The Children's Sermon contained a great lesson, even for us Adults. We should not focus on the darkness in our lives. Rather we should focus on the light in our lives - The Blessings We enjoy which we receive from our Creator, God.
The Message stressed the importance of appreciating our Blessings, even in these challenging times. All too often we dwell in the darkness in our lives. By focusing on God's Great Light, His Grace which allows us to enjoy Eternal Life in Heaven we can be Thankful for all of our Blessings. Location ID: GAGVMM
Location Leader: Lyman "Chip Oehring
Phone: (678) 823-3003
E-Mail: loehring@comcast.net
NORFOLK, Va. (Nov. 19, 2009) Capt. Richard Phillips, former commanding officer of M/V Maersk Alabama, publicly thanks the commanding officer and Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) for his dramatic rescue at sea. On Easter Sunday, April 12, Navy SEALs positioned on the fantail of the Bainbridge opened fire and killed three of the pirates who were holding Phillips hostage. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals/Released)
At sea aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) Jul. 14, 2002 -- Fire Controlman 3rd Class Eric Moore from Macon, GA, currently assigned to the ship’s environmental department, places a disc inside of a plastic bag for disposal. The melting unit compresses plastic trash, to reduce the size of the garbage for easier storage during deployments. The discs are stored on board until they can be removed from the ship and properly recycled or disposed. Wasp's environmental department processes 160 plastic discs daily. The Wasp’s Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Fireman Vernishia R. Vaughn. (RELEASED)
Atlantic Ocean (Sept. 18, 2004) - Airman Marlon Bradly of Macon, Ga., makes final checks to a T-45A Goshawk attached to Training Air Wing One (TW-1), before launch off the flight deck aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). The Norfolk, Va. based nuclear powered aircraft carrier is conducting routine training off the East Coast of the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jessica Davis (RELEASED)
Some of the readers here know that the Flower Child is in the Middle Georgia Camera Club. He is also in several Photographic Society of America Study Groups. One of these study groups is for those who shoot 35 MM Slides. The other study group is for digital images. I still enjoy doing both. The purpose of these study groups is to allow each group member to critique their peers work and offer comments, both good and what can be done to improve the images. What you are viewing in the above image is the texture of the base of a Crepe Myrtle Tree.
This is an image of Crepe Myrtle leaves along with the berries. Certainly a picture that lacks a center of interest, but I like the Autumn colors so I took the shot. Again, if you desire to see more detail in this image as with most images on my Blog, simply click on the picture.
This image is of the "Burning Bush," so named because of the red leaves that grace this shrub each Fall. Of course the Holy Bible commentary concerning Moses when God talked to him is the background for the common name of this shrub.
These are the blooms and seed pods of the Fatsia Plant which is flourishing in the planters that flank the front entrance. An interesting plant with large leaves and interesting blooms. I especially like the texture that these blooms present in a picture. 
There is a street lamp at the corner of the property where the Flower Child lives. The crepe myrtle has overcome this lamp, but the image above captured my attention and I had to take a shot. 
Most everyone knows that the Flower Child enjoys a lovely looking Christmas Tree. Today I performed some research on the World Wide Web. I found this Gold and White Tree at:
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Nov. 14, 2009) Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford and ship's sponsor of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), writes her initials onto a metal plate during the keel laying and authentication ceremony. Gerald R. Ford is the newest class of aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)
GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 14, 2009) The sun sets behind the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and a rigid hull inflatable boat as they wait for the completion of a boarding by Anzio's visit, board, search and seizure team and U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (91104) in the Gulf of Aden. Anzio is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash/Released)
GULFPORT, Miss. (Nov. 7, 2009) Stephanie M. Jones, commanding officer of Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Gulfport leads Sailors in the 9th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Parade in downtown Gulfport. (U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael D. Wright/Released)
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2009) Members of the Melbourne Sea Cadet Color Guard retire the colors during the 2009 Veteran's Day Ceremony and Muster XXIV at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Fla. The annual muster is held at the museum, which is located on the original training grounds of the Scouts and Raiders. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Clark/Released)
Yesterday, November 8th I was able to attend the Veteran's Day Events in Ellaville, Georgia. The Rainbow Garden Club and the Auxilary of American Legion Post 191 in Ellaville observed the Day with a Lunch at the American Legion Post.
After a delightful lunch the Auxiliary conducted a Memorial Service where a candle was lite for each Veteran who had passed away since November 11, 2008. They also draped the POW Flag over a chair which allowed everyone in attendance to also remember these Heroes.
After the Lunch everyone proceeded to the City Square for the ground breaking of the Blue Star Memorial Marker which will be erected to also honor our Nation's Heroes, past, present and future. The Schley County High School Band performed the "Star Spangled Banner" as part of the celebration.
The Flag Corps also performed. This event certainly allowed everyone to focus on why it is such a pleasure to reside in any town in our great Country. The fellowship and the respect displayed by everyone in attendance was very emotional for me.
The events of the day were concluded by the ground breaking for the Blue Star Memorial Marker by the Mayor of Ellaville, Georgia. 
Today I traveled to Ellaville, Georgia in Schley County to attend a Veteran's Day Ceremony and also the ground breaking for a Blue Star Memorial Marker in the City Square. On our way as we traveled Georgia Highway 26 we noted the Zion Lutheran Church Marker. After the events in Ellaville were complete we reversed our trip and I took the opportunity to visit this historic cemetery.
After I read the larger marker along the highway I entered the Cemetery and I viewed this marker. This was the site of a Lutheran Church that was established in 1838.
As I walked around this Cemetery I found this restored grave site. The name immediately caught my eye and I had to take a picture.
This is an historic grave site with a steel fence around the marker. I noted that Sarah Jane Ellis was born Jun 14, 1839 and died on Dec 14, 1888. I suspect that her parents may have been Charter Members of Zion Lutheran Church when it was established in 1838.
As I was walking back to the highway I decided to take this image of the whole Cemetery. I just had to post this Blog Entry today. As a Lutheran who is also a transplanted Yankee to Georgia some years ago I am often told that this part of the Country is committed to other denominations. Based on this information I will now be able to state that the Lutherans also have a fairly long history in Georgia.
NEW YORK (Nov. 7, 2009) Sailors man the ship and bring her to life during the commissioning ceremony of the of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) in New York City. New York Has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini Jones Vanderwyst/Released)
This Blue Star Marker is located at Rest Stop 19 on I-475 in Bibb County, Georgia. This marker was erected by the Meadowbrook Garden Club of Macon to honor Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell of the United States Army. To learn more about this Hero please visit:
Did you know that every Rest Stop/Area located on the Interstate Highway System within the State of Georgia has one of these plaques? Each of these plaques has a headline of:
If you checked the link provided above you discovered that Colonel Benjamine H. Purcell was a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War. During the course of the History of the United States our Country has had 661,455 citizens were were taken prisoners during combat.
I appreciated the fact that the wind was strong enough today to allow me to capture the flags during my visit to this Rest Stop to obtain the pictures for this post. Did you know that by clinking on the pictures that you will obtain a larger image for you to view and to also read the detail on the plaques much easier?
As You Reflect on the importance of Veterans Day and also participate in Veterans Day activities on November 11th, please remember that we in the United States of America are most fortunate to have had these Heroes in our History so that we can enjoy life today.May God Continue to Bless America!!!!
