A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-28-02

dansangel and Billie

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest.....
......Every Day

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues;  salute
and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new
word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who
are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which
we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.  I
can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands
of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete
MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet

MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga

BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette

MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid

BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP

MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian

BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68

MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

                     

Salvation Freeper since December 19, 2000

Salvation was born and raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She attended elementary, high school and two years of college there. After earning her Associate's Degree in Education, she taught second and third grades in Dix, NE. A few years later, she wound up moving to California, near Anaheim, and it was there that she met her husband-to-be on a blind date. They were married a year and a half later and moved to the Bay area.

During the next few years, Salvation's husband Dave worked first as an auditor for the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and then as Controller for what was then called Central California Federal Savings and Loan in the main office in Auburn, CA. Also during this time, Salvation had given birth to three girls and a boy. While Controller for Central California Federal, Dave had the pleasure of meeting Ronald Reagan during a trail ride on horseback sponsored by his employer.

Ronald Reagan, lovingly rendered by our own Billie (c)2001.

Desiring a change, Salvation and her husband flew to Salem, OR to look at a child care center that was for sale. They decided to purchase the child care center, licensed for 50 children with a staff of five adults and two teacher aides, usually high schoolers. Two years after moving there, their youngest son was born. Salvation's husband Dave worked for the State of Oregon as a fiscal analyst for the Child and Protective Services. He also handled all the bookkeeping for their daycare center.

What appeared on the surface as a life of bliss as parents and business-owners, in reality caused stress leading to the request for a divorce by Dave. Salvation signed them both up for a Marriage Encounter weekend without Dave's knowledge. He consented to go, however, when the weekend was finally scheduled. It turned their marriage around. Subsequently, they went for training to be a presenting team couple for Marriage Encounter weekends - as if they didn't already have enough on their plates! They did that for about five years, and also presented several Family Weekend Experiences for families in the Salem area.

Their children were active in Little League; Dave served as League president and umpired games for the region. In high school, their daughters were involved in Spanish Club, dance team and soccer. The boys went out for football and wrestling. During this time Dave was also the campaign treasurer for several Republican candidates in local elections. Salvation says she was "still too busy to get into the politics of it all, however."

Then, in 1985, as Salvation puts it, "the big bomb hit. It may as well have been a bomb, because I was devastated. We found out that my husband had lung cancer in April and he died the last week of August of that year. I am thankful that the Lord gave me those four months, don't get me wrong."

It was a year later that Salvation attended her first Beginning Experience weekend. She returned a year after that for another weekend and relates that her life has never been the same. It was as though God was preparing her for her next painful experiences. Over the next 6 years she experienced four more deaths in her immediate family. Drawing on her strength and her deep faith in God, she became an active member in her Catholic parish (Disciples in Mission) and during Lent she is on the Pastoral Council.

This all leads up to Salvation joining Free Republic. She credits her late husband with her Republican "conversion." She was brought up in a Democratic family who believed in government subsidies for farmers. Dave helped her to see that the subsidies, by and large, did not really help the farmers at all, while taxing all of the other citizens of the nation.

Salvation's actual Free Republic membership began by lurking during the hearings after the presidential election and the subsequent Democratic election fraud fiasco in Florida. She ended up tiring of being a lurker and signed up. She is pro-life and anti-government-takeover of privately-owned land. As a former business-owner (she no longer owns the daycare center, having sold it in 1991), Salvation feels that when a person's income depends on the land they own (such as in the farmlands surround the Klamath Basin in Southern Oregon), "it is vital that we all stand up and speak out."

Salvation is proud to be a Roman Catholic and contributes to threads in the religion forum on a regular basis. She also posts the "Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings" on FR each day and the "Sunday Mass Readings" on Sunday. She also tries to post the "Radio Address by the President to the Nation" each Saturday morning but is not always so successful in getting it posted. She says that is due to her "laziness," but with all of her accomplishments and raising 5 children to boot, it is very difficult to believe the word "lazy" even exists in her vocabulary.

Salvation's five children are all grown and live in Chicago, Phoenix, Cornelius, OR, Salem, OR and her youngest son is a student at Portland State. Salvation also has "three and almost four" grandchildren. Two grandsons are in Phoenix and a granddaughter is in Cornelius. Salvation feels it is important that "I also try to enjoy the each day as the Lord gives it to me. Smell the flowers, gaze at the sunset."

Finally, Salvation cites the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi as her favorite:

~Prayer of St. Francis~

Lord, make me and instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are both to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi.

Please join me in giving another deserving FReeper a warm welcome to FR's Finest...

Today that Finest is
Salvation!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

10-26, 27-02 "A Few Of FR's Finest" Weekend Thread

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

     1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
     2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
     3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
     4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[dansangel]

Just want to thank all of you for being here to welcome and honor Salvation. I enjoyed writing your tribute, Salvation - you are a remarkable lady and it was pleasure to get to know you!

