Friday, November 27, 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

It has been such a wonderful year. Thanksgiving is always a time that I reflect on what I am blessed with and how life has changed. This year has been very special to me. As always, I am most thankful for the Lord in my life. He has been a part of my life since before my memories began. He has given me salvation and blessed me in ways that I never dreamed or deserved. He is my beginning and my ending. Even though I am always below the bar when it comes to my relationship with Him, He is always my reason for life. I am so thankful to Him and what follows is his blessing not only on my life, but many others as well. Thank you Lord for loving me!

I have four brothers, each of them know and love the Lord. They all have big hearts filled with the fruit of the spirit. Though we all have our flaws, there is no question about where my brothers stand in this life. They are a light in the shadows and I am thankful that God blessed me with each of them. They are all blessed with their own unique families and I know their impact in the lives of others will be great. I never had a sister growing up, but I couldn't ask for a better set of sister-in-laws than the ones I got. Good job brothers, each of you are blessed.

Mom and Pop Strain, my parents. I am thankful that I am close to them not only in my relationship to them, but in physical distance. For many years it was quite a drive to see them, but fortunately I can see them any day now. My parents main goal in life was to introduce their children to the Lord. They were successful at that. My parents are in part the reason our hearts are molded the way they are. They have been a blessing to each of us and in turn have been a blessing to so many others. I don't know how they raised five boys, but they did and managed to do it in a way that kept us close and out of trouble. My parents have always had my love and respect and always will. I know that both my parents love the Lord and my heart can rest assured that when the time comes they will eternally exist in His presence. 

My second family, the Holmes. I could have not asked for a better set of in-laws than my own. I have known them for a long time and have a close relationship to each of them. I'm very happy to say that I have been blessed with a great brother-in-law on this side of my family and I think he has been a bigger blessing to the family than he knows. This family has done so much for me, but of all they have done I am most thankful that they love me like I was born into their family. There is no question about who I am to them. I am truly one of their own. 

I have a third family and that is the family of my friends. In all the changes my life has taken me, I have always been blessed with great people. The Lord has always put loving people in my path. Many of my friends I rarely get a chance to see or talk to, but each of them are special to me. I can always talk to them when I see them and the memories are always great. Lord thank you for my friends and the support my friends have always given me.

In 2012 my life really changed, I got a farming family. My life has been changed so much by them. They have given my undeserved opportunities and blessed me in ways I did not expect. They have changed me in many positive ways and have given me opportunities to do the things in life I enjoy doing. I know that the blessings they have passed down to me will be continue through me and to a next generation of people. Thank you Steve, Renee, Ernest, Janet, and Theda!

It has been a year of firsts for me. The picture below sums up so much of that.

I had my first wedding anniversary with my beautiful wife Heather. Heather has our first little bun in the oven, a little lady if you haven't heard. Right now we call her Nuggett, two t's because she is a girl. Heather and I have had our first crop this year which was hay and as you can see in the picture she is standing in our first cotton crop. I still remember the day I met Heather. The thing I remember the most was I had so much fun with this short, cute, little lady. She was so much fun and I was a love sick puppy. She got my attention and each day with her is a blast. She's got attitude and I love it. She brings me joy. The Lord had a sense of humor putting us together and I'm thankful for that. Heather loves the Lord and has a big heart. We complement each other and we grow with each other each day. She is my amazing little hot momma! She will do something today to make me laugh or grin and I can't wait to make that memory. She is walking through the living room in her underwear right now!!! Thank you Lord! Thank you!!! Thank you Lord for blessing me with my own family and providing a means for me to take care of them.

Lord, thank you! Thank you for it all. Lord keep me humble. Bless me so I can bless others. Keep my heart on the right track. Bless those that I love. Give me a heart to love all. I saw a friend post on Facebook that "a grateful heart makes all the difference". This is so true. I am so grateful for life. God bless you and I hope joy is in you heart.