Battle of wills.

Rocky.

It's funny how my generation seem to associate so much with movies.  I was just flipping through the channels and came across rocky IV.  I remember it so well the soundtrack, the Russian, the friend dying.  I also think about my brother, he loved it as much as I did.

Everything is a battle of wills.  We all make decisions.  We have choices to fight or run.  To face our fears head on.  To be willing to sacrifice for the good of others.  

Work is still good.  I am still getting paid well and loving my job.  I am fortunate to have a boss who is understanding even when I do make mistakes.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving with the Zetyes.  It is great to have friends who are also family.  Speak of Friends I went over to the Bartons for dinner.  Mo fixed some killer pork chops.  

Rocky started up.  What is it about movie soundtracks that are so great.  The mood that a simple instrumental soundtrack conveys is amazing.  This is just great.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Old Friends.

I continue to look for old friends on facebook.

I came across some old pictures.  Time passes so fast.  It is like a vapor.  20 years seems just like yesterday.  

Each day is a gift and I need to remember to hold on to each day and to make the best of each day.  To serve God, to love others, to stay the course.  Each day should be enjoyed like fresh fruit.  To be cherished with every bite.  To not worry about tomorrow and to not to look back to far.  To stay the course and enjoy the journey.  To eat of the fruit of life.  To let me rest in His love.

I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving.  I am spending it with the Zetye Family.  I hope that I am able to be a friend to them through what may be a difficult holiday.  I will also be able to spend time with the Bartons.  It is always great to spend time with them.

One of my old friends I found on facebook is Dani Hochleutner.  I was able to have an IM conversation with her last night.  It is so exciting that she is going to be in Albany from the 9th through the 12th of December and we are going to try to get together.

Thursday.

Cold, boy is it cold!

I have been on the road alot this week.  I finally caught up with my dad today after playing phone tag for a couple of days.

Heroes.  My dad is one of my heroes.  I always appreciated the way that he was there for me and my brother growing up.

My brother is great, his name is Mark.  No it's not two names in one.  He ones and runs a couple of tire stores down in Texas.  He married into a rodeo family.  He is so generous and always has company at his house.  Some day maybe I will be fortunate to have a house as big as he does.  I guess I already have the heart. Boy, am I blessed.

I am planing on going down to Jewell for Thanksgiving.  Ray invited me to spend it with him and his family.  I am so fortunate.

I would like to make in into NYC to visit some of my friends there, but I do not know if that will happen.

I hope you have a great day.

Funny thing.

So I was just poking around facebook and looking at two of the mentors in my life.  John Strappazon and Kit McDermott.

John I knew from my time in college, the early 90's.  Seems like just yesterday.  Isn't it funny how time sneaks up on you.  Soon enough I will be 40.  I am thankful to have had John in my life and to have known him when I did.  He was always caring and honest with me about who I was and who I was to become.

Kit I have known for about 6 years.  He came into my life as a suggestion from my pastor.  He is so understanding and faithful to God's calling in his life.  He is a church planter in Northampton Mass.  I can see how his heart breaks from just reading his blog.  

Once again I am reminded how blessed I am to have friends in my life.

How Blessed am I.

Dinner.  

I just had dinner at my good friends the Jacksons who were generous enough to let me stay with them tonight.  

We had fresh ham with homemade apple sauce, beans, and carrots.  

The Jacksons are old friends who work for the Salvation Army as officers.  They have served in New York, New Jersey and now Massachusetts.  Tomorrow we are going to Microcenter, a computer place.

I still am pushing to finish my hikes by the end of next Saturday.  I have eight left.  I went to world's end yesterday.  It was really cool.  I had a view of the Boston cityscape over water.  It is a great place to go bird watching.

I love Christmas.  I started hearing my first Christmas music of the year yesterday.  I am so fortunate to have friends and family who dearly love me and want the best.  I am thankful to be raised in a country where I am free to worship.

I am Joe Don Richardson.

Servant of the One True God.

Hero to the hopeless.

I have been and always will be dedicated, dangerous, and loyal.

To all who read these may you be as richly blessed today as I am.

Thankful.

Just a few things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for friends like Paul who let me crash at there place whenever I need to.

Friends like Ray who continue on despite great loss.

Friends like Becca, Mike, and Jaime because we are able to meet for dinner and enjoy shared experiences.  

A job in today's difficult economy and especially one that I enjoy.  To be able to travel and take photographs is great!

To have a talent like photography.

To have a loving God who understands the pains and trails I undergo.  To be able to rejoice with Him and grow with Him.  Even when I don't understand, which is most of the time.  To still be able to trust.  This is growth.