My precious grandchildren are once again back-to-school. ~sigh~ Yes, my son has them in public school again this year, however, they will continue with the lessons they learn at my kitchen table--reading, writing, arithmetic, science, cooking, homemaking, and most of all, scriptures being poured into them.
I have managed to look at this with a positive attitude, I must admit. This does free up more of my time for studying, and I did manage to get most of my homework done today (I still have a 4-page research paper and a spreadsheet to finish for my online class by Saturday evening, though). So perhaps I will feel a bit less stressed and actually relax a bit now and then. Perhaps. Perhaps I'll finally manage to get the Nuggets of Wisdom newsletter out to the inboxes every month, too. Perhaps. ~sighing again~
These are positive changes, yes, but they are still "changes." I don't adapt well to changes, whether they're positive or negative. Aging, perhaps? Nah! However, I will adapt soon enough to these, and find my rhythm and get in step with the new schedule. Soon enough. For now, I am just remembering the lovely summer the children and I had together, even through the hectic moments--schooling for them and I both, council meetings, church, cooking & baking, homemaking, etc. And lots and lots of time outdoors around their pool. Yes, they were fun days.
Autumn is in the air, for sure. The mornings are a bit crisp (in the 50's and 60's), some of the leaves are beginning to turn color once again, and the humidity has lowered. We actually had a few days over the last week with highs in the 60's! Wow! Yesterday and today we enjoyed rain from Tropical Storm Fay (we haven't had rain for about 5-6 weeks), and now it looks like a couple of others are heading in--one up the Atlantic side of Florida and one into the Gulf of Mexico. I do pray that lives are spared and damages are minimal. Its proving to be an active hurricane season this year already! I surely hope and pray New Orleans and the surrounding areas are spared from any big storms this year--they're still in recovery stages from Hurricane Katrina.
If West Virginia gets the rains from these new storms, I don't know what it will do to the glorious Autumn color displays we enjoy every year. The state gets a lot of tourism trade this time of year, as so many come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and white water rafting. I pray the rains don't knock the leaves off before they have a chance to show their true brilliance.
May you have a peaceful and joyous weekend, and I will be back next week some time.
Happy 4th of July! Wow, it's hard to believe it's already this time of year! As I sit here and reflect back, I think of all that is going on in the world today. So much sorrow, so much grief, so much heartache. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, wildfires, floods, innocent men, women, and children being killed just because they don't believe in certain people or principles set forth by their governments, global warming, drugs and violence rampant on the streets, the situation with fuel prices (even though there isn't a shortage), and so much more. It can be mind boggling! And yet, as I turned on the news a couple of days ago, they were actually reporting something good--something wonderful--something miraculous! Yes, 3 of our nation's men were being rescued from a South American prison of sorts where they had been held for more than 5 years. Hallelujah! It was through the efforts of many, and a bit of trickery involved I think, but the drug kings lost out and now these young men are now home here in America--safe, healthy, and with their families once again. It's amazing that they survived their ordeal, and yet, we serve a mighty God, and I know He kept His hand upon them during these many years of their imprisonment. Glory to His Name!
We take so much for granted here in America. We have so much freedom, and yet, we tend to forget those who fought and died for us to have this freedom. We can choose to go to any church we want to, we can send our children to public or private school or choose to homeschool them, we can wear what we want to wear, we can shop for what we need and want from any store, we have the freedom to speak our own minds--yes, we have many freedoms that much of this world has never known.
We should each be falling to our knees every day and thanking God for the freedoms that we have. Don't allow yourself to become caught up in the negativity that runs rampant quite often--who's running for President, who made the latest spoken blunder, what John Doe down the street said to Mr. Brown--all of that will take your focus off what is really happening.
I truly believe that much of our country has turned their back on God. Ouch! I heard some statistics on the television the other day, and while many Americans said they pray and go to church (if that's so, why are there so many empty pews in so many churches?), they don't believe that there's only one way to heaven. Oh, my goodness gracious--that's just wrong. The Bible says that there is only one way to the Father and that's through the Son--to get to God, you must accept Jesus as your personal Saviour!
