Antwerp to Tholen ~ Canadian World War II Cemetery (Day 9, Part 2 of 2)

I have to admit that my knowledge of Dutch World War II history is limited.  Of course I knew of Anne Frank and Corrie ten Boom, but I didn't know what battles were fought in the Netherlands.  I still don't know as much as I'd like, but our stop at the Canadian World War II Cemetery sparked my curiosity.

 

As I walked the rows I noticed that most of the dates were identical ~ October 13, 1944.  Four months after D Day, fighting was still happening.  Most of the soldiers buried at Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery lost their lives in the fighting north of Antwerp during the Battle of the Scheldt.  The Battle of the Scheldt was one of the largest and most severe military operations on Dutch soil during the Second World War; a series of military operations that took place in the autumn of 1944 in the north of Belgium, the province of Zeeland and in West-Brabant.

 

From Wikipedia:

Black Friday is the nickname given by the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada to the date 13 October 1944. On that day, during World War II's Battle of the Scheldt in the Netherlands, the regiment's only overseas battalion attacked German positions on a raised railway embankment near the village of Hoogerheide after advancing across 1,200 yards of open beet fields. When final casualty totals were tabulated, it was determined the battalion had lost 145 men killed or captured; 56 men were killed, including all four of the commanders of the lettered companies, 95 wounded and 27 men were taken prisoner. One company of 90 men had only four men present and fit for duty the next day. 

In my research for this post I found a website called "Faces to Graves" the purpose is this:

Names, faces, stories
Every name on our cemetery has a face and a story.
Every name stands for a young man who left his home, his family, parents, wife, children, and started an unknown and dangerous journey.
That journey ended here in the Netherlands. 

For our freedom.
We owe it to them to remember their name and their story.
That we will not forget 

I zoomed in on a number of graves and found their names on the website.  Aaron George Bittorf was 30 when he was killed on Black Friday.  He left behind a wife and son.

 

David Farrall was 28.  Randall Holmes and Willard Zaste were both 23.  Keith Bardwell was 20.  Some like Leo Lederhaus and John Bartelotte didn't even have their age listed, just the date they were killed. Our modern Black Friday on the day after Thanksgiving is completely selfish in comparison.  Men from across the ocean joined in battle for the cause of freedom.  

 

I'm posting this on the eve of America's 250th Birthday.  The saying that "Freedom isn't Free" rings the loudest in a somber place like this.

Belated Birthday Post and II Chronicles 16:9

Last Friday was Les' 59th birthday.  We had a great day.  It started with a 2 mile walk then we went out to breakfast.  He did have a few meetings that took up the middle of his day, then we headed to Buca di Beppo for dinner.  Their food never disappoints!  We shared the Double Dark Chocolate Cake for dessert and it was delicious!  Our last stop was at Road Runner Sports.  Les got a new pair of running shoes.  He's been going with me on the trail about once a week but needed some new road shoes.

My Bible reading this morning included II Chronicles chapter 16.  Verse 9 is an important part of Les' testimony and I thought it would be a great time to re-post his story of God's miraculous healing.  I've taken notes from a message Les preached a couple of years ago about his healing of Muscular Dystrophy and want to share them in his own words:

During my Kindergarten year I experienced a rapid decrease in my ability to get around. I lost the ability to jump, run, walk up stairs and would complain about my legs hurting. Once, Mom mentioned that I seemed to be struggling keeping up with the others at play. I answered that my new pants weren’t broken in yet and they were slowing me down. To this point, my parents wrote it off as growing pains and growth spurts.

But on a camping trip with three boys and two Moms – Mom’s friend noticed how I walked and ran. She said something looked very wrong and that I should be checked out. Later that summer, my Grandmother was visiting and told my Mother that something was seriously wrong with me and that I should be taken immediately to a doctor.

At this point, I could not walk up stairs without help. At home I crawled on my hands and knees. In public, Mom or Dad would assist me.

