Picture taken from a museum in Normandy. The shirt above is from a Jewish person that was a prisoner in a concentration camp.
An American cemetery in Normandy. There were Jewish and Gentile soldiers killed in World War ll. Some families chose to bring their family member's home to the US, but others chose to keep them in the country they died in.
Pointe- Du- HocU.S. Rangers climbed this 100 meter cliff on D-Day in order to knock out the deadly 155mm cannons.
Just some random pictures from a trip my husband and I took two years ago. While in Normandy, we took a "World War ll " tour. My husband loves history, and I love the Jewish culture and their people. So both of us enjoyed this trip. Since my trip to Israel, I have a deeper love for their country and the Jewish people.
Robbie and I left Israel about 4 1/2 months ago, and I think we truly left a part of ourselves there.
So with all of that said- the reason for this blog tonight is to tell you of an amazing book- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boon. I have spent the last week at the beach with my family. And everyone that knows me, knows that I cant sit still. I love being busy, maybe I have ADHD- adult version. But anyway- I had time to kill. I have been caring this book with me for about two weeks now. At the beach we went into Books A Million. Just the smell of new books makes me smile- so I had to have another book- a newer than 2 week old book. The new book was an easy read, so I started with that one. I have to say that book was one of the worst books I have ever read. Not because a young mother of three died, but that her family did not know Jesus. The only reason that I even finished the book, was that I was hoping to read that through all of this heartache, they found Jesus. Nope they didn't, but what I read was that there were several times that someone told them about Jesus and that with Jesus comes a peace beyond all understanding. But they did not find that peace, and for that I am sad.
So after that depressing book, I started, " The Hiding Place". What I know will be so sad, but so far what I am reading is about God's grace, his mercy, and that his plan for us takes us through a obstacle course called life. Some courses are harder than others. Corrie Ten Boon was an amazing person, but it was her and her family that God used. Each one had a part to play, and what you read in the beginning, the events of their lives- are all apart of the plan.
Some key points that stood out to me in the early chapters of the book-
Corrie was a young girl traveling with her father one day- she asked him what sex-in was. He didn't yell as I would have, but said the following- " He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack and set it on the floor. Will you carry this for me, Corrie. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning. It is too heavy I said. Yes, her father explained. And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It's the same way with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you." Wow- why cant I have that patience and knowledge. But what he did was wait- probably pray for the right words, instead of acting in haste.
Wow this statement blew me away, everyone I know should hear this truth. This statement is from Corrie's mom. They were a very poor family, but always made it, and had extra to share with those in need. " Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings, It is something that we make inside ourselves."
I'm only on chapter 8- I will share more later. But in the seventh chapter, Corrie's father is feeling sorry for a group of people. Corrie thinks it is the Jews they are rounding up in town. No it is the German soldiers. He states that he feels sorry for them, for they have touched the apple of God's eye. And from reading the bible and my Israel trip- I know the Jewish people are God's chosen people- the apple of his eye.
Amy
I slowly dig my way out of the pit of life- sometimes I wonder- if I even want out. Do we like to roll around in the mess we create. Is it ever really that bad. It is not until the quiet of night, that I realize that I often exaggerate- when it comes down to it. What do we love about chaos? What joy do I find in the whirlwind that I create? My dad gave me a book for Mother's Day - Helen Steiner Rice- A collection of blessings- I wanted to share one that touched me.... that made me think!
Jeremiah 29:13
Exodus 25:8; And let them make me a sanctuary, that "I may dwell in their midst."
God's most intimate desire is to reveal himself to you, and before doing that, he gives you abundant grace. 
Picture taken from a museum in Normandy. The shirt above is from a Jewish person that was a prisoner in a concentration camp.
An American cemetery in Normandy. There were Jewish and Gentile soldiers killed in World War ll. Some families chose to bring their family member's home to the US, but others chose to keep them in the country they died in.
Pointe- Du- Hoc