Troop Prayer Thread 8

Welcome to the next in our series of prayer threads designed to spiritually support our troops, our allies, and the ones who are holding vigil for them.

Below is a list of troops which freepers have submitted for prayer. All who wish to participate at any level whatsoever is welcome. All participation commitment is strictly between you and your maker. While most who participate here are Christian, we strive to maintain an ecumenical spirit here and invite the participation of people of other faiths. We hold the belief here that ALL prayers are invaluable and make a difference. One never knows when that one little prayer breathed while waiting in traffic just might be the one that will be instrumental in saving the life or limb of a young soldier or marine or sailor or airman or coast guarder.

We want everyone to know that while we reserve the List itself for those who are active military and their immediate families, we are willing and very happy to pray on our thread for those who are supporting our troops who may have some special prayer needs.

Some enjoy leading us in prayer by posting their own prayers. Some enjoy sharing with us relevant scriptures which give insight to events unfolding around us. Others enjoy bringing stories to our attention which seem to have some kind of Truth about our stated mission to support our troops spiritually. Some stories are funny, others heart warming, some are tear jerkers, some are feedback to show us that indeed our prayers and those of our countrymen ARE effective. We post links to these stories, which are often, but not always, other threads found on FreeRepublic.com. We have started calling these special stories, Prayer Warrior Field Trips, for it requires our Prayer Warriors to take a trip of sorts to another place. As we all know, journeys change us, and we hope some of the Prayer Warrior Field Trips will do that for us in their own way! Recently, Ragtime Cowgirl has begun an effort to collect "good news about our troops" stories. We wish to acknowledge here her efforts and encourage folks to read those stories and circulate them on your email lists. Sometimes we enjoy just visiting with each other a little bit and share things which are going on in our lives.

If you wish to have a special prayer posted for your loved one, ping or freepmail me or amom or any other posting Freeper whom you desire to have post a prayer. Or you may post your own prayer or prayer request for your loved one yourself, if you desire. This is your thread. We wish to have it be a place where not only are you supporting our troops, but that you will feel supported yourself while giving that support.

If you are active military, you are also VERY welcome to request special prayers for yourselves or your buddies.

If you wish to be on or off our ping list, please notify me, or FReeper amom, who has been serving as our List Keeper. Also let us know if you have any updates or if we have made any errors!

For those of us who have somewhat limited computer capacity, we request that graphics be limited to pictures of loved ones for whom we are offering prayers, special visuals that seem particularly appropriate, and as much as possible, non-moving graphics. Thank you.

Soooooooo....wont you join us as we continue our journey together as Prayer Warriors, fighting a spiritual battle behind our precious young fighting men and women under arms? We are so grateful to them and so very proud. They are so deserving of any thing great or small which we can do to support them as they fight for our nation. Lurkers are welcome too, as well as those who choose to participate by posting. May God bless all who take up those spiritual arms and forge those mighty prayer bullets!

We are grateful to God that for those who have been injured or taken back Home, He has dispatched angels to their care.

Our list keeper, amom has provided us with a couple of special sections. The first is a special mention list of folks on our list of whom we are aware of having special need for prayer. The second is a list of those who have come home! Following that is the complete list of all prayer request submissions.

SPECIAL MENTION:
boxerblues-who’s son has been injured in a freak accident a couple of days ago in Iraq. He has been hit by an exploding truck tire in the back of his head, he was medi vac'd out to a field hospital where he received staples in the back of his head and hands, he suffered a concussion, along with multiple cuts and bruises. Latest update is that he has returned to normal duties.

Dlfromthedesert-A Tucson soldier,Sgt. Sean Cataudella killed in Baghdad on Saturday. August 30. He left behind a wife and 3 small children, including an infant he had never seen. His father, Sal Cataudella, is taking the loss of his only son very hard.

