Interesting facts about Arlington for Memorial Day

Arlington cemetery- Tomb of the Unknown

All three salute the Unknowns who have been symbolically given the Medal of Honor.

I always wondered why the tomb was saluted.

Graduation!

Here she is

Our newest graduate

Here are three of her favorite teachers- Kevin, Cary and Gary
Here is the group that cheered wildly from the audience. Andrew even downloaded an air horn app for his phone to play when they called her name.

Kaitlin and I were talking about her graduation and then she got to counting the wonderful precedent set for her by many that came before her. She was stunned when one of her classmates said that she would be the first in her family to graduate from college. Kaitlin is the 23 graduate on Carl's side and the 10th on my side. My mama was the first one in her family to graduate from college. What a wonderful tradition we are blest to be a part of.

Some things to think about

Here are two articles that I found interesting. One on spiritual growth and how to pray for our leaders and the other on understanding grief.

Desiring God

grief

What is your plan?

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Prov. 16:9

This Saturday is UALR's graduation. We plan to be there early to watch Kaitlin walk across that stage.

When my children were little I thought that once Carl and I figured out how things worked with disciplining one child that that work for all of them. LOL, how wrong could I have been? What worked for one usually NEVER worked for the others in any situation.

Andrew set a goal to have a job the December before he graduated from AUBURN in May. John had his job a month after he graduated from UCA and then got another one about five months later. So what will Kaitlin do, I have no idea. She has a pretty steady photography business and does freelance graphic design on the side right now. So what should she do, this prayer about the Will of God really was encouraging to me.

The Will of God

I hope it helps you today too.

A prayer request for you!

We went to Alabama this past weekend to visit Carl's family. We helped Tina, my SIL, with the Relay for Life and we celebrated three birthdays- my Brother in Law, Ted's 50th, my nephew, Thomas' 21st and my niece, Sammie Jo's 15th. You will see them in my blog header for this month.Please notice that they are NOT standing by their own cakes for this picture!

It was a great family time and I am glad we could be there for the celebration. We needed to be there to see our family and make sure they were okay because on April 27 when those tornadoes ripped through northern Alabama, they went through their town.

We are very blest to have a wonderful support group in Little Rock that prayed for our family in Alabama. One of our friends, Anna Grace age 7, wrote Kaitlin a note. In her note, Anna Grace, told Kaitlin that she was praying for her family and that she was sorry that our family had been through the tornado. I can't quote the exact note because I cried every time I read it.

Kaitlin took the note this weekend and gave it to Aunt Tina. Aunt Tina and Uncle Ted were both moved when they read the note. Anna Grace's mama, Kate, asked for specific names for Anna Grace to pray for. Aunt Tina was happy to comply. Aunt Tina is a school teacher and she had one girl in her class that was impacted by the tornado - Cati Grace, she and her family lost everything. We met her at the Relay for Life.

As hard as that was Aunt Tina always teared up when asking for prayer for another young girl, Arie- pronounced R-ree age 6. She was in a house with her grandparents, her parents, her aunt and uncle and two cousins. Their house was lost and only 4 of the 9 made it out alive. Arie lost her parents, her grandparents and a cousin. There are several others in town that lost everything but when asked what help they need, Tina said that they all say, please help Arie and her family.

Would you please join Anna Grace and pray for Arie too? Thank you

Gifts from God

Some of the many gifts that God has given me

running water to drink and wash clothes

clean clothes- even if they are all over the dining room table- see fantastic book below

a snapfish sale, you can order 100 prints for 10.00$ with the code MOMDAY100. It ends today.

sending out graduation announcements for Kaitlin

blogs and newspapers and friends that share the names of fantastic books

most recent fantastic book is Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee

housework that waits on me while I sit and read- no, get lost in- a fantastic book :)

Eating lunch with Kaitlin and Marci- took a break from fantastic book- you girls know how much I love you!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Cheryl and Jeff and Jennifer and Kaitlin

text messaging so that I can keep up with folks in hard situations

my job- I am blessed and honored to share life with some many wonderful folks.

Randomness

Do you want to give something to the folks in Alabama that have had their lives turned upside down by the tornado? This is one way. Baby shower for Tuscaloosa

Here is another way Riverwood Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa is a PCA church that was hit hard.

My friend Lilli Walker has a blog that is now on my blog roll. She is going to be in 11 countries in 11 months doing ministry. Check it out!

I read a wonderful book over the weekend. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova was so fascinating. I was hooked by the first few pages. Sarah has a traumatic brain injury but it is an uplifting book about it.

I have water today so it is a good day!