My oldest sister

I wanted to finish my tribute to my siblings and of course Gwen is the last of my siblings. We have an 11 year age difference. So by the time I was really growing up, she was away at college. I didn't really get to know her better until I was older. Gwen was and always has been a popular girl. She was a cheerleader in school and was in the musicals. She had a lot of friends and people liked to be around her. She is still that way today...very personable and friendly where ever she goes. She is a free spirit and enjoys doing as much in life as possible. She has an adventurous nature.

I know all siblings tend to have rough patches and I did with Gwen. It wasn't until I was older and more mature that I took a hard look and realized whatever our differences, whatever the choices we've made, she is my sister...my family...and she always will be and I will always love her. It's hard to ask forgiveness from people but I think it's especially hard to ask it of a family member. It is what restores relationships and if you have Christ, allows you to move forward and not look back. Sure as humans, it's easy to keep a record of wrongs and to bring those back to mind. But as a Christ follower, I need to love and forgive as Christ loved and forgave...sending those wrong doings, thoughts, etc as far as the east is from the west! It's a continual choice to erase those thoughts and feelings but with God all things are possible.

I know Gwen and I are very different but I still appreciate every unique difference that she possesses and I'm thankful for God allowing me to have such a diverse group of siblings. Each special in their own way, each bringing a different perspective on life than the other. What a blessing!

brother of mine

Stephen. My dearest brother and my only brother. There are 10 years that separate us. I know having an age difference like that can play a part in how close you might be to your sibling. Of course when I was younger it was more difficult because by the time I was going to school, he was off to college. I do have some fond memories of my brother when I was a little girl. One being at Christmastime we acted out the nativity story. My cousin's were in town, so as I recall, they played Mary and Joseph, I played a shepherd, Christen was a sheep and Steve was a moose! What a great memory. Steve also had a love for Alaska and took trips there. I remember him bringing me home some neat things. One of which was an Eskimo yo-yo...which I still have to this day! A deeper relationship has really occurred since I've become an adult. Again, I appreciate my family more now and it makes those relationships even deeper because I am able to understand them on a different level.

Like I mentioned earlier, Steve is my only brother. He had to put up with 3 sisters! Poor guy. My brother loved music and I recall him listening to his different albums and playing on his guitar...jamming out. My brother used to listen to Keith Green back in the day. There was one album cover of Keith Green where his face covered the whole thing. Steve would hold that up to his face and dance around. I loved that! It made me laugh. I have that album now and every time I look at the cover it just brings a big smile to my face.

I have always been proud of my brother. He is a strong person with a tender heart. I don't know if everyone sees that but I do. He is kind and loving when it comes to his family. I love hugging him. There is just something about a brother's hug. My brother is truly unique. He has a great love for the outdoors. He enjoys Clint Eastwood movies. He used to make his own movies...I remember once going out to the reserve for one of his movies. He likes the west. He is a wonderful artist and has a lot of creativity. He has an affection for a lot of things and I know on the top of that list is his family. He is a wonderful brother and friend. I don't know what I would do without him. I thank the Lord for him.

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters

Sister: 1: a female who has one or both parents in common with another 2 a: a girl or woman regarded as a comrade b: a girl or woman who shares with another a common origin

My sister, Christen. I can tell you when we were around the pre-teen and teenager stage; we were each other’s worst enemies. I remember having crazy fights with her pretty much for no reason at all. I would sit on her, try to scratch her and she would try to do the same to me. I really cannot recall what would start these fights. Of course mom or dad would always come try to resolve whatever the issue was at the moment and I remember my mom always making us say “I love you” to each other. I’m sure I instigated a lot of the arguments because I wanted to be where Christen was and I wanted to know what she was doing…I wanted to be like her. I think that’s probably common among siblings. Well, I remember my mom always telling us one day when we grew up we would be good friends. At the time there was no way that was possible…but mom was right! We are not only sisters but dear friends.

