October 23rd-26th, 1944

The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battle for Leyte Gulf", the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and also, by some criteria, the largest naval battle in history.

It was fought in waters near the Philippine island of Leyte, from 23 October to 26 October 1944, between naval and naval-air forces of the Allies and those of the Empire of Japan. On October 20, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in South East Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf included four major naval battles: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.

This all happened sixty four years ago. But, even though it happened sixty four years ago, this all happened so that you and I may be in the comfort of our home's today without fear. This all happened forty nine years to the day of which I was born, October 26th. This all happened when my great Granpa was in the Coast Guard and was told that was where he was going. He then was right in the middle of the said by most"greatest" sea battle in history. To me, it was the worst sea battle in history! It was also the worst sea battle in his story (Grandpa). He did it for me, he did for his wife, for his two sons, for my family and for yours! And because of God's Mercy and Grace he is still here with us!

This is my Grandpa, Buddy, and Little Man out getting pears from his back yard.

Granpa and his lady friend having lunch with us.

Father,
Thank you for the freedom that you have given us!
Thank you for allowing Grandpa to help preserve that freedom and then, you brought him back to us!
Thank you for our family and the strength that you have given to Grandpa to keep going even at ninety two!

I spy, with my little eyes...

An empty spot!

I don't know about ya'll, but me and my sisters were looking at this picture and the picture on my Blog header and we noticed something. There are TWO empty spots in both pictures big enough for TWO little children. What do you think?

Luke 17:6 (NIV)
He replied,
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,'
and it will obey you."

Philippians 1:7-11~

7How natural it is that I should feel as I do about you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others about Christ. 8Only God knows how deep my love and longing for you-with the tenderness of Christ. 9My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight,10for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until the Lord returns. 11May you always be doing those good, kind things which show that you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.

So, we left Friday morning for the airport to pick up Sissy! Everyone was full of EXCITEMENT!!! It seemed like it took FOREVER to get there, but the ride was full of a laughter, giggles(and there is a big difference between giggling and laughing), smiles and I think that the van was probably glowing because we were all so HAPPY! Wait, we weren't happy, we were full of JOY!! Then, we were all together again! Praise the Lord!!!

DoodleBug helping get us ready for the road
(notice the big smile on Baby Girls Face in the right hand corner)!

WERE ON OUR WAY!!!!

Our paster volunteered to drive us to the airport(we thought that was pretty BRAVE) since Mama had never been there.
We all agreed that this was a perfect picture of his personality!

All together now!
Just two left, please keep them in your prayers.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN!

Daddy with his little girl!

Beautiful smiles!

Like mother, like daughter,
GORGEOUS!!

The two gigglers!

Thank you for keeping us safe in our travels Lord, and thank you for allowing us to have this time with Noel!

God Bless,
Joy. ;)

Guess what?!!!!

My gorgeous sister is coming home in 15 and1/2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas of '07

Nursing grad. '08! You go girl!!

Graduation party, May '08

And just downright GORGEOUS!! Wouldn't you agree?
I know someone who sure would!
(i just had to say that Darell!)

Love and can't wait to see you!!!

Picture Perfect

Aren't they adorable?

I sure think so! :0)

Elisabeth Elliot once said,

"The preoccupations of young women don't seem to change much from generation to generation. But in every generation there seem to be a few who make other choices."

I am reading book now that is called, "Set-Apart Femininity", written by, Leslie Ludy. It is all about becoming the women that God created you to be. Portraying the beauty of the Lord and not the worlds. When I read what Mrs. Elliot said, it really hit me. I want to one of the few, like the Marines, "The Few, the Proud." That is what I want to be like, except I don't want to be proud, I want to show the world that the joy and beauty from the Lord will last FOREVER and that it is fulfilling, that it will never run out! It will always be satisfying and that you will never thirst. I want to be one of these few young women with hopes that maybe, with the Lords help, through example, other young women will want to be come a part of this wonderful circle! I want to be a part of the few young women in the world who want to be modest, a part of those who treasure their virginity, one that is glowing because of the Lord, not some immortal pleasure that as a shadow.

Please pray that I can become a young women like this that is honoring to the Lord. That I may be an example to other young women in my community and beyond!

Thank you all for always being there for me and being such awesome examples of loving mothers, caring, obedient wifes, and amazing sisters!!!!!

God Bless,
Joy.

Fireproof

Last night my sisters and I were able to go see Fireproof! It was such an awesome movie. There were times when I wanted to cry, when my heart would stop beating,and parts when you wanted to squeal! It was such a God honoring movie. The people who made it really poured there hearts into it. Some parts were heart wrenching for me and my sisters but Mama said that it was even more so because she and Daddy have been married for twenty seven years. I would really encourage anyone to go see it! It was such a blessing!





God Bless,
Joy.

Psalm 23: 4

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;
for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

The Valley

As I travel down this road
I hear voices calling out,
"You better stop and turn around before you fall into the valley of the shadow of death"
Then I'm reminded of my God,
Who don't ever be afraid because I'll always be with you.

Chorus 1
So I trudge on,
Through the muck and the mud,
And seems as though, I never will get through,
Then I'm reminded of my God,
Who said "Don't ever be afraid,
'Cause with Me and my Son,
You'll never be alone."

So I keep on,
With temptations and trials all around,
Than a shadow falls over my path,
And I cry out,
"Save me from this darkness."
Than I hear a voice full of hope and love, say,
"Don't ever be afraid for you've gone through the valley of the
shadow of death."

Chorus 2
So I trudge on,
Through the muck and the mud,
And I've finally gotten through,
Then I'm reminded of my God,
Who said "Don't ever be afraid,
'Cause with Me and my Son
You will never be alone!"

Then I see a light,
and God says,
"You've made it through
The valley of the shadow of death.
Welcome Home,
My Child."

Leah-Joy
January 16th 2008