Pastor John Sheda

This coming Sunday, I’m leaving for Tanzania, East Africa, for a two week Mission Trip. This will be my fourth time going there and after my first trip there in 2006, I returned a very changed man. Many felt I needed to be changed!! I changed in several ways but the most pronounced change came in how I perceive life, (with all its’ twists & turns and ups & downs). I am simply more appreciative of my life here and more thankful of the great country, state and area I live in. In no real particular order, (other than the final one), here are some things I am thankful for:

* The older I get, the more thankful I am for my family. They’re the “Cats.” What more can I say?

* I’m thankful that gas prices are declining a little. Gas in Tanzania is $2 a liter which is approximately 8-9 bucks a gallon there!!

* I’m thankful years ago, I sorta learned and fell in love with the sport of golf. Tiger doesn’t have to worry about me, but like the Cubs….wait till next year!

* I’m thankful for growing up in Chelsea. What a great town. Band Concerts, Popcorn Annie, Swalm’s Drug Store, Chucks Soft Ice Cream & the Silver Dollar.

* I’m thankful for my Christian education at St. Joseph’s and then my four years of high school at South Tama. Brand new school my last two years I think and looking back, I never realized how “state of the art” it was. Thank you to those visionaries way back then.

* I’m thankful to The Tama News Herald for allowing me the opportunity to write a weekly column.

* And I’m even more thankful that there are a few readers, (quite intelligent ones, for sure), that actually, kinda, sorta, enjoy my columns. I hope to tickle your funny bone every now and then and also get you to ponder some things also.

* I’m thankful to my parents who taught me to work. Period.

* I’m thankful that many years ago, I decided to try my hardest to look at the bright side of things and to find humor in just about everything. Life goes by much easier this way.

* I’m thankful for detassling corn eons ago. Not really sure why, but there must somewhere in there be a good reason.

* I’m thankful that as I age, I actually do get better….at least in my mind.

* And speaking of my love for golf, I’m thankful for golf carts.

* I am thankful for my church that allows me to get up every Sunday and preach God’s Word. To be able to do this is incredible and most humbling. Thank you Church!

* And finally, I’m thankful that Jesus Christ is who I love and turn to in my time of need and sorrow. My relationship with Him has revolutionized my life completely and totally. I have no idea where I’d be today if it were not for his love and grace for and unto me.

Well, Happy Thanksgiving. My next reports will be coming to you from about 10,000 miles away. But with the magic of technology, you will never get away from me. Har, Har, Har.

That’s The Way I See It. Let me know how you see it at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319-327-4640.

I would love to hear a couple of old softball stories!!