Hey - my schedule has made the front page. THIS is where I was yesterday. Our first service in the new Chapel will be the Yom Hashua service on Thursday afternoon 3:30 p.m. Our first Sunday service is this upcoming Sunday.
The rest of my week is full doing a small part in hosting THIS....though the community is having one day of remembrance - today.....the base will have several days of sessions and activities. This is one of the most meaningful things I've been blessed to be a part of in the Air Force. I love that our base commanders have paid to bring these guests to the base...and that they share the guests with our community. I'm honored to be a small part of hosting them. What a precious gift for one like me who has always been fascinated with the history of WW2 and the Holocaust. In fact, I know I don't need to say this to *my friends*, but if you are local and enjoy the sessions at ASU or the base...a Thank You to our wonderful base leadership on the editorial page or even thank you cards (I can deliver them) would be a nice touch. ::snort:: BTW, if you need a name to address your card to - click on the first link. ::snort:: See, I didn't give out private info.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
9:15 and we were gathering shoes and such to head to the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new base chapel.
I'll have to get better photos of the chapel. I was a bit preoccupied with Stacia getting on and off the top of the bleachers....
Still my favorite man in uniform (Michael - the one in glasses).
But I did get this shot of the official moment.
Yep, I'm learning how to use the big lens and didn't have the setting right. ::sigh:: The ribbon is cool...the fog I don't understand. It was fine in the first two shots.
Jamin got to talk to TX Congressman Conway. He told him the best new feature of the chapel is the padded seats. ::snort:: Jared (15) plans to go into politics and he also got to speak to Congressman Conway. They discussed survival tips for political life.
We toured the chapel. Stacia and Zander inaugarated the new Fellowship Hall floor with cake and punch. I cleaned it up - along with many willing helpers.
Mike spent the day tying up loose ends for the rest of the week with the Holocaust Survivors (food and such in rooms etc). We met up and picked them up at the airport. Then we got everyone settled in their rooms and headed for Zentner's Daughter for dinner. Several others met us there. I found it fascinating to listen to the stories, visit with our guests, and participate in a bit of the Jewish culture. Of course, discussion did turn briefly to recent Passover celebrations.
Tomorrow is a full day around town. I *think* I will stay home and meet up with everyone in the evening for dinner at the ASU President's home and then the session at ASU. I WANT to participate in all the festivities of the day but I know that I'll be out a LOT this week and think it may be too much for Jared if I'm gone from 7 a.m - 10 p.m. tomorrow.
For those of you who are local and don't have base access - tomorrow night; 6:30 p.m. Junell Center at ASU. I recommend arriving early. Last year they filled up the 200 capacity room, moved to a 500 capacity room, and were still at standing room only. I know that a school from Wall is coming in and another local high school is bringing students as well.
If you have base access consider attending the Yom Hashoah service on Thursday at the new chapel at 3:30 p.m. This is a memorial service for Holocaust victims.
There will be four additional sessions on Wednesday and Thursday on base. Dr. Wallen will give a history of the Holocaust at each session and one of the survivors will speak at each session: either Wanda or Walter. The sessions are: Wed 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Thurs 8:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. The sessions are geared towards youth/adults....yet younger children who are familiar with the Holocaust may be o.k. I've taken 5th and 6th graders after we had studied WW2. Do be aware that there are some graphic slide clips during the sessions and the survivors DO tell their stories.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
We were standing outside a restaurant today in a circle. Jamin and I reached down and grabbed Stacia's hand so that she didn't run into the street.
We soon heard, "God gave Mommy a little girl. Mommy said, 'Thank you.' God said, 'You're welcome.' God bless the cook."
Guess she assumes holding hands in a circle means it's a prayer circle. ::snort::
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Zander has created his own version of rock, paper, scissors.....
Rock, paper, explosion....Explosion wins them all.
{Mommy Story.}
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
{Another Mommy story.}
Josiah (20) picked up Stacia (3) and took her grocery shopping. He said she talked from the minute they left the house until they got back. ::snort::
At one point she said to Cy, "Jared, Arielle, Nolan, Zander, Dad, Mom and I are moving to 'pan."
Cy responded, "Yeah."
Stacia, "If you get a minute, come see me!"
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
