My husband and I live in a small community about a mile from Ft. Carson, CO. We have 6 children, all grown, 3 are veterans and our youngest is currently serving as a US Marine.
There is a heartshaped patriotic wreath hanging on our front door, which contains a small american flag that waves to passersby. We do have a beautiful full size americn flag that we hang occasionally on the stand at the front of our house, but sadly, we don't hang it often enough. My excuse for that is the amount of strong winds we get at our place and the fact that we have to keep replacing the attachment that holds the flag every so often from the beating it takes.
My point in saying all this is to remind you (as well as myself) that there are 2 days this month that we need to make a point of flying our flags high.
Tomorrow...June 6th...is the 65 anniversary of D-Day when the allied troops landed on the beaches of Normany and began the end of WWII. Of course, many men lost their lives that day, even before landing on the beach and there were many bloody battles to follow.
June 14th is Flag Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the US flag, which happend on 6/14/1777 by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. President Wilson later issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th each year as Flag Day.
We live in a stressful world and the business of day to day living often gets in the way of some of the simple things we can do to show how grateful we are to live in a country that allows us the freedom to openly disagree with each other as well as with our government, a country where we are free to travel where we want and when we want, where we are still able to worship in any church we choose...or not at all
Please join me in flying the colors this month and taking a few moments to say a thank you for all of our many blessings.
Carol
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Remember our Heros...
Last week-end when I visited my mother, she offered me a poppy.
Mom is a member of the American Legion Aux and each year at this time poppies are given out by the group as a way to remember our Veteran's who have died while serving our country and to raise money for veterans in need.
Originally called "Decoration Day", Memorial Day (officially the last Monday in May) has been watered down a bit...maybe a lot...over the years. We celebrate the long holiday week-end as the official beginning of the summer season with picnics, parades, and movie marathons on TV. Oh, you may see a few more flags outside homes...maybe even a few yellow ribbons attached to trees or fences, but we seem to be losing the meaning of the day along the way.
As Memorial Day draws near, you may receive an envelope with a few poppies and a dontaion card in it. You may pass by a nice lady standing outside a store or maybe at the welcome table at your church armed with a small donation can and their beautiful red (paper) poppies . These are hard financial times for us all and perhaps you can't donate even your change, but we can all take a moment and reflect on the tremendous sacrifice that was made on those battlefields by our military personnel to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today.
We are Blessed!
Mom is a member of the American Legion Aux and each year at this time poppies are given out by the group as a way to remember our Veteran's who have died while serving our country and to raise money for veterans in need.
Originally called "Decoration Day", Memorial Day (officially the last Monday in May) has been watered down a bit...maybe a lot...over the years. We celebrate the long holiday week-end as the official beginning of the summer season with picnics, parades, and movie marathons on TV. Oh, you may see a few more flags outside homes...maybe even a few yellow ribbons attached to trees or fences, but we seem to be losing the meaning of the day along the way.
As Memorial Day draws near, you may receive an envelope with a few poppies and a dontaion card in it. You may pass by a nice lady standing outside a store or maybe at the welcome table at your church armed with a small donation can and their beautiful red (paper) poppies . These are hard financial times for us all and perhaps you can't donate even your change, but we can all take a moment and reflect on the tremendous sacrifice that was made on those battlefields by our military personnel to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today.
We are Blessed!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Hope
You have to love Spring...flowers beginning to poke up out of the ground, grass starting to green in spots and the anticipation of Easter Sunday. No matter what the state of the economy... or the world in general...how blessed we are that Jesus Christ chose to die on the cross so that we might have a way back to heaven one day.
This year especially, most of us have experienced some hard times one way or another. With the mortgage crisis, lost jobs, the price of groceries, etc. there certainly is much to pray about. Thinking about it all, I was still excited for the opportunities before us. Much is learned through the adversities of life that can be used along the way to help others as well as ourselves.
With having to cut back on entertainment and travel, we are discovering our families again. The chance to actually sit down together for supper without the noise and distractions you find in a restaurant is such an eye-opener. Give it a try and discover what goes on in the head of your teenager or get a view of the world through the eyes of a 5 year old....much better than our view I can assure you. Turn off the news one night and set up a board game or puzzle on you dining table and spend the evening listening to some upbeat music. Read a story from a Children's Bible.....very easy for anyone to understand. Perhaps plant a small vegetable garden ...even in an apartment you can plant tomatoes, pole beans, small fruit trees and others crops in just a few pots on your deck or patio. It's great fun and helps with the grocery bill as well.
