Christmas, a time of hope for the future!

Every year our family likes to gather at my Uncle Fred's and Aunt Sharon's. We probably have the same loving, goofy, misfit, family as you do.  We go over there and eat, fellowship, play games, swap presents, take pictures and go home. We don't spend a lot of money on presents but it's the family loving and fellowship that we enjoy the most.

A lot of people hate Winter but I enjoy it and welcome it as one of life's cycles. The good book says that it is appointed to man once to die. That's what happens every year during the winter. Things die but in the spring they are reborn! Things come back to life. In our family we have experienced loss of life and gain in birth. Of course we miss those who have gone before but we will see them again.

I love the sunsets in Winter Time because they are so contrast to the earth. They seem brighter and with more promise.

I know that this Holiday, millions are traveling to see loved ones. Be careful and watch the other driver. Be patient in traffic. Sometimes it's good to put the radio to a nice easy listening station or if you are like me, turn the radio off if you are distracted. Be prepared with cat litter, shovels and snow chains as well as a blanket and a lighter. Oh, by the way the cat litter is if you get stuck you can pour it under the tires for added traction. Even if you don't smoke you can use the lighter to start a fire if you are in a survival situation.

If you are holed up in a small apartment in the city, get out and enjoy a walk. Say Hello to a neighbor. Call a relative or someone that you haven't talked to in a while just to say Merry Christmas! Don't be alone if you don't have to.

Remember that the good Lord loves you and wants the very best for you. He is like a bridge over troubled waters. Just like the song says.

Always remember that God is with us thru the night and even for the next day he gives us Grace to live!

Where ever you are in your life. He is quietly standing by to help if you just will call on him.

As you look back over 2013 what have you accomplished? What have you done to make your world a better place? What will you do in 2014? Will you make a positive impact in some ones life?

Just remember, that even though you may not be a child anymore, you are never too old for the magic of Christmas.

Whether you believe in Christmas, Hanakah, or Kwanza have a Merry Holiday!

From our Family to yours.

Thanksgiving, Thanks Giving? The Giving of Thanks!

I believe that Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. It's not just because of the heritage of the Puritans and the Indians coming together to dine but because it gives us a chance to pause to remember why that we are thankful.

I am very thankful for my family, my home, my job and my health. I'm thankful for America even though I'm not too proud of some of the things that have happened in the past, I'm thankful that I was born here!  I'm thankful for good God fearing Christian parents that reared me in the way to go. They weren't perfect parents but they were good hearted. I'm thankful for my loving wife that has made me what I am today. I'm thankful for my two loving Son's that have given me four beautiful Grandchildren. 

Here are some of the photo's from the last Thanksgiving.

My Mother, Jewel.

My Cousin Tommy, Standing. My Mother, Jewel to the left. My Wife, Sonia Centered and my Aunt Sharon seated to the right.

My Cousin, Bradley.

My Cousin Lisa's husband, Matt.

My Aunt Sharon

My Cousin Leia, and My Cousin Lisa's Daughter, Lillian.

Here's my cousin Lisa, getting ready for Black Friday! Just like she does every Thanksgiving.

Sharon's Husband and My Uncle Fred.

Sonia & Tommy

My Mother, Jewel with her husband Ken Thornton.

They both play a mean Banjo!

So, from my family to all of yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey, what are you thankful for? Write me and let me know so that I can share it with the other readers!

Timeless or Time Less?

My Wife Sonia and I on our stay in Miami, Florida.

First, I would like to apologize to my followers for not blogging for such a long time. I have been on a new job and so adjustments have been such a hassle but I'm back and ready to blog away!

I was thinking the other day about my future. I'm now fifty two years of age and I'm in the midstream of my life. I have accomplished so much, yet so little! I have traveled but not as much as some people. I have written but who have I impressed or impacted in a positive manner?  I have enjoyed life but if I were to die tomorrow what would be my future? According to the Bible, I have accepted Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. So, when I die, I should step into the arms of my loving Lord. Right?  So what happens to my mind? What happens to my Spirit? What happens to my Soul? Will I zoom into the cosmos? Will I travel the Milky Way at my very thought? Will I see the Lord, his angels and all of my relatives that have gone before me? Will, I still be able to create? I'm not trying to be deep here, just wondering.

The above picture was me when I was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a lowly recruit in the United States Army. It's remarkable how that my Son's look so much like me! I was young and dumb and full of ..... you know! I was 23 and my parents, in my mind, were just old and didn't know anything. How wrong that I was. I soon learned that they were the smartest people for their ages. They taught me to be caring and kind as well as honest and hardworking.

Check out my selfies! Over the years, I have changed. Some would say that it is for the better!

Here I'm standing before the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.

On a boat ride between the Five Villages in Northern Italy or Cinque Terra.

A stop over to have a glass of wine.

Photographing in Mallorca, Spain.

Feasting in Porte de Pollenca, Spain.

On Break!

Me and Sonia, the Love of my Life. One should always find that one that can be your friend, lover and confidant.

Fluffy at home.

On the Balcony, with NCL! Did I tell you how much I love Norwegian Cruise Lines? Book with them if you want to cruise! http://www.ncl.com

Sonia and I on the plane trip to Vegas!

We're in the Venetian at Vegas!

Test Driving a BMW at a Toyota Dealership! That's one of the things that I love to do! Test Driving cars that I will probably never, ever be able to buy!

Here is my best four legged friend in the whole wide world! Sampson is my DAWG! That is Southern for DOG! He plays with me and sleeps with me when the wife won't! Haha!

This is me playing Santa Claus at my Aunt Sharon's Party. The Young Lady is my Cousin Tommy's Fiance.

I love giving kisses! I think if the world did that there would be less war!

As you can see I like to shake up the facial hair sometimes. 

Yes! I get my hair done at Cloud Nine! I always ask for Jeremy because he does such a great job!

http://www.cloud9salonspa.com

See! I make a great Santa Claus, Don't I?

Here I am at Lunkin Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm enjoying the day and photographing with my wife and friends. 

So, you have seen the faces and the many sides of Raymond Peters.  What do you think? We are always changing our exteriors and interiors! My question to you is are you happy with where you are and what you are now?