Holiday Horror Story

Christmas is a holiday that persecutes the lonely, the frayed, and the rejected.
Jimmy Cannon
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Since I'm always working, my best holiday memories are definitely when I can just go home and spend time with my family.
Chris Brown
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After weeks of making lists, checking the adds for sales, cleaning the house beyond immaculate, the day had finally arrived! Christmas Eve! It should have been a day of joy and blessing, but to her, it was a day of pressure. It was a test that she had passed throughout the years, but would this be the year she would fail? Her mother-in-law would visually inspect the house. Her father-in-law did his best to ease the tension. Her mother criticized the way she made the stuffing, because she didn't follow the exact family recipe. Her father just wanted to watch the football game. Her brother and sister-in law were late, which caused a disagreement between her brother and mother - who wanted everything perfect. Her sister, the one blessing to her, didn't show up, because she spent the holidays with her family. Then there were the nieces and nephews running around the house, teasing each other........She lost it, and shouted, "CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!"

Since I’m always working, my best holiday memories are definitely 

when I can just go home and spend time with my family. 

–Chris Brown 

Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that 

you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.

– Caroline Kennedy

 

Christmas is a holiday that persecutes the lonely, the frayed, and the rejected.
Jimmy Cannon
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/holiday.html#0BBUKj08lwLp2zEA.99

The term 'Happy Holidays' seems to have been replaced by 'Holiday Horror Stories.' Come September, the holidays seem to blend together and get shoved out into the stores. It seems that Christmas decorations come out near the end of September...sometimes even before the Halloween decorations come out. As far as Thanksgiving, you might as well hang it up. In the middle of all of that, we have the hustle and bustle of preparing for family to come to the house, or for holiday travels to their house, creating havoc of Biblical proportions! There is not enough caffeine to help some moms through this time blessed, yet stressful, time!
In looking at our own family, we have decided to scale it way back this year. We are blessed and have decided that family is a precious gift that is invaluable. This is the one time of the year, after all, that the entire family gets together as a group. Yes, we see various parts of the family throughout the year, however, this is the one time we are all together, and that is the best gift any of us could give.
To ease the tension of the holidays on my sister-in-law, the various family members are bringing a portion of the meal with us, and keeping Christmas to a minimum. To ease the Thanksgiving meal on my mother, I've decided to have it at my house, allowing her to have Thanksgiving 'off' this year.
In looking around this holiday, can you take some pressure off the head cook or the meeting house of choice for the holidays? If not, be prepared to leave the espresso on the counter and back away slowly!
Make it a Happy Holiday this year, instead of a Holiday Horror Story :) 

It's a 'Knotty' World

Sometimes in life, we are our own worst enemies. Our inner demons can be our strongest critics. There are those days where every terrible thing someone has said seems to find its niche in what could amount to be the worst-day-ever!!

When you have those days, know that you are NOT alone. There is a world out there of people who are struggling to untie the knots in their lives that has created the mess that has become our world today. So, don't let those thoughts 'knot' up your life. It's a 'knotty' enough world...there is no reason to add to it!

When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on. Hold on to that thin knot of hope that things may still yet turn out okay.

God doesn't make mistakes...and, yes, that includes people! God knew you before you were even a twinkle in your mother's eye. He looked down at that wonderful spark of life and said, "I have a plan for you! Fear not, fret not, for I am not going to leave you! No matter what those 'knotty' people on Earth tell you, you are not a mistake. You are not a failure. You are a beautiful creation and I have a stupendous plan for you...just hold your breath and hold on. It will be a bumpy ride, but in the end you will know that I have not and will not ever leave you! You are my child. Please look at those knots in the rope as a way to climb up the rope to safety and success, instead of a way to knock you down...I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE."

JUST HOLD ON!!!

Where were you?

“The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic, and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than 

ever to live our lives in freedom.” 

-Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York City

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” -President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

Where were you?

11SEP2001 at 0846 - Flight 11 crashes at roughly 466 mph into the north face of the North Tower

  

On 10SEP, the radios were discussing when the 'War of the Worlds' was broadcast on the radio, and how people panicked throughout the United States. The next morning I was getting ready for work, 350 miles from NYC, when I got a knock on my door. My neighbor was panicked and asked if I had turned on the radio. I told her I did and that it was a really sick joke about the plane hitting the tower. Imagine my shock when she told me to turn the television on and I found out it was real. My heart sunk and my stomach churned as I watched the events slowly unfold that morning. 

11SEP2001 at 0903 - Flight 175 crashes at about 590 mph into the south face of the South Tower between floors 77 and 85.  

