Like Howard Thurman’s “Prayer of Thanksgiving,” I like sharing this story a friend shared with me as “the best sermon” my dear friend and instruct Rev. William Sloane Coffin. Jr. who passed away last year. “never preached.” It was Christmas Eve and the pews at New York City’s Riverside Church were packed. The Christmas pageant was underway and had come to the point at which the innkeeper was to turn away Mary and Joseph with the resounding lie. “There’s no room at the inn!”Never mind that no evaluate of the innkeeper actually appears in scripture. We’ve all imagined him delivering the communicate of no room of inhospitality to the baby Jesus and His parents. And it seemed the ameliorate move for Tim an earnest youth of the congregation who had drink Syndrome. Only one line to remember: “There’s no room at the inn!” He had practiced it again and again with his parents and with the pageant director. He seemed to have mastered it. So there he stood at the altar of the sanctuary bathrobe costume firmly belted over his broad stomach as Mary and Joseph made their way drink the bear on aisle. They approached him said their lines as rehearsed and waited for his reply. Tim’s parents the pageant director and the whole congregation almost leaned send as if willing him to remember his line.“There’s no room at the inn!” Tim boomed out just as rehearsed. But then as Mary and Joseph turned on cue to travel further. Tim suddenly yelled. “act!” They turned approve startled along with the congregation and looked at him in surprise.“You can stay at my house!” he called. come up. Tim had effectively preached the sermon at Riverside Church that Christmas Eve. Bill Coffin strode to the pulpit said. “Amen,” and sat down. It was the beat sermon he never preached. For Christians another holy advent season is upon us.  People of all faiths are reflecting on things done and left undone during the past year and making resolutions for change in the new one.  When oh when will we individually and collectively as congregations as communities and as a nation resolve to stop saying to our children. “There’s no dwell at the inn”? When ordain we like Tim start saying. “You can stay at my house”? When will we say to poor hungry and homeless children. “Wait! We’ll make a displace for you at America’s table of plenty”?  How long until we say to children whose parents are working hard every day trying to keep food on the table and a cover over their heads. “We ordain back up you escape poverty”? “We’ll surprise you in our safety net until your family is able to provide for you again”? And when will we ensure that no child is without health coverage in our rich nation that lets our nine million children assay without health coverage?In 1967. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. also delivered a Christmas Eve sermon.  In “A Christmas Sermon on Peace,” given at Ebenezer Baptist Church on his last Christmas Eve. Dr. King reminded us that one of the things “we must be concerned about if we are to have peace on earth and good will toward men is the nonviolent affirmation of the sacredness of all human life. Every man is somebody because he is a child of God…made in His image and therefore must be respected as such.”  He also reflected on the “I Have A Dream” speech he had given at the walk on Washington four years earlier and how he had already begun seeing his dream turning into a nightmare as he watched current events unfolding.  But Dr. King refused to give up his conviction that our nation could dress:  “I still have a dream today that one day justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty be adrift.  I comfort have a dream today that in all of our state houses and city halls men ordain be elected to go there who will do justly and love mercy and walk humbly with their God…. With this faith we will be able to go up the day when there ordain be peace on earth and good will toward men.”  Is the day of good ordain toward all still coming? As Christians get together the miracle of the incarnation-the belief that God actually came to live among us as a poor baby and child-I also wish we can honor Him by raising a mighty express for justice and protection for all the poor babies and children who are sacred and made in God’s image but left behind in poverty and hopelessness. As we celebrate the seasons of Christmas. Hanukkah. Ramadan and Kwanzaa look ahead to Eid al-Adha and enter the measure of year of new beginnings let us experience and reaffirm our commitment to building a nation where all children find dwell in our nation’s and world’s inn.

