Thought for the Week

Thought for the new week:

Bad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely content with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is still, in spite of all, the child of God.

Phillips Brooks

Blog Issues

After posting the video yesterday, my entire blog changed appearances. All the things on the sidebar were gone and moved to the very bottom. I tried to get it back, but it would not return to it's old self. I don't know what happened, or why it changed, but it did. Evidently, it was an invasion of the blog snatchers! Maybe the invisible bugs that are infecting all the plants in my garden, have moved to my computer. I don't know but something definitely changed. I was frustrated, but my mom, sister, and nieces were here and we were going shopping in Spokane, so I didn't have time to try to figure it out so I left it as it was. Tonight, after spending two hours on trying to get things back in the appropriate settings, I think it's at least part way there! I still have some tweaking to do, but since it's almost 12:30 a.m. I think it's good for now! Stop back by to see if the blog snatchers return, or if I can actually get my blog in order again. Stay tuned!

Amazed

I hope you take some time to reflect and worship as you watch this video today. Be still for a few moments and listen to the words.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

Date Night

My hubby and I had a date night a couple nights ago, and enjoyed a yummy dinner at PF Chang's and then a nice walk through Manito Park, just at sunset. It was a great evening, and one we both really needed to just spend some time together, away from all the distractions, and just focus on each other and enjoy time to talk. As we walked among the beautiful flowers in Manito, we talked about how important it is to take time to just be spontaneous once in awhile and jump in the car, and enjoy a night like that, reconnecting as a couple. I am very thankful for that time. It was a great evening, enjoying each others company, and God's creation.

Untold Story

I read a quote last night that said "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I found out this morning that it is a quote by Maya Angelou. What is your untold story? Why aren't you letting others in your life to hear that story? Not allowing people to hear your story robs the world of the great blessing of really knowing who you are and what little corner of the world you impact. You may think you don't make an impact, but you do. We all do. We were NOT created to be a waste of space on this planet. We were created for a purpose, for a reason. We each have our own gifts and abilities that are unique to us. Are you using those gifts and abilities, or are you hiding them, wasting them? Why not use them, and use them with all your might. What happens if you never used those gifts, or if you used them for a time, and then you decided you weren't good enough, or you just selfishly hid them from others, and no one ever gets to know you, your story, who you truly are? What a waste of life, a life that is so precious and so short.

As I write this, I am guilty of not letting others in, although I have become much better over the past three years. I often think I am not good enough, or I cannot accomplish something, but I want to start trying harder to let my little corner of the world know me a little better, to know my untold story. I want to accomplish some goals I have had for a little while, which requires really getting out of my comfort zone and really letting people into my personal space. Now, I don't plan to be loud and obnoxious by any means, but I can make a difference in my own way. I can start stepping out of my comfort zones, and try more things, be more spontaneous, and let people into my life a little more than I have in the past. I have a story to tell, just as you do. I do better at one on one interaction, or in writing my story down, not in large groups or public places, but we all have our different ways. The point is to not waste any more time, and actually let your story OUT of you! Let people experience YOU, be blessed by YOU! Live your life, without regrets! Live your life so that others know and see your story!

Precious Times

I haven't been online in a couple days. Catching up on blogs, emails, facebook, will take awhile but will do it later tonight. My mom and nieces were here for two days, and we enjoyed each others company and had a lot of fun. We found some roller skates in the thrift store, so both girls had to try out rollerskating! We roasted marshmallows over our outdoor fire pit one night, and even though it is July, it felt like September out there! We also giggled a lot, made cookies, went shopping, and just enjoyed spending time together. We had to go on a flip-flop shopping quest as the youngest niece didn't have any and she felt left out!! We were able to get two pair, one high wedge heal with lots of sparkles, and another regular pair, because of half off summer gear sales!

Time went by rather quickly, and I cherish the times we had. Times like that seem to be too few, so when I can get moments with my mom, and nieces, I treasure them and store them in my heart as a precious memory.

We Are Family

Our weekend here started on Thursday, at least for me. My hubby's started on Thursday night at 6 pm. We had a busy time, but a great time. Our niece who is in the Navy, decided to spend 22 hours of her four day leave with us. We felt blessed. She used to spend every summer, and sometimes spring breaks, with us since she was about nine, but since she joined the Navy nearly four years ago, we haven't seen much of her. So, the time we had with her was very special. She and I spent part of the day reconnecting with my family, and my hubby's mom. She hadn't seen her grandma in four years so wanted to make sure she got to see her on her trip. In the evening, we went out in the boat, and she went tubing and we had a great time. We were beginning to get get pelted in the face with bugs, so we called it a night and enjoyed a meal together. We shared a lot of laughs and memories. Time ended too soon when she left at 5:30 the next morning.









