Connecting the Dots

Bread on Christmas Morning

I just finished a bowl of maple & brown sugar, frosted mini-wheats . . . basically bread. Not necessarily the most nourishing for someone with high blood sugar, but at least it was filling . . . 

Temporarily. Except now my tummy [or could it be my brain] is telling me, "I want MORE!" One bowl of this bread wasn't enough to satisfy me. So, will it be back to the kitchen cabinet for me? Another bowl of frosted mini-wheats? Maybe some instant cinnamon oatmeal--cinnamon is supposed to help with high blood sugar, after all--maybe with some blueberries mixed in? Maybe some toast--REAL bread--w/real butter--no margarine for me!

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house & line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she give birth to a firstborn, a Son." Luke 2:4-6a

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry . . . '"  John 6:35a

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is My body.'"  Mark 14:22

Despite being the ancestral home of King David, Bethlehem was a backwater even in the Old Testament days of the prophet Micah, hundreds of years before the birth of the Christ child. Kings aren't supposed to be born in town like Bethlehem. They're supposed to be born in great cities like Jerusalem, which was located just a hop, skip, & jump up the road from Bethlehem.

The name itself was prophetic. "Bethlehem" translates from the Hebrew "Bethlehem:"  "Beth" or house, as in "Beth-el," house of God; & "lehem" or bread. [Bethlehem:  House of Bread, on-line source by John Piper.]

Kings also aren't supposed to be born of young, unmarried, peasant girls, like Mary. Shouldn't they be born to queens . . . or at the very least to princesses?

God's plan unfolded as He intended. The bread of life was born in the house of bread. And make no mistake about it . . . Jesus knew full well who He was. 

"I AM the bread of life," He said on more than one occasion. "I Am." He self-identified as God . . . Blasphemy to the hard-hearted who would not, who could not accept Him as the Messiah foretold by Micah & so many other prophets. The Messiah confirmed by the words He spoke; by the miracles He performed.

And Jesus wasn't any frosted mini-wheat bread either. He was--HE IS--the Bread of Life. Those who are led to believe in Him as Lord & Savior--a gift by God's grace--will never be spiritually hungry. [And at this point I decided that I really didn't need another bowl of frosted mini-wheats.]

This Messiah--the Christ, the Anointed One--still comes to us in the Bread & Wine of the Lord's Supper. This Anointed One still comes to us as the Living Word . . . the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us." His bread promises & provides forgiveness & salvation. His bread promises & provides true peace for this life here & now and for the life to come in heaven.

Bread not just on Christmas morning. The Bread of Life is the Bread FOR life.

"O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark streets shineth The everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

"O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel." * **

* Source:  "O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lutheran Service Book #361, St. 1 & 4
** "Immanuel" means "God with us."

Christmas . . . A God Who Defies Expectations

walking in the truth at Christmas

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."  Isaiah 9:2

Luke 2:1-20 . . . Please pick up a Bible & read this familiar account of the first Christmas.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . . while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  Titus 2:11-, 13-14

Today's devotional thoughts

Our God is a God who defies expectations. His light appears to people "walking in darkness" . . . to people living in the "land of the shadow of death." He doesn't shine His glorious light into the lives of the self-righteous who see no need for forgiveness & salvation.

He chooses a poor, humble virgin--not a queen or princess--to bear the Son of God . . . And He chooses to be born in lowly Bethlehem, not the capital city of Jerusalem, located just a few miles down the road. Furthermore, His angels first announced the news to outcasts--to shepherds--not the ruling class . . . not the elite.

Finally, He uses these same lowly shepherds, not mighty prophets in the image of Isaiah, to be the first to "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." Luke 2:17b-18

• Even so He chooses us--chooses us to "redeem us from all wickedness & to purify us to be "a people that are His very own . . . 
• . . . "Eager to do what is good . . . 
• . . . "Eager to deliver His grace & mercy to others "walking in darkness . . . "
• . . . Eager to deliver His grace & mercy to "others living in lands where His light must dawn."

How's that for Christ's--NOT Paul's--Christmas message? 

Alleluia!

Prayer Thoughts for Christmas *

Let our gladness Banish sadness All throughout creation!
God, whose favor Sent our Savior, Praise with adoration!
He is born in a stall, Now He lies, infant small,
In a manger, Heav'nly stranger, Lord of all,
In a manger, Heav'nly stranger, Lord of all.

Whom the sages And the ages Eagerly awaited,
Angels proudly Herald loudly In their songs elated.
Let us, too, in these days, Thankful hearts gladly raise; 
To the tender Infant render All our praise,
To the tender Infant render All our praise.

Child appealing, Light revealing, Jesus Christ, our pleasure;
God, yet very Son of Mary, Heaven's gift and treasure.
Mighty king, gentle friend, as Our Lord to us bend
With Your blessing Us caressing. Now descend,
With Your blessing Us caressing. Now descend.

* SOURCE:  "Let Our Gladness Banish Sadness," Lutheran Service Book, #371.

Disclaimer:  This is a devotional that I adapted from one that I wrote for The Headliner, a weekly e-newsletter, published by Orphan Grain Train.

