Religion and "Bones" and Our Veterans

I love the TV show Bones.  I think I have watched it since it began.  The main character absolutely makes me laugh because she is so.....................

Tonight Dr. Saroyan was referring to Bones (Temperance Brennan) when she said:

Where Dr. Brennan is concerned - All the conventional rules of the universe become obsolete.

I LOVE that quote.  Sometimes I find myself following that same idea.

But tonight's episode was far more than a great quote - but I do think considering conventional rules was a bit of foreshadowing.

To make an hour show into a couple of sentence - the general plot was unsolved crime/body found it the archives, group decides to figure out details of the crime/death, several interns work together.  They surmise that the body is a victim of something related to the 9-11 tragedy and he was a Veteran.

As they are working - one intern says to another (who just happens to be of middle eastern descent) Is this too difficult for you - because I can take over your part.  The middle eastern intern says Why.  The other guy Because you share the same religion as those men.....(meaning the ones who hijacked & bombed).

He responds:

This was not the work of religion it was arrogance, hypocrisy, it was hate.  Those horrible men who hijacked those planes hijacked my religion that day too.  They insulted my God.  So, no, this isn't too difficult - it is a privilege to be able to serve this victim to show him the care and love that was so absent that day.

I know it is just a TV show - but oh my - what a great comment.

I think we get caught in rules.

I think we get caught in religion.

I think we forget that in the end all of that becomes obsolete.

What is the only thing that matters?

It does - LOVE is what makes the difference.  And our challenge is to LOVE - all.  No matter what the difference is and many times not to assume that it is too difficult for us all to be together.

Remember the Faithful Love song I have shared with you before?  And I'll never be the same - because I've seen faithful love and Jesus is His name.

I so hope I am doing just that - I hope that I am not the same because I have seen that faithful love -

I do - almost enjoy - throwing out the "religion rules" ........... they can be obsolete - because in the end I hope we can both say....

The show concluded with a plea to help Veterans.  Please click on the link - please call if you know of a Veteran who needs help.

Veterans Crisis Line


Our USCG Veteran - Brian - was here this past week - with his amazing wife Lauren and...... our Great nephew - Hayden!

Nephew two, Son one (holding Great Nephew one), Niece one, Son two, Nephew three

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

I must write!

Good heavens I really must come up with a regularly scheduled blog time!  There are many things I think of to blog about – but obviously not many things I actually blog about!  Most recently we have been really busy with Thanksgiving, having 2 boys in college, and moving my parents to Graham.  They are here – have been for a while – but it just takes time to set up a home! 

My parents' living room at their new home. The couch & chair are new the rocker was my grandmothers and so was the organ in the back.  This room feels so cozy!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of amazing food.  Of course we missed our Coastie – FA Nephew two.  He was boating somewhere in the Pacific Ocean at the time.  That is just a weird concept.  But thanks to his brother – we were able to have another reminder of how proud we are of him!  It was fun to visit with Nephew one – his film life is just amazing.  Are you following Ralph Smyth on Twitter (@ralphsmyth) or have him as a Facebook friend?  That’s Nephew one’s boss – they are doing amazing things in the film industry.  (Have you seen I love you Will Smith or The Man Who Never Cried ?)

Our view from the porch at the cabin....

It was great to have both our boys with us at Thanksgiving.  I enjoy my boys – and their love for family is treasured.  We also watched our cousins & the Mason Punchers play an incredibly close football game on the Friday of the Thanksgiving holidays.  How fun it is to watch our cousins…..one is Jan’s grandson, Jan is Uncle Werner’s daughter, Uncle Werner was Grandpa Schmidt’s brother.  The other is Uncle Kelly’s grandson – Kelly is Grandpa’s youngest brother.  Kelly has a son – James Kelly who is married to Mona Lois.  Even though JK is really Kathy’s (my mother in law) cousin – JK & ML are dear friends to Kerry & me (they are our age…. well a tad younger!).  Wonder if that made any sense!