Yep, I am excited for Spring.......for the opportunity to "pull (ourselves) up by our bootstraps", to lean further into the Lord, to our prayer life, lifting our lives, our nation and it's leaders up and watch what what God is going to do.
I would love to hear some other ideas of how we can enjoy the time we have on this sometimes crazy journey. Will you share a thought or two with us?
Until next time.....
Carol
This year especially, most of us have experienced some hard times one way or another. With the mortgage crisis, lost jobs, the price of groceries, etc. there certainly is much to pray about. Thinking about it all, I was still excited for the opportunities before us. Much is learned through the adversities of life that can be used along the way to help others as well as ourselves.
With having to cut back on entertainment and travel, we are discovering our families again. The chance to actually sit down together for supper without the noise and distractions you find in a restaurant is such an eye-opener. Give it a try and discover what goes on in the head of your teenager or get a view of the world through the eyes of a 5 year old....much better than our view I can assure you. Turn off the news one night and set up a board game or puzzle on you dining table and spend the evening listening to some upbeat music. Read a story from a Children's Bible.....very easy for anyone to understand. Perhaps plant a small vegetable garden ...even in an apartment you can plant tomatoes, pole beans, small fruit trees and others crops in just a few pots on your deck or patio. It's great fun and helps with the grocery bill as well.
Yep, I am excited for Spring.......for the opportunity to "pull (ourselves) up by our bootstraps", to lean further into the Lord, to our prayer life, lifting our lives, our nation and it's leaders up and watch what what God is going to do.
I would love to hear some other ideas of how we can enjoy the time we have on this sometimes crazy journey. Will you share a thought or two with us?
Until next time.....
Carol
Monday, February 2, 2009
It Can't Be February...
I cannot believe that January is gone and...with all the activities at home and work picking up...I hardly noticed it. This is an challenging year for us here at NDPTF. With the elections behind us and many changes coming our way it just gives us more reasons to pray for our nation and her leaders (no matter which side of the fence you are on).
With the overwhelming problems that face us...and so many troops deployed around the world... wouldn't it be great if we could have more events at the military bases across the country and even some events done by/for our troops right where they are serving? Last year there were several such military events (even in Iraq). You could arrange a large prayer event at your base or have a couple guys gathered around in just a few minutes of heartfelt prayer. The size of the event doesn't matter...the prayer does.
When you have a couple of minutes, browse our store at http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/ and take a look at the many items we have available to assist you with your event. There are many downloads as well. If you need more direction or just want to talk to someone regarding what kind of a gathering you want to have, you will find everything you need (including a way to contact your State Coordinator) on our site.
God is looking for good men and women to stand at the wall on behalf of our Nation. Ezekiel 22:30 He tells us that if we ask, we will receive. Matthew 23:37.
Will you join us this year in lifting our beloved country up to the Lord in confidence of what He will do?
With the overwhelming problems that face us...and so many troops deployed around the world... wouldn't it be great if we could have more events at the military bases across the country and even some events done by/for our troops right where they are serving? Last year there were several such military events (even in Iraq). You could arrange a large prayer event at your base or have a couple guys gathered around in just a few minutes of heartfelt prayer. The size of the event doesn't matter...the prayer does.
When you have a couple of minutes, browse our store at http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/ and take a look at the many items we have available to assist you with your event. There are many downloads as well. If you need more direction or just want to talk to someone regarding what kind of a gathering you want to have, you will find everything you need (including a way to contact your State Coordinator) on our site.
God is looking for good men and women to stand at the wall on behalf of our Nation. Ezekiel 22:30 He tells us that if we ask, we will receive. Matthew 23:37.
Will you join us this year in lifting our beloved country up to the Lord in confidence of what He will do?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Christmas Thoughts
Last night...after a busy day of shopping, baking, wrapping and decorating...I had a bit of quiet time to just sit and think about Christmas and all the hardships and blessings my family has gone through over the years. I thought of the Christmas I moved to PA with my mother and my three children after a divorce from an abusive husband. We had little money, but were able to buy each child one gift and make them each a decorator pillow for their bed. Their stockings were filled with nuts, fruit and one small chocolate treat. We had a small tree and decorated it with popcorn and cranberries (no money for lights) and made paper snowflakes for the windows. I made a straw wreath for the door. I made one too for my sister in California and we sent it along with a cassette tape that Mom, the kids and I made singing Carols by the piano and entertaining each other with a little Christmas skit.