Missionary News **

** Some major revisions have been made since the original post.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. They are preparing to serve in West Africa; it looks like they are on track to begin their mission & ministry over there soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

"Change of plans--serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. God has changed our plans. We will no longer be serving in Ghana, West Africa, but in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Through prayer & careful consideration it has been determined that God is leading us to this mission calling . . . God will continue to bless the work in Ghana through the capable hands of the missionaries & national pastors living there.
Specific prayer requests:  That we are able to learn the French & Moore' languages . . . For our transition from the Ghana mission call to the Burkina Faso mission call . . . For the mission work in West Africa . . . For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word . . . That God would provide men who want to be trained as leaders in Burkina Faso.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Advent Week #4, Part 2: Change by Force? From the Heart?

walking in the truth during Advent

Luther on Church & State, Part 2 *

Disclaimer #1:  Once again, I repeat . . . this devotional is NOT directly referencing the Presidential election last month . . . even if it could be construed as such. Please give it a chance. Disclaimer #2:  It's another long one. Please give it a chance. Disclaimer #3:  C'mon! I'm letting Martin Luther do the heavy lifting again . . . That should count for something!

Dr. Luther's devotional thoughts + Truth from Scripture

"Again you say, 'The temporal power is not forcing men to believe; it is simply seeing to it externally that no one deceives the people by false doctrine; how could heretics otherwise be restrained?' Answer: This the bishops should do; it is a function entrusted to them & not to the princes. Heresy can never be restrained by force. One will have to tackle the problem in some other way, for heresy must be opposed & dealt with otherwise than with the word.
      "Here God's word must do the fighting. If it does not succeed, certainly the temporal power will not succeed either, even if it were to drench the world in blood. Heresy is a spiritual matter which you cannot hack to pieces with iron, consume with fire, or drown in water. God's word along avails here, as Paul says in II Corinthians 10:4-5, "Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty in God to destroy every argument and proud obstacle that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to take every thought captive in the service of Christ."
      Moreover, faith and heresy are never so strong as when men oppose them by sheer force, without God's word. For men count it certain that such force is for a wrong cause & is directed against the right, since it proceeds without God's word & knows not how to further its cause except by naked force, as brute beasts do. Even in temporal affairs force can be used only after the wrong has been legally condemned. How much less possible it is to act with force, without justice & God's word, in these lofty spiritual matters!
      "See, therefore, what fine, clever nobles they are! They would drive out heresy, but set about it in such a way that they only strengthen the opposition, rousing suspicion against themselves & justifying the heretics.
      "My friend, if you wish to drive out heresy, you must find some way to tear it first of all from the heart & completely turn men's wills away from it. With force you will not stop it, but only strengthen it. What do you gain by strengthening heresy in the heart, while weakening only its outward expressing & forcing the tongue to lie?
      "God's word, however, enlightens the heart, & so all heresies & errors vanish from the hearty of their own accord."

A Prayer for Advent **

(St. 1) O Savior, rend the heavens wide; Come down, come down with mighty stride;
Unlock the gates, the doors break down; Unbar the way to heaven's crown.

(St. 6) Sin's dreadful doom upon us lies; Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand From exile to our promised land.

(St. 7) There shall we all our praises bring And sing to You, our Savior King;
There shall we laud You and adored Forever and forevermore.

** SOURCE:  "O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide," Lutheran Service Book, #355.

* SOURCE:  Excerpted from Martin Luther, Luther's Works, Vol. 45, via The LCMS Reporter, May 2016.

Missionary News **

** Some major revisions have been made since the original post.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. They are preparing to serve in West Africa; it looks like they are on track to begin their mission & ministry over there soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

"Change of plans--serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. God has changed our plans. We will no longer be serving in Ghana, West Africa, but in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Through prayer & careful consideration it has been determined that God is leading us to this mission calling . . . God will continue to bless the work in Ghana through the capable hands of the missionaries & national pastors living there.
Specific prayer requests:  That we are able to learn the French & Moore' languages . . . For our transition from the Ghana mission call to the Burkina Faso mission call . . . For the mission work in West Africa . . . For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word . . . That God would provide men who want to be trained as leaders in Burkina Faso.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

KUDOs to Nephew Chris + India? TX? IA? NE!!

whimsical wednesday

A question that's lurking out there--in my mind at least--is this. Can I make it through today's blog w/o resorting to political whimsy or BLAHging? It remains to be seen.

Whimsy

KUDOs to my nephew Chris . . . who is marrying his fiance' Megan on JAN 7--my birthday! It's hard for me to believe that this is merely a coincidence. We wish & pray for them God's richest blessings . . . & are still wondering why our 1st class plane tickets still haven't arrived?!

From Omaha World Herald (12/6):  "Maybe just skip turtle doves this Christmas season? The slow recovery of the U.S. economy is keeping the cost of Christmas--or at least the gifts in 'The 12 Days of Christmas'--from spiraling out of control. The price of 2 turtle doves jumped from $290 to $375 this year, but 9 of the 12 other gifts listed in the carol stayed the same or became cheaper, including a partridge in a pear tree . . . the overall cost of the gifts listed in the song increased 0.7% to $34,363, up $232 from last year's total of $34,131."  [If you have my name for the Hill family Christmas drawing but still haven't gotten my present, do NOT skip the turtle doves. It's all or nothing!]

From Lincoln Journal Star (12/19):  "Social media is home to fake news . . . " [A problem you will never have with this blog.]
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EXCLUSIVE NEWS RELEASE FROM CORNHUSKER STATE BLOG!

Texans React with Astonishment, Apathy at News of Possible National Championship

When the University of Texas Lady Bovines defeated the UNL Lady Cornhuskers in the national volleyball semi-finals, the average Texan was less than impressed.
      "I didn't know UT even had a volleyball program," said one Wichita Falls resident, a local nurse who asked that her name not be used. "I am truly amazed."
      When asked if she knew who UT will be playing for the national championship, a local teacher, also requesting anonymity, no doubt summed up the statewide sentiment, saying, "It ain't football? Who cares?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There Is No Place Like . . . India?

