I miss my dad...he has been gone for 24 years now, but I still long to sit and talk with him and chat about the day.  I want to tell him about the kids and ask his advice.  Sometimes selfishly, I wish he was here to make me something for the house (he was a wonderful craftsman). I cherish anything he has made for me from a stool to the bookcase.  I'd like to tell him I understand NOW about so many things he told me  He once said about my husband that he could not have chosen any one better for me. He was so right about that!

Randil Munson Sr.

Mom and Dad on New Year's Eve 1972!

                                                                 



My dad believed in hard work and paying cash for things. He believed in excellence in whatever he did. He got dirty at work, but always cleaned himself up meticulously each evening. I always said my mom had it easy because she did not have to pick up after him! The lessons I learned from him are innumerable.

 He was not known for patience. however he made up for it by being loving and encouraging.  He was a WW II veteran. He must have made an impact on his men because two of them named their sons after him. We can learn so much from this generation.


He did not go to college, but was a very intelligent man. He was the one I went to for help with math. He encouraged education and sacrificed to send my brother and myself to college. 

Little Joshua and my dad

He got cancer because of his work with asbestos and developed mesothelioma (you've seen the ads). It was hard watching him suffer. He and I had the opportunity for some good talks though.
In the last year of his life he developed  faith in Jesus.  It was right before Christmas on this date in 1987 when he left his earthly life to enter into his heavenly home. I remember having a peace that passes all understanding because I knew that one day we will be together again for eternity.
 Merry Christmas Daddy!

"By grace you  have been saved through faith;  not of yourselves,  It is the gift of God, not as a result of works that no one should boast." Eph. 2:8,9

It's never been and question of "if"...

Joshua's graduation

Friday night we celebrated my son Joshua's graduation from Anderson University. He received a card from his close friends that said, It's never been a question of "if" . It's always been a matter of "when"... and NOW is your time... congratulations!  How perfect is this sentiment?  Anyone who knows my son knows he is one of the friendliest people you will ever meet. He knows twice the number of people in Anderson that his dad and I know. Some people even nickname him "Mr. Mayor". He has worked hard since he was 15 years old and done well.  School on the other hand just was not his thing.  He hated reading and studying.  He loved going to class and socializing. As a result it has taken him a lot longer to attain his degree.  However, his perseverance and determination to finish has given him the reward.

We watched our son walk across that stage with the biggest smile, greet and receive his degree from the President of the university (who of course he knows). Dr. Whitaker said, "You made it, congratulations".
He was beaming and we as his parents were as well.  I thought about how long it took to adopt him. We named him Joshua because it was such a battle to get him!  Just like the Joshua from scripture he had to trust that God would be with him to defeat his foe (in our son's case ADHD).

Today I was thinking that when life is not easy the victories are that much sweeter. Randy said Joshua's unseen strength was his perseverance. The way I see it that virtue can be a huge benefit in this life. It is the kind of lesson that can not be taught, but experienced. I can hear him now encouraging others to not give up but stay the course. Who better to share it than someone who has lived it !

"Let us run with patient endurance and steady and active perseverance the appointed race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

Gingerbread, a parade, a castle, tea = Fun Memories

 A few weeks ago Maria and I had the opportunity to go to Asheville, NC on an adventure! Through a series of events we were given tickets to the Biltmore House that someone else could not use and we were the only ones who could go. So off we dashed with our GPS in place and excitement in our hearts .

 Our hotel

We stayed overnight in downtown Asheville and planned our next day's activities with anticipation of the sites we would see the next day! We walked downtown and went to the Asheville Christmas Parade.

We drove to the Grove Park Inn for the annual National Gingerbread Contest. Grove Park Inn is somewhere I have always heard about and wanted to go visit. It did not disappoint! The Inn itself is nestled in the mountains and it has a breathtaking view. The gingerbread houses were beautiful. It was also FREE !

First Place Winner

Grove Park Inn

We still had time so we ventured over to Biltmore Village for some afternoon tea at Chelsea's Tea Room.

Maria enjoying afternoon tea!

Then it was time to head over to the Biltmore House. It was built by George Vanderbilt in  1895 as a wedding present for his wife. I never get tired of visiting this magnificent house. How special it was to see it by candlelight.

The library

Breakfast Room

There are 8,000 acres and over 250 rooms in the house. In the spring and summer the gardens are beautiful.

We had a wonderful 24 hours of laughing, talking about life, getting lost, and bonding as mother and daughter. Sometimes we plan and plan certain events in our lives and other times we just have to be spontaneous so we do not miss out on the blessings God has planned for us. I am so thankful for the wonderful memories of  our little adventure in Asheville.