Thank You, Veterans

Once our son enlisted in the Army and spent a tour overseas in Iraq, we realized the depth of thankfulness and pride we had for our son and his fellow servicemen and women.

Thank you. To each and every branch, to every single troop, to all locations of service, and to every type of work, again, I say, "Thank you!"

Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice for our country. We appreciate you and what you have done.

Thank you for being willing to leave behind your own family - wives, husbands, parents, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends - and travel to far flung destinations. You missed much. Thank you for being willing to miss the day-to-day life events - for us.

Thank you for staring danger and discomfort straight in the face.

Thank you. From the bottom (and top and middle) of my heart, I say thank you.

And families of servicemen and women. Thank you for your sacrifice. The waiting and the missing is never easy.

For those who did not return the way we prayed, my heart is with you. For those who came home draped with a flag, my heart breaks for you and your family.

Thank you.

May we never forget.

A Month of Thanks - November 1

It's that time of year again. The month of thanks.

November has become one of my favorite months. First, October is over. I love and adore October. But by the end of the month, I am so done with zombies, vampires, masks, and too much candy.

November 1st arrives bringing fresh appreciation for the late fall season, the pre-Christmas season, the season of family, faith, and tradition, and the season of thankfulness.

This year I resolve to share each day one thing (maybe two, it's still early November, after all) for which I am thankful. I have been so blessed, I should probably do an entire year of thankfulness. In my heart, I do.

Why don't you join me? Let's flood cyberspace with thank-you's.

November 1 - I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Truth and center of my being.

There are no photos of Jesus. The kind of photos that one can click with a camera. But He gave us a print version picture of Himself. The Bible.

Thank You, Jesus.

What I Can Eat from My Garden

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.
- Ralph H. Blum

It's early to be thinking about Thanks-for-giving, but at the same time, just as in Christmas being celebrated every day of the year, we have hundreds of reasons every day to be thankful!

My garden is such an example...What can I eat from my small, city, backyard garden?
~ peas ~ zucchini ~ yellow squash ~ strawberries ~ raspberries ~ sunflower seeds ~ squash flowers ~ pumpkins ~ tomatoes of all sorts ~ green beans ~ chives ~ peppermint ~ basil ~ lettuce of varied shape and color ~ radishes ~ thyme of two names ~ lavender ~ oregano

And there are probably many flowers that may be had for flavor. But I grow them for bees, butterflies, and beauty.

Ahhh. The pleasures to be enjoyed in working the soil and savoring the bounty.

Thank you.

Quiet peace and calmness...

Thank You, Veterans, from the Superstars

Thank you! Superstars from Harrah Community Christian School send a huge hug and thank you for what you have done for our country. Enjoy the acrostic written as a class project in dedication of veterans. Know that students at H.C.C.S. regularly pray for soldiers and their families.

Veterans Day

V - Veterans of our country
E - Ever protecting America
T - Thank you for fighting for our freedom
E - Eager to serve
R - Really important
A - Amazing sacrifices
N - Not forgotten, but noticed and needed
S - Soldiers of our military

D - Dedicated to help
A - Awesome and admired
Y - You are loved, appreciated, and remembered

Not Forgotten

This year (and last) has given a personal and close link to Veterans Day. With our son safely home from Iraq, we deeply appreciate and respect the hard work, sacrifice, and personal cost given willingly by the soldiers who elect to serve our country. Thank you, veterans. Regardless of the political climate, elected officials, or media viewpoints, you are loved, remembered, appreciated, loved, missed, awesome, prayed for, cherished...Don't forget that we know the cost and embrace what you have given to us.

It seems too simple for such acts of unselfishness, bravery, sacrifice. But, from the depths of our hearts, thank you.

Thank you.