Thank You

Both of my grandfathers served in the military. Neither of them talked much about it - Poppop (Mom's Dad) was a little more open about it, and Grandad (Dad's Dad) only talked about it once - just before I was supposed to study in Europe for a semester. He told me the name of the street he was quartered on while he was stationed in Paris and that I needed to walk the Champs Elysees and see the Arc de Triomphe.

I cried when I stepped off the subway and realized that the street my hostel was on was on Rue de La Chapelle, the same street Grandad stayed on.

I was honored and humbled as I toured Normandy, thankful that both of my grandfathers were injured prior to D-Day because they both were to have been there. (the picture above is one I took at the cemetery at Normandy - France gifted the land to the USA to bury their soldiers and after almost 4 months in Europe, it was good to be "home" as I walked those grounds)

Thank you, Poppop, Grandad, and all who have and do work so hard to keep this country free.

His Hands

A new favorite song. SO thankful to know that how no matter how much my hands mess up, HIS hands will always protect me.

Prayer Request for a Friend

Hey guys, I have a huge prayer request. On Friday, a dear friend of mine learned that she has a brain aneurysm. This news is hard to swallow in and of itself but is made that much scarier as she is due with a precious baby girl in mid-December.

Will you all please say a special prayer for my friend, her baby girl, her family and the Doctors? THANK YOU!!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, Please place your healing hands on my friend and her baby girl. Please wrap your arms around her family and give them all peace and be with the Drs. and guide them in everything they do. Amen.

This and That

I've been in a blogging funk the last few weeks. Here's a little of what's been running through my mind:

• I don't like that Obama won the Nobel Prize. I think it belittles the honor because he hasn't actually done anything.
• I saw an article discussing how this clip from Saturday Night Live is one of the best ways to describe how Obama's term is going so far. The article basically said that you know he's not doing a good job when groups who normally support him are turning on him.
• Those last two posts probably make it pretty clear that I'm not an Obama fan. Regardless, he is our President and I am praying for him and the decisions he makes because I want MY country, and the country both of my granfathers fought so hard for, to remain the land of the FREE.
• I hate confrontation but, for some reason, have really wanted to "run my mouth" a lot lately. (I'm mostly talk but sometimes I actually get brave and really let my frustration be heard) I'm praying that I can do so appropriately - and I hope that makes some kind of sense.
• I'm praying that the economy turns around soon. I'm tired of the roller coaster ride that 2009 has been but counting ALL of the blessings Mike and I have had bestowed upon us through this crazy time.
• I wish I could fix everything for everyone. I have so many friends going through things that make me hurt so much for them. I know God has a plan and His plan is perfect but I really wish I understood it all a little better right now.
• It smelled like Texas when I took my dog outside a few days ago. Texas has three distinct smells for me: bacon, manure and another smell that I can't really describe other than it puts me at peace and makes me think of all the times I'd stand on the storm shelter at my Poppop's and just breathe in the smell.

I feel like I'm being such a downer but somehow I feel better so thanks for reading. :-)