Mr. Silverback-PFC David Modes II of Apple Canyon Lake, IL. He was wounded in a firefight near the Afghan-Pakistan border during Operation Mountain Viper and is now recuperaing at Landstuhl. He was shot twice: A bullet through the abdomen missed all vital organs, but he will require extensive rehab for a thigh wound. David's mother is a member of the armymomsusa support group. The two soldiers with David at the time were killed. Please pray for their families. Their names are Adam L. Thomas, 21 of Burbank, IL and Chad Fuller, 23 of Potsdam, NY.

WELCOME HOME!!!
Radix’s son, 2LT Radix Jr, Army
Joseph Hudson, and other POWs home safe, released from hospital at Ft Bragg on 23 April.
LBGA- son Tyler, special ops, home safe, tired but in good health.
HiJinx SPC Anna, BlackHawk Crew Chief has come home safe and sound Major Sellers, USMC
Char and Dale’s son Dean came home from Iraq at the end of April!
SGT Elsa, USA
Potlatch-son safely back home after 10 months and managing to go around the typhoon and got home to Texas.
~sheeza-husband. Mr. shezza and his unit are coming back from Iraq! They're leaving from Kuwait on Thursday 18 SEP and will arrive in Baltimore (or maybe New Jersey, depending on Isabel) on Saturday morning.
TEXOKIE’s niece’s hubby is home from Afghanistan since May ‘03!

~Chong-Commander-In-Chief, President Bush, and his family.
~amom- Our leaders, our fallen, our missing and the innocent.
~FrogMom- son-in-law SSG Mike in Baldad, Iraq, husband and father of two adorable children
~FrogMom-Joseph Hudson, and other POWs home safe, released from hospital at Ft Bragg on 23 April.
~EuroFrog-SSGMike ,currently in Balad, Iraq. We extend our prayer for safe return, 180 days are almost up! SSG Kris
~FrogFish-cousin SPC Chad of the 3rd Infantry in Kuwait.
~maranatha-son Mitchell, USAF air refueling wing in Oman
~SAMWolf-Freeper BKWells, and Freeper Radix’s son
~Tarheel-Capt. Eric US Army
~Tiki-Anton Peterson, Steve McKinley, Tim McKinley, Cory Simmons
~prairiebreeze-Marine Corpl. Nick, Navy seaman Brad
~LBGA- son Tyler, special ops, home safe, tired but in good health.
~HiJinx SPC Anna, BlackHawk Crew Chief has come home safe and sound and her husband is due home shortly, and PVT Tom B., cannon crewman. Tom is on his way over now after being here for the birth of his son.
~Mr. Silverback-Corpsman Michael USN discharged, Specialists John Colin Army near DMZ in Korea, Pudgeless and his unit the 333rd Mps of the Ill National Guard. County Board member Hadley returned to Freeport.
~JohnDoe#1-son Sergeant First Class Terry in Kuwait
~h8klintoon-Maj. William Glover, Sgt. Ellis Caudle
~fatima- Adam-spec ops, granddaughter Karen Army in Bagdad, Jim USN USS Constellation, freepers Daughter in law Patty Air Force.
~Shezza-darling husband Scott (Freeper Giles Corey) US Army
~amom-Defender2, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
~Lando Lincoln-Seth Crawford USAF
~68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub-the Men and Women at the Coos Bay Coast Guard Station. Along with active duty Coast Guard FReeper CWO Jackson.
~My back yard-brother’s youngest son Bryce Owen USNavy sailed right after Christmas
~RedWhiteBlue-nephew LCpl. Brian Kaul, USMC in Kuwait
~WLansberry-1st Lt. George Lansberry USAF
~doug from upland-PO2 Josh, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT
~OhioWfan- Son PFC Eric, Army Reserves, activated in Bagdad , son’s unit buddy, Sean. Eric has begun a Bible Study at the Palace Grounds in Baghdad, and has asked us for prayer for him, and for the study.
~Heylady-Son Lt. Gregory Worden, 1ST CAV
~amom-Freeper Mike, WUSAF, Air National Guard
~GatorGirl -Husband ¡¡§§LT Gator¡¡ ̈- USNR, Brother in Law-Jason-USNR, Cousin Rich-USNR, Friend Tom-USNR, Friend Alex-USAFR
~amom-Major Sellers, USMC in the ME. Son Dillion and mom Betsy. 4 mo old. ...DADDY'S HOME!!! as of 5/24/03. Mom Sally and Dillon are doing fine.
~buffyt- Son in LawRobby Ellis Boswell USN
~WellsFargo94- CPT Bill, CPT Dan, MAJ John, CPT Tom, SGT Brian, CPT Dave, LTC Jim, Chaplain Dave, COL N, COL L, COL S, General Franks, LTC Pat, Dr. W
~GoRepGo-Husband Willie, Navy Corpsman, Ist MEU somewhere in the sandbox.
~amom-FReeper bkwells (Deployed on USS TARAWA (LHA-1)) from the Canteen.
~ProudArmyWife-Sgt. Roney 4th Infantry Divison (hubby)
~exhausted momma-Nephew, Matt Morgan, Navy
~Severa- husband (FR screen name Hostel), USN Submariner, brother Wes, USAF Little Rock AFB, friend Tosca, USN Corpsman, USNS Comfort, husband's cousin David, US Army, Fort Gordon, GA
~ stand4something- husband Mike AND son Scott, (both Air National Guard) deployed to the Mid-East)

