Happy Anniversary Celebration Cruise to Pat & Walker and Faith & Charlie

They are celebrating somewhere on Royal Caribbean....all week...

Harmony

I create harmony when my actions are in accord with my beliefs.
There are times when I am tempted to go along with another's wishes even though I am uncomfortable doing so. Just the thought of going against what I believe causes me discord. In those moments, I pause and go within to give myself time to make the choice that is right for me.
Living my life in agreement with my values creates harmony at the depths of my being. Like the clear tone of a bell, waves of harmony go forth from me to bless the people around me. Harmonious vibrations are created. When I act in accord with my beliefs, I not only create harmony for myself, but I also nurture harmony in others.
God said to him, "Because you have asked ... for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind."--1 Kings 3:11-12
From: Daily Word Devotion

   

"Hello, my name is Austin. I had a 'strange' day today!" ***Click on pictures to enlarge for better viewing

"Today I went to my Granddad's and Granny's house like I usually do

 when Mommy and Daddy are at work.

 Actually I enjoy 'hanging out' with the older family members since they

can tell me things about life which gives me a head start on 'learning'. 

This way I can keep my parents informed if they are right or wrong.

Both of my Granddaddy's teach me a lot.

My Mommy's Dad has taught me the right forms of golfing and how to pick up a ball properly. 

 Holding the body in the right symmetrical position seems

to help the game and I can do it just like Granddaddy.

My Dad's Dad.....well, he is a wealth of information.

He and I have conversations that you won't believe.

We use all kind of technical words for hunting, digging with excavators and

'fixin~things' that only we understand.

  Granddad understands me real good. 

 He knows when it is time to rest and helps me

'be quiet and shut my eyes' gently...sometimes he even shows me how."

"AS YOU CAN SEE, I AM A GATORS FAN.

                          IN FACT, I AM SAYING 'GO GATORS' WHEN THIS PICTURE WAS MADE."

"This is my Granddad and Granny...."

"Here is where the 'strange' part came in.....
An 'older' lady came to the house today and she kinda looked like Granny....
but she was 'stranger' and 'scarier' .
They told me to call her 'Aunt Mary' but I decided not to call her anything until I wanted to....
At first, I was shy around her because she and Granny were talking so fast
that I thought they were speaking another language so I stayed close
to Granddad because I knew that I would  safe.
All she wanted to do was talk and take pictures.
She asked me to sit by the piano (Granny says it is  a special one
because it used to belong to her Aunt Hattie and they restored it) .
When I said, 'Go Gators' it made this lady happy.....
and I like smiling with happy people so I knew we would have fun.

Granddad held me safe and I was beginning to relax here...

Aunt Mary likes my Grandad....but I still don't know if I

want to share him with her or anyone else.....yet!"

"See I told you that Granny and this Aunt Mary looked alike....

They were celebrating something, I'm not sure what....

it was 10:00 in the morning and their talking sounded Chinese to me... 

words like Jimpness, Fuze, mail from China etc....

Granddad explained that this is a Magic Juice called Fuze and 

they are doing a  'petending' toast with it...

he says they think it will make them slim so they smile a lot

when they think that.... 

We tried to ignore them but couldn't because Granddad had to

'be nice' and take their picture...."

"Finally they decided to leave me and Granddad alone, Whew!

Aunt Mary still  wanted to take some more pictures outside though...."

Granny said, O.K." 

"That magic Fuze juice was still working because

they seemed to smile a lot...."

"Sitting in these two rockers in front of Grandad's and Granny's house
reminds me of  the 'Once Upon A Time' tales that I hear around here
....Southernese tales that are in old movies now~a~day...." 

"Finally they are leaving...

Granddad and I are relieved...."

"I told you Aunt Mary was 'strange'....

she even takes pictues of  toes.

She and Granny did something that they called

'recycling' themselves on 'Girls Day Out'....

I like Granny's bold colors on her toes but she won't

paint that on me....maybe I'll do it with my own crayons...

or do a special picture for her on her new painted walls...

I'm sure she would like that!" 

"Finally, my Daddy, (they call him Jason but I don't),

came to pick me up around 3:30....

I used my camera phone to call my Mommy and tell her

"I love you." but Dad wouldn't trade my phone for his even

though mine wouldn't fit in my pocket and fit

just right in his....

"I hope you enjoyed my 'show~n~tell' day!

I really like going to the zoo but there are some strange

animals in our family zoo...."

I am sending you a hug today....see below

Click Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hN8CKwdosjE
This was on the streets in Italy....
As my friend Hope says, "We need to do this in America"....
Do you agree?

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."

Norman Vincent Peale
1898-1993, Speaker and Author

A Salute To A Faith~Filled Soldier...Paul O. Cuzzupe II

Paul was known and loved.

