The following is a poem that Joe wrote and entered into the Showcase 2008 competition. His poem was chosen over all other 7th graders in the DoD school system world wide and published in the 2008 edition of Showcase 2008 magazine. He was also awarded a small cash prise of $50.00 but being a published author at 13 years old is much more valuable.
Lies
The world revolves around lies-
Lies of the past,
Lies of the present,
Lies of the future.
Still the lies continue.
Regardless of lives changing,
They still remain,
Hiding beneath our skin,
Easily shown with the simplest of events.
As these events arise, these lies are put
before our very eyes.
We are changed and forced to explain
These lies set before us.
What the future holds, no one knows,
But the lies are sure to follow.
Joseph Laverty GR 7
Menwith Hill EHS, England
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Giving Thanks
I was in bed thinking about a book that was talked about on WOLC the other morning. I don't remember the name but it may be "14000 Things to be Thankful For". The author was a lady that for years wrote down everything she was thankful for and some time later it was published.
I got to thinking....What do I have to be thankful for and I came up with my list, albeit a short list as time and space would not allow me to list everything, just some of the more important things. I will share a few.
God has given me so much to be thankful for. First a life to live borne out of love. My wife Pam who without life would be so empty. She is a blessing to me every day. She is my Earthly Rock. I have a wonderful son, Jamie or James to some. He inspires me and gives me hope in the next generation. He is good looking, hard working with good morals and ethics and a hug I would not give up for anything. My son.
I live on The Eastern Shore of Maryland. Any day I can ride to the ocean to my east and watch the golden sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean as dolphins play in the morning air. I can travel a couple of block from my house and watch the sun set over the majestic Choptank River, The sun with all it's glory and abundant colors and warmth. Oh this is truly a blessing worth giving thanks.
My extended family which about covers the four corners on the Earth, from England to Iraq to New Zealand then Finland and all across the Good Old USA. USA another blessing, that God so choose this place for me to live. A family as diverse as one can imagine, every walk of life, professionals, military, laborers, retired, you name it we have it.
And last in my list, However first in my life, Our Almighty God, Jesus Christ. He blessed me by dying so that I might live, Oooh what a blessing, what a gift of the Father to give his son for me. Nothing can top that.
So take a moment and make a list and think about it not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. You will be amazed at how much we have to give thanks for. As for me I will continue to add to my list.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim
I got to thinking....What do I have to be thankful for and I came up with my list, albeit a short list as time and space would not allow me to list everything, just some of the more important things. I will share a few.
God has given me so much to be thankful for. First a life to live borne out of love. My wife Pam who without life would be so empty. She is a blessing to me every day. She is my Earthly Rock. I have a wonderful son, Jamie or James to some. He inspires me and gives me hope in the next generation. He is good looking, hard working with good morals and ethics and a hug I would not give up for anything. My son.
I live on The Eastern Shore of Maryland. Any day I can ride to the ocean to my east and watch the golden sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean as dolphins play in the morning air. I can travel a couple of block from my house and watch the sun set over the majestic Choptank River, The sun with all it's glory and abundant colors and warmth. Oh this is truly a blessing worth giving thanks.
My extended family which about covers the four corners on the Earth, from England to Iraq to New Zealand then Finland and all across the Good Old USA. USA another blessing, that God so choose this place for me to live. A family as diverse as one can imagine, every walk of life, professionals, military, laborers, retired, you name it we have it.
And last in my list, However first in my life, Our Almighty God, Jesus Christ. He blessed me by dying so that I might live, Oooh what a blessing, what a gift of the Father to give his son for me. Nothing can top that.
So take a moment and make a list and think about it not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. You will be amazed at how much we have to give thanks for. As for me I will continue to add to my list.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving
Following is the 1863 Lincoln Presidential Proclamation - celebrated shortly after Lincoln committed his life to Christ and celebrated while America was still in the midst of its Civil War. It was this proclamation which eventually led to the establishment of our national Thanksgiving holiday.
by the President of the United States of America
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
[Signed]
A. Lincoln
by the President of the United States of America
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
[Signed]
A. Lincoln
Friday, November 21, 2008
Falling apart rather quickly
Hi everyone - I have a request. I seem to be falling apart and I could use some extra prayers - nothing dangerous so don't worry. I need to have carpal tunnel surgery on each of my hands. My doctor called today and told me I have a bulging disk and degenerative disk disease in two places in my spine. My ortho specialist said, after he told me I needed to have the carpal tunnel taken care of, that the pain in my shoulder may be due to my rotator cuff (sound familiar) so I'll need an MRI after we get the other things taken care of. AND- yes there is more - I had bronchitis that lasted four weeks (with antibiotics), a stomach virus that lasted 10 days, I had a good day and a half and now I have a cold. So you see I'm falling apart (aparently, my warantee has expired :) ) and I could just use a few extra prayers, because frankly, I'm kind of tired! I haven't even gotten my Thanksgiving turkey yet!
And on that note, Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone. I still have tons to be grateful for - especially having all of this occur BEFORE the holidays. I want to play like a child on Christmas and with all of this behind me I am going to! After all the body may be 53, but the brain is still only 7! I love you all!
Debbie
And on that note, Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone. I still have tons to be grateful for - especially having all of this occur BEFORE the holidays. I want to play like a child on Christmas and with all of this behind me I am going to! After all the body may be 53, but the brain is still only 7! I love you all!
Debbie
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Happy Birthday Christopher Lee!!!!!
