I am sure we all remember the moment when we learned about the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. I remember…I was in my apartment at OSU. I had a 10:30 a.m. political science class. While listening to the morning news, I was fixing my hair in the bathroom. My roommate, Jahni, and I were both getting ready. As soon as we heard the news reporter state that a plane had just crashed into one of the towers, we ran into watch the TV. What we would watch in the next few minutes was truly unreal.

As Oklahomans, even though is has been almost 19 years, I am sure many of us can remember exactly where we were when an attack took place on the Murrah building.

In both situations, we made sure that we would NEVER FORGET the acts of terror that were committed against so many lives, as well as our beloved Nation. Beautiful memorials sit in place of the buildings destroyed and lives are forever remembered in ceremonies and memorabilia displayed at the sights. Thankfully, we remember the loss, we remember the lives taken too soon, we remember the sacrifice made, and we remember that GOOD always triumphs over evil.

Recently, I have been reading in the book of Joshua. I find it interesting that God instructed Joshua and the children of Israel to construct memorials. Joshua chapter 4 specifically explains Joshua’s obedience to God to construct a memorial, stating in verse 6, ” We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”

We also take communion, so we will remember what Jesus did for us. We also celebrate Good Friday and Easter, so we will remember. We celebrate Christmas, so we will remember. We don’t want to EVER forget what God has done for us. We don’t want to EVER forget the price that was paid. Don’t forget the sacrifice, don’t forget the value of life paid, don’t forget the immeasurable value of the event.

Psalm 103:2 states, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” God doesn’t want you to forget because the memorials you establish concerning the “Good Things” HE has done for you, will lead you through the times of trial, test, sickness, betrayal, and other challenges.

The memorial helps you remember His promises. I remember…Selah helps me remember.

My 28 Thanks:

1. Americans remember.

2. Out of the ashes, people rise!

3. Although today is a reflection upon one of the greatest tragedies of our nation’s history, people continue to come together and remember, reflect, and celebrate the memories of those lost.

4. Evil never wins.

5. A Spirit of Patriotism.

6. I had the honor of spending the morning with one of the most creative minds in the world! Bruce Barry, owner/Creator/cartoonist/designer of Wacky World studios/ is here at our church. It was so great to meet him and explore options.

7. Bruce can see past walls. All he sees is potential.

8. Potential.

9. Anything is possible. If your mind can think it, there is a way!

10. Bruce shared a very personal part of his life story. It is a story of triumph! I love hearing people’s stories.

11. I was able to help others accomplish several tasks tomorrow.

12. I am finally addressing some long-range goals that I have had to continually push back on the “can’t get to that now list.”

13. Christmas Production meeting #1= Success.

14. Gary was able to take Judah to school and pick him up.

15. Heard a lot of great stories of hope, life-change, and excitement today.

16. Rhelda Nye is a most wonderful volunteer. She serves faithfully and she loves people. She is a hoot too.

17. The Rowin family is super faithful. You can always count on ALAN, Lori, Aaron, and Emily to follow through and be there.

18. An impromptu game went over super well tonight. The kids loved it.

19. Natasha and the facility team always make the kidmin space look amazing.

20. I can joke with my teammates.

21. I had a great conversation tonight with one of my kids granddad. The granddad told me how excited he was that we were going to invest in a new kids ministry space. He told me he couldn’t wait to see the design.

22. Gary taught a superb lesson tonight using paper airplanes. I found out tonight that my husband won a paper airplane competition in college. So, he taught his boys how to make amazing paper airplanes. Gary’s airplanes can truly fly across an entire room.

23. Tonight might have been my favorite night of Wednesday night ministry. There was just a heightened level of fun and friendly atmosphere in the air.

24. Kids had a lot of fun tonight.

25. I left the church at 9:02. I was the last to leave on my team. So, all my leaders were gone before 9:00 p.m. Success people…success!

26. Braum’s ice cream. The guy working the drive thru was super funny. Gary loved his “firefighter” like sense of humor.

27. Judah was bathed and in bed my 10:00 p.m.

28. Today was a good day.