Flight 93

A Trip to Flight 93. As it might come as no suprise to many of you but I found myself across the Pennsylvania country side again this week. Starting off the week Wednesday in Altoona, PA and made my way back to Pittsburgh for the weekend. The best part about this trip was as we drove back across I76 we made a stop off at Shanksville, PA to the crash site of United Flight 93 and visited the temporary memorial for the 40 passengers and crew aboard.

As is my custom I'm always up for an adventure and since the travel was not only free to me but was being paid to travel I thought 'Why not?'. We had a great time, as far as memorials go. It's not the kind of fun adventure I usually look for but more of a site seeing, photo op visit.

They erected a section of fence for the visitors to leave behind momentos and such for the memorial. This fence is cleaned, and the items are stored for the 1000 acre Permanent Memorial that is underway scheduled to open at the 10 yr anniversary.

There is a group of volunteers that man the Memorial from 8am - dust 365 days a year. 170k people desended on the town of Shanksville (pop. 600) last year and was scheduled to have 20 buses on Friday when I was there. Seems to be quite the stopping point.

The actual crash site is unavailable to visit since it's considered a burial site for those lost on Sep 11, 2001 but you can see it from the memorial. The land shows no evidence of the heroism and tragedy other than the fenced area and the flag.

All and all it was a good visit. Dave, Eddie, and I enjoyed the short stop over. We each walked around viewing the memorials that people left and offered our own silent prayers. Much like the WWII and Vietnam Memorials I say back in March is was filled with quiet moments and reflection. I'm so gratful that God has allowed me to visit some of these places this year and reflect on life. I have taken with me a renewed energy for Life, a gratitude for each day he gives me here, and a will to make a difference. I want to leave each day better off than it began.

Lord,

Grant us guidance and direction to live each day in a positive manner. Help us through the struggles life throws at us and not get frustrated. Take care of our families and help us raise our children submissive to your influence. Remember those who were lost in Shanksville to the highjackers and those families left behind to walk alone. Never let us fall back into the slumber we were in on that morning.

Grant us the peace that only you can provide. In Jesus name, Amen

Home from the weekend

Wow, what a weekend! Camping at Patoka Lake.



Menu was all heart friendly:

1. Grilled Gary burgers seasoned over charcoal


2. Creek potatoes with bacon, butter, garlic, and Chantal's special ingredients.


3. Deep fried fish ala Quentin


4. Lipator by Dr. Kris


5. Eggs, bacon, and Sausage courtesy of Shiela


6. Pancakes, Felicia's specialty


7. More Lipator


8. And of course Coffee Bro. Eddie style. I've discover the flavor of Black!!

There was about 30 of us total, we covered the better part of one whole cul de sac. Kids everywhere and about 400 used soda cans. It was great!

The girls had a blast at the lake and running around with the other kids. They ran the scooter batteries down several times and rode every bike that had wheels including Gary's brother's three wheeled machine with hand pedals.

We had a great time sitting around the campfire talking and fellowship. It's good to get away from life for a while and relax. I personally tried to wear out my camping chair to no avail. Felicia has decided camping was meant to be done at the Holiday Inn. She did really well for roughing it, with a fan, an air matress, and sleeping near the camp facilities of a shower and a bathroom.

The men's shower was blessed by the neighborhood "logger", Jacob found the evidence in the shower. Felicia decided all men are just nasty animals and this is proof, myself excluded of course, I'm perfect for those of you who didn't know.

I did get some quiet time to study for some friends wedding that I was in today. I shared some Jewish history about weddings and the relationship between Jesus and the Church. My first official act of ministry since becoming lisenced. It was an honor to bless friends at such a special moment in there lives.

Sunday school: I talked about the need for prayer in my ongoing series "Living the basics". People need to get back to the basics in life, the song 'Cry out to Jesus' sheds some verses on this subject, 'when you feel lonely, and it seems like the whole world is fallin on you, you must reach out, you must cry out to Jesus' if we only gave God half the time we should we would all be better off. I've made a commitment to myself to pray more. To change things in my life so I can be a better person, to impact and help other people along the way. If we have the ability to reach out and do not we are no worse than the priest who walked by the hurting man in the parable of the Good Samaritan. We can make a difference in the lives of the people we are around. A word of encouragement, an ear to listen, a hand to help bare the load. Life is short, make the most of the time you have, leaving nothing to regret.

Remember Live life, Look up, and be thankful!!!

Kevin

News!!! It's a boy!!!

One more in Indianapolis!!! My brother and his wife had a baby boy on Monday, James Thomas Hatfield!!! Congratulations cigars all around!! (Cuban the preference.) Awesome job see all four of you soon.

• My job is finished in Pittsburg for the week, home for the long weekend. Plan on spending time relaxing, reading, and reflecting. Can't wait.


• 2 1/2 days left of the school grind for the kids. All parents are happy and upset that they will be home all day, but it's good both ways.


• I pray everyone is doing well and hope to see you all soon.

Stuck in Pittsburg

• Well, here I am again, in Pittsburg for the weekend. My job ran over till Monday, then off to Ohio for a short stop then home for the long weekend that I'm spending with the family and crew at the lake.
• New house is in the works. Offer accepted, inspections ordered.
• Felicia is packing, maybe we can loose a few truck loads in the move to the Goodwill!!! Shhh! Don't tell.
• Kid's almost out of school 4 days to go.
• Mom's doing great. Making great improvement.
• Ready for an adventure. Got any ideas?