So as we begin another year of celebrating the freedom we have, let us all remember where our freedom came from. Let us remember the good men and women who sacrificed their lives for us and our children, the good men and women continuing to lay their lives on the line every day--those in the war zones, and those on the streets of our homeland fighting terrorists and criminals to keep us safe. Let us remember that no freedom comes freely--there's always a cost. Let us ask God to protect our nation and bless our nation with His hedge of protection, and that He will have mercy on us and forgive us for the many times we've turned our backs on Him. Let us correct that horrible mistake and once again turn to Him as a nation and seek His Will in all things--both corporately and individually.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful, blessed, and safe Independence Day today. I will be home with my family and we will spend a simple day of celebration. I'll go over the Gettysburg Address and some of the Constitution (in a simple way the children can understand), and we'll pray together as a family for our country and leaders. We'll have a cookout (which may turn into a *cook-in* due to rains forecasted for the day), and hopefully be able to go to the Riverfront for the fireworks display tonight (if the rain doesn't cause a cancellation). A day of simplicity--yes, what a wonderful way to celebrate our freedom!
I received a comment this evening to a post from a year ago, and the commenter was asking where to find food (click here for the post & comment). Rather than just answering that comment there, I thought I would do a whole post on it for everyone.
Times are tough everywhere right now, for many reasons. Unemployment is at the highest its been in many years, the fuel prices have driven up the prices not only for fuel, but for items purchased in grocery stores, and elsewhere. The price of corn for the consumer is going up, as much of the corn being planted is going for processing as an alternative fuel. This, in turn, will drive up meat prices, as the corn used for feeding livestock isn't being planted as much (the farmers get more $$ for it when selling it for alternative fuel sources), which means the feed will have a marked price increase, and the ranchers will need to recoup their losses in that area. The list goes on and on....
So what is a family to do when they have hungry bellies and not enough money to buy food? I can give some tips to stretch what food you can purchase:
Use less meat. Alternative sources of protein include legumes/beans, cheese, eggs, and the soy burgers you can buy. Americans, in particular, consume way too much meat! An adult serving is the size of a deck of cards, roughly, and many Americans consume much more than that in an average meal.
Use less expensive cuts of meat. Cook them in a slow cooker, and they will be as tasty and tender as the more expensive cuts.
Cook more stir fry dishes. Little meat is used, but more veggies, and much better for not only your health, but your pocketbook. Stir fry is simple to make, and doesn't have to have the fancy sauces that are found on it in the restaurants. Served with plain rice, its a well-rounded meal and very healthy!
Try to grow as many veggies as you can. Even tomatoes and lettuce can be grown in pots in an apartment (yes, I do know this from experience). The same with the newer varieties of green beans, peppers, squash, and many others.
Visit your local farmer's markets and roadside produce stands. Not only is the produce fresher than the grocer's, but it is grown locally.
Use up what you have at home first. Make a list of everything in your pantry and freezer. Then sit down and come up with some meal plans from there. You'd be surprised what you really have! Meals don't always have to include meat, potatoes, bread, dessert, etc. A simple meal of eggs and toast can suffice in a pinch.
Go fishing! Yes, you can catch a fish, clean it, and cook it to serve your family. You'll most likely need a fishing license, but compared to the cost of buying meat for a week, its well worth the price. If you don't have a rod/reel, or don't know how to fish, find a friend who does. If that fails, call your local County Extension Office and they may be able to help in some way.
Now, if it reaches the point where you have absolutely no food, and no way to feed your family, here are some ideas:
If you have family, call them and let them know of the situation. Many times someone will help, even if its a package of lunchmeat, a dozen eggs, or a loaf of bread.
Check your local Dept. of Human Services (it may have a different name in your state, but will be similar). They can help you get signed up for food stamps (which will be a blessing temporarily-you can quit using them when you're back on your feet again). Also, they can give you the names/addresses/phone numbers of those in your area who may have a Food Pantry.
Call your church. Many times they will either have a Food Pantry to help those in need, or may be able to connect you with someone in the congregation who may be able to help you with some groceries.
