Memorial Day 2012

Here in America, we have many reasons to thank our military.
Even those people who seem to not care about the military and what they are doing.
Our freedom is not, nor ever will be, free for the taking.

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While I could write a long rant about what that freedom really means and why many of our politicians (including the man in the White House) are completely undermining it, I will not.
First of all, that would take me all day.
Second of all, that's not what today is about.

So what is today about?

It isn't about enjoying a long weekend.
It isn't about seeing family and friends.
It isn't about spending the day out on a lake.
It isn't about bratwurst and having an awesome cookout.
It isn't about celebrating the beginning of summer.

Memorial Day is about honouring and remembering those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our beloved country.
They gave their lives.
If that isn't worth honouring, I don't know what is.

And while I am all for also thanking our living veterans, please, please, please remember that this isn't their day.
Veteran's Day is in November.
This is Memorial Day.
A memorial is for honouring those who have died, not those who are still living.
So even when you thank our veterans for serving, don't forget that this day is set aside in memoriam of the veterans who are no longer with us.

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Image from theunforgottenamerican.com

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

(Third verse of "America the Beautiful" that is often forgotten.) 

Wordless Wednesday

A Jedi does not know hate.

Broken and still living.

Fairy lights.

Wednesday morning.

Favorites.

"Begin each day as if it were on purpose." [monday motivation]

The quote I have as my post title is not attributed to anyone, as far as I know.
But I like it, because it helps to remind me that each day is on purpose.
God gives us each and every day of our lives.
Waking up is enough reason for me to thank Him joyfully.
The weather has been so lovely lately.
This morning it was particularly beautiful, and I was reminded of a few verses from Song of Solomon, so I will share them with you.

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"My beloved speaks and says to me:
   'Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
      and come away,
    for behold, the winter is past;
      the rain is over and gone.
   The flowers appear on the earth,
     the time of singing has come,
   and the voice of the turtledove
     is heard in our land.
   The fig tree ripens its figs,
     and the vines are in blossom;
     they give forth fragrance.'"
~Song of Solomon 2:10-13a (ESV)

Wordless Wednesday

Shine

Solitude

TARDIS

wedding photos!

I realize it's been almost six months since our wedding, but I still look through the pictures all the time. (Part of that is due to the fact that I haven't yet decided which ones I actually want to get printed so I can frame them...there are SO MANY and I'm such a terrible decision maker about things like this. Anyway.) They are all posted on Facebook, but I thought I would share a few of my favorites here with my lovely followers. :)

Father-daughter dance. I added the song lyrics; only part of the song would fit.

My mother-in-law found this cake topper. Since the wedding colors were Packer green and gold, it was quite fitting!

My brother being awesome.

My youngest sister.

My family.

Siblings! We all look snazzy.

My husband and his brothers. They are fancy gentlemen.

I was so thankful my pastor was willing to travel from Illinois to perform our ceremony.

Doesn't look much like December, eh?

All credit for the photos goes to my cousin's friend, Jon Kline. He is quite the photographer!

great is Thy faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

²²  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[a]
     his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
     great is your faithfulness.

(biblegateway.com)

The above pictures were actually taken two days ago, but since the weather is pretty much the same as it was then, I figured I would post them anyway. ^_^

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When it is sunny and warm outside, I usually wake up in a good mood. I struggle with keeping that good mood all day long. It's a relief to remember the verses from Lamentations about God's mercies being new each morning; we should rejoice that we have such a loving and gracious God that gives us each and every day of our lives. We're living and breathing because He gave us the breath of Life.

Let us remember that though we are not perfect, we have the Lord to rely on in every circumstance, however big or small it may be.

"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow if turning with Thee.

Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

(Lutheran Service Book, hymn 809)

May the Fourth be with you.

Happy Star Wars Day, everybody!

Need a few crafty ideas to celebrate your inner nerd?

Try this crochet pattern from Etsy to make an adorable little Ewok!

Or click here to try your hand at Star Wars inspired snowflakes!

How about some Star Wars cookie cutters for the nerds in your life that have a sweet tooth?

And of course you could always pick up a copy of Wookie Cookies (or one of the other Star Wars cookbooks) and whip up a nerdy meal or snack!

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What am I doing to celebrate Star Wars Day?

Wearing my "Casual Friday" t-shirt from Woot, of course!

newness and renewal

I like spring.

I know we celebrated Easter a few weeks ago, but during the month of May I think about Easter everyday.
Looking outside, I see trees that are covered in blossoms.
The tulip bulbs that I planted last fall have grown and transformed into gorgeous royal purple flowers.
Of the herbs I recently planted, my cress has started growing, and fast.
And the dandelions are going to seed all over the place.

Springtime is a time of newness and renewal, which is why it's a perfect time for us to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

(Photos taken with Hipstamatic and/or Instagram.)


John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)