On this day, September 4, 2003, Norma Joyce Pratt Thomason, departed this life and entered the arms of Jesus after 33.5 years as my wife and partner. It was my worst day ever, but her triumph. We miss her always and look forward to the day we meet her in Heaven.

Every test or evaluation that I have ever taken; IQ (100 to 124), Personality (5's out of 10's), Blood (o+), Body shape (medium), all say one thing: AVERAGE.

I see YouTube videos of gifted 4 year old's playing Mozart piano solos, 7 year-old violinists playing with big orchestras, etc. I see super athletes, actors, business people who excel way beyond their peers. I hear about pastors of meg mega churches too.  By comparison, I am not even average.  The average church in America is about 70 people. I score below average on that one. There might be some things about me that stand out, but they are not always positive attributes.  I am not depressed about all of this though, because I know that:

1. Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world.

2. We are saved by Grace and not by our works.

3. Christ in me is the hope of glory.

4. When I am weak, He is strong.

5. I am judged by what I do with what He gave me, not by what He gave others.

6. Faith alone is what impresses God, and He gives that.

7. Anything I accomplish is not for me to boast but all the praise belong to God anyhow. 

So, being average is not a problem if you give all of your average-ness over to God. 

 Allen Crews, our one-year-old Great Grandson by way of Ruth's youngest daughter, Ashley and her daughter Daylan.  Allen's parents came to stay with us for a few days recently and we got to know this little guy. He is one of the best behaved one-year-olds I have ever seen. Very sweet little boy with a lot of energy and curiosity. He ran all over our house testing everything and experiencing life to the fullest. We fell in love with him and have high hopes for his discovery and fulfillment of Divine Destiny.

MARCH 26, 1970

FIFTY SIX YEARS AGO, I MARRIED NORMA JOYCE PRATT ON A SNOWY THURSDAY EVENING IN PANHANDLE, TEXAS AT THE FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH, REV. R C HOPPER OFFICIATING.  '

 Due to the poor weather conditions there were only maybe fifty people there to witness our vows, but close family and friends were all there to celebrate with us.  Norma and I enjoyed our life together for more than 33 years before she left for Heaven. I was blessed to be her husband. She gave me two wonderful children, Heather and Aaron. When she passed, I thought my life had ended and I felt so alone. But God, in His mercy, sent me Ruth five years later. We have been married 18 years this October. I am twice blessed with two wonderful marriages! It all began one snowy night 56 years ago.

                                                                OCTOBER 12, 2008