Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Music- Heals the Soul
One of the things that I have always known is the power of music. I grew up with a mother that loves to play the piano and sing. Now, I didn't inherit her talents (sadly), but I did inherit her love of music. Music is a balm to my soul.
When I was dealing with the aftermath of being raped, and then when I was dealing with an abusive boyfriend I escaped in my music. Music took me away, it spoke to me.
There is so much healing to be found in songs about Christ. Christ is our rock, Christ is our everything. He is the anchor in the midst of life's storms. If you are dealing with a pain that is greater than you think you can bear, go to youtube.com and type in some key words (When I Don't Know What to Do, Sorrow, etc) and up will pop music that will feed you if you allow it to.
God has given us music. It is used all the time in the Bible. There is a whole book in song (Psalms), songs/poems that (mostly) King David wrote to express his joy, sorrow, fear, misery, worship, praise, and need to be close to God. Music brings us closer to God. We are told in Revelation that we will be doing lots of singing up in Heaven.
So, if you are facing a dark day right now take a moment and listen to some uplifting songs and sing! It doesn't matter if you have the talent of Kelly Clarkson or of me, sing and let yourself soak in the joy that can come.
-JLP-
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tough Enough
"God is my strength and power, He makes my way perfect." 2 Sam. 22:33
One of the things about me is that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I'm genuine, and if I'm feeling it, you are going to experience it. This is good and bad. Good in that it keeps me honest, bad in that there are times when people don't need to know how I'm feeling.
I'm not the type that is going to go looking for a fight, I'm going to avoid them and avoid confrontation. I've got a tender heart, I root for underdogs and I can't stand the ASPCA commercials because I want to adopt all the pets. I love easily and get hurt easily.
But, I'm not weak. I have an inner core of strength that keeps me going no matter how hard I get knocked down. I may not seem tough, but I'm emotionally tough enough. I learned that with everything that transpired beginning Feb. 2, 2002.
We all are tough enough if we learn where our strength comes from. Whether we face the world with tender hearts, or we have a leave no prisoners behind approach (neither is better) our strength at some point will fail if we are not tapped into Christ.
No matter who we are life is going to throw us into some pretty yucky circumstances, but each time we face them and survive we grow and we gain just a little more strength. God shows us that with Him we are tough enough, so that when the next trial comes we know that we can get through it. It may not be fun, but it won't destroy us.
-JLP-
One of the things about me is that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I'm genuine, and if I'm feeling it, you are going to experience it. This is good and bad. Good in that it keeps me honest, bad in that there are times when people don't need to know how I'm feeling.
I'm not the type that is going to go looking for a fight, I'm going to avoid them and avoid confrontation. I've got a tender heart, I root for underdogs and I can't stand the ASPCA commercials because I want to adopt all the pets. I love easily and get hurt easily.
But, I'm not weak. I have an inner core of strength that keeps me going no matter how hard I get knocked down. I may not seem tough, but I'm emotionally tough enough. I learned that with everything that transpired beginning Feb. 2, 2002.
We all are tough enough if we learn where our strength comes from. Whether we face the world with tender hearts, or we have a leave no prisoners behind approach (neither is better) our strength at some point will fail if we are not tapped into Christ.
No matter who we are life is going to throw us into some pretty yucky circumstances, but each time we face them and survive we grow and we gain just a little more strength. God shows us that with Him we are tough enough, so that when the next trial comes we know that we can get through it. It may not be fun, but it won't destroy us.
-JLP-
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A Rape Survivor, Not a Victim
I was reading through some of my blogs earlier and I realized that I started this blog almost 5 years ago as a way to show other rape and sexual abuse victims and survivors (and yes there is a difference) that life does goes on, and it can be really great. Yet, I haven't talked much about that lately at all. This has become just more a diary. I want to get back on track.
Rape and sexual abuse (and abuse of any kind) is a MAJOR life event. It isn't something that happens and you can just put behind you. In February it will be 10 years for me, and there are still days when I'm haunted, there are still repercussions I deal with.
On the other hand, it isn't something that has to define the rest of your life, it doesn't have to be a pit that you fall in with no way out. It is possible to no longer be a victim, but to be a survivor. You CAN thrive after abuse.