~ JulieRNR21- a friend's grandson, Wesley in the USAF
~ LKR59-Timmy (Army) in Kuwait, John (Army) in Afghanistan, and Karen (Army) in Saudi Arabia
~Joy Angela-cousin Steve Jr. early 20s with a 6 year old son
~FReeper Proud Legions
~FReeper Hostel, USN Active Duty Submariner
~ OhioWfan -son Eric
~ mystery-ak -husband Mike and their son Jonathan both deployed
~ Gogranny - grandson
~ Inspectorette -son Eric
~ Slip18- nephew is aboard ship - active duty USN
~ anniegetyourgun - nephew Josh
~ Himyar - son Robert
~ homeschool mama- nephew Michael is in the Navy
~ CyberAnt- nephew Jody
~ milagro- son is deployed in the Mid-East
~ BlessedAmerican- nephew David Marine returned to San Diego 7 May 03. ~ Jewels1091 -friends of daughter, Ross (101st airborne), deployed to Mid-East, Chris (Navy) heading for Mid-East, cousin, Phil, serving in the US Navy
~ TruthNtegrity - lurker friend Pat’s nephew Ben (Marines) Kuwait and his mother Tracy.
~ TruthNtegrity- younger brother, John (Navy), has been deployed, and his family.
~TruthNtegrity-Ensign Andy, US Navy - my cousin's son, pilot LTC Andrew deployed, Marine Keith.
~ Hoosiermama- Brad who has been deployed, His brother Jeff who has just enlisted. Shanty & Josh (husband & wife just deployed separately), Bill and Bill (both military academy grads), (when you teach, they're all your kids) Brad from Maigrey, Sgt. C. Cole
~notpoliticallycorewrecked- husband soon to be deployed
~notpoliticallycorewrecked- military email buddies
~ Wneighbor -son-in-law Thomas deployed, and his pregnant wife and mother of 3.
~ zlala -brother is deploying to the Mid-East
~ tamikamaria- cousin Annette (Navy) stationed on an aircraft carrier, best friend’s brother is in the Army, sister is in the Navy
~ Radix -son is HOME!! WELCOME HOME!!!
~ Pippin - niece in the Air Force, nephew in the Army stationed in the Far East
~ WomanofStandard -a dear friend has three sons in the military Dustin (Army) - Mid-East-Troy (Air Force) Italy, Tyler (Army) just returned from Afghanistan and currently at Ft. Bragg, NC
~ baseball mom - friend’s nephew, Thomas (Navy), just deployed
~ a special Freeper -brother is an Army Chaplain
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator -friend’s son Danny (Army), just deployed
~ ivoteright - hubby (Air Force) has been deployed, he is also b-i-l to I’m ALL Right!
~ kemathen7 -boyfriend, John (AirForce)
~ GretchenEE -son of dear friends, Silas (Army), deployed to Mid-East
~bentfeather- Long Cut, Ms Cut, Mini Cut
~Warriormom -Three CIA agents whose plane crashed and may have been kidnapped in Colombia, dear friend Greg, deployed to Mid-East
~ Freeper Per-Ling active duty in the Navy has a wife and 2-year-old
~ leenie312 son Nicholas is in the Marines
~ rentense-friend's brother, Brian Z.
~ AF_Blue -active-duty AF, and family
~southern grit- coworker and dear friend SFC Sarah Augustine Kuwait
~Antijen-Jason Bontrager USN, Justin Lapp USN, Jack Snowden USN
~Antijen- friend Mark
~Jim O-L Cpl Travis Groce & Wife L Cpl Brandy Groce in Kuwait