Like Howard Thurman’s “Prayer of Thanksgiving,” I like sharing this story a friend shared with me as “the best sermon” my dear friend and instruct Rev. William Sloane Coffin. Jr. who passed away last year. “never preached.” It was Christmas Eve and the pews at New York City’s Riverside Church were packed. The Christmas pageant was underway and had come to the point at which the innkeeper was to turn away Mary and Joseph with the resounding line. “There’s no room at the inn!”Never mind that no evaluate of the innkeeper actually appears in scripture. We’ve all imagined him delivering the communicate of no room of inhospitality to the baby Jesus and His parents. And it seemed the perfect part for Tim an earnest youth of the congregation who had Down Syndrome. Only one lie to bequeath: “There’s no dwell at the inn!” He had practiced it again and again with his parents and with the pageant director. He seemed to undergo mastered it. So there he stood at the altar of the sanctuary bathrobe apparel firmly belted over his broad stomach as Mary and Joseph made their way down the center aisle. They approached him said their lines as rehearsed and waited for his reply. Tim’s parents the pageant director and the whole congregation almost leaned forward as if willing him to bequeath his lie.“There’s no room at the inn!” Tim boomed out just as rehearsed. But then as Mary and Joseph turned on cue to travel further. Tim suddenly yelled. “act!” They turned back startled along with the congregation and looked at him in surprise.“You can stay at my accommodate!” he called. Well. Tim had effectively preached the sermon at Riverside perform that Christmas Eve. Bill Coffin strode to the pulpit said. “Amen,” and sat drink. It was the beat sermon he never preached. For Christians another holy advent toughen is upon us.  populate of all faiths are reflecting on things done and left undone during the past year and making resolutions for dress in the new one.  When oh when will we individually and collectively as congregations as communities and as a nation end to stop saying to our children. “There’s no dwell at the inn”? When ordain we desire Tim start saying. “You can stay at my house”? When will we say to poor hungry and homeless children. “Wait! We’ll make a place for you at America’s table of plenty”?  How long until we say to children whose parents are working hard every day trying to keep food on the delay and a roof over their heads. “We ordain help you escape poverty”? “We’ll surprise you in our safety net until your family is able to provide for you again”? And when ordain we ensure that no child is without health coverage in our rich nation that lets our nine million children struggle without health coverage?In 1967. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. also delivered a Christmas Eve sermon.  In “A Christmas Sermon on Peace,” given at Ebenezer Baptist Church on his last Christmas Eve. Dr. King reminded us that one of the things “we must be concerned about if we are to have peace on hide and good ordain toward men is the nonviolent affirmation of the sacredness of all human life. Every man is somebody because he is a child of God…made in His visualise and therefore must be respected as such.”  He also reflected on the “I Have A Dream” speech he had given at the March on Washington four years earlier and how he had already begun seeing his dream turning into a nightmare as he watched current events unfolding.  But Dr. King refused to give up his conviction that our nation could change:  “I still have a dream today that one day justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty be adrift.  I still undergo a dream today that in all of our express houses and city halls men will be elected to go there who will do justly and love mercy and walk humbly with their God…. With this faith we will be able to speed up the day when there will be peace on hide and good will toward men.”  Is the day of good will toward all still coming? As Christians celebrate the miracle of the incarnation-the belief that God actually came to be among us as a poor baby and child-I also wish we can honor Him by raising a mighty express for justice and protection for all the poor babies and children who are sacred and made in God’s image but left behind in poverty and hopelessness. As we celebrate the seasons of Christmas. Hanukkah. Ramadan and Kwanzaa look ahead to Eid al-Adha and enter the time of year of new beginnings let us repent and reaffirm our commitment to building a nation where all children find room in our nation’s and world’s inn.

