In Remembrance . . .

  Today we remember 

                                     the victims, 

                                                     the survivors, 

                                                                             the heroes of 9/11. 

 “Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend―even a friend whose name it never knew.” 

George W. Bush

A quote from a survivor . . .

“On September 11, I always take the day off. I want to be in a peaceful quiet place praying. It is a day I both mourn and celebrate.”

Genelle Guzman-McMillan, 9/11 Survivor

I salute all first responders and all those that kept coming and coming. . .

We Never Thought

We never thought when we awoke this morning

The sorrow the day would bring.

The blow was sudden, the shock severe,

To part with one’s loved so dear,

We cannot keep from wondering,

Why our loved ones had to die,

And in our sad and troubled hearts,

We keep asking why,

The reason is hidden somewhere in

The pattern God has planned,

We must believe and trust in God and someday, we will understand.

We’ll miss you now,

Our hearts are sore, as time goes by we’ll miss you more,

Your loving smiles, your gentle faces.

No one can fill your vacant places.

On this day of solemn remembrance:

May we honor the lives that were lost in this tragic act.

May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.

May we give comfort to those who live with loss.

May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability,

and rely on you when the ability escapes us.

On this day of solemn remembrance:

May we build what has been torn down.

May we mend what has been broken.

May live your love when hate seems to reign.

May we bear witness to the cause of peace.

Amen.

“When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.”

Jeff Parness

Until Next Time

God Bless America

Tuesday Four

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory and honor of our friend Toni Taddeo, and hosted by Annie!

Join in the fun by linking HERE!

This week, let's talk about the Fourth of July.



1. Do you think the 4th is an important holiday? Why, why not?

I think it's very important to remember how blessed this country has been . . . good times and bad times, we have always held our head high.  Our country has always been respected throughout the world, sadly, I don't think that is the case anymore.  The turmoil happening all around us leads me to believe patriotism is a thing of the past.  I have a hard time understanding it all.  My faith and my hope is in Jesus Christ, only He can deliver us from this mess.  My heart is hurting for The United States Of America, land that I love.

2. How do you celebrate? If you are not American, do you celebrate your nation's national holiday?

We've always celebrated the fourth. Family party and fireworks at Sylvan Beach is always fun, but this year it's all been canceled and I think you know why. {{sigh}}

3. In the time of Laura Ingals Wilder,  all Americans read the Declaration of Independence every year on the 4th and lemonade was a big treat for the town picnic.
 Do you read the Declaration of Independence? Or, your nations important papers?

Sorry to say, no I don't.  I read our Declaration in bits and pieces, although I have read it all in the past.

  How about lemonade? Are you a fan?

Love lemonade!

4. Picnic, eat inside the house or eat out for the 4th?

I have a large family, so you will find us everywhere.  When the food is done we serve it buffet style. Before we line up for the buffet, we gather in a circle, hold hands and give thanks to the Lord for the meal He has provided.  After that the family scatters with their plates full . . . the young people usually go outside where tables are waiting, while the rest of us eat inside.

Family time is the best time.

God bless America
Land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above

From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America
My home, sweet home
God bless America
My home, sweet home

Until Next Time

Veteran's Day

A day set aside to say thank you to all those who have served or now serving in the United States Military.

By the Grace of God my brother came home from this war.  He was a changed man, the happy-go-lucky young man that went off to the Navy came back a sober old man.

But he came back, he married, had children, worked hard to make a living and now is happily retired. Living on 10 acres of land, raising rabbits and chickens and dogs!  Like me, he loves dogs and the last I knew he has seven of them running around the place.

I found these words on facebook:

A "Veteran", whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve - is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States Of America, for the amount of
 "Up To And Including His Life"
THAT IS HONOR.

War of 1812 [1812-15]
Mexican-American War [1846-48]
Spanish-American War [1898]
World War I (The Great War) [1917-18]
World War II [1941-45]
Philippine-American War, or Philippine Insurrection (War of Philippine Independence) [1899-1913]
Korean War [1950-53]
Vietnam War [1959-75]
Persian Gulf (Desert Storm) [1990-91]
Iraq War [2003-2011]
War in Afghanistan [2001-present]

Thanks to ALL who have served to keep us free.

Until Next Time

Hello July!

Time to turn the calendar once again.  

Hello July!!

We have a tropical wave in the gulf and predictions of heavy rains this week.  I sure hope it doesn't rain out the fireworks on the fourth.  So many people enjoy them and we can watch from our back porch.  We live that close to Sylvan Beach where the city oversees a wonderful fireworks display

Our daughter and one of our grandsons will celebrate their birthday this month and our granddaughter and her hubby will celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

It's also a month of extreme heat here in my part of the world.  High humidity makes it more miserable.  I'll spend very little time on the porch for the rest of the summer.  With that said, I'll open the blinds and sit by the window and still be able to enjoy my porch....while sitting under the air conditioning.  😊

The GLOW Ladies have started a new Bible Study, 'The Rock, The Road, and The Rabbi,' with Kathy Lee Gifford.  We had our first session Saturday and I think it's going to be a good study.

Based on her book, The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi, Kathie Lee Gifford takes you on a journey through the Jewish roots of Jesus and the ancient paths of Israel in this 6-session DVD study. You'll learn more about the Rock (Jesus Christ), explore the Road (Israel), and dig deeper into the Bible with the Rabbi (God's Word).

When she began studying the biblical texts in their original Hebrew and Greek and hiking the ancient paths of Israel, Kathie Lee discovered a deeper understanding of the Bible and of God Himself. Throughout the study, Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jason Sobel provides additional insight into the Hebrew language, culture, and heritage will open your eyes to the Bible like never before.

It's been a while since I've shared pictures of the great grandgirls.  Their parents took them to The Kemah Boardwalk and rode the rides with them.  

They were excited!

I love this quote by Patrick Henry.

Until Next Time
Happy July!

Remembering. . .

That tragic day. . .

September 11, 2001

I remember it well, a day of total disbelief, sadness and grief.

A day spent in front of the TV, a day spent in quiet prayer.

Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave 

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy,
we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”
—Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl,
in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2002

I can't explain 9/11, except the evil of man.
Billy Graham

Until Next Time

Postscript:
My prayers are with all in harms way on the East Coast.  May God rebuke this storm, dry up the clouds and calm the winds.