At the time, my mother and I thought it was a disappointing Christmas for the kids. Before that year (1985) Christmas Eve was spent with lots of family and friends at my Aunt Dot's in Southern California and the children usually had quite a few gifts on Christmas morning. That first year in PA was a hard one, but taught us many lessons on life and what was important. Now that they are grown the children remember that Christmas as one of their most memorable holidays ever.
Today I am thinking of my son who is serving in Okinawa. This will be his first Christmas away from home. He is certainly safe and will be coming home in January, but my prayer for him...and for all the servicemen and women who will be spending Christmas away from home... is that they will find comfort in time spent with friends and memories of holidays at home, that they will be able to find a safe, quiet place to rest and reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and that the Lord will protect them and bring them home safely when their tours are over.
This year especially, I pray for the mending of broken family relationships and the strengthening of healthy ones. I pray for the prodigals to come home and for parents to welcome them with open arms and for us all to open our hearts to the possibilities of what can be if we are willing to be Jesus to one another in a dark world.
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Carol
At the time, my mother and I thought it was a disappointing Christmas for the kids. Before that year (1985) Christmas Eve was spent with lots of family and friends at my Aunt Dot's in Southern California and the children usually had quite a few gifts on Christmas morning. That first year in PA was a hard one, but taught us many lessons on life and what was important. Now that they are grown the children remember that Christmas as one of their most memorable holidays ever.
Today I am thinking of my son who is serving in Okinawa. This will be his first Christmas away from home. He is certainly safe and will be coming home in January, but my prayer for him...and for all the servicemen and women who will be spending Christmas away from home... is that they will find comfort in time spent with friends and memories of holidays at home, that they will be able to find a safe, quiet place to rest and reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and that the Lord will protect them and bring them home safely when their tours are over.
This year especially, I pray for the mending of broken family relationships and the strengthening of healthy ones. I pray for the prodigals to come home and for parents to welcome them with open arms and for us all to open our hearts to the possibilities of what can be if we are willing to be Jesus to one another in a dark world.
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Carol
Friday, November 21, 2008
Passing It On
As Thanksgiving fast approaches, my mind drifts through the many past holidays spent with family and friends. The good memories sometimes escape us as we go through the trials and hardships that come our way on this journey. With that...I would invite you find a way to make sure your family stories are shared and and passed on so that future generations can weave a tapestry of family history that is so important in the transient society of today.
For myself, I keep a journal for each of my children. I don't write in all of them every week...sometimes not every month...but in each one there are glimpes of myself, special memories of them, a history of what is going on in the world around them, my dreams and prayers for each of them, and (yes) a few bits of "wisdom" from their older, wiser mother.
Below you will find a story taken from a wonderful devotional that I think any military family would enjoy..perhaps a lovely Christmas gift or just an "I love you".
Have a Blessed and Peaceful Thanksgiving!
November 7
The Family Line
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. + JOEL 1:3
A genealogical study on the Pace family led us to discover that my husband's ancestors were carpenters and woodworkers. This was especially interesting since his grandfather actually was a furniture maker who passed the business to my husband's uncle, who then passed the family business to his son. My husband himself has always enjoyed working with wood and has built several lovely pieces of cherished furniture that stand in our home. This same pleasure for building and working with his hands is seen in our youngest son. It is fascinating to study these genealogical threads of talent as gifts and interests are passed from generation to generation.
There are some tangible things I hope will pass from generation to generation to generation in our family. I don't have any valuable family heirlooms, but I hope the pieces of furniture built by Pace hands will continue to be treasured when my husband and I are gone. I also hope the journals I have kept over the years and the Bibles my husband has read and written in will be read and valued by my children. My prayer is that they will see the inner thoughts of an authentic faith. I pray that as they read the words behind the actions, they will see the doubts, the fears, and the imperfections but also the confirmation of what they saw us live--that God was always the center of our lives.
A cherished memory for me is walking by my father's bedroom and seeing him on his knees beside his bed. As a child and teenager in my father's home, I knew it wasn't a show on my behalf. It was an action of his authentic faith that helped attract me to making that faith my own.
In a spiritual sense, I can pass on a legacy of faith to my children. I can pass down stories of God answering prayers for our family. I can pass down values based on biblical principles. I can pass down traditions that illuminate our beliefs. The faith that is so important in the lives of me and my husband, however, must be individually accepted by my children and their children. May it be from generation to generation! ...Brenda
* * *
Father, be glorified in my home today. Help me to communicate a genuine faith that will live on long after I am gone. Remind me that I am not responsible for the salvation of others, but I am responsible to live a life that is built on your saving grace. May our family line continue to have the thread of grace flowing through. + Amen.
