A Grateful Perspective

"Andy,

Thank you so much for once again sending your thoughts along. I realy do enjoy reading these, and they are thought provoking for not only me but my lovely wife Helga as well.We do pass them on as well as promote your books to many family members and freinds,I am looking forward to your next.Keep up the good work, God bless you.

Terry"

"Thanks again, Andy, for perspective. I am a financial planner in Canada, so you may well imagine the challenges I am facing daily with my clients, many of whom I have developed friendships over the years. Thanksgiving in Canada was on October 13 this year, but I enjoy 're-living' it through our access to American television programs. For 11 years I lived in an Ontario border town with Minnesota and have visited your good country hundreds of times. We Canadians and Americans are the most blessed people in the world. We enjoy the world's largest undefended border, and also an excellent relationship as 'neighbours'. Your statistics on what we have, in comparison to the majority of the world's people, who are 'have-nots', are bang-on.

Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving, and keep up what you do-it has been life-changing for me."

"Andy, thank you once again for bringing perspective into our homes and lives. Following is a little of what we're up to...

Our Thanksgiving is being enjoyed at our home this year and our 8 year old daughter is making tickets for our guests. On these tickets as she calls them each person will write something they are thankful for and they will be put into a jar. During dinner each guest will pull a ticket from the jar and read someone's thankful thoughts. Also, we are excited to decorate the kid's table with butcher paper for everyone to write even more thankful thoughts. And, our prayers and gratitude go out to our military troops on this Thanksgiving and always."

"How I needed this. This year God has decided to show me just how thankful I am or should be. I watched my healthy 13 year old son have something he loved taken away temporarily. He was diagnosed with a serious knee condition after complaining of pain after a hockey game. I am faithful that God will heal him. However the last three weeks as he could not practice or play. We both came to know just how lucky we are for ALL of the gifts God has given to us. How sad that it sometimes takes a faith shaker moment like this to hear what God wants us to hear. WE are blessed and should wake up daily with a thankful spirit. Each day now I have told my son to wake up and say THANK you God I feel better already, even if he doesnt yet. I beleive that being thankful produces more thankfulness. EVery day is a blessing and a gift we will act like this every time a complaint comes to mind we are following it up with a positive Thanks.. Complaint, Oh man I hate this traffic, followed by Thank you God for my transportation. What a difference this makes. Thanks you for your words, I appreciate them so much! Try it every time you complain follow it up with a thanks.. its hard not to feel better!"

"Andy,

God Bless you ole friend. Thanks for providing clear perspective!! Most things like this are front and center but somehow get overlooked. Yes, you are so right, so many things to give thanks for; God, family and country to begin the list is a certain........may the categorization in households all over the fruited plain continue.....

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family! Glen K"

"Thank-you Andy and God Bless You and those you love.

You will never know how many people you have been a blessing to. The Traveler's Gift is inspiring so many - Whenever I can find copies of TTG or The Young Traveler's Gift - at discount stores I buy up all I can find to give them as the spirit moves me. Now I have my sister, an pediatric,infectious disease nurse giving out copies to her patients and their families - I have 3 more copies to mail to her. Now she is doing her best to heal their bodies and you are healing their minds & spirits. I hope it's not getting old, most every time I post, I refer to TTG, but I'm so grateful for your skill and talent as a story teller.
I'm Thankful for:
A God who loves me (and is showing it right now with each snowflake that falls ;o)
My children,
My sister - who is there to care for my parents,
A job that drives me crazy,
and friends to support me,
my new, healthy body,
TTG/Andy Andrews, etc, etc, etc
I'm not taking up the time/space to list 100 things - but these are what I came up with without thinking.
God Bless one and all with a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving.
Frances"

"Thanks, Andy, for the reminder. I heard some of those same stats on Dr. David Jerimiah this week and it really improved my outlook.

Like much of the rest of the world, I've been concerned about the future of my family, financially speaking. We are a young family (I 28, my wife 30 and we have a son about to turn 1). I feel blessed to have made wise decisions over the years. We do not live above our means. We've never had to roll a credit card balance over to the next month. We've not missed a payment on our house. However, with any number of circumstances, we could easy be in turmoil like so many others.