Call other churches. The same thing applies as stated above.
Call the nearest Mission. Yes, they are generally geared for the homeless, but can often allow the needy to come in for a hot, nourishing meal.
Sign up with your local Employment Office. Not only can they help you find employment (even if its flipping burgers temporarily), they can connect you with social workers who can help you find emergency food.
The important thing to remember is that you may have to swallow your pride. Sometimes we reach the point where we have to ask others for help. Trust me, I know this isn't an easy thing to do! I've had to do it a few times in my own life, and it taught me humility in a big way.
One way that I like to stretch my food budget is by purchasing from Angel Food Ministries. For $30 you receive a week's worth of food to feed a family of 4. This is the best deal around, folks! When you click on their name, it will take you to their site. There you can find the nearest church to you that participates, and also what the "menu" for the current month is. Also, they accept USDA Food Stamps, which will help many more families, too. You can purchase as many boxes as you want, and also after you purchase your first box of food for the month, you can purchase some of the "extras" they offer, which are also bargains. It's a win-win situation!
I do hope these tips have helped someone in some way. I know its hard to feed a family during these rough times, but our Lord does make the way for us to do so. Before doing anything, seek Him, and pour out your situation to Him from your heart. Allow Him to lead you and guide you to those who can help.
Mother's Day--one of the sweetest, most loving days of the year! I remember when I was young, how much fun it was to pick out something special to give to my precious Mama. Most often it was flowers I'd pick myself (sometimes from her own flower beds, sometimes from a field of wildflowers near our home), but I remember one year in particular that I got her something else.
My big sister took me shopping. I don't remember the name of the store now, although she might, but just the fact that she took me was one of the reasons it was so special to me. We searched and searched and finally found what I wanted to get our Mama--a big, beautiful cookie jar! It was brown, and looked like wood (although it was ceramic and very heavy), and had flowers on it interwoven in through the "wood" slats. Mama was very happy with her new cookie jar, and I was so thrilled with that because I was the one who picked it out!
I was blessed in many ways, and still am. I was fortunate to have 2 Mothers--my birth mother and my adopted mother. My adopted mother (who was biologically my maternal grandmother, which made her even more special to me) raised me up, taught me the Word, instilled in me the values and principles that I continue to live my life by today, and showered me with her loving kindness. I never for a moment doubted that I was one of the most loved and cherished little girls ever made by the hand of God! My birth mother and I became much closer after I was an adult, and she continued to teach me in the same ways my Mama did. Long talks over tea, wisdom pouring out of her on many subjects, and over it all, the assurance that I was very loved and cherished.
Both of my Mothers have left this earth now, however, they are both very much alive today in my heart. Their combined wisdom has been poured into me, just as anointing oil is poured out into another vessel to be used. Their love is still growing in my heart, and reminds me that I am indeed very special and very cherished.
They taught me well, these Mothers of mine. And their teaching is now being taught once again, this time to my grandchildren. As I look at them, I remember special times with my own Mothers, and continue to carry on special family traditions that are positive and loving. As I sit and brush my granddaughter's hair, I'm reminded of my Mama sitting and brushing my hair, and then rolling it on brown rubber perm rods on Saturday night so it would be lovely for Sunday morning church services. As I teach my grandson to cook, I'm reminded of my Mother teaching me how to make her "special" spaghetti sauce, enjoyed by so many in our family. Yes, the traditions, the teachings, the wisdom, and the love are continuing on to another generation, such as it should be.
The brown cookie jar? It now sits proudly in my kitchen, and is occasionally filled with the wonderful cookies that come out of my oven. It, too, continues on for another generation.
May all of the Mothers (biological, adopted, and foster), Grandmothers, Aunts, and Sisters enjoy a most wonderful Mother's Day today!
I have begun reading The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. Although I'm not married, this book has really been touching me in a special way. I read the following, and thought I'd share it here with you:
Creating A Home
I don't care how liberated you are, when you are married there will always be two areas that will ultimately be your responsibility: home and children. Even if you are the only one working and your husband stays home to keep the house and tend the kids, you will still be expected to see that the heart of your home is a peaceful sanctuary--a source of contentment, acceptance, rejuvenation, nurturing, rest, and love for your family. On top of this, you will also be expected to be sexually appealing, a good cook, a great mother, and physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit. It's overwhelming to most women, but the good news is that you don't have to do it all on your own. You can seek God's help.