I'm getting a bit frustrated with the slowness of the internet, plus I have to rise early to get a good jump on

the metro area traffic tomorrow as we jorney to our vacation destination. So, it's time to sign off.

God willing, I will check in with you all from St. Simons. Love and {{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}} to you all. I am Blessed to be a part of Free Republic - and the ***happy*** side affect of getting to know all of you!

Was going to post a "good night" graphic, but the Internet stopped moving again....aaaarrrrggghhh! LOL!

[ST.LOUIE1]

I'm so glad I got to "see" you today! I will do my best to check in from the road..
.when I go through FR withdrawal, it is NOT a pretty sight!!!

Awwww...nothing could make you a 'not pretty sight'. : )

It's sure nice seeing you before you leave. : )

Great Big {{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}} until I'm able to run into you again!

I hope it lasts. LOL

Hey, take care and have a realy nice time. If you get to stop in - I'll be happy as a clam. : )

(((((((((dansy)))))))))))))

[Libertina]

EVENING all. I hope everyone had an excellent day. I haven't even looked at the thread "recipient" yet, just replying to Louie's PING! I'll be back after my FRN meeting. :)

[WVNan]

Hi Pip. I saw your report last night about your being at the rally. I watched it on C-Span and kept up with it on the running thread. It was kinda scary from where I was watching. I was afraid you guys were going to be overcome by the unwashed weirdos. Glad you had fun. Wish I could have been there.

[WVNan]

angel, you have a safe trip and have a great vacation. I understand about the computer. I've been tempted myself yesterday and today. Slooooow as cold molasses.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, Ms.Tina! : )

[katnip]

God assigns angels to do many things on earth. They are ministering spirits sent to serve those who believe (Hebrews 1:14)

May many angels continue to surround you Salvation.

Congratulations on your day.

[WVNan]

Thanks for stopping by the Finest. Come again soon.

[Diver Dave]

...as you wish...

A spiritual brother sent me the following e-mail and it seems only fitting to post it on this thread.

JESUS, MY ATTORNEY

After living a "decent" life, my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed familiar to me.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench, he said, "Let us begin." The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done? Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was! his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned him to come forward. As he got up and started walking, I was able to see him in his full splendor and majesty. I realized why he seemed so familiar. This was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge, "Hi Dad," and then he turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine."

My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, he quietly paused, looked at his Father and replied, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."

The judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from his lips...

"This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full.

Case dismissed.

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I'll win the next one." I asked Jesus as he gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"

Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, Paid in Full."

[Siobhan]

May God's angels attend you and conduct you to St. Simons in peace, safety, and with every travelling mercy needed for your journey! God bless!

[Billie]

I'm glad you like the kitty babes! :) I thought the hats would give them 'our' personalities!

[saradippity]

Gee,that's just the nicest honor and one that befits you. It's good to know about you,I always held an imaginary "Salvation" in my thoughts based on the gentle zeal of your posts.It seems that you are very much like what I had imagined. A person who clearly and fearlessly,trusts God.

Let me just add on this day of recognition that you certainly have my appreciation and my thanks. I can't tell you how many mornings I found your posts of the Daily Readings and your comments the first step in what became a great day.Probably because you took the time to post,I took the time to ponder and pray and there's just no better way to begin.And,I am grateful.Not to take away from your day,I need to thank al_c too,I usually read his posts after yours and compare the reflections with what I've come up with.which never quite measures up,but I am getting better.

I live in Phoenix,perhaps when you come visit your grandchildren we can get together and have coffee,black.

[ST.LOUIE1]

I'm glad you like the kitty babes! :) I thought the hats would give them 'our' personalities!

Here kitty, kitty. : )

[LadyX]

Beautiful irises, Aqua, and the music sounds *something* like my piano recital when I was 12..:)))

Have to laugh, because one day when I was practicing and my teenage sister was annoyed with the repetition, she went outdoors (in Florida), found a very long black snake, and from behind me thrust it into my field of vision!

Needless to say, practice ended.

[lodwick]

Thank you friend for posting "Paid in Full" Amen.

[WVNan]

Hey you...

[Aquamarine]

LOL! You're bringing back memories for me about piano recitals. Weren't they just the pits?!?

[WVNan]

And you....you just had to bring up the subject of snakes didn't you? Here we are talking about serious love and angels and you bring up snakes! Where's our Cap'n? You might have to swab the decks for this offense.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Awwwwww....made my day you did! Thank you. : )

(((((((Nan)))))))

[LadyX]

Okay - want me to get serious and sing 'Love Lifted Me' with you two?!!
We'd be great!