A BIT OF HISTORY

I recently received an e-mail that provided a bit of history about the steel covered Bibles. I would like to share this information with you. This e-mail arrived after I had published the story of Patrick Foley's steel covered Bible.

Young soldiers carried the steel covered Bible during WW1. The smaller calibre bullets used during that war could be stopped, however, the larger calibre bullets that were used during WW11 were too much for the thin steel cover that was used on the Bible.

I would like to think that the young men who carried these Bibles believed in the power of prayer and felt the love and prayers of those who gave them the Bible to carry. I hope that this gave them some measure of comfort in their deepest, darkest moments.

In their darkest moments, they could read the powerful words of the Bible. They could feel GOD'S LOVE. I pray and hope that each and every one of these brave men knew that even if the steel covered Bible did not stop the bullet that took their lives, that they knew God was there to welcome them into HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM when their work on this earth was over. With open arms and a loving heart, HE was there to welcome them HOME.

May God Bless and protect all who fight for our freedom. Freedom to exercise the free will that our Heavenly Father gifted us.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

THE STEEL COVERED BIBLE

During WWII, mothers sent BIBLES that had a steel cover to their sons. Theory was that the Bible would be in his shirt pocket, thus would stop a bullet to the heart.

Beth had one such Bible. Her husband took it from the body of one of his men. He intended to return it to the mother of this brave young man. This was not meant to be.

Beth's husband returned from the war with numerous medals including two Purple Hearts. He also developed tuberculosis overseas. He fought the valiant fight to regain his health but the ravages of war combined with tuberculosis killed him.

Beth was a young widow with two small children. There was little money to support them and so she went to work. She tried to locate the family of the young man and to fulfill her deceased husbands desire to return the Bible with the steel cover to the soldiers family. She was not successful in her endeavor.

In memory of both her deceased husband and the young infantryman, she carried this Bible in her purse for many years and frequently read it.

The inscription inside the cover gave his name and it was signed, With love, mother. His name was Patrick Foley. He was probably Catholic as the Bible also held his scapula.

Beth remarried and her husband, Joe, tried to locate the family of Patrick Foley on and off over the years to no avail.

After over 50 years of marriage, Beth passed away. She took good care of this Bible during her lifetime.

The war has been over for 63 years. Joe recently stopped by the local VFW and asked them for help in locating the family of Patrick Foley. They will try to trace the name for him if possible. They have access to records that were not available to Joe and Beth.

The VFW Commander never saw such a Bible before. He said that they were going to put up a display in front of the Hall for Columbus day. He would like to include the STEEL COVERED BIBLE in their display.

It was really poignant when you opened it up and saw "MOTHER"S HANDWRITING", faded but still legible.

Hopefully, this latest attempt to locate the family of Patrick Foley and return his Bible will be successful.

I WILL SEND YOU A SIGN

Dan was dying. He was only twenty-four years old. His life was cut short due to a car accident.

His family was grief stricken. Dan tried to console his mother as best he could. He had a deep faith in God and felt that God would welcome him into His Heavenly kingdom. He was prepared for death. As he hugged his mother, he told her that he would find a way to let her know that he was O.K. after death. He told her that he would try to send her a sign in the FORM OF A CROSS.

Dan's girlfriend was at his bedside and heard what he had told his mother.

The day of his funeral, the family had gathered at the funeral home. Jan, his girlfriend, was standing outside with some of his friends. She was crying. Through her tears, she had looked up at the sky.

Before her eyes, three crosses had started to form. WAS THIS THE SIGN FROM DAN?

She rushed into the funeral home and told Dan's mother what she saw. Those who were there, went outside and looked up at the sky. Everyone saw the three crosses.

Everyone was speechless. Everyone was filled with emotion. Everyone felt Dan's love. HE WAS FINE.

The person who told me this story was filled with emotion as he shared this story with me. He will never, ever forget what happened that day.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

AND THE WELL WENT DRY

Sarah was born to a Jewish family who emigrated to the United-States from eastern Europe. They settled in a beautiful rural area of eastern Pennsylvania.

This was the land of opportunity. The land of the free.