From OWH (11/7):  "India seems to be most dangerous place for selfies. Selfies & scholarships have finally intersected. And it was not good news for India. The country has had far more selfie-related deaths than any other country in the world in the last two years . . . " [Another country crossed off our bucket list.]

Texas?

From LJS (12/16):  "Texas trails in executions this year. The state of TX, long the nation's leader in executions, lost that distinction in 2016 according to a new report . . . 7 convicted killers were given lethal injections in TX this year, the lowest number since 3 were executed in 1996. For the first time since 2002, TX did not lead or tie for the state w/the most executions. Georgia has that distinction for 2016, with 9." [I'm hoping this doesn't turn into an unhealthy rivalry.]

Iowa?!

From OWH (12/11):  "Partnership brings hunters' donated deer meat to plates of IA's hungry. Help Us Stop Huger program is 'a good deal that gets the meat out to people who need it' . . . [Just when I've about given up on Iowanians.]

Also from OWH (12/13):  "ISU president offers apology, reimburses university for flights. IA State University President Steven Leath apologized MON for using school airplanes for personal flight training & out-of-state medical appointments, announcing that he has paid back the costs of dozens of flights & would be more careful going forward . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that one of those appointments had to do w/eating tainted deer meat.]

Ditto (12/12):  "Town hopes to part ways w/stinky feed company plant. A northwest IA town is hoping to persuade a feed company that generates a foul odor at its plant to relocate. The Sioux City journal reported that Sibley has issued nearly $40,000 in fines against IA Drying & Processing in recent years because of the odor . . . " [My Uncle Arnold, Aunt Shirley, & Cousins Mike & Ivan lived in Sibley, located near the Iowa Great Lakes. We used to visit them most summers, & I have great memories of those visits. We played FB on the courthouse grounds. I wish this town the best in their quest vs. ID & P.]

Nebraska!

Also from (12/6):  "Elba says no hard feelings over shutout. To say Elba had a disappointing girls BB season opener SAT would be an understatement. The Class D-2 school lost 78-0 at Class D-1 Fullerton. It's believed to be one of the few shutouts in NE varsity BB history, though there is no official documentation.
      "While there undoubtedly will be sympathy for the losing Bluejays, it's the kind of game even the winning team struggles with. 'It was unfortunate the way it ended up,' Fullerton A.D. Josh Rathje said. 'You never want to see a game like that.'
      "The Warriors, ranked 6th in D-1, were w/o their best player. Halle Plumbtree, a 6'3" senior center, is side-lined by an injury or the score could have been even worse.
      "Part of Elba's problem is numbers. The school recently had been in a co-op w/Class C-1 St. Paul but that ended before last season. The Bluejays won 2 games in 2015-16. The school has 9 players on the varsity girls BB roster but only 6 were at the game SAT. Elba didn't have enough players for the varsity boys game & had to forfeit . . . 
      "Elba A.D. Sam Polk said he's been on both sides of a game like SAT. He had no hard feelings toward Fullerton, though he added it was a tough way for his girls team to begin the season . . . " [Notice what the Elba players did NOT need? No hot chocolate. No cupcakes. No aromatherapy. No cancelled practices. I'm just sayin'.]

Ditto (12/8):  "Nebraska was #1 per capita in settling refugees in past year. NE led the nation in resettling the most refugees per capita during the last year, according to newly released federal government data. The state welcomed 1,441 refugees, or 76 per 100,000 Nebraskans, between OCT 2015-SEP 2016 . . . NE is a draw for refugees because of its strong economy, w/accessibility to jobs in hospitality & meatpacking . . . " [As long as DT keeps his campaign promise & builds that wall around the state to keep out BC, we don't have a problem with refugees.]

Ditto (12/13):  "Report:  NE better than other states, official says . . . " [I felt that it would be completely unnecessary to read the rest of the article.]

I did it . . . no political whimsy & no BLAHging. Joyeux Noel! *

* Yeah, I'm still multi-lingual.

WARNING! Very personal & a little(?) preachy . . .

Scripture:  Good for Mental Health

A Personal Update

If you've been following my entries, you know that I've been struggling with a depressive cycle, including a lot of anxiety, since AUG. I seem to be working my way out of it, & I attribute this in no small way to prayers & encouragement from many, especially my spouse, who has had her own share of struggles alongside me. [Plus, she teaches 1st graders!]
      I think the news that my insurance company upheld my appeal & extended my disability benefits until FEB 2017 removed a huge source of anxiety for both of us. There is some anxiety over the pending likelihood of an early retirement date for me in MAR, but there is also a sense of closure.
      In the first year following my "sabbatical" from Lutheran High, which began in NOV 2014, I found myself with no excuse to set aside "quiet time" every day, usually in the morning after I got up. I've written about this before. My quiet time includes scripture, devotional readings, hymns, prayers. As I come to the end of the book I've primarily used during 2016, I've come to realize a big difference between this past year & my first year of "sabbatical."
      Many times during that first year I got lax with my quiet time. It wasn't unusual to get as much as a week behind, yet my OCD compelled me to follow-through with all the readings. I was using "A Year in the Old Testament," & I'll give you an example. I might have skipped a week of devotions, then spent the next week week doing two every day, just to cross off every reading in the book.
      That's no way to conduct meaningful quiet time--except that God's Word continues to have the effect that God intends.
      During this past year, I have found the spiritual energy to keep up with my devotional readings in "A Treasury of Daily Prayer," one of the resources that my brother Mark gave to me two years ago. [Thanks, Mark!] Rarely have a missed more than a day or two in a row, & when I do, I don't feel compelled to revisit the days I've missed & sweat over every "jot & tittle" that makes up every daily devotion.
      I still have a long way to go in my personal journey with the Lord. It's a daily struggle to keep my quiet time from becoming an obsessive exercise instead of the spiritual conversation with Jesus that it's meant to be. I continue to find solace in His Word, & I've included some Bible references that may look familiar. When I was excerpting entries from the sectional I presented at the L.E.A. Convocation last November, I included these Bible verses that provide some comfort & encouragement for me. This is the first time I've included all of them at one sitting. [And they represent a fraction of Scripture that provide hope & comfort for this life & the next.]
     My prayer is that if you struggle with depression, you find the Lord speaking His Truth to you from a place that is filled with truly glad tidings of great joy.

