From my earliest recollections, any holiday honoring our servicemen and women has been of great importance. Perhaps it is because right after my parents' wedding, my dad was to board a ship and head across the ocean to fight in World War II for our country! Over the years, I have felt so blessed to have a dad who fought so we could have freedom. He's told many stories -- to us and also from the pulpit and every time I hear them, I am moved again!!

While Memorial Day is in honor of those who have given their lives for our freedom, I also want to honor my dad and those who are still living and have memories etched in their minds forever.

It's interesting what little things change after they have served in a combat arena ... like the fact that my dad will never sit with his back to the door in a restaurant. He wants to go as far back as he can and face the door. Or how he told us that pictures on the walls were "booby-trapped" after the war so that if you straightened the picture frame, a bomb exploded. To this day, I remember it whenever I decorate our home!

I saw the movie, "Saving Private Ryan" and as I watched, I could hear my dad's voice telling his stories as the scenes played out on the screen. So many were just as he had shared ... so today, I honor my dad and not only those who gave their lives and died on the battlefield, but those who came home -- forever changed!!

Scary times!!

Sandi called me yesterday -- I was in Orlando with Rachel's family. Her question, "Who do we know in Windsor, Colorado?" She had been watching the news about the tornadoes in Colorado and remembered "Windsor". I thought, "Oh, no ... that's where John and Eve (Etter) McCormack live .. and they live up on a hill just outside town." I tried to call Eve's cell phone and it went immediately to voice mail. Sandi told me that all cell phone and land lines were out. I thought I'd take a chance and send an email -- this was Eve's response last evening (and yes, this is her photo) -- I read it with a sense of relief even though they were experiencing some damage. At least, they were safe!! I asked if they were okay and she answered ... "Okay - kids r in lock down in school in fort collins now. The house has 2 broken windows and water in the house so I am trying to clean up as I write - our outside table was picked up and thrown - the umbrella is ruin - I saw the huge grill that we have just get thrown off the deck on its face - I will write more later. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T"

Do I have to LIKE dentists??

Okay, so I don't like dentists -- other than dentists who are friends! (You know who you are!) But, other than that, they rate way down on my list of 'likes' ... actually, I don't even think they make the list. But, when part of a crown fell out -- and it was from a front tooth -- I knew I had to make the trek back to the dentist who put in the crown a year ago. (Not quite a year since they are replacing it for free since it has been less than a year.)

Backtracking a little -- I was going to get up early yesterday morning and head to Orlando to catch up with Rachel and her family for a day of fun. But, then the plans changed and I was off to find the dental clinic. I drove up and down the street -- after all, wasn't I on Belcher Road and the number was 1030? There was 950 and then it jumped to 1200 -- no dental clinic. Just new condos! I called Sandi -- can you check on-line. It was a newly built office a year ago -- surely they hadn't torn it down for these condos. However, in Florida, anything can happen -- anywhere!! I got a phone number, called and they gave me the same address. 1030 Belcher Road South - between Ulmerton and East Bay. I am between Ulmerton and East Bay. Uh-oh -- oops! Turned to soon and I am on Starkey instead of Belcher!! Go figure! Now my brain is affected as well as my tooth!!

I arrived at 10:30am -- left at 1:45pm!! However, there wasn't much pain although I did have a numb feeling for a while since they had to take the rest of the crown off. It was quite a sight. No, I didn't take pictures -- I would have scared everyone!! Believe it or not, I found the piece that had broken off so they were able to bond it back onto the tooth so they could take another impression. Okay, tooooo much information, I know!!

The dental assistant, I found out, is from Auburndale so we had much to talk about. (For those who don't know, we lived in Auburndale for about four years when we moved to Florida.) They made a temporary crown so I at least won't scare anyone until I get the permanent one in a few weeks.

So .. I headed to Orlando -- reversed my schedule somewhat, but that's life, isn't it! When I arrived, four of the Southerland clan headed to play basketball with four guys from New Jersey who have grown up on 'street' basketball. Believe it or not, the Southerlands won three out of four games!! The guys sort of got after Jimmy for apologizing whenever he fouled one of them -- they weren't used to anyone quite so polite. So, anyway ... we had the game and then headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner to celebrate Jimmy's 13 birthday which was on Tuesday. I stepped outside to take a phone call and saw police cars around -- not sure what was taking placed but I decided to go back inside quickly after hearing the word "shot". Never did figure out what happened. So much excitement for a day -- then it was to "Dippin' Dots" to finish the night out. We walked in just as David Cook was announced as the "Idol" winner and that brought much applause from this crowd. I've rambled way to much so here are a few photos ...