BUT NOT FREE OF BIGOTRY!!!!!!!!

They moved into a small home surrounded by beautiful green pastures. As in most country areas, ones water supply came from a drilled well and/or stream. They had a good well. An abundance of water.

Her father was able to provide a good life for his family. They were happy.

A family had moved into the area and lived down the road. Sarah started school and walked past this home on her way to school.

Members of this family started to pick on Sarah. She began to experience harassment everyday on her way to school. This was very upsetting to her.

The abusive language was also directed at her parents. They were confused as to why this was happening.

They tried to be good neighbors and were well liked in this area. What was different with this new family.

It soon became known that members of the family belonged to the Klu Klux Klan.

This family intimidated Sarah and her family. Sarah and her family TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK and PRAYED that someday their neighbors would stop their verbal abuse.

Then MOTHER NATURE stepped in.

The neighbors WELL WENT DRY...........

Their neighbors were stressed and upset when they discovered that their WELL HAD RUN DRY.

Sarah had overheard them talking about the problems with their well on her way home from school. They were so focused on their water problem that they did not harass Sarah this day.

Drilling a new well is a costly venture even when there is a good chance of finding water. There is also the possibility of not finding water and having to drill more than one well.

I can speak from personal experience on this issue.

Then there is the problem of finding water to run the household while a new well is being drilled.

Sarah was a very caring child from a very caring family. When she told her parents about the plight of their neighbors, they responded in a positive manner.

Sarah and her family approached the family who had been harassing them and OFFERED TO SHARE THEIR WATER.

This offer was accepted by the abusive family. This incident caused them to pause and reflect on their bad behaviour and their BIGOTRY. They changed their ways and became good neighbors.

MY PSYCHIC ANIMAL FRIEND

Kathleen was going through a very difficult time in her life. She had a tendency to look at the world through rose colored glasses and reality had set in.

Her problems, not of her doing, were creating physical as well as emotional havoc with her life. She never, ever, in her wildest dreams had expected to be caught up in the ugly situation that confronted her.

Her friends invited her to visit them. They did not know what she was going through. They lived in a beautiful area of Virginia and she jumped at the opportunity to visit.

Getting out in the fresh country air. Away from the ugliness. That is what the doctor would order.

Richard picked her up from the airport and they proceeded to his beautiful country home. Upon arrival, she exited the car and stood looking out at the beautiful countryside. She started to feel better.

As she was admiring the gardens, Casey, a beautiful golden retriever showed up at her side. He looked at her with the most intelligent, knowing eyes of any animal that she had ever encountered.

His canine friends joined them and sat at Kathleen's feet. She leaned down to pet each one and she was greeted by a big fat slobbering kiss on the face. This made her laugh. All her new found friends then got up and romped around the property.

That evening at dinner, Casey was at her side looking up at her. When she got up, Casey was with her. When she went to sleep, Casey was in the bedroom with her.

This was unusual behaviour for Casey. Casey was cautious of many people. A good friend of Sharon,(her friend) stopped by to chat. She told Kathleen that she had been trying to get Casey to come to her for over a year with no success. Why was Casey behaving like this.

Casey had sensed the sadness in Kathleen's heart. Casey picked up on her pain even though Richard and Sharon were not aware of her problems. Kathleen always put on a happy face and people rarely if ever knew when she was hurting. BUT CASEY KNEW......

Casey was the very best tonic for what was ailing Kathleen. With the loving companionship of her new found friend, she was able to step back and look at her problems from a different point of view.

WHAT A BLESSING TO MEET this loving golden retriever. Wherever Kathleen went on the property, there was Casey at her side.

Richard and Sharon had never witnessed this behaviour from their beautiful dog with a stranger.

Sharon and Kathleen explored the beautiful mountains of Virginia. Casey was sad to be left behind but Casey would get car sick and would not get in a car. UNTIL the day that Kathleen was to leave for home.

Kathleen packed her suitcase and left it in the bedroom. Casey was outside and did not see her pack the suitcase. BUT CASEY KNEW that Kathleen was leaving. How? who knows.......

