2014: Happy Memorial Day!

May 26, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day has slowly developed into a national holiday for all Americans to remember our fallen soldiers.

The sacrifice and pain of those remaining family members and friends makes this day difficult.

Thank you seems an inadequate response to the pain these family members endure.

Yet, those of us who live under the freedom these heroes provided express our gratitude by honoring those who left their imprint within our country’s history.

From Poets and Poetry of Kansas, edited by Thomas W. Herringshaw (Chicago: American Publishers’ Association) 1894, page 332, the poem “Decoration Day” honors our gallant ones from the home of the brave.

Decoration Day

by Frederick B. Hill

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Go forth ye brave and gallant men,
Ye patriotic noble band,
Who shouldered arms and risked your lives
To save from foes our noble land.

Comrades that fell in that defense,
That in their graves now silent lie;
Their gallant deeds and honored names,
In patriot hearts will never die.

God has decked our land with flowers,
On heroes’ graves should now be spread;
By living patriot hands that are,
Should be scattered o’er the dead.

Ne’er was wrote on history’s page
More gallant deeds by heroes brave,
Who fought and bled in freedom’s cause,
Our land and liberties to save.

Their deeds will still in memory live,
While time shall last or country stand,
And men are found truthful and brave,
And heaven smiles on freedom’s land.

May peace reign o’er our happy land,
While nations live and time shall be,
And God be honored by ail men,
Loved and adored on land and sea.

Thank you to every soldier who served and who are serving our country. And to all the family members of those who served and are serving, thank you for your sacrifices.

Happy Memorial Day!

2014: Happy Mother’s Day!

May 11, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Today, I rejoice with a mom who never thought she would be a parent. Having a number of miscarriages and feeling the weight of pain at bad report after another, this special mom delivered a precious baby boy at the end of April.

Where this mom is on cloud nine and I do rejoice with her, another mom is healing from the loss of her teenage son to cancer one year ago. The pain is still there as she awakes and realizes that he is not here.

As I rejoice with one and weep with another, this day is full of emotion. I get overwhelmed with the love of my children, and how they love to give.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I choose to love the blessings before me. My blessings include three not-so-little ones:

Mr. 8 – Getting taller, more responsible, and sensitive to the needs of others

Miss 6 – Creating unique projects, singing in her own world, and gaining confidence in new situations

Miss 4 – Infectious giggles, telling never-ending stories, and always ready to play a game or put together a puzzle

In using time wisely, embrace the ones before you. I am all too quickly reminded by the pictures on our walls that my children are growing up. Time cannot be banked, repeated, or halted. We have today.

Whether you are rejoicing in your children, hurting to hold one in your arms again, or hoping for a good report, Mother’s Day is a tender day. Thank you for your care for children: sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Happy Mother’s Day!

2014: Happy Easter!

April 20, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My favorite day of the year has arrived as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Rejoice, for He is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-6a

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”

Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood

This, the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh, to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
Finished the vict’ry cry

Oh, to see my name written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

This, the power of the cross
Son of God, slain for us
What a love, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Happy Easter!

2014: Reflections on Good Friday

April 18, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With our Easter celebration underway, we continue to pause and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

As we continue to tell the Easter story through the use of our Resurrection Eggs, we focus today on the death Christ endured for us.

The verses and symbols of his robe and crown of thorns, the cross, the nails, and the sponge and spear tell of the unimaginable pain Christ suffered for me and you.

Though this day seems dark and full of pain, the story is not finished for resurrection day is coming.

Without Good Friday, there would be no Easter. But because Christ loves us, He died and rose again which makes Sunday so glorious!

A Garden in the Night

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46

A garden in the night,
A soul in tortured prayer;
Engulfed in sorrow all alone,
Our Savior struggles there.

He knows His hour has come
To bear the price of love.
He reaches out, His spirit drowned
In agony and blood.

“My Father, let it pass,
This darkness now begun.
But here I am, Your sacrifice,
So let Your will be done.”

Lord, help us watch and pray,
Your burden gladly bear
That we may live and die like You,
Our lives a holy prayer.

Words by Ken Bible
© 2005 by LNWhymns.com. CCLI Song #4479756.

2014: Happy Palm Sunday!

April 13, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My children planned to sing in this morning’s church service with their choir.

Though my daughter will still sing, my son had a rough night. With allergy season kicking in full force, he stayed home to rest.

Though I am thankful that Paul is videotaping the children’s choir this morning, I really miss celebrating Palm Sunday with my church family. Hopefully, all will be well this week because next Sunday is Easter!

In celebration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, those who were in attendance put down clothes and palm branches to make a path for Christ’s donkey ride. This entrance was just the beginning of Christ’s week as he fulfilled His Father’s will and perfect plan.

With multiple activities and celebrations planned for this week leading up to Easter, I wish you a blessed Palm Sunday. Tabitha over on Meet Penny has posted instructions for three Palm Sunday crafts. I love the third one – creating palm branches with your child’s handprints.

Basking in the blessing of God’s gift to us, our family is off to a great week of celebration, remembrance, and rejoicing.

Happy Palm Sunday!

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