Pausing to remember on Memorial Day.....after a busy weekend!

Today, on Memorial Day, Ken and I were remembering our dads.  Both served in the Navy during WWII.  We found out late last week, that the local VFW had a program that you could donate a flag in honor of a veteran for their "Field of Remembrance".  We would have loved to do this in honor of my dad, Harry Johnson and Ken's dad, Mervin Rowley.  In addition to our fathers, I have two brothers who served, and also several brother-in-laws who served.  So today, as we drove by that "Field of Remembrance" (which was just covered with flags, wildly whipping around in the strong wind) I reflected on all of these men that stood for freedom for us all.  My dad was profoundly impacted by the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  He knew that it would mark the beginning of the United States fighting in the war.  I don't think that he envisioned having to GO into the service, since he was an older married man with two children.  But, alas, the war was long and the number of men able to serve was low.  And my dad was drafted.  He spent two years away from his wife and two children, using his talents to keep refrigeration units working on naval vessels.  He spent most of his time in Papua, New Guinea.   Ken's dad was just finishing up his college career and entered the navy as an Officer. He was assigned to a Naval Vessel, the USS Beaver. His dad missed the birth of his daughter during that time.  The USS Beaver did recovery work in Japan (after the end of the war) and also in Hong Kong.  I am feeling very grateful today for their sacrifice.

I got a new phone today.  Not that unusual these days. My previous phone was 2 years old and starting to act up a bit.  With a vacation on the horizon, Ken encouraged me to bite the bullet and get a new phone.  When we were talking about how difficult it would be for me IF my old phone had suddenly stopped working, I began to connect with these stories of Memorial Day.  We need to remember that when these men went off to war, they could not call home.  There was no internet for Skype or video chats.  There was no email.  In fact, there was only very, very slow snail mail that often was censored to remove exact locations.  Many times loved ones at home had no idea where their husbands or fathers or brothers or friends were.  Or, sadly, if they were even alive.  Yes, this was a sacrifice indeed.  And even with phones, internet, video chat, and email....... it is for freedom that men and women leave their homes and families.  So, yes, Memorial Day is an important time to pause and remember and be thankful for this country.

We have had a busy few days.  Ken and I and our kids were blessed to be included in the wedding of one of my nieces daughters, Angela (who was from Minnesota but came to Chicago for college and decided to stay). So her family (my sister who is her grandmother, her mom and several aunts and uncles and some of her cousins) were in town for the wedding.  Gwen and Tim graciously invited everyone over to their house for a gathering on Saturday, before the Sunday wedding.  We had a wonderful time catching up and the kids had so much fun playing together.  Since my mom died, we haven't been back to Minnesota, so these kids really didn't remember each other.  The wedding was beautiful - IN SPITE OF THE RAIN!  Since it was pouring, the ceremony was moved inside.  It was such a shame since the setting was beautiful.... a gazebo overlooking a lovely lake.  But didn't I just blog "Happy is the bride that the rain falls on"?  I told Angela that it has been good for Ken and I for

41 years so far!  Angela was a beautiful bride - one of those times when you see someone and say "that is the perfect dress for them"!  And the reception was so much fun.  We all concluded that we MUST GET TOGETHER more often!  Here are a couple of shots from the dance floor..

 This is Gwen, Susie and their cousin Staci (and her husband Aaron behind Gwen) doing a dance that was much to hard for me.....

  But here I am on the dance floor with Gwen and Staci and also Riana.  Ken and I also danced together (no picture....wish there was since this never happens) and then Ken even asked Riana to dance!

It was a long drive home in a downpour rain, but it was so worth it.  It is good to be with family.

So I was thankful for the pause today.  The day to be thankful for our country and all those who have served in the military.  It's interesting to have a weekend filled with family, a wedding and country.  And God is in them all.  The foundation of the family is Jesus.  He is the rock that generations of our families have planted their roots in.  Without that firm, solid foundation.....family would falter.  And God is the author of marriage! What God joins together, no man can separate!  The foundation of the United States is God.  "In God We Trust" is emblazoned on our currency.  So it may seem that families are being attacked and that marriage is a thing of the past, and our country is falling away from God.  But our faith and trust must be in Jesus.  Even when WE have walked away from the concept of family or even our own family - Jesus has not walked away.  When marriages fail, and divorce happens, it is because of people.  Jesus is not the cause.  And even though it looks like the United States has forgotten our heritage... Jesus has not forgotten us.  So we will continue to cry out, remembering 2 Chronicles 7:14.......  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  

Jesus, thank you for days to pause and reflect.  You are in all things and with us always.  Thank you for all those in the military - past and present.  Pour out your Spirit on all who are serving today.  Make them aware of your presence with them.  Holy Spirit, thank you for family and weddings and time together.  Bless Angela and David as they begin their new life as husband and wife.  Thank you for times of refreshing.  And thank you for music and dancing and fun.  Amen

You will never walk alone!