When I became an adult, I was able to appreciate Christen more. I could understand her on a different level as we both were more mature and didn’t have the silly sibling rivalry going on. I think the first time I really realized how much Christen meant to me was when we moved away to Germany. I think I realized that about most of my family. I had always lived at or near home and always had my family nearby but when we moved, that was gone and the security was gone. I know phone calls and emails and IM chats helped me get through some of that but it was when I would come home to visit and had to leave again that it made me realize just how important my family was to me. I am so thankful for my dear sister and for the friendship that we have today. I am so thankful for her support and love.

Christen has a soft and gentle spirit about her. I’m sure she would say otherwise especially when it comes to disciplining her children, but I think she does. She is a loving and caring person. She is artistic. She has a great talent in painting and drawing. She likes to reminisce about our childhood, like I do. On one of my last visits we had fun trying to play old records on the record player. She is the best sister a girl could have and I thank God for allowing her to be a part of my life and family.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. By: Amy Li

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. By: Marion C. Garretty

Family Ties

Family. I just love my family. When you look at the word Family in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary it says:



1: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head

2 a: a group of persons of common ancestry b: a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock

3 a: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation

I like all three of these meanings. My family is so vital to my person and my being. My family makes me who I am. Family, as we see defined, can be your blood relatives, or people you hold common convictions with, like Christians. I have a fantastic close knit family into which I was born and I also have an amazing family of God! I am so blessed to have both.

As the new year has started I’ve been thinking a lot of family…probably because we are expecting to add to ours this year. I’ve been reflecting on the time spent with family and how my own family has molded me into the person I am today. I want to try and focus on those who make up my dear family and share what I appreciate about each of them.

Goodbye 2008

We said goodbye to 2008 last night. 2008 has held 365 days of good and bad. When I look back most everything I remember is good. I was able to go back to Ohio twice to visit with family and friends. My husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. I was able to share in my father's 70th birthday. I got a job. We experienced the power of prayer and saw requests answered. I know this year was a roller coaster ride for us at times. There were times of questioning God and wondering why he allowed certain things to happen. There were times of crying out to God...times when words couldn't even express what was being felt. But in the end, as I look back, I can see His plan was weaving into a master design...the design He had in store for me and for my husband for 2008.

I don't know what your 365 days were like but I hope when you look back you are able to see the hand of God. I hope you are able to reflect on the good and the bad... reflect on how you are a changed person from your experiences. Remember: God brought you through each and every day whether you realized it or not and He will be there all 365 days of 2009.

Matthew 28:20- I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Boys & Girls for Jesus

When I was growing up we used to listen to the Children’s Bible Hour on the radio. I really remember hearing it Sunday mornings while we were getting ready for church. Uncle Charlie and his cast really made an impact on me and that’s why I think so fondly of them even now. I remember the opening song, “Boys and Girls for Jesus”. I used to get their kids devotional called, Keys for Kids. I actually still have one! As I was walking down memory lane the other day, I decided to look up the Children’s Bible Hour on the internet and lo and behold I found it! Not only is their ministry thriving today but you can also take a step back to the days gone by. They have a link where you can actually listen to the older radio programs on your computer! The other cool thing is that they have the old programs on CD’s that you can buy. I just thought this was such a neat thing and really got me excited! I love how I can go back and hear things and experience things that I did as a child and experience them again as an adult.

If you have kids or if you remember listening to the Children’s Bible Hour, go back and check their website. It’s exciting to see what they are doing now with technology and the new devotionals and story times for kids.
http://www.cbhministries.org/home.php

have you had your devotions today?

The past couple of days I’ve really been thinking about my grandparents. I didn’t know my mother’s parents well but I was blessed with knowing my father’s parents. They lived not too far from where we lived. We actually could ride bikes to their house!

All of my grandparents have passed on but they have left behind an amazing godly heritage. I am so thankful for the Christian values that my grandparents instilled in my parents and my parents in me. We called my dad’s parents, Nan & Pop.

I want to take some time and write down some memories I have with Nan & Pop.