My wife works for a huge company that manufactures building supplies for places like Home Depot and Lowes. With the current situation of the housing market, very few people are actually building houses right now so they are producing faster than they are selling and the warehouse will be at maximum capacity this week. When it is, everyone will be sent home and we'll be a single income family until something else comes along.

But, we have a bank account with a positive balance and some spare change in a dish at home. I'll have a turkey to eat on Thursday and left-overs on Friday. And, like you, clean sheets...

An all-inclusive list of things we have to be thankful for (in spite of the things that worry us) would take too long for one person to compose in a lifetime."

"Andy,
Thank you for the message. To consider one's blessings from time to time... no, make that frequently, is useful to me over and over again throughout my life - old theme but never out-dated notion because as my life continues, my perspective expands and great joy is derived from being here to enjoy laughing children, the amusing ironies of life, the amazing spiritual things which occur while I'm paying (or not paying close) attention, but most of all, relationships...which state, "I care about you" (even when I maybe haven't been that easy to care about). Thanks again for the message.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Polly, and the boys, from Lori and Myself and Megan and Hannah."

"Andy,

Reading your words creates an energy, an energy that shifts me out of any thoughts/emotions concerning the "fearful, confused, or just plain mad" stuff. It brings me peace to think of such things to be grateful (great full, full of greatness) about...

Such a simple thing to read your words, yet so much power. The power to chose to shift our thinking (consciousness) is probably the greatest power humans now have on this planet.

Bless you and yours (and all your readers) this Holiday.

With deep Gratitude,
-Mike"

"Dear Andy,

How awesome it is to read what is on your heart.
Recently My Mom passed away. At the funeral I remember watching my sisters and specifically Nicky my oldest sibling. Nicky use to care for mom for years, taking her to the doctors, shopping, cleaning her apartment, showing her the how to use the ATM machine, dropping her at the casino and then picking her up. While watching her during the funeral I remember thanking God for her. I remember hearing God say you need to appreciate her more than ever as she will need your love in her loneliness days to come.

I wanted so much to be the one who would tell my mom at the hospital..."it's OK mom you can go" but God me lined up for something else or should I say someone else.

Thank Nick for being my sister.

Andy, happy thanks giving to you and your beautiful family.

Pierre D
Ontario, Canada"

"Andy,

It was so nice meeting you in Las Vegas two weeks ago. I promise you the next time I run in to you at Wolf Bay, I'll come up and speak!

Thanks for your inspiration and passion. Your talk at the convention was absolutely the highlight of my trip.

God bless,

Brent Sute"

"Hello Andy,

Thank you for taking the time to remind us of what we all have. I have found that a rampage of appreciation goes a long way in getting one into a better mood, a more elevated state of productivity, and to simply be happier.

May you and your family be blessed in all ways, always.

In gratitude,

Lynette"

"Andy- I am grateful for my Daddy, family and friends. I am grateful that I can keep up with two little boys. I am grateful when I hear, "Woo, look at this!", "Woo, you won't believe this!", and "Woo,you want to go down to the dock?". I am grateful for those little boys' parents. Happy Thanksgiving! Roll Tide!
Woo"

"Andy, you have once again provided all of us a much needed "check up from the neck up". A nice slice of humble pie can nourish the mind and heart for a long time, especially when applying the lessons therein. For that, I am truly grateful! Thank you!

Your pal,
Mark P."

"God Bless You, Andy. I received your email on my Blackberry as we were driving to visit my 86 year-old mother in her assisted living home. Whether in person, via audio, video or written word, you have the gift of touching my heart and bringing tears to my eyes. It is so easy to focus on what we lack rather than on our abundance. I practice gratitude every morning per your suggestion but the email today took it to a new level.
May you and your family have as blessed a Thanksgiving as you have given me.
It was so good to see you again in The Bahamas last month!
Keep up the good work.
Sandra"

"Andy, I appreciate your taking time to share this writing with us. We all need a "wake-up" call to remind us how blessed we are. In America, most of us are blessed in many ways and this article reminds me that even though I have numerous medical problems, wear oxygen 24/7, on 23 medications and live on social security checks, I am still very, very blessed. I, too, have a warm bed, a roof over my head,food to eat, and a church I can freely worship in without fear of being killed for doing so. We fret over things we can't have and folks starving to death over lack of food. God help us to get on our knees and ask forgiveness of our sins, then get up and see who we might help. Thank you again Andy for this uplifting article. I needed it badly. God bless you and your family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving day. Shirley Bates"

"Wow, did this ever hit home with me. I try to be thankful but when it comes down to it I am impatient when things go wrong. I am very fortunate that I do not have to do without. Thank you for this and all the past emails. I truly enjoy them. Happy Thanksgiving to ALL. And I too will set a place for those who serve.

