With all the joking around we do Patty and I have been truly blessed. We have been able to do things we thought we would never do.

Been to the Smoky Mountains 4 times, twice for a week and twice for 2 weeks. Able to afford two vehicles (yeah, one is 15 years old but only has 120K on the clock).

A house that was paid for 12 years ago, and only one vehicle payment (less than 300 a month). So we are doing better than some folks and worse than others. I reckon we’re just average Rednecks.

When I joined the Air Force 52 years ago I had no plans beyond the next 4 years.

We’re no “Saint” by any means, but we TRY to live a Christian life and I FULLY believe our lives are the way they are because of that.

In the beginning (started going to church the first Sunday Of 2001). We started giving what WE felt we could afford. Then after a couple three years we decided to start tithing. It was rough at first. But after a while we realized we were able to do things we couldn’t do before. And no our income didn’t go up anywhere enough to justify our ability to do “stuff”. It was as if money would just miraculously be there when logically it shouldn’t be. GOD HAS been very good to us, and everything we have is due to TRYING to live the life in a way that he wants us to. Can we ever live a perfect life, no, but as long as we truly try, and truly ask for forgiveness and help we can be pleasing and our lives will be better for it. Patty and I are perfect examples of that concept.

Sorry for the sermon, but it just came to my mind and I wrote it down. If these words help someone, it has all been worth it.

Folks may laugh, scoff, make fun, but Patty and I KNOW it has made a very beneficial difference in our lives.