Our niece's parents came in and took her place as our company for the rest of the weekend. We traveled up north so my hubby and his brother could spend some time with their mom. We also spent two hours in the boat going from Sandpoint to the outer edge of Priest River and back on the Pend Oreille River. The 4th of July took us to the mountains to spend some time with both sides of our families, including my sister's stepson who made a trek over the Cascades to spend the weekend in Idaho. We enjoyed riding horses, catching up, trying to stay cool in the shade, and relaxing. We also enjoyed a little wildlife as we saw a turkey with six youngin's and a doe who we know had a fawn close by. A moose was spotted by the in-laws as well. And as always with the 4th of July celebration, we enjoyed good food. My dad had to introduce his version of s'mores to my hubby's family. They said they will never go back to regular s'mores again! To make my dad's version, you take two graham crackers, two roasted marshmallows, and a brownie. You put the brownie in the center of the graham crackers and marshmallows, and enjoy. Since I have a gluten allergy, I have not enjoyed this 'feast,' but I have been assured it's very tasty!!


















We left my family behind as we headed down the mountain just a little before sunset. After getting my mother-in-law back home, we headed to the beach to enjoy the best fireworks show I have seen in my old home town. We did sit in what used to be our 'normal' viewing spot on the beach when we lived up there until three years ago. This is the spot where we used to know everyone around us because we had all lived there for a number of years, and we could catch up while we waited for the show to begin. This year, however, as I scanned up and down the shoreline looking at the thousands of people at the beach, I only found six familiar faces, including two police officers and one fireman that I knew. It was a weird feeling! I set that aside as they started the fireworks and I must say it was worth the trek down and back with all the strangers. It was definitely the best show I have seen there in thirty some years of watching fireworks.


On Sunday morning, we checked out one of the new dining establishments in town and enjoyed a good breakfast before we said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways. It was nice to catch up with everyone, and it was nice to enjoy time with our families as we celebrated America's freedom.

Happy Independence Day

On this 4th of July weekend, please remember that it is called Independence day and that we only have that independence as a country and as individuals because people have been willing to fight to keep our freedoms. We have that freedom because millions have fought for this country, many have lost their lives for this country. Are you willing to protect and preserve your freedoms? I am willing to stand up and fight for freedom and to preserve this country and all it stands for, are you?

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

The Pledge

I pledge allegiance
to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which
it stands;
one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.



Red Skelton recalled what his teacher told him about the Pledge:
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"


I

me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge

dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance

my love and my devotion.

To the flag

our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United

that means that we have all come together.

States

individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic

a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible

incapable of being divided.

With liberty

which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice

the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

***~~**~~***

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?


God Bless America!

You can listen to the speech here:

America

Patriotism

Patriotism-love for or devotion to one's country

I recently heard someone say that patriotism is at an all time low in our country. I thought about it for a few minutes, and sadly agreed. It seems people are quick to put down our military, but defend the terrorists who killed our people on our own soil. People seem more willing to fight for these people than they are willing to to stand up for our country, our freedom, our constitution. It seems many are willing to easily give up what our ancestors, our grandparents, parents, uncles, sons and daughters, friends, have fought so hard to defend and preserve. To me, many may not even realize how easily they have been swayed to let their freedoms go and not stand up for them. It's like a lobster. When he gets put in a pot, he doesn't realize he's about to die because the water is cold, but the temperature slowly rises, until before he knows it, he's dead. The same thing is happening in our country. People are letting our rights and freedoms be taken away at an alarming rate, but it's being done in a way where most people don't even realize how much they are losing because it's packaged up nice or it's told to us that we will 'benefit' from it, when it is actually causing us to die as the great nation we once were. Our national news media is partly to blame. They like to twist things around and have amazing control over people's thoughts. If you listen to the national media, the Iraqi people hate America. I had some friends recently spend three weeks there, and they said the opposite it true. For the most part, the Iraqi people have deep respect and gratitude for Americans, and that the Iraqi people actually come up and say thank you. Do you hear that in the news media? No.

Do you remember the brief time after 9-11 when we were actually united as a country, we stood together, ready to fight for our flag and what it stood for? Why did that all change so fast? What made the pride that Americans felt for our country disappear? Why did Americans give up the fight so fast, and roll over and stop supporting our troops, our country, and our flag? Why? In my opinion, it's because of the saturation and mind control of the national media in our country. They tell us to think a certain way, they put down what is true and right, and they tell us how to think and if we don't think that way, we are wrong. We, as a nation, have become media robots, almost like a bunch of brainwashed cult members who have no idea to think for themselves.

I recently read that alcohol abuse is skyrocketing with those serving our country. Their morale is very low. They feel like their country is against them, not supporting them. How sad. No matter what you think of war, you should support your troops, your country! I have relatives and friends currently serving, and I know they are not feeling support from their country, but quite the opposite. One told me she felt more supported for her service by those in other countries than she does her own! That statement broke my heart.

Let me ask you, do you remember our troops? Do you thank them, send them emails and packages to support them, or say thank you when you see one in public places? Are you willing to stand up for your country, for your flag, and be proud to be an American again? It's time to wake up as Americans and take a stand for our freedoms and what is right, to take a stand for our country, and restore some American pride again.

If you need some reminders about our military and what they sacrifice for us, maybe it's a good time to rent Band of Brothers, Flags of Our Fathers, Saving Private Ryan, or Pearl Harbor and remember, and be grateful.

On this Independence week, I pray for patriotism to return to our country, and I pray for our freedoms, our troops, and our leadership.