Ask the Lord to show you how to make your home a safe haven that builds up your family--a place where creativity flows and communication is ongoing. Ask God to help you keep the house clean, the laundry done, the kitchen in order, the pantry and the refrigerator full, and the beds made. These are basic things a man may not compliment his wife on every day (or ever), but he will notice if they are not done.
Dearest sisters, it is ever so important for us to keep our homes in order and train up our children in the ways and the knowledge of the Lord! When we awake in the morning, we need to spend time with our Lord before we do anything else. This will enable us to have our mind set on Him, and He will then guide us through our day. You've heard me say this many times before--set your alarm 1/2 hour earlier than everyone else gets up in order that you may have the uninterrupted time you need with the Lord! I know it's hard, especially if you've been up and down all night, nursing a baby or a sick child. But it's even more vital then!
As we see the chaos in the world around us growing worse every day, we don't have a lot of control over it all. We can't stop the wars, we can't control the wildfires, we can't prevent the droughts, or control the weather. We can do our minute part, yes, but we have no ultimate control over any of it.
However, we can control what is going on within us--we can control ourselves. As we learn self-control, the peace that will fill our hearts and minds from the Lord will radiate from us to those living in and visiting our home. We will learn to pur Him first and foremost, and not to be afraid of what is happening in the world. The spirit of fear will have no place in our lives, as our faith will grow ever stronger and dispel all fear in and around us.
May you put this into place in your own life and have a most blessed and glorious week serving our Lord!
magazines that I would recommend to anyone with children is The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Even if you are not an *official* homeschooler, this magazine has wonderful tips and ideas for every parent, grandparent, and anyone and everyone who works with children. Lessons, encouragement, practical advice--it's all there. Wonderful resouce listings? Yep, they're there, too!
As most folks know, I don't officially homeschool my grandchildren--they attend a public school. However, they do get quite a bit of teaching from this Nanna in an *unofficial* capacity, and their public school teachers have told me many times how they can tell this in the classroom setting. I follow up with what the teachers are doing, and then usually go a step further, and this has really enhanced their education. How do I do this? Where did I get the *idea* to do this? Why, from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!
Try it out for yourself, and you will find that not only are the children in your life being better equipped in the many learning experiences they have, but you'll learn quite a lot yourself! You'll find links to the magazine in the post below this one, and also by clicking on the magazine cover in my sidebar to your right.
Every day I am hearing of more and more hearts breaking...as my own is. Last week a teacher was shot and stabbed in her classroom (in a Catholic elementary school) right in front of her students by her estranged husband. A few days ago a home burned to the ground with 2 young children inside. Just today another home burned with 2 more young children inside, too. Yesterday at church I learned of a dear young woman who took her 18-month old child to the doctor last week with croup, and then that precious child died on Friday. So many children--lost to death, suffering emotional trauma from scenes they have witnessed in front of their very eyes--and mothers and fathers with their hearts wrenched because of their loss and suffering.
The Bible tells us the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and it seems that he is working overtime in this region lately. However, we can be assurred that while these babes may be gone from us here on earth, they are playing at the feet of Jesus. While many children are suffering from the tragedies they have witnessed, they have Christian parents who are praying with them and for them, and our Lord will bring healing to their hearts and minds. Rest assurred the community is rallying around these parents and children, offering their very best to them to help during their time of need and suffering.
The children who witnessed the tragedy with their teacher have received teddy bears and handmade quilts to hold on to and snuggle with during the times when they just need to let loose and cry and vent. They have received an outpouring of love and fellowship from their families, their loved ones, their church, their school, and their whole community. The parents who have lost their babies will also receive the same outpouring of love and counselling. This may seem small in some ways, but it isn't. Because the love of others will enable us to remember the love our Saviour has for us, and will remind us to reach out to Him and allow Him to heal our pain.
