Lost But not Forgotten

On June 6th, our small town lost its first soldier in Afghanistan.  I didn't know Lt. Matt Fazzari; he was only 25 years old, a son, husband and father to two very young children, but today as his body was taken from our small airport to the funeral home, hundreds of citizens lined the streets with flags and hands over hearts to honor him. 

I didn't find out about this event until last night in an e-mail, and I'm so glad I did.  It was an honor to stand there for him; I hope his family in their time of grief still knows that his death was not in vain.  I pray for them to somehow find peace and comfort; I cannot imagine how they feel.

I feel so honored to live in this great land, even with all of its problems.  God bless all of our Soldiers who are putting their lives on the line everyday in order to keep us free.  And God bless the leaders of our country; may they take their responsibilities seriously and stand by us and not over us. 

I took some photos, hoping that they reflected the mood of the time we were standing on the curb.  After we stood at the first place we drove to where my husband was with Pacific Power and Light.  A few of their employees are related to Matt, and they lined up their boom trucks with flags for the Procession to pass through. 

And I hope it's okay and not disrespectful that we were smiling in a few photos; there were certainly some tears shed and reflection taking place as well.

Waiting for the Procession to begin

The Procession begins

You can see the black limousines from the back; I felt funny taking photos of them.

I love what this flag says: Lost but not forgotten

I think Mary and Sierra's expressions tell the story of the moment

My friends, Mary, Lois, Sierra (me) and Faith

My husband standing by one of the boom trucks

Scattered Thoughts about Girls' Camp Late at Night

I know it's late and I know that I still have much to do in order to get up at 6:00 am tomorrow and be out the door at 8:00am heading up in the mountains with 11 teenage girls and 4 other leaders to join a bunch of other teenage girls and lots of other women!  (that makes me tired just writing all of that!)

Yes, I'm going to Girls' Camp!  And no, I am not a camper!  I do; however, love being with the girls and with the other women; I just know there are some wonderful memories waiting to be made up in the cold weather in the mountains.  Yes, I am bringing plenty of blankets, socks, sweatshirts and flannel pajama pants! 

It's been a crazy day running around with my friend,  who I am helping with all of this camping stuff.  We were able to purchase materials for the girls to make vision boards using "Arise and Shine Forth" as the theme to help them focus daily on their goals and dreams of becoming all they can be.  We also purchased some butterfly suckers and small windmill things(what are they called?) that I will attach printed words to reflect something to focus on each day.  Along with the butterflies is the word, transformation and along with the windmill things will be attached the word, stand firm (an opposite meaning of being blown; I love things like that). 

Anyway, it should be lots of fun along with time for spiritual contemplation; I am looking forward to that; to getting away from the ordinary and mundane and getting back to nature.  I'm just hoping we are "bear-free" this year and that my blankets will keep me warm and comfy at night in our tent. 

I am taking my camera in hopes of getting some fun shots; I'll post those after we get home on Friday.  Wish me luck!

Happy Friday!

It's Friday and I'm feeling the need for humor today!  Some days I tend to think too much and too many thoughts.  This morning I was up at 6:15 which is early for me and my mind has been going too much!

Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend!

 

Fear

I just have a few minutes to type out some thoughts this morning, but I'd like to start blogging more than once a week so I'll take the few minutes I have and run with it!

My first thought is about blogging in general.  The more blogs I read, the more writers (I mean actual writers) I see who are blogging.  And then I think that some of these writers may be reading my thoughts; I just hope my sentence structure isn't too awful!  English and writing were actually at the top of my favorite and best subjects in high school!

That thought leads me to the next one:  fear.  As I think of writers reading my typed out words and sentence structures with all of their flaws, I get a little fearful; fearful of how I write and fearful of how my thoughts come across.  I've wished for clarity of thought and a gift to communicate my thoughts clearly; I hope someday to have those wishes come true.

Fear can be a horrible thing if you let it take over your life.  It can be debilitating when you allow yourself to succumb to it by stopping anything you may be fearful of doing.  Fear can stop you from living your dream if you allow it.

On the other hand, fear can be a great teacher and an avenue for strength when you push through that fear and do whatever it is you're afraid of anyway.  I was afraid to blog; at least to blog about personal things, but I push through it (most days, anyway) and put my thoughts to paper and send them out into the vast universe we call the internet.  Who knows, maybe someone will relate and somehow be helped to know that they're not the only ones with struggles.

And now (okay, I don't think it's great to start a sentence with "and", but I'm not being paid so I'm going to break that rule) I think this is getting a little too serious, even for me.  I guess my point in these few paragraphs is that fear is a part of life and can, in fact, be a friend to us.  We just need to know when to stop because of the fear (when we're going to be harmed by something or someone) or move past it (in situations where we can become stronger).   Now, let's all go out and have a fearless day!

                                                                          

Where is That Magic Pill?

 Wow, I've been non-existent on my blog for a while, huh?  I've been traveling here and there and when I've been home I haven't felt much inspiration to write about.....until late last night.


I was watching television and saw a commercial for a new animated film coming out called Brave.  That was the first I'd heard about that movie, but the point in the preview that inspired me was the line (or something close to the line) which said, "I want a spell to change my fate." 

I want one of those!  Or one of those magic pills; is there such a thing?  I've been noticing my thoughts lately; they're not the ones I want or need to create the life I so desire.   I know that thought is the origin of our feelings and emotions which then leads to our actions.  My actions lately are not desirous, but even more than that, my thoughts (and I'm happy that I'm noticing them) are not conducive to any outcomes that I desire.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were a spell or a magic pill we could use to get rid of the negatives in our lives?   Can't I wave a magic wand or click my heels together 3 times and repeat my wish?  Maybe i have a pill in my cabinet or an incantation in a book (that would be in the public library since I don't have a book of incantations!)   I remember watching Bewitched (many years ago!) and wishing I could twitch my nose and have my house cleaned or things completed that I wasn't too happy to have to do on my own.  The truth was that I could do them without twitching my nose; I just wanted the shortcut.

Unfortunately there are no shortcuts or spells to changing negative thoughts or negative patterns; if there were such things, then when I had achieved the positive thoughts I wanted, where would be the lesson or the learning?  I honestly believe that we can have joy and even peace in times of struggle ( I do believe we can feel peace when we're on the path we're meant to be on). 

I was reminded this morning of  my belief that we have all the answers and solutions within us if we look inward and listen.  I acknowledge that I need the help of my Father in Heaven through prayer to help me find the answers or find the means to find the answers; I couldn't do it without Him.   We know what feels right and if we don't automatically know what feels right, we certainly can feel when something doesn't feel right.  (at least I seem to notice those "be careful of that" feeling at times). 

I guess my point is that we wouldn't really benefit from a magic pill or a spell to make our lives what we wanted; that solution just sounds so much easier.  But then again, there is some adventure in searching for the solution without the answer being handed to us in the very moment we want it. 

"You choose... whether to give up at the first obstacle or give it your all, to speak up or stay silent, to change what you don't like or let it change you.  With every (thought), word, every step you take, you define who you are----and create your future."