Will You Give This to My Daddy?

All right, readers, you will see me in red every Friday here on in. Please read on...

"As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support 'Red Fridays.'

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed One of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and Cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our Service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi...'
The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her...
The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second... Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it..

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is.....We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example. "

I Had One of Those Days...

Today is just another one of those days that I feel truly blessed.

My day started with getting breakfast ready, lunch packs for everyone, getting ready for work and for school, etc, etc...and in between...letting the dog out while trying get a bite or two of my wheat toast and my cuppa tea....and the list goes on. I AM BLESSED!

Do you ever speed? I am ashamed to say that I do. (know what you're thinking...). Let me explain, I am a good driver most times, pretty much sticking to the speed limit, however, there were times when we were running late, I knew that my speed tend to be a wee bit quicker. And that's just what happen this morning when I was "stucked" behind two cars and had to slow down. God is great that He uses different method to send His wisdom :-) I AM BLESSED!

Had a really busy day - and my little boy had to come to my work place after school. Well, let's just say, my little boy entertained himself by helping me clean up, read his books and unselfishly shared his snack. I couldn't ask for more. I AM BLESSED!

After all the hard work, we got to have a VERY large bowl of ice cream tonight.

WE ARE BLESSED!

Happy Earth Day!

Do you know Earth Day is tomorrow?

I will be renewing my commitment to better save our ecosystem and our Mother Earth. How about you?

HAPPY EASTER

Mark 16

The Resurrection

1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Mark 15

The Death of Jesus

33At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[c]
35When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."
36One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
37With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and[d] saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son[e] of God!"
40Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus
42It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

St Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook

SPRING Is In The Air

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

Playing with Angels

UPDATE 3/9/10

Just learned about sweet Layla Grace's passing from twitter. Rest In Peace, baby girl.

I am in deep sorrow, yet find this comfort knowing that Layla Grace is in the glorious heaven. She has touched people in all walks of life all over the world!

Let us pray.


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Life Is Not that Bad After All

Ever think life does not treat you fairly and frustration is the word that describe just about anything and everything in your life, please allow me to share with you the journey of this beautiful and courageous little angel, Layla Grace. (You may also follow the updates at http://twitter.com/laylagrace and http://www.laylagrace.org/)

Remember, Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier. ~Author Unknown

Layla Grace (as told by her mother)

Layla has always been a healthy child, 80th percentile for weight, a great eater, a great sleeper. She is sweet as pie and a little cuddle monkey (she won’t let you put her down!). She has a very advanced vocab for her age which really helps us manage her pain and give her what she needs as her care continues.

Layla had a great 15 month checkup. At around 16 months her sleep habits and appetite started to change and she started to become more irritable. Mid March appetite began to decrease. At the time we thought we were dealing with a “picky eater”. Beginning of May Layla woke up one morning with a swollen eye. We took her to the doctor and she was treated for an ear infection and the doctor said the swelling was just a result of the ear infection. At the same time we noted that her belly was hard and somewhat distended. She had not had a bowel movement for a few days and we were concerned that she was becoming constipated.

The next day we took her to the pediatrician who put her on Mirilax over the weekend and told us to call back Monday. By Monday morning she was not eating at all, still no dirty diaper, her activity level had decreased and was rubbing her belly and lower back and saying “owie”.
Our pediatrician referred us to a GI specialist to see why she was so constipated and wasn’t eating. On Thursday May 7th as we sat in GI specialists office expecting to be told that Layla would need some kind of treatment for constipation we instead hear words like “Cancer” and “Leukemia”. A series of X-rays and tests were ordered and we were sent home to wait on the results.

That evening about five minutes after we walked in the door we got an urgent call from the GI specialist telling us that the test results were in, that things were not good and that we were to bring Layla into the ER immediately and that a team of doctors would be waiting for us.
Layla has a massive cancerous tumor (Stage 4 Neuroblastoma) in her abdomen. It extends from above her left kidney, around her side, over her belly and wraps around her aorta. In addition, the cancer is in her bone marrow.

Our sweet Layla went from normal happy and healthy to lethargic, in pain, and skin and bones in a matter of a week and a half.

Frequent updates on Layla’s status can be found at http://www.twitter.com/laylagrace.
The Marsh Family can be reached at:

or

12320 Barker Cypress Rd.
Ste. 600 #264
Cypress, TX 77429

Donations to Layla’s medical expenses can be made via their website at http://www.laylagrace.org/ or at any Wells Fargo bank. Ask a manager to make a deposit to the Layla Grace Marsh donation account.

Something To Do This Weekend

Look no further...The Spring Fest Wine & Art Festival in Old Town Spring is this weekend, March 6 & 7.

The event is free on both day and the hours are as follow:

Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm

For more information, please visit their website at http://www.winefestoldtownspring.com/

Why Wait?

Just when we think that the world we live in is no longer a nice place.

Just when we think that no one cares any more, and

Just when we think act of kindness only exist after disasters have stricken…

Tonight, I am truly blessed to read this: (Thanks for sharing Lins)

From the original posting of Mrs. Lindsey Tomlinson-Murff, “We went to Olive Garden tonight as a family, and when it was time to pay, the waitress informed us that our tab was already paid by a gentleman who was sitting alone behind us. He left before she informed us, and we were unable to thank him. What a random act of kindness!!! We were humbled and blown away by his generosity! We are all brainstorming, trying to figure out how we can “pay it forward” :-)

Readers, what are we waiting for?

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~ Galatians 6:10

What Is Going On Here

I felt terribly inefficient since the start of 2010.

Yes, it’s been a long time since my last blog. And yes, the normal madhouse of "back to normal" after such long Christmas/New Year break, followed by my proud moment of finishing my first Houston Half-Marathon (since my last one more than 20 years ago), and followed by our simple celebration of the Lunar New Year, and then some…

We live and learn and at the end of the day, it’s not that bad after all. So, what’s new at your side of the pond?

The Birds ~ Hilaire Belloc

When Jesus Christ was four years old

The angels brought Him toys of gold,

Which no man ever had bought or sold.

And yet with these He would not play.

He made Him small fowl out of clay,

And blessed them till they flew away:

Tu creasti Domine

Jesus Christ, Thou child so wise,

Bless mine hands and fill mine eyes,

And bring my soul to Paradise.

(Yes, I Love This. Thanks, Keith.)

A THANK YOU Note From One of Our Troops Overseas

"...I cannot begin to thank you enough...The packages are awesome to say the least.... just got back..today from a mission... To have those boxes waiting here... was something else.... the cookies, wipes, chapstick, and foot powder, etc have been going like free money. Everyone here is extremely appreciative for all that you do for us. We couldn't do what we do without your support and it truly means a lot.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you and your family. Thank you and God Bless. Respectfully, Chad (Sat, Jan 2, 2010)"

Dear readers, we owed these individuals a debt of gratitude that cannot be measured. Whether you have been in favor of or opposed to the ongoing military operations, we should support the brave soldiers, sailors, and other military and civilian personnel involved and the humanitarian effort. These individuals are placing their lives and well being at risk so that we can retain our Freedom as well as others who might just experience Freedom for the first time in their lives. At the same time, please do not forget those military personnel of our Allies, who make equal sacrifices.

Leave your comment, be it a simple one or even by more direct means, please show your support to the men and women who make this great sacrifices for Our Freedom. Thank you.

If you have your story (Less than 250 words) or pictures to share, please email it to YeOldeGiftMarket@Gmail.com. You will be giving YOGM permission to edit, use, publish, or reproduce the submissions.

Have a blessed day!