Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day today. I felt honored today to take part in our church's recognition of those who serve, and those who gave their lives for freedom. Our church music director included two poems out of this book in his FYI insert in the bulletin. He gave the history of our songs we sang, and provided information on Secure the Fort's release in June.

I gave a short testimony of my journey in writing this book, and sang 'For Freedom' by Avalon. Our church's administrative assistant put slides to the song (which I dared not look at before I had both services under my belt). It is a very moving song, and one I recommend listening to.
Here are the words. I hope they bless you the way they did me.

FOR FREEDOM
(Avalon, 2006)
Somewhere a trumpet sounds in the night
A soldier is standing there
It's calling him out to the stars and stripes
It's calling him God knows where
He kisses the ones he loves goodbye and
Leaves in the dead of night
For freedom he'll heed the call
Leave all he knows
And for freedom he'll stand and fight

Somewhere a man and wife can't believe
They're waving their girl goodbye
For gone are the days of pigtails and curls
And candlelit lullabies
If they had their way she'd stay young forever
And never go far from home
But freedom has drawn her heart
To danger's shores
And for freedom they'll let her go

Somewhere a thundrous crash in the night
It echoes all through the hills
Though many escape its wrath and its rage
A soldier lies wounded still
Remembering the land he loves he cries out
I love you with all my might
For freedom said I 'm her son
Whatever comes
And for freedom I'll say goodbye

Somewhere beneath the stars and the sky
Our flag is still standing there
She bled and she brought one land under God
Her colors still lead us there
She's carried the lives of those before us
She's buried the bold and brave
For freedom she holds our hope and hands up high
And for freedom she'll ever wave

"Enough honour is never paid." Daniel Boone, 1782 after the last KY battle of the Civil War

Book Nearing Completion!

Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God), A Military Mother's Message to America is very close to completion! I have placed the book with Xlibris, who published my book, Life lessons in the presence of...Living Water (A Thirst Quenching Devotional).

I have been blessed and honored to include the submissions by over 30 contributors. It is a definite. A second volume will be in the works before too long! So, if you still want to contribute to the book, you'll have a second chance!

I expect a release date of June or July, so keep watching for updates!

**Good news! My opening poem, GI Joes and Army Men, will be made into a single release CD with the help of Angela Lashley of Nashville, TN. See her website about her song release, "So Brave" at www.sobravesong.com. This song was written when her son Jonathan joined the Army, and expresses tender thoughts about our sons and daughters entering into service. Be sure to listen to "So Brave." It will touch every military parent's heart....and that is what I pray happens with both Secure the Fort and the upcoming song, "GI Joes and Army Men."
Lucy

Praise!

I have several praises to report re: Secure the Fort's progression!

1. I now have my Coast Guard contact, a chaplain in the Great Lakes Region.

2. I have emailed Blue Star Moms military support groups nation wide about the possibility of reading devotions out of the book in their meetings. I am already receiving very positive feedback on this, and now have groups in Texas and California desiring to use them.

3. I have a Gideon contact looking up military testimonies regarding the New Testaments the Gideons provide to new recruits.

4. I have someone voluntarily proofreading/checking for grammar.

5. I have two authors writing endorsements.

Wow, God has blessed me greatly in all this! I'll keep you up to date on what happens next.
Keep watching...all glory is HIS!
Lucy

Secure the Fort comes along!

Praising God for how He is moving in this manuscript! I just recently discovered about 60 letters my two great-uncles wrote home from WWII! We have literally "lived in the trenches" for several days. What history! Some will be shared in Secure the Fort!
I have also had good response for my submmissions call. I have about 15 outside stories included thus far, and waiting on more! I am humbled...and grateful! This is going to be such a unique book. God is soooo good! Keep watching for details. I can't wait to see what God has planned for this one....share with your family or friends about the submissions invitation! **I am in need of Coast Guard contacts!!!! Lucy