~Snippy_about_it- Brian Wells (bkwells)and crew deployed on USS Tarawa, also his family back here at home, FReeper KKING (Tim is a contractor working in Kuwait in support our troops) , 2LT Radix Jr, Army-deployed (son of Freeper Radix), Freeper M1911A1 MSgt of Marines and his wife,freeper M0sby, Freeper Mojo2001's husband Navy-deployed, SPCKarl Gray Army-deployed(son of freeper beallyoucanbe)
~Blue Scourge- Sgt. Daniel Mayzik 3rd Armor Div.
~seams2me-Cody Buhler USN, David Blassingame USMC, Trey US Army, Darby Bishop US Army, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub-Long Cut (USN) and Mrs. Cut, SK1 Thurman (USN) and her sister Trish (USMC)
~Maigrey-cousin C.C.
~Condi2008- Friend J.D.
~tamikamaria- cousin Annette, best friend’s brother and sister
~lizbet-cousin’s son Marc
~jtill- friend P.A. and family
~steams tome-adopted servicemen Trey, David, Cody and Darby and their families.
~CENTVRIO EQVITVM and his loved ones
~Reagan’s Mom’s brother -in-law Dave
~Judith Anne’s friend Deana’s son
~Judith Anne’s daughter-in-law’s two brothers
~AFPhys
~AFPhys’ friend C.M.
~olliemb’s two young patients now serving
~Patsor Mike’s brother Tom and friend Kevin
~Char and Dale’s son Dean came home from Iraq at the end of April! He's fine
~Cindy’s stepson Adam
~Jim and Terri’s son Matt
~Joy’s son Michael
~Kay and Don’s son-in-law Stephan
~Jan’s nephew Michael
~patriciaruth’s cousin Ed
~Marvin and Carolyn’s sons Alan and Andrew
~TigerCap’s coworker Kevin
~JimRob-Two Nephews
~MozartLover-nephew
~G’nad-active duty
~Trish-active duty
~deadhead-cousin
~Armymarinemom-three sons
~WaterDragon-Son-in-law, grandson
~Maigrey-cousin
~ladtx-two sons
~Mama_Bear-nephew
~SKI Thurman-active duty
~David Osborne-active duty
~Boxerblues -two sons and SGT Erik with the 101st somewhere in the desert.
~the piper-son
~Diver Dave-niece
~weldgophardline-brother-in-law
~Future Snake Eater-cousin
~Warrior Nurse-active duty
~SpookBrat-nephew
~Consort-2 daughters
~big easy-a friend whose husband is a major(air ranger, delta force) would like our prayers.
~amom-FReeper fc2tomschermuly who says " God willing, we'll all come home safe and sound."
~ladyinred-Eric Ludwick and Scott Ludwick brothers and both deployed. Sons of a lifelong friend. They have a sister, Pamela who is also enlisted Army recently.
~bell-Sgt. Jason Beach, Joshua George USMC , Daniel Bristow USMC
~maranatha-General Franks and Don Rumsfeld,
~NRA2BFree-Major Peter Horn US Special Forces, LCPL Jonathan Marquez USMC, CPL Antonio Martin USMC
~GilesB-namesake Pfc Gyles, stationed in South Korea,
~armymarinemom-Spc. Brad-Army in Kuwait and active duty. Pfc Stuart-Army and Sgt. Graham-USMC.
~BeforeISleep-my son-Marines
~.30Carbine-Jim Ferry, Vermont Army National Guard, Chemical Weapons Defense Specialits/Trainer and his wife and 2 small children.
~AppyPappy-two adopted Marines from the next county who are in Kuwait.
~Lando Lincoln-remembering the gallant UK and Aussie troops who are at our side.
