Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9



From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28



May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14



So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33



God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

About the Friesen's....

We are Marc, Sarah, Luke, and Kate Friesen. We were married June 5, 2004. We have one son, born July 21, 2008, named Luke Andrew -- now 4 years old. We also have a daughter named Kate Christine -- born June 6, 2012. Marc is working at Cessna as a Senior Accountant, and Sarah stays home full-time with Luke. Sarah also gets to work very part-time at home for Graber Backhoe -- an excavation company AND VERY part-time at our church. We LOVE being a part of Grace Community Church here in Newton, KS. We lead a Community Life Group of other wonderful couples. Marc thoroughly enjoys long-distance running and Taekwondo. Sarah thoroughly enjoys walking -- especially when the weather is nice to take Luke and/or out in the stroller. Thanks for reading our blog!

Monday, December 7, 2009

68 Years Ago Today....

December 7, 1941, is the "date which will live in infamy."

Yes, 68 years ago today, Pearl Harbor was bombed -- on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

The USS Arizona Memorial was established in 1962 and is comanaged by the National Park Service and the Navy. The USS Arizona was a ship which sank during the attack. It serves as a burial for the 1,102 crew members who died on the ship.

Almost 4 years ago (January, 2006), Marc and I were in Hawaii. My job took me there for a few days, and then, Marc joined me. After my "work" time, we vacationed. We spent half of the time on the big island of Hawaii. We then jetted over to Oahu. It was on that island that we visited the USS Arizona Memorial -- located in Pearl Harbor.

I'm not really sure of which words I'd like to use to describe our experience. I often times think the word "surreal" is most definitely overused, but I guess I'll use that word in this case.

It was weird for me to think that this beautiful place was the sight of a horrible attack back in 1941. It was kind of hard for me to imagine.

It also made me want to honor our servicemen and servicewomen even more....the sacrifice they make for our country.

Here are a few photos....they weren't taken with the best of cameras, but they do capture the moment, I guess.

The big anchor you see as you enter the museum....



The Navy actually takes you out on the boat to the actual memorial -- built over the sunken USS Arizona Ship.



On this memorial, there is a big wall listing all who lost their lives during this attack -- on the USS Arizona, specifically.



Parts of the USS Arizona stick out above the surface of the water.





You can also see the ship underneath the water.



And, who's this cute couple -- with the Memorial behind them in the distance?



Marc and I do have one regret from this visit -- There were a few Pearl Harbor survivors actually greeting the crowds as they enter the museum. Obviously, these guys had aged. But, they had their "Pearl Harbor" survivor hats on...they were obviously proud to have served our country and proud to stand there greeting people. Marc and I, for whatever reason, did not go and talk to these guys (yes, we said "Hi" but that was about all). We now regret that we didn't take the time to go and talk to them. You know they have stories. Plus, World War II veterans are becoming few and far between....It's important, we think, to listen to their stories and learn from them.

But, obviously, we can't live in the past. It's just a mistake we made -- not talking to them. If you go to this memorial anytime soon, please make every effort to talk with the World War II veterans who may be greeting at the doors.

*****

For those of you who have been to Hawaii -- you may offer your own opinion, but first, I'll share mine...

I've been to Hawaii twice in my life -- once when I was 20 and once when I was almost 30. I enjoyed the second time more as a) I was with my husband and b) we had a little more money with which to enjoy our trip and c) I had grown up some by age 30 and appreciated the trip much more....

When I was 20, I visited (with a friend) the islands of Oahu and Maui. I really enjoyed Maui as it was definitely pretty. I enjoyed Oahu but not as much as it's much too touristy and commercialized.

When Marc and I went (when I was almost 30), we visited the big island of Hawaii and Oahu. We mainly visited Oahu for the USS Arizona Memorial. We both too enjoyed the big island MUCH more than Oahu; however, we are definitely glad we went to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Long story short -- islands other than Oahu are much prettier and much more relaxing.

Feel free to visit Rich & Carolyn's blog -- they just returned from a two-week trip to Hawaii and according to the blog, had a FABULOUS time. Plus, there are some great photos.

*****

Much of the midwest tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday will be getting some yucky winter weather. So, to put us all in a better mood -- I'll share some beautiful Hawaii photos from our trip nearly four years ago....









Yes, this is Marc playing in the ocean....



O.K., that's all for now -- stay warm!

And, most importantly, remember to honor those servicemen and servicewomen who are serving our country!

5 comments:

Candice said...

I wish I had thought to post my pics from the USS Memorial yesterday.

We went to Hawaii for our 1st anniversary in 7/2005. What an amazing trip!

More than just okay said...

Brad & I went to Oahu for our honeymoon. But $ meant we stayed on that island. We did visit the Pearl Harbor memorial. Sobering experience. Well worth the visit.

Rich and Carolyn Dewey said...

Agreed, Pearl Harbor Memorial is gripping. We've seen it twice and found it very sobering both times.

Also agreed, Maui is MUCH prettier than Oahu. Also MUCH less congested. Honolulu is (in my mind), just another big city, yet there are important things to see and do there. Kauai is also FAB. We've never been to the big island of Hawaii, but everyone raves about it. We must try hard for that another time!

Thanks for mentioning our blog and photos. Indeed, lovely to look at on a day like this!

ABCs said...

Sarah--thank you for the Christmas letter and pictures. Always good to hear from you! It sounds like you all are making some tough choices in your lives, but ones that will be definitely worthwhile. We only get one chance with our children....and they are our most precious gifts. I will be getting you a Christmas or New Years card soon.....take care!

ABCs said...

BTW....ABCs is your cousin Kim!! Sorry I didn't sign my name earlier!

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