Patty and I drove ten hours to Twin Falls, Idaho, on Tuesday to celebrate Thanksgiving with our son Seth, his wife Amie, and their four kids. Our son Sam, his wife Shannon, and their four kids also drove from Stayton. So we all had a great time today eating brisket, ham, turkey, and a bunch of other great food. We watched three different football games between the various courses, and my favorite teams won all three. Last night, it started to snow, and it snowed all night and all day. We ended up with five inches of snow, and the kids had a good time sliding down the hill in the backyard of Seth’s house. Throughout the day, we talked about every topic under the sun. Seth, Sam, and I drove down the road looking for deer and saw a lot of them. We also saw a lot out of their living room window in the field behind their house. It has been a wonderful day for me as a husband, a father, and a grandfather. We have eight kids, six sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and 28 grandkids, and we enjoy spending time with all of them.

Whenever we are with any of the kids, I always pray for them silently in my head as we sit around, and they all talk away. I probably do some of my most passionate praying in these situations as I listen to them and watch them interact with each other. I believe Patty and I have more influence with God on their behalf because we have God-given jurisdiction as their parents and grandparents. I also know that many parents and grandparents of our six daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law also pray faithfully for their kids and grandkids, so they are well covered in prayer.

We live in a sick world, but our kids and grandkids will be winners in our culture, living as champions for Jesus, and that is why I am so thankful to God.