The heat!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. The beginning of July is always busy because our moms birthday is on the third and then we celebrate with family on the fourth. The heat wave has also taken time. We have to water the flowers everyday more than usual. Thanks for being patient!

Flag Day ~ June 14, 2012

  

The Star Spangled Banner  By: Francis Scott Key (1814)

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

  

     I didn't get to post anything yesterday, but I don't want to forget to post something for flag day (which was yesterday). Usually I only hear the first verse or so when someone sings the national anthem, but I decided to post all four verses. We have the full song in our church hymn book because we do sing the national anthem the Sunday after the 4th of July. We should all keep praying for our nation, for we all need prayer!

Joyfulness with a side of Laughter...

    There are rarely days in which I don't laugh. I smile all the time, with happiness in my wake. The rest of my family may not be as bubbly as me, but they do know how to laugh and smile too. 
    It is a rainy day here in West Hempstead and it's not going to get better, for there is a storm predicted. At three pm we all gather together at the dinning room table to have a drink and a small snack, which is usually a piece of fruit. Today my mom and brother were at the table doing some logic puzzles from a puzzle book. Before five minutes had passed everyone was involved in helping them finish. Everyone was smiling. It was so delightful to look around and see them so happy. The weather could be as downcast as it wanted to be, but the happy mood could not be broken. 
    The Lord has been so gracious and good to everyone in my family this past year. It's been great being eighteen (what a blessing to live another year...)! The Lord has been with me in the past year and I am glad that I have been able to grow more like him.

An AMAZING friend to all sinners...

Imperfection.

"Practice makes perfect" is a thing I was told a lot when I was growing up, especially when I was busy preparing for a performance with my violin. I hated when people said that and I would always say: "It will never be perfect!" (probably walking away as I said it..). Sometimes I wish that I could help solve everyone's problems, but I know that can never be done. I'm not perfect and I know that I lack the perfection in order to do that. But I still wish...especially when the person is hurting.

Below is a poem I saw on the internet a few days ago I love the ending, it's so true! 

A Perfect Christian

You could count on a perfect Christian
To always be gentle and humble,
To be immune to sin,
And never, ever stumble.

He’d study and remember
All of God’s commands;
He’d be trustworthy, moral and honest;
You’d know just where he stands.

With others, she’d be in harmony;
She’d never lose her cool;
Forgiving and forgetting,
Following the Golden Rule.

He’d surrender his life to God,
Full of joy and peace,
Free of stress and worry…
Perfect, pure release.

She’d lift up everyone,

Full of sweet compassion,
Free of worldly wants,
Ignoring worldly fashion.

But we can’t ever be perfect,

So we always need to pray
for the strength to do our best
to love God and obey.

By Joanna Fuchs

France - 10 day vacation

Today at 6:20pm EST the plane will lift off from America and a few hours later will land in France. A group of 41 people (college aged and professors) will be on that plane.
Me and my sister will be part of that group.
I've never been to Europe before, so I'm really excited. I am so thankful that God allowed me and my sister to have a chance to go overseas. This is a pleasure trip that we are taking with the Honors freshman at Molloy
College.
Your prayers would be appreciated: Thank you!
(I will take pictures and maybe post a few on this blog when I get back)

God's Garden!

Today there was beautiful weather here on Long Island. Not a cloud in the sky blocked the wonderful warm sun. The birds chirp joyfully and clatter around on the bird feeders at the far end of our backyard. Since I couldn't do justice describing the beauty around me, I took pictures and decided to post them for all of you to see. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful start to our garden, so I give him praise for that. Thank you Lord!

Thank you, Lord

    School has finally finished and I have successfully completed my first year if college. The Lord has certainly helped me and kept me throughout the hard times. I want to thank all of those who were praying for me: THANK YOU! 
    You would think that I would have lots of time to write new posts, but that is not the case yet. Me and my twin sister are going to France next Wednesday, the 23rd of May. We are so excited to be going. The Honors program at our college offers this trip to all of the honors students, and me and my sister chose to go. A lot of our new friends are also going so it will be fun. Although we have made many new friends, most aren't Christians. I would be grateful if you would pray for all of them. 
   Me and my twin sister joined the christian group at our college and became friends with everyone there, but only two from that group of about twenty will be going with us to France (most are not freshman, so they went last year on the trip to France if they are in the Honors Program). 
    Again, thank you for your constant prayers. I will be praying for all of those who view this blog. 
    May God Bless You and Keep You, Julie Waldvogel