{"id":3959,"date":"2011-12-03T23:44:42","date_gmt":"2011-12-03T23:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=3959"},"modified":"2011-12-04T00:13:02","modified_gmt":"2011-12-04T00:13:02","slug":"a-basket-full-of-blessings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=3959","title":{"rendered":"A Basket Full of Blessings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Image by Phyllis Burchett<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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I love the shot above and I sure wish I had made it! \u00a0But then Phyllis Burchett is such a wonderful photographer, I’m thrilled to display her work on this blog. \u00a0I just love this image, it has such a wonderful feel to it, and honestly, that’s how I’m feeling this afternoon. \u00a0I just finished the last major event of 2011, and the \u00a0rest of 2011 will be spent doing pro calls and finishing up the years office work. \u00a0I always feel this euphoria when I know I can take a deep breath and spend more time with the family \u00a0during last few weeks of the year! \u00a0Of 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. \u00a0So let me wind up this event and stay in Atlanta with some of the things I’m most thankful for! \u00a0Before I start, \u00a0let me revisit a quote I’ve used before, and promise I will keep using: \u00a0A man, (or woman), can have a wonderful life if they have three things; \u00a0Someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to! \u00a0Now my end of the year list to prove that:<\/p>\n

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1. \u00a0My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!<\/span> \u00a0My life would be nothing without His love, compassion, forgiveness, fellowship, and strength. \u00a0The other day when I shared the Christmas song, Where’s the Line to See Jesus<\/em><\/strong>, 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!<\/p>\n

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2. Tomorrow I go home to the love of my life, Sherelene.<\/span> \u00a0Every time I get ready to pack and head home I’m filled with excitement to know Sherelene will be there! \u00a0I can’t imagine life without her. \u00a0 I don’t want to sound corny, but in the movie Jerry McGuire , when Tom Cruise said, “You complete me!” \u00a0He was speaking directly from my heart to Sherelene. \u00a0This 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”! \u00a0 Sherelene is my best friend, and one of the few people I can count on to tell me the truth! \u00a0Cuddling on the couch in front of a roaring fire will be one of my most cherished activities to end this year!<\/p>\n

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3. \u00a0A family that is so much more than I deserve!<\/span> \u00a0Scott, 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. \u00a0I am so looking forward to Christmas with all of them! \u00a0I’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!”<\/p>\n

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4. \u00a0A great group of incredible friends!<\/span> \u00a0To start to name people here is dangerous, because God has blessed me so mightily \u00a0 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. \u00a0Add to that, all our new photography friends like Raymond Jabola, Larry Williams, Chuck Daffin, Susan Scharenberg, hey the list just goes on and on! \u00a0Then there is Ricky Skaggs & Scott Kelby, what \u00a0powerful brothers, and friends they have become! \u00a0Of 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. \u00a0I an mot going to go on because I surely will hurt someone, but God has done all of this for me, a lowly servant! \u00a0How very truly blessed I am! \u00a0 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! \u00a0My 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!<\/p>\n

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5. \u00a0Something important to do!<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 I am so thankful to have the honor of serving Him, and sharing all about His love with others. \u00a0The Pilgrim’s Chronicles has been one of the greatest joys of my life. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I pray and wait on Him to reveal what He wants to be shared!!! \u00a0I 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! \u00a0I want people to know that when words reach deep into your hearts, that it is Jesus that is speaking to you, not me! \u00a0My job as His servant is for Him to become more, as I become less. \u00a0I don’t need for people to think highly of me, after all I’m a child of God! \u00a0That is glory enough for any man!<\/p>\n

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6. \u00a0The expectation of so much more to come!!!<\/span> \u00a0You and I have so very much to look forward to. \u00a0The chance to share His love and welcome new members into His family. \u00a0Lots of laughter and fellowship as we enjoy all experiences He has given us to enjoy! \u00a0I’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! \u00a0In the next week or so, Jim Begley and I are going to a place where there are over a 1,000 old cars!!! \u00a0That may just be heaven……………<\/p>\n

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Thank you for joining me on the adventure, and again, Merry Christmas…….<\/p>\n

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the pilgrim<\/p>\n

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Did I mention how good my friends are, look at this killer image by Jim Begley!<\/p>\n

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