~condi2008-our friends, Jimmy, Brian, Jon, Dustin and their families.
~Chong-Chris Kollhoff, nephew-to-be who is shipping out tonight for Iraq.
~Textide- Please pray for Wes, my cousin, a Marine Captain now home from Kuwait.
~TEXOKIE- Niece, active army nurse still stateside. Niece's hubby, army, deployed to Afghanistan (returned home), Niece's brother-in-law, active army, deployment status unknown at this time
~sheeza-husband. Mr. shezza and his unit are coming back from Iraq! They're leaving from Kuwait on Thursday 18 SEP and will arrive in Baltimore (or maybe New Jersey, depending on Isabel) on Saturday morning.
~Dubya-Royal Marine commandos
~twstearman-80+ crew of this itty, bitty ship I'm on. USS Devastator (MCM 6) home ported in Texas, is a mine countermeasures ship (i.e., mine sweeper), been deployed since early January, and we have no idea when we're going home. We all know now it's time to go to work.
~Dutchgirl - Norman Hamm USAFR and his mom and family. Hamms are old AF brat buddies, all grown up.
~BeAllYouCanBe-My son Karl, a National Guard infantryman and part of 293 Infantry Regiment. He is 26 has a wife and 18 month old daughter and lived in San Jose CA before last November when he was called up.
~Peach-my stepson - Steven Seaha, Master Sgt., Air National Guard, Jordan.
~Jaded- Matthew K. in the Navy
~Wild Irish Rogue- my brother,John-Special Forces, Airborne-deployed Mid East.
~Southflanknorthpawsis- my son-in-law, USMC Staff Sergeant, Dan; currrently in Kuwait.
~OhioWfan-Aaron, son of one of my students who is a Marine and has been stationed on the Iraqi border. Andy, the boyfriend of another of my students, involved in Psy Ops.
~weldgophardline-Merle ,in the Air Force Brother in law of weldgophardline. All the troops.
~NYCop-SSgt. Rojas, currently deployed in Kuwait and awaiting Iraqi POW's, he’s a co-worker and friend
~KineticKitty-Master Sargent Jenkins, SSG John Burton , SPC Paul Dobiesz , SGT Freeman, SFC Lewis, LT Nelson, LT Ortez, SGT Call, SGT Rogers, PVT Potao, SPC Morgan, PVT Surface, Master Seargent Wiley, Lt Col. McNeely, CPT Love, CPT Vaught, SSG Fortney. Most of these soldiers are in various Units with the 4th Infantry Division these are friends of mine and my husband mostly from the Ft. Hood area.
~HiJinx-those who have chosen to take up arms against tyranny, keep them safe, help them to accomplish their objectives, bring them home to their loved ones
~NotJustAnotherPrettyFace-my nephew - paratrooper with the US Army ~glory-nephew Adam, is working patriot missiles in the Army. Hubby's best buddy, Eric, who is in a refueling unit for the Air Force.
~DAVEY CROCKETT-Steve Countryman US Airforce, Josh Ray US Marines, Brad Newman US Navy, Tex (my son buddy) US Navy
~baseballmom - asking for prayers for freeper Mystix, USMC
~Mrs.Liberty-nephew Sgt Charles Mapa, Jr. USAF C17-Crew chief.
~2ndIDVet- J.B. and B.G.
~jwalsh07-1st LT Brian Helsin Iraq, Ist LT Alex D’Amico Marines
~free kitty-close friend Barbara who just went in the Army.
