What an honor it is to have known Randy’s dad, who served in WW2 and loved to tell, with such pride, stories of how and when his group of men went into war territory. We have remembered Howard today, along with so many others who sacrificed time with their families, some with their lives, but it was such an honor to remember what all these brave men and women who have served to protect and defend our Country. As we placed our flags out this morning, my heart just filled with pride to be an American. We can eat what we want, have who we want over to our  home, say what we want and pray before we eat today, all because of the men and women who have sacrificed so much. We give our alligence to not only the Flag, but to the heros, most of whom, we will never know their names. So as you serve the hot dogs, the ice cream and the brownies today, just say a quick prayer of thanks to our Heavenly Father, who has continued to keep His hand upon our Country and ask His blessing upon those who are in harms way. America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea……..God Bless America!

All I can say is WOW! This was a great night at Karen and Tom’s last night .  We had such a grand time laughing and seeing each other last night. It was just a reminder of how God places friends in our lives that bring us laughter, friendship, but also to lift each other up during times of trials or sickness. The common denominator running through our lives is the Lord. We come from varied backgrounds, some being Christians all their lives, some just coming to Him during this season, and others, knowing the Lord, but not always walking in His likeness, nor desiring Him to be the Lord of our lives, until recently. It is just a blessing and honor to be a part of this close knit of friends. Another bond we have is our love of sharing food and laughter. It is nights like these, that Randy and I, at the close of the night, cannot help but think of our children, and want this same thing for them. To know the bond that can exist between Christian friends. To learn from each of our experiences and not have to go through certain paths that we choose to take, but to learn from others the “easier” part of life, and that is to allow God to lead us, to give us the type of friends that will always be there, not matter the circumstances. These are truly “gifts” from God…..we need to remember that His grace is His gift to us, what we do with that is our gift back to Him…….We have also been reminded lately that sometimes, our adult children need us to just step away, allowing God to grow them in His own way. Sometimes, in the desire to get our kids back on tract or actually see them come to know the Lord at all, we feel it necessary to be the ones to do the “work”. In doing so, are we in God’s way, not allowing Him to do what might be necessary to bring them to the point where He wants them to be? Are we, in essence, not trusting Him to do what it will take to bring about this miracle in their lives. During my quiet time this morning, I felt God speaking to my heart that that is exactly what I do sometimes. I try to be in control of their actions, feeling that it is all up to me to try to get them to see if they would just do what “I” feel they should be doing, “I” would save them form making terrible mistakes, especially when you see actions on their parts that you know will bring  certain results. This morning, I felt Him saying to me, “let the great I Am do what He needs to do” Trust Him to bring them back to His pathway. He doesn’t need me to do anything but trust Him for His promises.  That is so hard sometimes to do, but I am asking Him to help me do that, to “allow God to lead them, not me, to trust Him for the outcome and to know that His promises are true.”

Thanks Karen and Tom for inviting us and allowing us to reunite after a few months of “missed fellowship”!