Thank you Andy for all your inspiring words to live by.

Jerry"

"Andy, I dont know how you manage to hit the nail on the head every blog you write. After all the great things those before me wrote there is not much left to say....except that I have a couple sayings I love.
1. Always have an attitude of gratitude. It changes your whole perspective on a gloomy day.
2. My favorite verse from the Bible is "Though my barns burn and all my cattle die - yet will I praise my Lord" and I'll be darned if I can remember where in the Bible nor have I been able to find it again.
This Thanksgiving we are going over to Jim and Barbara Stewart's Crazy Horse restaurant and help them give away 110 meals to needy families in the Lillian area. My best for you and Polly and all who have the privilege of sharing this Thanksgiving Day with you. love, jan b."

"Jan Burch, take a look a Habakkuk 3:17-19. This Hymn of Faith is one of my favorites also.

Andy, thanks for the uplifting perspective. Wife, Barbi, and I spent 2 weeks in Uganda this summer and 1 week in Nicaragua this fall. God has truly bless our country and we have absolutely no reason to gripe about anything. Try living off $1.00 or less per day and we might understand the meaning of poverty. Its a word not even understood in many cultures because so many have nothing to measure it against. In Nicaragua we heard a bit about it in the capital city, Managua, but where we ministered on the Misquito Coast the Miskito Indian people have no concept of this. Those we have encountered are just thankful for each day. Same was true in the Palissa area of Uganda. The Lord has blessed us with many great friends in both of these places. We hope to have about 15 or so kids and grandkids with us for Thanksgiving Day and it will be just a blessing to be together. Just came home from a multi-cultural community worship and it was such a joy to be able to worship our Lord in the context of real unity and joy. Thanks again for your ministry through the written word and your conferences. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless you with many more fruitful years. Blessings to you and your family."

"Thank you for the posting about what we should be thankful for. Some times I forget. I used to think that it was all about how much money i could make and if i could just get done with college payments for the kids. What i found is that being with the family and grand children is what it is all about. Married 34 years now, kids are 29 and 24 and one grand daughter and this is the best life has ever been when we get together. I dont ever want to forget how grateful my life has been! Thanks for the books and the inspiration and the blog that reminds me not to forget.
Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Thanks Andy for this appropriate post this week. I am presently living in Honduras and being in a country like Honduras really helps me put things into perspective.

I truly believe that an attitude of gratitude is one of the keys to an abundant life.

Thanks again,

Hunter Ogletree"

"Andy,

Thanks again for another inspiring message on a day I decided to start something different.

A bit of background. My husband had lost his job in May and had been receiving unemployment. In september, his former employer protested. Their protest was denied. In October, they filed for a hearing and got it on November 19. After his hearing, we received a letter on November 22 stating that his unemployment would be denied.

The strange thing was when my husband went through that hearing, he shoed his former boss a totally different attitude. Your writing helped inspire that attitude of accepting responsibility for his past and moving on. He has since Saturday decided that appealing the hearing would not be in the best interest of his mental/emotional/physical health.

Everyone we've talked to said that they think we're crazy for not fighting it. We have money to live on while he looks for a better job. We have a roof over our head, etc.

This morning, rather than fret about our problems, I made the decision to share at least one blessing per day with one person. It worked! I received three blessings to my one and I thank God for that. We can either choose to just praise God for the blessings, or we can give them away as well. I believe that when we give them away, that day can then be turned into a day of Thanksgiving, making each day of the year a day of Thanksgiving.