He was brave, courageous and human too

Yet  he gave his life for me and you.

In a far off land

Life stopped for this brave young man

The Ultimate Gift was given that day

Greater Love had it's way....As the scriptures so clearly say,

To lay down one's life for a friend

Is the 'beginning' not the 'end'....

This soldier had faith, love and joy

Just ask this 'Mama'  about her precious boy....

American, we owe this family well

How much?....only Eternity can tell

We owe much to Paul O. Cuzzupe II today

And many more 'Paul's'  who with their life did pay

For you and I to live FREE in the USA..... 

written by: Faith

Daughter, Lynn, and Son, Chad, attend Graveside Memorial Service...
Patriotic Motorcycle Group in back...

I would like to thank Chad and Lynn from the bottom of my heart for going to this Memorial Tribute...
They did not know Paul personally yet each felt this was something they were 'impressed' to do.....
Asking them what they gave up to HONOR this wonderful Son of America...

Lynn said simply, "A Saturday afternoon trip to the mall."

When they were talking to an elderly veteran with a flag in his hand who was near them,

 explaining about the many family military members such as  their  Dad who served

in the 82nd Airborne and the 101st as well......

their final explanation was simply,

"We were 'raised' this way."

I thank God for the heart of these two wonderful and genuine family patriots....

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Lynn and Chad's Patriotism is considered 'normal' in our

family....

This event, placing an American Flag on Uncle Vic's Site,

at Christmas time is a normal occurrence...

They go to Florida National Cemetery regularly and pay

tribute to family members...

 Remembering...the Pauls, the Victors, the Georges
Yes, they are gone...but not forgotten...

Thank you, Chad and Lynn and may God Bless your

missions of Love and Honor....

Start Over

Have you ever gotten 'stuck' in life?
I have....
Rehashing all the 'if's' of a given  action, thought or event.
Over and over it goes, should have, if I would have, or could have done such and such...
What good does it do to stay and examine some spot where we failed or where we weep over our delay to do or the guilt over shortsightedness that prevented us avoiding an obstacle?
Let's agree today.....NO LOOKING BACK!
Give yourself,
your family and friends and all you have ever met a
             FRESH START TODAY!
Remember no more of their faults, sins and failures, OR YOUR OWN!
On life's journey throw away all that is not important.
Cast aside all the hindrances, the past imperfections of others, the failure-sense within.
Move on.....Life is 'far from over'.......

Philippians 4:8 (The Message Bible)
8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 
Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.

Another version, The Living Bible  says the same verse  like this...

"Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.

Think about things that are pure and lovely,

and dwell on the fine good things in others.

Think about ALL you can

Praise God for and be glad about!!!

Happy Birthday to Terry! We Love You Dear One....

Sunshine makes glad the heart....It is the Laughter of Nature

Let's Laugh Now!!!

Psalm 126:2 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Then our mouths were filled with laughter
and our tongues with joyful songs.
Then the nations said,
“The Lord has done spectacular things for them.”

JOY.....Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord it says in the Psalms

I woke up singing this morning, and usually I do, but some days the singing is better than others...I am not a very good 'singer' but I LOVE to sing.  As a result, I know what the Psalms mean when it says, 'make a joyful ~noise~unto the Lord'!  Then I started to read my daily word devotion and found that it described my morning emotion to me just exactly as I was experiencing it.   Yep, that is me!!!  See below:

Joy


I carry a song of joy in my heart.

Whether I consider myself to be a good singer or not, I carry a song of joy in my heart today. The tune and lyrics may be well-known or made up as I go along. My song may burst forth audibly or play in my own mind. With joy as my companion, there is lightness to my step, a twinkle in my eye and a smile on my face.

My song is inspired by life all around me: a sunflower's glory, a wheat field's bounty, a child's giggle or a puppy's wiggle. It wells up from within me as gratitude for what God has made, including my own self. I have been given a spirit of joy that carries me through whatever challenges I face. I sing a song of joy today as His Spirit sings through me.
"For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
 at the works of your hands I sing for joy."           Psalm 92:4

Beautiful and Inspiring....Much Needed Mini-Vacation

 

Walker, We Celebrate With YOU Today! From All Your 'Roses Are Red' Friends...

Love Speaks.....

This is a blessing in our families life....

see full story at

http://missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com/

Are YOU A Man Yet?

A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes,

smart enough to profit from them,

and strong enough to correct them.

Special Message to Ray D. ~ One of my favorite 'kin folk'....

WE CELEBRATE Y O U, Ray D. Fortner!!!

Click on Picture to enlarge for better viewing!

C H U C K......In Africa

Happy and Blessed Birthday to our Dear Chuck in Africa....

All your family sends their love to you on this your special day....

God blessed us when He gave you to our family....
See Chuck & Terry's Missionary Blog at...
http://missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com/