In Flanders' Fields

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders' Fields.

John McCrae, 1915.

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Growing up...all the women in my family and all the women in the neighborhood wore red paper poppies on Veteran's Day. What a lovely sentiment. I wonder if the tradition continues anywhere?

I can't be mad at the boys for picking up a hitchhiker on the side of the road at 2 a.m. last nite despite everything they've been taught about hitchhikers, right?


She was visibly upset, drunk as a skunk, and in her 30's. I guess her boyfriend had kicked her out...so they told her to get in..... and gave her a ride to the nearest gas station.

For goodness sake!!!!!!!!!!! She could've had a gun or been an ax murdering psycho freak chick!!!!!!!!!!!

Bria put my mind at ease by telling me that Mcabe was all set and ready to go w/a choke hold from the backseat.

Darn it. Even though they disobeyed direct orders...I do believe they did the right thing.

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And what were they doing out at 2 a.m. you might ask? We haven't given them a curfew because they tell us where they are...take all our calls...and phone us periodically during their time away from home. They tell us when they screw up too. It's not easy...but they come clean.

When they are told to come home now/immediately/rightnow...they do.

I love these boys so much and I do not for one moment take for granted the bonds of trust we share.

Don't get me wrong...I am fully aware that they are more than capable of lying through their front teeth.

I am confident though of this.

The Lord is faithful to reveal such things to us. See Daniel 2.

I am so in love with my brothers and sisters in Christ tonight. It's not like I don't love them every night...but tonight....well..... it's an over the circus top sorta love.
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I just read Dawns blog entry regarding Zion's purse. Bummer, I've been there. I'm sending a check tonight and you can tell her someone from church has her covered. All she needs to do is pray for the person who took her money.

Love ya!

Baptism

What a joy to hear the testimonies of 15 believers last Sunday and then to rejoice with them and the angels as they were baptized.

And of course, I cried like a baby. Each and every dunk had me balling my eyes out.

One of the most bittersweet moments ever...

A few months ago Zion lost her purse. She looked high and low...in every cabinet...under couches....under beds...in closets but couldn't find it anywhere. She was very disappointed because her wallet was in there. In her wallet was all the money she had in the world...$35.

I talked with her about keeping track of things and how it probably wasn't the best idea to keep all of her money in her wallet when we go out...but only a few dollars. She was sad. I was sad for her.

This week Bradley got a call at work from someone over in lost and found. The message went something like this...

"Bradley, we have a very glitsy, very flowery purse up here and we think it might belong to one of your children because inside is a journal and inside the journal on the front page it says, "Zion loves so and so (insert boys name) and your Zion is the only Zion we know soooooooo.....come pick it up."

Brad comes home that night with the best news ever! They found Zion's purse!!!!!!!

She is overjoyed. Runs over and pours out all it's contents onto the family room floor and tears into her wallet. It's empty. The $35 is not there.

Oh my goodness...my heart broke.

"Someone stole my $35 dollars???????"

"It looks like it," I said wanting to cry.

"AT CHURCH?????????"

That's when my heart shattered.

"Honey, it was the Lord's money anyway, right? And you never know...maybe the person who took the money from your purse will think about doing that his or her whole entire life and that might be one of the very things that brings that person to repentance."

She listened and agreed through her wound...but oh my goodness...it stinks.

It's so interesting.

I post here all the time about films I love. Films I highly recommend. Films w/all sorts of content. Films some might take offense to.

For some reason...this particular song has pushed buttons.

Processing.

Pink

If your are UNDERAGE or sensitive to the use of the eff word...please do not click on the below post.



For clarification purposes.

We do not drop eff bombs regularly in our home. Sometimes when one of us is super super angry or frustrated....one might slip out. When one does...we repent. Not for the eff word but for the fear, pride, anger, disappointment, resentment, bitterness, or frustration which gave it a voice. For the heart issue that manifested itself by the use of the eff word in a negative, disgusting, violent, and hostile manner.

In my humble opinion, Pink's use of the eff word in the song below....is brilliantly beautiful. Filled with unconditional love, deep compassion, life altering passion, wisdom, understanding, and hope. What a juxtaposition.

She made me cry. Actually, the thought of a selfless loving father singing this very song to his wounded child is what made me cry. For those of us who are in Christ...WOW! Renewing of the mind sorta stuff.

I love when art makes me think deeper about the world/culture in which I live.

Processing things as transparently as I know how as they arise in my heart, soul, and mind.

One of the boys favorite films growing up was Wild America. In so many ways....they remind me of those brothers.

Close.

Cautious. Grounded.

Adventurous. Ready (or getting ready) to fly.
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Is it easy letting go?

HECK no!

But ....after we get over ourselves ....we see things w/more clarity.

How else are parents & kids supposed to build and walk in bonds of trust?

Thank the Lord for cell phones. Los Angeles doesn't seem that far away.

And, I don't have to be embarrassing them all the time w/every hour on the hour phone calls. Texting is great. Their friends have no idea it's Mommy they are talking to :)

Hip Hop Class

Time...as it Flies

Happy 19th Birthday, my dear dear boy.

Brave Sage Gregg

Brave Sage Gregg..... filmmaker/actor.

Higher Education in the news.

Steve Hickok & The Pioneer Woman

Some of you might remember this post....or this one re: the fabulous Steve Hickok (btw....he is a descendant of Wild Bill.....l which I think is so beyond way cool.)


This was a fun link to find in my in box tonight.

Steve's site is fun to peruse.

Galilee's hand print is found in the piece titled, Running in My Dreams. Jemima's is found in Waiting to Dance and Jemima Close-Up.

Acrostic Poems

I am aware of a handful of local college aged students who read this blog. That's really sweet btw....and as a "thank you"...this post is especially for you.

Right now the Keirland Anthropologie store is hiring visual interns (must be over 18 & enrolled.) No pay...but what a great thing to have on your resume and what a fantastic way to spend some time...bathing in beautiful things.