At the doctor’s office, I was unable to hop on one foot, or jump over a small block using both feet. Our doctor referred us to a specialist and arranged for an appointment.

First thing the doctors had me do was walk up a flight of stairs, which I couldn’t do. One doctor commented to the other, “ Have you ever seen it this bad in one so young?” They thought they were out of earshot, but my Mother overheard them say this. Doctors ran more tests, prescribed some exercises to be done at home, then scheduled a follow-up visit for two weeks later.

Before getting in the car, I wanted to go over to a fountain near where the car was parked. Mom gave permission and watched from the driver’s seat as I went over to the fountain. She broke down in the car and asked God what was happening to her little boy. As she lay her head on the steering wheel weeping, the Lord spoke to her and said, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in doctors, believe also in me.”

A couple of nights later, Mom and Dad started to do our first session of exercises. As we began, conviction gripped their hearts. They decided that if God was going to do something, He would get all the glory and nobody would be able to take credit for any part of it. We never did those exercises again.

That Sunday in church, by the gift of tongues and interpretation in operation, a message came to congregation. The message started by quoting II Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” The Lord went on to say that there were needs in that place that only He could meet, and that if you would just have faith in Him, every need could be met.

As a spirit of worship swept through the auditorium, my parents felt like this was to them, and they took me up to have me prayed for.

A couple of nights later, the same family we had camped with was over for dinner and we three boys were in the basement playing. Upstairs, they heard a bunch of whooping and hollering and came down to see what was going on. When they stepped into the recreation room, the first thing they saw was ME running around the room with my friend on my back!

A few days after that, I went back to the doctor for my follow-up visit. The doctor ran full tests again. He commented to my Mother, “Looks like the exercises have helped.” But my Mother said, “We haven’t been doing the exercises. What happened is that a lot of prayers have been going up for this boy, and God has healed him of this disease." The doctor told her that he wasn’t sure about that, but whatever we were doing, to keep on doing it.

And that was the last time I ever saw that doctor.

That little boy who couldn't walk up stairs, is the man who rode his bike across the country, has hiked the Grand Canyon, he skis, swims, and runs, and keeps me on my toes!

I am so thankful for praying parents and for a prayer answering God!

Overtaken

I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!  Ours was magnificent.  Our youth department did a drama both Sunday morning and Sunday night.  Les and I were the representatives from the senior saints department - he was the narrator and I helped with the singing.  Our youth did a great job.  I am so thankful for what happened that weekend more than two thousand years ago.

My Bible reading this weekend included Deuteronomy chapter 28.  I can't read that chapter without remembering a time when Elder Morton told me that the blessings of God would overtake me.  I've written about it before, but as I sit here this morning, still basking in thankfulness for the ultimate sacrifice, I'm reminded again of just how blessed I am.

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 says:

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter goes on to list many, many ways the blessings of God are promised.  But in verse 15, the tone changes:

15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter has 68 verses -  14 are dedicated to blessings, while the other 54 focus on curses!  So while I am overwhelmed by blessings, I am equally thankful that I have not been overtaken by curses.  The curses of the unfaithful far outnumber the blessings of the faithful.

I don't know why there are those who live righteously and still have a life of pain.  I don't understand why Rod was born with hemophilia and was taken from us too soon.  I don't know why Mom was stricken with cancer when she was only 50.  While I don't understand and I'm certainly undeserving, I never, ever, want to be unthankful!  So this post is simply to take the time to say, "Thank You, Lord."

Memories, New and Old

I took a quick trip to Fresno last week.  My purpose was two-fold - I met my new great nephew and attended the funeral of Irene Wilkinson.

 

New Memories

My niece, Lauren, gave birth to Robert Michael "Bo" Bane on February 12th.  He is named for both his great grandfathers (Lauren and Jordan's grandpas are both Robert) and for his maternal grandfather (Lauren's dad, Mike.)  This event made my sister a grandmother!  

