Oh No! It Happened Again!

              A high-pitched incessant meowing punctuated the early morning air. The two other kittens wormed their way into the food, carnivorously devouring it, totally oblivious to the cats three times as big as them.
               As soon as I was assured each feline, no matter the size, was nourishing their furry little selves, the investigation began. I walked slowly and cautiously, stopping to listen every couple of minutes. My ears seemed to be leading me outside the west gate.
               Each little meow beckoned me to the old chicken house-turned-shelter for Dad’s old pickup. Walking slowly by the passenger side of the pickup, I heard an increase in the intensity of the meowing. I peeked through the chicken wire into an old room with chicken nests still hanging on the north wall. There was the missing kitten pacing back and forth cautiously on the perch positioned in front of the line of nests. I began talking to her, asking her what she was doing up there. She responded by increasing the decibels in her meows. I walked over to her and cupped her in my hands after rescuing her from her “highwire” captivity.
             I returned her to her other two litter mates. Soon she was gobbling down the food she craved. She was safe, near her attentive mother cat.
            I could hardly believe it, about five days later, the above scenario repeated itself. The same kitten found herself in exactly the same precarious place with apparently no means to get herself down again.
            Carrying the cuddly fur ball back inside the fence to the “groceries” she loved, I reflected how much I am like the little cutie. How often do I say, "Oh no! It happened again!" Over and over, I find myself saying a derogatory or critical statement. I frequently worry before trusting, even though I know worry is sin. “Frittering” or squandering precious time seems much easier to do than to utilize time wisely in the 21st century, but Paul told us to “redeem the time.” In no way have I mentioned all “besetting” sins that can derail us. Every reader probably had several sins come to mind that trip up themselves and other people.
            Psalm 107 has 43 verses. Ironically, the exact same verse occurs 4 times. It first appears in verse 6. Then the exact wording is repeated in verses 13, 19, and 28. Here is the recurrent verse from Psalm 107: Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.
            Interestingly, verses 6 and 28 indicate the subjects in the psalm found themselves in difficulty because of circumstances, not sin. Verses 13 and 19 are each preceded by verses that mention rebellion (verse 11) and transgression and iniquities (verse 17). The people mentioned in these verses 11 and 17 are crying out to God from their sinful state.
            The little kitten serves as a tangible example of how we come to God. We immediately call out to Him, just as she meowed incessantly for me or anyone to rescue her. The second time she found herself in a precarious place with no way to get down, she “called out” for help.                                                                                                                                     Keep calling out to God for help. He wants to help those in need so much more than I wanted to help the kitten. Never turn to any source other than Him. He will respond no matter how many times we call.

The World War II Veterans Monument in the Pixley Cemetery

            

           Mother’s photograph collection contained the above photo labeled “1951” on its back. The formal signing of the surrender in Japan on September 2, 1945, officially ended World War II. The residents of the Bend raised money to erect a marker honoring those who “gave the last full measure of devotion.”

            As I looked at the names on the plaque positioned on the face of the monument, I queried in my thoughts, “Why had the names of these young men been chosen for honor?” Having come to this cemetery my whole life, I knew most marked graves in the cemetery well enough to know only one soldier listed on the monument was buried in Pixley Cemetery.

            Lieutenant Bert Frame, whose name is listed fifth on the plaque, is buried close to both of our family sections of plots. His grave is on the same row as my Gates family members. My maternal grandmother’s family, the Rainey family, occupies part of the row just west of Bert Vern Frame’s grave.

            Mother indicated in my early days how her dear friend, Lora Jean Woods Hood, had dated this dashing young lieutenant who was killed in action in Calcutta, India. The 22-year-old pilot died on May 4, 1945, according to this Pixley entry at: Bert Vern Frame (1922-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

            Lieutenant Frame had another "Bend "connection. His aunt, his uncle, and two cousins along with a hired hand were some of the first burials at Pixley Cemetery following a tornado. Here is a link to their graves: Jack Keethler (unknown-1893) - Find A Grave Memorial. Upon visiting this site or the cemetery itself, one can see burial sites of Jenetta (Jeanette appears to be the spelling on the tombstone) Pixley Keethler and Burchie Pixley Frame, both daughters of Daniel Pixley. Pixley, the patriarch of the family, is also buried in Pixley Cemetery along with over a dozen others with Pixley family connections.