I remember as a child going over to their house and sitting on Nana’s lap. Even as I grew she would want me to sit on her lap. I told her I would break her (because she was the tiniest thing) but she insisted even as a teen to sit on her lap.

I remember when my parents went away on a trip, I stayed at Nan & Pop’s. I actually think I had pneumonia or some other ailment during that time. They always took such great care of me.

I remember the organ that sat in their back room. This was the organ my dad played in church. I would go back there, turn it on and play. Also in that back room we did a lot of reading…Nan had those wonderful Bible story books…they were Arch story books. We would sit and read together and one of the highlights was getting recorded on the tape recorder! As a child I loved hearing myself or others on tape. What technology!

Another memory I have are playing games…Pop loved Chinese checkers and Tri-Ominos. We had a blast playing those games. They also had a Bugs Bunny puzzle that I loved to put together…I actually still have it!

Often times I would eat at Nan & Pop’s. Nan would make pot roasts and potatoes and served salad with her homemade 1,000 island dressing. I would help her set the table.

Pop was a great gardener. I loved smelling all the magnificent roses that Pop grew.

These are some wonderful memories and I’m so thankful I can still remember them but there is one thing that I remember most about my grandparents….they were amazing godly people. They were faithful in church, faithful in prayer, faithful to each other, faithful to their family, faithful to God.

There is one thing that Pop used to do every time he saw me and I know he asked it of other family members as well. He would ask, “Did you have your devotions today?” I can’t tell you how many times as a teenager I would make some response up. I think I did that because I didn’t want to disappoint him but at the same time why lie about something like that? We are all human and we all have days when we don’t spend time with the Lord. We should strive for that daily relationship continually. It wasn’t until later, as I matured, that I really appreciated Pop asking that question and to this day I really miss hearing it. I think Nan & Pop would be pleased to see where I am with the Lord today. I can’t wait to see Nan & Pop again when we are reunited in heaven, praise the Lord! I just can’t wait to tell Pop how much I appreciated him asking that question of me and how much it has influenced my daily walk with the Lord.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

turning back the hands of time

I must say as I’ve gotten older I’ve become one of those people who long for the “good ‘ol days”. I know I still have a lot of life left to live if God has that for me but as I’ve aged I’ve experienced more. As a child, I remember feeling so safe and secure. I recall being able to play outside and riding my bike all over…I would walk over to the school across the street and play on the playground. I even remember as I got a little older, walking down to the drug store and grocery store! Some of those things kids can’t do today because of the world in which we now live. The thing I long for the most when I look back is the innocence. I hear people that are older than me talking about more innocent times when they were growing up and really those days were more innocent.

Things weren’t talked about as widely as they are today (i.e.: teen pregnancy, homosexuality, abortion, etc). Nowadays we fight over these things. We stand firm in our beliefs on these topics whichever side it may be. We vote on these issues. We look to leadership who believe the same things we do. Life seems to have gotten more hectic as the years go on. I know there is nothing new under heaven. Nothing is a surprise to God and shouldn’t be a surprise to us.

There are days when I wish I could turn back the hands of time. Go back to my more innocent days when I didn’t have the realm of knowledge I do today. But where does that put me? As nice as it would be go back to those days it is our future that has the hope and promise! I know during these days of uncertainty it doesn’t seem like there is a lot of hope but God does promise that to His children.

During this election period I just keep reminding myself that God is in control regardless of the outcome. People are scared. They want someone to save them and to make everything better. Neither of the candidates can do that only Christ can! Christ came so that we could have life and live it abundantly. Christ promises us that His plans are the best for us…they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us. What great truth! Why do we as Christians often forget this?

Christians can certainly get caught up in the “woe is me” feelings…the economy is crashing; our nation is headed into a socialist society, etc, etc. But remember…Christ already came to set us free! He has been and always will be in control. As we count down the days to Election Day, let us not stop looking to the one who holds our hope, who holds our future. May we earnestly go to God in prayer, asking, begging for His mercy on our nation.