 

I have enjoyed receiving almost daily pictures, but I really wanted to meet this little guy in person.  I drove up to Fresno on Thursday and spent all afternoon with Kim.  Krysten, Lauren and Bo came over for dinner and we enjoyed a few hours of catching up... and oohing and aahing!  Bo is a handsome little sweetheart!  (I won't be posting any pictures of him here without his mama's permission.)

I couldn't help but think how much my Mom and Dad would have loved Bo.  They loved their grandkids so much.  In fact, one of my earliest posts was called "When Mom Became Grandma."  

Kim and I enjoyed a walk around her neighborhood on Friday morning.  It is so flat there!  I'm use to hills from the moment I leave our house.  But the weather was perfect and we just enjoyed some sister time.

Old Memories

I have written about our dear friend, Irene Wilkinson, many times.  She was my Mom's best friend.  Their friendship lasted for decades.  Irene was a constant in my life growing up.  I even spent my first Christmas with her because Rod was in the hospital!  She was a true, true friend.

 

I probably knew this, but had forgotten.  Irene was the cousin of my uncle Ken Gilstrap (their mothers were sisters.)  Ken is married to my mom's sister, Joyce.  It was good to see them along with their daughter, Marcia, and granddaughter, Jessica.  So while we weren't related by blood, Irene has always felt like family to us.

The memorial service was beautiful - it was the celebration of a life well lived.  Stories of Irene as the ladies leader of Truth Tabernacle - making peanut brittle that helped pay for the new church building.  She was a Sunday school teacher (mine when I was about 3 or 4) and worked for over 20 years at Truth Tabernacle Christian School.  Sharon Killian read remarks from many of the students that Irene taught through the years.  Many talked about her wonderful hugs and how she taught them to read.

My drive home was filled with reflection.  I'm so thankful for so many.  Those who have known me the longest and the little guy I just met!

30 Days of Thanks (Today's 2 for 1)

I'm pulling a little inspiration from November 2010 this month.  In a year that has had its share of trouble, I want to be more thankful.  I KNOW I am blessed and I want to show that everyday of the year.  I'm going to use these prompts from The Idea Room.  Feel free to join me on your own blog!

November 1st:  Enjoy

I am so thankful that I got to enjoy another church service yesterday!  With the coming colder weather, we moved our outdoor service to 12:00 noon.  Of course, So Cal weather decided to go back to summer and it was 85 degrees out.  We had canopies set up, but the sun still heated us up.  Still, I enjoyed hearing Pastor White continue his series on "Delivered, Translated, Forgiven" from Colossians 1:13-16.

November 2nd: Falling

Jude 1:24-25 says, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

 

I can be a bit klutzy, but that's not what this verse is talking about. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says, "It is God only who, amidst the temptations of the world, can keep us from falling; but, blessed be his name, he can do it, and if we trust in him he will."  I am thankful for a God Who is able to keep us from falling!  

You Led Me to Believe

Sweet Comfort Band was a Christian band that was popular in the 70s and early 80s.  I've got some of their songs on my phone and was listening to them yesterday while I was out running.  One song in particular has stayed on my mind.  "You Led Me to Believe" has some sobering words about someone who walked away from the faith.

I've thought about this song a lot lately and I am filled was thanks for those who led me to believe.  I'm also so grateful that the ones who led me to believe have kept the faith.  My mom, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders.  I can't think of a single one who walked away.

I know that is not always the case.  I know of pastors and pastor's wives who have thrown it all away.  Parents and spouses who have left.  It's painful, more than I can adequately express.

If you're thinking about walking about from what you know is true, Stop.  Think about it.  Pray about it.  And stop.  Don't go.  Don't throw it all away.  It's not just about you.  There's a lot at stake.

If you've watched the one who led you to believe walk away, don't let that turn you away.  Don't turn one tragedy in to two.  Hold on to the One you were led to, not the one who led you there.  Keep holding on to all the thing you know are true.

