Sarah Palin Rally in The Villages, FL 09/21/08 - My Experiences

09/21/08 - We arrive at the parking area at The Villages at 7 a.m. to get in line for the Rally, which didn't start until 1:30, with Sarah Palin not expected to speak until 4:30.

The weather was nice and cool - a little foggy, which was nice for those of us who were the early birds and were lined up on the pavement at the entrance. The crowd didn't start getting very big until about 9 a.m., when the line we were in, began to wrap around the building we were in front of, and down the street.

Around 10:15 or so, a truck with metal detectors came, so we were told we had to move back until they had unloaded the truck and got everything in order. Many people were trying to crowd in at that time, to see what was going on, and to try to sneak into the line unnoticed. That didn't sit too well with everyone who had been there for hours holding their front of the line spots.

The woman who was in charge called over a Sumter Co. deputy and told him who all of us had been there all morning, and to let us go in first, after the volunteers and staff went in. As soon as he said, "Let's go", I ran up to the tables at the metal detector stands, where we had to take off our pins and such, then go through. I went through quick and easy, as I didn't take a bag or anything that they would have to search through. As soon as he said I was good to go, I RAN up to the area in front of the stage, and got Bill and I a front row - center spot! I couldn't believe that I was going to be standing right in front of Sarah as she spoke!

We were getting very crowded down in that area, and weren't able to leave to get food or water, because you couldn't get out, and you certainly couldn't get back in. That's when some of the officials and security began to hand out water bottles by the caseload. Several people where we were collapsed due to the extreme heat, and the EMT's had to climb over the guard rail in front of us to get to them for treatment.

We listened to some of our local and state candidates, then Aaron Tippen performed a few songs,and then FINALLY they announced, "Please welcome SARAH". The crowd began to absolutely roar, and I stood up on the railing to see if I could see her coming down the sidewalk yet. All I could see at first were the VERY tall Secret Service men lining the sidewalk. I caught a glimpse of her and Todd just before they were approaching the stage.

Piper, the youngest daughter, Willow, the second oldest daughter, Trig, the baby boy and Todd were all present. Willow was carrying Trig and held him for the first few minutes of introduction, then he was taken out of the heat while his mommy spoke to the crowd.

There was an electricity in the air that was almost touchable. Before Sarah began to speak, she said that her kids got to visit Disney the day before, and Piper wanted to say something. This little girl is NOT afraid to speak in public, and she confidently took the mike from her Mom and said, "Thank you for letting me be here today". The crowd cheered, and we could see that this little girl just might one day follow in her mommy's footsteps.

After giving an awesome speech, Sarah and the family made their way down the steps to autograph memorabilia and say hello to the crowd. I got my ticket ready, in case she stopped in front of me, so I could get an autograph.

Not only did she stop to autograph my ticket, but she saw my shirt that read, "ARMY MOM", and took my hands. I said, "Sarah - I'm praying for your boy". She gave my hands a squeeze and looked me right in the eyes and said, "And I will surely pray for yours too".
This is the back of my head - the one on the right with sunglasses, and that's my hand on her left arm as she was about to autograph my ticket.

She then proceeded to move down the line, then Piper was in front of me. I first asked her if she enjoyed Disney to which she said with a sparkle in her eye, "Yes ma'am, I sure did". I handed her my ticket, which she signed with her red Sharpie. Willow was next, who also signed my ticket, then Todd followed behind them. When he stopped in front of me, I told him that I'd just told Sarah that I was praying for their boy in Iraq, and he then too noticed my shirt and patted my left shoulder, and with a little squeeze, he said, "And Sarah and I will surely pray for yours too. Tell him Thank You and God Bless".

This was a day that Bill and I will never forget - a day for our grandchildren to know about - the first woman to be nominated in the Republican Party for the office of Vice President, and we got to hear her speak, and meet her face to face!

I was so incredibly blessed! Days before, when I knew we would be going to this event, I specifically prayed that the Lord would somehow allow me the opportunity to be able to tell Sarah that there was another Army MOM who was praying for her boy, and the Lord was so gracious to allow me that opportunity!

I pray your week is a great one!

Janelle

Coping

Today in my morning devotionals, I read Psalm 116, and in my Bible, I have notes and dates of when the Lord has spoken to me about certain passages.
This particular Psalm speaks about how when one is in distress, the Lord is there for us.
My daddy died on March 15, 1984, and on that day, part of me died too. I was in more emotional pain and distress than I've ever faced up to this point in my life. I went into severe depression and was angry at God for taking my daddy, then He spoke to me through His Word and his Peace enveloped me.
Verse 3 - 9 says, "The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord save me! The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living."
Down in verse 15 it says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints".

This brought me so much comfort, and I know that we all face tragedies in our lives, and if we reach out to God in those times, he says that he is here for us, and he will pour out his compassion on us and renew our strength, that we may go on.
If there is something in your life that seems overwhelming; something that you think is unbearable, I encourage you to go to God's Word and get your strength and peace from him.
I close with this passage:
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you Peace
Numbers 6:24 - 26

Blessings to you today.
Janelle

Mercy

After a long, but fun weekend, it's time to get back into my daily routine.
I start out today from the book of Proverbs, and my passage is from Chapter 28:13
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy".
One of the hardest things to do as humans is to say "I'm sorry" when we've hurt someone, or admit that we have sinned. We want to think that we are always in the right, and God tells us that to fear sin and it's consequences brings mercy into our lives. In I John 1:9, we read that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness".
I know that when I walk around being stubborn and not wanting to admit my sins or perhaps harmful words or actions against another, I feel horrible and in a sense, tormented. It's only when I've gone to that person and confessed, asked for their forgiveness, that I am released from that torment and feel clean.
None of us deserve the Lord's mercy or forgiveness, but He has promised us that if we trust Him to be the Lord of our lives, we can be free from the torment of sin and it's consequences. He also teaches us to practice that in our lives - show mercy, show forgiveness - let Him live through us. He can and will get each one of us through everything that life throws at us - it's all a matter of humbling ourself and going to Him to admit our need of Him, thank Him for the sacrifice He made for us, and walk through each day dependent on His strength, mercy and grace.
Have a blessed week!

Janelle

Thought for the Day

I like to read a chapter each day from the book of Proverbs, and the thought I'd like to share today is this:
"Don't wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
Proverbs 23: 4 - 5

I, like many others, have had to go back to work in the past few years, due to the economy getting so out of hand. I also at times, have put my focus on "if I work more, I will have more money to have more, to do more".....it's when I've allowed myself to focus on the wrong things, that I find myself absolutely miserable!
All it takes is a good dose of going to the "poor" part of town, to a homeless shelter, a children's hospital, and things quickly get put into perspective. Most of us are far richer than we think; if we have a shelter over our heads, we should be thankful, for there are many who sleep under the stars. If we have food on our table, we should be thankful, for there are many who have to dig in the garbage to feed their families.
I am resigning from my job in two weeks and although I know that I will have to cut back on some things, I will have peace of mind at the end of each day. I also know that God has promised all who believe in Him, that he will provide all we need. Key word - NEED. It doesn't mean he doesn't ever give us any of our wants; he surprises me all the time with little things I don't expect! I want my trust in Him, and dependency to be not in how much money I might have saved in the bank, but in the promise that He is here with me and will provide for me.
I will be able to get back to sewing more, drawing more, and having the time to do whatever He leads me to do in the community.
Have a great day!