I apologize for not keeping things updated lately. Life seems to been on a fast track as  of late.

The last weekend in July I went to Marine Parents United Conference in Kansas City Missouri.

What an awesome weekend. Donna and I arrived at the Hilton hotel late  Friday afternoon. Once we got settled in our room we went back downstairs to the main floor and started to meet and mingle with the other Marine parents.

That evening we had appetizers and a beautiful cake for dessert. Adam Marshall performed for us. He is the sweetest Marine.  He gives the best hugs and his music is great Too! The Last Marshall is the name of his CD.

Donna and I went on up to the room close to midnight... then sat there and talked til about 2 am... we hadn't had much chance to talk lately with her case load and my family time this summer so it was a great opportunity for us to catch up.

It was an early rise morning...Up at 6 am down to breakfast, then off to set up the booth and get prepared for the first workshop.
 The first workshop was Meeting the needs of Gold Star Families. How to brigde Blue Star families and Gold Star families. It started at 9 am and ended about 10 :15 the next one started at 10:30 am and I was off to learn a new technique in scrapbooking.Then we broke for lunch. Then back to work shop 3 and which Donna was leading... how to start a support group in your area, and how to go non profit.  The last workshop I went to was meet the authors. Then  everyone left to get ready for the banquet.

WE had a lot of moments of laughter, sharing of stories, and also a lot of tears as we shared different things that we were feeling. That night Frank Schaeffer was one of the speakers....What a motivational speech he gave. But I will never forget Micheal Phillips he actually gave me a wonderful gift that night. He spoke about his book The Gift of Valor. The story of Corporal Jason Dunham. But it is so much more than that. Please read the book.  It gave me a sense of peace that night the part that he had read aloud. Then we had the auction for the remaining things that were going to be used as a part of the fundraising for the next years conference. Adam came and sat with Donna and I and we talked and kidded. We even had our picture taken with him.  One of the most special moments where when Adam kissed my cheek while he was hugging me and whispered to me... you are gonna be ok.
We watched some wonderful power point presentations, enjoyed some music. Then it seems we all went off to different areas and talked and shared our stories again. I was able to share Jeremiah  with others. Also to let them know what the Tennessee Marine Family means to me. 
Once again it was almost 2 am before I had gone to bed.

Sunday morning was another up early day. I attended the church service that they had planned. Humbling, awesome sharing of the faith of Jesus Christ. God was among us and touched my life that sunday morning in a hotel banquet room. God is all around us, you just have to let him in.

Flight back home, it was so good to be home again and with my husband and daughter. Even as great as the trip was to return back home  to be wrapped in hugs from your family, nothing is greater.

TMF LUNCHEON

This past Saturday we met for our monthly board meeting and luncheon at St. Andrews Church on Thompson Lane. I think it was the hottest day  this whole summer...at least it felt that way to me. We had some new faces and some old friends that hadn't been there in a while.

It is always best when there are some MARINES in the house!!! even if we are meeting outside under a pavilion.

Next month September we will be having our Gold Star Families Banquet. I have no details since they are trying their best to keep me out of the loop...They want to surprise me...and honestly they are doing a pretty good job so far....

I can hardly wait until then I know it will be a day filled with a lot of tears, but there will be so much love and peace that comes from honoring the lives of the ones that paid the ultimate for our freedom.

I promise to try and keep you better updated.

Until next time

Semper Fidelis

Eva