 Truth & Hope from Scripture

• “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
• “And we know that in all things God works for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
• “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37-39)
• “Therefore, my dear brothers & sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58)
• “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--& this not from  yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:8-10)
• “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s right hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
• “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)   
• [Jesus said], “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials & sorrows. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A closing, prayerful (I hope) thought

Yesterday (SUN 12/18) I attended church at Trinity Lincoln w/my daughter & two grand-daughters. One of the hymns was an Advent favorite, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." * Stanza 6 really hit home for me, so I'm including it.

"O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall Come to thee, O Israel!

* LSB #357

Advent Week #4, Part 1: Let's MAKE People Believe!

walking in the truth during Advent

Luther on Church & State * 

Disclaimer #1:  This devotional is NOT directly referencing the Presidential election last month, but . . .  Disclaimer #2:  Either side could easily construe it as applying to the other side's candidate . . . DON'T DO IT! Please give this devotional a chance. Disclaimer #3:  It's the beginning of a long one. Please give it a chance anyway, because . . . Disclaimer #5:  I'm letting Martin Luther do the heavy lifting! Disclaimer #6:  Dr. Martin vs. Paul L? C'mon!

Dr. Luther's Devotional Thoughts + Truths from Scripture

"You must know that since the beginning of the world a wise prince is a mighty rare bird, & an upright prince even rarer. They are generally the biggest fools or the worst scoundrels on earth; therefore, one must constantly expect the worst from them & look for little good, especially in divine matters which concern the salvation of souls. They are God's executioners & hangmen; His divine wrath uses them to punish the wicked & to maintain outward peace. 
      "Our God is a great lord & ruler; this is why He must also have such noble, highborn, & rich hangmen & constables. He desires that everyone shall copiously accord them riches, honor, & fear in abundance. It pleases His divine will that we call His hangmen gracious lords, fall at their feet, & be subject to them in humility, so long as they do not ply their trade too far & try to become shepherds instead of hangmen.
      "If a prince should happen to be wise, upright, or a Christian, that is one of the great miracles, the most precious token of divine grace upon that land. Ordinarily the course of events is in accordance with the passage from Isaiah 3:4, "I will make boys their princes, and gaping fools shall rule over them;" and in Hosea 13:11, "I will give you a king in My anger, and take him away in My wrath." The world is too wicked, and does not deserve to have many wise & upright princes. Frogs must have their storks.

Prayer Thoughts for Advent **

The King shall come when morning dawns And light triumphant breaks,
When beauty gilds the eastern hills And life to joy awakes.

Not as of old a little child, To bear and fight and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun That lights the morning sky.

Oh, brighter than the rising morn When Christ, victorious rose
And left the lonesome place of death Despite the rage of foes.

Oh, brighter than that glorious morn Shall dawn upon our race
The day when Christ in splendor comes And we shall see His face.

The King shall come when morning dawns And light and beauty brings.
Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:  Come quickly, King of kings!


** SOURCE:  "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns," Lutheran Service Book, #348.

* SOURCE:  Excerpted from Martin Luther, Luther's Works, Vol. 45, via The LCMS Reporter, May 2016.

Missionary News **

** Some major revisions have been made since the original post.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. They are preparing to serve in West Africa; it looks like they are on track to begin their mission & ministry over there soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

"Change of plans--serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. God has changed our plans. We will no longer be serving in Ghana, West Africa, but in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Through prayer & careful consideration it has been determined that God is leading us to this mission calling . . . God will continue to bless the work in Ghana through the capable hands of the missionaries & national pastors living there.
Specific prayer requests:  That we are able to learn the French & Moore' languages . . . For our transition from the Ghana mission call to the Burkina Faso mission call . . . For the mission work in West Africa . . . For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word . . . That God would provide men who want to be trained as leaders in Burkina Faso.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Fake New? ... Dead Fish ... Retirement Plans ... Big Macs

whimsical wed

There Is No Place Like . . . 

China? No, Wait . . . Nebraska!

From Norfolk Daily News (12/5):  "Chinese firm starts building a full-sized Titanic replica. Construction on the world's 1st full-sized Titanic replica has started in China, a country w/a well-documented fascination w/the tale of the ill-fated ocean liner . . . " [?Fake News Release Follows? You be the Judge.]
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EXCLUSIVE NEWS RELEASE FROM CORNHUSKER STATE BLOG!

