Congratulations to TSgt Jarrod Snook, my oldest son, for receiving a Leadership Award at Eielson AFB in Alaska. His return to Alaska was a precious, perfect gift! To my youngest son, his wife, Jarrod’s wife, and my grands—know that our daily communication, although we are all apart, brings me great joy and pride. As we carry on, friends, to celebrate the end of another month and begin summer, may we all “stick” to what matters most! Friends, thank you for supporting Flannel with Faith, my journey, health, and family. As we complete this month, please know I’m holding you in my heart and prayers. Although I’m not able to answer texts or calls in a timely manner, your care and concern are appreciated more than you know! Faith, family, and friends—don’t lose hope. Sing a song, call a friend, and place all other things on silent. In this sweet silence, miracles can happen!
From the field of Gettysburg to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive-Pearl Harbor to Normandy Beach-The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge to the Fall of Saigon. Are we quiet on OUR western front? Will we continue fighting in needless trench warfares?
Mixed races, religions, and speeches of oneness ~we should be unified. All is not quiet on the western front.Our humanity easily slips into the smoke of the bbq grill. Rather than remember, we rejoice in the gift of time. The gift a multitude have lost. Our enemies (were) are young humans with hearts and souls. Both sides killing one another; trembling hands and heavy hearts. A bloody coat holds the picture of a wife or husband, son or daughter, a beloved pet, and a letter from a Mother.
All quiet on the Western Front? Who will decorate the graves when a generation is gone?
Do we know sacrifice? As I sit in my comfortable home, with the freedom to go, do, and be, I can’t help but remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for me. God, break my heart for what breaks yours. Greed. Power. Control.
All quiet on the Western Front? Shallow graves to shallow thinking, bloody hands to broken spirits, battles of belonging to winning wars in our hearts and minds. Defending our opinions rather than extending a hand of fellowship. Do we SEE one another as…humans? Will we honor? Or will we just forget? I’ll visit the graves of those I love, and pay respect for those I’ve never met.
I’ll never forget.
“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg Address)
“Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came…Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this might scourge of war of may speedily pass away.” (Abraham Lincoln-Second Inaugural Address)
“I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.”
William Tecumseh Sherman
“It is well that war is terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.”
Robert E. Lee
“Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
“All wars are civil wars, because all men are brother.”
Francois Fenelon
“The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.”
Thomas Jefferson
“There will be one day spring from the brain of science a machine or force so fearful in it’s potentialities, so absolutely terrifying, that even man, the fighter, who will dare torture and death in order to inflict torture and death, will be appalled, and so abandon war forever.”
Thomas A. Edison
“You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.”
Albert Einstein
“There was never a good war, or bad peace.”
Benjamin Franklin
“I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.”
Ulysses S. Grant
“Don’t forget what I discovered that over ninety percent of all national deficits from 1921 to 1939 were caused by payments for past, present, and future wars.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
“In modern war…you will die like a dog for no good reason.”
Ernest Hemingway
“In war, you win or lose, live or die-and the difference is just an eyelash.”
Douglas MacArthur
“What is human warfare but just this: an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Do you know the ultimate sacrifice made for YOU? You are loved.
Two different views, two times, two sons serving. Thank you Jarrod & Jay.
I’ll never forget the sacrifices made~then and now. I have much to be thankful for today. Thank you to those who have served and are serving now. What a beautiful time to remember those that have gone before us. ❤️ 🤍 💙
It was a month ago when I shared my latest post. I was healing from Covid and so thankful for everyone’s prayers and understanding. After one more successful school visit (I was on cloud 9!), I woke up in severe pain. Visiting hospitals is something I dread. But this day was different. I just knew I had to go.
After several days in the hospital and many tests, it was determined that I have a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor/cancer. There was confusion as to what I really did have~pancreatic? Liver? The painkillers and the surreal moment made me feel I was outside of myself and observing a strange experience. I’ve had health challenges, but this was different. There’s a mass on my pancreas, around 9 lesions on the liver, and it metastasized in two lymph nodes, a small place on my skull, thoracic spine, hip, and pelvis. Although the tumor is grade 1 (slow growth) the cancer is stage 4. Surgery is not an option at this time. I begin chemo pills this Friday. I’m believing they’ll shrink and side effects never form. I tried to write one day~the pain overtook my pen. I’ve felt every emotion I could possible feel.
My family and friends are my team. I’ve yet to be alone as they all wish to be with me through at least the first few days of chemo. I’m completely overwhelmed by the support. At times I just cry. My Dad has overcome so much and I want to be like him. To say I have no fear would be a complete lie. To say I trust God in every step is my absolute truth. I no longer blame every pain on my past injuries. I was becoming great at that. In my heart I knew something wasn’t write. Friends, if you feel that please talk to your doctor or a supporter that could encourage you to seek truth. This has apparently been in me for quite a while. I’ve missed writing, reading, and “seeing” all of you. Since I began blogging this has been my longest break. It will take me a bit to learn my new “normal”. I’ll get there! My faith won’t be moved. I will fight. The most encouraging thing to me is this: as a follower of Christ I win no matter what. He has put the right people in place. I’m still reaching out to research hospitals and listening carefully. I’m encouraged it’s treatable! Prayers for my body to accept the treatments (and there’s back up plans if this doesn’t work). I’m used to being active, being outdoors, writing and reading~I’m ready to do it. I realize I must be patient.
To my family and friends-I love you dearly and words can’t express my gratitude. Thank you Red Cross and the bases in Alaska and Washington (and Germany for my youngest son’s short stay) for allowing my sons and their families to be here for this time. One doctor told me I didn’t have to live in pain anymore. I know that pain has drawn me closer to God. I also know the suffering here doesn’t matter because glory is waiting. I love you all.
WP family~My responses and reading your blogs have been delayed. Thank you WP family for being you and giving support.
While Flannel with Faith is where I share my heart, Finley River Publishing is where you'll find my book and the shop collection. Read the story behind the collection here!
