Very Merry 2017!

I was asked to give the blessing before the meal at our Pleasanton Military Families Christmas party. Next to my prized presentation flag flown over the war zone, it was the biggest compliment and honor of my life. 

Dear Lord,

We are happy tonight and truly grateful for the opportunity to be together at Christmas time. It’s the time of year we celebrate the decision you made to leave your heavenly home and come to us, to make your home in our hearts. 

You have made us a family. The hands we hold are priceless to us. They are the evidence that you are mindful of our every need and that you have just the right person at just the right time to help meet those needs. These hands we hold remind us of the bond that ties us together: we love someone who chose service and honor as a way of life.

Even now, as we share this meal, we pray that those serving far away from us, our military sons and daughters, husbands and brothers are opening care packages that shower them with our gratitude, our pride in what they are doing, the warmth of home at Christmas and most of all with the certainty that they are SO loved by all of us, SO loved by God. 

Fill us with your peace tonight as we lay our heads down knowing that it is your good pleasure to protect and guide your children no matter where they are.

Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing our Christmas gathering and thank you for the lasting memories you are making for us tonight. 

They will remind us forever that we have indeed “all received one blessing after another” and that we have witnessed with our own eyes “the wonders of your love”. Amen.

Glad Tidings

The Pleasanton Military Families Christmas Pack Out was on November 18th, and we have already starting receiving thank you notes from our recipients.

This letter was beautifully written and I wanted to share. Home away from home is what he loves....

Hello,

I would just like to express my appreciation and thanks for the care packages your organization sent our unit. It's clear that a lot of effort was put into putting them together, and for this I'm truly grateful. Your gift has provided me with some comforts from home and has shown me that there are many at home who support us. It's gestures such as this that motivate me, and remind me why I serve. I put on the uniform to serve and protect the people. Without the support of the people, I wouldn't have any reason to serve. I also especially wanted to say thanks for the Christmas trees you included in your shipment. It's extremely difficult being away from home during the holidays, but having those Christmas trees helps us celebrate and gives us some sense of normalcy. Once again, thank you so much for everything from your organization. Take care, and God bless.


Thanks,
name withheld