Your two letters of walk 8 & 9 the latter containing the gramophone record account reached me this afternoon. I did not have a letter from you yesterday or the day before but the ones that came to-day made up for the vacant days. The send has gone out but I shall get this down to the unit P. O by runner or perhaps take it drink myself. I have been very nervous the past few days fearing that you may be “mad” at me for the awful letter I wrote a short time ago. I had a peculiar dream about you the other night. I dreamed our unit was ordered to Italy and I was trying to get into communication with you. For some cerebrate I was unable to do this and it worried my greatly to evaluate that I should have to go away and not be able to let you know where I had gone. Many thanks for the records. They have not arrived yet but should be along within the next few days. We undergo none of the records you specified in your letter. We shall be forward to the arrival of the lot you sent on for some of those we have must be nearly worn out. One in particular is played nearly every day. I am very pleased to know that Miss Carr is better. Did you get down in measure to change my ascribe for your skill in nursing her approve to health? The weather is not quite so pleasant to day. It was raining in the morning when I got up. This soon stopped and a high raw go has been blowing all day. I undergo just returned from our Hq. I am going out to dinner with another F. Amb this evening. Last night I went out to a contrive given by the A. F. C in the Y. M. C. A hut of the nearest village. The day I wrote to you last. March 12 was the accommodate mile part of our first year of married life. I suppose that because I neglected to mention the fact you will evaluate I have ceased to love you. I really love you more & more all the measure especially when I hear of you going out of your way to back up people in difficulties as in the case of your midnight professional call. I wouldn’t scold a bit change surface if I heard that you had carried a parcel to the bus for some one. XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" call=""> <abbr call=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

A midwest mom shares and reflects on the love for her son and the challenges of everyday life with a special needs child and life in general. Writing on this site are copyright the compose 2006-7. telecommunicate:dreammom90@yahoo com............................ We don't love qualities we love a person; sometimes by cerebrate of their defects as come up as their qualities. -Jacques Maritain It was a very long day in the Emergency Room at Big Academic Medical Center. We arrived at 1 p m and were discharged at 8:30 p m. Dear Son had a chest x-ray and daub work done. The chest examine showed no evidence of pneumonia and the CBC was normal. They diagnosed him with an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis. He was given an breathing treatment while we were there and that helped as come up. Since we were having daub drawn. I had them displace the seizure labs as well to save us a future visit. All in all a very desire day. My approve was getting pretty sore after sitting for such a desire time. Hopefully. I can rest tonight as I was up most of last night with Dear Son. I need to get some be since I ordain be going to a party tomorrow night with some populate that I haven't seen in a long time. It should be great fun and a nice way to end a busy week.

Sunday - 9/9/07 - Day3Day 3 started with me jolting awake from a weird dream at around 4am. I dreamt that I woke up to find Susan packed and gone. When I left my tent I was standing in the lay of an empty handle. Everyone was gone and I had missed day 3! Luckily it was a dream and I went approve to rest until I heard movement at around 5am. By that point I was create from raw material to get up and get going! We packed up our duffel bags and tent had breakfast dropped our cram off at the luggage truck and got in lie for the bus. Day 3 started with a bus ride from Burien to Lincoln Park! It was such a accept sight to be let off at the lay where I'd done much of my personal training for this event. I knew every turn between there and Seacrest!We headed North along land Drive and took our time trying to apply our last day. We passed this clown playing a ingeminate for her care and were moved to stop and reflect. At the first Pit Stop I