I'm really happy to share my guest blogger with you. John Cotter is an old (much older in age, too!) friend of mine from high school. One of my favorite memories (that he probably doesn't even remember) is driving to the basketball playoffs in Switz City while it was like a blizzard outside. At that time I was too stupid to know that I was trusting my life into the hands of a long haired (yes, he had more hair back then), heavy metal blaring music, fast car, heavy on the pedal guy. Thankfully, he got us there in one piece...I think he was more in a hurry to see a girl named Kim than he was to see the game...John lives in Texas and is a pilot for United/Continental Airlines. He pilots the Boeing 777, flying international routes to London, Tokyo, and Frankfurt. While he loves his job, he really loves volunteering for the Commemorative Air Force. He spends his time flying different World War II airplanes, including the B24 he mentions below, and instructing in ex-Soviet military jets. 
It is the time of the year when people start thinking about the things they are thankful for: Loving family, great friends, and good health are usually included. I am thankful for those things plus more, including a unique gift that I receive during the warmer months. I have the honor and privilege to fly a B-24 Liberator WW II bomber at various air shows around the US. Out of over 18,000 built, there now are only 2 flying examples. We also offer the general public the opportunity to fly in this great airplane. Now, the truly rewarding part is when I get to fly veterans that were actual crewmembers during the war. Or when I get to fly “Rosie the Riveter” and this is the first time she has been around the B-24 that she helped create some 70 years ago. It is an amazing feeling to share that experience with the very people that built, flew in, and worked on this machine that helped ensure freedom for the World.
One thing is for certain, if you are with Anna Ward, you are having a great time. We always have fun and laugh until our sides hurt. Most people would be quick to say that Anna is funny and upbeat. I love those characteristics about her, but most of all, I love that she is an authentic Christ follower. She is quick to share her faith and an encourager to other believers. I love my friend, she has been a sound ear for me many times and a very loyal friend. Oh, and she happens to be my middle daughter's "other mother". Our girls are two peas in a pod. I love you, Anna Ward!
I'm sure that we have all heard the phrase “count your blessings” more than a few times in our lives. I personally have counted my blessings on more than one occasion. But have you ever stopped to consider what qualifies as a “blessing”? For most of us, blessings consist of our loved ones, our health, our jobs and our comforts.
Lately, God has been showing me a different kind of blessing. He is teaching me not only to thank Him IN the tough times, but also to thank Him FOR the tough times. Let's face it, none of us likes to go through hard times. Not once have I asked God to make things difficult for me. Who in their right mind would want to suffer? But tough times come none the less, just like the Bible promises they will. For most of my life I believed that tough times were God's way of punishing me for things done wrong. If I was suffering in some way it was because He was upset with me. By His saving grace I now know that trials are signs of His love for me. Realizing that He is shaping me and molding me into His likeness makes hard times bearable. I know in my heart of hearts that He will never bring me to a trial without going through it with me, and if He is with me then I have nothing to fear. This song has been following me around for months. I have no idea what God has planned for me, but I do know that He will be right there to take me through the fire every time. For that, I am eternally thankful.
My guest blogger today is my lifelong friend, Dannelle Mattox. We have shared a lifetime of memories. If I could say one thing about her, I would say that she is truly a woman of God. She inspires me and encourages me to be a better me. I love you, Dannelle!
As a wise woman once told me, I am so thankful and so blessed to have a Christian husband. For many years we were childless, but then through many prayers and by the grace of God, we had a precious baby boy when we were both 43 years old. Our son has been such a joy to raise and has strengthened our faith. Even though we felt a little like Abraham and Sarah as we experienced the ups and downs of parenthood, God has truly been faithful and patient with us. Our son changed our lives forever in the best possible way. I'm sure God enjoyed a few chuckles on us!
You are gonna love my guest today! I'm really excited to share Terri McCullers with you. She is a native of Alabama, has been married 18 years and works as a CPA for a non-profit organization (it's a really tough job, too. I mean, a few weeks ago she had to sample foods from a personal chef and help decide a menu for former President George W. Bush).I have come to love Terri, she is the real thing. Absolutely genuine, sweet, and easy to tell what is the most important thing in her life: her Savior. She was actually Brad's friend first (they went to school together) but I have since stolen her as my friend!
Oh, and if you see a hottie fly by you in an equally hot sports convertible...wave real big, it was probably Terri!
A Season of Gratitude – More than Just One Day a YearWe allow one day a year for Thanksgiving. I suppose it is good that we recognize at least one day! And, thankfully, retailers have yet to find a way to commercialize Thanksgiving (except for the mass quantities of food they hope to sell). But, how do we spend the other 364 days of the year? Are we thankful on those days too? It's easy to focus on what we perceive is “wrong” in this life...your list is probably long, like mine. Someone once asked me, how I could still have an attitude of gratitude following what was, to our little family, some devastating news. I admitted that I was upset, but, once placed in perspective, I still had so much for which to be grateful. I would mourn the news still, but I would not allow it to define our lives. We all have our ideas of what we believe we deserve out of this life - how we imagined it would be - and when it doesn't go like we planned, we can sometimes let our focus be on what we don't have, instead of what we do! We convince ourselves that we deserve those things out of life. Do we?Let's face it, when it comes right down to it, I don't deserve the very next breath of air that I breathe. It is a gift from God!. So, that next rush of air into my lungs that sustains my very life, that is a blessing and something for which I should be grateful. Everything else is just “the cherry-on-top.” When I look at life from that perspective, oh, my list of “blessings” gets a lot longer. Can I walk? Can I see? Can I communicate? Do I have family? Friends? A job? I could go on... There's an old church hymn that says “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done.” I think that is a wise practice because it forces us to change our perspective. When we focus on what we do have, we find plenty of reasons to be grateful. But, remember, you choose every day which perspective you will have. So, I encourage you, BREATHE DEEPLY and, starting there, be thankful for your many blessings at Thanksgiving and always!
It is the time of the year when people start thinking about the things they are thankful for: Loving family, great friends, and good health are usually included. I am thankful for those things plus more, including a unique gift that I receive during the warmer months. I have the honor and privilege to fly a B-24 Liberator WW II bomber at various air shows around the US. Out of over 18,000 built, there now are only 2 flying examples. We also offer the general public the opportunity to fly in this great airplane. Now, the truly rewarding part is when I get to fly veterans that were actual crewmembers during the war. Or when I get to fly “Rosie the Riveter” and this is the first time she has been around the B-24 that she helped create some 70 years ago. It is an amazing feeling to share that experience with the very people that built, flew in, and worked on this machine that helped ensure freedom for the World.