You Led Me to Believe

You had the starring role that I wished I could play
So I learned every line that you were known to say
I stood in the shadows when the spotlight hit your face
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away
After You'd take the stage you could do no wrong
And I was the first to cheer when you would start the song
I hid by the curtain and I softly sang along
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

You were the guiding light for all who passed your way
The neighborhood Superman who always saved the day
You were the model, I was the clay
But I never dreamed you would throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Now I miss you everyday and it cuts me to the bone
You have gone so far away and I must stand alone
I kept the things you taught to me and I found them to be true
I only wish that you believed them, too

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Everybody Ought To Go Sunday School!

I am currently reading the book of Judges.  This morning I read part of Gideon's story.  As I read, pictures started going through my mind.  Gideon putting out a fleece...

Gideon and his army, drinking water...

Gideon's army and their trumpets...

These images were imprinted on my mind when I was a child.  My Sunday school teachers showed them to me.  We had coloring pages with similar images.

Some might think teaching these stories to children is a waste of time.  Children don't understand what God is doing.  I beg to differ!  No, children don't understand everything that is going on, but they do get introduced to a God Who can do anything!  He parts the Red Sea.  He heals lepers.  He leaves the ground dry and the fleece wet, then leaves the ground wet and the fleece dry.

Why does this matter to children?  Because someday those children are going to grow up.  They're going to need healing or deliverance and they will be able to pull from memory stories of a God Who did just that.

I am so thankful for the many Sunday school teachers I have had in my life.  My Mom was in the nursery when I was a baby, Sis. Taylor taught me when I three. Sis. Irene Wilkinson, Sis. Ruth Garrett, Sis. Jeanne Talsness, Sis. Kay Brimhall.  These ladies poured stories into me as a child. 

Because of Sunday school, youth leaders and ministers have taught and preached messages that made sense to me.  Preachers often say, "We all know the story..."  Sadly for many that is not the case.  Many weren't as privileged as I was.  I do know the stories and now I am able to apply the lessons to my own life.

Sunday school teachers of the world - Thank You!  Your tireless commitment IS worth it!  You may not see it in the eyes of a four year old, but this fifty four year old is eternally grateful.

We sang this song many times and I remember shouting "the girls!" as loud as I could!  It's still true, everybody ought to go to Sunday school!

HE>i

I started seeing the above logo on Oahu several years ago.  It seemed to be everywhere - hats, t-shirts, bumper stickers and bags.  I admit that it took me a while to figure it out.  In case you aren't sure, "HE>i (HE is greater than i) is a lifestyle company / clothing brand that is based off of the Bible verse John 3:30 - “HE (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”" (from https://hegreaterthani.com/)

My Bible reading this morning included that verse from John chapter 3.  It is words of John the Baptist to his followers.  His followers were concerned that people had started following Jesus instead of John.  John never had that concern.  It was quite the opposite, "this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

Along with today's reading in John were the final chapters of the book of Joshua.  Joshua's final words were a reminder of where God had brought the children of Israel from, the great victories He had brought, and a challenge "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Our decision to serve the Lord really comes down to believing He>i.  I'm glad to have Someone greater than me.  I wouldn't want to live without knowing God is involved in my life.  It's humbling and amazing.  Psalm 8:3-4 says, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"  Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  The God of the universe stooped down, wrapped Himself in human flesh so that we might have life.  Not just life, but an abundant life.

Verse 1:
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Verse 2:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Verse 3:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

1965: Talking, Walking and My First Hero

My baby book was filled with tidbits from 1965:

Kathy is showing her personality - 11 months.  When she is having a fit she doesn't lay down and scream like most children, she sits down, kicks and screams "mad, mad, mad."  I heard about this my entire childhood and sometimes wondered if it was just a family myth.  When I found my baby book, this particular trait was recorded not once but twice in my baby book!  Does this little angel look capable of such an act?

