Let Freedom ring

Since before time, Satin has done what ever he could to try to get our freedom. He tries to persuade us to give our freedom up on our own. Satin wants us to believe that our freedom is of no worth or wants us to ignore it until it slowly slips away from us. If we Cherish our freedom Satin will try to take it away from us forcibly. Freedom is one of our greatest gift that God has given us. Benjamin Franklin said " Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have nor do they deserve either." I am so grateful for the freedoms I have as an American and I am extremely grateful for those who have and continue to fight so not only Americans but other may also be free. I am so grateful for those who have molded our country. Freedom isn't free and the sacrifice is great.
Our service men and women are forever changed when they are asked to fight for us. The lest we can do for them is show our thanks and love for their sacrifices. I feel so proud that Isaac has chosen to serve his country. I am so proud of the veterans I help care for everyday. May our solders have the guidance, love and eternal peace that God offers. God bless America and God bless those who fight for freedom no matter who or where they may be. Happy veterans day. We appreciate all you do.

Doggie sitting

Hot diggity dog diggatie we are all dog sitting. This is the second summer Samuel has dog sat for our friends. The kids love Babs. Especially Samuel. He walks her every day, plays with her and she sleeps in his room with him. She is very well behaved and is a perfect guest. This summer Babs has to share the daily spoiling with another Friends dog Rascal, a 4 month old shelty. Eliza is dogie sitting Rascal's and doing a great job. Rascal is still working on potty training ( oh I thought those days where over )Eliza is so good at watching her and rushing her out at the first sign of a dribble. She has only had one oops, so that is pretty good. Both dogs have been so spoiled. I am so proud of how responsible and loving Samuel and Eliza are caring for these cute sweet dog.

Isaac is out of Afganistain

Why did the temple have to close at this time? I had the constant feeling I needed Isaac's name on the prayer roll, But it would be a few day until the temple would be done with its cleaning and repairers. So on my knees I went as he was constantly on my mind, asking God to protect him physically ,emotionally and spiritually,and to please make him strong in all three areas. I also prayed for those with him and all the other solders. It had been several weeks since I had last heard from him . It was then that I had received an almost inaudible phone call where he had stated that they had been moved to a new location in Afghanistan. They had no address, so mail service was not available. They were living in tents and sleeping on cots. As every min of every day stretched into weeks without any contact my mind continued to be on him. With every thought I somehow had a wonderful sense of peace that I just needed to keep praying and all would be well in time. But I needed to keep praying. Why was the temple closed now? I needed him on the prayer roll.
The day came when the temple was finely open and I felt relief as I dialed the number and spelled out his name to be added to the prayer roll. The more prayers the better.
When Isaac's deployment to Afghanistan was done the air force would allow him to come home for a few weeks before he would have to go to his next assignment. I look so forward to the end of July when once again I would be able to see him. As Mothers day approached and still no word from Isaac I held on even stronger to the hope of seeing him in July. I wanted his homecoming to be a full expression of the love, pride and gratitude I felt for him. When Mike asked what I wanted for mothers day, for the first time the answer wasn't the standard," I don't know" This time The answer came quickly and without hesitation. Red ,white, and blue flowers. I wanted to plant the yard in red white and blue flowers. When Isaac arrived home I wanted even this wonderful, blessed ,American soil to yell forth in blooms "Welcome Home soldier. We missed you and are so proud of you." As I worked to plant flowers, Mike worked on cleaning and repairing the fountain. The fountain that Mike had so lovingly build for me as an anniversary gift took on even a deeper meaning now. The pineapple base that meant "welcome", The two cranes on top that symbolized peace,now seemed to be calling out for Isaac to come home. Even the front door was awaiting his return. Last summer when Mike was refinishing it I asked him to sculpture some cranes for it. As my attention returned to planting the flowers I said a prayer, " please protect him and make him strong."
Every morning when I first got up I would check my Email then again when I returned from work and finally before I went to bed. Still no word. Then finally there it was in black and white. An email from Isaac!
They had rushed them out in the middle of the night. They were not told why they had to get out so fast, or their destination. But just to pack their stuff and get on the plane fast. He was now back in England at his base and was done with his deployment. " Its really nice to be back and everyone has been very nice" I said a short prayer of thanks then continued to read. His available base listing had come out. He wasn't sure why but there was a massive demand of troop movement to Korea. He only had two options for his next base: Oson or Cunson, both bases are fighter squadrons in Korea. The words seemed to jump out of the page. Korea? We had thought he would be able to get a state side base, but instead he was going to Korea? My heart felt heavy. I had to admit I know very little about Korea, but what I did know I didn't like. Kim Jyong Yeil calmed to have nuclear weapons and would sell them to anyone including Osman bin la din. I would have to start studying more about Korea. Almost as fast as a feeling of fear passed though me a sense of calm followed. I knew that God had a plan for Isaac and was sending him where he needed him. I just needed faith. Isaac finished by saying that "the good news is that it looks like all of my Friends are going to Korea too" I was glad he would have his Friends with him.
Isaac's homecoming will mean even more now that he will be going to Korea when he leaves. How grateful I felt that he was safe back in England.How grateful I felt for the service of our military and especially for Isaac. May god always be with them giving them strength, wisdom, courage, and peace no matter what they may face. I love you Isaac!

