[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

May 31, 2005

Touched By A Stranger

Read:
Romans 12:3-16

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love. —Romans 12:10

Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 1-4

Marsha Burgess was a complete stranger to us, so we were touched by the note she sent. She knew my husband Carl's mom who had recently died. She had often seen her when visiting her own mother at a local nursing home.

So when Carl lost his mother, Marsha took the time to share her memories with us. She closed her note with these words: "Your mom always had a big smile on her face and was happy to see us. How wonderful to have such precious memories! We just loved your mom. We'll never forget her." Marsha is a Christian, and her words brought comfort in our grief. They reminded us of the joy of being part of Christ's body (Romans 12:5).

Every believer has been given a specific gift or gifts by God to use in building up others—prophesying, ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, and showing mercy (vv.6-8). But all of us are to "be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love" (v.10) and to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (v.15).

Sometimes we hesitate to reach out to someone we don't know. We wonder if it is appropriate or if it will mean anything to the person. But that note from Marsha reminds us how much it means to be touched by a stranger. —Anne Cetas

Like refreshing rain in summer
Or the gentle breeze in spring,
Just a little gift of kindness
Joy to someone's heart can bring. —Hess

Opportunities to be kind are never hard to find.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Compassion Of Jesus

[The Mayor]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Dansangel; Aquamarine, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne.....................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13..brother-in-law, cousin El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son gator girl.................husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel......................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA...............................son katykelly......................son cookcounty.....................son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar..........................son boxerblues................2 sons the piper.........................son sheeza.......................husband kemathen7.................husband Tiffee4Bob.................boyfriend deadhead......................cousin JimRobinson.........2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.........................niece Donaeus......................nephew dixie sass...................nephew BeAllYouCanBe...................son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn.........................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.............................son Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa......................son auboy............................cousin spotbust1...................husband Leofl.................................son chena................................son campfollower...................fiance LUV W..............................son painter.........................nephew ProudAFDad......................son TheMayor....friends'son & nephew mhking............................cousin Misty4jc.......................husband Colorado Slim.............. nephew Tapatio......................2 nephews CGblue......................active duty ak_daddoo.........................nephew DirtyHarryY2K............daughter, son-in-law nelibeli......................................nephew bigghurtt...............................Active duty frankiep................................Active duty Palladin...............................grandson Gonzo...............................friend's son

[StarCMC]

Hey Mayor - I took the time to look at each and every picture and to be grateful for everything they and others like them have given to me. Thank you for honoring our troops here each day! HUGS!

[The Mayor]

A little humor..

These will make you smile.... :-)
I was in the express lane at the grocery store quietly fuming. Completely

ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out

line pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the

cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked

sweetly, "So which six items would you like to buy?"

Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?!!!

---

Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbor

and his wife were told there would be a 45-minute wait for a table.

"Young man, we're both 90 years old," the husband said. "We may not have

45 minutes."

They were seated immediately.

---

A all eyes were on the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the

aisle. They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her

father and placed something in his hand. The guests in the front pews

responded with ripples of laughter. Even the priest smiled broadly.. As

her father gave her away in marriage, the bride gave him back his credit

card.

---

Three friends from the local congregation were asked "When you're in your

casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what

would you like them to say? "

Artie said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine

spiritual leader, and a great family man."

Eugene commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and

servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."

Don said: "I'd like them to say, "Look, he's moving!"

---

Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God.

Looking up, he asks the Lord. . . "God, what does a million years mean to you?"

The Lord replies, "A minute."

Smith asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"

The Lord replies, "A penny."

Smith asks," Can I have a penny?"

The Lord replies, "In a minute".

---

John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully. "Give me one last request,

dear," he said.

"Of course, John, " his wife said softly.

"Six months after I die," he said, "I want you to marry Bob."

"But I thought you hated Bob," she said.

With his last he said, "I do!"

[Mama_Bear]

God bless our men and women in uniform.