Kathy took her first step on her ten month birthday.  She had been standing alone for about two weeks.  Now, at eleven months she walks fairly well.  We've stopped counting steps.  Rodney coaxes her, she is practically his shadow.  These two are really close, in every way.

Her walking worries us now - 14 months - she is quite bow legged. 

18 months - pigeon-toed quite badly.  Each foot is in a plaster cast.  The casts were only on for 2 1/2 weeks.  Didn't help at all.  Now she has a Denis-Brown splint which turn her feet out 60 degrees.  This is worn at night.

I don't remember the casts or splints for my legs, but we have an old home movie (reel to reel) of me in the splints.  The scene is pretty funny - Kim was "helping" me walk, then decided to let go.  I fell backwards and was left on the floor like a turtle on its back, unable to get up.  Siblings - can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!

It's kind of amazing that in the middle of the page about my walking, Mom recorded my relationship with Rod.  She could not have known at that time just how close the two of us would grow up to be.  I've written dozens of posts about Rod, but my first post dedicated to him is still a favorite.  He wasn't perfect but he was my first hero, the one I wanted to follow everywhere.  I've got one more place to follow him - heaven!  He won that race in 1994 and I'm still chasing him.  I like to think that somewhere he is among the great cloud of witnesses cheering me on as I continue to run the race (Hebrews 12:1.)

I'm thankful that in 1965 I recognized a hero when I saw him.

2018: Thankful

Happy New Year!  I've written before that I'm not a big New Years resolutions person.  However, I do love the idea of a fresh start.  As 2017 was winding down I started thinking about a focus for 2018.  One of the most enriching years of my life was in 2015 when I studied women of the Bible.  I didn't rush into it, but week by week, I studied women in the Word  - both good and bad.  I learned so much.  If you weren't following along back then you can read each entry on this page:  Women of the Word.  My word for the year was Reset and I loved learning about women in the Bible who reset and made a difference.

I tried to come up with another study I could do this year and kept drawing a blank.... until I went for a run this morning.  Many of my great ideas happen during a run.  I think of it as my meditation time.  This morning I asked the Lord to give me guidance.  About a mile from home my mind started spinning and I had my plan. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  On the heels of those verses came a quote from my baby book regarding my first Christmas.  Rod was hospitalized, Mom wrote, "Kathy spent the day with Irene Wilkinson. We had planned a beautiful Christmas - spending the day at home with the children. Of course our plans were shattered by Rodney's sudden attack. Kim and Rickey spent Christmas with Grandpa Hogan and Grandma Luella. We spent the day running back and forth between the hospital and home. We've got a lot to be thankful for anyway."

I am going to spend this year remembering compassions that have never failed.  I want to be thankful for mercies that are new every morning.  I won't be studying anyone from the Bible - I'll be studying my own life.  I want to take time each week to think of one year of my life and find what was significant and what I'm most thankful for.  I plan to include a verse or passage that fits with the year as well.

I'm sure there are years that I'll have a ton to write about and others not as much, but I do know I have a lot to be thankful for.  There may be years that I write about an event in the life of someone close to me (perhaps that little boy in North Dakota who was healed of Muscular Dystrophy.)  There are ministers, Sunday school teachers, family members, and friends who have impacted my life.  I have a lot to be thankful for.

In case you're concerned, no, I am not ill in anyway.  I'm not working on a bucket list.  I just feel like I need to take some time each week to reflect on God's mercies and faithfulness.  It's easy to lump everything together in November and call ourselves thankful, but I have a lot to be thankful for.

I'll also be reading the Bible through this year.  I'm following YouVersion's Bible in One Year 2018 plan.  I've downloaded it to my new tablet and today's reading has been completed.  Each day the reading includes a Psalm or Proverb, chapters from the Old and New Testaments and a short devotional.