Learning and teaching

A few days ago I had the opportunity to make a new Friend and she was so gracious in offering to teach me about Quilt. She is extremely knowledgeable and talented in this area, so I felt really privileged . It made me think of one of my favorite quotes By Catherine Beecher." If all females were not only well educated themselves but were prepared to communicate in an easy manner their stores of knowledge to others; if they not only know how to regulate their own minds, tempers and habits but how to effect improvement in those around them the face of society would be speedily changed" I so love to read about Catherine Beecher. Catherine Lived in the 1800's and was instrumental in the education of women of the time. She helped in the founding of women's colleges at Burlington, Iowa, Quincy, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. How grateful I am that I have the opportunity to learn from others that practice this philosophy.

Celebrateing Christ birth and life on Christmas

The alarm clock rang at 4am. Same as it does every morning. This morning was different though. It was Dec 25Th. Mike gave me a kiss and wished me a Merry Christmas.He had stayed up all night making Christmas preparations for the family by himself and had not been to bed yet. After I had gone to bed on Christmas eve he had continued playing games with the kids late into the night. Once all the kids had gone to sleep Mike had remained up wrapping the gifts and setting them up under the tree. He had prepared a fire, had the tree lights glowing and beautiful Christmas music playing in the background by the time The alarm clock rang. He had made everything perfect for us. As the kids and I headed downstairs to great Christmas morning it was like walking into a Norman Rockwell painting. Christmas had started out wonderful--- until 5:45 came. As I tried not to cry I kissed my family goodbye and started my long drive to work. I really wanted to stay at home and spend the day with my family. I am well aware of how fast they grow up and leave. Sarah, Layton and Isaac had already left home and I would not be able to see them for Christmas. I miss them all the time, but during the holidays it is especially hard having them gone. I knew my Christmases with my children are numbered and so this made it even more difficult to get in the car and driving away.
The sky was dark and not a light was visible as I drove the long farm filled road to Quincy. No brightly decorated homes, just darkness, broken only by my headlights. Christmas music declared the wonderful birth of Christ over my radio as I drove.I started to ponder Christ birth and life. My heart was filled with gratitude for the atonement. I marveled at his life of sacrifice ,love, and healing. Feelings of gratitude for his life felled my heart. As I thought of his life I began to feel it a privilege to serve others. What better gift could I give to Jesus on Christmas?
This wasn't the first Christmas I had worked. Being a nurse means working the holidays. I had spent Christmas in a newborn nursery ICU, on an oncology floor and now with the elderly. I have seen loneliness, pain , sadness and even death on Christmas. My mind filled with stories of Jesus administering to people who were in the same circumstances as those I now cared for.
My mind then went to thoughts of my son Isaac, and all of those who are serving in the military. Freedom is such a great and precious gift to help others obtain. It is a huge sacrifice to be away from family, to go to foreign counties, and to put yourself in danger in order to help others. Isaac has all his paperwork and preparations ready so he can be deployed to Afghanistan in the next few weeks. He will be going to one of the poorest counties in the world. The military are not only fighting a war against terror and for freedom but are serving in other ways also. The humanitarian projects our military are doing are incredible and life changing for those who are living in war, terror, and poverty. He along with the rest of our military and their families are truly sacrificing to serving the weak and poor. As I thought of this, my heart swelled with love and pride for Isaac and the rest of our servicemen.
Not being home for Christmas might not be the easiest way to spend Christmas, but as I arrived at work I realized I was giving a wonderful opportunity to give service, and love to others. I felt overwhelming gratitude for my husband and his service to our family in the loving way he made sure that Christmas morning was wonderful. My heart swelled with pride for Isaac and our military as I thought of the sacrifices they are making this Christmas. I thought of the elderly I was now going to care for and the opportunities I had been given to spend this day with them. I did miss not being able to spend the day with my family but what better way could we Celebrate Christ birth then by practicing his teachings of love and service.