IN GOD WE STILL TRUST!

the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and jupiter and mars

God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. Genesis 1:16

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place. Psalm 8:3

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6

I have always had a fascination with space...meaning outer space. As a child I used to love going to the Wright Patt Air Force Museum and walking through the space history area. Of course I always had to have space ice cream before I left the museum! I just had such a desire to be in space, even as a child. When I went to a planetarium, I found myself emotionally overwhelmed as I watched the presentation. A couple of years ago I saw a movie called, "In the Shadow of the Moon". It was a documentary about the lunar shuttles and the landing. I couldn't get enough of it!


I love gazing into the sky in the morning to see the sunrise and in the evening to stare at the stars and moon. It just so happens that when I walk in the mornings I've been able to see the moon still bright and high in the sky and the sunrise all in the same walk! It's been amazing. I've actually tripped a couple of times because I've been gawking at the sky and not looking in front of me.


I think the reason I am so in awe of the heavens is that not only did my Creator create it but I have such a desire to be in heaven one day. Sometimes I feel the closest to God and those who have gone before me by just gazing into the heavens. I'm just amazed at how the stars and planets hang in space at God's command. Wow!


When was the last time you gazed into the sky? Whether it be day time or night time the heavens are outstanding and that is just one facet of God's creation. I encourage you to stop and study the clouds, the stars, the sunrise, the sunset, the colors and shades...all the things that make up the heavens. Thank God for his mighty creation!

before I was even born

I have a calendar on my desk that has a scripture or thought for each day. Back on September 7th there was a saying that I couldn’t get out of my head. This is what it said:

“Listen to me…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs. I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.”

It’s so amazing to me that God knew me before I even was a thought in my parents mind. When I was little I thought that I could actually remember being in heaven as a baby and actually sensing God sending me down to my parents! Isn’t that a hoot? But it’s a fantastic visual that even as a child I somehow comprehended that part of that was true. Not to say that God has all the unborn babies sitting next to him and at the appropriate time He sends them down to earth but the fact that I was known by God before I was born. Wow. How cool and amazing is that? He knew my idiosyncrasies and complex nature before I did; not only that but He still walks with me until the day He calls me home. He carries me when I can’t walk…He sustains me. Thank you, Lord!

Psalm 139 (The Message)

GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!

Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you're there!
If I go underground, you're there!
If I flew on morning's wings
to the far western horizon,
You'd find me in a minute—
you're already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I'm immersed in the light!"
It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
God, I'll never comprehend them!
I couldn't even begin to count them—
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
all the men and women who belittle you, God,
infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
Your enemies are my enemies!

Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.

2 for the price of 1

I have always liked Keith Green. My earliest memories of listening to him are through my brother. My brother had his albums and would play them in his room. The album cover that is pictured here is one that my brother would actually hold up in front of his face and he would move around to the music! It was pretty funny and I guess you probably had to see it to think it was humorous. But those are fond memories I have. When I rediscovered this album,"For Him Who Has Ears to Hear", I downloaded it to my ipod. I couldn't listen to it enough! It has so many wonderful songs on it that are full of truth. The songs that I've picked today are "You're Love Broke Through" and "When I Hear the Praises Start". They both are beautiful songs with words that are so poignant to me.

"You're Love Broke Through": This song is a wonderful picture of how Christ comes and transforms our lives when we come to know Him. People continually search for something to fill the voids in their life. If they would only realized the only one that can fill that is Christ. It's as easy as just asking Him!

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through

All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through

"When I Hear the Praises Start": When I started to listen to this song again it really became quite an emotional song for me. One day as I was driving home I was looking to the mountains and the sun was just glistening over top of the vista. This song came on and I felt God saying these words to me. I didn't realize until just today when I found this video clip that Keith Green wrote this song because he heard those words from God. In essence God wrote it for him. I just felt such an overwhelming love and peace when I was listening to this song in my car...just weeping as I thought of Christ wanting to rain down upon me blessings that would fill my heart! Seeing no stain on me because I am His child and He knows me...
Wow!