{Norfolk, NE 12/8}  Hot on the heels of a report that a Chinese firm has started constructing a full-sized Titanic replica, a Norfolk, Nebraska firm has announced that it will soon begin construction of a full-sized replica of the Great Wall of China. Recalling a campaign promise by President-elect Trump to "build a wall around Nebraska to protect it from Bill Clinton, start-up construction company Build-a-Wall Depot plans to surround the state with a full-size replica of the Wall of China. "I see this as a win-win for the citizens of the Cornhusker State & the new president," said a spokesperson who asked to remain anonymous. "Mr. Trump gets to keep another campaign promise--one that undoubtedly won him the electoral votes from our great state. And our citizens are guaranteed protection from a serial sex deviant, probably paid for by the money our country will save by not having to protect polar bears in the Arctic."
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From Lincoln Journal Star (12/8):  "53 Huskers receive academic honors. 25 NE FB players were named to the Academic All-Big 10 team WED, including 4-time selections Sam Cotton & Brandon Reilly . . . To be eligible . . . students must be letter-winners, are in at least their 2nd academic year at their institution & carry a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher . . . 10 NU VB players received Academic All-Big 10 honors, including seniors Kadie Rolfzen, Amber Rolfzen & Justine Wong-Orantes . . . [You think a 3.0 GPA is not that impressive? First, any idea how many hours a student-athlete puts into athletic practices, conditioning, competing? Second, NE athletes tend to major in engineering, pre-med, nuclear science; unlike Iowa athletes, who tend to major in subjects like remedial basket-weaving . . . I'm just sayin'.]

Japan?

From Omaha World Herald (11/30):  "Turns out it was a bad idea to put 5,000 dead fish in ice at skating rink. A Japanese amusement park has closed its ice-skating rink after public outrage over the rink's key feature:  5,000 dead fish frozen into the ice itself . . . [If I made a comment involving sushi or sashimi, I would be accused of racism . . . & I am NOT a hater!]

Bracing for Retirement:  Scenario #7

I've recently posted that my early retirement plans seem to be coalescing around March, 2017. I've also noted that I may need some supplemental income to support the lavish lifestyle that Lois & I have become accustomed to. 
      So here's another scenario, this time inspired by "Sotheby's new forensic lab will help it identify fake art." Also from OWH (12/6):  In a bid to fight art fraud, Sotheby's announced MON that it had chosen a forensics firm whose founder once helped the auction house belatedly identify a $10 million painting as a fake . . . "

PRO'S:  

I'm guessing that this career could be pretty lucrative . . . Also prestigious . . . It could add to the number of abbreviations after my last name, addressing the "friendly" competition with my daughter, whose name I won't mention. [A clue is offered below.]

CON'S:  

This may require an additional degree and/or training and/or certification . . . which could mean additional expense on my part . . . Sotheby's is associated with Great Britain, & the British drink their beer warm.

CONclusion:  Little or no liklihood of this scenario coming to pass.

Criminal Minds:  Special Christmas Edition

Also from OWH (12/2):  "Beaver inside store sees fake trees, loses it. A badly behaved beaver took a shot at holiday shopping. The beaver was apprehended at a Dollar General store in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office said, apparently after approaching the selection of decorations & artificial Christmas trees & trashing the place . . . "  [First, I didn't excerpt the rest of the story, since it made no mention of how the beaver go into the store. Second, relax, you P.E.T.B. * fanatics. "A deputy, with help from store employees, blocked the rodent in the aisle until animal control workers arrived. 'It walked up to the warden, {who} put the catch pole on it & removed it from the store,' said Tony M, the county's animal control supervisor." Second, actually, it looks like I did. Excerpt the rest of the story, that is.]
* Guess for yourself what P.E.T.B. stands for!

Wild World of Wacky {Deceased} Celebrities 

Also from NDN (12/3):  "Big Mac creator. You probably don't know his name, but you've almost certainly devoured his creation:  two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.
      Michael James 'Jim' DeDelligatti, the McDonald's franchisee who created the Big Mac nearly 50 ears ago & saw it become perhaps the best-known fast-food sandwich in the world, has died at home in Pittsburgh. DeDelligatti, who according to his son ate at least several 650-calorie Big Macs a week for decades, was 98 . . . " [When I read this to my daughter, who shall remain anonymous, * last FRI morning, her comment, which was actually pretty funny, was, "Did he die of heart disease?" **]
* It was Sarah.
** What, you say? The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree? I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not. ***
*** Remind me to tell you the story about the time I stepped up to a McD's counter & absent-mindedly ordered a Whopper instead of a Big Mac. ****
**** After a few days to think about it, heart disease is not hilarious.

Political Whimsy

Also from LJS (12/9):  "State Electors Won't Be Straying . . . Elector John Dinkel of Norfolk said most of the messages urging him to vote against Trump have come from out of state. Roughly 1/4 were from Nebraska residents, he said, while most others originated in CA, NY, & other progressive coastal states. 'They range from extremely polite to pretty aggressive,' said Dinkel, who owns a farm implement dealership. 'Some people are almost hysterical.'"  [First, John is a personal friend of mine. Secondly, he attends the same church as I & I've always known him to be a man of strong Christian convictions, so out of respect for that, I will choose not to make witty yet possibly snide comments about the adjectival * phrase "progressive coastal states" or add further clarification to the adjectival *  "hysterical."]
* I'm a secondary English major--don't doubt me on this one.

Reasons for Elation + Retirement Plans + Multilingual Skills

mental health monday

Reasons to Be Elated . . . Well, a Little Happy, Maybe?

