Patriotism, Pride and Personal Involvement

A favored hobby is genealogy.  I find great pleasure in researching my families genealogy and in learning about my ancestry.  History has always intrigued me, especially my own history.

SPC Caleb M. Watkins, we are so proud of you and so thankful you are again safe at home with us!

On Saturday, February 1, my family welcomed home our own personal member of American military history.  Actually, he is just the latest in a long line of our families' men and women who are American patriots and who have served in the American military. 

From the days of the Revolution, my ancestors have fought for the liberty we enjoy as Americans.  Even before those days, they fought in the old countries alongside their family and neighbors for what they believed to be the right way.  From the Highlands of Scotland to the Irish fields and the English moors, my ancestors maintained the battle for freedom.  They boarded the great ships bound for the New Country to find liberty and were thankful and happy to fight alongside their neighbors once here to guarantee their families could live in that liberty.

In the battles of the War Between the States, my ancestors fought on both sides of the conflict, each believing they were right in their fight.  From the fields of France in World War I to the French and Belgian forests in World War II; from the Korean and Vietnamese peninsulas and into the ancient lands of Mesopotamia in the 20th and 21st centuries...our family has continued the battle for liberty and to defend freedom.

Cpl. Van P. McDonald in Germany.

My own Daddy was an American Army Marksman destined for Korea when Divine Intervention halted that march as the treaty was signed on the day he was set to sail for Korea. Instead, he spent 18 months in Germany perfecting his skills and attaining a military reputation as an expert marksman who was offered his own squad in exchange for re-enlistment.  He declined the offer and came home to do what he loved...farm.

So, when my youngest nephew, Caleb, joined the Tennessee Army National Guard, he carried on a proud tradition of service to his country and a commitment to the battle to defend America and liberty around the world.  When he completed his AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, MO with excellent marksmanship awards and the Top Gun certificate for his class of recruits, he carried on the tradition started by his Papaw Mac over a half century earlier.

Our Caleb with his niece, Allyson, as he prepares to leave Hardeman County for Fort Bliss, TX and then Afghanistan.

Last May, he left the National Guard Armory in Hardeman County, TN with the 251st MP Company to prepare for deployment to Afghanistan at Fort Bliss, TX.  They left Fort Bliss in early July, 2013 and returned home on February 1, 2014.  After 6 months in Afghanistan and 8 months away from home, the men and women of the 251st were again home with their families.  For the first time since May 28, 2013, the feet of brave Tennessee Volunteers touched the soil of Tennessee again on February 1, 2014.  They marched into the arms of waiting family and friends who were proud and honored to have them serve but more than anything, thankful to have them again safely at home.

We were no different than the other families, we are proud of our young man and so very thankful he is safe at home again.  His journey has been a trying one, with many unexpected ups and downs along the way, but he is a better man for his experience and we are better for having prayed him through it.  When he walked through that door and we saw his face and heard his voice there live in the room with us for the first time in so long, it gave us joy that is indescribable.  When his Momma ran to him and they embraced for that first time in months, tears flowed throughout the room.  Our son was home again and our family tradition of defending freedom has once again brought honor and pride to us.

My sister, Charlotte, with her son SPC Caleb M. Watkins after he surprised her with his homecoming!

Welcome home, Caleb; you stand in shoes many have filled and have walked footsteps many have walked before you and many will walk behind you.  As I once heard Mr. G. C. Bartlett say of his experiences as a P.O.W. in the German camps during World War II, "All that I suffered I would gladly do again.  I love my God and I love my country.  Liberty is worth the sacrifice".  Yes, liberty has been worth the sacrifice.  Thank you, Caleb, and every man or woman who has ever made that sacrifice; we are in your debt.

 Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 John 15:13  (KJV)

Time Marches On......

Terry E. Chandler - August, 2008

Today marks the 5th anniversary of my first husband's home going. Sometimes that seems like yesterday and at others, it seems like another life time.  Terry was an imperfect man, faults too numerable to mention, as are we all.  Yet, he also was a kind and loving man who valued his relationship with Jesus Christ above everything and who worked diligently to provide for us.  He had a great sense of humor and laughed so easily.  He treasured his family and wanted the very best for all of us.

I am now remarried to a man who loves me and is devoted to me.  Every road I've traveled in this journey called life has brought me to here and to this love.  Terry would be happy for me.  He would not have wanted me to be alone for the remainder of my life.  He told me so many times before he went home.  I never honestly thought I would remarry, but here I am.

A part of me will always love Terry, will always find joy in what we shared.  That is by no means meant to be disrespectful of Jerry.  I love Jerry.  What he and I share is so much different than what I shared with Terry.  I loved Terry and always will.

