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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

Looking Heavenward: Thank You, Daddy

Looking Heavenward: Thank You, Daddy: Thank You, Daddy The colors of autumn swirled in the wind as leaves fell upon a bed of earth. Laughing, a little girl rushed out to greet ...

Happy Memorial Day!

If you ask me, that phrase should be outlawed!  The only reason I haven't boycotted the use of it yet is that I have no better suggestion. But honestly! How can you wish someone to be 'happy' on a day that we have set aside to remember those fallen in the line of duty, protecting our freedom? To remember those currently serving overseas, with children at home they've never met - and might never get to meet?  To remember those who have come home, but still live in a prison of nightmares and horrific memories? Haunted by the faces of those they lost? These are things that, unless you've been there, you cannot truly appreciate. We have nothing to go off of. 

Memorial Day is not about the big sales at your favorite stores. It's not about getting family together to eat brats and drink beer. It's about the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. And the men and women that continue to put their lives on the line, day in and day out, to insure that our freedom - which we treasure so dearly in this country - is not taken away.

What would America be without our soldiers? Truth be told, we would probably still be a British colony.  We are so proud to be the United States of America - we bow to no one...yet we complain about the wars. We bad-mouth our troops and refuse to give them the support they deserve. The media shows one side - but the media doesn't show the truth.  Where are the citizens of America that will stand up for them?  Where are the citizens that are willing to make a stand on behalf of our soldiers? It's not a popular opinion, but it's one that needs to be spoken.  Preferably, shouted from the rooftops for all to hear! 

My challenge to you is this - what are you going to do with your freedom?  Are you going to go with the flow? Let the mainstream opinion take you by storm? Or are you going to make a stand for what you believe in, regardless of the opposition?  As for me, I proudly display my support of the U.S. Soldier. On my car, on my Facebook page, on my blogs. I do it for my family - those who have served, and those that are currently serving. I do it for their friends; I do it for my friends. I do it because if it weren't for them, who knows where our country would be? Would I have to hide in a cave to pray? Would I have been forced to attend a government school? I don't want to find out!

So as you enjoy your cookouts, and spending the day with your family - please remember those who have given their lives for your right to be American.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Status Quo

Not much new to report here...mostly trying to figure out where God is leading. The end is now in sight, with the (Lord willing) last chemo treatment coming up next week, and I'd love to have a direction to move in from here. I have a guaranteed job waiting for me back at McDonalds, but with the call that I've felt towards youth ministry, I'm prayerfully considering a move that would take me much closer to my church - which would likely lead to a new job. I've just had a job offer from a friend of mine, so if I am able to make living arrangements in town, I have a job lined up there as well. Thank you, Lord! :D

Campus Life is over for the summer, except that Ben is doing what he calls a 'Director's Cut' and throwing one more meeting in before he leaves, as a goodbye/sharing some of Matt's ideas for Campus Life's future with the kids.  From there, that gives us just a few months over the summer to figure out what God has planned for the kids of the River Valley area.

In other news, James made it safely on Sunday and is staying with my youth pastor and looking for a job. Any prayers you would be willing to offer up in that respect would be much appreciated!

I want to share a song with you all that has been speaking to me recently.  To be honest, Kutless' whole new album, "Believer" has been speaking to me, but this is one of the particular ones that really is.

Hero

Who ever told you you can’t win
Who ever said that if you fail don’t try again
It’s in the ordinary
Deep in the weak and weary
The power to overcome the fear you're holding in

You could be a Hero
You could be the change in this world
Rise above the Normal
Don’t have to be afraid any more
We are the light we are the hope
We are the love inside worth fighting for
You could be, you could be, you could be a hero

You don’t have to look that hard to see
You don’t have to reach that far to find someone in need
There is a desperation deep in this generation
Looking for something new a love they can believe

Love will even cross the ocean wide
Love will lose it all to save a life
Because of the love God gave you’ll find
That you could be hero

Friday, May 18, 2012

Good things to come!

Well, we're one week after my 5th chemo treatment, which means I'm feeling pretty good, and have about 2 weeks left before we have to do it all over again.  Thankfully, though, we only have to do it one more time, Lord willing!  :D

In other news, my good from the OYAN forum - most of us knew him either as Jam or MMA - is moving to WI this weekend, which means that we'll be getting him involved in Campus Life, and other things at the church.  Should be really good!

Other than that...not a lot new going on.  I'm working my way through Changes that Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud...fantastic book!  I'm finding a lot of things that are helping me understand why I am the the way I am sometimes...and how to fix them, which is even better! 

And, this being the 18th, we are one month away from leaving for the OYAN Summer Workshop...which is some of the most amazing news EVER.  So excited for the workshop this year!  Hopefully I'll have more than just two chapters to take!  ;)