Things to Do When You Run Out of Words to Say

You know of course 'I love you' is fine,it is easy to say.It has real meaning if you look her in the eyes.
Sometimes there is more you want to say that expresses the I Love You's in a different way.

Telling her 'This is the Best Grilled Sandwich Ever In The History The World' is nice but is that what you really wanted her to hear?
Try this,take a minute,ask her to sit down.
Say this: You have prepared 10,000 meals for me.You have expressed your love and care for me in every single one. You are the best.
To say I love you in different ways,try this: Pick up the vacuum cleaner, the rug,move the furniture an vacuum under.Take the extension hose thing and go round the corners of the ceiling.
That will take 30 minutes or less out of your life.She will appreciate it and gaze at you with wonder.
Learn to turn on the dishwasher when it is full. Learn how to empty it when it is done.
I have recently learned this life lesson.
Straighten out the room were she works so hard.The laundry room should not be a dreary place.
I am starting to remodel our laundry room completely,new floor,new walls,painting the ceiling and making the room nice.
That's another life lesson I am learning.
Now here is a simple thing: Take out the trash.This going through the house, emptying all the little trash cans you can find.Pick plastic bags in the cans.
That will also take less than 30 minutes. Maybe 15.
If you work out of your car like I do, pick up the trash.This makes her happy to ride in a clean car. This will actually make both of you happier.By now you are seeing insights into my life.

Take her out to a real nice restaurant once in a while.Try a Tuesday night.Places are not to crowded and it sure helps break up the week.

These are things I have learned after being married for a long time.Yes,I am a slow learner but I think I am getting better.She thinks so to.
Read the same book that she has liked.This will help you relate in a new way.

If you can do this well,pay all the bills.This will ot take long and you can tell her all the bills are paid.This can be a relief to her.If you don't do the job well, ask her for her help.

Encourage her in her hobbies.Encourage her to have a life outside of the home life.

Voting

Yes I will vote in the upcoming election.
I have my opinions and you probably have yours.
So, saying that, what will change with a new leader? Who knows?
I think that we little people will have more taxes no matter who gets elected.
I am sure we will be more regulated.
I am sure Homeland Security will become more powerful.
The Supreme Court will make asinine decisions.
Our government will make moves toward socialism.
Some people will become so politically correct some of us will puke.
We will be disgusted by war efforts or lack o war efforts.

Our country suffers from so many ill's,so many bad things.
I think that whoever will become president will be high on our nations approval,then begin to decline and then we will all dislike him immensely.

Ok, enough negative writing.
I can only say that we still have the best country in the world,and we are really blessed by God.
Let us keep it that way.

At This Very Moment

At this moment in time,even as I am writing this,(it's 10 36 PM) are we are of Heaven?
I think that at this very moment,(a whole minute has gone by) millions of souls are there.
What did those millions of souls do in that minute? Were they just hanging around, watching TV?
Were they playing with their hobbies? Painting the ceiling? Making plans for tomorrow?
We will be surprised when we get there,I don't believe anyone has the idea of Heaven entirely correct.
They were aware of God and His presence I am sure.
Many generations of my family are there.Many are not I suppose.
My prayer today that all my family and all my extented family members will gather on that golden shore some fine day.
We can have a family reunion!
Can you imagine how happy we will be?
I was so happy to see so many of my family at a picnic last June,it was to me a taste of what was to come. I didn't want it to end,I did want to just stay and hang out with my loved ones.
That minute I mentioned a bit ago is now long gone.The people in Heaven have not wasted a second,although I can't imagine what it is like,it is amazing to think of.
How much I miss you Dad and Mom,how I look forward to seeing you again.
The Bible says this about it, from Isaiah 35.

1 The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily.2 It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God.3 Strengthen ye the feeble hands, and confirm the weak knees.4 Say to the fainthearted: Take courage, and fear not: behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense: God himself will come and will save you.5 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free: for waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness.7 And that which was dry land, shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the dens where dragons dwelt before, shall rise up the verdure of the reed and the bulrush.8 And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way, so that fools shall not err therein.9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any mischievous beast go up by it, nor be found there: but they shall walk there that shall be delivered.10 And the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and shall come into Sion with praise, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

39 Years and We Still Hold Hands

October 18,1969 was the day Linda and I got married.

It was a day exactly like today,cool,sunny and very pleasant.

I could write about all the years,all the ups and downs but I thought would just tell you about today.

Today we woke up late,there was no real reason to rush off.

We had our late breakfast,went to the post office,I took coffee with me.She forgot hers so we stopped at an oasis to get her some.

We then made 3 very nice profitable service calls.All 3 were old customers who were glad to see us and we were glad to see them.

When we finished with our work we went to our favorite Italian place for a late lunch,The Island Cafe in Blue Island,Illinois.

Since Linda was driving we took a nice way home,past the ghetto territory and then through the woods.

On 135th street is a forest preserve where we spent a lot of time with our friends before we were married.She proceeded to pull into the woods where she parked the car.

We talked for a bit,then she kissed me and we held hands.