May this Thanksgiving be one full of rich blessings. On my third reading of "The Traveler's Gift" or should I say your third time reading it to me via CD. (Smile)"

"Hi Andy, I have been following your career as a comedian for years. I used to love it when I would see you on Nashville Now with Ralph Emery. Then years later I was ever so pleasantly surprised to find out that you were in the same business as my wife and I. (And what a great business it has proved to be...God Bless America) I have purchased many of your CD's and "Tapes" (and that should tell you how long I've been listening...LOL) and Loved every one. I have a question for you though. On one of the recordings that I purchased, you told the story of David and Goliath (As only you can tell it) I have somehow lost that recording over the years and would love to have a copy to share with my teenage children. I am a single father and have raised my son and daughter since they were just 5 and 6 when their mother left us, and I really want them to be able to visualize their dreams and to know that with God's help they can accomplish anything. Please tell me where I can get another copy of that recording. Thanks Andy, Dave Mersereau"

"Andy,
Thank you so much for reminding me of all I have to be thankful for! Like so many others, my family is facing some difficult financial times and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the anxiety and worry, forgetting about what REALLY matters. I've been a fan since I first heard "The 7 Decisions" on PBS. I think I wore out that CD I've played it so often! I just hope you realize how much you touch other people's lives in such a positive way. A very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours. Keep up the great work!"

"I am thankful for you, Mr. Andy Andrews."

"Andy, I was in command of the Air Forces in Europe Band when you came through Germany on Operation Seasons Greetings a few years ago. I truly enjoyed your company and I'm grateful for the honor you pay to our men and women in uniform. Keep up the messages to us--God is making enormous changes in our lives through people like you."

"Hi Andy, my first time on this page. Just want to express my gratitude for your insight in so many things. I work in a jail and first and foremost I am so thankful that I will get to go home for dinner tomorrow. So many of my fellow human beings wil spend the day here. Thank you for everything..."

"And all of these things in our life are blessings from God. Even the things that we get from the government."

"Abundance comes with hearts that are grateful for the gifts of our lives. This holiday season I will celebrate in a simple way, and just appreciate life each day - to me, that's what is important. Your words, as always, reflect this and I look forward to sharing them with my family at our Thanksgiving table tomorrow.
Bless you and yours."

"Thank you so much for your blog, Andy. You are one of the most inspirational people I have ever heard and read. You have added so much value to my life through your books, cds and speaking engagements.

I am a single mother of 3 teenagers...12 years and counting now. There are many hard times we have come through and I'm sure more to come. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for even during those times.

I am so blessed to have 3 healthy children, a roof over our head, 2 cars that run, my oldest child's college paid for, a recent 31% increase in my pay, family close by, parents that are always there for me, food in my cupboards, blankets on our beds, clothes on our back, shoes on our feet, coats to keep warm, a wonderful church family, so much...so very much! I have now started my list of at least 100 things. We will be doing that at our family gathering on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for that wonderful suggestion!

Have a truly blessed holiday...and Thank You for what you add to our lives!"

"I love the song 'Counting Your Blessings' from the movie 'White Christmas' and have always used it as my personal stress reliever. 'When you're worried and you can't sleep, try counting your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings . . . '

When I am really burdened, I go down a list as I prepare for sleep. 'Father, I thank you:
- that I can pay my bills
- that I have a warm bed to sleep in
- that I don't have to work three jobs
- that I don't have to take public transportation
- that I can afford gas for my car
- that I have a home to come home to
. . . and so on.
It is the best calming influence I know. I recognize that many cannot state the blessings I call out, and it humbles me further. I know that if I lost my job, house, and husband tomorrow, I have precious friends who would take me in and care for me until I got back on my feet. The list goes on and on, and before you know it I have put frightening events into perspective and received peace that passes understanding. Fall asleep counting your blessings!"

"Andy,

Amen to the sentiments expressed in this blog. I have to admit that I quoted you on my radio show on WIKK in Newton Illinois. I also talked about your book "The Travelers Gift". I thank you so much for your gift of writing as it has helped bring me to a feeling of gratitude rather than a "why me" mentality!

You have truly been blessed!

All My Best,
Bobbie Ashley"

"Andy,
Thanks for the Thanksgiving message - my son Corey forwarded this to me. Saluting our men and women in the military is a great idea. I will make sure to have an extra place setting representing our countrymen who are on the front lines this Thanksgiving.

Regards,

Bill"

"Hello Andy, One of my hundred I'm grateful for is having met you and happy to have read your books. Our best to you and Polly and the Boys. Madison,WI"

"Dear Andy,

God Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and every day. You are an inspiration to me unlike any other. You have an incredible gift and have chosen to use it to assist others with passion, persistence and conviction. You have taught me that circumstances are only "weapons for the wise".
In humble gratitude and remembrance of great abundance that we have today!

