Veterns Day

I would like to take the time to thank all our past and current troops for the sacrifice's they have made to keep our country and its people free.

I am proud to be from the state with the highest number of people in the military per capita of any state in the nation (I didn't check the validity of this statement, but have heard it spoken as a fact by numerous times by several distinguished speakers around the state)

I can think of people from my high school class, of which there were 34 students, who were and still are serving in the military. Numerous other individual's from classes before and after mine, and people throughout my very small community, have fought for our country, many doing multiple tours of duty.

My mom asked one of these young men why he kept signing up for additional tours of duty, and he said that it was because he didn't have a family, and if he went back, that might keep one more person with a family here.

I remember the parades we had when convoys of troops drove through my hometown on their way to be deployed, and the flags we waved and their happy waves as they cruised by in their loud trucks, hummers and other green and black vehicles.

Both of my grandpa's fought for our country, at the expense of getting their college educations in both cases. One was a mechanic in the Navy, and the other was a pilot in the Army.

My grandfather that's still alive lists a college education as one of the most important things you can do with yourself, and will tell you all about his grandchildren's degrees and other accomplishments.

I have a facebook friend from college whose husband just returned from a tour of duty. It gave me a new perspective on military families as I read her posts throughout his deployment. They have two small children, and she made a lot of sacrifices too.

Thank you to all our military for what they do!

Thankful November

Lots of people have been mentioning things they're thankful for throughout the month of November. I like the idea of taking the time to mention and note these important things, and am planning to do a few posts listing some things I am always thankful for in my life.

To start, I am thankful for God, who sent his son to earth to die for our sins. I am very thankful for my family, friends and boyfriend. I am grateful to live in a country where we have things like freedom of speech and religion, and I am thankful for the people in the military who fight for our freedoms.
I'm very thankful to have been raised where I was, in a way that I love! Nothing beats wide open spaces, good cattle and nice weather!
In addition to that I am thankful to have a father who embraced having a daughter who loves cattle, and who encouraged and challenged me in my interests! My mom was right there too!
I love having a brother who is smart, athletic, witty and one of my best friends. I love having a special needs sister who constantly reminds what's important in life, and who is so much like myself it's eerie sometimes.

National Prayer Day

It's National Prayer Day. I found this out by listening to K-LOVE Radio, which is a wonderful station. They even had one of their pastor's pray just before 8:00 this morning for everyone who wasn't able to attend a National Prayer Day event.
Here's what I am praying for on this national day of prayer:
(Please picture multiple pictures as we go. My computer isn't cooperating and won't let me upload for some reason)

First, I am so thankful for my family, friends, the way I was raised and being able to purchase a nice home. Also for the things my parents taught me, the fact that my brother is one of my best friends, my job and all the skills God gave me. I am so blessed to be born in this country where I am free and I will thank him for that too.

I will ask for guidance for all our nation's leaders. From the president to local officials and everyone in between. Our country, as a whole, appears to by pushing God away, and I will pray that this trend is reversed. I will also ask God to be with my friends, family, our military as they protect our great country.

I will ask for guidance in my own life.

I will ask for forgiveness of my sins, because I am constantly failing in that department, and I probably don't even notice many of them.

And many many other things as well. What will you pray about on the national day of prayer?