So, time marches on.  What was is now in the past.  What is will be a wonderful future shared with family and those who love me. I totally believe that and have confidence in the providence of my Creator!

There is a time for everything and time marches on...............

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up 

that which is planted;

³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, 

and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

 Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8  (KJV)

Season of Change, Signs of Hope

I love fall.  I love the colors, the chill in the air, the feeling of anticipation that comes with the approaching holidays...everything about it gives my heart joy.  The colder temps are more difficult for my old body these days, but I still enjoy the nip in the air and the feeling of life it gives my spirit.  The thoughts of the old things dying out and the preparation for the new things to be born in my life fill my mind and give my heart a lift.  It is an amazing time of the year to me. 

 

Times of change.........that's what I like most about fall.  Change is an odd thing.  Some people hate it, dread it, run from it at all cost.  Others love it, eagerly look for it, approach every opportunity with joy and a sense of adventure.  I am of the second sort; I always have been.  I always liked working with a temp agency because it offered the opportunity to change my routine, meet new people, learn new things.  I suppose that's why I love fall so much.  Changes abound!  Greens turn to golden yellows, brilliant reds, bright oranges, every hue of brown possible and even various shades of green appear.

 

It's somewhat like that with my life.  My settled and satisfied shades of green become pools of troubled waters, shifting to shades of green not yet seen.  Some transform to peaceful waters of swirling golden yellows, times that soothe my soul.  Others become deep, brilliant reds, times that invigorate and prepare me for the adventures that lie ahead.  

Still others transition into bright oranges, pure joy that carries me through the sometimes dark days of the winter seasons.  Then, of course, there are the browns, the times that test my spirit and try my soul.  Seemingly dark days that push me to stretch my faith and flex the trust that lies within me.

So much promise, so much opportunity, so much assurance, so much earnest availability in our covenant with our Lord.   I don't see fall as dreadful or looming with the dying of summer, I see it as joyful and hopeful with the coming regeneration of winter and the promise of the newness of spring.  

My colors change and I am suddenly bright as I prepare to enter the quiet time of renewal and regeneration necessary before I can experience the NEW, the future, the vow of spring in my soul!

Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God....

 Ephesians 4:23-24a (CEV)

 With all my heart I praise the Lord,
 and with all that I am I praise his holy name!

With all my heart I praise the Lord!
I will never forget how kind he has been.   

The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 

and protects us from death.
His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.

Each day that we live, he provides for our needs

and gives us the strength of a young eagle.

For all who are mistreated, the Lord brings justice.

He taught his Law to Moses and showed all Israel 

 what he could do. 

The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient,  

and his love never fails.

The Lord won’t always be angry and point out our sins;

he doesn’t punish us as our sins deserve.

How great is God’s love for all who worship him? 

Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!

How far has the Lord taken our sins from us?

Farther than the distance from east to west!

  Psalm 103:1-12  (CEV)

The Trouble Tree

A Facebook Post by Russ Sites

 

 

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

 

 

Oh, that's my trouble tree, he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.' 'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. We all need a Trouble Tree!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Mr. Sites was indeed correct.  What an inspirational word for all of us from our Heavenly Father.  When we leave our troubles, our burdens, with the Lord, He takes care of them for us. 

 

Very often we attempt to retrieve those troubles once we've laid them at his feet.  In so doing, we insult the Lord.  We must learn to walk past our Trouble Tree each new day and allow the Lord to hold on to those problems.  Only in so doing can we hope to find lasting peace.

 

When we leave our troubles with the Lord, He cleanses our hearts of those worries.  In due season, the worries exist no more.  Then, when the new seasons of our life begin, hope springs eternal with new growth awaiting the privilege of collecting our troubles and again taking them to the Lord. 

 

The circle of life....leave it and never try to retrieve it for He will remove it when we allow Him to do so.

 

 

"Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you."

 

I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

Finding What I Never Looked For

I have been trying to write this post for some months now.  I have had a difficult time getting my thoughts together and conveying what I want to say. 

I posted a while back about one of the lessons I learned from the film A Walk To Remember.  I reiterate that I have watched that film many times in the past.  It speaks to me on so many different levels.

Several weeks ago, I did something I have never done in my life; I mailed a fan letter to Shane West, the actor who portrays Landon Carter in the film and I emailed Nicholas Sparks, the author of the novel from which the film was adapted.  Whether either will ever see or read the communications, I know not.  However, there were some things I wanted to say to each of them. 

