Computer Problems

Friday morning, the computer cord died. Since then, we haven't had access to the internet at home. I've rather enjoyed not having the computer, since it's allowing me to catch up on reading. I read 39 Steps by John Buchan. 39 Steps is also an Alfred Hitchcock movie, that I've also watched. I'm of the opinion that the book is better than the movie, but I think that watching the movie helped me understand the book better.
I'm also currently reading Ghost Wars by Steve Coll... It's a very interesting book and it's taking me much longer to read. I'm about half-way through it in two days. It's not about ghosts, but about the CIA, Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the various guerilla type leaders that the US supported with financial aid and arms. The book covers the time from 1979 to September 10th, 2001. Sometimes, I come across something I don't know about and wish I had the computer to look it up. But with not having the computer, we'll get to go to the library more often.

Today, Momma, J, and I are in Atlanta for several appointments for J. J also got his Beads of Courage today. He has four strands full of beads, telling his journey through leukemia and treatment. It's really impressive and I'm hoping to get pictures up soon. Currently, we are at the hospital library using the computers. J is wandering around in between watching Superman on the TV (naturally it's George Reeves.... since he's the best one :*))....

Since we haven't been on the computer, we've spent more time together and quoted movies scripts and other things we've seen.

C~ (reading from Genesis during devotions) 'and Sarah convinced' and had a baby. She did this twice in a row, saying 'convinced' instead of 'conceived'.

K and I were talking to Momma and Daddy in the kitchen and we were quoting from books, movies and coming up with our own things... when Momma said something about we were making a good case for getting rid of the TV as well. K said 'Spoiled Sport', just like Sylvester in Looney Tunes. It was the perfect imitation and since then, we've said 'spoiled sport' instead of 'party-pooper'.

B and C are enjoying all the new books from the library and B is starting to read books on her own inititive. She read 'Dolphin Adventure: a true story' in one morning and started '39 Steps' last night. C is often found curled up in a chair reading books and then she'll come to Momma, K or myself asking for a new book to read. What have you been reading this week?

Well, I'd better close for now... I have a few more things to check while we have access to the internet. Don't expect anything in the next week, since I'm not sure when we'll go to the library!

Taking Chance

Tonight we had the privilege of watching Taking Chance. We heard about this film shortly before it came out on HBO. We signed up for Netflix the other day and Taking Chance was one of the first films we looked for. It arrived today and we watched it during dinner. I'm finding it difficult to express the movie in a few words. So here's an excerpt I found on Amazon...

Lt. Col. Mike Strobl's first-person narrative of his voluntary mission escorting the body of a fellow Marine killed in Iraq. Strobl (played in the film by Kevin Bacon) hadn't known Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps but, noticing they'd been born in the same western town, he requested temporary leave from his duties as a manpower-deployment analyst at Quantico in order to accompany the 20-year-old's body home. Home, as it turned out, was no longer their shared birthplace in Colorado but the high-country Wyoming town of Dubois. The journey would take Strobl deep into the heart of his nation, and his own heart as well. There's no overstating the power and beauty of what he encountered: one instance after another of not just military personnel but airline employees, passengers, and bystanders doing honor--mostly wordlessly--to Chance's coffin and his escort as they passed by.                                                     -Amazon commentary

It would be hard to describe the movie. It reminded me of a quote that was on Facebook on Veteran's Day. "Only two people have ever offered to die for you -- Jesus Christ, for your sins and the American soldier, for your freedom." I'm sad to say that I really didn't know what happened after a soldier was killed overseas. It also made me wonder if we really appreciate everything our military forces sacrifice for us. They are away from their families for long periods of time, they run a risk of being wounded and killed and they see their buddies killed before them.  Taking Chance was, in a way, comforting. That sounds odd, but when I saw the people at the airport and everyone who showed respect for Chance and Lt. Col. Strobl, it made me feel that Americans do care and are thankful. We hear in the news about this 'terrible' war and all the casualities and how we should get out of this war quickly, but it seems we rarely hear about the patriotism of the Americans. It really adds a new perpective to the picture. I would really recommend seeing this film. Yes, there is one word in the movie that I would have left out. But it doesn't spoil the movie!  This is one movie that I want to show to my family someday, to remind them of what America was made out of, and to not forget those who gave their lives that we might have the freedom of speech, religion, and the right to train our children in the way they should go, so that when they are old, they will not depart from it. Next time you see a service member, thank them for their service and thank them for everyone in America.

Semper Fi!