On this Thankful Thursday Carol and I are thankful for the presence of Bob and Jane Russell in our lives. They are wonderful friends that we met at Chautauqua years ago. Bob started as a farmer, became a truck driver, a mechanic, and bought a trucking company. He has over 60 vintage farm tractors that he restored. Jane is a graduate of Lycoming College, a former kindergarten teacher and former executive director of the YWCA. She is a very active member of Yokefellows, a prison ministry organization. They are Methodists. He started out as a Presbyterian and she as a Baptist. We took a wonderful Panama Cruise together a few years ago and their daughter Joanne helped to make the cruise even more fun. We have met most of their family. We have shared triumphs and tragedies together. On June 16, we had the great fortune to share in the celebration of their 66th wedding anniversary. What a thrill! Bob has turned over a lot of his farming operations to his wonderful Amish neighbors. He still keeps his two horses Joe and Jane. They take great pride in their children, grandchildren and great grand children. At Chautauqua Bob and I eat breakfast with friends at the diner just outside the gates. We then pay our morning visit to the farmer’s market. We take Carol and Jane breakfast. Carol and I realize how blessed we are to have Bob and Jane Russell in our lives.
Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone special to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a lifter. You will be glad you did.
Here Carol and I are unpacking the books. Carol did a lot of work on the book as well as keeping me supplied with coffee. We had great fun working together. All of the contributors are wonderful Christian leaders and thinkers who devoted much time and effort. The publisher, Smyth&Helwys, has been easy to work with. I received encouragement from a great many people for which I am grateful One of those is Joan Brown Campbell, head of the religion department at the Chautauqua Institution. I, of course, am responsible for what is in the book. I believe deeply in the cause and pray that the book will be of help in the struggle against rhetoric that is not reflective of our Christian faith.
