Thanksgiving and The New Beginning - Thank You...Everyone!

Thanksgiving. Thankfulness. Thanks. Where to start? As I sit in the breakfast area of the LaQuinta surrounded by the aroma of freshly brewed Community Coffee (yes I chose the Dark Roast with Chicory) here in the thriving metropolis of Hammond, LA, I ponder on this Thanksgiving the numerous people who have poured their hearts into my life. So many individuals sacrificed time, given words, shed tears, brought laughter, and so many other things to my life since that fateful day - March 11, 1969. I want to take some time to thank those who have impacted my life. There is no real order to this, but I did decide to save my most recent and the person who has built my hope for a future for last of course.

Thankful for my parents for getting everything started (I know...TMI...hee hee).

Thankful for my dad for teaching me work ethic, love, loyalty, service, family priorities, and that nothing is free in life. The older he gets the more his heart grows. He has such a love for his grandchildren. He is the quintessential grandpa.

Thankful for Jan. You love my dad. You make him smile. You travel the world with him which grants one of his dreams to come true. You greet us with a smile.

Thankful for my mom. She taught me the importance of having a big heart, a good attitude, nurture, how to fall asleep on a couch before 8:30, and some of the best southern sayings on the planet. I miss her all of the time yet so thankful for the time I was blessed with for the thirty years I had her.

Thankful for my sister. We fought like the proverbial cat and dog growing up and now grow closer each and every day. How special is that? I'd take a bullet for her and she'd do the same while riding her horse. To have her so close by is something I never want to take for granted. It sure beats the 9 hour drive to Oklahoma.

Thankful for the rest of the Cahill family. Bobby, Sandra, Scott (I miss you and think of you often still), Jenny and Vince - I don't think I laugh more until I am around all of you. The reminiscing of stories growing up. The constant stories of my dad that make me roll on the floor (sometimes literally). You always bring a smile to my face and I just wish we saw each other more often.

Thankful for my grandparents. The smell of fried chicken will always remind me of my childhood. The wit of my grandpa. The strength of my grandma. The giving hearts of both of them. Need I say more?

Thankful for my Chandler and Spencer. Ten years apart. Totally different yet so much a like. Love them more than words can express. I well up inside knowing what we have been through together. The Lord is going to use these two. I just know it. He hasn't brought them through so much for His word on their lives to return void. They bring true joy to my heart.

Thankful for Chalin. My "bonus boy". My heart grows each day knowing that he is part of the family now. What a privilege. Love this boy and can't wait to see how God uses him. He is talented, naturally brilliant and has a quick wit. Love this bonus in my life. What a blessing!

Thankful for the Zaruba's. Robin and Danielle have been there for me and Spencer especially throughout so much of the past five years. I don't think I could ever come close to repaying them for all they have done. What an amazing family. When the Lord created these two, he ran out of room in their chests because their hearts are so big.

Thankful for the Barrett's. What amazing friends. They have served us, loved us, laughed and cried with us. All while going through the worst pain parents could ever conceive. The loss of a child. I love you Chad and Melissa. I love your kiddos. I miss your precious Kristina. I am so thankful the Lord put you in my life. So fortunate to call you friends.

Thankful for Curt Williams. What can I say about Curt? I can't be thankful enough for a friend who loves when it's tough. Suffers when there is no strength left. Counsels when the words aren't popular. Clings to God's word when it's viewed as archaic. Loves his wife, Shelley, and family publicly and privately with a servant's heart. Loves the unlovely. Touches the untouchable. Hugs the unhuggable. Thank you for your example of biblical Christianity.

Thankful for Jerrell. This man has stuck with me through thick and thin since I was 15 years old. He is always only a phone call away even though is a 24+ hours away by car. He is one of the best listeners I have met. His desire has always been to take away pain and heartache. He truly has a heart for knowledge of scripture and how to apply that to his life. Amazing friend.

Thankful for Woody and Tracie. I love these two people. I can't think of a couple who loves each other more publicly yet are so different in personality. The glue that constantly grows them closer together is their passion for the lost, heart for the hopeless and devotion to their kids and grand daughter. What a blessing to call them friends. They have done more for me, Terra, Chandler, Spencer and Chalin than they know. They make us laugh. They challenge our hearts and minds. They are true friends.

Thankful for Jason. This guy loves. That's all there is to it. I don't think I have ever met a man who has a deeper passion for the word love and how that is lived out to the flock he pastors, to his friends (me included), to his bride of so many years, and to ministry. He and I have known each other since 1987. He has always been a friend that "sticks closer than a brother". The type where we pick up right where we left off each time we talk or meet.