Richard opened the car door and Casey jumped into the car. WHAT WAS GOING ON? Casey hated to get into a car. Richard removed the dog from the car but Casey ran around to the other side and jumped back into the car.

Kathleen left the house with her suitcase and Casey ran up to her. He walked all around her and would not leave her side. She reached down and played with her new friend. She looked into Casey's eyes and saw the understanding, love and compassion in this dogs eyes. She had felt this all week long and Casey helped her to relax and rejuvenate her mind, body and soul.

WHAT AN UNEXPECTED GIFT........

She sat in the front seat of the car and Casey jumped into the drivers seat. Richard had to tug and pull Casey from the car. He finally was successful, only to find that Casey ran around to the passenger side of the car and jumped into the car beside Kathleen. Casey was determined.

Casey finally was pulled from the car and all doors were closed.

As Richard started to drive, Casey followed them to the end of the road with those big, beautiful loving eyes. He seemed to perk up when Kathleen smiled and yelled to him, "I am fine, my new friend." "I will never forget you, I love you."

I have read somewhere that animals are more psychic than humans. I need to research this more but from my own personal experience, I have witnessed many animals respond in a psychic way. They know by instinct when something is about to happen before it does. At times, I may write about this. I would ask others to share their animal stories with me to write about.

Kathleen was a different person when she returned home. She was able to address issues that she felt helpless in dealing with in a more positive way. A new furry friend was a blessing in disguise.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

A FINAL ACT OF LOVE AND AN EVERLASTING LEGACY

"Aunt Liz, Aunt Liz, I am getting married!" exclaimed Betty Anne. Would you please bake your famous bread and pies for my wedding?

Liz always had a 25 pound bag of baking flour in her kitchen. She would bake bread every day. Pies and cakes several times a week. She started in the wee hours of the morning before she left for her little business located at the back of her property.

She was hard at work by the time her children woke up in the morning. Liz was not there in the kitchen to greet them but they had fresh baked bread and pastry to eat prior to going off to school.

Many times she would bake during the day and if any small child wandered into her kitchen, she would give them some dough to bake with her. She was always surrounded by people. She helped many people to better their lives.

SHE ALSO WAS PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. Her disability did not slow her down nor deter her from helping others. She was total love.

Liz was excited that Betty and Rance had set a wedding date. She was so pleased that they wanted her to bake for their wedding. Plans were set in motion.

A few weeks later, Liz was not feeling well. She rarely, if ever, complained when in pain but this time something was seriously wrong. Dr. Doyle was called to the home. (these were the good old days when Doctors made home visits)

Dr. Doyle scheduled her for hospital tests and the news was not good. LIZ HAD CANCER. She had less than 6 months to live.

Liz called Betty Anne and told her that she probably would not live to see Betty Anne walk down the aisle.

Betty Anne and Rance rescheduled their wedding to an earlier date in order for Aunt Liz to see her married. They did not expect her to bake for their wedding and were making other plans for the baked items. Liz would not hear of this. She said that she would bake for the wedding and she was determined to do so.

Joe, her husband of 47 years, tried to talk her out of this. Her condition was deteriorating at a fast pace. She was very weak and could barely move from her bed. She was in pain but she was also determined to bake one last time. Not just for the wedding but for her six children and their families.

Days before the wedding, Joe helped her from her bed and practically carried her to the kitchen. She sat at the kitchen table while Joe helped her get ready for baking. He was going to help since she could not walk back and forth from the oven.

Four little children visited her in the kitchen during that time. They were all under 4 years of age. She took time to give each of them some dough to make some bread. They hugged and kissed her. Everyone had flour over their hands and faces. She smiled and continued to bake and bake and bake.

She baked enough for the wedding. She baked enough for all of her children to take home to their families and to freeze.

SHE DIED A FEW DAYS LATER........

Liz died in 1968. I have a faded Polaroid picture of her and those 4 little children baking and covered with flour. Three of those little ones were my children. Liz was my mother, my role model, my inspiration.

Even though the children were very young when she died, they remembered baking with Grandma. They will always remember this very, very special woman who weighed over 300 pounds and whose heart was bigger than she was.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

THE DOVE AT HER WINDOW



Her heart was breaking. She was in extreme anguish.



