Family

Wednesday, the First Week of Advent: Children of God, the Gift of Adoption

December 6, 2017 by info@3QuartersToday.com

We are all Children of God

You aren’t an accident. Things don’t just happen for an unknown reason.

God created you, he made those around you. He placed you in a family, exactly where you need to be and the people around you are a gift. You, in turn, are a gift to the people around you.

Who is your family? How did you come to be in your family?

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jO7xhU_Pw[/embedyt]

You see, I was adopted as an infant. At the earliest age, it was explained that I was “chosen”, wanted, and loved. My Mom and Dad chose to have a baby, but biologically it was not possible. So God gave them a gift, me.

In fact, it was just shortly after Christmas they received a letter saying a baby girl was waiting for them. I grew up with the comfort knowing I was NOT a mistake, I was NOT an accident. I was born at the right time, for a purpose.

Gift of Adoption

Many adopted children search for their biological parents and feel as if a piece of them are “missing”. I never felt that way. My husband is adopted and he feels the same way. His Mom and Dad are his parents and he has never searched and never expressed a desire.

I feel if God wants you to know, or meet, it will happen. Just like it happened with my husband and the son he placed for adoption years later. Father and son were reunited after 25 years. It was none other than the hand of God working in many people to make it happen.

Over the years many people have asked: “Don’t you want to know?” I’ve had several discussions with friends who either were adopted, or have a spouse who is adopted. Some want to blame their “life problems” on not having a “parental connection” as an infant.

I seriously have been at peace my whole life with knowing I was a “gift” from God.

Isn’t it wonderful to be a “gift”, wow, that is really something when you think about it, I mean really think about it. We give for Christmas, birthdays, and sometimes the most wonderful gifts are unexpected.

I am a daughter of God, I am a baptized child of God. My Godmother made sure I was baptized right away and she became extremely influential in my life. Sunday school in the tiny Broad Brook country church started the journey and I have been wrapped in the arms of Jesus my whole life. Maybe that is why I’m secure in my place on earth.

Life hasn’t always been kind, there have been struggles. Oh how there have been struggles! But, God has saved me so many times I can’t count. God gave me a gift of Christ Jesus when he was born as a baby on Christmas. The gift is the promise that God will save me. He will make good out of whatever the universe throws at me.

That is what it means to be a child of God.

I believe things happen for a reason, in Gods’ purpose and timing. For years my children have been wanting me to find out more about my ancestral heritage, their heritage. Are we Native American (Indian) like I thought? But I never felt the timing was right. Something this summer prompted me to send a DNA sample to 23nMe.Create Link

Nope, I’m the person that “traded their Lederhosen for a Kilt” as I found out I was more English and Irish, so our dark complexions come from Black Irish, ok. That’s cool. DNA related family, I did hold my breath when I clicked on the report. Closest relatives, a few 2nd cousins, and a thousand or so 4th and 5th cousins. I laughed. Yes, I laughed.

What did I expect? That the universe would suddenly align and all the mysteries would be solved?

No, I had no mysteries that needed solving. Since then more relatives have appeared on my report. I was contacted by a first cousin and my curiosity was piqued. One conversation led to another and after several months I have learned I have more cousins than I can count, sisters and brothers (half anyway). It has been overwhelming on both sides yet I have been welcomed into another family.

It is fun to compare family resemblances with family members and see similarities with my kids. Is the story complete? No, and that’s ok. It is God’s timing, not mine, or anyone else’s. The story may never be told, and that’s ok.

The child of God in me knows my true Father. My parents raised me, I need no other Father here on earth.

I am content.

Reflections the First Wednesday of Advent

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 14: 1-23; 2 Peter 3:1-18

Links to follow the First Week of Advent

Higher Things: Dare to Be Lutheran – The First Wednesday of Advent
Trinity Lutheran Church: First Sunday of Advent Sermon (listen to audio here)
Tomorrow – Thursday, 1st Week of Advent: Titles of Jesus in the Bible

Memories of My Father on the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day

August 28, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Who remembers VJ Day? How many of the past few generations even know what V-J Day is all about? The Victory over Japan (VJ) is the day the Japanese officially accepted the surrender terms from the Allied Nations on August 14, 1945. Although in the England they recognize the date as August 15, and the official signing of surrender occurred on September 2, 1945.

Memories of My Dad

My Dad, Leo T Tyrrell, was twenty years old on VJ Day and the photo below is the only one I have of him during this time period. Unfortunately he died in 1995 and didn’t talk about his WWII years. I never even saw photos of his childhood or my parents in the 1950s.

I have been on a search for several years to piece together my Dad’s military record and from what I understand he was on the Destroyer the USS Edison 439 on this day seventy years ago when the war ended. The ship was at Pearl Harbor for training and immediately set sail to be in Japan for the Occupation during September of 1945.

