"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13



Today, I feel very thankful for the men and women who have freely given their lives so I can live free.

Last month, a young soldier from our home town was laid to rest. Corey Kowall died in Afghanistan, doing what he had always wanted to do: serve his country in the military. He is a hero, and I am honored to have known him. Thank you, Corey.

John Frizzell and Robert Finney, two of my uncles, served in Europe during WWII. Uncle Johnny is with the Lord now; Uncle Bob is still with us. Neither ever spoke of the ugliness of the war they fought; I want them to know I am proud and thankful for both of them. Brother Blythe, enjoy that Honor flight; you have more than earned it. Thank you.

Roy Fields, a dear friend, does daily duty with the Murfreesboro Police Force. Family friend Eddie Mitchell serves with the Murfreesboro Fire Department; our neighbor, Dewitt Cooper, is a member of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. Thank you, so very much.

It doesn't matter whether the fight is overseas against a foreign enemy or on our neighborhood streets, these brave men and women are standing in the gap for us, ready to fight, and, if necessary, die to protect us. What makes them willing? A strength far beyond any I have. And that is why, this Veteran's Day, I want to say to all of them, "Thank you. I appreciate everything you do for us. God bless you and keep you."

"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

I guess I will always look on my children as "my babies." It was wonderful to be there for the births of both grandchildren, and I was thankful to know they were whole and healthy. But I could not leave the hospital until I could touch my baby, and know for myself that she had come through it whole and healthy, too. It's a Mom thing.

Now, as I look at my beautiful grandchildren, I am so thankful that, through all my mistakes, misgivings, fears, and bad decisions, my daughters are wonderful mothers.

Amanda has gone through more than her fair share of trial as a Mom. She is, single-handedly, raising one fantastic boy. She works so hard every day to provide the things he needs, but she always has time and energy to keep going after those long days. She sees him through homework, baseball, flu, and 9-yr-old cranky. She shares the home runs and the losses, the "I'm #1!" times and the "I'm such a loser!" moments. She never preaches at him; she chooses to talk to him, and help him deal honestly and fairly with whatever he's facing. She is firm and fair in discipline, and unconditionally loving. I hope, as Caleb grows and matures, he will see just what a great Mom she is.

Karen has just become a Mom. She still has that "Where did you come from?" glow on her face when she looks at her precious daughter. She's dealing with feeding, changing, up-all-night, and random crying, and having to work and leaving the baby in day care. She truly seems to cherish every moment with Baby Lorelai. She is loving, gentle, funny, and fiercely protective. I am so thankful for Jay, her wonderful husband, who deeply loves and cares for them both. Rorei will grow up knowing she is truly loved.

I am so proud of both my daughters. "My babies" are fine, strong young women. And, lest you think I would spend all this ink and not say it, I want to end by declaring that I have the most wonderful, intelligent, handsome/beautiful grandchildren on the face of the earth.

I'm not bragging....just stating the facts.

Brenda

"Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Psalm 126:2-3



The first time I met Brenda was at the Church's State Convention in 1979. Her husband, Ray, had just been appointed as our Pastor, and we went to the stage to welcome them. I was struck first by his pink suit; then, by her wide, beautiful, dimpled smile. I told my mother-in-law afterward that Brenda seemed very sweet, quiet, and shy.

OK, OK...at least I got the "sweet" part right.

While they were moving into the parsonage in Antioch, I invited them to our apartment for dinner. At some point, I forget when, the room was filled with high-pitched, purely joyous, and infectious laughter. I learned very quickly Brenda loved to laugh; and I think that is what I will always remember most.

Brenda was not afraid to laugh right out loud if it brought the Joy of the Lord to the House of God and the hearts of others. We found that Brenda was serious about her faith, but seriously happy about it. It was Brenda who took a group of us to our first Ladies' Retreat one Halloween weekend, where we shared rooms close to general and state WMB workers. It was also Brenda who painted our faces with eyeliner and lipstick, and led us up and down the halls of the lodge trick-or-treating in our nightgowns and robes. It was Brenda who made us see the silly side of our whining..."Oh, for goodness' sake, you're not dying, you're just pregnant!"...and the child side of our worried, adult lives..."No, what you need is a good spanking!"

She gave the best hugs! When she wrapped us in her arms, we could feel every ounce of love and warmth she had to give; and when she let go, we could still feel it, like a blanket around our shoulders. Children would line up around her and stand there until they got one of those hugs!

And speaking of the children..."Beeba" saw them all as pure joy and wonder. Never did she allow children or young people to be shoved aside or ignored. And they adored her. Who can forget her as Mother Goose in the children's Christmas pageant? Or, year after year, working in youth camps? While some worried about the problems they could cause, Brenda saw only the energy, passion, and eagerness in the young. More often than not, she was encouraging harmless mischief, her "camp voice" and that wonderful laughter leading the way, urging the kids to have fun, and the adults to "lighten up."

That joy, that love, and that laughter will be my memory of Brenda.

Brenda stepped into Glory this morning, just a little while ago. I pray for comfort and peace for Ray, her beautiful daughters, and all those precious grandchildren she cherished so. A dear friend was wondering what would be the first thing Brenda would do when she walked through the gates of her new Home. I think I know. Above the sound of the angels singing, I can almost hear her laughing, all the way to His throne. He's going to love that hug.

I love you, Brenda. Save me a seat.

Dennis

I have been married to Dennis for 35 years as of today.

Everyone gets married thinking life will be all roses and romance, sunshine and sweetness. Truth is, marriage is hard work. For every bright day when everything just goes so right, there are the days when the kids are sick, and the car won't run; the checkbook won't balance, the bills won't go away; get home from one trip, and have to leave right out for another; the kids won't stay home and the in-laws wont't leave; like Roseanne Rasannadanna said, "It's always something."

We have had our fair share of life. We have had arguments to rival the MidEast negotiations. But, we've also had more than our share of joyous and proud moments with our children and grandchildren, and quiet, loving times without them. Dennis, through his years of hard work and dedication, has made quite a respected name for himself with his corporation, and I am very proud of him for that. But, what I respect more, and what makes me love him most, is his dedication to the Lord, his children and to me. I have never, through any trial or fearful time, doubted that.

So, here we are, 35 years later, looking back on how far we've come together. It's been a wonderful journey. Would I change anything? Maybe some minor adjustments here and there; but then, the bumps in the road let you know you're still on the journey.

And they said it wouldn't last!