To be blunt, abuse SUCKS! That thought should be obvious but it needs to be stated. Having to deal with abuse is awful, it something that no one should ever have to deal with, but all too many of us do.
You may be wondering how to move on. You may read this and think that it is impossible to smile again, to laugh, and that living joyfully after all that you experienced is just a joke. You are grieving for what happened, and that is natural, and good. Grief is a part of healing. So is anger- anger at your abuser, anger at yourself, anger at the world.
Let yourself grieve, let yourself be angry, be honest about how you feel. Most importantly find someone to talk with. It doesn't have to be a professional (though pros are the best-ok so as one I'm biased, but still...!), talk with a pastor, talk with family, talk with a friend. Just find someone. By sharing you lessen the burden you are carrying, you take away some of its power, and you regain some.
Realize that becoming a survivor takes a lot of time. Be patient, but also find ways to bring back happiness. At first it may feel forced, but bit by bit, day by day you will see that you are moving on, that you feel less of a victim and more of a survivor. The bottom line is that you were shoved into this horrific situation, and now you have to chose what to do about it. You have to chose to be a survivor, to do the hard work. It is easier to wallow in fear, grief, anger and pity. It isn't fair, but it is what it is.
The light at the end of the tunnel is joy, it is peace, it is being able laugh again, to smile, to have an amazing life. You just have to take one step right now, just one small step. Be honest about what happened and chose to deal with it. Say to yourself, "This happened to me. It sucks, life sucks right now, the outlook is bleak. Life can change though, I chose to work to get better. I chose to survive."
Praying for you and your journey. If you need a list of resources, someone in your area to talk with, let me know. You didn't deserve this, you are God's child.
-JLP-
Rape and sexual abuse (and abuse of any kind) is a MAJOR life event. It isn't something that happens and you can just put behind you. In February it will be 10 years for me, and there are still days when I'm haunted, there are still repercussions I deal with.
On the other hand, it isn't something that has to define the rest of your life, it doesn't have to be a pit that you fall in with no way out. It is possible to no longer be a victim, but to be a survivor. You CAN thrive after abuse.
To be blunt, abuse SUCKS! That thought should be obvious but it needs to be stated. Having to deal with abuse is awful, it something that no one should ever have to deal with, but all too many of us do.
You may be wondering how to move on. You may read this and think that it is impossible to smile again, to laugh, and that living joyfully after all that you experienced is just a joke. You are grieving for what happened, and that is natural, and good. Grief is a part of healing. So is anger- anger at your abuser, anger at yourself, anger at the world.
Let yourself grieve, let yourself be angry, be honest about how you feel. Most importantly find someone to talk with. It doesn't have to be a professional (though pros are the best-ok so as one I'm biased, but still...!), talk with a pastor, talk with family, talk with a friend. Just find someone. By sharing you lessen the burden you are carrying, you take away some of its power, and you regain some.
Realize that becoming a survivor takes a lot of time. Be patient, but also find ways to bring back happiness. At first it may feel forced, but bit by bit, day by day you will see that you are moving on, that you feel less of a victim and more of a survivor. The bottom line is that you were shoved into this horrific situation, and now you have to chose what to do about it. You have to chose to be a survivor, to do the hard work. It is easier to wallow in fear, grief, anger and pity. It isn't fair, but it is what it is.
The light at the end of the tunnel is joy, it is peace, it is being able laugh again, to smile, to have an amazing life. You just have to take one step right now, just one small step. Be honest about what happened and chose to deal with it. Say to yourself, "This happened to me. It sucks, life sucks right now, the outlook is bleak. Life can change though, I chose to work to get better. I chose to survive."
Praying for you and your journey. If you need a list of resources, someone in your area to talk with, let me know. You didn't deserve this, you are God's child.
-JLP-
Dimly Lit
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119: 105 NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11 NKJV)
Looking at a calendar and thinking how quickly the days have come and gone since May 25 when we learned the "official" due date of baby is astounding. Already baby is at about the half-way point. It is exciting and scary. A whole new chapter in my life and in my husband's life is starting, a chapter that will in many ways last the rest of our lives (though it will have sub-chapters).