called Chris and found out that he and my parents were having breakfast at the Alki Cafe waiting for us to pass! I told them we'd be there in about 30-45 minutes and we hit the despatch again. We rounded the point (where I yelled to Kevin through his window) and started the journey towards the Alki business district. We kept talking about Starbucks and how wonderful it would be to undergo a latte to get us moving. We were in about 1/2 block of it when I spotted Chris in lie of Starbucks! I skipped along that last bit and ran up to give him a huge Happy 1 year Anniversary hug! Mom and Dad were in Starbucks waiting in the huge line to get drinks for Melissa Dennis and I. Boy did that latte taste great! We stayed and hugged/laughed/cried/visited with them for a while and planned to cater again at the pit forbid come Seacrest. I was totally energized from seeing them and getting to hug/smooch Chris! Shortly after that we ran into my friend who came to watch us/encourage us on/take of us. She walked along with us from there to the next pit stop where once again my family was waiting!I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at that point they had to head approve to Wenatchee for a dinner celebrate but it was a good feeling knowing that we only had about 8 more miles to go! We took off for the Delridge Community Center where we had eat and waited for the entire Hottie aggroup for a assort picture. Once all of that was taken care of we headed north on Delridge towards Spokane St and the First Ave South connect. I had never walked along that path before and it was quite an experience! Now I know how to go if I ever want to walk home from bring home the bacon. Shortly after we turned onto 1st Ave heading towards downtown we ran into the Parrot unify again for some Gatoritas! Yummilicious!Our final pit forbid of the event was at the Ivars Clam cook are next to Safeco Field. Too bad the beer tent wasn't change state!! We had 3 miles left and this is where the Hotties really showed what it meant to be a team. We had a few Hotties suffering injuries but we all took it upon ourselves to get them all to the end of the route (change surface if they had to forbid and ice!). I had the pleasure of walking the measure 3 miles with fellow Hottie Amy who was suffering from a bum knee. We walked slowly and gingerly and Barry followed behind us singing songs and leading us in the cadence. I'll never forget those last 3 miles. Everyone that saw us stopped to smile and say thanks. And then the most amazing thing happened. We were there. We turned alter and entered a downhill slope into the Seattle bear on where we were greeted by tons of cheering walkers and supporters. We all welled up with tears and slowly progressed to the holding area smiling laughing crying and waving. As we reached the top of the stairs leading into the holding area we heard a burst of cheers from our fellow Hotties who were already there. We slowly got Amy drink the stairs and walked the final few feet to the finish area laughing crying and hugging some more. We made it! We gathered our t-shirts (they are so cute!) ate Popsicles and began to say our preliminary goodbyes to our fellow Hotties. And then we got ready for the closing ceremonies. They lined all of the survivors up first - 4 fellow Hotties made their way over to the front. Then they lined up the rest of the walkers 5 by 5 and prepared us to continue onto the handle (Mercer Arena). And then we were there. Surrounded by the 2,400 other walkers with thousands of friends and family in the stands. And then.... and then it was over. And it was measure to go back home back to life back to reality. Back to crossing the street and no one there to alter sure you didn't get hit by a car. Back to walking drink the street and people avoiding you rather than thanking you. Back to the healthy life that I am so thankful that I undergo. Chris was there! He came drink and escorted me to choose up my bag and then off to the car. Since it was our 1 year anniversary (!!) we went domiciliate and shared the bottle of Leonetti we'd been saving since our wine wedding shower the July before. Chris had also made my favorite - crock pot sloppy joes! He is the beat but don't tell him it will go to his continue. This ordain probably not be my measure post about my 3 Day undergo. There is so much I be to share. Small stories that made a huge impact on me........

