Another rich-colored tropical leaf in the Mitchell Park Domes
photo by A. Graf

Under gigantic leaves in the Mitchell Park Domes
photo by A. Graf

Survival

Today is Thanksgiving and as we were all home together, I decided to get out my Kid Surveys. I created this simple survey for my children years ago when the oldest was still young, just to track changes in their opinions and ideas as the years pass. When they were smaller, I used to give the surveys a couple times a year, but it has been over a year now since the last one. I ask things like, "What is your favorite color, song, movie, food?" "Who is your best friend and why?" "How would you describe God?" "If you were stranded alone on an island and could only have five things, what would they be?" "What do you want to do or be when you grow up?"

One question is, "What are you the most proud of?" Sam answered: "That I have survived this far in such company."

When I asked him the desert island question, he gave these five things he'd like to have with him: 1. A large ship 2. Enough fuel to get to the mainland 3. Six months rations of food and water 4. A map to the mainland 5. A guy who knows how to sail the ship.

They are definitely growing up.

We have a lot to be thankful for. I hope you see this in your own lives as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tread Carefully

I am struggling with how to put today's thoughts into words. As I walked home from the auto repair shop this afternoon, I chanted to myself: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

What have I learned?

Trusting, leaning on and acknowledging God aren't always easy, but they are much more effective than chanting.