The Lord is good! This picture was taken…hmmmm—many years ago. The youngest girl showing the bright smile , just received her restricted drivers license. The young boy in the picture is a whopping 18. Those two belong to my sister and her husband to my left. The sweet looking chick in the green—did I say greeeeen? shirt is my youngest daughter—who is now 22. My oldest daughter, the one showing all the teeth. Jeff and I are the middle couple….I am the one that looks like a “farmer”. My favorite look. The two fellows on either side of Jeff are Assembly of God ministers. Making their precious wives, which are my beloved sisters, MW (minister’s wives). My brother is sitting in the “prayer chair” (my mother’s chair), looking suave and debonair. Last but certainly not least, is our mother and our Grandbuddy. A house full of blessings!
These blessings have grown and multiplied. From our two precious daughters, we gained two sons and now have 6 grandchildren. The sister and her husband to my right have a wonderful gift from heaven full of delight, in the form of a sweet girl. My brother and his wife have a darling baby girl who is almost 2 months old!
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of things that I have to be thankful for! I am incredibly blessed with wonderful family. A praying family. A believing family. A thankful family.
I love the innocence I see in the faces of the children. I love the joy I see on the faces of the adults. This picture is a regular event at my mothers house on Christmas Eve. Every year we gather in a “clump” and say cheese to the “automatically set” camera. We generally take more than one picture. Invariably someone is looking off, blinking, giggling uncontrollably, and sometimes, there are some behinds that get pinched by our spouses! Of course that results in a very unique family photo! This tradition began when Jeff and I were first married. Over 25 years ago. There were some years when he was missing from the picture when he worked on offshore drilling rigs. There were a couple of years when one of the other of us girls were missing due to sickness. But in the years that it was possible, a family photo was made. A treasured keepsake.
We record the history and life of our family and our blessings. When we look back, we see where we’ve been. As we cling to the hand of the Father, we know where we’re going. We may not know the exact route, but we know where the final destination is. I long for that day. When the “complete” family is gathered around the eternal throne of our heavenly Father. We have grandparents that loved the Lord with all their hearts that are waiting for us in heaven. Then—our picture can be made with no one missing. All of us will be home. Home with the Father.
I wanted to share these blessings today of my thankfulness as my 99th post. The Lord has been doing incredible things in my life. All of my life. Through every trial, fiery furnace, den of lions, valley of shadows, lonely roads, and turbulent seas, He has been there. He has proven His love in countless ways. He has never forsaken me. He is my trustworthy Savior. My King. My Lord. I love Him passionately. I am His—completely and forever. He is mine.
If you belong to Him, we are “sisters”….we are of the same family. No matter where you come from. No matter the path you’ve been down. No matter the color of your skin, nor the language you may speak. If you believe in my Lord Jesus Christ, and He has come into your heart and life—covering your sin with His blood that He shed for each of us on Calvary…then we are sisters (or brothers). The same family. Getting ready for the “photo shoot” of a lifetime!
Be sure your garments are pressed and spotless! If there is mending to be done….you’d better see to it quick! We are soon to be gathered. All eyes on the Father….waiting for the Son!
Join in with us on Thankful Thursday. You will be blessed as I am when I read the sweet thankful hearts of the others. Our sweet host is Crystal—-thank you again sweet friend for “taking us all in”!
Stay tuned for the 100th post! You might find a surprise!
Jeff & Angie 
Angie,You stir my soul in so many ways. Your writing glorifies and magnifies our Lord. I thank you for that…I was struck by much you had to say about being sisters and this….There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of things that I have to be thankful for! Amen Angie. Amen.So blessed to know you.
Thanks for your comment on my blog. Thanks for the sweet encouraging words you said about my blog.Hope you have a wonderful week!Karenhttp://thetagblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for sharing this week! I loved the photo, it’s great to remember stuff like this…..family is so important.Blessings
Such a sweet post my sister, bless you always.
