You're probably familiar with John 15:13, which says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." I saw an example of that firsthand recently, in a memorial to World War II soldiers in Normandy, France—which I discussed with Stuart Shepard recently on the CitizenLink Report. It was in the stained-glass window of a church near the scene of some particularly bloody battles, where scores of Americans died while trying to liberate the French people from the occupying German army. Two U.S. medics had set up an aid station inside the church, but when it was captured by German soldiers, they asked if the medics would work on Germans as well. The Americans said they'd work on anybody, as long as everyone left their weapons at the door. This impressed two German snipers, who were watching, unnoticed, from their hidden position in the church's belfry. Shortly afterward, the town was recaptured by the Allied forces—and the snipers, whose perspective of the enemy had been changed, peacefully surrendered. Just before the Battle of the Bulge, as Allied forces found themselves surrounded by the enemy and hounded by freezing rain that kept reinforcements from reaching them in the Ardennes Forest, Gen. George Patton asked his chief chaplain to write a prayer for good weather. Patton then used it as a training letter for 3,000 officers, asking them to instruct all their enlisted men to pray. "Those who pray do more for the world than those who fight," the letter said. "We must urge, instruct and indoctrinate every fighting man to pray as well as fight. In Gideon's day and in our own, spiritually alert minorities carry the burdens and bring the victories." A week after the prayers began, the troops received an answer: The rain ceased, relief came and the Nazi advance was crushed. The letter of 1944 shows us that with all the battles we have to fight, and all the means that have been given to us with which to fight them, our most effective weapon is always prayer. The One who calls His people to be overcomers holds all victories in His hands, and is able to do "immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine." For faith and family, Tom Minnery Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy |
A grab bag of articles from different moms on relaxation, recipes, organization, home, family, crafts. Each week I will feature a mom who will share a few ideas on one of the topics. Each month you will get tips for staying organized, new recipes, crafty stuff, home and family.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Being Prayerful in the face of troubles
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Chasing Feathers
Do you ever feel a little bit overwhelmed with what is going on in your life? I am feeling that way this week. To start the week, my mom in law went to the ER for 12hrs. I had three orders last week, one of which is the biggest I have ever done and I had to order supplies for it. This along with the normal day to day stuff with family and children, home, life, booking airline tickets has got me stressed, feeling like I am running in circles.
As I have tried to compartmentalize the "stuff", I still feel my head spinning. One thing at a time, do one thing at a time. Stop spinning the worst case scenarios around in your head.
I took time to prep the items I had for the big headband order. That included trimming and stripping feathers. What a mess! All that fluff floating around in the air. Try to sweep it into your trash can and it makes a bigger mess. Brush off your lap and the feathers start swirling everywhere. They are hard to catch and clean up.
Have you ever felt like you were grasping a something that was just fluttering around you? Really no chance of catching it despite your best efforts! That is me. When the feathers finally settled again, I had to laugh at myself and my situation. Even the vacuum won't get all the feathers because of the air that gets kicked up from the outflow. This is the part when I say, Oh Well. I can't control the feathers or what all is happening but I can try to have fun chasing them and relaxing.
As I have tried to compartmentalize the "stuff", I still feel my head spinning. One thing at a time, do one thing at a time. Stop spinning the worst case scenarios around in your head.
I took time to prep the items I had for the big headband order. That included trimming and stripping feathers. What a mess! All that fluff floating around in the air. Try to sweep it into your trash can and it makes a bigger mess. Brush off your lap and the feathers start swirling everywhere. They are hard to catch and clean up.
Have you ever felt like you were grasping a something that was just fluttering around you? Really no chance of catching it despite your best efforts! That is me. When the feathers finally settled again, I had to laugh at myself and my situation. Even the vacuum won't get all the feathers because of the air that gets kicked up from the outflow. This is the part when I say, Oh Well. I can't control the feathers or what all is happening but I can try to have fun chasing them and relaxing.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Perk Up!
January Jumpstart!
January:
dreary weather, the house is stripped of festive holiday decor;
December's jam-packed calendar slides into January's social slump. It’s
easy to fall into the blahs…
Wait!
Perk up! There's another side to January! The crisp freshness of a
blank calendar. A house freed from December's decor and clutter.
Energy reserves with no holiday frenzied demands. Time to think and
plan. Limitless options. Now, that’s anything but blah. That’s
exciting!
The
best place to jumpstart your January is your calendar. Get your
schedule organized so you feel confident about your commitments for
2013.
· Important school dates: Look at your children’s school schedules. Mark holidays, school in-service days, report card days, teacher conferences, etc.
· Doctors' appointments: Schedule dentist appointments, physicals and any other doctor visits that can be planned in advance.
· Sports and extracurricular activities:
Research your local sports activities, check with leagues, websites and
after school camps so you know about tryouts, practices, games and
other important dates.
· Birthdays:
Look ahead to your children’s birthdays and pick a few good party
dates. You’ll be prepared when it’s time to organize the parties.
· More Birthdays, Anniversaries & Special Events:
Double check to make sure you have your family members’ & friends’
birthdays & anniversaries, upcoming reunions and other special
events on your calendar. Set ‘reminders’ so you remember to mail cards,
make celebratory phone calls, and make travel or dinner
reservations.
· Vacations:
Once you have all of the other important events marked down, it becomes
easier to plan vacations, other trips and helps you to save and prepare
for them.
· Deadlines & Reminders:
Does your insurance company have a year-end review period to make
policy changes? Do you have bills or prescriptions that need to be paid
or ordered on specific days of the month? Does your garbage service
have a holiday schedule? Mark these on your calendar. You’ll prevent
the potential stress of catching-up/fixing problems.
It
doesn’t matter whether you use a paper or electronic
calendar/scheduler. An organized calendar/schedule will allow you to
best use those energy reserves. HAPPY 2013! May it be bright,
beautiful, healthy and happy!
Laura Anderson
Organize With Laura
206-963-5343
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