Carol was pushing herself to work in her kitchen rather than crawl into bed and try to escape from what was bothering her. As she looked out her kitchen window, she saw a dove fly right up to the window and look directly at her.



THE DOVE HAD THREE EYES!!!!!!!!!!!



An intense feeling of warmth and love replaced the anguish. Carol fell to her knees and started to pray. She thanked God for all of her blessings and put aside all negativity.



I met Carol many years ago on a beautiful, white sandy beach. We were in awe looking out at the incredible, clear blue water of the Carribean. It is a view that I never tire of. We used to see one another every year at this same place.



Our conversations have always been light, funny and interesting. Nothing HEAVY. We enjoyed this yearly banter and recognized one another as women of faith and love of family and life.



One year, I noticed a deep sadness in her. We did not have the opportunity to talk at that time. She kept to herself. The next year, she was not at this beautiful spot.



There she was.....the following year and back to her smiling, vibrant self. We immediately gravitated to one another on the beach and looked out at the clear blue water of the Carribean.



She then looked at me and said, "I know that I can share this with you." I normally do not talk about this because I do not want people to think that I am crazy".



Her instincts told her that I would understand what had happened to her.

As she shared this beautiful revelation with me, I felt so much love and warmth radiating from her. She now attended daily Mass and also built a small chapel in her home. She and her husband had developed a strong friendship with the resident Priest in this beautiful country.

A new Church was being constructed in this area and she and her husband made a special donation to this Church. Whenever I attend Mass there, I see what they did for the Church.
Due to circumstances, they are no longer visiting at the time that I am there, but I always am reminded of her when I walk into this Church.

I am so grateful that she shared her story of faith with me many years ago. Her comment that she did not talk about her revelation because she did not want people to think that she was crazy is a comment that I have heard from many people. Many of us have experience revelations. They are there for all to experience.

WE ARE NOT CRAZY!!!!!!

People with open minds and hearts experience messages and signs all of the time. They are all around us. It is simply for us to receive and acknowledge what is shared with us. This is part of our growth. This is part of our Spiritual awareness.

God has given us free will. We can open up our minds and hearts to his love and gifts or we can doubt the validity of these occurrences. He loves us and watches us grow. I believe that He is totally delighted, just as all proud parents are when their children finally get the message.

I find that in this day and age, more and more people are willing to open up and share their spiritual experiences. What a wonderful gift they are sharing. Their experiences may be heard by someone who really needs to hear about this. Someone who will look at the world around them and be more aware of messages and signs. Someone who needs to hear. Someone who will have a life altering moment from their encounter with someone who loves and cares enough to share a revelation.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

WHY IS LIFE SO HARD, WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING

Recently I came into possession of a poem written by a young woman whom I have known for many years. She has granted me permission to publish her writing but not to use her name.

I believe that this was written after the death of her father while still in his forties. Her parents were divorced and things were not easy. Since then, her mother died in a tragic car accident while falling asleep at the wheel of her car while driving home from work. Her mother was a beautiful woman in her forties.

This young woman was pregnant with twins. Shortly after her mothers tragic accident, she was in a car accident as well. Her twins were born premature. One twin has cerebral palsy.



The Grace Moments in her life all come from her Grandparents who are up in age but still the rock and foundation of her life. They have never, ever let her down. Their strength is.......I cannot put it into words except to say that I truly admire them. They are ANGELS on earth.

They have a firm belief in God.


LIFE

Why does life always seem so bad
I look to the past and see what I had
I had a father who was never around
but when we were together, love is what I found

I had a kitty, her name was Pepper
I thought for sure, she'd be around forever
I have great Grandparents but they are not young
Another 10 years and they might be done

I have a Mom, she's a great lady
But I never see her and it drives me crazy

I have a step father who loves me like his own
That is something that's always been shown

My little brother is my best friend
I'm scared that someday that will end

I love my big brother
But we never talk or see each other

I love my little sisters and they love me
But their two girls, I never see

I'm worried about who God is going to take next
I always pray that he leaves who's left

It seems to me that everyday I cry
Over someone else that died

Well this is all I have to say
But please God, leave who's here today.