My son, my son, why are you striving
You can't add one thing to what's been done for you
I did it all while I was dying
Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start
I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do for me

My child, my child, why are you weeping
You will not have to wait forever
That day and that hour is in my keeping
The day I'll bring you into heaven

For when I hear the praises start
My child, I want to rain upon you
Blessing that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and you know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do in me

My precious bride, the day is nearing
When I'll take you in my arms and hold you
I know there are so many things that you've been hearing
But you just hold on to what i have told you

For when I hear the praises start
My bride, I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child, and you know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done will remain
Only what you do for me

May these songs be an encouragement to you as they are to me.

song of the day~September 12th

Well, I failed to put on a song yesterday so I'm making up for it today.

Yesterday we spent a lot of time watching the huge hurricane, Ike on TV. The stories of people evacuating and pictures of barren streets. Then through the night we watched the waves and winds tearing through the coast.

The other sad story from yesterday that took the backseat to Ike was the deadly crash in Los Angeles. The collision of a freight train and a passenger train. This morning they have confirmed 18 dead.

Of course on September 11th we revisted another tragic moment in our country's history.

The events that happened within the period of the past two days are beyond our comprehension. The death toll will most likely rise in the train accident, we don't know the full impact of the hurricane yet, and our country still mourns the losses of 9/11 but the amazing thing is that God is not surprised by any of this and He is in control. He has never left our side. I received a very touching email on September 11th. This is what it said:

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

The song of the day has to do with us never being alone. God is with us even through our darkest nights.

"You're Not Alone" by Meredith Andrews.



I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I’ll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You’ve had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
**sayin’

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s love you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true… Forever
For my love will carry you….

You’re not alone
for I… I am here
let me wipe away every fear… Oh yeah
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

have you forgotten?

September 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. I remember being at work and having the radio on. We didn’t get the full story of what was going on but we knew something wasn’t right. I ended up going home for my lunch break and turned on the TV. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was horrific. I couldn’t break away from watching the events unfold. I wept. I tried calling my parents because they were on their way to Maine. They had been hiking that morning and I finally reached them on their cell phone.

The days following I just sat and watched the stories as they flooded in about the people who were lost on that day. I felt such sadness and yet so much pride in my country. I remember picking up newspapers and magazines and seeing the devastation and yet there were pictures of a nation coming together as one. I used those newspapers and magazines to do something that became quite therapeutic for me. I made 2 scrapbooks. The first one was black and it contained pictures from the dreadful day. The second one was red and it held pictures of hope and promise; pictures of flags, pictures of people helping one another, pictures of our soldiers, police and firefighters. I don’t know if you remember, but in the newspapers after 9/11, companies were taking out advertising space to write their letters of condolence to those who lost loved ones. It was amazing to see people in our country coming together to express love and concern for those who were mourning. I clipped all those letters and notes and put those in my scrapbook. Another thing I did was with a friend of mine. We got together and made pins to wear. We made yellow ribbons and red, white & blue ribbons. It helped us heal during a time of such hurt. It also was a way for us to show our patriotism. We also took time to write letters to our elected officials, police, firefighters and service members. It was through these tragic events that I met my husband.

I have to say I thought that I was a pretty patriotic American before I met Art but in all honesty I had no clue to what it was really like to be patriotic until he was deployed just 5 months after we were married. That year of him being gone was awful but it was a time I would never change. I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. I felt such pride in my husband and such pride in my country for which he fought. It killed me to watch the news and not know of Art’s well being every moment of each day. It hurt me to hear people arguing over whether or not we should be in Iraq. Bottom line was…my husband is there, it doesn’t matter how he got there, let’s support them! Still to this day I get very emotional thinking about it and reliving those moments. I really believe the only people that can truly understand this level of pride are those who have protected our freedoms and their families. You haven’t a clue until you are actually faced with it. I will always be a proud Army wife and even more proud to be an American because of Art’s sacrifice for me and all of you.

As we reflect today on the events that took place 7 years ago let's not forget our military men and women who are defending the freedoms that we take so easily for granted...you can have an opinion and share it because of those who guard your freedom to do so. Those out in the world that protest the war are only able to do so because of the men and women of the military that preserve that freedom.

Thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines and Airmen for your sacrifice to our country. Thank you to all the spouses and family members...you have the toughest job in the military.

Thank you also to our police, firefighters and other servants in our communities. You face dangers daily and we thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of our safety.

Below is a video from when Art was deployed. It's made up of pictures from his unit. Take a moment to see some of the faces that have protected us.


This next video is a reminder of the events that happened 7 years ago today. To see some of the pictures and footage is haunting. It brought back many thoughts for me and caused me to cry. But maybe that's what we need...we have gotten back into our own way of life, often forgetting what did happen on 9/11/2001 until it is remembered today. Have you forgotten?



The Psalm below is one that I would read almost daily the year that Art was gone. It was so very encouraging in some of my darkest moments. It's the Soldier's Psalm.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

what makes a teacher?

when i was a little girl i used to play "teacher". i loved setting up school in our basement and reading books and handing out assignments to my make believe students. when i was in elementary school, i loved cleaning the chalk boards and wanted to write on them all day long with colored chalk...that real smooth stuff. i loved all the details of being a teacher...stickers, putting smily faces on papers, recess and of course "heads up 7-up". there was a reason i loved playing teacher so much...i had great examples!

do you remember your favorite teacher? what was it about that person that made them your favorite? was it because they were especially nice to you? was it because they pushed you to your potential? over my years of schooling i had several teachers that stood out.

* miss staples aka mrs. anderson: was my 1st grade teacher. she was the sweetest teacher around. i just remember her gentle spirit and loving heart.


* miss love: was my 2nd grade teacher and was miss staples' friend! they were so much alike. i was so glad to have both of them especially since in 1st & 2nd grade i broke my leg (same leg, same bone...i know, crazy). both of them took the extra time to help me in the classroom and out on recess. for that i will always remember these ladies.


as i grew older the relationship with my teachers became different. as i "matured" (as much as a teenager can do), teachers became more like friends. in high school i had many teachers that i loved. not only because they were good teachers but because it went beyond teaching. they touched my heart and soul as a young person trying to find my way in life.

* miss bowman: she taught economics...she was very hard in class, but great. you either liked her or you didn't. she was my mentor in the girls' discipleship group. she became my friend.

* mrs. orme: was my typing teacher. she taught business classes. i didn't do too well in typing because i couldn't get the keys memorized...still don't know them all. what is so special about mrs. orme is that she later became my teacher and advisor in college! she was always so genuine. she helped to mold me to be in the profession that i am today.

* miss scott: what girl doesn't love home economics?!?! miss scott was the teacher. i loved being in that class. she taught me so much about being a domesticated woman...too bad i don't remember a lot of it...like sewing...ugh


* mr. chamberlain: was my art teacher. i enjoyed being creative in many different outlets. i thoroughly enjoyed ceramics during j-term and the drawing in art 1. he went on fine arts trips to nyc. he was a great man to be around.

* mr. mohler: this man was around during my elementary days and high school days. he taught music. he directed the choir. he also was the band and strings director. i participated in all of those groups...singing in the choir and playing the violin and percussion.


and last but not least...

* mr. sundberg: i remember hearing what a tough teacher he was when i was a freshman. students feared him. i would only be fortunate to have him as a teacher my junior year. this was a difficult year for me. i had several issues with health which caused me to miss a lot of school. then of course on top of that i had mr. sundberg for english. english was not one of my better subjects (still isn't). i love to write but the whole grammar thing just gets me. from what i remember of mr. sundberg he was tough but loving. he pushed you to be all you could be. he had high standards and by all means should have. he was a friend to the students and a friend to me when i needed it.


a few of these people i see on occasion and still keep in touch via email. it's neat to have a relationship with them after all these years. it's comforting to be able to go back to those more innocent days and reminisce.

thank you to all teachers past and present for your sacrifice. you challenged, you disciplined, you befriended, you laughed, you cried, you prayed, you discipled, you taught. i am forever grateful to you!