Christmas 2007 is over at the Smith household. Sue and I have experienced non-stop special times that began when we picked up Jamie, Kendall, Lauren and Alexandra from St. Louis International Airport Christmas morning. After getting them situated in two of our five bedrooms, Sue and I went back to the airport to get Rick, Cindy, and Hudson and delivered them to the third bedroom. Our bedrooms have stayed pretty much the way they were when our children lived here. Things were relatively quiet with only one small grandchild until Holly and Guy arrived with their two boys and a baby. Fourteen people were now in place to have beautiful chaos from Thursday until Sunday. Now the house is quiet and Sue and I have pledged to do nothing for a couple of days. To say that our house is a disaster area is putting it mildly, but what a special time each of us enjoyed.
It is very special to me to sit and watch the interaction between our children, their spouses, and the grandkids. There is always so much love that flows from each one. They truly love one another. The humor constantly puts you on the floor laughing. There is a serious touch of caring and the ever-present telling how much they love each other. That is pure joy for me.
Kendall was sick much of the time with a toothache. I know that is not fun, but he carried on very well under the constant pain. We took him to the dentist on Wednesday and he received antibiotics that eased the pain. One of the presents we always give the adults is a candy cane wrapped with a $100 bill. Jamie spent hers before we opened the many presents. Sue is incredible in buying, wrapping, and giving out presents. In spite of the work, she truly loves to give to our family.
We had turkey, ham, BBQ, and finally ham, beans and cornbread. One day, I made five trips to the Mid-town IGA. One of the employees said he had never seen me so much in all the years we have lived here. Paper plates, napkins, toilet paper, artificial sweetner, incredible numbers of coke, diet coke, caffeine free diet coke, mountain dew, dr. pepper, diet dr. pepper, caffeine free diet dr. pepper, pepsi, A&W Baptist Beer, donuts, and paper towels were but a few of the items purchased. Rick went with me several times and saw some people from the past.
Yesterday morning, Sue and I took Rick, Cindy and Hudson back to the airport for their trip back to Dallas. It is always sad when our children leave. This was no exception. This morning at 5 am, we took Jamie, Kendall, Lauren and Alex to the airport and found the largest crowd I have ever seen at the terminal. People we standing outside to get in. They barely made their flight. Later this morning, Holly, Guy, Jacob, Houston, Violet and Kona crammed themselves into a heavily packed van and left for Nashville. I believe Alexandra described Christmas with grandma and grandpa the best when she said:" Thank you grandpa, it was a blast."
Thank you Jesus for our family and your blessed birth.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
CHRISTMAS - 2007
Christmas is so much hard work. Sue goes 24 hours a day in preparation for the day when all of our children and grandchildren will be here. She ALWAYS does such a great job in decorating the house, shopping for all the presents, and preparing the meal. At dinner, we will remember that Jesus is truly the reason for the season and be grateful to our heavenly Father who made it all possible.
Christmas eve will be spent at Sue's parents' home. All of her family will be there and when our kids were still living in St. Charles, they were a large part of the evening. A highlight of Christmas past was when her father read the Christmas story from the King James version. He can no longer do that, so Sue's older brother will carry on the tradition.
Jamie and Rick's familes will be here Christmas evening while Holly and her troop will arrive the 26th or 27th. When they arrive, we will open presents. Rick has already sent presents by UPS.
As I look back over the years, I am grateful for the way God blended our family. No one was ever called stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister. We truly blended and the girls wanted to call me dad and Rick wanted to call Sue mom from the very beginning. It seemed we immediately had a great family. Rick and I moved to St. Charles when he was four years old. It was just Rick and me for seven delightful years and then came Sue, Jamie and Holly and it was even better.
Sue and I have talked about buying a new house from time to time. Our children do NOT want us to do that. They love to come home. Their rooms are pretty much the same as when they lived here. Lauren and Alex, Jamie's two daughters have said to Sue and me: "Grandma and Grandpa, we just love to come to your house." Silently I ask myself why because they live in a much newer house. However, I love it.
After our children leave, Sue and I will go to Branson and have a short couple of days with our friends Ed and Janet Watkins.We always enjoy being with them. We will play dominos, discuss plans for the future, relax and thank God for His blessings on both families.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas time and that 2008 is the very best year yet for you!!!!!!!
Christmas eve will be spent at Sue's parents' home. All of her family will be there and when our kids were still living in St. Charles, they were a large part of the evening. A highlight of Christmas past was when her father read the Christmas story from the King James version. He can no longer do that, so Sue's older brother will carry on the tradition.
Jamie and Rick's familes will be here Christmas evening while Holly and her troop will arrive the 26th or 27th. When they arrive, we will open presents. Rick has already sent presents by UPS.