It was at that point that the world understood that it was not an accident. It was at that point that foreign terrorism struck the heart of NYC. People stood in lines to give blood. People joined the military to fight the war on terror. Things changed throughout the Unites States that we are still faced with even today.

11SEP2001 at 0937 - Flight 77 crashes into the western side of the Pentagon at 530 mph and starts a violent fire.

Those events are forever cemented in the minds of those who experienced the loss, not only personally, but those in the country who were alive and remember the vivid details. The country was forever changed on that day. With the support felt around the world, the President declared a war on terror that is still being fought today. There were FAA regulations put in place that are still implemented on flights today.

11SEP2001 at  10:03 - Flight 93 is crashed by it's hijackers and passengers at 583 mph due to fighting in the cockpit in Somerset County, PA.

The question is, do you remember it? As the next generation comes up, it is our job to remind them as to what happened on that day. We need to remind them as to why we as a country needs to stay vigilant. We also need to remind ourselves as to why there were lines to the blood banks on that day. We need to remind ourselves why people volunteers for days and weeks on end to go through the rubble, with hopes of finding people alive. We need to remind ourselves that almost 3000 lives were lost that day.

My challenge to you this SEPTEMBER 11th is to tell your story. Where were you on 11SEPTEMBER 2001?

I can promise you that even at work on that day, my eyes were glued to the television. I can promise you that as that last plane was still missing that I was in prayer for every family who suffered a loss. I was in prayer for those brave men and women of the Police and Fire Departments, along with some military members, who ran into the towers to help those they could...and some who lost their lives. I can promise you that I am still in prayer for those in the government who are making decisions for our countries citizens. I can also promise you that when I think of 11SEP, I have a pride when I remember that the country united and banded together to help everyone through those disastrous events that forever not only changed the skyline of New York City, but the heart of a country as well.

Where were you?

THE HOLY FLAME TRILOGY PRESENTS: THE CALL TO DUTY

“We all know emergencies never take a day off. We all know for each one of us claimed, another has to step up to continue taking care of our fellow citizens. Our job is to protect and to serve. Our job is to care for the injured, to help those who need it, and to take down the beast known to us as fire. This beast tries to claim whatever and whomever it can. We all have a call to duty, which we have sworn to perform."

The long-awaited first book of 'THE HOLY FLAME TRILOGY: THE CALL TO DUTY' is finally out in paperback and ebook.

PAPERBACK:

Booklocker (Free Exerpt): http://booklocker.com/books/6972.html
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EBOOK ($2.99):

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BOOKLOCKER (FREE EXCERPT): http://booklocker.com/6972
iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/call-to-duty-holy-flame-trilogy/id683867629

A portion of the proceeds to this book are going to a special non-profit group that is close to my heart. The AIRBORNE ANGEL CADETS OF TEXAS send packages overseas to the soldiers, so they know they are never forgotten. The volunteers of this group have a tremendous heart in taking care of those who stand up for our freedoms. You can find more information on them at: http://www.airborneangelcadets.com

SUMMARY:  

Courageous. Brave. Fearless. Valiant. These synonyms are often used to describe firefighters/paramedics, police officers, and military personnel. They face danger and lay their lives on the line when they leave for work. What are their struggles? Could that hinder their job proficiency? Who is taking care of those who are taking care of the citizens of this country?
Casey Carter is a 'newbie' to the firefighting family of Engine Company 15. Not only does she have to prove herself as a probationary firefighter, but she also has to battle misconceptions of females within her newly chosen profession. As situations begin to arise, can she count on the firefighter brotherhood to have her back? Will she be able to pass the tests placed before her, or are there aspects that she was not even aware existed?
        Often in life there are two realms in play. There is the physical realm - what is right before you; the other is the spiritual realm - what is unseen. Each can directly affect you, whether you believe they exist or not. Can Casey keep them in balance when she is not exactly sure what she is fighting? Can a group of men help her see what cannot be readily seen, hear what cannot be readily heard, and be able to overcome what she never knew existed? Will they be able to show Casey her true Call To Duty?

