Pictures

I wanted you all to see these great pictures!
I finally figured out how to get all 32 of them on the blog all at once! These pictures have already been published - so no worries there! They were taken in the early part of this month. Enjoy!


Blessings,

Tamera

Keep on Walk'in

Comedian George Burns said the clue to happiness is helping others: "If you were to go around asking people what would make them happier, you'd get answers like a new car, a bigger house, a raise in pay, winning a lottery a face-lift, more kids, less kids, a new restaurant to go to - probably not one in a hundred would say a chance to help people. And yet that may bring the most happiness of all.

"I don't know Dr. Jonas Salk, but after what he's done for us with his polio vaccine, if he isn't happy, he should have that brilliant head of his examined. Of course, not all of us can do what he did. I know I can't do what he did; he beat me to it.

"But the point is, it doesn't have to be anything that extraordinary. It can be working for a worthy cause, performing a needed service, or just doing something that helps another person."


"When life gets you down, you know what to do! Just keep [walk'in], just keep walk'in], just keep [walk'in] ... [walk'in] ... [walk'in]!"


Blessings,

Tamera

July

It's July!

As a kid I loved July! It was a month free of obligations - nothing but summer fun!
July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 180 days remaining until the end of the year. Aphelion, the point in the year when the Earth is farthest from the Sun, occurs around this date, so July is the warmest month of the year as well, and we can enjoy its longest days!






"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see."

Today many Americans observe the Independence Day holiday by having parades, picnics, barbecues, or other outings with friends and family. The Fourth of July fireworks are displayed in many large cities and are broadcast on television, and smaller communities have their own celebrations throughout the country.

Even though we celebrate, our hearts are somewhere else today, aren't they? Miles across the ocean . . . on the other side of the world it seems, where our sons and daughters fight for freedom!

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

When John Adams (the 1st Vice President and 2nd President of the United States) made the above statement, he was actually off by two days. Yes, the vote on July 2nd was the decisive act, but July 4th was/is the date of the Declaration itself.

Our freedom was and is worth fighting for! May you have a safe and happy 4th!

Blessings,

Tamera

Operation Khanjar

Be sure to read "Operation KHANJAR" written by Brig. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson on the
2nd MEB site . . .

The link is found on the left hand side of the page here on this blog.

Prayers

As General Douglas MacArthur said in his famous farewell address to the cadets at West Point, "This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war."

Eternal and loving Father, we ask You to protect those who are currently in, and are preparing to leave for war areas, and who face tremendous challenges over these next few weeks and months. Guide them and direct them in the maintenance of our country's honor and protect them in their hour of danger! Please be with their families, here and at home. Give them Your peace, compassion, and love. Give our fighting forces the rest they need to keep and sustain them - each and every one. Give wisdom to our leaders and strength to those who follow.

In Your holy name we pray, AMEN.

Blessings,

Tamera

MEB Deploys on Major Mission

I thought you all would be interested in seeing this link I found with articles about the operation just launched today, including reporters writing for most of the major news sources embedded with our Marines and Sailors.
http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2009/07/us-marines-launch-major-operat/
The picture (above) is from the NPR photographer David Gilkey and is of Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii and other Marines raising "their weapons in solidarity after an address by [General] Nicholson at Camp Leatherneck in southern Afghanistan."

[Be sure to click on the titles of the articles to read the entire expanded article.]

Blessings,

Tamera