Gratitude for Courage

COURAGE

Above all, we must realize that no arsenal,
or no weapon in the arsenals of the world,
is so formidable 

as the will and moral courage
of free men and women.  

It is a weapon
our adversaries in today's world do not have."  

Ronald Reagan

I come from a family of military people.  The above picture is my sister and brother in their respective uniforms.  Today, I just wanted to take a moment and thank all those who have served as well as the ones who are currently serving in the military.  I am so grateful for their courage and values in our world today.   I am thankful that I enjoy freedom and liberty because of all those who have defended our rights and privileges.  

I love the above quote by Ronald Reagan.  I think it says a great deal about the young men and women who serve our nation.  I lived on a military base for years and will forever be grateful for that experience that taught me so very much.  I know of their personal sacrifices.  I know of their hardships and difficulties.  

Most of all, I am very aware of how much they have given and continue to give to bring peace and freedom throughout the world today.  May we all recognize and be grateful for that unselfish gift in our behalf.  

So, in between the cookouts and the errands today.  Let's give all our military the honor that they so richly deserve.  May they know how grateful we really are for their sacrifice and service.  

Becoming Like Him - Day 20 - Fear

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Fears are stories

We tell ourselves.

Today's Prompt is:

FEAR

START

There have been so many things that I have been afraid of.  Sometimes, it is what people think and what they believe.  Sometimes it is what might be happening or being humiliated.  I love the quote above about fear because I have come to find that most fears are actually things that might not come true.  I worry more about the "what if's" than about what is real.
This week, I tried something new.  I put aside my fear of "what if it looks really bad" and took a painting class.  It is only for one evening, and you can choose the night you want to go and the painting that you want to do.  I chose this one!  I know, it doesn't look like much yet, but I did the entire thing by myself.  The teacher showed us the strokes on his painting and I painted mine in about 3 and 1/2 hours.  I was so afraid it would be worse than everyone else's.  I was so afraid that I couldn't do it.  But I did.

This is me, filling in the background on the black and just painting.  I could not believe that it was so much fun!  How long have I denied myself chances to achieve simply because I had too much fear to even try.  Yesterday, I could never have imagined that I could ever do this.  Today I know I can.  

I am planning on doing this once a month for awhile.  It was so much fun and even if it is not perfect, I can at least tell what it is supposed to be.  That is a start, and an accomplishment.  I did something today that was beyond my fear.  As I am seeking to become more like Him, it makes me wonder how many things have held me back because I was too afraid to even try.  He is the one who gave us talents to use and enjoy.  He is the one who sends us blessings and tender mercies to share with others.  As I strive to become more like Him, I am also seeking to overcome my fears and to nurture the gifts that He has given me.

STOP

Your Opinions

You can have your own opinions,
but you can't have your own facts.

This is my super cute grand-daughter who definitely has her very own opinions about nearly everything.  Any you know what?  That is perfectly okay with me.  I love her opinions.  I love listening to her ideas and her crazy fun.  

We all have opinions about nearly everything we do in life.  I have an acquaintance that not only has opinions, but she is always right too.  It is really hard to talk to someone like that because they start to believe that their opinions ARE the facts.  The reality is, that person has to be always right.  No matter how much they hurt or offend others.  

I have learned that I don't always have to be right.  It is nice to be right once in a while, but it is not necessary.  What is necessary is for us to learn and grow and accept the opinions of others.  We don't have to agree with everything, we just have to care about the relationship enough to acknowledge their opinions.  

True facts don't change.  They are the same yesterday, today and forever.  They are the things that give us hope and faith and keep us moving in the right direction.  Facts are things that come after much searching.  Sometimes, they elude us for most of our lives.  They are there, but they are not open to our view yet.  As time goes on, and we learn, we discover the mysteries that have been hidden from our view.  

Good-bye My Friend

WE LOVED HIM BEST

By Patricia A. Pitterle

Now you come together

All those who loved him best,

To share his stories and his life

Before he is laid to rest.

You mourn his missing presence

Vanished from this earth.

You miss his hugs and smiles,

You miss his sense of mirth.

He loved his friends and family,

And his Savior he held dear.

He shared his testimony

With those who chose to hear.