If you follow my blog, you know I'm a newspaper junkie. Partly because I love--& maybe that's too mild a word--comics. So, I've been following LuAnn for a long time & finally--FINALLY--Brad & Toni Daytona got married.

Also, my 12-year-old grand-daughter Brianna isn't exactly a newspaper junkie, but I think I've turned her into a comics aficionado. When I visit Lincoln, I usually bring along a few newspapers that I haven't had time to read; plus I buy the Lincoln Journal Star every day that I'm there. She always asks me to save the comics. And I take along the comics from the newspapers I read at home. KUDOs to Brianna!

From Omaha World Herald (12/3):  "Elders who use tech tools less lonely, more satisfied. Forget bingo & shuffleboard. Use of computers & cellphones is linked to higher levels of mental & physical well-being among those over 80 . . . " [Wait . . . WHAT? Over 80!!?? Sigh.]

So, how about a hilarious joke . . . well . . . a lame joke?

Shameless joke "borrowing from Norfolk Daily News 'Go Ahead & Smile.' "His psychiatrist helped him a lot. Before, he would never answer the phone because he was scared of it. Now, he answers the phone whether it rings or not." 

Personal Mental Health Update

• Last week I shared that my appeal to have my mood disorder disability status restored had been upheld; also that this status will end as of 2/16/17.
• That's relatively good news, because it allows both Lois & I to move ahead with some plans without the burden of constantly wondering every day if (1) my appeal would be turned down, leading to (2) cancellation of my "temporary" health insurance at the end of the current month.
• It also allows us to move ahead with a little more planning re:  early retirement for me.

Bracing for Retirement:  Scenario #6

An early retirement date of March 2017 could be possible. As I've shared before, I don't know that we can get by on my retirement benefits & Lois' parochial school compensation unless:

1. She is willing to get a job working weekends and/or evenings @ Casey's. [Seems like they are always advertising for PT help at least on weekends & evenings.] *
2. I find a way to supplement my income.

* This seems unlikely. Every time I bring it up, she gives me A LOOK.

Here's another scenario, inspired by "Humans may benefit when rats get tickled for science." From Omaha World Herald (11/12/16). "A tickled rat is an adorable sight to see. The chubby little rodent darts toward a scientist's gloved hand, eager for the delightful agony of its next scratch.
      "It emits rapid-fire ultrasonic 'giggles'--chirps so high-pitched they're inaudible to human ears--& dashes around its enclosure in spontaneous leaps researchers call Freudensprunge, or 'joy jumps.' Joy jumps. Really.
      "'It's the weirdest job ever, tickling rats professionally,' animal physiologist Shimpei Ishiyama told Smithsonian magazine. Ishiyama & Michael Brecht, a fellow researcher at Humboldt U. in Berlin, co-wrote a new study in the journal Science on what happens when a rat gets tickled . . . "

PROS:  

This doesn't sound too taxing . . . The thought of creating elation in rats fills me with freudensprunge . . . which in turn could be very soothing & relaxing--good therapy for my plethora of mood disorders.

CONS:  

Sounds like a person might have to be an animal physiologist to qualify for this job . . . Also sounds like I might have to relocate to Berlin . . . Despite my multilingual capabilities which I have referenced ad nauseum, Japanese is not in my linguistic bag of tricks, & I must confess that my German is a little rusty * . . . Is there really such a thing as an animal physiologist?

CONclusion:  Little to no likelihood that this scenario is on the table. 

* I started learning German under Rev. Reinhardt @ St. Paul's College High, Concordia, MO, circa late 1960s. I was not a stellar scholar . . . As a senior (1970-71), our teacher was Mr. Laubenstein, a newly-graduated teacher from Concordia Seward. My fellow Class of 1971 members & I treated him like a prince. ** One of our favorite learning exercises was taking turns reading aloud from a German novel, such as Germelshausen(sp?). A student would read aloud a paragraph auf Deutsch, *** then translate it into English. Theoretically, we had read the assignment for homework & already translated the entire selection.
      Well, yours truly had become quite an adept German "word caller." However, I was the one furiously translating the passage it looked like I would be reading aloud & writing "notes" in my copy of the book as others read aloud. ****
** That's a lie.
*** Multi-lingual!!
**** It was painfully obvious, especially when I got the one & only D ever on a report card, which thoroughly disillusioned my parents, not to mention, I'm quite certain, Mr. Laubenstein. *****
***** Don't doubt that I'm not multi-lingual! Here's proof. I offer the following from memory:  Ich bin, du bist, er ist; wir sind, ihr seid, sie sist(?); bratwurst, sauerkraut.

Advent Week #3: Once again, please read the disclaimers first!

walking in the truth during Advent

Disclaimer #1:  The theme of my Advent devotionals continues to ride on the results of the November presidential election. Disclaimer #2:  Although I will once again reference the results, this is a non-partisan devotional . . . Promise!

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom . . . say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.' Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy . . . and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."  Isaiah 35:1a, 406a, 10

Today's devotional thoughts

As I've mentioned before, the news that greeted people early on the morning following Election Day caused despair for many but also gladness & rejoicing for many.

• Gladness & rejoicing like the wilderness blossoming? That would be . . . No.
• Gladness & rejoicing like the blind having their eyes opened? That would be . . . No.
• What about the deaf hearing? Again . . . No.
• Or the lame leaping like deer? The mute shouting for joy?
• My humble yet resolute opinion is once again . . . No . . . and No.

