Until time passed by in a whirl
I had my little girl, He was so glad.

His heart she did capture
Papa this, and Papa that.
he did listen to her that’s for sure
So much love, imagine that.

I could go on and on and on
And tell you about my Dad!
There are so many memories to think upon
They tend to make me sad.

But Dad is in Heaven now
At times I miss him so much.
But I will make it thru somehow
Till I too feel the Father’s touch.

- Nel Curtis

IN MEMORY: Olan Beavers January 3, 1918 – January 2, 1998

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” Philippians 1:3

Are You Ready...

It has been quiet around Willard this week. The tragedy at Ft. Hood touched my heart as I read about it and watched clips on the Internet gently wiping tears as they rolled down my cheeks. When the base was in lock-down, with mommas on one side of the base and their babies in daycare lock-down. I could feel their pain, they knew their babies were ok, but they just needed to hold them. Just to be reassured that all was well. Family calling to check on their enlisted members, wondering but not knowing what the answer was going to be. I could only imagine what they might be going through. The pain, the anxiety, the wondering, and why, for what reason? We may never know why this happened, but one day it won’t matter. There will be no more tears, or hurting, or devastation. What a day that will be! Are you ready?

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21: 3 - 5

BOOK REVIEW: take Your Best Shot

Book Review: take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein (with Todd Hillard).

This is a story of 9-year-old Austin who steps out on faith and realizes God can use him and you. A short movie by World Vision about a girl named Maggie who was the same age as Austin changed his world forever. And instead of sitting back and doing nothing like a lot of us adults, he listened to God’s call, and Hoops of Hope was born.

Austin realized he could use something that he loved to do and make a difference in the world. This book takes you to Africa where you can see through Austin’s eyes what motivated him. It is a very moving book that has you wiping tears as you cheer him on. It shows you what God has accomplished through the free throws of a young boy. It challenges you to find something you are good at and make a difference in this world. Austin helped raise enough money for international Aids relief to build a school and a medical clinic. What can you do?

This book was wonderful. If I were still a youth leader, every one of my teens would be reading it. Every adult should read the book and figure out what God is calling you to do…