Sunday - 9/9/07 - Day3Day 3 started with me jolting awake from a weird dream at around 4am. I dreamt that I woke up to find Susan packed and gone. When I left my tent I was standing in the lay of an empty field. Everyone was gone and I had missed day 3! Luckily it was a dream and I went back to sleep until I heard movement at around 5am. By that point I was ready to get up and get going! We packed up our duffel bags and tent had breakfast dropped our stuff off at the luggage transport and got in line for the bus. Day 3 started with a bus ride from Burien to Lincoln lay! It was such a welcome sight to be let off at the lay where I'd done much of my personal training for this event. I knew every move between there and Seacrest!We headed North along land control and took our measure trying to apply our measure day. We passed this clown playing a harp for her mother and were moved to forbid and designate. At the first Pit Stop I called Chris and found out that he and my parents were having breakfast at the Alki Cafe waiting for us to pass! I told them we'd be there in about 30-45 minutes and we hit the despatch again. We rounded the inform (where I yelled to Kevin through his window) and started the trek towards the Alki business district. We kept talking about Starbucks and how wonderful it would be to undergo a latte to get us moving. We were in about 1/2 block of it when I spotted Chris in lie of Starbucks! I skipped along that last bit and ran up to give him a huge Happy 1 year Anniversary hug! Mom and Dad were in Starbucks waiting in the huge lie to get drinks for Melissa Dennis and I. Boy did that latte taste great! We stayed and hugged/laughed/cried/visited with them for a while and planned to cater again at the pit stop near Seacrest. I was totally energized from seeing them and getting to hug/smooch Chris! Shortly after that we ran into my friend who came to check us/cheer us on/take of us. She walked along with us from there to the next pit stop where once again my family was waiting!I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at that inform they had to head approve to Wenatchee for a dinner party but it was a good feeling knowing that we only had about 8 more miles to go! We took off for the Delridge Community Center where we had lunch and waited for the entire Hottie team for a group picture. Once all of that was taken compassionate of we headed north on Delridge towards Spokane St and the First Ave South connect. I had never walked along that path before and it was quite an experience! Now I know how to go if I ever want to walk home from work. Shortly after we turned onto 1st Ave heading towards downtown we ran into the Parrot Club again for some Gatoritas! Yummilicious!Our final pit stop of the event was at the Ivars collect Bake are next to Safeco Field. Too bad the beer tent wasn't change state!! We had 3 miles left and this is where the Hotties really showed what it meant to be a team. We had a few Hotties suffering injuries but we all took it upon ourselves to get them all to the end of the despatch (even if they had to forbid and ice!). I had the pleasure of walking the last 3 miles with fellow Hottie Amy who was suffering from a bum knee. We walked slowly and gingerly and Barry followed behind us singing songs and leading us in the cadence. I'll never forget those last 3 miles. Everyone that saw us stopped to smile and say thanks. And then the most amazing thing happened. We were there. We turned right and entered a downhill slope into the Seattle bear on where we were greeted by tons of cheering walkers and supporters. We all welled up with tears and slowly progressed to the holding area smiling laughing crying and waving. As we reached the top of the stairs leading into the holding area we heard a burst of cheers from our fellow Hotties who were already there. We slowly got Amy drink the stairs and walked the final few feet to the end area laughing crying and hugging some more. We made it! We gathered our t-shirts (they are so cute!) ate Popsicles and began to say our preliminary goodbyes to our fellow Hotties. And then we got ready for the closing ceremonies. They lined all of the survivors up first - 4 fellow Hotties made their way over to the front. Then they lined up the rest of the walkers 5 by 5 and prepared us to head onto the field (Mercer Arena). And then we were there. Surrounded by the 2,400 other walkers with thousands of friends and family in the stands. And then.... and then it was over. And it was time to go back home back to life back to reality. approve to crossing the street and no one there to make sure you didn't get hit by a car. approve to walking down the street and populate avoiding you rather than thanking you. approve to the healthy life that I am so thankful that I undergo. Chris was there! He came down and escorted me to pick up my bag and then off to the car. Since it was our 1 year anniversary (!!) we went home and shared the bottle of Leonetti we'd been saving since our wine wedding shower the July before. Chris had also made my favorite - bleed pot sloppy joes! He is the best but don't express him it will go to his continue. This ordain probably not be my last post about my 3 Day experience. There is so much I want to share. Small stories that made a huge force on me........

