by | May 28, 2012 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
My hubby is guest writing this post on Memorial Day.
Today, we celebrate Memorial Day. It does not sound right to me when someone says to me “Happy Memorial Day!”. It is not a happy day, but a solemn day and a day of remembrance. Too often we get caught in holidays meaning that we must head to the mall to check out the latest sales; we must be barbecuing the pork steaks, chickens and ribs; and heading off to someone’s house for a party. But let’s take a moment to remember what holidays are really about, not just Memorial Day. Christmas has gotten to the point now where it is all about giving and receiving presents and Thanksgiving is about eating too much, watching football and getting ready for the next day’s shopping adventures.
Today is Memorial Day, the day set aside to honor the men and women who sacrificed their life so that we could live in this country. The foundation of the United States has always been a country where people come to so that they can be free – free from government oppression, free to choose their own religion and free to speak their own mind. Men and women of our armed forces have gone to war to preserve that freedom for over two hundred years. Many of have fought and paid to keep that freedom possible with their life. They gave their life so that you can have a life of freedom. It is quite an amazing testimony to their commitment to what they believed in and to this country. Let us never forget them or their sacrifice.
My wife’s Uncle Fred and Uncle Thedo served in the United Sates Army. I am grateful to them for their willingness to join the Army and preserve my freedom as an American citizen.
Uncle Fred serving in the United States Army
Uncle Thedo in his full Army uniform
Also my father served in the United States Army. He too served to preserve the United States as a beacon of freedom for all the world.
My daddy, also serving in the United States Army
by | May 26, 2011 | From the Heart |
It’s really been hard to even think about blogging lately because Missouri has seen some horrible catastrophic Tornadoes during the last week. I am honoring the people who have lost their lives and their family members during the devastation with my prayers and not posting any new material until Tuesday of next week.
Joplin, Missouri was hit with a deadly tornado this past Sunday and another tornado hit the area on Tuesday. At last count, 125 people lost their lives and many more people are still missing.
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Please help in any way you can.
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To make a donation by phone, please call the Heart of Missouri United Way at 573-443-4523. 100% of all proceeds will be donated directly to Joplin.
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There’s a facebook page called Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery. Please like the page because it gives information on how you can help.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Joplin Photo Credit: Dave Buckley
This is all that is left of the church in this picture.
Tornado warning at work Wednesday, May 25th
A tornado warning sounded across the state of Missouri for another wave of severe thunderstorm and funnel clouds on Wednesday. At 3:15pm, while I was at work, we had to seek shelter in the auditorium of the museum. Staff, visitors and I were there for about 45 minutes. The security officers said it was clear and we were able to go back to work as usual well. By the time I got back to my office, a second alarm sounded and it was louder then the first. I grabbed my purse and ran to the lower level and were there for an hour and 15 minutes. I tried to call my husband, but could not get reception in the auditorium. I went to the foyer and looked up and saw the gray eerie looking clouds. I was able to send a text message, letting him know that I was okay. He sent me a message back, saying “honey keep praying.” Life is so precious and when things like this happen you value every minute. The storm was strong and funnel clouds were seen but no tornadoes were confirmed.
I will be praying for the people of Joplin and continuing to pray that we see no more storms or tornadoes.
Psalms 27:1 says, The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I be afraid?
I can’t be fearful, have to be strong and stand.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend and remember the reason why we celebrate every year. Remember all of the fallen soldiers who died for our country to give us a safe place to live in.
by | Apr 25, 2011 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
This Easter weekend was quite eventful. Friday night as my husband and I prepared to have dinner, the tornado warning sirens sounded. The warning said that everyone should seek shelter immediately. We do not have a basement so my hubby, myself and my two doggies went to our utility room which is the safest room in the house. The utility room has no windows and does not have any outside walls. For the next hour, we waited and prayed for the storm to stop. We prayed and God tells us to put him in remembrance of his word so we commanded the winds and rain to cease and cause no damage In Jesus Name. We prayed and released our guardian angels to protect us and everyone from any harm. We thought the storm was over because the winds and rains had diminished. But the sirens sounded a second time, and within a few minutes later, a third time, declaring more tornado warnings for our area. We continued praying and interceding for everyone’s safety. Twenty minutes had passed when we heard the strong winds blowing with the rain and hail. This was the time the tornado touched down in several locations in Saint Louis County, including the airport.
Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, only a few miles from our house, suffered significant damage when the EF-3 tornado hit the terminal with sustained winds up to 165mph. This airport security video captured the tornado as it rustled through the terminal. This video shows how forcefully the wind hit the airport terminal.
