Veteran's Day

Lloyd and Mary, are amazing people and dear friends. Lloyd was my pastor when I was a teen. He baptized me, got onto us during sermons for talking oh, and the passing notes thing...(it was only one note, Lloyd, really) and threw his glasses across the room once during a very spirited sermon :) They camped with our family, ate with our family, their children spent time at our home and my parents loved them dearly, as I do. They have been church planters in several places. They have been to Guam to work with the churches there. But one thing about them that stands way above all else is that they love Jesus passionately and have such a burden for lost people. I have seen God work in their lives for years and have seen Jesus in them.

They lost their son Josh in Iraq. I can't begin to imagine the hurt, confusion or shock of losing a child. Josh was an amazing person. He graduated West Point and loved this country. He also loved Jesus and it showed. As I've said, I love quotes and one from Josh is this..."It matters not if the world has heard or approves or understands...The only applause I am meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands." That's awesome! We should all have that mentality.

Mary is now a member of the Gold Star Moms http://www.goldstarmoms.com/. She is headed to Washington for a ceremony to be held on Veteran's Day at Arlington. She says it is such an honor to participate and be a part of that. I am thinking what an amazing woman she is to have the strength to do that. I'm sure she will be thinking of Josh. I'm sure he would be so proud of her.

I know Veteran's Day is not until Tuesday, but I had Josh on my mind today. I'm saying a prayer for Mary as she participates in this ceremony, and for all the families who have lost family members and friends in combat. I am reminding others to pray for our country. We are truly blessed to live in the USA. God is STILL in control.