Tonight on Facebook, I saw the following post from Faith Walters entitled "Walking Toward Your Destiny".  I have certainly heard words similar to this one, but it really hit me tonight.  Isn't it interesting when you look back at something and realize that you were being taken along a path that you didn't even see?  I'll explain more after you read this amazing word.....

FAITH WALTERS: WALKING TOWARD YOUR DESTINY
Sent via Kathie Walters Ministries:
I had a dream a while ago. In the dream I was walking in the stormy rain. I was talking on the phone and there was an atmosphere around me of, "Why would you go out in this kind of weather?" As I continued to walk, I didn't seem to mind the rain or the storm. Then I stated to someone on the other end of the phone, "I may be in the rain and I may be getting wet, but at least I'm gonna get to m...y destination.”

Things around us may be messy, dirty, wet, hard work and maybe not as pleasant as we would like it sometimes but, if we are on our way to our destination than those things are just small inconveniences compared to the end result. This is like bumps in the road, but there is a road!
Keeping your eye on the prize, your goals, your dreams, your destinations, will help you go through those difficult moments along the way.
We can begin to see our journey as an adventure instead of a trial. Instead of focusing on the immediate surroundings and becoming worn out or discontented, put your attention on the destination - that place you are walking towards, that goal you will achieve.
Suddenly those difficult things can seem not so difficult after all; not so wearing, not so disheartening. They are all a part of the great and wonderful journey, and they are small things in light of the big dream God gives you.
We were never promised things would be 100% easy and perfect all the time, but we were promised His wonderful grace to walk down our road. We can have joy in the midst of sorrow, have hope in the midst of despair, have faith in the midst of a trial and love in the midst of fear. Our circumstances do not need to dictate our lives… but our lives can dictate our circumstances.
Keep you eyes on your dream and your heart on your destiny.
This song is for you, so make sure and listen - lyrics from, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”: "When you walk through a storm, hold you head up high and don't be afraid of the dark, at the end of the storm is a golden light and the sweet silver song of a lark…” The spiritual meaning of a Lark is “Daybreak." How about that!  

Okay... now here is the link for the song that she is talking about in this post, "You''ll Never Walk Alone".   Take a moment and listen to the song.

This is the program from my wedding almost 41 years ago.  Take a look at the first solo.   Yep, that's right, "You'll Never Walk Alone".  I love that there is a Spiritual message in this song and at the time, I sure didn't realize that.  I also noticed tonight the wonderful words that were on the back side of our program for our wedding.  I can tell that Jesus had a plan and destiny for us, even when we didn't know it or acknowledge it.  For me. tonight. this brings such a warm feeling.  I love that I can look back...almost 41 years.... and see how Jesus was such a part of giving my life direction.  

Yes, I can rest even more deeply, as I am riding along on that river, in a tunnel, knowing that Jesus is in charge.  Isn't it wonderful how the Holy Spirit comes along and reveals this post on Facebook so that I can be reminded of the care and concern Jesus has always had for me.  I am so thankful for "Hindsight" that brings me peace and rest.  And I am glad for the reminder that daybreak is coming!  So there is an end to that tunnel.  The end is the destiny and plan that Jesus has for me.

If you feel like you are walking alone in that storm, or like me you feel like you are in a dark tunnel, hold fast to the words of this song.  There is a golden light right there with you.  That light is Jesus.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  So walk on....

Jesus, thank you so much for helping me to see and understand so much more clearly, exactly where I am right now.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminders and the memories that reveal that bring so much peace and rest into my spirit.  Thank you for Faith Walters and this word tonight.  Bless her and the ministry that you have given to her.  Comfort all those who are in that storm, facing dark rain and uncertain times.  Give them assurance that you are there with them.  Thank you for your great love.  Amen