Taken from The One Year ® Yellow Ribbon Devotional by Brenda Pace and Carol McGlothlin. Copyright © 2008 by Brenda Pace and Carol McGlothlin. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publisher, inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
For myself, I keep a journal for each of my children. I don't write in all of them every week...sometimes not every month...but in each one there are glimpes of myself, special memories of them, a history of what is going on in the world around them, my dreams and prayers for each of them, and (yes) a few bits of "wisdom" from their older, wiser mother.
Below you will find a story taken from a wonderful devotional that I think any military family would enjoy..perhaps a lovely Christmas gift or just an "I love you".
Have a Blessed and Peaceful Thanksgiving!
November 7
The Family Line
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. + JOEL 1:3
A genealogical study on the Pace family led us to discover that my husband's ancestors were carpenters and woodworkers. This was especially interesting since his grandfather actually was a furniture maker who passed the business to my husband's uncle, who then passed the family business to his son. My husband himself has always enjoyed working with wood and has built several lovely pieces of cherished furniture that stand in our home. This same pleasure for building and working with his hands is seen in our youngest son. It is fascinating to study these genealogical threads of talent as gifts and interests are passed from generation to generation.
There are some tangible things I hope will pass from generation to generation to generation in our family. I don't have any valuable family heirlooms, but I hope the pieces of furniture built by Pace hands will continue to be treasured when my husband and I are gone. I also hope the journals I have kept over the years and the Bibles my husband has read and written in will be read and valued by my children. My prayer is that they will see the inner thoughts of an authentic faith. I pray that as they read the words behind the actions, they will see the doubts, the fears, and the imperfections but also the confirmation of what they saw us live--that God was always the center of our lives.
A cherished memory for me is walking by my father's bedroom and seeing him on his knees beside his bed. As a child and teenager in my father's home, I knew it wasn't a show on my behalf. It was an action of his authentic faith that helped attract me to making that faith my own.
In a spiritual sense, I can pass on a legacy of faith to my children. I can pass down stories of God answering prayers for our family. I can pass down values based on biblical principles. I can pass down traditions that illuminate our beliefs. The faith that is so important in the lives of me and my husband, however, must be individually accepted by my children and their children. May it be from generation to generation! ...Brenda
* * *
Father, be glorified in my home today. Help me to communicate a genuine faith that will live on long after I am gone. Remind me that I am not responsible for the salvation of others, but I am responsible to live a life that is built on your saving grace. May our family line continue to have the thread of grace flowing through. + Amen.
Taken from The One Year ® Yellow Ribbon Devotional by Brenda Pace and Carol McGlothlin. Copyright © 2008 by Brenda Pace and Carol McGlothlin. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publisher, inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Reflections from the Summit
If you were blessed to be at the NDP Prayer Summit last week-end, you know what an awesome time we had lifting our nation up to our Lord. The week-end was just an amazing experience from start to finish. However, the speaker that touched my heart the most was Major Jim Lively, USMC.
Major Lively has served 11 years of active duty and much of his time deployed to the Middle East. In sharing a few stories of his service (at times with tears in his eyes), Major Lively was able to give us picture of what he and the other military men and women are going through while serving overseas. He was quick to point out that he truly believes that the prayers of his mother (and others) protected him through very difficult situations and brought him home safely. Major Lively directed us to nine points to keep in mind when lifting our military up in prayer. Please keep them in mind during your quiet time and perhaps share them with your family, friends and churches so that we can provide a blanket of prayer over those who serve us all so well.
Prayer Points
***Courage
***Discipline
***Protection
***Patience
***Endurance
***Integrity
***Reconciliation
***Healing
***Families and Marriages
We invite you to watch the Military Page on this web site for an upcoming opportunity to hear an audio clip of Major Lively’s time with us.
Major Lively has served 11 years of active duty and much of his time deployed to the Middle East. In sharing a few stories of his service (at times with tears in his eyes), Major Lively was able to give us picture of what he and the other military men and women are going through while serving overseas. He was quick to point out that he truly believes that the prayers of his mother (and others) protected him through very difficult situations and brought him home safely. Major Lively directed us to nine points to keep in mind when lifting our military up in prayer. Please keep them in mind during your quiet time and perhaps share them with your family, friends and churches so that we can provide a blanket of prayer over those who serve us all so well.
Prayer Points
***Courage
***Discipline
***Protection
***Patience
***Endurance
***Integrity
***Reconciliation
***Healing
***Families and Marriages
We invite you to watch the Military Page on this web site for an upcoming opportunity to hear an audio clip of Major Lively’s time with us.
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