THANKFUL FOR.....

Taken 2007 - I think it's time to take another family photo

It’s Family Day up here! Thanking God for family who went before to those to whom we will pass the torch! Each person has their unique spot in our hearts and left a unique imprint on our lives. OK, the imprint from one or another may have been painful but God turned it for my good!

“The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.” -Erma Bombeck



My family of origin – dad and mom are already in the Presence of the Lord! A storehouse of memories growing up with my younger brother and sister, leaving our dear Opa and Oma and many uncles and aunts and cousins in the old country – Germany - to join the ones that had moved to Canada before us. Just love when we are able to get together! 



“Nobody has ever before asked the nuclear family to live all by itself in a box the way we do. With no relatives, no support, we've put it in an impossible situation.” -Margaret Mead

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” -Jane Howard

“I don't have to look up my family tree, because I know that I'm the sap.” –Fred Allen



My nuclear family - hubby is a gentle, loving, steadfast man, a gift from God to me and together we have two daughters and one son. We’re blessed with two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law. We rejoice at the generous gift of nine very special grandchildren!



“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you as you are to them.” - Desmond Tutu

"Like branches on a tree, our lives may grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one." - Author Unknown


The family of God – brothers and sisters in Christ who faithfully show love, respect, appreciation, freely give encouragement, rebuke, prayer, join in laughter, tears, or song - and I’m thankful God sent them to enhance our lives in our journey of faith.

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.” -Richard Bach

"Family and Friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches." - Wanda Hope Carter 


Treasure the memories and influences of yesterday,
Live joyfully in the moments and impressions of today,
Hope steadfastly! God's mercy, love and grace is 
sufficient for tomorrow!

20 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

Be they large or small,like mine,families are special.I am so thankful to have my family close to me and also to have a loving church family.There is one more family,and that is the family of frindws both near and far.Thanks for sharing about your family.

ellen b. said...

Great thoughts and quotes Karin. How wonderful that you have so many grandchildren! Families are an interesting learning field for sure!
Happy Family Day to you...

pam said...

I love to come peek into your world. What a wondrous compilation of thoughts on families. My weekend with family is reminding me how much I have to yet learn about true Love.... sweet abiding to you today Karin!

Bernie said...

I love that you love, enjoy and take pride in your family. You are truly blessed.....:-)Hugs

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a wonderful picture! But it was four years ago, so it's about time for another. I can't imagine how everyone would all be able to get together at the same time, what a headache! Maybe a reunion, do you have reunions?

Lady Dorothy said...

What a wonderful holiday! I confess that I had not heard of it. Are there any traditions that go with it? I love any excuse to get my family together and any excuse to celebrate, but this is a great one! Happy Family Day!

Betty W said...

Great post. So true and so much to be thankful for, if you have a family. Sometimes we take it too "selbstverständlich" what we have. :)

Mari said...

Those are great quotes! Families are one of God's great blessings!

Judy said...

Great 'family' post...including the quotes! Most timely...since I'm immersed in family here right now.

I'm smiling about Ellen's comment...about families being an interesting learning field!

Linda said...

Hi Karin...I liked your post about family with all of the quotes and comments. There is just nothing better in my mind than the love of family. (Aren't grandkids fun?)

You have a lot of blessings girl. I liked the family picture. (:>)

Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Karin, Love your Family post... One never realizes how important family is until they are all gone but YOU.. That is my situation... Other than some nieces and nephews and my 3 sons and grandchildren, my entire family is with God now... I miss them all so much --especially now that I am older.

My Dad died in 1969; One brother died in 1985; Mom died in 1991; and my older brother died in 2009.

Enjoy your family.. That is my message to everyone.

Hugs,
Betsy

Shug said...

Hey Karin...First of all, I want to thank you for all your positive comments. You are always encouraging me...
What would we do without family? I love all the memories of those that have gone on to be with the Lord and I love making new memories with those that are still around.
I am reminded each day of how important family is. I have a great neice that lives with us. She is 18 and a senior in high school. My only sister is deceased and this is her granddaughter. Both of Taylor's parents are deceased as well as all grandparents. The only immediate family she has living is a step-sister. I see lonliness in her eyes a lot of times. I am thankful that we can give her a home and love her like our own.
Enjoyed your post
Shug

Evi said...

Love you my momma! I have learned so much from you about what it means to keep growing in the Lord. Thanks for being a great example to me. What a great family I come from.

Louise | Italy said...

Karin, I'm so glad I caught this post of yours, I think you've done more good than you know with your words. Thank-you.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Family has been on my mind and 'heart' even more than usual the past few days. My family is getting smaller and smaller... :-( & now my boys are going off in their own lives.. sigh...

I so needed to read this today! Thank you, Karin!! I knew I needed to come visit right now.. as usual!!
HUGS,
Coreen xoxoxoxo

Anneliese said...

What a special holiday you have there... BC has some catching up to do. You have some grat quotes there ... ahh... family! How we need each other.

George said...

Thanks for sharing these neat quotes about family along with your own wonderful words. This is a beautiful Family Day post.

Beck's Bulletin said...

I agree that we need a Family Day here in BC too! loved the picture and all the quotes! Just had to stop in and say 'hi' since I haven't seen you post any comments on mine in a while....hope all is well!

Pranavam Ravikumar said...

Very Nice Post..!

F ather
A nd
M other
I ncluding
L ovely
Y oungones

Kimberly Pitman said...

Family Day! What a wonderful idea!

I love the quotes you've chosen. :)

From this family's "sap"