This weekend (Friday,  December 9^th) we will watch the Mason Punchers play Garrison in the State Semi-Final Game – Go Punchers!!!!!

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Driving The 102

Do you ever have those moments in your life that grace just abounds?  I hope so – I certainly do.

This past week or so was just that for me.  It began by learning that my nephew had to find a place to live in San Diego – in less than 10 days – alone.  I of course immediately volunteered to go with my sister in law to help her youngest son. She looked at flights – round trip would cost way too much – no way to justify her flight much less one for me too.

I wish I would have taken a picture of what I saw later that evening… I got onto AA and found a flight to San Diego on Friday and one returning home on Tuesday – for less than ½ the cost of ALL the other flights.  I put those on hold for us.

The next day we waited to see if the place Nephew two found worked out – went to our CoffeeRoomGirls (coffeeroomgirls.blogspot.com) Bible Study and shared our worries.  Those ladies prayed for Nephew two and his home hunting and prayed that if we were suppose to go – we would.

My sister in law and I are the best of friends - she’s actually my sister more than anything.  She asked my husband if I could go with her - due to our family business – Nephew two’s dad could not go.  Kerry said yes – and we left early Friday morning.

I should have kept a list of how many places we saw.  I bet it was between 15 – 20.  On that first day we found one that Nephew two liked but it was small and out - off the beaten path.  So we kept looking.

We did not see the ocean until Sunday morning.  I woke up that day early and told them I felt like we had to look at places near the ocean.  So we headed that way.  I found one on Craig’s list – unusual though because it did not have a phone number -  just an email.  So I emailed.  After several exchanges we arrive at the condo – and I had forgotten to ask about pets.  This place did not allow pets!  BUT… I asked her if she had other properties.

She told us of her friend -  Paul – who had a condo in El Cajon.

El Cajon was the area we kept coming back to.  It’s about 20 minutes to the base and the locals think it gets hot out there (like at 85 degrees).

Nephew two turned in their application on Monday morning – we prayed the process would go quickly – went to Coronado Island – enjoyed the sun & as we were leaving (and a Coast Guard Jayhawk was flying over) – his phone rang and…..

Grace Abounded.

As we left – and Nephew two settled in his perfect California condo – his landlord told LynDee he was so surprised that it all happened so fast.

I’m not…..

This has been hanging in my kitchen since May 17th.

So many people in Graham and Blanco (where Niece is until her grad school is finished) and lots of places in between prayed for our journey – so many people helped us – Scott, Tyson & Trey, Kallie, and Jesse – the Coast Guard is an amazing family.  And the niece back in Texas searching the internet for us!

Oh and I LOVE San Diego and the west coast.  They did have some concerns about my southern accent and early Friday I asked about their highways.  I kept hearing something that sounded so different than the way we speak of roads in Texas. 

The 102 that’s The 94 and The 8 together (our fun way to remember) – which is how you get to their home from the base (later on we added the 125 but 102 sounds better than 227!).  Now I guess LynDee will be taking The 16 to work!

Their condo in El Cajon, California

Coronado Island

Downtown San Diego

(yes we have on sweat shirts!)

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Oooops!

I am quite far behind on blogging - but God's grace has just been amazing....

Here are some things I will tell you about soon:

*Cape May, New Jersey
*Summer of Heat (my men are just about to melt)
*San Diego (yes I am leaving on a jet plane!)




Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

4 Men AND a graduation, movies, some music, & a cutter

My sister in law (LynDee) made the comment this week that our boys are more like brothers than cousins.  I agreed.

Our boys – that’s what they’ll forever be but actually they are men now.  The baby has graduated from high school and Son two will be living in Bryan – College Station in the fall and going to school at Blinn.  He’s studying Kinesiology and has plans to transfer to A&M.  His brothers have been watching out for him all these years and lovingly refer to him as Crudder.

Our oldest is living in Austin and doing what he loves – producing films.  His production skills have taken him across the seas to England where he produced a film about Lord Montague of Beaulieu.  Most of Nephew one’s films are filmed in the Austin area including one that all of his brothers worked on with him.  It is that film where they met Ryan Lee.  His name now appears in the credits of “Super 8”. 

