Our Troops say "Thank You!"

To Pat and Pleasanton Military Family 

(emphasis on FAMILY)

You guys are amazing, as usual. We received all the care packages and distributed them to our soldiers here; additionally, we gave some to the first generation of Afghan female commandos, some of whom are mothers and took the goods to their families! They were extremely thankful and happy, pictures to follow! 

We also used the Christmas trees to spread a bit of Christmas cheer around the various outstations... everyone loved it. 

Every year for over a decade, you guys have consistently put smiles on soldiers faces... we can't thank you all enough. You guys are family to me and all the soldiers you touch, and I will always appreciate all you guys have done! 

Attached is a thank you pic from some of the members of this organization, we really appreciate you this Christmas season! 

All my love and gratitude!

(name with held) 

More great photos...

Thumbs up from Guantanamo Bay

A smile from Kuwait

Is "Life of Pi" a True Story?

Last night we watched the movie "Life of Pi". I had avoided it because I thought it was about math...funny. 

For us, the movie was mesmerizing, and while watching the young Pi lost on the ocean in a small boat with a Bengal tiger, being pelted with flying fish and learning to master his fears, I was wishing I had seen it when it first came out because it is full of wisdom. I bought the book...looking forward to a slow read. 

I found these quotes from and about the author Yann Martel on Wikipedia:

Life of Pi, according to Yann Martel, can be summarized in three statements:  

"Life is a story ... You can choose your story ... A story with God is the better story." 

Pi at the end of the book asks "If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for?" According to Gordon Houser there are two main themes of the book: "that all life is interdependent, and that we live and breathe via belief."

A story with God is the better story.

That seems like a Christmas story.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

First Lady of The United States, 
Melania Trump, pictured as she welcomes an 

enormous Christmas tree at the White House. 

She has chosen a patriotic theme for this year's displays.