The Advent of our Lord is greater than any advent of a new president. 

And the wonderful thing about so many Old Testament prophecies? Not only do they proclaim the Advent of a Messiah to be born in the 1st century A.D., they also proclaim the singing . . . the everlasting joy . . . the TRUE gladness when our Savior returns to take His "ransomed" to be with Him into a new "Zion."

Isaiah is talking about Heaven, you know.

That will mean TRUE rejoicing for all believers!

That will mean a TRUE end to sorrow & sighing!

A Prayer for Advent *

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver; Born a child and yet a king!
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

* SOURCE:  "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," Lutheran Service Book, #338.

More more disclaimer:  This is a devotional that I adapted from one that I wrote for The Headliner, a weekly e-newsletter, published by Orphan Grain Train.

Missionary News *

* Some major revisions have been made since the original post.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. They are preparing to serve in West Africa; it looks like they are on track to begin their mission & ministry over there soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

"Change of plans--serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. God has changed our plans. We will no longer be serving in Ghana, West Africa, but in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Through prayer & careful consideration it has been determined that God is leading us to this mission calling . . . God will continue to bless the work in Ghana through the capable hands of the missionaries & national pastors living there.
Specific prayer requests:  That we are able to learn the French & Moore' languages . . . For our transition from the Ghana mission call to the Burkina Faso mission call . . . For the mission work in West Africa . . . For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word . . . That God would provide men who want to be trained as leaders in Burkina Faso.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

More KUDOs to Nephew + KUDOs to NE

whimsical Wednesday . . . THU edition

Book Review, Part II

I shared this with you last week . . . 

A History of China, by John Keay. Basic Books, 2009. My nephew Nick gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas 2015. I used it to buy this book. I was inspired to buy a book about China after visiting a Museum of Art while on a trip to see Nathan & Laura in the Twin Cities. There was an exhibition of Chinese historical & cultural artifacts, which provoked my curiosity. It took a long time for this book to work its way to the top of my reading list. Then it took a long time for me to plow my way through it. I finished it last week.

Why I enjoyed this book--Reason #3:  Vocabulary! I love challenges to my vocabulary . . . Increasing my vocabulary . . . Grappling w/context clues to try to figure out a word that I'm not familiar with . . . Well, this book had more than a few words to challenge me, which slowed me down--but in a fun way.

Fun with Vocabulary

I've chosen 20 words from this book. For each word, I've given two definitions. Test yourself. Answers are at the end of this entry. [No cheating!]

1. accretion:  A. an added part; addition  B. migration from Crete
2. caryatids:  A. species of bed bugs  B. a sculptured female figure used as a column
3. compendious:  A. containing the substance of a subject, often an exclusive subject, in a brief form; concise  B. type of accordion favored by Martin Luther
4. crepuscular:  A. one of the meta-humans threatening Central City in The Flash  B. of, relating to or resembling twilight; dim; indistinct
5. detestation:  A. abhorrence; hatred  B. current administration's plans to ban all testing in schools
6. ding:  A. 3-legged urn  B. what I left in the side of Lois' car when I crashed into the front passenger door after missing the step from our kitchen into the garage
7. dowager:  A. defeated woman who holds a title from her disgraced husband, only he's not dead  B. woman who holds some title or property from her deceased husband, especially the widow of a king, duke, etc
8. ensconced:  A. to settle securely or snugly  B. the opposite of fronsconced
9. exigencies:  A. school of philosophers  B. urgency, emergency
10. friable:  A. crumbly  B. bacon
11. hegemony:  A. shrubbery popular during Ming dynasty  B. leadership; predominance
12. ineluctable:  A. incapable of being evaded; inescapable  B. "experts" used this word to describe DT before the election
13. legatees:  A. once popular clothing item worn by women  B. person to whom a legacy is bequeathed
14. polity:  A. a particular form or system of government  B. colony of parrots
15. portcullis:  A. opposite of aftcullis  B. (especially in medieval castles) a strong grating, as of iron, made to slide along vertical grooves at the sides of a gateway of a fortified place & let down to prevent passage
16. stele:  A. an upright stone slab or pillar bearing an inscription or design & serving as a monument, darker, etc  B. first name of once famous rock duo
17. sycophancy:  A. self-serving or servile flattery B. baby stage of a psychopath
18. tonsure:  A. confident measure of weight  B. the act of cutting the hair or shaving the head
19. vicissitude:  A. a change or variation occurring in the course of something B. sissy attitude
20. yurt:  A. goat-based dairy product of the Mongol-Turkic people of Central Asia  B. tent-like dwelling of the Mongol & Turkic people of Central Asia

ANSWERS:  1.A  2.B  3.A  4.B  5.A  6.A  7.B  8.A  9.B  10.A  11.B  12.A  13.B  14.A  15.B  16.A  17.A  18.B  19.A  20.B

There Is No Place Like . . . NEBRASKA!

From Lincoln Journal Star (11/16):  "NU posts its highest Graduation Success Rate. NE posted its highest Graduation Success Rate since the rate tracking was put in place 12 years ago . . . an overall GSR of 88% . . .The FB program, meanwhile, improved its GSR to 86%, which ranks 2nd in the Big 10, trailing only Northwestern. NU's GSR rate in FB also ranks 10th nationally among the 65 Power Five schools . . . " [So Iowa beat us 40-10. Nebraskans take pride in what counts! Seriously . . . No, really!!]