I have learned a lot about this photo from military history buffs on Twitter. It appears this photo was taken at a general field hospital, note the bandage on his right hand, and the uniform and boots would of been those issued for general patients at that time.

Vj Day in Photographs Around the World The Summer of ’45: Stories and Voices from VE Day to VJ Day

Honoring My Dad

The painting below was generously done by coffee artist Nathanael Manzer, who saw my photo on Twitter and sent me this in the mail! Imagine my surprise. My apologies for the late shout out, I have since had it framed and it hangs besides the photograph.

Talking to My Dad’s Shipmate

In the years I have been searching for information on my Fathers military history I often thought how amazing it would be if I could actually talk to someone who served with him in the military. Since so many veterans from World War II and Korea have died over the years that hope started to fade.

However, I found a website which discussed the USS Edison and decided to contact the author via email. Now this website was built in the mid 1990’s and the chances of the email being active was remote, so I called the phone number listed, not knowing what to expect.

Joining the War at Sea 1939-1945: A Destroyer’s Role in World War II Naval Convoys and Invasion Landings [Paperback] [2009] (Author) Franklyn E. Dailey Jr.

The voice mail answered Franklyn Dailey Jr. and I was encouraged, must be a son, or military historial buff who wrote the book “Joining the War at Sea.” After some phone tag during the day I was actually speaking to an elderly sounding man who started asking questions about my Dad, what ship did he serve on, what job did he do, etc.

It took me a few minutes to realize I was speaking to a World War II veteran who served on the same ship, he did not sound 94 years old. When I explained that my Dad brought and loaded ammunition to the guns Mr. Dailey exclaimed “I was his Gunnery Officer!”

Oh my, a chill went through my body and gave me goose bumps. He not only served with my Dad, but was his senior officer (his boss) seventy years ago. It didn’t matter to me that Mr. Dailey only vaguely remembered the name Tyrrell, but I realized the book he wrote would tell intimately of the job my Dad did, the men he served with, and recants stories my Dad never told.

I eventually had to pull off to the side of the road and finish the conversation. I often thought I might possibly speak with someone in the 82nd Airborne that served with my Dad in the 1950’s, in Operation Longhorn, or Snowshoe, but I never dreamed I would speak to someone from his WWII days.

Frank ended the conversation with “We will get to know each other better, and have more conversations” That we will. I have since purchased his book and will be spending this weekend reading it from cover to cover. Maybe my Dad is even mentioned somewhere, at least now I will be able to attach a place and activity to the ribbons below.

The story is not finished, I have lots to tell as I have also obtained ship muster logs

Articles About the DD 439 Edison Destroyer

There isn’t very much online regarding the Edison DD439 but here are some interesting places to start.

Information and Recognition of VJ-Day

Let us never forget that day, the day the last World War ended when so many families gave everything, their lives, their sons, their daughters for freedom.

World War II Museum to commemorate 70th V-J Day

The program, which will be free and open to the public, will commemorate what has become known as V-J Day. It will start at 10:30 a.m. in the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: the Boeing Center. Among the speakers will be Ambassador Kim Beazley, who will discuss …

Memories of the Pacific theater displayed at Chapman VJ-Day exhibit

One of the most bizarre “letters” on display at the VJ-Day exhibit in the Leatherby Libraries is actually a coconut. A solider carved a smiley face and his home address into the coconut and sent it home to let his daughter know he was okay. COURTESY OF …

Book release, presentation commemorate VJ Day

Turner, a former president of the Marine War College at Quantico and Blue Mountain Community College, makes the presentation on the evening before the 70th anniversary of V-J Day. The free gathering is Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at Heritage Station …

See Participants in VJ Day Parade Reunited 70 Years Later

The photograph ran in the New Orleans Times-Picayune the next day, Aug. 15, 1945—the day often considered V-J Day, even though the war didn’t officially end until early September. Now, the Times-Picayune and the National World War II Museum in New …

Queen Elizabeth II to lead ceremonies in Britain for VJ Day …

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II is leading ceremonies in Britain to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan during World War II.

VJ Day around the world – in pictures – The Guardian

VJ Day around the world – in pictures. From Tokyo to the US and London, events mark the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the end of the second world war. Elena Goodinson. Saturday 15 August 2015 08.39 EDT …

V-J Day – World War II – HISTORY.com

On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as “Victoryover Japan Day,” or simply “V-J Day.

Operation Longhorn was the Jade Helm of the 1950’s

July 14, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

So many people were up in arms about Jade Helm in 2015, but have you ever heard about Operation Longhorn? Watch YouTube or many of the alternative media outlets and according to some, the military was preparing to take over cities across the United States and enact martial law.