~The Right Stuff- my penpal, Sadie from the USS Boxer.
~sakka- email friend, Rick, Navy USS Constellation and all the others on his ship.
~baseballmom-my brother’s brother-in-law, Chris, USAF, Blackhawk Pilot-Iraq. "Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly,..."
~mountaineer-a friend’s son, Sgt Andrew J with the 101st Airborne in Iraq, and another friend’s son, Stephen M with the USAF somewhere in the Kuwait area.
~UncleHambone-Jeff M and Steven L of the 3rd Marines.
~Valin-waitress at my favorite greasy spoon’s nephew is over there. Marine Cpl Mark Arnold .
~amom- co worker’s boyfriend Cpl Pablo Gabriel Alarcon USMC Kuwait
~snickers via homeschool mama- Alexis Lankford, HHC 1-63 Armor 173rd
Ariborne Brigade, older daughter in Kuwait Heather (Lankford) Ballone 124th Transportation Co, my son Clayton Lankford 2-118th Infantry.
~pollywog- grand-nephew SPC Jonathan Cook from Eagle Idaho in Kuwait (probably in Iraq by now). He will be 21 on April 7th.
~TEXOKIE-SGT Elsa, USA, was on the front lines in Iraq receiving prisoners of war as they surrender now back home as of Aug 28; her brother CPT Mark, USA, at FT Benning, GA; her boyfriend, CPT Nat, USA, 1st Cav at Ft. Hood, TX and her cousin SP Miranda waiting for deployment at Ft. Sill, OK.
~SAMWolf- Karl, BeAllYouCanBe’s son, entered Iraq on Tuesday (25 Mar 03) Infantryman National Guard in support of the 101ST Airborne Division.
~Xenalyte-Daniel Osborne, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1-43rd out of Ft. Riley, Kansas friend of a friend. Danny Oz, special ops, son of a friend and colleague.
~judicial meanz- the men and women of the 29th ID, and the Virginia Guard all over the world.
~dandelion-PFC Valentine Leyva, 3rd Battalion, 1st Division in the Marines. He is a friend of my daughter
~Smocker-my TWO brothers now both safely stateside.
~repubmom-Wendy’s son Chris, a marine on the front lines. A prayer for Wendy too who is home with two daughters and shouldering this by herself.
~TEXOKIE-Matt S. Army
~Hamilton2-Jeffrey Ron Davis and his wife Megan
~Dubya -Mary and Freddy Medellin parents of Cpl. Jesus Martin "Marty" Antonio Medellin Fort Worth's first casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
~beachn4fun-CW2 Dan Alexander stationed in Kuwait and PFC.Kenneth Lewis Marshall USMC
~Phyllis-my “adopted “ soldier PFC Edward, Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Army.
~HiJinx-txradioguy along with his 4 kids.
~LetMyPeopleGo-brother, SSG Michael (Dom), over there in the Army. He has a wife and a son.
~Mosby-husband, MSgt. Daniel Edwards USMC
~boxerblues-son who has been injured in Iraq.
~RobbyS-Son Joel is 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd ACR in Baghdad.
~StarCMC - brother and fellow FReeper, kjfine, to your list. Capt. and commander of the 969th MCT in Iraq traveling his normal location 9-11, thru 9-16. Prayers for his safety in travel and for his safe return to his normal location, and eventually, HOME. KJFine returned safely to his normal location -- no incidents whatsoever!