Thankful for Rick and Nina. This couple is gold pure and simple. They have been here for me constantly for years. Not just a phone call away. They drop everything when they can to help and to love. They are such great examples of pouring their hearts and lives into their kids. Such a lost art in today's society. This couple knows the secret! They empower their boys to succeed and fail. What an amazing gift to watch. So blessed to call these two my friends. They are adopted Cahill's and we are adopted Dodgen's. The fact that that will always be the case makes my heart happy. Rick was one of the first to look at me in the eyes, after spending time with Terra at the MS 150, and asked me what the world I was waiting for? He saw almost immediately how special of a woman Terra really is and that she and I just fit each other. Thank you, Rick.

Thankful for Madelyn. She is a phenomenal friend who has been there for me through so many times and trials. An incredible lady who loves God, has a heart for her children and is always there to listen. 

Thankful for Phil and Caroline. Friends that keep in touch no matter the schedule. Phil has the gift of encouragement and Caroline has the gift of service. Put those two together and the blessings are bountiful. 

Thankful for Clark. What a great friend and so fun to watch the Lord work in this man's heart. Big heart. Gentle spirit. The Lord is going to use him in amazing ways. Thank you for being my friend.

Thankful for Dean Fullerton. Dean has become a great friend (since 2002) and business partner (since 2012). He believes in people. He shows grace. He is ethical and fair in his business practices. He loves his bride and kiddos (grown and still at home). A great example of big kid, smart business man, and lover of those less fortunate due to his love for the Lord. So thankful the Lord put this man and his family in my path.

Thankful for Duane Mills. How can I put together a list of thankfulness without Duane? The man gave me the "double-take" when I asked him about "all of this Jesus-stuff" back on January 23, 1985. He loved me enough to walk me through not only Who Jesus is, but how to walk with Him and enjoy a rich relationship with Christ. Duane taught me the importance of spending time with people one-on-one and how that makes such an impact on those seeking to know more about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thankful for Jeff Chandler. My years of interning under this man were some of the most memorable of all of the ten years of vocational ministry from 1989-1999. Never have I met a man with more of a passion for evangelism, broken-heart for teenagers, and creative mind for ministry. So thankful for my time with Jeff, the fact that we are still friends to this day and that he is still a grace-giver.

Thankful for Bill and Sue Himmell. What a couple. I had the privilege of serving with this couple from 1991-1995 in Pearland at Fellowship Bible Church. God did amazing things through these people. I learned so much about humility, not taking myself so darn seriously, and loving unconditionally. They are still friends to this day that I can pick up the phone and call. Sue has such a love for Bill and Bill for Sue. What an amazing example. This couple sets the benchmark when it comes to long-suffering as they have served at FBC since the 80's. God has a special mansion and crown for couples like this.

Thankful for Tom and Maureen. A lot of ups and downs in the last five years. Such a love for their grandchildren. Such a heart for embracing change when it is difficult. Accepting my new bride and bonus child with open arms. Great pictures of grace and mercy this couple and so thankful they are still in my life when with all that has happened the since 2009, so many would have walked away. The door is always open.

Thankful for Terra. My bride. My heartbeat. My breath. You have given me a new grapefruit. The jolt of happiness I experience when I see your smile (you know the one...yep when your eyes disappear) brings more to my immediate life than water for nourishment in a dessert. Who would have thought that a refrigerator, a drama ministry, a friendship, and a few beers and margaritas would bring us to a young amazing marriage. You could have walked away so many times (and I wouldn't have blamed you in the least), but you chose patience over impatience. You decided to show grace and mercy toward me over misunderstanding and judgement. You fell in love with not only me, but my boys. You love them unconditionally like they are yours. That kind of love only comes from the Father. God gave you a heart for the three of us. For me. For Chandler. For Spencer. To express how much an answer to prayer would be impossible with the written word. You would need to carve into my emotionally scarred heart to see just how much this truly means to me as a dad and as a man. I am thankful to wake up next to you every morning. Thankful when we cook together. Thankful when we exercise together. Thankful when we make the time to pray together. Thankful for your heart for God, ministry to ladies, your love for the simple, your passion to have fun and explore, your giving spirit, your sacrificial spirit, and your ability to make the complex understandable. I love how you dream of the future with me. I love the fact that you want to see us grow closer and stronger as a married couple each day. I love that allow me to lead even when I fail and then you don't judge. You embrace grace. You display mercy. I love you, Terra. I am so thankful God dropped you in my life back in the summer of 2012 at such a trying time in my life. You waited a year before I was ready to date. You were patient with me when I was frightened to tell many people. You stayed with me all throughout the next year and a half until I finally "took the leap of faith" to ask you to be my bride. What a beautiful picture of Ephesians 5 and Proverbs 31 you are to me and countless others. I love you.

There truly are several others I am sure that I have not mentioned and I am sorry if I didn't mention you. I don't want to hurt feelings in any way.

So much to write about now! I can't wait to get started! Oh wait...I just did. <[8^}

My grace is sufficient for you...One Day At A Time!