"Grandma, Harry's Home!"

We just had a wonderful opportunity to travel back to Minnesota for the burial of my great Uncle who was killed in World War II.  After 66 years he was laid to rest in the family plot.  He was my grandmother's brother and a gunner on a B25, when his plane went down across enemy lines in the Philippines.  Jon actually had the honor of flying to Hawaii and escorting the remains of my Great Uncle home to Minnesota where our two littlest boys, Bumble and Peanut, and I joined him.  It really caused me to reflect on the awesome heroic actions of our military past and present.  Men and women who stood, and stand, courageously for the freedoms we have in this country.  It was a great encouragement!  Although it also caused me to reflect on how deeply saddened I am to see moral truth being stripped in the name of freedom and used to support unmoral actions and behaviors.  I deeply believe that true freedom and moral truth go hand in hand, and just as my great Uncle fought for it - my family will too.  I can't say it any better than John Paul II stated in this quote:

"Freedom untethered from truth is freedom's worst enemy. For if there is only your truth and my truth, and neither one of us recognizes a transcendent moral standard (call it “the truth”) by which to adjudicate our differences, then the only way to settle the argument is for you to impose your power on me, or for me to impose my power on you. Freedom untethered from truth leads to chaos; chaos leads to anarchy; and since human beings cannot tolerate anarchy, tyranny as the answer to the human imperative of order is just around the corner. The false humanism of the freedom of indifference leads first to freedom's decay, and then to freedom's demise."

I pray this is not the direction our country is heading - although if we reflect on history, it tells a similar tale.  Anyhow, I do pray for our Nation, it's leaders and for the men and women who are serving in our military.  I pray that the freedom that we hold so dear will be guided by this transcendent truth!

This past weekend was also wonderful time of reconnecting with family - Aunts, Uncles and even Cousins that I hadn't seen in 15+ years.  My brother and one of my sisters from California made it out as well.  I hadn't seen them since my parents 50th Wedding anniversary 5 years ago.  Where does the time go?  Weddings and funerals - times to celebrate life and bring us all together!

 This truly was an awe inspiring event.  Watching the fighter jets fly the missing man formation over the gravesight was very moving.  As the one jet peeled away from the formation and headed stright up till it could no longer be seen - flying up to heaven - the spirit within me stirred as I run the race towards heaven!  It also brought tears to my eyes as my Uncle called out, "Grandma, Harry's Home!"  Here is a very well done photo montage video written about the event:  Finally Home

Swim Meet Results

We had our second swim meet for the summer swim league here!  It was a blazing 100 degrees outside.  The swimmers were cool in the water, but the spectators sweated it out on the pool's edges.  Daring to quickly dip their feet in the water here and there to get a bit of relief. :)  There was lots of hollering and cheering, "go, go, kick, kick, pull - way to go!"  We have three swimmers this year as Pixie has made her debut.  We are very proud of her - as she has had too much anxiety the last two years to stick with it past the first couple practices.  This year she is having a blast and doing a fantastic job.  We have a team of almost 100 swimmers this year ranging in age from 5 years old up to 18 years old - it's a great team!  Last night's meet was won by our team - 799 points to 381 points.  GO STORM!!  Here are the kids individual race results:

Pixie: 1st place - Freestyle Relay, 2nd place - Medley Relay and 25 Breaststroke

Runner: ALL 1st place finishes - Medley relay, 100 Individual Medley, 25 Freestyle, Freestyle Relay

Jammer: 1st place - 50 Backstroke, 50 Freestyle,  Freestyle Relay, and 3rd place -50 Breaststroke

Way to go swimmers!  We are so proud of you for all your hard work!