The teacher who was stabbed and shot? She is recovering well, and became a grandmother on Saturday! Praise God! In the midst of tragedy, life does go on and new life begins. Her husband took his own life that afternoon, but he also stabbed another woman who was close to him, and she is also recovering well, and I believe she is at home now.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus during these times of tragedy. The life of Job comes to mind when I hear of these things--he lost all of his children, his home, his lands, his flocks--everything and everyone except his wife and himself. His own body was under attack, and yet, he remained faithful to the Lord. He kept his eyes on God and refused to turn away from Him, even though everyone tried to get him to. His own wife told him to just curse God and die--and no, you don't want to know my opinion of her attitude at that point other than for me to say that she was not serving God nor her husband at that time in the way she should have been doing!
This world will not stand forever, and we know the days are numbered until the time when our Lord Jesus will return and catch up His church to be with Him. This time is drawing nearer every day, and it is my belief that it will be very soon. How we need to make sure we are ready! We need to keep our lamps filled with spiritual oil--studying the Word and living with a dedication to Jesus that we've never had before! I look around me at the rampant sin and degradation in this world and my heart breaks yet again. How I wish I could just pack my bags and go all around the world telling folks about our Lord--ministering to them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and urging them in their walk with Him! That isn't possible for me to physically do right at this moment (although we don't know what tomorrow might bring!), and so I am reaching out to the world through my blog here. I pray it touches you and encourages you every day.
I leave you this day with the picture given us of the New Jerusalem--where Jesus will reign after He defeats the devil and casts him into the bottomless pit--
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
it's been a long year. This year has seen more than its share of tragedies, both locally and world-wide. Droughts, floods, raging fires out of control, tidal waves, volcano eruptions, tornadoes, and many more natural disasters have taken their toll on many people. Added to that are other disasters--collapsing bridges, trapped miners, mass shootings---all deadly tragedies.
And yet, we continue moving ahead. Advances have been made in the battles against cancer, heart disease, and many other deadly illnesses. Peace has been sought, and in some ways obtained, in areas of the world that haven't known the meaning of the word in centuries. In spite of the setbacks around the world, the human race continues to grow and flourish in the modern era.
And we must continue to do so. No matter what comes our way in life, we must never give up. I've seen many problems myself this year, and yet, as always, I continue to go on. That little tiny voice that urges me to just give up is quickly hushed and tamped by the Spirit of the Lord within me that brings me hope and increases my faith. For in the midst of personal tragedy, I always see triumph. The Lord always wins, He always comes through for me, and He always lifts me up above the storms of life.
Yes, God is mighty and He alone is worthy of my praise. I give Him all of the glory for the things I do in my life, and it is through no fault of His when I fail. That is my own personal fault. I am human, and subject to human errors and weaknesses just like everyone else. But there's one thing I know, and that is that when I fall to my knees and cry out to my Lord, He is there for me. He picks me back up, cleans me again, and brings restoration and renewal to my life. He is the only one who can do this, and I am so thankful that He is the loving and forgiving God that He is.
May your new year be filled with blessings, and new faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. And when life seems to be a little too much, fall to your knees and allow His peace that passes all understanding to wash over you from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet and fill your soul with renewed hope and faith. Happy New Year 2008!
"The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life."
~ James L. Christensen ~
I have a dear friend who used to say to me, "Welcome to the real world!" Now, he said this whenever times of trial and tribulation would arise, and he made a good point. So often when someone gets saved, they think they are entering into a life of ease and comfort. Oh, this just isn't so! If anything, the reverse of that is most often true. Because all of a sudden, they run into friends who get upset because they have lost all desire to do the things they used to do. They don't want to go to parties where there is alcohol served, they don't want to go to the racetrack, they just don't want to do anything that would displease the Lord. And in return, they may find they are losing their old friends, they may find that they're life has taken on some major changes.
But that's okay! Yes, when we accept Jesus as our Saviour, He creates in us a new heart, and we become "born again." We would much rather fellowship at a church dinner that hang with our "old" friends in a bar. We would much rather study the Bible, gleaning all that we can from it, than sit in the movie house watching the latest flick. We would rather find a meaningful relationship that go out with just anyone who's popular at the moment.
