Christmas is Here!

As we prepare for Christmas, I can't help but think of the many families that will not be together for the holidays. Soldiers will be away from home and for their families there is an empty spot at the table...for others they are spending their first Christmas without a loved one they lost. Let us remember these families and soldiers and keep them in our prayers this holiday season.

I want to share with you a poem that was sent to me and really touched my heart. I hope it touches yours as we remember those who defend our freedom and the freedom of others.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights on the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said, "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,'"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue...an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


Merry Christmas to each of you and a Happy and Blessed New Year!

God is Faithful

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

God has indeed been faithful to us...He has provided Peter with another job. Peter received a call from an old colleague who knew of a position opening in the Redding area. After several weeks of interviewing and talking on the phone Peter was offered a job with UTI (Universal Technical Institute). Everything fell into place without much effort on our part, so we know that God's hand was upon this whole situation. We feel very thankful and blessed that God provided a job so quickly. We trusted in God to meet our needs and He has blessed us beyond what we would have expected.

We do give thanks to the Lord! We pray that we may all give thanks to our God during the good times and the bad because He truly is a faithful God.

We Will Trust in God

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait [hope] for him.'" ~ Lamenatations 3:22-24

In a time of economic uncertainty we have the unfailing love and promises of God. He is faithful to us and He will provide for us. This is a good reminder for us personally...Peter will most likely not have a job by the end of this month. The reality of Peter losing his job has made us very aware that nothing in this life is permanent except for the Word of God and His promises to us. It is easy to begin to worry about how we will pay our bills and provide for our family, but I know without a doubt we will not go without a roof over our heads or food to eat. It may not come in the way we expect or want it to come, but God will provide for us if we trust Him. Honestly that is not always an easy thing to do, but I am grateful we do not have to go through the tough times alone. We have friends and family that will pray with us and encourage us.

I know we are not the only ones in this situation. There are so many people out of work right now and trying to make ends meet. We need to remember to pray for the many families and individuals that are struggling day to day. And as we pray, let us not forget Who our portion is...the Lord is faithful.

A New Beginning

Hello Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to stop by our blog. There are a lot of changes happening for us right now, so it may take some time before we can get this blog fully ready. Until then, thanks for taking a peek...