Memorial day 2014
Why do we really have Memorial day??? So many people celebrate because it is a 3 or 4 day week-end to do nothing, or time to take a mini-vacation, a time to party, or for family get togethers. All of this is great - but what we really should do is take this time to thank every person that is or has ever been in the service for their supreme effort and sacrifice for us - so that we can choose and express our religious beliefs, be free from oppression, be able to voice our opinion without fear of arrest or detention, even to be able to bear arms for our own personal protection. The constitution guarantees us these rights and our service people fight so that we can keep them.
Take time today at 2 PM (or whenever you read this) for a 2 minute reflection and time of thanksgiving to honor every person who preserves these rights for us in order to make this the best country in the world.
Not only do we live in freedom in the world, but we have also found freedom in Christ. He has set us free - free from the bondage of sin. We are slaves to being in bondage of our sins - the greatest is believing the lies of Satan. God can free us from that bondage by relying on His Word.
We left South Texas last Wednesday on our way to Arkansas, pausing along the way to visit. Just before we left, out cacti burst into night bloom again - if you look really close at the bottom of the middle of this bloom, you will see a perfect star -
We drove as far as Joshua, Texas to visit with Chaplain Roy and Paula Gee for 2 days - a wonderful time to just fellowship together in relaxation. Paula and I discussed our ladies conference coming up next February, reviewing possible speakers, ideas for promotion of the event, and the opportunity to reach as many ladies as possible. Roy and Paula have an amazingly close family, with family members just popping in to say hi and "Check in" for the day, with the ability to make you feel a part of the family. It is clearly evident that this family has God in the center. A definition of the Gee family, "He and his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly". Acts 10:2. After leaving Texas we traveled to Oklahoma to visit with former Alamo Rec Veh Chaplain Dennis and Sally Maloney. Dennis and Sally are raising a huge garden in order to harvest and preserve food for the needy in that impoverished area. They spent a very rough winter in Oklahoma, as the temperatures were very low and the snow and ice were above normal levels. But spring has brought a promise of new growth, both spiritually and physically. Training for new CRM chaplains as well as CRM board meetings will take place at Sycamore Chapel training center and mission house on the grounds this late fall, so the Maloneys are also busy preparing for those events. As I was taking their picture, Dennis asked if this was going to show up on my blog - yep!!
Fred and Roy Gee, discussing places they have been
the garden, waiting for God's blessing to produce food for the hungry
Arkansas hills in the distance
the mountains remind us that we are almost home
After arriving at our daughter's in Arkansas we took a rest on Saturday, then prepared for our other daughter's birthday. Brenda was 50 this year, her sister Connie in WI, also born on the 25th, was 48, and another daughter, Chandra (currently a WI resident but very soon a AR resident) will be 52 on the 29th, not to mention our anniversary on the 27th (a busy month for us). Only daughter, Christine in AR, has a birthday in a different month-- but---she was born on Christmas Eve. We had a surprise birthday party for Brenda - even the twin great granddaughters were there for the week-end.
black balloons tell the story
a large lighter so Brenda does not lose it in her purse
a Mexican cane to help her in her "advanced years"
more presents - stock in the Green Bay Packers and a hitch cover
twin great granddaughters - Kinley and Kensy - or vice versa
the twins, eating Cheetos
they even enjoyed birthday cake with black frosting - this is how they looked before their parents showed up - I wonder if they are ever allowed at their grandparent's house again????
It was so comfortable to be back at Prairie Grove Christian Church again, where Pastor Vance Eubanks encouraged us to be disciples, as God instructs us to be. God invites us to a higher calling, make a statement of surrender to His will, and expect greater things. All of us are called in some manner - some to go out, others to remain at home and serve. I loved Vance's message of not having a Plan B - burn the bridges of your past, become a new creation in Christ, take the plunge - no turning back. Commit yourself to Christ today - and don't look back.
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