Not only that, but we are looking at my changing jobs. No longer will I work for a large corporation, doing work that pays just above minimum wage, and is awful on my health. I'll be doing what I love, working with children. It will be a home based business, and I'll have to find my own clients if we want to make it work.
Starting a new business at any time is scary. Add on starting it in the midst of becoming new parents, and the fear factor sky rockets! Yet, it is the direction we believe that God is leading us, and the verses I quoted show that God is in the lead and His plans are for our benefit. He wants the best for us. We could stay doing what we are doing, but that's not how God moves people.
God doesn't want His children to settle for good enough to get by. He wants to lead us to a future that is filled with peace and hope. Peace doesn't come from just getting by. It comes from knowing you are safe, your bills can all be paid, and you have a bit of a safety net.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not preaching the prosperity gospel. I don't think that if I read the Bible, pray, and follow God's leading I'm going to wind up driving my kid to school in a BMW. But I do believe that God wants us to know and feel cared for. To look in the bank and see that we have enough for what we need.
God also doesn't reveal everything at once. God is a lamp to our feet, He shows us just where to take the next step. God has a broad plan, but most of the time He only shows us a little bit. That is where faith comes in. We have to trust that if we take the step (even if it is scary) that the lamp will go with us. Up ahead it may be dark, but we have the light to show us where to put each foot, and when we get to the curve, the lamp will be there to help us navigate it.
Our path may be dimly lit by a lamp, but it is a lamp that never goes out, and it is a being held by the one that knows where He wants to take us, how we should get from point A to point B, and He knows that if we trust and follow Him, point B will be amazing. So yes, new chapters are scary, but if we follow Christ the scary is negated by the excitement of anticipation and trust.
-JLP-
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11 NKJV)
Looking at a calendar and thinking how quickly the days have come and gone since May 25 when we learned the "official" due date of baby is astounding. Already baby is at about the half-way point. It is exciting and scary. A whole new chapter in my life and in my husband's life is starting, a chapter that will in many ways last the rest of our lives (though it will have sub-chapters).
Not only that, but we are looking at my changing jobs. No longer will I work for a large corporation, doing work that pays just above minimum wage, and is awful on my health. I'll be doing what I love, working with children. It will be a home based business, and I'll have to find my own clients if we want to make it work.
Starting a new business at any time is scary. Add on starting it in the midst of becoming new parents, and the fear factor sky rockets! Yet, it is the direction we believe that God is leading us, and the verses I quoted show that God is in the lead and His plans are for our benefit. He wants the best for us. We could stay doing what we are doing, but that's not how God moves people.
God doesn't want His children to settle for good enough to get by. He wants to lead us to a future that is filled with peace and hope. Peace doesn't come from just getting by. It comes from knowing you are safe, your bills can all be paid, and you have a bit of a safety net.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not preaching the prosperity gospel. I don't think that if I read the Bible, pray, and follow God's leading I'm going to wind up driving my kid to school in a BMW. But I do believe that God wants us to know and feel cared for. To look in the bank and see that we have enough for what we need.
God also doesn't reveal everything at once. God is a lamp to our feet, He shows us just where to take the next step. God has a broad plan, but most of the time He only shows us a little bit. That is where faith comes in. We have to trust that if we take the step (even if it is scary) that the lamp will go with us. Up ahead it may be dark, but we have the light to show us where to put each foot, and when we get to the curve, the lamp will be there to help us navigate it.
Our path may be dimly lit by a lamp, but it is a lamp that never goes out, and it is a being held by the one that knows where He wants to take us, how we should get from point A to point B, and He knows that if we trust and follow Him, point B will be amazing. So yes, new chapters are scary, but if we follow Christ the scary is negated by the excitement of anticipation and trust.
-JLP-
Saturday, August 20, 2011
A New Home
Yesterday was my parents' anniversary and I was talked to them and they described their day wandering around Bozeman, MT I was struck with just how long it has been since I've been to WY and MT, where I grew up. Not only has a lot of time gone by (2+ years now) but a lot of life has happened in those three years.
Last time I was back home I was just a third of the way through my Master's degree, I was single and I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to live after grad school. Central Virginia was just going to be a temporary home for me.