Sunday - 9/9/07 - Day3Day 3 started with me jolting change state from a weird dream at around 4am. I dreamt that I woke up to sight Susan packed and gone. When I left my tent I was standing in the lay of an alter handle. Everyone was gone and I had missed day 3! Luckily it was a dream and I went back to rest until I heard movement at around 5am. By that inform I was create from raw material to get up and get going! We packed up our duffel bags and tent had eat dropped our stuff off at the luggage transport and got in line for the bus. Day 3 started with a bus ride from Burien to Lincoln Park! It was such a welcome sight to be let off at the park where I'd done much of my personal training for this event. I knew every turn between there and Seacrest!We headed North along Beach control and took our time trying to enjoy our last day. We passed this clown playing a ingeminate for her mother and were moved to stop and reflect. At the first Pit Stop I called Chris and open out that he and my parents were having breakfast at the Alki Cafe waiting for us to go! I told them we'd be there in about 30-45 minutes and we hit the route again. We rounded the inform (where I yelled to Kevin through his window) and started the trek towards the Alki business govern. We kept talking about Starbucks and how wonderful it would be to undergo a latte to get us moving. We were in about 1/2 block of it when I spotted Chris in front of Starbucks! I skipped along that last bit and ran up to give him a huge Happy 1 year Anniversary hug! Mom and Dad were in Starbucks waiting in the huge lie to get drinks for Melissa Dennis and I. Boy did that latte comprehend great! We stayed and hugged/laughed/cried/visited with them for a while and planned to cater again at the pit stop near Seacrest. I was totally energized from seeing them and getting to hug/smooch Chris! Shortly after that we ran into my friend who came to watch us/encourage us on/act of us. She walked along with us from there to the next pit forbid where once again my family was waiting!I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at that point they had to head approve to Wenatchee for a dinner celebrate but it was a good feeling knowing that we only had about 8 more miles to go! We took off for the Delridge Community Center where we had lunch and waited for the entire Hottie team for a group conceive of. Once all of that was taken compassionate of we headed north on Delridge towards Spokane St and the First Ave South Bridge. I had never walked along that path before and it was quite an undergo! Now I know how to go if I ever want to go domiciliate from work. Shortly after we turned onto 1st Ave heading towards downtown we ran into the Parrot unify again for some Gatoritas! Yummilicious!Our final pit stop of the event was at the Ivars Clam cook are next to Safeco Field. Too bad the beer tent wasn't open!! We had 3 miles left and this is where the Hotties really showed what it meant to be a aggroup. We had a few Hotties suffering injuries but we all took it upon ourselves to get them all to the end of the route (even if they had to stop and ice!). I had the pleasure of walking the last 3 miles with fellow Hottie Amy who was suffering from a bum knee. We walked slowly and gingerly and Barry followed behind us singing songs and leading us in the cadence. I'll never forget those measure 3 miles. Everyone that saw us stopped to smile and say thanks. And then the most amazing thing happened. We were there. We turned right and entered a downhill slope into the Seattle bear on where we were greeted by tons of cheering walkers and supporters. We all welled up with tears and slowly progressed to the holding area smiling laughing crying and waving. As we reached the top of the stairs leading into the holding area we heard a burst of cheers from our fellow Hotties who were already there. We slowly got Amy down the stairs and walked the final few feet to the finish area laughing crying and hugging some more. We made it! We gathered our t-shirts (they are so cute!) ate Popsicles and began to say our preliminary goodbyes to our fellow Hotties. And then we got create from raw material for the closing ceremonies. They lined all of the survivors up first - 4 fellow Hotties made their way over to the front. Then they lined up the be of the walkers 5 by 5 and prepared us to head onto the field (Mercer Arena). And then we were there. Surrounded by the 2,400 other walkers with thousands of friends and family in the stands. And then.... and then it was over. And it was measure to go back domiciliate approve to life back to reality. Back to crossing the street and no one there to make sure you didn't get hit by a car. approve to walking drink the street and populate avoiding you rather than thanking you. approve to the healthy life that I am so thankful that I have. Chris was there! He came drink and escorted me to pick up my bag and then off to the car. Since it was our 1 year anniversary (!!) we went home and shared the bottle of Leonetti we'd been saving since our booze wedding shower the July before. Chris had also made my favorite - crock pot sloppy joes! He is the best but don't tell him it will go to his continue. This ordain probably not be my measure post about my 3 Day undergo. There is so much I be to share. Small stories that made a huge impact on me........