Uniforms and Adoption Papers

This past Sunday was my day to hook up with my colleages and friends for the annual holiday memorial service at Laurel Land of Fort Worth.  The weather was less than best and the attendance was sparse, but even with that, it was good to spend some time with friends that I’ve been missing.


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Rev. Rusty Hudson - Chaplain with VITAS Hospice
& Rev. Stan Denman - Pastor, The Church at Burleson

Rev. Rusty Hudson did an excellent job, as usual.  And, Rev. Stan Denman’s music is always worth wading into rainy weather to listen to.  The small group of families that gathered seemed to appreciate their effort. 


Rusty made a comment after the service that I found both true and amusing.  It was something along the lines of it being a very hard decision, had God given him the choice, of being either called to minister or to sing like Stan.  I can completely appreciate his sentiments because Stan Denman is one of the most talented musicians I've ever had privilege of listening to.


And, Rusty ... he's sincere, has a wonderful testimony, and he officiated at my dad's memorial service.  That says a great deal about him as well that I feel needs no further explanation. 

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Jenny Barnett - General Manager
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth) and
Kimberly Snauffer  - Harpist

A new face joined us this year for the first time.  She’s a harpist, and how she manages to pack the harp around, loading and unloading it as well, is beyond me. 

This was our second year for two familiar faces to not be a part of the program.  Our friends and colleagues, Bob Metheny and Rev. Bill Hancock were missed.  The program was difficult emotionally for some of us to get through without them last year, and granted, this year was a little easier, but … they were for sure, not forgotten and their absence noticed.  Bob told me once, regarding Heaven, that some days he just couldn’t wait to get there.  And, of course, Bill spoke of it at every service that he ministered on.
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David Drake and Richard Valencia
Funeral Service Assistants at
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth)

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Glenda Rader - Administration and
Steve Faram - Regional Operations Director
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth)

It made for a wonderful early Christmas present to “me” to get to see some of my favorite people that afternoon.  And, though the memorial service is sobering, remembering loved ones who’ve passed from this life, it still brings a smile to my face remembering them, as well as stirring the hope and belief I have for life after this one as well.

I know I mention it frequently, but not wanting those of you who pray to forget that thousands upon thousands of our veterans will be far away from home this Christmas, and in many of them are in harm’s way.  Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers.

The Lethal Leprechaun shared this link with me to a wonderful video that I’d encourage you to watch, if you observe the celebration of Christmas.  I loved it, and appreciate that he pointed it out to me. Camouflage and Christmas Lights is available on You Tube.  Click it and have a look if you have a few moments.  It’s well worth seeing.

Also, our U.S. Marines are out and at it, collecting Toys for Tots.  If you’ve got the finances, it’s one of my two favorite benefits to donate to.  Just sayin'.  The other one, of course, is the Adopt a Soldier program.  Either or both, if you can manage it, is always appreciated.  Doesn’t take much effort to write a note, send a card, or drop off an unwrapped gift that will make a soldiers heart light up knowing someone cared to remember them, or bring a smile to a child’s face on Christmas.  One of the kindest things a friend ever did was to get the Adopt A Soldier program started in his family's church, in lieu of florals for my dad's memorial service.  Now those soldiers get cards, letters, birthday and holiday gifts from an entire congregation.  It's a great way to really make a difference and my dad would have loved it.

That's it for this post.  My sincere thanks to you for reading it, and hope you'll make good use of the links I've enclosed.

Today I finished up my reading of author Tarrin Lupo's novel, Pirates of Savannah - The Hunt for Shamus' Booty, and will have a review for it here shortly.  Hope you'll stop by and read that too. I enjoyed it, and looking forward to telling you why. :)

'Til then, God bless and have a great day!