~TexKat-son SGT. K. Smith in Kuwait
~SnarlinCubBear - Jason U U.S. Army - mechanic, on the Blackhawk helicopters & SnarlinCubBear’s penpal.
~manna- Jay, who is in Bagdad with the Army, husband of someone manna knows.
~RagtimeCowgirl-Gen(s). Myers, Pace, Abizaid, Sanchez - Amb. Bremer, the Iraqi Council members and a couple of 'reporters' in Iraq: SSG. Washington in Tallil - heading up convoys, and "Chief Wiggles" in Baghdad interrogating those who know info that could save lives.
~Explorer89- brother, John, who will is leaving this week to escort convoys along "Ambush Alley"
~DAVEY CROCKETT- Brandon McFadden US Army Military Police 210th.
~fatima- Karen, Jim and David and for those who have gone to God,eternal rest.
~RagtimeCowgirl- CheneyChick who's working with the troops she respects re. recruitment and retention - and will be heading to Iraq in the future. Also, Scott ("war daddy") S., a hero who's returning to Iraq soon as a civilian security consultant.
~Mr.Silverback- John Buford retired Army Lt. Colonel currently away from home training soldiers in peacekeeping and community relations; he has a wealth of knowledge on these matters from Bosnia and Kosovo tours. Also an outstanding community leader.
~Mr. Silverback-PFC David Modes II of Apple Canyon Lake, IL. recuperating at Landstuhl. Adam L. Thomas, 21 of Burbank, IL and Chad Fuller, 23 of Potsdam, NY. KIA, their families. SSgt Richard Gordon, who has just received orders for a 15 month tour in Korea.
~Ragtime Cowgirl-Charles - Freeper boomop1 (21 years AF) - and for his son Michael in Iraq w/ the AR 3rd. BDF
~VHAW-co-worker and friend Mike Brooks, a C-12 pilot going over therë. ~Tiki-Cathy Mitchell’s husband Tony, Air Force Commander in Afghanistan. Also friend Leota's nephew in Baghdad and a grand nephew who just completed basic training in the Marines.
~Kellie-husband, Phillip Bell Army reservist from 795th Postal from Bethany, MO serving in Balad, Iraq.
~Dlfromthedesert-A Tucson soldier,Sgt. Sean Cataudella killed in Baghdad on Saturday. August 30. He left behind a wife and 3 small children, including an infant he had never seen. His father, Sal Cataudella, is taking the loss of his only son very hard.
~Ragtime Cowgirl, amom, and TEXOKIE - "A Freeper FRIEND" going into harm's way
~HighRoadtoChina- nephew Paul Robert Bennett, lance corporal, USMC, in Kuwait now after serving in Iraq.
~Ragtime Cowgirl- John F., Melbourne, Fla...Army, home from Iraq on break.
~Wneighbor- Jacob who is on his way to his own deployment and the new fast friend of Wneighbor’s daughter.
~My back yard- Wneighbor's son-in-law who remains in harm's way. Bless his wife and children and all his loved ones while they wait his return. We call forth blessing and protection for his child aborning in the womb during his deployment. Let this entire extended family and all in similar situation be surrounded in your love and our prayers.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