As I look back over the years, I am grateful for the way God blended our family. No one was ever called stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister. We truly blended and the girls wanted to call me dad and Rick wanted to call Sue mom from the very beginning. It seemed we immediately had a great family. Rick and I moved to St. Charles when he was four years old. It was just Rick and me for seven delightful years and then came Sue, Jamie and Holly and it was even better.
Sue and I have talked about buying a new house from time to time. Our children do NOT want us to do that. They love to come home. Their rooms are pretty much the same as when they lived here. Lauren and Alex, Jamie's two daughters have said to Sue and me: "Grandma and Grandpa, we just love to come to your house." Silently I ask myself why because they live in a much newer house. However, I love it.
After our children leave, Sue and I will go to Branson and have a short couple of days with our friends Ed and Janet Watkins.We always enjoy being with them. We will play dominos, discuss plans for the future, relax and thank God for His blessings on both families.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas time and that 2008 is the very best year yet for you!!!!!!!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT NEW YORK
Sue wanted to go to NY to see the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and hear her song performed as part of the Tabernacle's Christmas program. She wanted me to tag along and so I did even as President Kennedy accompanied Jackie to Paris. It was a fun time for the two of us to have time together, attend the Christmas program, tour NY, learn the train schedules and walk, walk, walk.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is, of course in Brooklyn. My earliest remembrances of Brooklyn had to do with the Dodgers before they sadly moved to Los Angles. The Tabernacle is located in the confines of a beautiful old theater. It is very ornate and its beauty is only exceeded by the friendliness of of the members. The auditorium has balcony boxes along the sides of the walls. When I was a kid in Springfield, those were my favorite seats at the Gilloiz Theater. Those boxes at the tabernacle were decorated with Christmas trees.
Here are some of my impressions of the Christmas program.
1. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is BY FAR the best choir I have ever heard.
2. Taranda Greene sang Sue's song and it was incredible.
3. Taranda Greene sang "Oh, Holy Night" better than I have ever heard anyone sing it and I have heard some great ones.
4. Pastor Jim Cymbala is the real deal. Previously, I never liked having a pastor take over after a concert, the effect of which, for me, was to ruin the message of the concert. He was prepared and did a fantastic job in concluding the evening.
5. Carolyn Cymbala, Jim's wife, is a very talented and gracious lady who led the choir in such a dynamic way.
6. Tony and Taranda Greene are very special and kind people who can really sing our Lord's message.
7. I loved it when pastor Cymbala came out of his office and said: "Where is this great song writer?" When someone says something like that about Sue, it is an incredible blessing to me.
I liked Brooklyn even late at night.
If I lived in the NY area, I would not own a car.
It was fun walking around NY on Friday. We passed by so many beautiful decorations, people in a hurry, people from many different nations (does anyone live in NY?) heard so many different languages. Only English appeared to be missing. In Sue's blog, she went into detail about the various sites so i will not go that way. I loved the walking and my left bun was sore from all that exercise.
When we arrived home, we found nearly nine inches of snow in St. Charles. I like snow somewhere I am not; however, I must admit it was beautiful. The trip was great but there is no place like .....
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is, of course in Brooklyn. My earliest remembrances of Brooklyn had to do with the Dodgers before they sadly moved to Los Angles. The Tabernacle is located in the confines of a beautiful old theater. It is very ornate and its beauty is only exceeded by the friendliness of of the members. The auditorium has balcony boxes along the sides of the walls. When I was a kid in Springfield, those were my favorite seats at the Gilloiz Theater. Those boxes at the tabernacle were decorated with Christmas trees.
Here are some of my impressions of the Christmas program.
1. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is BY FAR the best choir I have ever heard.
2. Taranda Greene sang Sue's song and it was incredible.
3. Taranda Greene sang "Oh, Holy Night" better than I have ever heard anyone sing it and I have heard some great ones.
4. Pastor Jim Cymbala is the real deal. Previously, I never liked having a pastor take over after a concert, the effect of which, for me, was to ruin the message of the concert. He was prepared and did a fantastic job in concluding the evening.
5. Carolyn Cymbala, Jim's wife, is a very talented and gracious lady who led the choir in such a dynamic way.
6. Tony and Taranda Greene are very special and kind people who can really sing our Lord's message.
7. I loved it when pastor Cymbala came out of his office and said: "Where is this great song writer?" When someone says something like that about Sue, it is an incredible blessing to me.
I liked Brooklyn even late at night.
If I lived in the NY area, I would not own a car.
It was fun walking around NY on Friday. We passed by so many beautiful decorations, people in a hurry, people from many different nations (does anyone live in NY?) heard so many different languages. Only English appeared to be missing. In Sue's blog, she went into detail about the various sites so i will not go that way. I loved the walking and my left bun was sore from all that exercise.