So here's to 2018 and being Thankful.

Do you have a word for 2018?  Any great resolutions, plans, or goals?   If you're feeling a little down about how 2017 turned out, I suggest you read The Ballestero Blog from yesterday and begin again!

Remembrance Day ~ 75th Pearl Harbor Commemoration

Once again I have a ton of catching up to do, but I want to pause this morning to remember Pearl Harbor.  We are back in Hawaii and there are a lot of activities commemorating the "day that will live in infamy." It's a beautiful December day here on Oahu, much like it was 75 years ago. 

USAToday had an interesting article this morning featuring the five remaining USS Arizona survivors.  Four are here taking part in the anniversary ceremonies.  The remains of two survivors who passed away this year will be interred in the Arizona's wreckage today.

These brave men, all now in their 90s, embody what it means to be an American.  They were 19-22 year olds.  The same age as college students who just a month ago needed a safe room because they couldn't handle the disappointment of the election outcome.  These young men were men.  Several of them were injured in the attack but they all continued to serve throughout the war.  One of the survivors and one who passed away this year also served in the Korean War.

The theme for the events is "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future."  We are quickly saying goodbye to the Greatest Generation.  May we all be inspired to be better Americans and make our nation a better place.

Veterans Day

We have many American holidays and often given thanks to our service men and women on them.  But Veterans Day is the day that was set aside nearly 100 years go to officially honor America's veterans.  The important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
 

My great uncle, Lewis Gannaway, who served in the Philippines in WW II

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

My father-in-law, Bill McElhaney, still able to fit into his Navy blues!

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

My great uncle, Euel Gannaway, who served in Germany during WW II

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

My uncle, Ron Fultz

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

I honor all those men and women who have served and those who are serving today.  Thank you for your service!

He is Risen! To God be the Glory!

How can I say thanks for the things You've done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love to me;
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Just let me live my life, let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee,
And should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Update on Pastor McGriffin

I received this wonderful text from Sis. McGriffin this afternoon.  God, our Healer, is still in the healing business!

Great News..Pastor Mac was  released from the hospital this afternoon.  We are at our son's for a few days to see if the oral meds continue to keep his BP at the low rate they have set for the Aorta to continue to heal and for him to get strength enough to make the long flight home.  He is still weak but praying by the end of next week we will be able to fly home.  In the next few days as his strength returns he will be  able to call some people and return some text messages.  We love you all and know without your prayers this would have had a different ending!  So, so thankful we know the Healer and can stand on His promises!

We are continuing to pray for complete healing!

It'll Take Me A Million Years

Last night we had our annual Thanksgiving service.  Each person is given the opportunity to stand and tell what they are thankful for.  It's a great time and it was wonderful this year to see our many new converts.  God has blessed Victory Tabernacle with a revival of souls in 2014!

I was thinking about a thankful post this morning and realized how hard it is to narrow it down.  I could have done a month of thankful posts or Thankful Thursdays as I've done in the past.  Then an old song came to mind.  I believe it was written by Dottie Rambo, but the voice I hear singing it in my head is the iconic Bobbie Shoemake.  It's how I feel this morning!

It'll Take Me A Million Years

1.	When I think of heaven, I can hardly wait. To see my brand new mansion, inside the pearly gates. Well I won't have time to move inside for a million years or more. For it will take me a million years to thank the Lord.
Cho.	For the first million years you will find me. I'm gonna be sitting round the feet of my Lord. For I've got a lot of things I'd like to thank Him for. And it'll take me a million years to thank the Lord.
2.	My life will not be long enough, it'll take eternity. To thank Him for the joy that came when He spoke peace to me. When I found Him I found everything my soul was searching for. And it'll take me a million years to thank the Lord.

I have SO much to thank God for.  Mercies that are new every morning.  Friends and family far and near.  Health and home. The list truly is endless!  I'm blessed and I'm thankful.