Wide World of Wacky Celebrities

From Norfolk Daily News (11/21):  "'Hamilton' actor: 'There's nothing to apologize for.' If DT is waiting for an apology from the cast of 'Hamilton,' he will have to continue to wait. Actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the celebrated musical, told 'CBS This Morning' on MON that 'there's nothing to apologize for.' Dixon gave Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence an onstage earful about equality at the end of FRI's performance . . . " [This reminds me of an incident years ago when the Dixie Chicks exercised their right to free speech by stating something to the effect that they were ashamed that George Bush was born in Texas. Yeah, that took a lot of political courage, since they made that announcement from the stage in a concert given in Germany. Now we have Brandon Dixon lecturing Mike Pence from the stage of a performance in--wait for it--New York. When he's willing to exercise his right to free speech in a venue like Nebraska, I'll give him KUDOs for his political courage.] *
* Yes, I did comment in my last mental health MON that I probably needed to tone down my political musings for the sake of my mental health. Well, shouldn't people stop provoking me? **
** You don't have to answer that. I continue to be a work in progress.

Criminal Minds

From Omaha World Herald (11/22):  "Driver responds to firing by dumping corn on highway. Authorities say a trucker dumped a load of corn on a southeast NE highway after reading a text telling him he had been fired . . . " [And people in the nearby town of Beatrice--home to my sister & brother-in-law--were thankful that he wasn't carrying a load of hog manure.]

The 9/11 of My Parents & Grandparents' Generations

Pearl Harbor

Today we observe the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor . . . Dec. 7, 1941. I have a few things to share.

My Mother's Experience

My mom was 12-years-old, growing up in Lodi in central California, not too far from Sacramento. Needless to say, the attack left people in California panic-stricken . . . & not just people on the coast. Rumors were rampant.

• California was going to be attacked next.
• California was going to be invaded.
• Perhaps most insidious at all:  CA's large population of Japanese--many of whom were loyal, American citizens--were a grave menace to the rest of the population.

One of my mom's best friends & her family were Japanese & lived, if I remember correctly, very close, maybe even across the street. [My sister may remember. I think she has my mother's diary, which includes entries for 12/7/41 & the days & weeks following.] Japanese families began to be rounded up & taken away, & as their houses & businesses were confiscated were confiscated. It was an ugly stain on our country's history.

And one morning my mom's best friend & her family were gone. And she never saw or heard from them again.

Our Time in Hawaii

We lived in Hawaii from 1993-1997. [I actually moved back to Norfolk, NE, in January, 1997, when I was called to help start Lutheran High Northeast.] We were privileged to visit the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor more than once. It's a sobering place to visit. Almost haunting. 

After watching a film at the Visitors' Center, you take a launch out to the Memorial, which straddles the sunken ship, whose outline is clearly visible in the water. An oil slick is visible on the water--the Arizona's fuel tanks were full when the ship sank.

And there are 1,102 sailors & Marines who are still entombed in the ship. And except for some stifled sobs among the visitors, it is eerily silent on the memorial.

There is also a wall with the name of all the victims engraved on it. A person can't help but be emotional.

The Mountain Pass

One of the waves of Japanese Zeroes came flying through a pass in the Waianae Mountains--the leeward (west) mountain range on Oahu--at 7:48 a.m. that morning. They came in so low that supposedly people working in the pineapple fields near Wahiawa in the central part of Oahu could see the faces of the pilots. The white cross that was erected on the pass is visible.

Hickam Air Field

Hickam is the Air Field located adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Naval Station. It was also bombed & strafed during the attack. Bullet holes on some of the buildings were patched. Hickam is a restricted Air Force base today, but we were allowed on the base several times, accompanied by military personnel. The scars on those buildings are still visible.

Our "Scenic" Views

The 2nd house we rented was a townhouse in Aiea, located just a half-mile up from Pearl Harbor. From the tiny balcony just outside our bedroom, we "enjoyed" a panorama of Pearl Harbor. The Arizona Memorial was clearly visible. [It's white & gleams in the sun.] Ford Island is also visible, & the channel that opens into the Pacific Ocean can be seen. It's easy to imagine how Battleship Row looked the morning of 12/7/41, both before & after the attack.
      There is also a hiker biker trail that followa the shoreline of Pearl Harbor. Lois & I jogged & hiked along it often. It provida more close-up views of the "attractions" I mentioned above. However, it is also aesthetically very unappealing. Part of it takes you through an industrial area, & the waters of Pearl Harbor are not the crystal clear blue waters you envision in Hawaii.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is one of Hawaii's famous landmarks, & we hiked to the top many times. Our your way to the top you walk through two tunnels that were hewn out of the solid, volcanic rock. You also are able to access the bunkers that were constructed as observation posts & batteries . . . There was much speculation that the island was going to be assaulted, following the air assault.

Punchbowl . . . 

. . . is the crater of an extinct volcano, located closer to downtown Honolulu. It contains a military cemetery which holds the graves of many soldiers & sailors who gave their lives for their country during the Pacific Theater of World War II. This includes many of the victims of Pearl Harbor & other battles, the names of which will sound familiar, if you are knowledgable about the war. Some of these are mass graves. When we were there, many of these graves were marked as "unknown," but I think that efforts are continuing to identify the remains because of advances made in DNA technology.
      ASIDE:  Recently I saw a news article about veterans who survived the attack on the Arizona. There aren't many left. It's typical for them to be cremated & have their ashes interred with their shipmates entombed in the memorial.

Put these sites on your bucket list. You'll be glad you did.