Karen"

"Amen."

"Andy, I am grateful for your reminder of perspective. It's so easy to forget. I always look forward to your posts. Thank you!

Renee"

"Thanks for the reminder and for all the inspiration you bring with your sharing. May we all be more thoughtful during this time and throughout the year."

"Thanks, Andy, for reminding me how truly blessed I am! We forget too easily the many blessings we have in our lives each and every day and now is a great time to remember them and to be thankful!"

"Loved your posting "Grateful Perspective".God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.We hope to see you again soon...Jim & Bev."

"WOW! Yesterday my boss gave me a great holiday gift - A two hour meeting that included us watching "Mastering the 7 decisions." I know in my heart we ALL matter, but Andy, you struck a home run telling it to your audience in a way that will resonate in me forever...Thanks to my boss, Mark, and thank you ANDY for making yesterday one of the best work days EVER!! Happy Thanksgiving,
Happy LIFE! I'll be ordering soon for my kid's christmas gifts!"

"What a wonderful message Andy, "Thank YOU" for reminding us to have a grateful spirt. I am grateful for so much in my life one being the opportunity that started several years ago as one of your "team members" prior to the Team In Focus days onto today. The local weekly meetings you spoke at (and of course entertained us); the many friendships created; the business owners teachings; conferences with so many wonderful speakers that have touched my life then and continue to do so now with their books and CD's. I'm grateful to receive your inspirational messages that show up in my e-mail box. They bring me back to a wonderful time in my life. Most importantly they add value to my life so I can then add value to others.

God Bless you and your faimly this holiday season."

"ANDY, A GREAT INSPIRATION, AS WELL AS A TRULY CLEAR PERSPECTION OF THE LIFE AROUND US. THINKING BACK, WE SEE THE WORLD AT LARGE DAILY THROUGH OUR OWN EYES. IF WE CAN VIEW A T.V. OR LISTEN TO RADIO, IT IS PRESENTED IN A THAT IS TOLERABLE. IT IS WELL SAID BY YOU THAT WE SEE AND READ BETWEEN THE LINES. MAY GOD BLESS, BOB BROWN"

"Hi Andy,
I am thankful that I was able to hear you speak at our annual leaders meeting the last two years and each time I have walked away smiling. It is amazing how quickly we forget the little things in life that matter. Keeping up with your blog has been inspirational. I am blessed with a family that inspires me each day. Good day friend.
Brian"

"Hi Andy,

My daughter and I have read your book and we are blessed to tell you we are both coming out of a "challenging" divorce from 6 years ago.

We may not have the exact same life we had before, however we are grateful for everything we have now, especially the opportunity to give back to help others.

I have to tell you, I watched your special on KCTS today about the 7 steps--and you really inspired me to do more, be more and push myself to finally reach a goal in my life I have been working toward for the past 6 years since my divorce.

I am truly grateful and thank God every morning and evening for all we have--and have learned so much the past year, connecting with our community and doing everything I could with the company I worked for to help others--even though I may be in transition I know a tremendous opportunity is out there for me only "minutes" away from my securing this because as you indicated about either; being in a crisis, coming out of a crisis or going into a crisis--I have nothing to fear yet, b/c my work here is not complete yet and for this reason God is providing for me and my daughter---I will be sure now too, to include the forgiveness factor into my thoughts and prayers each night--this will be hard for me and I am determined to move on from my past--Thank you for making me feel there is someone out there who does care--who I can feel is like family--it makes me feel like I am not ever alone--and I think you should know this is a comforting thought--I believe more people should help each other to feel this way--our world would definitely be a better place--if we all cared about each other and helped each other--TF"

"Andy, Thank you for the 'grounding' message! Being full of thanks, or gratitude is our acknowledgement of our place in the universe - being the reciever as well as givers. Gratitude is the greatest gift I can share with my 7 children, their partners and soon to be 20th grandchild. Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season."

"Andy,

Heard you at Tech Data conference. Read book, bought two more (all they had in store), found one more and bought it. I keep giving them away. Got smart and went on your web site and just bought 9 more. Reason... I like the impact this can have on people if they take action and harness the power of what you have written. I could teach seminars on this.. and I appreciate you taking time to impart what you gleaned from reading. Heartfelt thanks!"