He was always an example

In what he said and did,

Seeking to follow Jesus Christ

And willing to be led.

Though his body is not with us now,

His spirit lingers near.

He wants to comfort those he loves

To wipe away their tears.

To let them know that peace is his.

He is gathered now in love.

His work continues somewhere new 

He is welcomed up above

Though your hearts are sorrowed

And your souls cry out in grief,

Remember he has not gone far

He only rests in sleep.

This life is swift in passing,

You never know the day,

You only have these moments

Of love to show the way.

No one can take your memories

His love is yours to keep.

When he rises in his glory

You once again shall meet

Families can be forever

You know that this is so,

Though your hearts are longing now

His comfort you shall know.

The Gospel tells us surely

As you strive to do your parts,

He is still part of your life

And you’ll feel him in your hearts.

This is all part of God’s great plan,

Earth-life is not the end.

He is as close as your memories,

You will see him once again.

Afraid

I literally,

Have to remind myself

All the time

That being afraid

Of things going wrong,

Isn't the way

To make things

Go right.  

One of my favorite quotes ever.   I am a well known worrier.   I worry about everything.  I worry about my children getting hurt physically, as well as emotionally.  I worry about mean-ness and lying and unkindness.  I worry about what people think of me.  I worry constantly about how good or bad of a mother I have been.  I worry about making such bad mistakes that my children will never recover from them.  I worry about things that have happened as well as about things that might happen.  I am afraid all the time.  

In the past couple of years, I have struggled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.  I am literally scared of pretty much everything.  It has been so bad, that I finally went on medication to help me with the symptoms.  I am slowly getting better.  I am still scared, but it is more under control than it used to be.  I am learning that just being scared doesn't change anything.  The only way things change is action.  We have to choose the right, not just wait and worry.  

The picture above is one of my daughters.  She has always been terrified to try sports.  I have girls that sing and play instruments.  They are not physical.  Nevertheless, in our small town, nearly every kid plays at least a few sports.  She decided on her own, that she would learn to play. She started last year and totally believed that she was awful.  Last to play nearly everything she tried.  But she kept going and she kept learning and she is starting to get it right.  She is leaping and jumping and feeling good about herself for the first time in years.  I love this picture because it represents how far she has come.  It represents real effort and growth on her part.  Being afraid, never would have helped her to play a better game of Volleyball.  What helped her was her own willingness to get out on the court and learn.  

So go ahead and jump child.  You can do it, in spite of all your fears.  You are more than you ever thought you could be.  Just jump, and keep trying.  

Sabbath Day Scribblings - He Will Heal Our Wounds

"We are Heavenly Father's children.  He wants to be a part of our lives, to bless us, and to help us.  He will heal our wounds, dry our tears, and help us along our path to return to His presence.  As we look to Him, He will lead us".  Carl B. Cook

The Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” 

(Matthew 11:28).

"I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will  heal thee"... 2 Kings 20:5

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds".  Psalms 147:3

Nine Years Ago, Today

Today, I want to pause for a moment and remember history. I want to remember one of the saddest days in America. I want to remember the victims. The men, women and children who were going to work or play on a day that started out like any other.

On September 11, 2001, beginning at about 8:45 am, a series of terrorist attacks destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and severely damaged the Pentagon. Commercial airliners were hijacked and flown directly into the three buildings. The first crashed into the North tower at 8:45, and about 18 minutes later the second airliner hit the South tower. At about 9:40, a third airliner crashed into the Pentagon. At about 9:58, the South tower collapsed, followed by the North tower at 10:28.

Two days later a reporter wrote: “The disaster is so great that in New York we have as yet, two days later, only guesses about how many thousands of people perished when the WTC towers collapsed. ”

At the time then-President George W Bush said: “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbours. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give blood and help in any way they could. Immediately following the first attack"

Today, may we each take a moment to pause and remember a piece of history that we are never likely to truly forget. Where I was, and what I was doing on that day at that time is forever burned in my heart and mind. May we take a second or two to remember those who gave their lives on this day, nine years ago, as well as all those serving in the military, both here and abroad, and those who serve as firefighters and police officers in our cities today.

 

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love."

--- Washington Irving