Since then I have finished my degree, met a guy, dated him, got engaged, got married, and we are expecting our first child. Not only that but I've made the Shenandoah Valley my home. It isn't a temporary place for school, but it is where my family is going to be raised.
Wyoming and Montana are what I call home. It is where I was born and raised, it holds a special place in my heart. I can picture the mountains wtih clarity, and I can close my eyes and take a virtual drive through towns and across mountains.
Yet, Virginia is my adult home. Virginia is the place that my kids will call home. When they are adults it is the place that they will picture, it will hold the memories for them. Wyoming will just be a state that they visit, a place from my stories.
The last thought that struck me was that no matter where I call home, I'm not really home. Earth is just part of our journey. As a Christian my real home isn't anywhere on this globe. It is in Heaven. We are just travelers on this land. Christ is up in Heaven right now and He has prepared an amazing place for us, a place that will only take a moment to behold and we will feel right at home.
As I was starting to get homesick I reminded myself of this truth. I should be more homesick for Heaven, my true home, than for Wyoming. God has given me a gorgeous place, wonderful in-laws, and a comfortable abode to raise my family, so as I journey on toward my real home, I plan to enjoy planting my roots here, while showing my husband and kids why Wyoming and Montana hold a special place in my heart!
Where do you call home, and what makes it special?
-JLP-
Last time I was back home I was just a third of the way through my Master's degree, I was single and I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to live after grad school. Central Virginia was just going to be a temporary home for me.
Since then I have finished my degree, met a guy, dated him, got engaged, got married, and we are expecting our first child. Not only that but I've made the Shenandoah Valley my home. It isn't a temporary place for school, but it is where my family is going to be raised.
Wyoming and Montana are what I call home. It is where I was born and raised, it holds a special place in my heart. I can picture the mountains wtih clarity, and I can close my eyes and take a virtual drive through towns and across mountains.
Yet, Virginia is my adult home. Virginia is the place that my kids will call home. When they are adults it is the place that they will picture, it will hold the memories for them. Wyoming will just be a state that they visit, a place from my stories.
The last thought that struck me was that no matter where I call home, I'm not really home. Earth is just part of our journey. As a Christian my real home isn't anywhere on this globe. It is in Heaven. We are just travelers on this land. Christ is up in Heaven right now and He has prepared an amazing place for us, a place that will only take a moment to behold and we will feel right at home.
As I was starting to get homesick I reminded myself of this truth. I should be more homesick for Heaven, my true home, than for Wyoming. God has given me a gorgeous place, wonderful in-laws, and a comfortable abode to raise my family, so as I journey on toward my real home, I plan to enjoy planting my roots here, while showing my husband and kids why Wyoming and Montana hold a special place in my heart!
Where do you call home, and what makes it special?
-JLP-
Monday, August 15, 2011
To My Dear Child
Dear Baby,
Once again I find myself wanting to talk with you. There is so much that I want to share with you, and someday maybe you will read all of these letters, and you will get a glimpse of how much you are loved. Not only by your Mom and Dad, but your heavenly Father loves you more than even we can.
I have so many prayers and dreams for you. I hope that you inherit your Dad's immune system. As much as I battle my RA and my almost defenseless immune system, I am comforted knowing that most likely your Dad won't catch whatever bug of the month I have.
I also pray that you grow up to be kind, meek and gentle. This doesn't mean that you are a doormat. It means that you have a quiet strength. It takes more strength and courage to turn away from a fight than it does to let your fists do the talking. Kindness to all is very courageous.
The journey that your Dad and I took to meet each other was a long and windy one. I pray that your journey is full of just as many life lessons, but that they are easier learned than ours. Listen to your elders and learn from the mistakes of others so that you don't have to experience the same pain. Trust me, you will make enough of your own!
Most of all I hope that you develop a heart that loves the Lord. Our God is amazing. His love is infectious, His mercies are new every day, and His forgiveness is quick and all encompassing. But just as wonderful as all that is, so too is His righteousness and judgement. He did the hard work by dying on the cross, now it is up to each of us to accept His gift. If we don't, we are guaranteed an eternity in Hell, and Baby- choose eternal life, not eternal death.
