For Our Heros

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Matthew 18:20

Saturday evening, so many of my wonderful friends gathered together to honor those serving us in the military. I am SO PROUD of my military family. John and Marie Childress and their sweet baby Anna (who just started walking!!!) and stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and John is currently on a 15 month deployment to Afghanistan. Michael and his wife Faith are at Fort Hood, Texas. Both of my brothers have always been my heros, but I have watched them continue to step up to the challenge not only when they are pushed to the brink physically and emotionally, but also through their faith, steadfastness, and determination even when confronted with the lost of comrades.. friends on the battlefield.John has recently had to face these things head on and continue not only to go on, but to lead in such difficult circumstances - and while I wish so much that we had him here with us, I know that if there was ever a man for the task, it's John. I am equally amazed by and thankful for their wives who support them every day.. who have shown the same strength and determination, and who hold down the fort at home. Without experiencing it we can't imagine what it's like to walk in those shoes. That being said, it was so exciting that so many of the wonderful people in my life were so quick to come to celebrate those in our military! We had so much fun - and - so much food! Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who contributed to the piles of supplies for care packages, and who took names from the roster to write letters of encouragement. I am thrilled to be able to send them off.. and I was so honored to have so many of my favorite people in my home at once! :) Here are a few pictures from the evening.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the swordl whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routhed foreign armies.

The world was not worthy of them.

They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what was promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked ou tfor us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 11:32-34, 38-12:3

*For addresses or names off the roster please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment, or at willandmarywall@yahoo.com

** John's blog from Afghanistan is www.keepingupwiththetaliban.blogspot.com and his Marie and Anna are www.sweetcarolannagirl.blogspot.com Please keep them in your prayers!