How wide a lens His eye sees. We have his eyes to see it too.Happy family Sis
Angie,you NEVER cease to amaze and inspire me! I had tears in my eyes when I read, “photo shoot of a lifetime!” WOW, that just blew me away…We are on the same wavelentgh this morning, my thankful list was about traditions…can’t have those without family~You have millions more in you…you’ve JUST GOT TO!! You inspire SISTER!awesome today, simply awesome!through it ALL, God IS GOOD, ALL the time!love,lori
That is wonderful! Family is such a wonderful blessing. And I love knowing, that even though we have never met, you are my sister!!
Wow 99 posts, heres to many many more. When I was growing up my family would come together, we lived near each other. When I see pictures like that it makes me miss those days, we live far from family. My boys do not have the blessings of lots of Aunts and Uncles around them like I did. It was truely a blessing unfortunately I did not know it until I was grown and moved away.Blessings my friend.
Your post was a wonderful blessing. Family is oh so important. Sometimes we do not count the blessings right under our noses.
Thank you, sister, for the images you’ve given us today. I’m looking forward to the “photo shoot of a lifetime.”
Thanks, sister, for reminding us of the blessings of family–and how fast time flies!
Lovely! God is so good to give us family. Blessings on you and yours. Looking forward to tomorrow!
What a precious photo and I praise God for cameras so we can look back. Family is so awesome and I can’t wait for the holidays to be with mine.God Bless!
Angie, I was looking for the post where you left your email…could you send me your email again, and we can start the questions (with my limited knowledge) about autism. Post a comment on my blog, and I won’t post your comment so that you email is available for everyone to see 🙂Thanks…
Thank you for your kind words on my blog this morning!! I loved reading your Thankful list!! It is so sweet and I love family like you do!! I was going to tell you I bet you would love Debbie over at Chocolate and Coffee but I see she is on your side bar… She is so neat!! I am bookmarking your blog so I can come back and vist!! Blessings, Grams
I always enjoy the nice calming music on your blog, thank you for that!Congrats on your ‘almost’ 100th post…it’s amazing to look back and see waht we’ve written, isn’t it!I love seeing how families grow. My grandparents celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary last night, and everyone got together for it…except me and one aunt who live far away. If I took time to count I know there would be at least 64 people from these two…between kids, kids-in-law, grands, grand-in-laws, and great grands…lots of love!Thank you for sharing your thankfuls with us.Blessings to you-Andie
Family is indeed a treasured blessing! Which why I am thankful this week for the ability to keep in touch with mine that live so far away!
Sisters! I love that because we have the same Father, we are sisters!No one would ever doubt who your allegience is to Angie – you are your Father’s daughter in every word you speak/write. I thank God for you and your incredible witness.Blessings on you today!
If only all families could be that close! Oh..how wonderful that would be.I only get to see mine every two or three years, we all live in separate states.I am thankful for my children, whom I treasure about above else, they are my greatest joy and blessing from God.
Passing on the faith to generations upon generations…A picture tells so many words, doesn’t it? And, tomorrow is the 100th post! Yippee for you!
How neat! I was blessed by reading. I’m glad I stopped over at your blog! God bless you.
Hi,What a beautiful family, and so many Thankful Posts! I’m new in blogland. I plan on making this my favorite day to share all the things I’m grateful for.So nice to meet you!Susan
Your post was such a blessing to me today. The photo reminds me of the many years that we took pictures at my grandmothers house. You have a sweet heart. Thanks so much for sharing that with me. God Bless!
I loved your post. This year at Thanksgiving, my Dad is missing from our earthly picture for the first time. He is home with Mother. I miss them both so much. Looking forward to that great reunion day!Mama Bear
There is nothing as precious as family on this earth. We are so very blessed to enjoy our family. They grow up so quickly, don’t they. We have always taken a family pic at Christmas. It’s a record of our life. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings on your weekend.