Military invades Texas Jade Helm Style — Texas Newspaper Article on Military Invasion

“Little Lampasas tonight waited for a green clad enemy to take it over- to test Army military government and to show what happens when you lose your everyday liberties”

“…it took us about a month to convince some people that this ” play” war wasn’t going to mean they were going to be pulled out of their beds at midnight”

Ok, take a deep breath and calm down. This was written in In April of 1952 when over 115,000 military men and women of the Army and Air Force invaded Lampasas Texas and occupied an area of 1,800 sq miles. This was before the age of social media and I imagine few outside of Texas knew about the 18 day operation.

First let me tell you I am NOT a conspiracy theorists, I am a realist and realize that the possibility of keeping a secret between more than a dozen citizens, or thousands of military members and hundreds of journalists just is impossible. I do not believe in the 911 conspiracies, death squads, death camps, or the gloom and doom some are predicting about Jade Helm. Entire books have been written about Jade Helm and I’ll be interested to see how many conspiracy theories are debunked and end up being false.

Debunked!: Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, and Evil Plots of the 21st Century What Is The Jade Helm 15 Project?: Is it Martial law?Jade Helm Prophecy: A Revelation From Rev. David Steele Jade Helm 15: The Patriot Report (The Strategic Incremental steps towards martial law in America)

Largest Civilian Military Exercise in the United States

There have been several military training exercises that use public land and use civilians to role-play casualties. If you live near an Army National Guard base you see trucks, tanks, and other military equipment, you get used to maneuvers and understand the relationship with the local military and the citizens of the area. However, if you aren’t used to military protocols, or operations the name Jade Helm might scare you to death.

Military Agressors and Government to Run Town

Military operations on public land, or using civilians to play act as participants (as wounded etc) is nothing new, we just haven’t done this in a large massive scale in a few generations.

The largest domestic military exercise in the United States involved the Army and the United States Air Force where the goal was to invade a town of 20,000 people in Lampasas Texas. My Dad was one of the paratroopers that landed northwest of Austin Texas as a member of the 508th division of the 82nd Airborne.

Facts About The Texas Invasion

Operation lasted for 18 days
Military invaders wore German styled caps
Flyers distributed outlined the following:
- A 6pm curfew on the town
- Theatres closed until “Centralist” entertainment films arrive
- Churches closed
- Men will be posted outside school classrooms to “check” on teachings
- Private vehicles confiscated
However the working day was shortened to only 22 hours (isn’t that nice)
Over 20,000 people watched the maneuvers including many “foreign observers”

This mythical war happened just a few years after the end of World War II, and memories of Nazi invasion was still fresh in the minds of many people.

Mock War Down in Texas Is No Laughing Matter

Mock War in Texas- newspaper article from 1952

Although this was a training exercise, a mock war, it was no “laughing matter”. Many from the 82nd Airborne lost their lives when they tangled in chute rigging, or their chutes failed to open. A total of 10 men died during Operation Longhorn. Planning took months, and it was a “paper operation”, but when the cocky parachute infantrymen hit the lazy Lampasas, you couldn’t tell it from the real thing”

These few newspaper clippings represent the little I know about my Father and his military career. Many of the articles sound as if they could have been written today. The biggest difference is the lack of social media. The frenzy was isolated to the geographic region, not the entire country. Life Magazine did cover the “event” and considering their influence at the time they were the social media of the day, yet did not “spin the news” to martial law.

Invasion of Texas and the closing of Churches in Operation Longhorn

No matter how much we don’t trust or government, we should trust the men and women of our military. They are citizens of the United States and have taken an oath to protect and serve the United States. Just like in Operation Longhorn, the communities participating in Jade Helm have been briefed, consulted, and are fully cooperating with the military.

Accounts of Operation Longhorn

82nd Airborne 508th before leaving for Operation Longhorn, much like Jade Helm — Texas 1952 (April) – Before jump at “Operation Longhorn”. 3rd Platoon, K Co., 508th RCT, 82nd Airborne Division (photo credit to John G Hopkins Family)

Operation Longhorn– G503 Military Forum Photos, Photographer: John Dominis

Soldier Recalls Invasion of Lampasas County in Operation Longhorn, Lampasas Dispatch, Oct 26, 2010

Actual Military Video Footage of Operation Longhorn, Shutterstock.com

Grandmas Ranch and Operation Longhorn, Tyler Morning Telegraph 2/15/2015

Photos and flyers from the Agressors, The Circle Trigonists

Information About Jade Helm

Texans brace for Jade Helm 15, massive federal military exercise

Even the governor is encouraging state troops to monitor Jade Helm, which is largely subject to a media blackout. Conspiracy theories about the goals of Jade Helm 15 include imposition of martial law.

