A Lifetime of Love

The outreach at the VA clinic was AMAZING! The Lord truly blessed that endeavor and I can't wait to do it again next year. This past Wednesday night at church I shared about the Lord's hand with that as it was clearly evident in so many ways. Here are just a few: provided over 400 baked items donated from church members (my goal was 200) provided a tent for us to use in case of rain (which it did!) provided volunteers who worked in shifts alongside me from 7:30am to noon prepared the hearts of the Clinic workers in a mighty way (the Clinic Administrator was out of town and forgot to inform the staff we were coming. They came out to inquire why we had set up a tent, table, and baked goods. Once I told them what we were doing, they were ecstatic and took pictures of us serving the veterans at various times throughout the morning!) One clinic worker has been attending the church since I first phoned to set up the event. She was looking for a new church home and shared with the pas...

I've been busy baking and packaging cookies, brownies, and other baked goods to pass out at the local Veteran's Clinic on Tuesday in honor of Veteran's Day (federal offices are closed on Wednesday, Veteran's Day). I solicited the help of my church so it has become an outreach opportunity for the veterans in our community. I thought of the idea last year but it was only a few days before Veteran's Day, not enough time to organize something. I am thankful the Lord brought it to my mind again this year with enough time to get through the "red tape" that often accompanies doing anything involving God and government. So far we've hit only minor roadblocks that have been easily overcome; God is in control. I have received an outpouring of support from my church and can't even begin to tell you how many baked goods I have in my kitchen. My goal was for 20 dozen items and I have surpassed that number exceedingly . One church member is the store manager for...

Well, I wasn't going to say anything until I knew with certainty, but the reason for my tiredness. . . NO! I'm not pregnant (I know that's what you were thinking!) There is something going on with my thyroid. All I know at this point is that my thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is out of whack. I have to go for an ultrasound of my thyroid, but because of my school schedule, I won't be able to go until spring break- which is in April. I am part of the Veterans Healthcare System through the VA. They cover everything except maternity, so I have a local, private-practice OB/GYN. I also have a private-practice family doctor because the local VA out-patient clinics are so full, making it difficult to be seen when ill. The only other option is to drive to the Veterans hospital in Columbia, and I'd pay more in gas and drive time than to pay a $10 co-pay and prescription cost if seen locally at my private doctor. Anyway, I go see my VA provider twice a year simply for a rout...

My sis told me last week that Paul received a phone call from his best friend still in Iraq. She didn’t know what was said, but when Paul hung up, he was really upset and didn’t want to talk about it. All he told her was that somebody from his unit in NC, serving in Iraq with him, had died. Here is the link to the article. Remember, only 2 people have offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American soldier. The first for your soul, the other for your freedom. Don’t take either lightly.

Last week, I received free tickets for ice skating at the outdoor rink in downtown Charlotte, along with free skate rental and hot cocoa vouchers, followed by tickets to watch the Charlotte Checkers play a hockey game as part of the WBT radio station’s celebration of Veteran’s night. It was awesome! Driving in downtown Charlotte is easy compared to a city like Chicago or New York, but nonetheless we made a few wrong turns and had to drive around the block in order to get into the parking garage. I am the navigator while TJ is the pilot (like our airplane talk?); however, he gets nervous driving in places he’s not familiar with. He was also driving fast, making it difficult for me to read street signs. Once we passed the garage, he was a little upset that I didn’t see it before he passed it (sorry, I try my best to read at 40 mph!) because, of course, the next intersection we came to was a one-way street. After much arguing discussing we got back to where we needed to be and found a go...

As if I don’t have enough on my plate, I am praying about adding another HUGE undertaking. Last week while driving to school, I heard a radio interview with a man, named Carroll Moore, who is attempting to take as many WWII Veterans in my county as possible to see their Memorial in Washington, DC. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to help with, and I pray the Lord allows it. As a Veteran, this is near and dear to my heart. I called him today to discuss his needs and hung up both excited and overwhelmed. His list of needs is many, but that is where I think you as my blogging friends can help. First I’ll give you the facts, then I’ll list the needs and ways you can support this worthy cause. There needs to be a sense of urgency in moving forward because: Approximately 16 million Americans answered the call to arms in WWII. 400,000 made the ultimate sacrifice An estimated 3 million are alive today, BUT they are dying at an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 PER DAY! The youngest of thes...