I received a care package yesterday from an older couple that heard I was deployed. I don't know them, but there was a letter from an older woman who had been rescued from communism and oppression in Europe in WWII by American soldiers. Proud to be an American citizen now for 49 years, appreciates all that soldiers did for her in those days. Even until now she is grateful for the freedoms that she has enjoyed with her husband larry.

The package was carefully wrapped and each item was specially chosen. There is a toothbrush and bottle of Colgate oxygen whitening. There is body wash of fresh ocean mist. Also some chocolate swiss, wet wipes, deck of cards, a packet of chips ahoy and even some wrapped up sugar packets and ketchup. Attached is a small note that says "Dear Blandon, Andres I hope you enjoy the little things enclosed. God Bless for what you do for us. (initials) R."

There are no words to describe how that letter made me feel. It was so much thought in it, and what I perceived as an expression of gratitude and love. Not for what I did, but for what the soldiers had done over 50 years ago. So who takes the time and effort anymore? to reach out to someone and say "I appreciate you, Thank you for what you do and who you are." Not just to say it but follow through with actions.

People like this are few and far in between, yet they help me realize that there are some things worth fighting for. She reached out to me half way around the world to say thank you. Now I see there are people that make things worth while. I wish that those back home could stop for a second and realize their busy selfish lives of freedom, luxury, and opportunity are the result of many men and women who sacrificed in the past. There are so many that argue about power being caught up in small groups of government. That there is a huge gap between the have(s) and have not(s). So do we take the time to consider the history of where those few come from? What their parents did, opposed to what our parents did. What choices were made that lead to our current time. Do we really take responsibility in considering that the liberty and opportunity for OUR children and all the generations to come will be the result of OUR hard work and sacrifice today? What some of our personal ancestors did has created the outcome of our daily lives.

Our life is not the only one that is important. We need to consider the children that are born every day. Toddlers and teens that will someday grow to work and live unique lives. Wondering the same things that we do, Why is there such a gap between those who have and those who don't. Only to look back at US and realize that what they will live is the result of OUR actions. So I anxiously want to know, what have YOU done for Them lately?
Just want to finish with this:
Romans 5:6-8 (New International Version) 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.