Strength for Service - Memorial Day 2012

“Bear your share of hardship along with me, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” -2 Timothy 2:3

St. Paul, in his letter to the younger Timothy, was written as Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Some parts of this letter reflects that Paul is exhorting Timothy to stand tall; to be steadfast in firmness and faith through all obstacles, and to protect the community and rely on the power of the word of God.

Christians are sometimes compared to a soldier, sometimes an athlete - both are symbols of strength and vigor. St. Paul warns us that we must “wrestle,” “run the straight race,” “put on the whole armor of God,” “fight the good fight of faith.”

I have read recently from one of our prayer books that sometimes nothing is more harder in life than just to endure. There are two types of strength; the strength of the wind that sways the mighty oak, and the strength of the oak that withstands the power of the wind. The strength of the locomtive that pulls the heavy train across the bridge, and the strength of the bridge that holds up the weight of the train. One is an active strength, the other passive; one is the power to keep going, the other the power to keep still; one the strength by which we overcome, the other the strength by which we endure.
I have seen all of these types of strength by my Bride over the past 5 months, and continue to be inspired by her. I have also seen these strengths in the many men and women who honorably volunteer to serve in our military. It is with all of this in mind, that we want to honor and thank all those brave service men and women throughout our great country’s history and implore you to keep everyone of them (and their families), past and present in your thankful hearts, minds and prayers.
The following poems are some of my favorites, and endure in many hearts. I have posted them to share, through the generosity of a good coaching friend - Hugh Wyatt:

Young Fellow My Lad - by Robert Service

“Where are you going, Young Fellow My Lad, On this glittering morn of May?”
“I’m going to join the Colours, Dad; They’re looking for men, they say.”
“But you’re only a boy, Young Fellow My Lad; You aren’t obliged to go.”
“I’m seventeen and a quarter, Dad, And ever so strong, you know.”
“So you’re off to France, Young Fellow My Lad, And you’re looking so fit and bright.”
“I’m terribly sorry to leave you, Dad, But I feel that I’m doing right.”
“God bless you and keep you, Young Fellow My Lad, You’re all of my life, you know.” “Don’t worry. I’ll soon be back, dear Dad, And I’m awfully proud to go.”

“Why don’t you write, Young Fellow My Lad? I watch for the post each day;
And I miss you so, and I’m awfully sad, And it’s months since you went away.
And I’ve had the fire in the parlour lit, And I’m keeping it burning bright
Till my boy comes home; and here I sit Into the quiet night.”
“What is the matter, Young Fellow My Lad? No letter again to-day.
Why did the postman look so sad, And sigh as he turned away?
I hear them tell that we’ve gained new ground, But a terrible price we’ve paid:
God grant, my boy, that you’re safe and sound; But oh I’m afraid, afraid.”
“They’ve told me the truth, Young Fellow My Lad: You’ll never come back again:
(OH GOD! THE DREAMS AND THE DREAMS I’VE HAD, AND THE HOPES I’VE NURSED IN VAIN!)
For you passed in the night, Young Fellow My Lad, And you proved in the cruel test
Of the screaming shell and the battle hell That my boy was one of the best.
“So you’ll live, you’ll live, Young Fellow My Lad, In the gleam of the evening star,
In the wood-note wild and the laugh of the child, In all sweet things that are.
And you’ll never die, my wonderful boy, While life is noble and true;
For all our beauty and hope and joy We will owe to our lads like you.”

This last poem could be titled Forever Young

“If you are able
Save a place for them inside of you,
And save one backward glance
When you are leaving for places
They can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
Though you may or may not always have.
Take what they have left
And what they have taught you with their dying,
And keep it with your own.

And in that time when men feel safe
To call the war insane,
Take one moment to embrace these gentle heroes
You left behind.”

by Major Michael D. O’Donnell…
shortly before being killed in action in Vietnam, 1970
AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM

Congratulations JFK Graduates!