Sunday November 16th is Christopher Lee Laverty's Birthday. Christopher turned 18 and is the son of Keith and Carole Laverty. Happy Birthday Christopher!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Trivia....40 years ago 1968
US GDP (1998 dollars): $910.6 billion
Federal spending: $178.13 billion
Federal debt: $368.7 billion
Median Household Income
(current dollars): $7,743
Consumer Price Index: 34.8
Unemployment: 3.8%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.05 ($0.06 as of 1/7/68)
Events
60 Minutes airs on CBS, beginning its reign as the longest-running prime-time newsmagazine.
The motion picture rating system debuts with G, PG, R and X.
The rock musical Hair opens on Broadway.
Movies
2001: A Space Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, Funny Girl, The Lion in Winter, Oliver!
Books
William H. Gass, In the Heart of the Heart of the Country
Gore Vidal, Myra Breckenridge
Federal spending: $178.13 billion
Federal debt: $368.7 billion
Median Household Income
(current dollars): $7,743
Consumer Price Index: 34.8
Unemployment: 3.8%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.05 ($0.06 as of 1/7/68)
Events
60 Minutes airs on CBS, beginning its reign as the longest-running prime-time newsmagazine.
The motion picture rating system debuts with G, PG, R and X.
The rock musical Hair opens on Broadway.
Movies
2001: A Space Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, Funny Girl, The Lion in Winter, Oliver!
Books
William H. Gass, In the Heart of the Heart of the Country
Gore Vidal, Myra Breckenridge
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Happy Birthday Hugh
Sorry for the belated Birthday wish Hugh, but happy Birthday November 6th.
When I was your age I was tilling the lower 400 acres. Behind a mule pulled plow. I had 15 kids to feed and no time to rest. I had blisters on my hands so big we would drain them at night for drinking water for the children. Oh those were the days. Glad it is better for you youngsters.......
Well, I think on that note, I'll jump in my Ferrari and ride to the house and jump on my tricked out Yamaha Raider and cruise down to Starbucks for a Latte.....Oops they closed down Starbucks. I guess Mickey D's will have to.
When I was your age I was tilling the lower 400 acres. Behind a mule pulled plow. I had 15 kids to feed and no time to rest. I had blisters on my hands so big we would drain them at night for drinking water for the children. Oh those were the days. Glad it is better for you youngsters.......
Well, I think on that note, I'll jump in my Ferrari and ride to the house and jump on my tricked out Yamaha Raider and cruise down to Starbucks for a Latte.....Oops they closed down Starbucks. I guess Mickey D's will have to.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Musings of a Mad Man
The ring
I reached for the ring and grabbed on
The brass ring of success was finally in my hands.
I can have what I want, buy what I need.
Now I've got the brass ring, what is next for me?
My neighbor has that silver ring now I need one too.
He has what he wants, can buy what he needs
He goes more places and likes what he sees.
Now I have it too so what is left for me?
My friend has gold and I have it too now.
He has what he wants, can buy what he needs
He goes more places and likes what he sees.
Now I have it too so what is left for me?
Now I have what I want, can buy what I need.
But a hole still exists what is out there for me?
There must be more something I can reach
A hole still exists what do I need?
So many are reaching and so few grab on.
For what do they need, they have all earthly things.
Yes there is a ring more precious than gold,
So many reach up but do not grab on.
It can’t be worth much, you see it is free,
What’s worth having in life can this be?
The Ring of salvation this ring is for free,
No cost to you, nor cost to me.
More precious than Gold and yet it is free.
So reach for our Lord and tightly grab on,
The road often hard and sometimes so long,
The cost is free yet more precious than gold,
It fills all the holes that are left in my soul.
The gift is for free this Ring so bold,
God gives it away, for you to grab hold.
More precious a gift there can not be.
He has it out there for you and for me.
I reached for the ring and grabbed on
The brass ring of success was finally in my hands.
I can have what I want, buy what I need.
Now I've got the brass ring, what is next for me?
My neighbor has that silver ring now I need one too.
He has what he wants, can buy what he needs
He goes more places and likes what he sees.
Now I have it too so what is left for me?
My friend has gold and I have it too now.
He has what he wants, can buy what he needs
He goes more places and likes what he sees.
Now I have it too so what is left for me?
Now I have what I want, can buy what I need.
But a hole still exists what is out there for me?
There must be more something I can reach
A hole still exists what do I need?
So many are reaching and so few grab on.
For what do they need, they have all earthly things.
Yes there is a ring more precious than gold,
So many reach up but do not grab on.
It can’t be worth much, you see it is free,
What’s worth having in life can this be?
The Ring of salvation this ring is for free,
No cost to you, nor cost to me.
More precious than Gold and yet it is free.
So reach for our Lord and tightly grab on,
The road often hard and sometimes so long,
The cost is free yet more precious than gold,
It fills all the holes that are left in my soul.
The gift is for free this Ring so bold,
God gives it away, for you to grab hold.
More precious a gift there can not be.
He has it out there for you and for me.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Gettin' Married
Well with everything going on in the last few months i forgot to mention I am getting married on Nov. 15th at 11:00 a.m. It is not going to be very big. It is at the Clerk of the peace in Georgetown, De. Amy and I have known each other for 6 years now and I figure I better marry her or she has this stick she hits me with, and come to find out I am not as hard headed as I thought lol. I know everyone lives far away and it is not much notice but ya'll are invited. Well I will talk to ya'll later...John Hipps Jr.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Lyn's Journey
I spoke with John Allen last week. He told me he scattered Lyn's ashes on Lake Afton on her birthday, October 15th. Afton is a small lake just outside of Wichita. Steve and I will sometimes venture out there when we need to see a bit of water. I'm sure it meant a lot to Lyn for John to go out, by himself and send her off. I find myself thinking of Lyn often. I'm sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry. Most of the time I like to remember her like I described at her service...enjoying some exotic food with a devilish little grin when I'd say "yuck!" Then I remember her and I'm smiling. I hope this continued send off for Lyn brings a little more healing to all of us.
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