11.11.12

Happy Veteran's Day to all those men and women who have given us the Freedoms that make me so proud to say I am an American.  My children and I wore our Red, White and Blue today and I have taught them that whenever you see a person wearing a military uniform, you stop and thank them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us on a daily basis.  We are so Grateful!  As I sat and listened to Pastor Mary's Sermon today about all the people who sent and will be sending help, and all the donations that have come from all over, it made me think even more how wonderful it is to be an American.

Jordan was trying to get Mackenzie
not to pull it for the picture....
He is not sticking out his tongue..

Having the freedom to choose how we believe and practice the religion we want is one of the very real Freedoms I am grateful for.  Jordan and Mackenzie rang the bell at Church again today, and then my little girl looked so sweet holding the tray for collection.  It was the sweetest feeling in the world walking up to Pastor Mary with Mackenzie holding the tray.  One day I can see her doing it all by herself, as someone leaned over as they saw Jordan ushering for Communion and said, "all of sudden he looks all grown up..." It's true my son has grown up so much in the last few months and I really do believe that a lot of it has been from being at Holy Trinity.  It warmed my heart to think this is such a wonderful way for both of them to grow up.  I am so grateful that we found such an awesome place.

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”- Mark 12 (NIV)

As I co-taught Sunday School, we talked about money and it's worth with the sixth graders, but we allowed the conversation to go into what is on their minds- Sandy.  Many spoke about what happened at their homes and their friends and we spoke about how Sandy has changed their future.  Many of the memories they shared at the beaches will have even more of cherished feeling.  We let them speak and we asked them to understand that as they go back to school, (only one student wished his school had washed away) they would begin to hear and see what their friends and their families may need and how we can all give to them.  Much like in the Gospel, many whether they have money or time are giving everything they can,  much like the widower to help each other.  These are the memories that I will retain from Sandy.

Many schools cannot open and that saddens me deeply.  It is heart-breaking just how many people will forever be changed.  But for many the lucky ones, tomorrow morning, children all around will once again be boarding their bus and trying to get back to their NEW normal lives.  Just as we sang leaving service, I will end my blog with America the Beautiful.... and until we rebuild, the Jersey Shore will always be beautiful in our memories...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCxJClbR4k0

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

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!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!