And then there are the times when the enemy steps in. Oh, yes, calamities happen, tragedies happen, our family has one crisis after another--these things do, and will, happen to the Christian more, it seems, than to the unbeliever. Why is this? Well, it's during these times--these hard times--that we have to put our trust in God and allow our faith to work. It's during these times that we come to realize that we just cannot do this alone. No, we have to have Jesus walking with us, leading us and guiding us through His Word, for us to make it from one moment to the next. It's during these times that we realize that we are just flesh and blood, and we are weak. We cannot live life without Him! And as we learn to lean on Him, casting off our own thoughts, our own flesh, we become more like Him--more Christ-like. And as we become more Christ-like, we become more perfected in our spirit, and draw closer to Him.
Some day, we will no longer be on this earth. No, we will no longer live in this earthly flesh we are in now. We will leave this mortal body, and our soul will be judged. We will answer for anything, and everything, we have done in this time we have had on earth. Every wrong thought, every wrong deed, every act of omission, every foul word, will be answered and accounted for. We will not have our pastor, or our friends, or our parents, or our siblings, standing there with us. Just ourself facing God. That's all.
Now, we have a choice. We can choose to accept Jesus as our Saviour while we're alive and living on this earth and in these mortal bodies, and if so, we will have an advocate with the Father. When we allow His precious blood to cleanse us, Jesus becomes our Advocate both now, and also at the time of Judgement. Or, we can choose to ignore the knock at our heart's door now, on this earth, and we will have no Advocate during the time of Judgement. Jesus will say, "I know you not." And that's that--eternal death and separation forever.
We all have to make that choice. Now, while we are living and breathing in these fleshly bodies on earth. We can't make that decision after we die, and no one else can make it for us. It's personal--just you, and Jesus. Will you hear His knock at the door of your heart and allow Him to come in and be your Saviour this day? None of us knows when we will die. Perhaps in the next hour, or day, or month, or year, or decade. We just don't know. He's waiting for you to open your mouth and accept Him as your personal Saviour at this moment--won't you accept Him now?
Once you accept Jesus as your Lord, allow Him to strengthen you with His Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide you and lead you in the paths of righteousness. And allow Him to walk with you through those times of trial that will come. For as we walk through them, and we become more Christ-like, we are being prepared for later times. We will have opportunities to witness and lead others to know Jesus as their own personal Saviour, we will have opportunities to encourage and bring comfort to someone else going through a crisis, we will have the opportunity to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. We will have the opportunity to allow the Lord to use our hands as His own here on earth. Blessing others and being a blessing to all who know us. This is what we are all called to do.
And when this life is over, and we've been judged by God, and our name has been found written in the Book of Life because of our acceptance of Jesus as our Lord, we will then have one final opportunity--to live with Him forever. Loving Him praising Him, worshipping Him--never knowing sorrow, never having trials and tribulations, never again shedding a tear. For we will spend eternity with Him, and that is beyond the most glorious eternity any of us can ever begin to imagine.
This *blog* is a compilation of *Nuggets of Wisdom* I have been blessed to have been taught by the Lord throughout my lifetime. There are child-raising thoughts, relationship thoughts, recipes, craft ideas, and some other goodies thrown in here and there. I pray it is a blessing to all who honor me by reading it.
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR TROOPS
IN YOUR PRAYERS
Soldiers' Prayer List
Jeffrey Ackley, US Army
William Lee, USMC
Matt Mancuso
Matthew Kempfer
JB Hogan, US Army
Kenneth Boyd, US Army
Aaron Mutter, US Army
Ssgt. Leigh Nichols, USAF
PFC Matthew Carty, US Army National Guard
PFC Nicolle Carty, US Army National Guard
Josh Freeman, US Army National Guard
Brandon Willoughby, US Army
David Barnette, US Army
E4 James Owens, Jr., US Army
Steven Solana, US Army
John Robert Greene, USMC
Cory Thornton, USMC
Lucas Elliott, USMC
James Westberry, US Army
