To the Fallen and the Brave.

In memory of the military men and women who lost their lives, I say “I remember you.” Their sacrifice and service is not forgotten from the very first war to the battles we still fight today. Because of their willingness to serve and protect not only this nation but the truth of our nation, I live with a freedom that I shall not take for granted.

To the military men and women alive today, I say “Thank you.” You chose to serve with the understanding that battles and wars were a possibility. You have left family, friends, and futures to keep the rest of us safe. Those of us who have not served cannot always understand that the time you served does not die away when you arrive home for you carry with you fallen comrades, memories, and classified information that will last your lifetime. Thank you for serving and may the rest of us show you the respect and honor you are due for serving our country.

Today, I want to honor one particular sailor who took an oath to serve his country. At a time when life was not the best, his orders came through and he honored his word by accepting his orders. He left behind a family but he went. I am proud to call this sailor father and dad.

To Lt. Cdr. Phil Herrick, retired Naval Officer of the United States Navy. Served 23 years. Veteran of the Persian Gulf War, 1991. I am so proud of you!

School Update.

Okay...a lot has happened in the past few weeks regarding school. I have housing! I have a studio/loft apartment that is located near the school as campus housing. I am really excited about that bit of news. I get my own place! I can pull out my new dishes that I have not used yet. I can pull out a lot of things out of storage that has been boxed away since I moved here.

I received my financial aid package just this past week. Along side my scholarship, I have received a $1700 grant and eligibility for work study programs. God is so faithful. I will have to take out loans for the rest of the financial need but I am also believing that God will meet each need as it comes.

I have several scholarship applications out there and I am just waiting for the results of those. These scholarships range from $1000-$50,000, so I pray that I may be the recipient of one or some of them. But in any case, I praise God for His faithfulness to me and His power to meet every daily need.

Every day, graduate school becomes more and more a reality.

Going Home.

I am so excited! I cannot wait. I am going home!!! At least just for a visit and since I have spent most of my life in Iowa, it will always be home. I finally got approval from my jobs, bought my tickets, and rented my car. I am on my way.

I cannot wait until I walk into my brother's house and call out a cheery "hello". I am expecting the sound of running feet and a small voice call out "Auntie Kara!" I cannot wait to wrap my arms around me nephew and tell him to give me a big squeeze. How I miss him.

I am also looking forward to seeing my friends' little girls, hanging out with my dear friends, and spending my time with my best friend. I get to hug and hold my new "niece" little Audrey. I get to play my piano that we left at my brother's and grab lunch with so many dear friends. I get to visit all my old haunts and places that California does not have.

One month and counting!!!

TCON: Prince Caspian

I was getting something out of the refrigerator last week when I noticed a piece of paper hanging on the door. I took a quick glance and realized that it was a Fandango reservation for Prince Caspian which opened this past weekend.

Shortly after I arrived home from work on Friday, I quickly changed clothes and my parents and I headed out the door. We made a night of it which means we bought pop and popcorn at the theater and settled into our sits, waiting for the lights to dim and the screen to light up with screen with the upcoming movie.

For some reason, my father choose to sit in the top row of seats, all the way back against the wall yet the theater was just the right size and the whole screen stretched before. The lights dim and the journey began.

Once again, the director, the producer and the actors put together an excellent film. The screenwriters did a great job of writing the script. There were so many references to faith, to God, to Jesus, to belief that it was encouraging, challenging, and entertaining all in one movie.

The last Narnia movie had an awesome scene of movie angles that I found awesome. I found another one in the new one. You will just have to watch the new one to discover it. See the movie!!!!

Morning Alarm

with dawning morn starts
your mewing cry
with gentle nudges
to awaken me you try
padded feet massage
my skin
while a gentle rumble
starts within
i reach my hand
to stroke your soft head
knowing that it is
time to get out of bed...

*dedicated to my cat Zach who decided he was hungry for his morning turkey so he woke me up

Made of Honor

So I have wanted to see this movie since the trailer aired several weeks ago. Two of my co-workers and friends were also interested in seeing the movie so after work on Saturday, we met up at the theatre and watched the movie.

A cross of “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Sweet Home Alabama”, this movie should be added to the shelf of great romantic comedies that will leave you believing in the fairy tales and an aching side from laughing throughout the whole movie.

I was very surprised at the opening scene of the movie as its content tied itself to a political scandal that is well known among the American people but what really caught my attention was the focus on marriage that this film portrayed. It is not often that Hollywood portrays marriage as something joyful and fulfilling but that is what this movie does. It is not often that a movie will portray the message that love can be based on a strong friendship, mutual interests, and shared times together rather than just raw sexual desire, but once again this movie portrays such an idea.

This movie does contain many sexual innuendos and references with several choice words, but I still give this movie two thumbs up.