Ephesians 6:12-13:
 ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Lighthouse

"Anxiously you ask, 'Is there a way to safety? Can someone guide me? Is there an escape from threatened destruction?' The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you: Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, 

'This way to safety; this way to home.”
―Thomas S. Monson

Lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors, and can also assist in aerial navigation. The lighthouse calls from the shoreline, guiding people through the storms, showing them safety is not far off. It's lit by a tiny light bulb, but it shines for miles due to the way the mirrors reflect the light. It has saved many sailors from the stormy seas, bringing them in safely. They kept their eye on the light, knowing the shoreline was close.
Why is it we resist so strongly, though? Why do we turn away from the light when the seas of life get rough? People are strong and independent. We try to find our own way. God doesn't want us to drown in the stormy seas. He wants to lead us to safety. He has provided a way for us to navigate those stormy seas, all we have to do is look for the light and follow it to the safety of the shore.
Also, we are called to be that light. We are to tell others how to get to safety. With your little light, He can reflect His love throughout the world. He takes us through many situations and circumstances, so we can help guide others through the stormy seas to safety. He can use you wherever you are, whatever your past, and sends you to help those of His who are 'lost at sea' and are in need of your words and experience.
God has brought me through a myriad of circumstances. I have been able to take the lessons learned, and help others navigate through the storms of life. He can use you. He can take your little light and shine it brightly if you are willing.

In Matthew 5:14-16, says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Freedom Isn't Free

'Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.'

- Dwight D. Eisenhower 

The opening shots of the American Revolution were fired in the center of Lexington, Massachusetts on the morning of April 19, 1775. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress. On December 7, 1941, we remember the catastrophic tragedy that launched the United States into WWII. On September 11, 2001, another attack on our soil propelled us into 'Desert Shield' and 'Desert Storm'.

Freedom is defined as: the power to act, speak, or think without externally imposed restraints. Some synonyms of freedom are: liberty, independence, opportunity, privilege, and unrestrained.

Now that I have given you a history and vocabulary lesson, please allow me a moment to tell you what it means to me. Growing up in a military family, it meant knowing the Star Spangled Banner word for word. It meant seeing the faces and knowing many who signed up to make the ultimate sacrifices for this country. It meant knowing the Pledge of Allegiance and saying it in school before classes began, remembering those faces. It means digging into history, in hopes of not repeating past mistakes of our ancestors...as well as discovering why our ancestors began the fight for freedom and what they did right. People came and still come from all over the world to discover the American Dream for themselves, while there are some Americans who take the freedoms this country has for granted.

This brings to mind a couple of questions. What would our forefathers say to the American people if they were to come forward in time? Would they be proud of what America has come to stand for over the years or would it anger them to see how much our freedoms have been compromised under the guise of 'political correctness'? What kind of America are we leaving for the next generation? Will future generations look back and be proud of what the Americans of this generation did for the world?

John 15:13 says, 'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.' Or in this case for one's country.

True freedom demands sacrifice. Despite what this 'instant gratification' generation says, in order to truly appreciate something, it is often accompanied by long-term endeavors. The men and women of our military - past, present, and future - have either been willing, or have made the ultimate sacrifice. My husband is one of those. He is a 24 1/2 year Navy Veteran. In his career, he did three tours in Iraq as a medic. In his years, he saw many things that still plague his nightmares. During that time, he made many friends...and lost many friends. While these men and women were willing to make the sacrifice the loss of these lives effect many . 

Have you counted the cost of the freedoms you enjoy every day here in the United States? Have you taken a hard look at yourself and asked yourself if you would be willing to stand up for the freedoms that our forefathers fought and many since have died for?

Freedom is not free...

From an Author Friend of mine: New Romantic-Suspense SPLIT DECISIONS by bestselling author Carmen DeSousa is now available!

New Romantic-Suspense SPLIT DECISIONS by bestselling author Carmen DeSousa is now available!
SPLIT DECISIONS:
Sometimes you want something so badly you are willing to abandon everything you've ever known--including yourself.

Eighteen years ago, Jaynee Monroe married the man of her dreams, became the mother of four, and fulfilled her career goals. About to turn forty, she senses something is missing from her idyllic life. While Googling her name in an attempt to find herself, she unearths something so impossible, she contemplates her own sanity. Seeking answers, she embarks on a journey to discover the truth, only to end up abducted by a deranged stranger who insists on calling her Caycee.

Caycee took the road less traveled. Rejecting a marriage proposal from the only decent man she ever knew, she ventures to California to become famous. Eighteen years later, success has left her alone and miserable. Attempting to locate her lost love on Facebook, she discovers his infatuation with her. Not only does his presumed-dead wife have Caycee's uncommon middle name, it appears he has photo-shopped her face over hers.

Never could Caycee and Jaynee have imagined decisions they made years earlier would threaten not only their lives but also their loved ones. Caycee must now reunite with the southern gent she dismissed eighteen years ago and convince him to accompany her to New York to locate his wife, the most important person in both their lives.

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