HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

GOD BLESS AMERICA

God Bless America is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918, during World War I. In 1938, in response to Hitler's anti-semitism, he revised the lyrics, making it an important song of World War II. Kate Smith introduced it on national television and in the 1943 movie, This is the Army. It became her signature song.

God Bless America is a prayer asking for God's blessing on a nation looking for peace.

To hear Kate Smith sing it in her beautiful contralto voice, click here: Kate Smith
(Be sure to watch the whole five minutes.)

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After the tragedy of 9/11, when our country was reeling under nationwide devastation, members of Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol to reassure a hurting country. They broke out in a spontaneous rendition of God Bless America.

Democrats, Republicans, Senators, Representatives--all barriers were down as our leaders led us through our grief.

Click here to read an article depicting that event: Article

Click here to see a You Tube version and hear them singing: Congress on Capitol Steps

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The most moving rendition of this beautiful song occurred May, 2017, at the National Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol on PBS.

Captain Luis Avila, a wounded warrior fighting his way back from horrendous injuries suffered in Afghanistan, sang this prayer, along with his musical therapist and opera star Renee Fleming.

Music is helping Captain Avila recover. His singing fills me with gratitude for the sacrifices many have made so I can live a life of freedom. His is the most beautiful performance of this song I've ever heard.

Click here for a very special blessing. You won't be disappointed:  Captain Luis Avila

Enjoy celebrating the 4th of July.

Pray that God truly will bless our America.

HAUNTED

Is your mother in your head?

• "Wash your hands, brush your teeth."
• "Mend that hem, don't use a safety pin."
• "Raggedy underwear? Un-uh. Never!"
• "The kitchen isn't clean until the counters are wiped down."

My favorite saying from my mom when I was going through tough stuff was, "You'll live through it, Honey, but you won't look the same!"

And then there was Dad. Why do I think of him whenever I get to the bottom of the toothpaste tube? Having lived through the difficult Depression, Dad always insisted we squeeze out the very last bit of toothpaste.

Dad also said, "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing right." No slackers allowed.

Bill & Marge Faris--my parents who lovingly "haunt" me, even today!

As moms and dads we work hard to "get into" our kids' heads. There's so much to teach: compassion, kindness, hygiene, work ethics, self-discipline, etc. Part of our job is "haunting" them...in a good way.


The June 2nd devotional in My Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers really touched my heart. Here are the powerful sentences that grabbed me:

• "The whole of our life inside and out is to be absolutely haunted by the presence of God."
• "If we are haunted by God, nothing else can get in, no cares, no tribulation, no anxieties."
• "We see now why Our Lord so emphasized the sin of worry."
• "To be haunted by God is to have an effective barricade against all the onslaughts of the enemy."

And then this:

"'God is our Refuge'--nothing can come through that shelter."

When I allow worry to envelop me, it affects my sleep, appetite, joy, energy--even my face! It paralyzes me. That's why these lines from the devotional speak to me.

May we all be haunted by God, who loves us and know us better than even our moms!

 

PAY IT FORWARD

Ms. Bolin, a fifth grade teacher at Dana Middle School in San Diego, is leading her students in an assignment that reinforces:

• reading skills
• writing skills
• life skills - compassion and gratitude

Together the class read Pay it Forward: Young Readers' Edition by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Originally, this was an adult novel made into a movie starring Helen Hunt. The young readers' version is the same story and concept on a different reading level.

This wise teacher followed up the novel by assigning the students a "pay it forward" activity every day for the last month of school. They must come up with an idea, do it, and write about it for their homework assignments.

My granddaughter is fortunate to be in Ms. Bolin's class. I watched as she performed various good deeds: thank you notes, giving her last bit of change along with a note to a homeless man, giving flowers to a nurse, cleaning a sister's dresser, etc.

This assignment introduces fifth graders to the joy of serving others. Human kindness.

We're lacking that sometimes, aren't we? Hate is on the rise as evidenced by language and actions. Violence and rage seem to dominate news reports.

Evil MUST be destroyed and it has to begin with US.

Perhaps a "pay it forward" every day is a start.

Where is the light of human kindness?  I'm searching. It's there, just buried under all the bad news. It is:

• on a Portland, Oregon, train when three men (heroes) defend victims of evil.
• in Manchester, England, when strangers, one homeless, usher people to safety during the tragedy.
• on a computer app created by a young boy to help physically challenged people find public places with accessibility.
• in a sympathetic smile and offer of help to a young mom with a screaming toddler. Yes, even on an airplane!
• in a fifth grade classroom in southern California.

How can  you and I Pay it Forward today?

Evil MUST be destroyed by US.