drafts for the draft!

 

“Wait. What?

IMG_7998
“You mean you’re not taking me with you to watch The Draft?”
24893_413314156778_662231778_5110544_8271886_n
The NFL Draft, New York City, 2010

Our “very-own” calling the Steeler’s 6th round Draft Pick,  Running-Back Jonathan Dwyer, circa 2010

Our family enjoys watching Sports!

(Well….except this guy.)

IMG_4597
“I’d rather watch this water filter.” JDS

Preferably the Sport of football.  Followed closely by basketball.

You will occassionally see us watching Hockey or Baseball but only Cuppycake finds pleasure in watching the sport of Golf.

(This is like watching paint dry for me!! ZERO enjoyment on the fun-meter!)

We both hold out hope that we will continue to travel around the country and watch these two particular sports, at the Collegiate level.  We think it will be a WON-wonderful hobby for us to share together now that we are officially empty-nesters!

We’ve already visited a plethora of campuses & marked them off from our list, due mainly in part to THIS guy!

IMG_3524
Army Wins the Armed Forces Bowl!  2010

And this girlie…

And even this cutie-pa-tootie too.

(Yes, the Debate Team is considered a Sporting Event.) Well…kind-of.

We can’t wait to get out our calendars & plan for the Campuses we shall visit this Season and the games we shall be cheering at!

It was no surprise then to find a few of us “Sports-Faithful” gathered together to partake in sharing the excitment of watching The Draft together!

 

Drafts for The Draft!

This guy shared all the necessary details regarding the pros & cons, stats & stories, as each player was chosen by their prospective new teams.

IMG_6823
“This guy” with his Dad.

We love the part of listenting to the stories…but know we will have missed seeing them play now that they have moved into the professional arena of the Sport.  The Collegiate level is where our hearts remain and how we enjoy watching the Sport.  (Not that we still don’t enjoy watching anything Black & Gold with a Pittsburgh, Pa affliation! But mostly through the vehicle of a Telly.  Giggles.)

How many little boy’s dreams were made as they heard their names called that night!  How proud those who love them must have been to see this dream achieved.  I pray they honor this new blessing they’ve been given…that they remain humble, that they give back to others (especially those who helped them along the way.)  And that they MOST ESPECIALLY remember to give all the glory & honor to Him, who entrusted this talent to their care…

The arena of Sports is not the only opportunity for pride in our abilities.

In today’s culture Sports and Entertainment APPEAR to garner the most attention; however, there are many opportunities to exalt His name.  I am convinced God uses ordinary people to carry out His extra-ordinary plan in the game of life.

Although this Weekend we were able to watch, yet once again another NFL Draft, we were truly blessed to watch three young men carry out His plan in very extra-ordinary ways!

And I couldn’t help but be so proud to watch them each be “Drafted” to do His will.

Our “very-own” promoted to Captain in the Army!

Hooah!

IMG_8085

And two dear-friends newly Ordained as Deacons of the Diocese of Erie, Pa!

Amazing Grace!

God truly does use us in various ways!

hugs n’ blessings to all those using their talents on His playing field!!

If  our prayer is “Dear God, please use me to be of Service,” then that is what we will be.  And it is not for us to judge either the size or value of our gifts. Our job is to try to get out of the way, to defer to the Spirit moving within us and to become open channels for the flow of God’s love.”  Marianne Williamson

And it hurts.

Photo courtesy of Google.

It is a sad time in the World.

The recent events in Paris give us cause to pause in our lives and consider the effects of evil and our response to it.

One of the dangers of going through periods of distress, hurt, and heartache is that we’ll begin to doubt God’s goodness, and to think that He doesn’t care. Nothing could be further from the truth. And this is one of the reasons why it’s essential for us to spend regular time in God’s Word.  Scripture says: “In all their suffering He also suffered, and He personally rescued them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.” (Isaiah 63:9)

God hurts when we hurt. Remember Jesus weeping when He saw Lazarus’ family grieving? (John 11:35) The Bible clearly states that the Lord sympathizes with us. (Hebrews 4:15)  But He doesn’t stop there. As Isaiah says, He personally rescues us, lifts us up, and even carries us in times of hardship and pain.   e95d5a81e1a08e069146004b7430474a

God allows believers to experience adversity…but…Contrary to what the enemy would have us believe, God does not enjoy the hurting of His children. Jeremiah wrote: “For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion according to the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not willingly afflict or cause them sorrow.” (Lamentations 3:31-33) Just as God allows pain to enter our lives, He sends healing and restoration. Is there anything you and I can do to help this process along? Yes, there is. We can cooperate with God by earnestly seeking Him in prayer, praise, and the study of His Word. And we can ask Him to speak to our hearts, and to help us learn whatever lessons He has for us in our struggles. As we faithfully follow His lead, we will minimize the intensity and duration of our trials.

If you love God with all your heart, you have His promise that He will cause your hard times to profit you. (Romans 8:28) Claim that promise in faith today, and watch for His hand of favor and blessing right in the midst of your trials!  J.M Farro

Our parish priest, Fr. Larry Richards, reminded us during Sunday liturgy this past Weekend something very important.

“Hatred never has the last word.

God will always win!

We know the end of the story.”

(Click here to listent to Fr. Richard’s Homily in its entirety regarding our Christian response to the evil events in Paris.)

images

May you forever

keep your eyes always on Jesus.

And remember…

Love always wins! 

hugs n’ peaceful blessings!

No greater love…

208353_1024572618355_7989_n

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13

AN OLD SOLDIER’S PRAYER

I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I’ve lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life.

I have shared the comradeship of pain.
I have searched the lands for men that we have lost.
I have sons who served this land of liberty,
Who would fight to see that other stricken lands are free.

I have seen the weak forsake humanity.
I have heard the traitors praise our enemy.
I’ve seen challenged men become even bolder,
I’ve seen the Duty, Honor, Sacrifice of the Soldier.

Now I understand the meaning of our lives,
The loss of comrades not so very long ago.
So to you who have answered duties siren call,
May God bless you my son, may God bless you all.

Lewis Millett

West Point Graduation 2012
West Point Graduation 2012

hugs n’ blessings to all those past & present who have made Our Country proud! 

Thank you for your Service!