I wrote my mom today. We have a custom of ending our letters with a "gratitude" section and a "prayer" section. I felt moved to share today's offering with you.

Background note:
My dad, a WWII marine vet who served in the Pacific theater, died in 1997. Among the many flowers given to our family was a sweet little gloxinia plant. For those who may not know, a gloxinia is kind of like an African violet. It has fuzzy leaves and beautiful blooms. The blooms of the gloxinia, however are much larger and more goblet in shape than the African violets. I fell in love with this plant. During my grief process this simple little plant gave me so much comfort. I was thrilled when it survived and bloomed the years following the funeral.

Over the last several days our Christmas cactus has been blooming like mad! It has been especially pretty because it shares a pot with that gloxinia plant. That silly gloxinia has been blooming too! I just love that gloxinia. We have said grace over it at least 3 times and each time, I dont know how, it sends out a new shoot and comes back in full glory.

Following are the "gratitude" and "prayer" sections from today's letter.

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

Gratitude:

I've been so grateful for that funny little gloxinia plant. It is so beautiful, and has really lifted my spirits so much when it has demonstrated its hardiness. I'm grateful to whoever it was that sent it to us. It has been a little gift that has kept on giving!

I thank God for the beautiful Christmas cactus and the other flower blooms. What a terrific thing it is to have some gorgeous color at this time of year. Because the weather has been relatively mild, we have also had some magnificent last-minute rose blooms as well.

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Prayer

Beloved Merciful Father,

We thank you for the plants which bloom not only in the spring, but also in the summer and fall. We thank you for their colorful faces for they are the reflection of your own dear Face. Help us to also be blooms on the Tree of Life, and to be your Face for those who are in a winter of life and need some comfort and cheerful color.

Father, bless and keep all your children. Heal and comfort those who struggle for life, especially little babies and children. Heal and comfort those who are parents and who sometimes are immersed in stresses which are so burdensome and draining. Lift them up, and restore them to a place of joy and peace. We call for the binding and shattering of all opposition to the lives of those whose time has not come to return home, but who are in danger of leaving us early because of evil designs on them. Let only your Will be done in their lives. Father, enfold and encourage those whom you are calling and are poised to return Home to you. Help us to live our lives each day in harmony and peace. In the midst of storm, let us be calm, in the midst of attacks on us, let us be self-confident and faithful. In the midst of grief, let us have joy. Father, guide our every waking moment and remind us to push aside the distractions which keep us from focusing on your quiet voice.

Father, this is the season of harvest and Thanksgiving. We are grateful for our families and our friends. We are grateful for the abundance and the many blessings you have given us. We are grateful for the previous generations who have handed to us this land and system of government. Help us to be good stewards of Freedom so that we may hand over the keys to the next generation with them finding that all is intact.

We remember this day those who have paid the price for those freedoms which are truly not free. We remember those who have laid their bodies down on the battlefields of the world in the name of Freedom. We remember those who have lost limbs, health, and peace in the name of Freedom. For those who remain burdened by the records of their experiences in war, heal them and grant them peace and freedom from those burdens. We remember those who have come home safely and have lived their lives in honor, serving our nation and Freedom by raising children, working their businesses, and supporting their communities and places of worship. Father, we thank you for all of these servants of Freedom and ask that you will somehow reach into their hearts and let them know directly that we ARE grateful for their sacrifices.

We remember today our young men and women who are paying this generation's price for the defense of Freedom. Father, they are flung all over the globe. Some of them may not be getting care packages or letters. Convey to them, Father, somehow, the gratitude we feel. Guide us each one as to what small thing we can do to support these precious troops, whether it is a special prayer for them each day, or a letter, or a care package, or some other assignment you may give. Help us to hear that assignment and to have the will and determination to fulfill it.

Father, we are so very grateful for so many things this day. Let this gratitude we feel cover the earth and disrupt all hate and hate creation. Let gratitude dissolve the darkness covering the Middle East. Let gratitude reach the hearts of misguided youth who are being lied to and encouraged to commit those murder suicides. Let gratitude dissolve the dark plans for misuses of weapons of mass destruction in China, Korea, the Middle East and elsewhere. Let gratitude be the leaven of an intensification of your Divine Love throughout the earth so that we may see the turning back of dire prophecies and disasters as foretold by many. Let our hearts be so overflowing with gratitude for the smallest and the largest things that it will make the difference in the preservation of Freedom and Light in this nation and throughout the earth.

Father, we ARE so grateful and we do rededicate ourselves to Gratitude in this Thanksgiving Season!

Amen

MAY ALL OF YOU HAVE A VERY BLESSED THANKSGIVING FILLED TO OVERFLOWING WITH JOY, HAPPINESS, AND THAT INTENSIFICATION OF GOD'S LOVE KNOWN TO US AS "GRATITUDE."

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