It has been over 10 years since the release of A Walk To Remember and perhaps neither of them will remember much about the film at all.  However, I wanted both Mr. Sparks and Mr. West to know that their God-given talents made an impression on my life.  An indelible mark was left on my spirit by the way each developed and interpreted the character of Landon Carter in both the book and the film. 

I know that any successful actor or author has to work hard at honing their skills in order to be successful in their chosen field.  By all accounts both of these men are successful. 

Mr. Sparks has written more than 17 best selling novels and has co-authored one other.  Of those, nine have been adapted to film, with the latest being released this year.  He is a philanthropist and is generous with both his time and his financial resources.   In 2008, Entertainment Weekly reported that Sparks and his wife had donated "close to $10 million" to start a Christian, international, college-prep private school, The Epiphany School, which emphasizes travel and lifelong learning.  This is just one of his philanthropic gifts.

Although I know little about Shane West and his personal life, I do know he has been a very successful actor, having had a recurring role as Dr. Ray Barnett on the NBC series ER for three seasons and who is currently cast as Michael in the CW network series Nikita.  He has been fortunate to have come of age in the era of the teen movies of the early 21st century and was always busy.  He has managed a transition from teen idol to a serious adult actor well.  He starred opposite Sean Connery in "A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and has many other film and TV credits.

When it all comes down to it though, what really defines success?  Some would say financial security, some would say job security, some would say having the 'things' one has wished for, some might even say having the family one has wished for.  For me, true success comes when I know I am living in the center of God's will for my life.  For too long, I was not.

Losing Terry was an horrific and devastating event in my life.  The grief overtook me, even when I was acting 'normal', inside I was very 'not normal'.  I smiled, I laughed, I stayed connected to friends and family, I made a point of being out and about...I looked like any average person on any average day living any average life.  Inside, I was broken in so many ways I could barely function.

Sadly, that was my life. I got better as time passed but I held on to a place deep within my heart that just would not let go, seemingly could not let go.  Watching this film helped me finish the 'letting go' process.  The last vestige of holding on was the pain I felt because Terry won't be here to help me through my own dying.  I cannot tell you how many times I have cried into my pillow with bitterness because I wasn't going to have him with me when I needed him so badly.

I honestly don't know exactly what it was about this film that helped me let go of that.  But, it did.  In that closing scene when Landon is on the boardwalk and gazing out over the inlet as the sun sets, we hear his voice as he talks about how Jamie saved his life and changed him and how her love was like the wind, he couldn't see it, but he could feel it.  That's exactly what it is like. 

At that moment, after seeing that same scene many times, it finally clicked in my heart.  Terry is in heaven; I have loved him since I was 15 and will continue to love him, but it is time to release all of that to eternity and live again, not just SAY I'm ok, but really BE ok.  I honestly had no tears at that point.  Instead, I smiled because I knew my heart had finally healed.  God had brought me on this journey, had been patient with me as I learned my lessons and had now given me that one last little nudge I needed to finish the journey.

Some will think it absurd that this film could do for me what four years of grieving could not do; what four years of seeking the Lord through His Word had not done; what four years of prayer had not done.  To those I simply say this........God knows my heart, He knows my needs, He decides what it will take to get His message to me.  He has never let me down and He never will.  Do you know why?  Because He understands me; He created me and He gives me what I need, when I need it, in order to further my walk with Him and draw me into closer relationship with Him.

I never knew God could be like this.  I had Him closed up in some little "God box" that was, if you really think about it, an insult to Him and who He really is.  He works so differently than I have known or understood for most of my life.  The events of these last weeks have been as much of a surprise to me as to anyone.  I honestly thought I was doing fine with grief.  The enemy had me convinced that this was as good as it gets after losing someone you love to death. 

I will always miss Terry, I will always love him; I will no more languish in sorrow and yearning for what was or close myself off to life.  That is an insult to the Lord, to Terry and to all that we shared together.  So, I move forward, really move forward. 

Life is an adventure that only gets better as we go if we allow it to.  How do we allow it to?  We yield ourselves to God, ALL of ourselves....our pain, our disappointment, our pride, our anger, our bitterness...yes, all of that; but also our false sense of security in our relationships, our dependence upon what we have (people and/or things in our life) for happiness and peace, our hope in anything temporal.

To that end, God changed my life drastically once I let go off ALL that lay behind me.  Within days of taking off my wedding rings and opening myself to new experiences in this new life God was birthing within me, I see myself and how far I have to go with Jesus by my side.  Whatever comes my way, I WILL by ok.

Terry won't be here to walk with me, but Jerry will.  God gave me what my heart yearned for in a way I could never have imagined or planned.  Every day I am in awe of Him and His love for me.  He is, indeed, an awesome God!

Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalms 37:4   (NLT)