Son two lived in Alabama last year and is back in Texas now.  He is working for our company and is earning an associates degree in Oil & Gas Technology.  I suspect that degree will take him back to Alabama but while he’s here he blesses our lives with music.  As a self trained player of the guitar – he has written and shared some amazing tunes with his brothers and the rest of our family.

I mentioned in an earlier entry that I had no earthly idea what Echo 185 meant – well my limited knowledge just continues to shine.  This week I realized I had no idea what “cutter” meant.  So I started researching and found lots of pictures of cutters.  They are the high endurance ship/boat of the United States Coast Guard.  Just a couple of days after I learned about cutters we found out that our Nephew two will be stationed on a cutter for his first assignment.  Niece (our first daughter) received the call this week that Nephew two will be stationed in San Diego California on the USCGC Boutwell (WHEC – 719). 

Our four are all named after family members:  Nephew one – for LynDee’s dad – Wayne Curtis, Nephew two – for Kevin’s dad – Kirby Groves, Son one – for my family, and Son two for Kerry’s family (his grandfather William Harold Schmidt).  I think that must be where it all began – from the naming of each son – we have made an effort to make their lives about family. 

Oh how LynDee & I love being moms of boys – unbelievable joys that never cease.  Each of our 4 are in different stages and very soon they will each be in different places of the world.  Son one in Graham – for now, Son two in Bryan – College Station, Nephew one in Austin, and Nephew two if in port will be in California and if not in port – he will be all over the west coast of the US and maybe even up to Alaska.  We are thankful when we have them all together – ready for Nephew two to be home before he leaves and maybe we can get one more picture….

4 Men – and a lifetime of joy.

Christmas 2010 

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC - 719)

Summer of 2009 - Set of Playland

The last time the 4 were together

Son two's graduation - May 2011

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Send Support Letters Often ...

I really do have a few more things to write about than USCG Echo 185 – however they deserve one more blog entry.

It has just been a week and I feel as if we have been part of the Coast Guard family for a lifetime.  With the levels of technology we have these days we actually have several ways to “stay in touch”.  Not literally with SR Nephew two – but many USCG families and wonderful people who have been down this road before.  I am finding that I can see God’s grace in so many places.

This evening it was in the posting on facebook on the USCG Echo 185 group page.   USCG moms post information for those of us who are new – and they share great things.  I mentioned in my post that I was “just” an aunt and being a parent has to be even more difficult than how I feel.  My heart strings are just so tight – I cannot imagine how (LynDee & Kevin’s and niece's) the others must feel. 

This USCG mom (since 1999 – how special that she is still taking the time to help even 11 years later…) told me today that “just” an aunt is not really what I am and her son’s “just” uncle had similar responses – she then mentioned:

There are only 40,000 plus Coastie, we are all one big family. Welcome.

I love the word “Welcome”.  Of course we all know what the word welcome means – but I had to see what Websters Online had to say – I like 2 of their notations:

Received with pleasure and hospitality into one’s company or home

 AND

Cordially or willingly permitted or invited

If you have noticed in my previous blogs – this Groves bunch is all about family.  What a blessing to find another family that we can share with – and this one has that same love of family that we have.  What a blessing to be Welcomed into this United States Coast Guard Family.  Thank you Jane & Dawn and others – it is such an honor and pleasure – we accept your invitation & hospitality.

Until July 8^th –

Semper Paratus – Nephew two

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

USCG Echo 185

USCG Echo 185 - It was only a short time ago that I would have had no clue what those words even meant.  I might could have figured out USCG – but Echo 185 would have had no meaning to me.

Now it means the world.

The world for our Nephew two & niece.  Seaman Recruit Nephew two left for Cape May, New Jersey this afternoon.  Cape May is a beautiful place (from what I can tell from the internet sites) – and it is the location of the Training Center for the United States Coast Guard.