The days end found us talking to the our kids on the phone and on the computer.

We finished the night by watching a movie which we liked a lot.

So we now start another year.

I am blessed beyond all measure.

Tom

Tom came into my life when I had four little ones.
I was young,maybe 32,he was much younger,maybe 24.
Somehow we met, we probably became friends because we had some of the same interests.
I think was radios.
I never knew his last name.
He was tough, acted that way and dressed the part.Long stringy hair,black boots,blue jeans and a black motorcycle jacket.
Here I was with 4 kids,trying my best to keep them from bad influence but I knew this Tom was different
He liked me,admired my wife and thought highly of my kids.
Many times he stopped by my house and I was glad he did.I didn't know where he lived or how he supported himself.
He once said he had just found a job,somewhere.
When he stopped by we talked sometimes about my relationship with God and how much it had changed me.I told him I was once like him but had found something good.
I invited Tom to church and to our surprise he showed up,dressed as usual.
I introduced Tom to some people who were for the most part happy to see him.One lady was so nice,she looked him in the eyes and not at his clothes.She said,'Tom,it is such a pleasure to have you here."
I was so impressed with the people of my church who welcomed him.Tom came back to church many times.We had many more discussions about life in my little house.
Tom found God.
God had him in his plans since before time.
I explained this to Tom and he became more attached to God as time went on.
Sadly we lost contact with him,I never knew what became of Tom.
I can only hope he is doing well.Somewhere.
I think my relationship with Tom was a good one,I know now I should have pursued it further.
But I am human,and humans are not perfect.
And now I wonder where he is and hope he will stop by again.
I miss you Tom.

Last Words

Had a brief talk with my daughter Michelle about last words.
It got me thinking,what will be my last words?
I hope I am not in some drug induced stupor that makes me say crazy things.
Something like,Michelle paint your car blue and take out your furniture.
My mom talked to a lady about Jesus,this was one of the last times mom was in the hospital.
The lady was in the bed next to mom.She was held captive by my mom,I think this was a good thing and I believe this lady needed to hear the story of Jesus's love.
She did not let up or mention it in a casual way.I remember mom being almost forceful with this lady. One of her last words.

Robert E.Lee said 'Strike the Tent".His past came back to him at his deathbed.

I hope I am lucid.I hope I say something profound! Something that will go down in history as so wise,so amazing,Pastors will preach about it.Books will be written about the Wisdom of Mike.
Presidents will quote me, my brother Bud will become famous because he is related to me.
My kids will memorize me, a large tombstone with my quote written on it will be erected in Washington!
Well.Reality being what it is,I just hope to go peacefully.
I think I would like to say as my last words,Jesus here I come.

Working and Updates and Thoughts

I am working half days now,but it seems like I can stay busy all day.
Nap time comes around 3 PM and we do look forward to an hours rest.
I am still taking 10 pills a day for pain,but I am doing better than I was a year ago.Much better.
My cane is only needed for long walks now,and I am glad about that.

I am enjoying ham radio a lot,after being away from it for a while it is good to be with friends again with the same interests.Soon the sun spots will be back to begin a 11 year cycles and that will make a big difference in communications.I look forward to filling my log book with many foreign contacts.It truly is a fun,but expensive hobby.

This is a time in my life where I seem to do a lot of looking back.
Do I have regrets,well yes.
Do I dwell on them,well no.
I think dwelling on past mistakes will bring you far away from God.
God has forgotten our sins,we should too.How great is that?

Now a few of my grandkids are getting to be almost teens,I do think about their future.
It is tough times for them,the temptations are greater then when I was a teen.
How important it is to pray for them daily,to remind God how important these kids are.
To keep them strong,and to keep the legacy of true Christianity going on,and on.
To pray that all will find Christian mates,this is sincere hope and my continuing prayer.
To you grandkds, I will pray daily for you,all of you,by name.
I am so grateful to the Lord for your parents, how good it is to see you all being raised in such a fine way.
Laughing with you,amazed at how different you all are,stunned by the stands you have taken already in your young lives,I count this as one of my life's most precious blessings.
God,is good.

No Ugly Words

We went to a granddaughters birthday party on Sunday,my Maddie turned 10 years old.
It was a typical birthday party. Loud,laughing,babies falling over stuff,opening presents,kids showing off,me enjoying every minute.
Carrying the babies,walking around the house,being part of every conversation,watching the older kids playing games.
Sitting with the old people,listening to 10 conversations,participating in some.Lost in their talk,I go back to the kids.
I noticed something going on here.
There were no ugly words spoken,no cuss words,no -I hate yous',no-That's Mine!.
I go into the kitchen,I hear Joel talking about his school,the kids always are saying OH MY GOD!.
He refuses to use those words.
It's now common,it is used everywhere,even Christian people.
When people say it,they don't realize what they are saying,OH MY GOD is not to be used lightly.
I hear it used by kids,adults,my customers,even on line I see the abbreviation...OMG.
Looking back at the party,there was no ugly words,none.
I am proud of my kids and how they are raising theirs.