There is so much more to share. I have the stories that I grew up on, the stories of your great-granny Burton, the stories of Mama Kremensek, and my story. Your Dad has just as many from his family to share. We want you to grow up to be proud of who you are, proud of where you came from.
Remember this one last piece of advice. There are 2 types of people in this world. There are honest people who understand that God expects us to work and earn our keep, and there are dishonest people who expect to be given everything. Valor, respect and character come from being the first.
I love you my child. Take care and grow healthy these next 18 weeks. We can't wait to meet you, to hold you, to love you, but for now I leave that to God as HE continues to knit you and form you within my womb.
Love much,
Your Mom
Once again I find myself wanting to talk with you. There is so much that I want to share with you, and someday maybe you will read all of these letters, and you will get a glimpse of how much you are loved. Not only by your Mom and Dad, but your heavenly Father loves you more than even we can.
I have so many prayers and dreams for you. I hope that you inherit your Dad's immune system. As much as I battle my RA and my almost defenseless immune system, I am comforted knowing that most likely your Dad won't catch whatever bug of the month I have.
I also pray that you grow up to be kind, meek and gentle. This doesn't mean that you are a doormat. It means that you have a quiet strength. It takes more strength and courage to turn away from a fight than it does to let your fists do the talking. Kindness to all is very courageous.
The journey that your Dad and I took to meet each other was a long and windy one. I pray that your journey is full of just as many life lessons, but that they are easier learned than ours. Listen to your elders and learn from the mistakes of others so that you don't have to experience the same pain. Trust me, you will make enough of your own!
Most of all I hope that you develop a heart that loves the Lord. Our God is amazing. His love is infectious, His mercies are new every day, and His forgiveness is quick and all encompassing. But just as wonderful as all that is, so too is His righteousness and judgement. He did the hard work by dying on the cross, now it is up to each of us to accept His gift. If we don't, we are guaranteed an eternity in Hell, and Baby- choose eternal life, not eternal death.
There is so much more to share. I have the stories that I grew up on, the stories of your great-granny Burton, the stories of Mama Kremensek, and my story. Your Dad has just as many from his family to share. We want you to grow up to be proud of who you are, proud of where you came from.
Remember this one last piece of advice. There are 2 types of people in this world. There are honest people who understand that God expects us to work and earn our keep, and there are dishonest people who expect to be given everything. Valor, respect and character come from being the first.
I love you my child. Take care and grow healthy these next 18 weeks. We can't wait to meet you, to hold you, to love you, but for now I leave that to God as HE continues to knit you and form you within my womb.
Love much,
Your Mom
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Pace of Life
I was just reading a blog by a friend whose husband is deployed. I also read today's blog entry by my friend whose husband went to be with the Lord 14 months ago. Between those two blogs, and taking time to reflect upon my own life I have realized (once again) just how quickly time flies.
The shifts at work seem to drag on (and on and on), but the days are just zooming by me. So much has happened in the last 365 days. It is amazing that it has only been 1 year.
1 year ago I was dating a wonderful man, living on the other side of the Blue Ridge and working as a housekeeper.
Now I am not only married to said wonderful man but I am working (almost full time) and we are half-way through our first pregnancy! That is a lot of change in a short time. It required moving across the mountains, planning and having a wedding, finding a job, settling into married life, and oh yes getting pregnant.
Life moves so quickly. The days pass before we are ready. I think it is more important than ever to find those moments where we can just be still. Jesus knew the importance of being still.
Jesus had a mission, and He knew he would only be here (on Earth) for a very short while, and yet in the midst of it all he would go off and be still, rest and just be with the Father. After these times Jesus had the energy and spirit to deal with the pace of life, the pace of his mission. We need to be imitators of Christ.
If we are to live effectively in this world, if we are to do what the Lord requires, we need to work hard, but we also need to rest.
Are you taking time to rest? It may be just the answer you need to get everything done!
-JLP-
The shifts at work seem to drag on (and on and on), but the days are just zooming by me. So much has happened in the last 365 days. It is amazing that it has only been 1 year.
1 year ago I was dating a wonderful man, living on the other side of the Blue Ridge and working as a housekeeper.
