40 Reasons I am Thankful on my 40th!

I turn 40 today, June 15, 2016.  I am grateful and thankful on this occasion and I want to share 40 of these.  There is no certain order to this list.

I am thankful for . . .

1. Living to 40!  Life is never a right, but a blessing.
2. Living in America with the wealth and freedoms we enjoy.  I love my country.
3. Ice cream and dessert!  I have consumed much of them over my 40 years!
4. Beautiful sunny days to enjoy being outside.  I have enjoyed so many.
5. Golf!  I love the sport whether I am playing or watching it.
6. FHU!  Freed-Haldeman blessed my life tremendously with its environment, education, and mentors.
7. Friends!  I have been blessed with wonderful friends all through my life.
8. Amanda!  She is my best friend and companion.  She gives me so much joy and happiness.
9. Water!  I have always enjoyed swimming, water skiing, jet skis, and now I get to live with a huge pond in my back yard.
10. History!  From my teenage years until now I have enjoyed studying the story of us, what we call history!  It shapes me and entertains me.  I like it!
11. BBQ!  I enjoy smoking and grillin’ meat!  I enjoy cooking it, but like eating it even better!!
12. Computers!  Computer technology allows me to do so much more than I would be able to if I had to use pen and paper.
13. Austin!  My 11 year old who is my farm manager, sports companion, and general awesome dude!
14. Brooke!  My 9 year old princess who has my personality in a little girl’s body!  She is precious and sweet!
15. Church Camps!  They are great places to have fun and grow your faith.
16. Homeschooling!  I am grateful my wife makes so many sacrifices to homeschool the kids.  It provides a great education and blesses our family.
17. Fresh cut hay fields!  I love the smell of fresh cut hay and especially when it is my fields that got turned into hay for my animals this winter!
18. Our farm and the many animals that have taught us so much!   
19. For sweet, older, Christian ladies who are loving and encouraging!  Being a minister means you get to be blessed by many of them from class time to home visits.
20. My Missouri home.  I still enjoy going back home to Mom and Dad’s house and farm.  It is always special and comforting to go back home!
21. Landon!  Our soon to be 7 year old who has made life so much fun and always keeps us on our toes!  He is my little outdoors-man and jokester!
22. Caleb!  Our 3 year old who is going through a time of fits and funny questions!  He keeps us laughing and shaking our heads in frustration all in the same 10 minutes!
23. Family!  I am blessed to have a close family that loves and cares for one another.  From in-laws to distant cousins I am grateful for my family!
24. Parents!  I am grateful they are still in good health and gave me such a solid foundation to build my life upon.
25. Amanda’s cooking!  I married an incredible cook and one who takes such great care of us!
26. Preaching and teaching!  I enjoy the opportunity to study and share God’s word!
27. Baptisms!  I am thankful for each one I have baptized, and I hope to have many more in the next 40 years.
28. Preachers!  I appreciate my brethren who preach, you help me to preach better!
29. 7 Oaks Church of Christ!  This family of God has treated us like family for 12 years.  They are loving, patient, and humble!
30. Bedtime!  Not my bedtime, but the kids bedtime!
31. The Ranger and Tractor!  I don’t know how I would make it on the farm without them.
32. Walks, and sometimes runs, with Amanda!
33. State and National Parks.  I have visited many of them over 40 years and love everyone!
34. Sports! From playing to watching and all things in between!
35. The Word of God!  It is always a deep well of wisdom, strength, and knowledge!
36. My in-laws!  They are great to me.
37. For the people who read this blog!
38. 7 Oaks Elders!  They are great men to serve under in the House of the Lord.
39. Our new house is completed!  I love it and am thankful we are not still building!
40. For the incredible grace and abundant love of God and my Savior Jesus Christ.  

Thanks for the blessing you have been to my life!

To listen to a sermon I preached on “40 Years in the Church” go to the Audio Resources.