Time slips by so easily. It has been two months since my last blog here. Today is my fathers birthday; he would have been 89 years old, had he not died 10 years ago. Today is also Carol's sister's birthday, and she hates the number that she must either admit to or lie about. Hmm, there's a choice.

Our kids are home for Thanksgiving, and Joy's boyfriend has come for the second holiday in a row. Times are sweet for us, and we enjoy the blessings of hearth and home. We celebrate in fortisimo vox.

This reminds me that the Katrina victums are trying to celebrate sans homes. Some have lost more than others; but many have suffered. The tsunami victums are pushed to the back of our minds, but the devistation there will never be completely recovered. That which is lost can never be recovered, especially for those who went into eternity without Jesus. They celebrate in piano vox.

Considering the wealth we enjoy, and the suffering that others endure, I am amazed that joy and suffering are unequally distributed even among the diserving and the undeserving. It rains on the just and the unjust, and God's sun shines on them equally. Yet our own joy is moderated too.

But with gladness of heart and joy of soul, we give thanks for that which we can enjoy. We pray for those who stand in harm's way so that we can be free. And we pray for those who have sacrificed the joy of being home with their families so that they may serve the Lord in darklands, bringing the Gospel light to those who dwell in the darkness.

Thank you, Father.