There are many Nephew two stories however 2 come to mind particularly.  He named Son one (really – he was 2 ½ when he was born) and helped us take care of Son two after he broke his back.  I guess it was about a year ago (okay probably less than that) that Nephew two told us he wanted to join the Coast Guard.  It sure takes work – he had to physically prepare – lose weight – gain strength – etc… plus he had to mentally prepare for the ASVAB.  While Nephew two was taking care of Son two – and I might add – he was PERFECT – he studied – worked out and also worked for our company.  Nephew two put in a tremendous amount of physical and mental effort so that he could be accepted into the USCG.  Today SK1 Howie Groves (his recruiting officer) told me that he will be a great member of the USCG.

According to their website:

About Us

Overview of the United States Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the five armed forces of the United States and the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard protects the maritime economy and the environment, defends our maritime borders, and saves those in peril.

The word “maritime” is not a word I have used often – you can basically substitute “sea” for that word – The Coast Guard protects the sea economy and the environment, defends our sea borders, and saves those in peril.  The word “peril” – Webster’s online defines peril as exposure to the risk of being injured, destroyed, or lost.

It makes sense – when we needed someone to protect Son two, someone to defend him, but most of all someone who would save him should he be put in risk of being injured again – it was Nephew two.  He was amazing.  I feel quite sure that I never thanked him enough.

God Speed SR Nephew two – we anxiously await July 8^th –

Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Nephew two & niece with the Texas flag they received that had flown over the Texas State Capital from Representative Rick Hardcastle to accompany him on his journies while in the USCG!

Fellow military friends

Here's to Brian!

Nephew two, niece & LynDee & Kevin

Uncle Kerry & Aunt Cheryl with Nephew two & niece

Washed by the Water ~ Start at the Cross

Several years ago our family changed churches and in a small town that always leaves a lot of speculation and wonder.  The church that we were attending is a wonderful church – wonderful people who love Jesus and I believe that the Word of God is shared inside those walls. 

I also know that it is okay for your desires and needs to change and it is okay to seek different avenues. However the church we now attend can definitely be misunderstood – and I was one of those people who really did not understand the beliefs of this new church.  I felt love and warmth when I entered the doors but I was very concerned about what I thought they believed….

So we started asking questions and one of the families that helped us simply said Start at the cross.  So that is what we have done – anytime a question comes up about what we believe or don’t believe – we go back to that answer Start at the cross. 

This week has had a myriad of events that could be potentially emotional…. The week began with us in College Station helping Son two find an apartment, then we got to see our nephew who just became a member of the Coast Guard (he leaves for training on May 17^th), and the week will “end” with my dear friends moving.  Yes the same family that helped us on our spiritual journey just 4 years ago. 

One of the first things that we all did together was witness Son two’s baptism in the summer of 2007 – in the same place on PK Lake as his brother – and as their dad.  As for me – I was baptized in the FBC in Perrin.

Have you heard the song by NeedToBreathe – Washed by the Water?  I heard it this week and I just love that song!

I am so very thankful that I made that choice to be baptized – so thankful that when things aren’t the greatest – or people don’t like me – or whatever is in front of me that I am washed by the water.  It means so much to me – more than I can even begin to share here – and in some ways more than I can put into words.  Son two and I talked this week about baptism and why we think it is important – in the end the best answer we had was – Jesus did it – he found it to be important.  Just as we read in Matthew 3:

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.”  So John agreed to baptize him.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” ~ Matthew 3:13-17.

Start at the cross – start at what Jesus did for us – so thankful for Jesus and thankful that my dear friends took time to share it with us.  While we will miss their presence here in Graham – I know that our friendship will endure the distance – after all – we’ve all been washed by the water and our relationship is grounded in Jesus’ love for us. 

Washed by the Water by NeedToBreathe
Daddy was a preacher
She was his wife
Just tryin to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light
People started talking
Trying to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Said he made the wrong choice
Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won't never ever let you down
won't fall, won't fall, won't fall as long as you're around me
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

Always,

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.