Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 came upon me with mixed emotions.  That's really the only words I can use to accurately sum it up.  Dee made some of the best homemade pies and crusts (see pictures on right) that I have ever tasted.  Her dinner was awesome as usual, she is quite the cook.  Jabez really out did himself by getting us lot's of presents.  Ashley came by for a few hours on Friday and we exchanged gifts.  She and Jonathan gave me a great leather wallet from Fossil and got her mom a really nice workout outfit.  Dee's present to me was Brook's cold weather running gear, which I love!  I bought her a watch from Fossil that she really liked.  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service went good with nearly 400 in attendance and at Christmas Day service we had almost 200.  We went to the movie "War Horse" and really liked it.   Christmas 2011 passed by me with mixed emotions.  Praying that God grants all my loved ones a blessed 2012 New Year.

Thanksgiving 2011

Mike & Susan Thanksgiving 2011. They are still going strong!

The Old Barnyard Thanksgiving 2011

Dee's Beautiful Pumpkin Pies Thanksgiving 2011

Deboning the Turkey

Thanksgiving 2011 in my hometown

Jacob & Jabez

Mom's Candied Sweet Potato's. I had these every Thanksgiving growing up! They are the best!

Dee made 4 homemade pie crusts from a recipe of her Grandma Alice's that were light, flaky, & the hit of Thanksgiving!

The crusts were filled to make Pumpkin, Hickory Nut, and Pecans pies. Delicious.

Great Thanksgiving "Way to Much Food"

Mile•stone

mile·stone:  A significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, of a person.

I will reach a milestone in life on January 12, 2012 as I celebrate my 50^th birthday. It is a milestone because it is a half century of living and because I have more life lived behind me, than I have life to live ahead of me.  It's just a fact that the odds are I will not live to be 100 years old--at least I hope not.  So, I thank God for this milestone I will soon reach and ask the Lord for strength and joy for the swiftly passing years I have left.  Let me Father spend them loving and being loved by family and friends.  Oh Lord, let them not be wasted, but used for your glory and my happiness.  

Psalm 90:10

¹⁰ The length of our days is seventy years—
   or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
   for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Falling Snow

The first snowfall came yesterday evening as I sat beside my wife driving in her Mini Cooper.  The flakes were some of the largest ones we have ever seen.  The falling snow was beautiful, but was made more beautiful, because she and I shared its arrival together. There is something peaceful about falling snow.  There is something refreshing about falling snow.  There is something hopeful about falling snow.  But there is something beneath these emotions that is even more beautiful.  It is the voice that falling snow awakens within me.  It is not my voice.  It is a quite still voice that whispers, “I AM here and I AM with you.” It is the voice of my Creator, the voice of God.  How I know it is His voice I cannot explain, I just know.  Falling snow, for me, is much more than just falling snow.  It is a unique way that the Lord speaks to me of His presence and for that I say, “Let it snow.” 

1 Kings 19:11-13 then came a gentle whisper from God

New Day

It's November 5, 2011 a “New Day” to move, breath, smile, laugh, and to simply live the very best life.  Are you living your best life, now?  The term 'new day' calls us not to 'yesterday' or 'tomorrow' not to the past or the future, but to present moments.  I know that due to past disappointments or ongoing difficulties it’s challenging at times to awaken with a happy outlook on the day—even life! But it is made easier by dwelling in each new moment that you have been given.  So, dwell in the new day!  Dwell in the Lord! Dwell in the new day with the Lord!  

Psalm 118:24  "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."

 

Photo Shoot

Well I had a great time going on a photo shoot with my daughter Ashley!  We ran around and found cool barns, beautiful fields, a dirt road, and a grain elevator.  She is working on her photographer skills and I was happy to help her and get some great pictures for my website.  We are going out again, but this time my wife, Danielle will be in them too.  She will make the pictures go from great to fantastic.     

Garden Harvest and Great Meals

The garden Danielle and I planted did great this year.  We have picked many crisp green beans, deep red tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash.  Two days ago we dug up a couple of potato hills full of fresh red potatoes.  Ashley (my daughter) used the potatoes in a wonderful beef stew.  My wife used the tomatoes and green peppers to make 10 pints of delicious salsa.  Now she’s working on zucchini relish which goes great on anything and just finished refrigerator pickles that are delicious with a melted cheese sandwich! 

The Warrior Dash

On July 31st my daughter, son-in-law, and I ran an extreme obstacle course called the "Warrior Dash."  It was a 5k that had many difficult obstacles.  In a 2 day period over 25,000 people ran the course and many were taken out by ambulance due to injury.  It was a great day as Jabez my son was there taking pictures and my wife Danielle encouraging us onward.  Now we are training for a half marathon in October.  That's a long way to run!   I guess I'll find out if I can do it.  Hope so!

Waiting to See

Sitting at Panera Bread and working on my next sermon.  What will the day hold?  What will the Lord do in my life on this day?  I will watch and wait to see!

A Few Firsts

On June 9, 2011 my wife and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage.  She was 15 and I was 17 when we met.  The first day I saw her was when she walked into study hall and took a seat behind me.  Since that day in 1978 we have been inseparable.  We dated for 5 years and then married in 1984.  I thank you “Father Above” for giving me a best friend, devoted partner, and a faithful, loving wife, all in the person of Danielle Dee Gill.  Here are a few of our firsts…..

First sighting I had of her was when she walked into study hall and was assigned a seat behind me.

First note I wrote was in her notebook, while she was in the library.  It said, “Patrick Gill was here.”

First words I heard her speak were, “Who is Patrick Gill?”

First public meeting outside of school was at the “Skating Rink” in West Salem, Illinois

First vehicle ride together was in my dad’s little red “Chevy Luv” truck.

First restaurant we ate at was at the Olney, Illinois “Pizza Hut.”

First movie we watched was “Every Which Way but Loose,” starring Clint Eastwood.

First kiss was under a “Maple Tree” on her 40 acre farm in her front yard.

First flowers I gave to Danielle were “Daffodils” placed in an empty coffee can I got from my grandparents.

First drink we shared was an ice cold bottle of “Mountain Dew” purchased from a 76 gas station

I pray that we have another 28 years together and many more firsts!

A Little Catch Up

So much has happened since I last wrote.  Warm weather has FINALLY arrived in Michigan!  Our daughter and son-in-law have temporarily moved to Colorado Springs, CO taking our only granddaughter Belle Wella Slater, a 4 month old Yorkie Poo :)  Jabez our son is close to finishing his 12 song CD and then he will be going to school in Murfreesboro, TN.  My wife and I have planted a garden with 8 mounds of new potatoes, along with cucumbers, watermelon, green beans, Big Boy tomato’s, asparagus, blackberry and a raspberry bush.  I am preparing for an extreme 5K obstacle course race on July 31^st in Mt. Morris, MI.  My training involves running 4 miles every other day, cycling every other day, and doing army crawls to the garden from the back door of the house.  Well hope that helps you catch up a little.

Spring Is Drawing Near

Well it has been awhile since I last posted.  It is late March and there are signs of spring.  The temperature is still in the 30’s but we have had a few sunny days and I’m glad the long winter is almost over.  This summer I am looking forward to getting out and tilling the garden, mowing the yard, riding my rode bike, and jogging.   I’d like to do a few more 6 minute mile before I turn 50.