This young woman, with the help and encouragement of her Grandparents is doing well. She and her husband have weathered the bad times and have been able to purchase a home.
She was able to find a direction that provided hope for the future. She was able to find a job
that is productive and fullfilling.

The children, with loving support of family are doing well.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

GONE FISHING

I have sorely neglected our home on Cape Cod this summer. My kayak and golf clubs were in the mini van and so I set out for the Cape on August 10. I arrived late due to the weather and also a number of cell calls that came in while driving. Each time, I pulled over to a scenic area to chat. When one is retired, one need not rush to a destination.

Bright and early the next morning on August 11, the door bell rang and rang and rang. I put on a robe and answered the door. There was eight year old Johnny.

"Hi, Dolores, welcome back". He was excited to fill me in on what transpired since I had been gone. He noticed that I had not planted a vegetable garden this year. I hugged him and he said that he would see me later.

Ten minutes later, while still in my robe and drinking coffee, the doorbell rang. "Hi Dolores, here are some fresh vegetables from our garden". Once again, I hugged him and he left.

Forty five minutes later, after coffee and getting dressed, the door bell rang. "Hi Dolores, Corey wanted to say hello". Corey is nine. We visited for a time.

Later that afternoon, the door bell rang. (I still had not unpacked the van). "Hi Dolores, do you want to go fishing tomorrow with me".

Johnny looked at me with his big eyes and long lashes and big smile........I melted and put all thoughts of work and unpacking out of my mind and said, O.K. He told me that he would pack a lunch for us and we would have fun.

After dinner, the door bell rang. "Hi, Dolores. Could we check out your fishing pole and George's fishing gear in the garage."

We went to the garage and went through all of the fishing gear and made our choices for the next day. We agreed to meet at noon. I needed to do laundry. He then asked if he could come over early since his brother was taking sailing lessons and he wanted to hang out with me instead. I told him that he could come over early but that he would have to entertain himself while I did some work.

When he left, my daughter called to find out how I was handling the day. You see, August 11 was the SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE'S DEATH. Little Johnny was George's friend. He and his friends lovingly referred to George as, "George of the Jungle".

I told my daughter that I did not have too much time to think about the significance of the day because of Johnny's visits. She and I discussed what happened prior to my leaving home on the 10th.

I was putting several files into my briefcase to work on while I was away. One file fell to the floor and a card fell from this file. This was a business file. What was this card doing in it? The card was NOT a special occasion card. I opened the card. It was from George. It said, "I am looking forward to our long trip to Florida and then to Cancun and back to Florida again. I love you very much."

THIS CARD WAS THE LAST CARD THAT I HAD RECEIVED FROM GEORGE PRIOR TO HIS DEATH.

On August 7, I published the blinking red light and now this!!!!!!!!

WE ARE GOING FISHING............

Johnny arrived bright and early. Instead of waiting until noon, I finished up a few things and off we went. We stopped at one area to catch turtles, frogs and minnows. We tried to fish but the area was not conducive to casting. We lost some hooks, bobber and sinkers.

"Let"s go to crab creek, exclaimed Johnny!" I thought for a moment and agreed.

GEORGE WENT TO CRAB CREEK EVERYDAY. He caught dinner everyday. He was known as "CRABBING GEORGE" at this location. He had a special spot where he placed a chair in the water and enjoyed his favorite pastime. He always caught enough crabs to share with others. It cracked me up when he told me that he bartered steamed crabs for his haircuts!!!!!!

HE WAS ENJOYING RETIREMENT.

We arrived at Crab Creek and I could visualize George in his favorite spot. It pleased me to no end to remember how much he loved this spot and the enjoyment it brought to him. ALSO THE FUNNY STORIES........

Little Johnny smiled at me and he told me how many times George could be found at Crab Creek.

Due to circumstances, I was not always at the Cape with George. I had responsibilities back home that required attention. I was not fully retired.

We enjoyed ourselves at Crab Creek, but did not have much luck catching fish or crabs. WE ALMOST CAUGHT A LARGE SEA GULL!!!!!!!