Gratitude is a seasoning for all seasons.
~Mom's Bible

Thankful Thursday: Repost ~ A Heart of Thanks

I am so thankful for my godly Mother.  I could list all my family members, and I am thankful for them, but today I just want to focus on Mom.  Her prayers and faithfulness will always be remembered.  I am so thankful for her Bible, filled with wisdom and encouragement.

I posted this a couple of years ago and it's still true today. I wrote about my Mom being "a woman in her 50s" and here I am edging very close to that age myself!  Just as Mom wrote many years ago, no matter what comes my way I have a lot to be thankful for anyway.

November 4, 2011

I was in the grocery store on Monday. The "Seasonal" aisle was in transition ~ going from Halloween candy and decorations to Christmas. I know it's this way every year, but I can't help but wonder ~ what happened to Thanksgiving?

Not the greatness of our troubles, but the littleness of our spirit,
makes us complain.
~ Mom's Bible (found written in both the front and back covers)

This quote was recorded in the Bible of a woman in her 50s who had been through troubles in her life. Let me give you a glimpse of the young woman she was...

Christmas, 1964. She would turn 25 one week later. She had four children under the age of six. Her third child was diagnosed with a disease she'd never heard of and didn't understand. In my baby book she recorded the following:

Kathy's first Christmas was marred by Rodney being in the hospital. She got lots of gifts...

Kathy spent the day with Irene Wilkinson. We had planned a beautiful Christmas - spending the day at home with the children. Of course, our plans were shattered by Rodney's sudden attack. Kim and Rickey spent Christmas with Grandpa Hogan and Grandma Luella. We spent the day running back and forth between the hospital and home. We've got a lot to be thankful for anyway.

Gives new meaning to "Not the greatness of our troubles, but the littleness of our spirit, makes us complain," doesn't it? Many times in her life, Mom had great troubles, but not a small spirit. Rod spent his second Christmas in the hospital, while I was with a dear family friend, but... We've got a lot to be thankful for anyway.

What a beautiful spirit of thanks! I don't want to just be thankful in November, but I want a heart of thanks, no matter the season.

Gratitude is a seasoning for all seasons.
~ Mom's Bible

Thankful Thursday

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

I am so thankful for the men of God in my life. I have heard the world's finest preaching in my home church, at camps and conference.  Preaching that has changed my life.  Preaching that convicted and encouraged.  Preaching that made me want to do more and live better.

Our time here in Hawaii has been no exception.  God blessed us so much when Pastor White directed us to New Life Pentecostal and Pastor McGriffin!  We have been blessed and fed spiritually. 

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."  Jeremiah 3:15

Thankful Thursday

 
Several bloggers are doing 30 Days of Thanks.  I've done it in the past and I certainly have more then 30 people/things to be thankful for!  I'm a little late for 30 days, but I thought I'd go with Thankful Thursdays this month.

Twelve months ago, my Dad was in a rehab center and Les was unemployed.  We didn't know what was going to happen on either front.  In January Les started working in Hawaii and in March we said goodbye to my dear Dad.  It's been a journey!

What I am most thankful for ~ strength for the journey.  There have been days when I just wanted to curl up in a ball and tune the world out.  I don't blog much about those days, I don't like to be a Debby Downer here on M&M. (I will admit that I cried today when I read someone else thanking her dad on her blog - because some days still hurt.)  But strength to face the days has come.  Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."  And I know "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

I am also so thankful for my many, many friends.  Friends who have prayed for me.  Friends who text and email.  Friends who leave comments on this blog.  Friends who call.  Friends in California who hug me and say, "I missed you."  Friends in Hawaii who hug me and say, "I missed you." 

An amazing God, an incredible husband, awesome family, and  true-blue friends.  I have much to be thankful for!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I watched as the sun reflected on the ocean early this morning. The clouds were magnificent!  Lamentations chapter three came to mind:

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
 

I'm so thankful for daily mercy and compassion!