Now I am not only married to said wonderful man but I am working (almost full time) and we are half-way through our first pregnancy! That is a lot of change in a short time. It required moving across the mountains, planning and having a wedding, finding a job, settling into married life, and oh yes getting pregnant.
Life moves so quickly. The days pass before we are ready. I think it is more important than ever to find those moments where we can just be still. Jesus knew the importance of being still.
Jesus had a mission, and He knew he would only be here (on Earth) for a very short while, and yet in the midst of it all he would go off and be still, rest and just be with the Father. After these times Jesus had the energy and spirit to deal with the pace of life, the pace of his mission. We need to be imitators of Christ.
If we are to live effectively in this world, if we are to do what the Lord requires, we need to work hard, but we also need to rest.
Are you taking time to rest? It may be just the answer you need to get everything done!
-JLP-
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dear Child
Dear Child,
Hi! Right now you are resting in my womb as Christ is busy knitting you together. You are growing and while we are not quite to the half-way point yet you are almost there. So far a lot of growing and forming has taken place. Not only for you, for your parents as well.
In the past 17 weeks we have been busy preparing ourselves for your arrival. We can't wait to meet you and hold you, to kiss you, hug you, count your fingers and toes, and take care of all your needs. You are our first, and a joy.
I do feel like I should warn you of some things. As overjoyed and in love with you as we already are, we can't protect you from everything. We will do our best with the resources God gives us each day to provide for you what we can. We can promise to smother you in love! You will not want for affection! Eventually you will probably get tired of us telling you we love you, hugging you and kissing you.
We are trusting God to provide what we can't. We are trusting God even now to provide a medical provider, to help you grow healthy and whole in my womb, to knit a baby that will grow up to love and serve Him.
On that end, we are dedicated to reading to you from HIS word, to praying for and with you, to raising you in a church that loves and serves our Lord, that will help us to raise you to know HIM.
In the end it will be your decision to choose or reject Him. It will be your decision to choose your attitude each day, to be obedient, respectful and loving. It will be your choice what you make of yourself. Life is full of responsibility, full of choices. Life can be a struggle. It isn't easy.
Life is also amazingly wonderful! There are so many little joys to be found, you just have to choose to find them. Life is full of big joys as well. You will learn to read, write, do math, play sports, you will pick a career, you will meet someone, and hopefully like us, you will chose to have a child.
But that is all FAR in the future! For now, we are just anxious to meet you. To lavish on you the love that we already have. Oh, and what goes on during LABOR is normal, so just hurry up through the birth canal please!! I'm just glad that while I'll probably remember the experience, you won't have to!
All my love,
Your Mom
Hi! Right now you are resting in my womb as Christ is busy knitting you together. You are growing and while we are not quite to the half-way point yet you are almost there. So far a lot of growing and forming has taken place. Not only for you, for your parents as well.
In the past 17 weeks we have been busy preparing ourselves for your arrival. We can't wait to meet you and hold you, to kiss you, hug you, count your fingers and toes, and take care of all your needs. You are our first, and a joy.
I do feel like I should warn you of some things. As overjoyed and in love with you as we already are, we can't protect you from everything. We will do our best with the resources God gives us each day to provide for you what we can. We can promise to smother you in love! You will not want for affection! Eventually you will probably get tired of us telling you we love you, hugging you and kissing you.
We are trusting God to provide what we can't. We are trusting God even now to provide a medical provider, to help you grow healthy and whole in my womb, to knit a baby that will grow up to love and serve Him.
On that end, we are dedicated to reading to you from HIS word, to praying for and with you, to raising you in a church that loves and serves our Lord, that will help us to raise you to know HIM.
In the end it will be your decision to choose or reject Him. It will be your decision to choose your attitude each day, to be obedient, respectful and loving. It will be your choice what you make of yourself. Life is full of responsibility, full of choices. Life can be a struggle. It isn't easy.
Life is also amazingly wonderful! There are so many little joys to be found, you just have to choose to find them. Life is full of big joys as well. You will learn to read, write, do math, play sports, you will pick a career, you will meet someone, and hopefully like us, you will chose to have a child.
