Though we all may have one area or more where we may feel that our freedom has been taken from us, we need to stop a moment and thank God for our freedom here in the USA. There are so many countries around the globe that have so many restrictions and limitations placed on them that they are not able to rightfully say , “I am free!!!” This July 4th holiday, reach out to embrace the freedom given to us here and be thankful for all those in our heritage and even our current troops who courageously gave their hard sacrifices for this nation’s freedom. I fully respect the rights that our forefathers established in the constitution and do have a problem when I see people defile what our forefathers had fought to uphold. While we celebrate July 4-please pray for those who have not yet returned home from Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea.

Pulling out of my drive today I glanced at my roses that are overwhelming the white lattice…I became surprised. I had never noticed that my roses were red!! For some reason I remember that they were pink. I believe that so many of us are so consumed with all that our lives takes us to daily that we do not stop to look around at what we have. As a child we use to say “roses are red …violets are blue” when placing a bet on who we may love….but just what if you never knew that your roses were red? It seems it would make our guessing game quite meaningless..We need to be aware of who we are and what really is around us. Then we may make a better guess!

It certainly took great courage to run in front of my car which was going 60 miles an hour. A woodchuck may have been sporting some extra pounds, but that did not stop his feet from scrambling wildly as he crossed in front of me. He seemed to anxiously glance at me as if to make sure he cleared the finish line-or my car bumper! This woodchuck’s fate was altered by two quail who had caught my eye. It appeared they were snacking in the bushes. It seemed that spotting these lovely birds caused me to become more cautious of that country-rendezvous . When the chubby Olympian made his way crossed the road, I was able to stop before his fate met with my gray Toyota. I can see where cartoon expressions are developed- when the look on this poor critter’s face would have been a priceless picture. How terrifying that walk became for him at that moment! Saved he was!
I spent Memorial Day afternoon in the country visiting my daughter in Cooperstown. It was a very beautiful afternoon. I want to thank all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of our nation. I am sure that you all had near misses and in some cases this thanks is extended to those families who have lost a loved one-no greater love that a man should lay down his life for a brother…my dad earned a purple heart he was wounded in the Korean war. My son served time in Afghanistan and Iraq-I am also very proud of him, he was not wounded physically-thank God he made it home safely! I am very proud of all of those who served and who still are serving this nation bravely- no greater courage!! Thank you to you and your beloved families!!

I want to take a minute to honor a wonderful woman of God who has passed into the eternal arms of the Lord this week. She will be missed by all who knew her. If you have ever known someone who treats you like you are the most important person in life-then you have touched the hem of His garment and felt the warmth of His loving arms around you.To Grace you were the most important person in life. She was a friend to those who were not befriended by most people and a friend to those who were the most popular people going. This was because she was a demonstrator of Christ – to all she met even when she was not having the greatest of days herself. Grace taught me the importance of the power of the blood of Jesus , she would daily have communion with Jesus and symbolically partake of communion of the elements because she believed that we always need to remember what Christ did for us. He took all pain , all sickness all suffering at the cross, He took away death and made a way so that we who had no hope for eternal life would be able to receive eternal life. Grace is dancing with God’s angels today in His sweet presence and celebrating life because of what Jesus did – she knew Jesus and served Him all her life, so now she is living life eternally with Him. We will miss her very much. By His grace will see her again in Glory.

Every woman dreams of her Castle experience. You know that moment when we daydream of finally stumbling upon the pristine gates of the “Castle of our dreams” nestled in a deep, emerald forest? It is not just the intrigue of what beauty lies beyond those majestic doors, but also the longing memory of a love who was faithful, courageous and true to each of our hearts. We may still be waiting in great anticipation for our true love to return. The table is filled with treasures and a feast for royalty, and ….our love bids us “come and dine with me”. We have longed for this invitation!” We are willing to receive all that you have for us , my love; the table you have prepared for us before our enemies,the treasures, the feast, the company of a love who has all that we need… here in the Castle of our dreams.