Penless Writer

2009 was a GREAT year in our lives.

I want to close out this year, as I did last year, with the 10 things I am most thankful for and that have made 2009 so wonderful.

#1. I am thankful for my church and our wonderful Pastor, Gary, and his wife, Paula,

and to be fed and blessed by his teaching and preaching on Sunday and Wednesday. We have been attending this church since December 23, 2006 and there is hardly ever a service that I do not walk out the doors saying, "I love our Church".

. They are so very sincere and cute and cool and just plain wonderful in every way !! We are blessed.

#2. I am thankful that God placed me in 2 woman's Bible Study groups this year.

The Monday morning group. Out of this group came The Klothes Kloset ministry at the Church. Reaching out with helping hands and hearts to help with clothing for those in need in our town and area.

This is the Tuesday night Bible Study and The 3rd Day Sisters. This is such a very special and diverse group of woman that only God could, and did, put together. We are from different churches.

3. I am thankful that God saw fit to graft us into His Olive Tree, and to be studying our Jewish roots with The 3rd Day Sisters.
Having Sandra is so wonderful because she is such an anointed teacher & leader. She spends hours preparing and studying to share with us each week. I appreciate you SOOO much, Sandra, and am learning so much. God is using you greatly and it is only beginning!!!



4. I am thankful we got to make several short, but very wonderful, trips this year.



1) In June we made a trip to Tennessee to visit Mickey's family in Nashville & Memphis. We got to see his brother, Jerry - brother-in-law, Ronnie - Nephews Wayne, Joe & Billy & his wife, Dianne and all the grand nieces and nephews - sister-in-law, Helen. So thankful to have this family and be a part of it.
Jerry, Ronnie & Mickey. Can you tell getting these three together is trouble?

2) In July the 3rd Day Sisters went to Eureka Springs & Branson for a couple of days. We visited the Passion Play and Christ of the Ozarks Statue in Eureka and saw the musical/drama Noah in Branson. What a fun time.

3) Two weeks later Mickey & I returned to Eureka Springs to visit our friends and neighbors, Wayne & Jimmie, at their delightful cabin between Eureka & Branson. If you remember the post I not only forgot the camera but our luggage!!! We had fun anyway, but had to cut the trip short.

4) In September we were blessed to go with a group from our church to a revival in Oak Grove, AR to hear Perry Stone and other great ministers. Getting to hear Perry Stone in person was truly a desire of my heart!!!Oak Grove is just outside Eureka Springs.

5) In October it was back to Branson for the wedding of Mickey's nephew, Wayne. Eureka Springs, Branson, Oak Grove I don't know why God kept sending us to this area but I'm sure there is some reason. 4 of these 5 trips were within a few miles of each other in that area!!!!

Wayne & Laura and Laura's 2 daughters. What a fun, beautiful wedding.

5) I am thankful for my family! I am so very thankful that 3 of our 4 children and all 3 of our grandchildren live in the Tulsa area and we can be such an integral part of their lives.

6) I am thankful that David, the child who does not live near us but in California, was able to come home in August for his brothers birthday and this Christmas eve for Christmas & my birthday.

7) I am thankful for the very good health that both Mickey & I enjoy and are blessed with.

8) I am thankful to get to meet 3 more blog friends in real life during 2009. Tammy, and her husband & daughter, in West Memphis on our way to Tennessee - Lisa and her husband and daughters who came through our area from TX & Dawn, who came to OK from CO. This makes 10 blog friends I have been privileged to meet and look forward to who those I will get to meet in 2010.

9. I am thankful that all my needs are met by my Lord and Savior. That I have joy & contentment and optimism about the future and what God has in store for His Body - The Church.

10. Last but not least I am thankful that we were introduced to Deann last New Years Eve.

Marc proposed to her 3 weeks ago and they are to be married in early 2010. You'll be hearing a lot more about this from me in weeks to come. We could not be more delighted!!!!

I AM THANKFUL!!!