"Andy, I appreciate the perspective, as well as your consideration of our military. It is said that only those who would die for something truly understand that "something." In this case, that something is pretty important -- America.
I am thankful for people like you who give the rest of us something of greatness to share with others to remind us of what we have to be grateful for in this country. The Butterfly Effect... It makes me wonder how many of us are still really flapping our wings so that good things will come as ripple effects in the future. In times when we struggle to understand it seems we're more likely to give up, or give less. It reminds me of a book I read by a great American, Homer Hickam. In the true story of the Rocket Boys, when "Sonny" is discouraged from building his rockets, his only option seems to give up his dream. His teacher, Ms. Riley, tells him what to do in times like this. "Then, and especially then, you give it everything you've got."
Maybe that is an expression of gratefulness, and maybe it's a decision some of us need to make. The decision to keep on keeping on.
Thank you for all the research, for your focus on real people, and for every goodness you make it your business to share with others!"

"Andy,
Great job yesterday in Greely! My son and I sat at the table in the front of the room. Andy, you truly have a God given gift when it comes to speaking. When you put your hand over my heart to illustrate your point about your oldest son I was convinced that you have a decided heart. Pray for my son Ryan. You signed his copy of The Travelers Gift. I hope he can employ some or all of the seven decisions into his daily routine. I have been trying to live all seven. Smile when you talk! I love it. Take care of those two little men of yours and let them know that you touched two lives in a very special way yesterday. Take care Andy and God Bless You and your family.
Jim Musser"

"Andy;We have all been "under the pier" at one point in our lives, Jones did us all a favor. The Cent Ag boys hit a homerun inviting you, sorry the Tide didn't do the same. Your message on the perspective of recession needs to be heard more and I will be in touch about you sharing with the Green Industry in Colorado. No not the Greenies, the ones who work for a living. My boys are 32, 25 and my girls are 34 and 27. They get better with age. Thanks and where can I send an email on an 8th grade test from 1895, made me realize I am not smarter than an old 8th grader. David Cromley"

"Andy, As always I enjoy reading what you write. Your writings are very special to me. The problem is I put off reading those "special things" until I know I have extra time. And often that extra time never comes. Now it is January and I am reading your Thanksgiving Message! This year I have made a new decision, "I will read those "special things" when I get them. I will stop and watch the "Special Viedo" that someone will send to me. I will talk to those "Special People" when they call. This year the urgent business things will still get done, but those special things, that touch my heart, and fill my soul with joy can not wait! I need them now!"

"Andy, gratitude is what it is all about. It lets us reflect on how truly blessed we are even in times of trial. I have kept a gratitude journal that I complete each night just before I call it a day. It sure has altered my outlook on things. Many ethnic groups especially at Christmas time set an extra plate for a potential wandering visitor who may stop by. Some say it is an angel. Wandering visitor, angel, service man or women with a wide enough net we'll call them one in the same !!"

"Andy, I first saw you speak at a managers meeting for my investment firm in St. Louis, Mo and I have been a follower ever since. Being grateful is something my wife and I try to instill into our kids (7,5 and 2). My two oldest went with my wife to the most impoverished county in the usa in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains on a mission trip with our church. They took an entire truck load of food and daily needs (soap, dish washing detergent, light bulbs, clothes, etc.) I will forever cherish the pictures of my 5 year old daughter leading an Appalachian girl of the same age to the front of the stage to enjoy the worship service we put on. I will replay over and over the statement made by my 7 year old son when they got back: "Daddy, I have never seen anyone get so excited about getting light bulbs!" And the few weeks that followed, sitting in my daughters kindergarten class during a Christmas party- my daughter asked why I wouldnt let her wear flip flops and a tank top to school like "Annie" sitting a few rows over? My reply to her, "Sweety, Annie doesnt GET to wear flip flops, she HAS to wear them." I had to explain no further. She got it just like that and that made me more proud than anything has that she has started to grasp the concept of gratitude. My clients ask how I am doing as a casual gretting on the phone, I seize the opportunity to minister by replying "I am better than I deserve, how are you?" They always chuckle and respond, in essence, with "I guess we all are." Yes, yes we are. Keep up the good fight, Andy. I would love to hear back from you, but I know you are busy, so I will simply pray our paths cross again some day. You, my friend, are one of those people you reference so often as the ones you "want to hang around with".

Chad"