Celebrate Freedom!

As a child, the 4^th of July was always one of my favorite holidays because of picnics, family and of course fireworks!  However, it has only been in the last few years that I have truly come to appreciate the full meaning and message behind the 4^th of July.  In 2009 I began working at a church in Clarksville, TN.  Clarksville is home to Fort Campbell Military Base and the church I worked at was blessed to have many military families as a part of our congregation.  It was my first real experience being close to those who serve in the military and seeing the incredible sacrifices they and their families make.  We had several parents in the children’s ministry who raised families of 2 or 3 kids for months at a time while their spouses were deployed.  We had fathers who were not able to meet their newborn children until they were almost 6 months old.  We had families who were always afraid to put down too many roots, because they never knew how long they would be in one location.  Growing close to these families I realized how passionate our military personnel are about the work they do and saw that evidenced in the many sacrifices they and their families make to serve and protect our country. 

As a way to remember, honor and offer up prayers for those in the military as we approach the 4^th of July, I would invite your family to take the time to write, draw and decorate thank you cards that will be sent to those who have served in the military both past and present.  Also, I would invite you to spend this week offering up prayers each night for those in the military and their families.  I have included guidelines below for the cards...you can also go here for more details.  Thanks for your support and prayers for our troops as we approach a celebration of our freedom and many blessings! 

Guidelines:

1. Do not put letters in individual envelopes. Send multiple letters together in the same envelope or box, but please bundle the letters in stacks of 50 with rubberbands to keep them together.
2. Do not send edible items.
3. Do not use loose glitter, confetti, or anything that is not attached to the letter or card.
4. Only include positive messages. Any negative messages will be discarded.
5. Be creative! Draw pictures, talk about you, and let them know their service does not go unnoticed.
6. Include your address or email address if you wish. Most military will write back to you!
7. *Attention parents and/or teachers of young children: We ask that if children are too young to include a message of thanks, please write one on their behalf so our service members get a message along with a drawing.

Letters can be sent to the address below: 

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861