Daily Archives: December 3, 2011

                                                                                                                                                                                             Image by Phyllis Burchett

 

 

I love the shot above and I sure wish I had made it!  But then Phyllis Burchett is such a wonderful photographer, I’m thrilled to display her work on this blog.  I just love this image, it has such a wonderful feel to it, and honestly, that’s how I’m feeling this afternoon.  I just finished the last major event of 2011, and the  rest of 2011 will be spent doing pro calls and finishing up the years office work.  I always feel this euphoria when I know I can take a deep breath and spend more time with the family  during last few weeks of the year!  Of course the more restful time won’t last, I start back a full speed on January 2nd heading to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and the BCS Championship game and then Imaging USA one of my favorite photo shows of the year.  So let me wind up this event and stay in Atlanta with some of the things I’m most thankful for!  Before I start,  let me revisit a quote I’ve used before, and promise I will keep using:  A man, (or woman), can have a wonderful life if they have three things;  Someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to!  Now my end of the year list to prove that:

 

1.  My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!  My life would be nothing without His love, compassion, forgiveness, fellowship, and strength.  The other day when I shared the Christmas song, Where’s the Line to See Jesus, I sat in my office and watched it for the fourth time, and with tears in my eyes raised my hands to the heavens and cried as I thanked Him and told Him how much I love Him!

 

2. Tomorrow I go home to the love of my life, Sherelene.  Every time I get ready to pack and head home I’m filled with excitement to know Sherelene will be there!  I can’t imagine life without her.   I don’t want to sound corny, but in the movie Jerry McGuire , when Tom Cruise said, “You complete me!”  He was speaking directly from my heart to Sherelene.  This woman has been long suffering to be married to me, but she has remained a faithful and wonderful wife, mother, and now our grandchildren’s loved “Nana”!   Sherelene is my best friend, and one of the few people I can count on to tell me the truth!  Cuddling on the couch in front of a roaring fire will be one of my most cherished activities to end this year!

 

3.  A family that is so much more than I deserve!  Scott, Diane, Wes, Rhonda, Catherine & Clint are children I’m so proud of, and Hannah, Ben, Cassidy and Cade and Elijah and Abigail are all so precious to me.  I am so looking forward to Christmas with all of them!  I’ve won a number of awards and have had several best selling books, but honestly none of that is as thrilling as having one of grandchildren hug me and say, ” I love you Papa!”

 

4.  A great group of incredible friends!  To start to name people here is dangerous, because God has blessed me so mightily   I must say that Chuck Summers, Rob Sheppard, Jim Begley, Carl Rollins, Carl Turner, Richard Small, and Jim Haverstock, Chuck Barnes and Snake Barrett have all provided endless great experiences for me.  Add to that, all our new photography friends like Raymond Jabola, Larry Williams, Chuck Daffin, Susan Scharenberg, hey the list just goes on and on!  Then there is Ricky Skaggs & Scott Kelby, what  powerful brothers, and friends they have become!  Of course I work with the best team of photography professionals and friends you could ever imagine in NPS, and Bill Pekala and Scott Diussa are the best bosses and friends.  I an mot going to go on because I surely will hurt someone, but God has done all of this for me, a lowly servant!  How very truly blessed I am!   Photography gets more exciting for me, every single day, and with the friends I have, I am challenged everyday to get better or be left in the dust!  My father once told me if you ever want to be great at anything, be friends with those that do it better, and he was right!

 

5.  Something important to do!   I am so thankful to have the honor of serving Him, and sharing all about His love with others.  The Pilgrim’s Chronicles has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  I have to take a moment to make something perfectly clear, I don’t write the Chronicles, yes I sit at the computer, and type, but the words and thoughts, the teaching encouraging, and inspiring comes from Him through the Holy Spirit.  I pray and wait on Him to reveal what He wants to be shared!!!  I am not saying this to try and make myself seem like more than I am, I say to make Him to be all that He is!  I want people to know that when words reach deep into your hearts, that it is Jesus that is speaking to you, not me!  My job as His servant is for Him to become more, as I become less.  I don’t need for people to think highly of me, after all I’m a child of God!  That is glory enough for any man!

 

6.  The expectation of so much more to come!!!  You and I have so very much to look forward to.  The chance to share His love and welcome new members into His family.  Lots of laughter and fellowship as we enjoy all experiences He has given us to enjoy!  I’m so excited about how many people are enjoying the blog, the great new friends that are coming to workshops, the great time I’m having working for Nikon, and spending time with my photography buddies, I’m sure 2012 is going to be another great year!  In the next week or so, Jim Begley and I are going to a place where there are over a 1,000 old cars!!!  That may just be heaven……………

 

Thank you for joining me on the adventure, and again, Merry Christmas…….

 

the pilgrim

 

Did I mention how good my friends are, look at this killer image by Jim Begley!