When we arrived home, we found nearly nine inches of snow in St. Charles. I like snow somewhere I am not; however, I must admit it was beautiful. The trip was great but there is no place like .....
Saturday, December 8, 2007
QUOTES AGAIN
It has been some time since I posted a number of quotes, so I thought just before Christmas might be a good time for this activity.
"Don't wish it was easier; wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems; wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges; wish for more wisdom."
Jim Rohn
"I am ready to meet my Maker - but whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."
Winston Churchill
"I am absolutely convinced that with good leadership, freedom does not weaken discipline - it strengthens it. Free people have a powerful incentive not to screw up."
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
former commander, USS Benfold
"Real communication happens when people feel safe."
Ken Blanchard
"The biggest battle going on every day is between your own ears."
Jack Canfield
"The true test of the effectiveness of the leader is this: Are your people better off when they leave than when they arrived."
James C. Hunter
"The first duty of any leader is to create more leaders."
A Wise General
"Leaders nurture a vision and at the right time declare it, so others can rally to the cause."
Bob Briner
"Leadership is a noble spiritual gift to be honored and highly esteemed."
Bob Briner
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."
Jesus
I have all kinds of leadership books in my shrinking library. At my age, I felt the necessity of giving a large number of books to my pastor. The books on leadership, however, remain as a special part of my life. I like sharing some of the thoughts with those of you who take time to read my blog.
Jesus is lord and so it will ever remain.
"Don't wish it was easier; wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems; wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges; wish for more wisdom."
Jim Rohn
"I am ready to meet my Maker - but whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."
Winston Churchill
"I am absolutely convinced that with good leadership, freedom does not weaken discipline - it strengthens it. Free people have a powerful incentive not to screw up."
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
former commander, USS Benfold
"Real communication happens when people feel safe."
Ken Blanchard
"The biggest battle going on every day is between your own ears."
Jack Canfield
"The true test of the effectiveness of the leader is this: Are your people better off when they leave than when they arrived."
James C. Hunter
"The first duty of any leader is to create more leaders."
A Wise General
"Leaders nurture a vision and at the right time declare it, so others can rally to the cause."
Bob Briner
"Leadership is a noble spiritual gift to be honored and highly esteemed."
Bob Briner
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."
Jesus
I have all kinds of leadership books in my shrinking library. At my age, I felt the necessity of giving a large number of books to my pastor. The books on leadership, however, remain as a special part of my life. I like sharing some of the thoughts with those of you who take time to read my blog.
Jesus is lord and so it will ever remain.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
CROSSING PATHS
I continue to be a person that God places special people in my life at just the right time. When I need a boost or a confirmation regarding a decision, a "God-Thing" always happens.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As believers in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As believers in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
CROSSING PATHS
I continue to be a person that God places special people in my life at just the right time. When I need a boost or a confirmation regarding a decision, a "God-Thing" always happens.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As a believer in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As a believer in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
CROSSING PATHS
I continue to be a person that God places special people in my life at just the right time. When I need a boost or a confirmation regarding a decision, a "God-Thing" always happens.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As a believer in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
In high school, I didn't even know I needed direction from God. He, however, sent Howard Butt and Frank Boggs to Springfield for a youth revival sponsored by a college young peoples' group. A few of us from Greenwood went to a college assembly and heard Butt speak and Boggs sing. That experience planted a seed.
When I was an undergraduate, I was struggling with a decision about changing schools. A strong Christian believer was God's person to speak to me and help me take the right direction. He never knew he influenced me.
I was at Glorietta Baptist Assembly for student week when my parents called and said I had been drafted into the United States Army. That was a bit of a low for me, but after arriving at the Army base, I met a Chaplain who was just the right person to provide the proper direction for me and made it possible for me to attend Baylor University.
It was perhaps the lowest part of my life when I lacked direction and confidence. My secretary encouraged me by saying that I had so much going for me; however, she never knew or realized that her that her comments were so greatly needed and meant so much to me.
In the living room of my home in Springfield a good friend made a statement about divorce that spoke to me. He said that divorce is falling short of God's ideal. God's ideal is for one man and one woman to remain together, but like so many other areas of life where we fall short of God's ideal, divorce is also one of them. He didn't know he helped me.
Another friend pointed out to me a truth that continues to be a blessing. He said: "Influence is so much more important than power." That still strikes a chord in my life and helps me in leadership.
You have undoubtedly helped someone by something you said or a deed you accomplished, yet you are unaware of it. As a believer in Christ, let us join together to share some of the things we have experienced or some wisdom Christ has given us with those with whom our paths cross. In the movie "Radio," Ed Harris said maybe he should not have done all those things for the boy they called "Radio." Debra Winger, his wife, said: "Helping someone is always a good thing!" Debra didn't know she was preaching a great sermon.
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