Invaded by Pirates!!

Tim, Sandi, Tyler, and there of Rachel's kids, Shaley, Juliana and Seth, headed for the Magic Kingdom on Friday night -- and somehow were transformed into Pirates at the Pirate and the Princess Party and they certainly looked the 'pirate' ... part, that is!

Losing a good friend!!

Tomorrow, I will be driving to Macon, GA to attend the funeral of a good friend. We met Bob and Jean Brown at our first pastorate in New Castle, Indiana. I told her husband this morning that I thought I could write a book about our friendship but I'm not sure that would even capture it. I don't remember exactly how we met other than they visited the church where Bob was serving as pastor. (I'm sure I'll remember it tomorrow!)

At that time, neither Bob nor Jean were Christians. In fact, they were far from it. My Bob used to go to their home on Sunday mornings and as Bob Brown reminded me this morning, "slap me on the face to get me awake" because he had been out drinking all night. Jeannie had not been raised in any type of Christian setting either. Yet, somehow our lives connected and so began a journey that continues to this day.

Bob (Brown) told me this morning, "Who would have thought 30 some years ago that one day my wife would be in heaven and I would be preaching her funeral?" Wow! A story of God's grace that is almost overwhelming.

But, the journey was quite interesting. Jeannie and I were pregnant at the same time and had the same doctor. Their youngest son, Paul, is just two months older than Sandi. We spent a lot of time at their home -- we enjoyed eating there as Jeannie was an awesome cook and loved to do it. She was a chain smoker for many years. Bob struggled with alcohol and smoking.

But, my Bob did not give up on Bob or Jean. Their daughter, BJ (Billie Jean) told my Bob when she was just about 7 years old, "I love to hear you preach because I understand what you are saying." That was about 39 years ago!!

The friendship became solid enough that my Bob could press the issues ... one night when we were visiting their house, Bob (Brown) was drinking his cans of beer. He had a salt shaker nearby so that he could 'salt' his beer. My Bob thought that if a little would help, a whole lot would help even more. (Of course, he knew better.) Needless to say, Bob (Brown) was sick all night long. Yet .. he was not angry because he knew that my Bob cared about him. He smoked also -- one night, my Bob pulled out his cigarettes and dipped each one in a cup of coffee. Imagine in the middle of the night when Bob (Brown) wanted a cigarette and all he tasted was stale coffee!! He reminded me again of that this morning when we talked.

However, God's grace is sufficient!! Bob Brown became a dynamic Christian and began to prepare for the ministry. He was ordained and has pastored for many years and is now serving the Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Macon. In the early years of Bob's ministry, Jeannie was not a Christian. But, she found Christ, also, and became a dedicated Christian serving right beside Bob throughout their ministry. They have been soul mates for years -- however, their manner was usually filled with lots of bantering between them. Someone listening may have thought they didn't love each other, but we knew there was no doubt about that! He tells of the time when they were having some major marital issues (when they were quite young). She told him that she was leaving and headed to their bedroom to pack a suitcase. He was right behind her and pulled out another suitcase. She said, "What are you doing?" He said, "I'm not staying here by myself. I'm coming with you!" Long before they were Christians, she did throw a butcher knife at him and it lodged right in the couch beside him!! But that all changed!!!

So, even though I will be attending a funeral tomorrow, I'm sure that we will be celebrating a life of a lady who knows God's grace in its fullest!! When she was still able to talk, she told her Bob once again, "I love you" ... he asked her if she loved Jesus and her faced glowed. She nodded and echoed, "I love Jesus!" What more could you ask for the final words to be!

We will miss Jeannie ... her coffee pot ready whenever she knew my Bob was arriving, the macaroni salad that she was known for, listening to the constant banter (lovingly given) between her and Bob, the trips to the doctor together, the time they lived with us for six weeks when they moved to Indianapolis after we did, watching her care for her children and then her grandchildren, seeing her struggle physically yet devoting herself to their ministry even when she didn't feel well. Remembering all the times we spent together over the past 39 years -- we were more like family than just friends. She will be missed!! Bob (Brown) is speaking at the service tomorrow. I asked him if he thought he could get through it? I assured him of our prayers but reminded him that if he was emotional through it all, that was just fine! We all would understand ...