The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:29-31
29Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord, 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your  strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”…

I remember teaching this very to second graders at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Everson.  I would have them do hand motions so they would remember it.  
Love the Lord, your God (pointing to Heaven) With all your heart (hands on their hearts) with all your soul (Wrap their arms around themselves in a big hug) with all your mind (point to their heads) and with all your strength (make muscle arms.)  And love your neighbor as you love yourself (shake hands with whoever is beside them.)

I wonder if they recall anything they learned back then.  I can only remember bits and pieces of what I did in Second Grade.  I remember I had to write a poem.  I asked my dad to help me. 

 This is our poem:  There once was a boy named Jake.  He broke his father's garden rake.

Seems kinda lame now, but I was proud of it then.  I think I was just happy to do something with my dad.  He didn't have time to spend with us.  He was usually busy working on cars or doing work around the house when he was home from his job at Anchor Hocking.

Times have changed and I so glad that Bill loved to spend time with his daughters.  He has always been there for them even though he wasn't there with them.  They know he loves them and would do just about anything for them.  He is a great dad!

Thank You Lord for Bill.  He always puts the needs of others before himself.  He is generous , loving, funny, and a very wise man (handsome too.)  Bless him and keep him safe, strong, and

close to You all the rest of his days.

Amen