I’m praying for many blessings to you all! Congratulations to the John F. Kennedy Commander graduates! I am so proud of all your accomplishments and am excited about your future. My hats off to the fine staff at JKF; you are amazing! I have seen how hard you worked to help our kids succeed - Your commitment to excellence has made the difference in our student’s lives; You all deserve a congratulations and thanks for all you do.

As you JFK graduates leave, know that you will be missed. I also want to congratulate and send all my love to my niece and nephew; Stephanie and Braxton on their graduations! Continued success in your future, in what you choose to do. I will continue to pray for God’s blessings for you all!

I want to close with an appropriate poetic reflection on life by my husbands favorite writer of prose - Grantland Rice. His prescription was to cultivate a steady and robust uphill personal attitude. For even if life’s problems at times seem insurmountable, what is always within a person’s control is one’s general attitude:

“The Measure of a Man”

This is the measure of a man - I hold -
to love with honor and to lose with grace;
to fight with courage, stalwart, strong and bold,
And, smiling, looking misfortune in the face.
To fear no man, nor shrink from any right.
Not care an atom what the world may say,
So long as deep within his inmost sight,
The ground looks clean whereon he makes his way.
To live with faith where no doubt shall avail,
Refuse no friend or brother ready aid-
And when, at last, he meets the endless Trail,
To go with death, unbowed and unafraid.”

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Martinez

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

“Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” - Revelation 11:19-12:1

Mothers are a gift from God! We all have our Moms on our minds today and hopefully you are able to make today extra special for her. Although I miss my Mama, I know that she is watching over me. I also happen to be blessed with a beautiful mother-in-law whom I love dearly. Let’s remember to give thanks that our moms chose to give us life, nurture us, and do their best teaching us to become mothers ourselves.

Being a mother has been the biggest blessing in my life. From the time I held my firstborn, I was so in love. The feelings of love for each of my children are equally as special. I am so grateful to be the mom of Joshua, Ash, and Lo. They are the greatest gifts that God has given me. I can’t leave out my lovely daughter Brittany, “Tito’s” wife - she is such a blessing to us.

Those of us that are mothers, know that it isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s downright difficult, that is an understatement! Somehow God always gives us the grace we need. Honestly, my children have brought me so much more joy and happiness than challenges. They have grown into such amazing wonderful adults!

Almost every woman that I know has taken on a mother’s role or chosen to love our children in a motherly way. I have seen many a friend or family member provide needed mothering skills and love to children that aren’t their own; how awesome you are!!

So, to all of you mothers and beautiful women that have chosen to help care for or love a child out of the pure love of your heart - You are all doing God’s work! I pray that you have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Your’s in Christ, gg

Our Lord gave us the Mother of the world, the Blessed Virgin Mary! She is always there for us.

Happy Monday Morning!

“Although I may not understand the path You’ve laid for me, Complete surrender to Your will - Lord, this my prayer shall be.” - Sherbert

We become who God meant us to be by giving ourselves completely to Him.

I have been thinking about where I am in my recovery and how I got here. I am getting stronger, physically doing more and have more energy. In fact, Ernie tells others that he has to “pull back the reins on me” because I want to do too much!

It has been four months since I was diagnosed with leukemia. I am amazed and so thankful for the walk that I have taken thus far. There is so much goodness in every day, and I try to embrace each day fully. Unfortunately, this is something I failed to do most of my life.

I don’t like to look back anymore, but as I have been reflecting, I remember hearing the diagnosis; It took my breath away for a moment. Then, I was immediately filled with a feeling that what I was about to face would be challenging and difficult - I trusted in Our Lord’s plan for me. I chose to walk by faith and believed that there would be good to come from the cross I would bear. There has been so much good; the love and prayers that I have received from you all have been such a blessing to me. You have been instrumental in my healing process.

l know that my Lord will never abandon me, and I have always felt peace as I put my complete trust in Him. He loves me and walks beside me every day. He blesses me and holds me up when I need it. He heals me and restores me always!

My prayer for all of you is today that you have peace and love this week. Remember that He is always with you. I think and pray for you all, and give thanks for all for your thoughts prayers, and updates. They mean so much to me.

In Christ’s Love, gg