But that is all FAR in the future! For now, we are just anxious to meet you. To lavish on you the love that we already have. Oh, and what goes on during LABOR is normal, so just hurry up through the birth canal please!! I'm just glad that while I'll probably remember the experience, you won't have to!
All my love,
Your Mom
From a Thankful Civilian
Dear USA Military Family,
I just want to take some time to thank you for your voluntary service, dedication and love of our country. Each service member joins up for an individual reason, but underlying all those various reasons is a love of America. I can rest each night, I can go to work, church, and hang with friends because I know that there are so many wonderful people fighting for my freedom. Thank you.
The news, blogs, and websites talk about the recent deaths of 31 service members. I hear some of them were from the SEAL team that brought about the demise of OBL. Whatever their job, it is tragic to know that 31 more coffins are coming home. Arlington is filling up fast. Too many families and friends are having to grapple with death. For those families and friends I pray.
Yet, each military family knows what COULD happen. We all pray that it doesn't. Yet, we as a country are involved in so many things. We are sending troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and the Mexico/US border (just to name a few). It is all done voluntarily. I thank each of you, service member and family member, for your dedication, for being willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country, to give to the next generation something better than what we have now.
And, what are we doing for you? As a country, we need to treat our current and former military members better. Our VA's are understaffed and over crowded. We need more doctors, nurses, counselors and staff members trained and hired to treat the physical and emotional wounds that come with your dedication, your job. We need to pay you a wage that is fair.
America for all her greatness, and she is still great, even struggling. But, America for all her greatness has the wrong priorities. Athletes and actors are elevated to near deities & making more money than can reasonably be spent in 3 generations while those that serve: teachers, police, firemen, and military members are struggling to make it month to month. Those that serve shouldn't have to also worry about providing the basics for their family.
America is wonderful because here we can say what we want (even if it is unpopular), we can be who we want to be (even if people don't understand us), we can go where we want (when we want), we can choose to worship whomever iwe want, and we can do all this because 200+ years ago a group of people understand how important human rights and freedoms are.
Those beliefs and a willingness (though not an eagerness) to lay it all on the line to defend is what makes our military amazing. Thank you. And may God protect you and guide you. May those of us here in America see the need to make changes, to fight for you as you fight for us.
Sincerely,
A Thankful Civilian
I just want to take some time to thank you for your voluntary service, dedication and love of our country. Each service member joins up for an individual reason, but underlying all those various reasons is a love of America. I can rest each night, I can go to work, church, and hang with friends because I know that there are so many wonderful people fighting for my freedom. Thank you.
The news, blogs, and websites talk about the recent deaths of 31 service members. I hear some of them were from the SEAL team that brought about the demise of OBL. Whatever their job, it is tragic to know that 31 more coffins are coming home. Arlington is filling up fast. Too many families and friends are having to grapple with death. For those families and friends I pray.
Yet, each military family knows what COULD happen. We all pray that it doesn't. Yet, we as a country are involved in so many things. We are sending troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and the Mexico/US border (just to name a few). It is all done voluntarily. I thank each of you, service member and family member, for your dedication, for being willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country, to give to the next generation something better than what we have now.
And, what are we doing for you? As a country, we need to treat our current and former military members better. Our VA's are understaffed and over crowded. We need more doctors, nurses, counselors and staff members trained and hired to treat the physical and emotional wounds that come with your dedication, your job. We need to pay you a wage that is fair.
America for all her greatness, and she is still great, even struggling. But, America for all her greatness has the wrong priorities. Athletes and actors are elevated to near deities & making more money than can reasonably be spent in 3 generations while those that serve: teachers, police, firemen, and military members are struggling to make it month to month. Those that serve shouldn't have to also worry about providing the basics for their family.
America is wonderful because here we can say what we want (even if it is unpopular), we can be who we want to be (even if people don't understand us), we can go where we want (when we want), we can choose to worship whomever iwe want, and we can do all this because 200+ years ago a group of people understand how important human rights and freedoms are.
Those beliefs and a willingness (though not an eagerness) to lay it all on the line to defend is what makes our military amazing. Thank you. And may God protect you and guide you. May those of us here in America see the need to make changes, to fight for you as you fight for us.
Sincerely,
A Thankful Civilian
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