Memorial Day

 

 

Our hearts are thankful to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to their families as well.

 

 

It may seem out of place as a saying for Memorial Day, but whatever battle you're fighting, wherever you are in life, if you are in God's will, you are safe. That does not mean nothing bad will happen, it just means that God will only use whatever happens for your good and his glory.

 

For the graves on Memorial Day, I made the little crosses from wood scraps and Kammy decorated them. She's quite handy with a glue gun.

 

We sorrow not as those who have no hope...We hope for what we can’t see and we wait, with patience.

 

 

Picture drawn by Kammy

 

(2 Samuel 23:17) Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?

It takes one to know one. I thought of this well worn adage as I read this story in 2 Samuel 23. Here we find the words of David, the most famous, and decorated war hero of the Bible as he expresses his appreciation and reverence for the sacrifice of his fighting men. David knew all too well the makings of a good soldier. He witnessed it all in living color from a very young age. His veins flowed thick with the vibrant blood of a warrior and patriot. He was not about to take for granted the blood, sweat, and tears that were spent in his own interest, comfort, and satisfaction.
As I reflect this Memorial Day on the cost which bought and preserves to this day my freedom as an American my prayer is that we never forget. Every blessing I enjoy and each treasured moment with my family I owe in measure to the unsung heroes who gave it all.

The next time you are tempted to forget let your prayer arise in the words of David, “(2 Samuel 23:17) Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?”
Pastor Rick

 

Roses

 

My roses have been showing off a bit lately, thought I'd share.

 



The Little Guy

 

Here's the little guy and his partner in crime. These two are so close right now.

They spend pretty much every waking hour together and yes, they get into plenty of mischief together. What one doesn't think of the other will.

 

He got his summer cut Friday. We almost don't recognize him. He likes his hair...I think it's kind of become his security blanket. He is doing some better, but every haircut used to be a major reaction. I don't know if it's the friction, stress, or maybe the metal scissor and clipper? He cried when he first saw himself because "I don't even look like myself!" and he tried to pick his hair up off the floor and put it back on his head. He's adjusting quickly and we all know that it will also grow back very quickly!

He found a helmet the other day at Papa's house and said he was going to wear it to Sunday School from now on so that he doesn't get any more concussions.

Then when he was jumping off rocks the other day, his daddy told him that the farther he fell the bigger the concussion would be. Kaderick said that he thought the farther he fell the longer someone would have to rescue him.

Kaite had an appointment yesterday and Kaderick went with us. Kaite was telling the doctor how excited they were about going camping and Kaderick went into great detail telling about the little “occupied” sign that hangs on the bathroom door of our trailer. He told how neat it it is that you can just turn it around when you want privacy “In fact, it’s probably the best part of our trailer”, he said. The doctor, knowing Kaderick is homeschooled and wanting to test him, asked him to SPELL occupied. Kaderick thought for a moment, and said, “I know how to spell S.T.O.P and that kinda means the same thing”, and with that he went from 1st grade homeschool level to genius level in the doctors eyes!

 

Brace Yourself!

 

 

Well, it was a wild and crazy ride, but Kammy saddled up and rose with courage. I'm talking about her back brace. One year ago, she began to wear it 20hrs and day, 7day a week. She wore it faithfully for almost 7,300 minutes. I never one time needed to remind her and she never complained. Now, that doesn't mean it was easy, it just means that she had the best attitude possible and that's really the way to face anything you can't change.

 

 

Sylvester, as Kammy named her brace was a little like an over-bearing, insecure boyfriend. He clung too tightly, stayed too long and on occasion took away her breath. The good news is that one year lacking a day later, she is now past her period of largest growth and is in the process of breaking up. She is wearing the brace at night only as her dr has proclaimed it a SUCCESS!! Surgery will NOT be needed and while she will always have scoliosis, it is not something that will change her life or cause more back pain than the average person.

 

 

Kammy was understandably OVER THE MOON about this news and the very next day, she rode in a trotting competition, taking a first place ribbon in her very first show. We are proud of her for her dedication, supportive of her love for horses and most of all thankful that she loves and trusts all these things to her Heavenly Father. If you ever get a chance, you need to have her tell you about Endo the Blind, a horse who had to have his eyes removed due to infection. This horse still rides in shows all over the world. Winning jumping and terrain competitions over horses who can see all because he trusts the one who has his reigns. Kammy will tell you how this reminds her that Jesus can be trusted even when we can't seem to see the way.