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The media report 2,700 homes and buildings throughout the Saint Louis area received significant damage. The National Weather Service has declared this to be the worst tornado to come through Saint Louis since 1967. In spite of the destruction, no lives were lost. Some people may call it being lucky, but I call it divine intervention. St. Louis Post Dispatch has pictures of the extent of the damage of the horrific tornado.
On our way to church this Sunday I took a couple of pictures on my phone of the Bellfontaine Neighbors area which was one of the areas that the tornado went through. It was so strange to drive down the street and we could see no damage at all. Then suddenly, we saw trees ripped apart, power lines down and roofs damaged. The whole path of the damage was only about three blocks wide. We have a friend who lives in the area who lost power during the storm. She did not get the power back on until early Sunday morning. There are still some homes without power so I pray they get there power on soon.
Bellfontaine Neighbors area
Bellfontaine Neighbors area
This was a horrible storm and tornado which we will soon not forget. Our home was not affected by the storm. Thank God no lives were lost. Please continue to pray for the people whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
by | Mar 17, 2011 | From the Heart |
I will be participating in the Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours’ “For Japan With Love & Bloggers Day of Silence.“Friday, March 18th. This means I will not post on Friday in memory of the victims of Japan. I saw this on Beautifully Invisible’s blog. Please click the image below for further details and join. Seeing bloggers coming together for such a time as this is so special.
Please pray and donate if you are able and if you are not able pray.
List sources: www.charitynavigator.com
by | Mar 17, 2011 | From the Heart |
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Worldvets.org
Today bloggers come together for Paws for Japan. The Earthquake and Tsunami have left many pets injured and they need our help. I have two dogs myself so if you are an animal lover please donate.
Worldvets.org says
Japan Animal Disaster Relief:
“World Vets has been monitoring the situation in Japan with regards to the impact of the earthquake and tsunami that has recently hit the island nation. We are currently working to coordinate relief efforts for the animal victims affected by these unfortunate disasters. We have made contact with US Army veterinary associates stationed in Japan as well as Japan based animal charities and World Vets veterinary volunteers who remain on standby. At this time, we have supplies ready to go and are preparing the deployment of a first-responder team to carry out an “on the ground” assessment and provide initial aid.
Your donations are urgently needed to coordinate aid for the animals in Japan. Any amount will help! DONATE NOW”
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“World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 25 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries.
World Vets is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.”
World vets is a great organization so if you are able to give please donate if your not able to give please retweet, facebook about the help that is needed. Whatever you do please pray for the nation of Japan.
Thank you!
by | Mar 10, 2011 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
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The Red Pump Project is sponsoring the “Rock the Red Pump Blogging Event!” to raise awareness for women with AIDS.
The red pump project was founded in March of 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins. “They believe that the red pump is a feeling of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.”
The “Rock the Red Pump” campaign is an annual initiative to commemorate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It has become the group’s biggest initiative, and is what started The Red Pump Project. According to its website, “Since 2009, when we had over 100 bloggers “Rock the Red Pump,” we have started the “Rock the Red Pump – 500 in 50” to get 500 blogs to participate in the 50 days leading up to NWGHAAD.”
The more bloggers who get the word out the more people will be more aware and go and get tested.
I was looking at The Red Pump Project website and saw some startling statistics.
-There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and almost 280,000 are women
-High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women
-New York has the highest number of women living with AIDS – 22,532
HIV is the:
* Leading cause of death for Black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
* 3rd leading cause of death for Black women aged 35–44 years
* 4th leading cause of death for Black women aged 45–54 years
* 4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years
* The only diseases causing more deaths of women are cancer and heart disease.
These statistics made me realize how much the word needs to get out. We can write posts, tweet, do whatever we can to spread the word.
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The Red Pump Project
Bloggers are getting on board in a big way because The Rock the Pump project has surpassed its goal of 500 bloggers. Over 850 have joined the cause and the count is growing daily.
“Join The Red Pump Project on March 10, 2011, for their Twitter Townhall in commemoration of National Women & Girls’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Starting at 1pm CST, they will kick off a discussion on Twitter surrounding issues around HIV/AIDS and women. They want to hear what you have to say about the epidemic and its effect on women. Be sure to use the hashtag #redpump.”
So if you have not joined The Red Pump Project then please do so now and add their link to your blog to raise awareness.
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Postscript
1200 Bloggers signed up for the cause so The Red Pump Project is a great success. Next year I know there will be even more bloggers joining in to spread the word on HIV/AIDS.
If you didn’t get a chance to “Rock the Red Pump” on March 10th please go over to The Red Pump Project website to join their Facebook page, follow them on twitter, and check out the different ways you can get involved because it is so important for all of us to get the word out.
Follow!