Local fears swell as Jade Helm brings troops to Camp Bullis

SAN ANTONIO — Hundreds of U.S. military troops are coming through San Antonio as part of an 8-week training program shrouded in secrecy. The operation, called Jade Helm, begins on the 15th and involves 1200 troops across a number of Southern states.

Jade Helm 15, the military exercise that begat a thousand …

It begins. The geographically sweeping military training exercise, known as Jade Helm 15 is upon us. Special forces and troops arrive in Texas and other states where they will train.

Texans Just Responded To Jade Helm In This EPIC Way …

The Houston Chronicle reported Friday that several hundred people started Operation Counter Jade Helm. The aim is not to stop the operation, but to practice their own skills.

Jade Helm 15: One nation under siege? — RT Op-Edge

Jade Helm 15 is the largest domestic military exercise ever held on US soil. Over 1000 members from the nation’s elite forces, including Green Berets, Special Ops from the Navy and seige in Texas.

Military Books on Code of Conduct and Secret Operations

Between Threats and War: U.S. Discrete Military Operations in the Post-Cold War World (A Council on Foreign Relations)Code of Conduct, an inspiration story of self-healing by an ex-POW Lincoln’s Code: The Laws of War in American History Code of Conduct, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training (Army Regulations Series)

Count Down To Christmas: Marine Corps Christmas Ornaments

December 2, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

USMC Christmas Ornaments

I love the holiday season and everything about it including Christmas carols, outdoor light displays, making candy, baking cookies, and especially my Marine Corps Christmas Ornaments.

To me, Christmas trees are a journey through life and memories of family and friends. Every year I open our ornament box and it’s a journey through our family history. It’s more than just commercialism and buying gifts. It’s preserving memories.

I Love Christmas Tree Ornaments

My Christmas tree is a memory tree, each ornament has a meaning or is significant. The tradition is each year I buy a Christmas ornament for each one of my kids which represents their life for that year. The promise is when each of them gets married and starts a family their box of ornaments will go with them to start their own family tree.

For instance, when my daughter played softball, it was a softball athlete ornament. When we took a ski trip to Colorado it was a skiing ornament from the resort. You get the picture.

Marine Moms are very sentimental and I would have to say every Marine Mom in the country has at LEAST one Marine Corps Christmas Ornament on their tree. In fact, I know some Marine Moms who decorate patriotic Christmas trees in a with red, white and blue ornaments and accents.

Our tradition is to open the ornaments first on Christmas Eve and although my boys don’t like to be Motards with a lot of Marine Corps paraphernalia. But they do like and appreciate their Marine Corps Christmas ornaments and look forward to them every year. This ornament is the first one I gave to my oldest son his first year in the Corps.

I’ve started shopping for this years, but I can’t spoil the surprise for my boys my posting it here. So for those Marine Mom’s looking for Marine or military holiday decorations or themed Christmas tree ornaments here are a few selections.

Marine Corps Ornaments on Amazon

I like Amazon, it’s fast, reliable, and if there are any shipping issues it’s taken care of promptly. They also have the biggest selection and have just about EVERYTHING! How do you like to decorate your tree, is it thematic, color coordinated, or a memory tree?

Cohen Christmas Version of Hallelujah

December 1, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Leonard Cohen Christmas Hallelujah

Welcome to my 25-day countdown to Christmas. I kick it off with Leonard Cohen Christmas version of Hallelujah and I hope I will be able to post every day during the month of December and throughout the holiday. I even downloaded the Cloverton version of the Christmas Leonard Cohen mp3 classic.

As you can see, I’m very addicted to Christmas songs and carols and love this version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. It is similar to the Easter version I posted earlier this year. I absolutely love this melody and I’m so glad Christ is playing a central role in the song during cover versions.

Pretty Floral Piano Music Tote Bags
by Music4LifeLLC

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]Hal Leonard Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen arranged for piano, vocal and guitar

I do have a rule for Christmas music, it can’t be played until December 1st, I don’t like going into a store around Halloween and hearing Holiday music, I want to enjoy the fall holidays, celebrate Thanksgiving and then jump into December with gusto. My Pandora list is set on Classic Christmas music and I take out my piano sheet music to get ready for Advent services on Wednesday night.

Piano Music Tote Bags for Piano Players
by Music4LifeLLC

With that being said, I kick off the Christmas season today, December 1st with this version of Hallelujah for Christmas. Enjoy

Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah

If you want to play or sing the Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah song here are some options. I’m sure it’s going to be a very popular Christmas choral piece with many choirs.

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]A Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo and band. Leonard Cohen Parady A Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo FULL ORCHESTRA. Leonard Cohen A Leonard Cohen Christmas