[Billie]

Hello, all the Finest on this Military *Tuesday*. Thanks to you every week, Rus, for posting this thread so we may take a look at some of FR's Finest Military and show our appreciation and thanks, and offer prayers for the safety of those who are in harm's way now.

Hope everyone had a memorable Memorial Day weekend.

Last night we watched PBS' "Bataan Rescue". Heartbreaking, what those POWs endured. :( It was very emotional - narrated by some of the suvivors of that camp, as well as some of those who risked their lives to get them out.

Thank you, brave men and women, then and now, for your sacrifices for our country.

[LadyX]

Good evening, Your Honor!

How would any of us like to have to wear this bullet proof vest in addition to the uniform and weapon, ammo, grenades, radio, etc. in hot Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, etc.?

It is perhaps more awkward than uncomfortable,
given this information:

How COMFORTABLE are vests?

Very comfortable - unless it gets hot! You usually don't notice an extra 3 - 5 lbs. of weight all that much, and vests don't restrict freedom of movement very much (if fitted properly), BUT...

Heat buildup is always a problem in the summer. No vest on earth can honestly claim to be comfortable when it is hot and / or you are exercising and sweating hard. The thickness of the ballistic panel insulates you, and the waterproofing of the ballistic panel simply prevents effective cooling through the vest.

So, in a very hot environment, you might want to leave a gap on the sides for extra ventilation when we size you, and accept only partial side protection.

We always recommend at least one of our 'Sweat-Wicking Undershirts to keep you drier and cooler. It accomplishes this by wicking sweat away literally 3 times faster than a cotton shirt. When the sweat has been "wicked" to the edge of the vest it can then evaporate.

[LadyX]

Benchmark 1,000th Reconstruction Project Completed in Iraq

By Denise Calabria
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 31, 2005 – The public spotlight recently shone on an unassuming, eight-classroom school in the town of Zakho, Iraq, and for good reason. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, responsible for oversight of reconstruction in Iraq, announced it had identified Betas School as its 1,000th completed reconstruction project.

Betas School students file through the gates of their newly renovated school to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Harry Weddington

The Betas School, located amid rolling hills on the outskirts of the town of Zahko, in the northernmost province of Dahuk, is home to headmaster Ibraheem Nuri, 60 students, and seven teachers.

Nuri was visibly pleased and proud. "I have been the headmaster at Betas School for many years," he said, "but I never imagined it could be such a wonderful school. I am very happy for the teachers and students."

Nuri and his students took part in the school's ribbon-cutting ceremony. The children presented flowers and refreshments to all invited guests, including local government and tribal representatives.

U.S. Army Col. Kurt Ubellohde, district engineer for the Gulf Region Northern District, and numerous Corps staff members, as well as members from Washington Group International, the company that performed the renovations, also attended the ceremony. Local Kurdish television and U.S. military media chronicled the event.

Renovations to the school included replacing water tanks, water piping, and sewer pipes; installing toilets and sinks; laying a concrete floor and terrazzo tiles; and installing ceiling fans, interior and exterior lights and a school bell. Repairs also were made to the school safety wall.

While Betas School renovation is the 1,000th project, the pristine schoolhouse also serves as a symbol of the 840 planned school projects throughout the country. To date, 171 of these projects are ongoing, and 580 school projects are complete.

Spending on reconstruction projects in Iraq has reached more than $5.5 billion. Thus far, of the 3,200 total planned projects countrywide, 2,389 have started, 1,215 are ongoing, and 1,174 have been completed in the sectors of Buildings, Health, and Education; Oil, Security and Justice; Electricity; Transportation and Communications; and Public Works and Water.

(Denise Calabria is assigned to the Gulf Region Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.)

Army Col. Kurt Ubellohde, district engineer for the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Northern District, and local dignitaries cut the ceremonial ribbon at Betas School,
the 1,000th project completed by the Gulf Region Division.
Photo by Harry Weddington