Johnny had a great cast. The line went so far that it flew to the other side of the creek. He snagged a large tree. We had a fishing line tight rope going across the Creek. I chuckled to myself as I imagined little critters doing a balancing act walking across this line.

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? Johnny yelled for help and I tried to unsnag the line to no avail. I could not unsnag it from either side of the creek. It was determined that we were going to have to sacrifice another bobber, hook and sinker. We had to cut the line.

There were people on the other side of the creek watching us. Probably wondering which one of us would fall in the water first.

It was time to cut the line...

OH NO!!!!!!!! A large sea gull was dive bombing for a fish and was headed straight for the line. This poor little creature of God could hurt himself if he flew into the line.

Everyone who was watching this scene yelled at the same time and startled the gull. The gull pulled up just in time to miss the line and only lost one feather.

THAT WAS A CLOSE CALL......We quickly cut the line.

The rest of the morning went like that. I could just see George and God in Heaven looking down on us and cracking up laughing.

It was finally time to go home. We packed up our gear and left.

Later that day, Corey came over with Johnny. He had a great day with his sailing lessons. Next year, he would be finished with lessons and told me that he could take me sailing.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE WITH SAILING if this happens.

Men my own age have stopped asking me to be their sailing partner. If I ever finish, "A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY THROUGH LIFE," you will understand why.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

THE BLINKING LIGHT

Today is my birthday. August 7. I was going to write about how the number 7 has played a part in my life. It is a lucky number for me in many ways. I have decided to write about that on another day since there are many twists and turns to that story starting at birth.

My mind is pre-occupied with many things at this time since George died on August 11, 2006. For those of you who read the story of Revelation, you know just how close he and I were. He was the nicest person that I had ever met. Many people share that sentiment with me.

He gave of himself and never asked for anything in return. We felt blessed for finding one another and our connection was instant and also a grace moment.

I was thinking of George and how I have felt that both he and God have been instrumental in so much of what I have been doing especially since the end of September, 2007.

I had promised him that I would do different things in my life. He had asked me to do at least one new thing a week in the journey of life without him. I honor his memory by doing that, starting with my three month journey beginning last November.

He was such a wise man both at home and in business. He left a great legacy.

My life is very full. There is meaning to it. AND I AM DOING THINGS THAT I NEVER DID BEFORE. I am growing in so many ways. I am an accomplished woman who thought that I did a lot in life. Thanks to the wisdom of George, I realize that there is so much more to do. He is guiding my path.

My work on this earth is not finished and I tend to get involved with things that are beneficial to those around me. When I want to throw in the towel and just play in retirement, something happens that propels me into another worthwhile project.

So I work hard and I play hard. That is something that George and I did together and we had a successful marriage.

BALANCE was important to both of us.

I was thinking about him and missed hearing his voice. I also was in serious thought about a presentation that I will be making in a few days. I was really over-thinking the issue and was pondering just how he would handle this important meeting. He would give it a KISS. Keep it Simple Stupid!!!!!!

I was working at my word processor and was distracted by the blinking red light on my phone. This blinking light was becoming more and more distracting. I had been ignoring phone calls so that I could work without interruption.

This blinking light is beginning to annoy me.

I picked the phone up to listen to my messages only to find that there were no current messages.

I pushed the button to erase whatever was causing the light to continue to blink and pushed the wrong button.

GUESS WHAT I HEARD...........

It was an old message from George!!!!!!! He was laughing and wanted to share something with me. He was at our home in Cape Cod. I was to meet him there in a few days. He told me about the days events and some funny things that had happened.

He ended the message with the words that I had heard every day of our time together on this earth.....I LOVE YOU......

After George died, we left some of his messages on our voice mail. Eventually these messages were recorded for our children and grandchildren to listen to.

The little ones and future generations could associate a voice with the pictures of George. Deb recorded these messages quite a while ago. I thought that she had erased all of the messages once she recorded them. She thought that she had as well. Apparently one was left on our voice mail.

WHAT A GREAT BIRTHDAY PRESENT........