Jul 31, 2006


A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and
remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap,
only to be woken by gun fire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is
a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him.

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE,
FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!

Jul 29, 2006

Britt's and Baby Dylan's shower today was a fun time...Almost like a family reunion since there were friends and family members who haven't seen each other in years! Some were little children and now they have children...Time is precious...we can never come back to these moments....

Gifts galore....Kia keeps a running tab...

Mothers, Sisters, daughters, Granddaughter, neices,cousins, & aunts....relatives with dazzling Southern girl smiles....

Donna, Kristen and 'Lil Angel'....

Alice, Britt, Lynn and Kia....They know how to get the job done....way to go girls!

Nancy, Amanda, and Seisha....an answer to prayer....

Jul 28, 2006


Daily Word — Friday, July 28, 2006
Joy
"Be glad in the Lord and rejoice."
The thrill of joy within me excites my soul.
There is a joy in my life that cannot contain itself--
that needs to be celebrated, shared, and made known.
I am in awe of all the happiness that my heart holds.
From an unsuppressed giggle to a knowing smile, there are many ways
I share God's joy with others.
From meaningful, loving words, to generous giving,
to a random act of kindness, my demonstrations of joy abound.
I may also feel joy in quiet, reflective, meditative moments
that fill my soul with gladness.
I may outwardly rejoice as
I dance, sing, jump, or shout with joy.
The exuberance within me bursts forth as I celebrate each present moment.
There is always reason to celebrate because
I am living a life of joy in God's presence.
"Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
O righteous, and shout for joy,
all you upright in heart." --Psalm 32:11

Jul 27, 2006

Special Prayers:
Blake is standing with his friend, the 'Tanners'..
Earlo & Maxine....from Kissimmee.
The Tanner's are in their 70's and are the caretakers
for their 49 yr. old son, Robert...
Robert is their only son and has always been incapacitated
and requires much care which they have lovingly and faithfully provided...
Robert has now been hospitalized in Tampa for several months and the Tanners
have been told that he will have to be sent to a
health facility with special equiptment for his needs....
please pray for this family that God will provide the perfect place and people which will meet both Roberts needs and Maxine & Earlo's as well....
God bless this little family of Love...

Jul 23, 2006

Who is this??? Is this really part of our family? Does Chad know how to use Photoshop? Joshua, this one is for you....kinda looks like you doesn't he?

Jul 20, 2006

Sisters at Estelle's....our bone tests were done in different ways though....ask Blake!

Male escort required with crazy 'Baxter' sisters....Military retired, Blake, shows how happy he is to do the job!

Jul 19, 2006

My prayer 'girls' Nancy & Abby surprised me today
with a 4th of July Happy Birthday lunch and celebration....
what a delight it was...
these girls really know how to make someone feel 'special'....
Yo Te Quiero Mucho!

Celebrating LIFE....Nancy, Abby and I....

Jul 18, 2006

Tombstone, Arizona was one of the sightseeing trips made recently by Chuck & Terry when they visited church friends in Texas....the amazing thing about this trip...this is the first actual 'touristy' vacation they have had in years and years...being pastor of a church, owning a business and working full time, being involved in family affairs and 'needs of the community'....does not leave any time for this kind of travels...Thank God they finally did see the...Grand Canyon!

Joshua's 5th B'day

Chuck at Grand Canyon...finally!

Joshua's 5th B'day

Chuck & Terry, Grand Canyon...Awesome sight....Awesome Family 'Mom & Dad'...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Jul 13, 2006

Manatee Heaven...Crystal River, Florida and a little boy's dream~~~

Joshua's 5th B'day
Remember....Click on pictures below to enlarge for better viewing...
then 'back' to return to blog page...

This is it....Joshua's 5th Birthday Dream Come True....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua Shane talking to his Mom on the phone while getting ready to have fun on his special 5th Birthday....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Happy 5 yr. old listens to music on MP3 player while traveling to Crystal River to celebrate his 'Dream Birthday'....swimming with the manatees...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Wood art...just Joshua's size....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua and Neena swim in motel pool...manatees are the theme everywhere...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Pool view of Kings Bay harbor...Pete's Marina in back...dive shop on premises, one more hour of sleep by being near-by....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Breakfast and early morn birthday celebration by Joshua and Neena....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Charlie's Rest...great food especially their 'fried okra'....Pops/Charlie and Joshua...two buddies...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Florida tourist, Joshua, Cindy, Lynn and Faith...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Crystal River, Florida's nuclear power plant...built on marshes ten miles out....sight-seeing on our way to...WalMart!

Joshua's 5th B'day

Cindy gave him a Superman fishing rod much to his delight....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Waiting in line for wet suits at dive shop

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua said "It is hard getting in this wet suit.."

Joshua's 5th B'day

"Okay, I'm ready now" says Birthday Boy...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua with anxious anticipation....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Neena, Joshua and Cindy playing tag with the illusive manatees...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Our group in 72 degrees water and still having fun...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Cpt. Jerry helps birthday boy aboard...

Joshua's 5th B'day

"Here I am...come and find me" say the Manatees today....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Where are you little 3000 lb. pet?

Joshua's 5th B'day

THIS is the real thing....ask our gang...

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua and Cindy...sharing M&M's...gourmet jelly beans and.....fun...even while we were trying to SLEEP!

Joshua's 5th B'day

Crackers Rest. girls sing Happy Birthday to a suddenly shy Joshua...

Joshua's 5th B'day

The Manatee Club at lunch under what Joshua calls 'the tree'....

Joshua's 5th B'day

Joshua and his 'Neena' celebrate the happiness of being five years old in Florida....

Grand Cypress Time

Jul 6, 2006

Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort

Grand Cypress Time


My Birthday Celebration with Family at Hyatt Grand Cypress....Talking pictures are below...and a Good Time was had by ALL....(Thanks Bill & Susan for your gifts....and your best gift....YOURSELF!)

Grand Cypress Time

Checking into the Grand Cypress was a hassle this year....
Vann, our man, worked hard to take care of us as usual...everything went 'wrong' at first.....between Pops, Matt, Vann and other members of the desk team, it turned out....great!
The people who make our Grand Cypress annual event such a memorable time are those who have been there for years....
We've been going to Grand Cypress since 1986.....every 4th of July.....
Vann, our spoiler, Dora, my problem solver consultant, Susie our English Glamour Girl, Nancy our special 'helping others' long-time friend, Maria's beautiful smiling face, and Shirley's take care of us attitude.....are all the 'Secret to Success...at Hyatt Grand Cypress, Orlando, Florida....
We pay tribute to all of you for your continued excellence, professionalism and
personal service and caring to....The Fernandez Clan!
God Bless you'll!

Grand Cypress Time

Our special Carlos IV....Watermelon Man!

Grand Cypress Time

Southern Girls get a much needed rest...temporarily!

Grand Cypress Time

Pop in his 'Family Fun' glory....

Grand Cypress Time