            George Samuel Woodward, the uncle of my cousins, Lynda Gates Zebelman, Phillip Gates, Brenda Gates, and Debbie Gates Marty, served in Company H in the 9^th Infantry in the European Theater. His parents, John and Lilly Woodward, and their family had moved to the Bend when he enlisted in December of 1942. Private First-Class Woodward died of wounds incurred during battle, according to the publication, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing. G.S., as his family affectionately called him, was 23 years old when he died on October 12, 1944. The headstone at his grave in Fairfax Cemetery indicates the battle was fought in Germany. One of his nieces mentioned he had hoped to marry when he returned. Looking at the grave of one killed in battle, like G.S., it becomes hard to imagine how many dreams and goals were never realized. His burial site and a military photograph of G. S. can be seen at this link: George Samuel Woodward (1921-1944) - Find A Grave Memorial

            The three remaining young men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom all lived in the Bend when the 1930 United States Census was taken. At the time of their deaths, their families had moved from the Bend.

Corporal Albert Crosley Foust, Jr., the son of Albert C. Foust, Sr. and Bertha Maude Drake Foust, was officially declared dead on February 26, 1946. Based in the Philippines, young Foust was assigned to the 5^th Bomb Group in the Pacific Theater. He served as a gunner on the B-24 Liberator. One researcher, Russ Pickett, stated his bomber crashed at sea on June 17, 1944. His name appears on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Here is a link to this Philippines cemetery: Corp Albert C “A.C.” Foust Jr. (1925-1946) - Find A Grave Memorial This 20-year-old hero was a nephew of Lawrence Foust, the maternal grandfather of Rick Rice. Another uncle, Harry Foust was the maternal great grandfather of Lisa White Crabtree, another present-day Bender. Corporal Foust was the great nephew of Rose Cheatham Cannon who was the grandmother of Donnis Cannon, another Bender. (Rose is also buried in Pixley Cemetery).

                When seeing the last name of Leva Bledsoe, I thought of the Bledsoe family members who have lived in the Bend all my life. After consulting Carol Bledsoe, she confirmed my research. I had found no connection between Leva’s father, Daniel, and Lee and Bill Bledsoe’s grandpa, Roy. Leva Bledsoe’s family had moved from the Bend before he began serving in the United States Army. Pfc. Leva Edward Bledsoe was killed in action at age 24, on October 4, 1944. He fought with the 80^th Infantry Division as they drove the German forces from the fortress city of Metz, France. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France where more of American World War II military dead are buried than any other site in Europe. Here is the link to a marker in the Cleveland, Oklahoma cemetery that honors this former Bender who fought for the freedom we enjoy today:  Leva Edward Bledsoe (1920-1944) - Find A Grave Memorial       

                As a kid, I recall Dad talking about the Bridges’ boys who attended Woodland School, the rural school in the “west” Bend, with Dad. In an old, time-tattered vintage scrap book of my maternal grandma, Gladys Rainey Smith, I found a folio for the memorial service of Pfc. Joseph C. Bridges. According to this folio, He was inducted into the service September 17, 1943. He was attached to the 51^st regiment, 4^th armored infantry of the 3^rd U.S. Army under General George Patton. Died in hospital at Luxemburg, Germany, of wounds received at Bitsburgh, Germany. This link will connect to Joseph Bridges’ gravesite: PFC Joseph C Bridges (1925-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

As I mused over these five young men, the reality of young Joe Bridges being only 19 years old recalled the recent memory of my former third graders who just weeks ago had turned their tassels so full of life and dreams. What a high price to pay for freedom to worship, free speech, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

                Less than 24 hours prior to His crucifixion, Jesus spoke these words at the last supper with His twelve disciples, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John, His beloved disciple, recorded these words of Jesus in John 15:13. This sacrificial type of loyalty to one’s fellow citizens and their beloved country motivated the soldiers who served in World War II.

            Another scripture verse magnifies the unfathomable love of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Just as we have such an overwhelming appreciation and gratitude to these young men who gave their lives for the country they loved, so may we respond wholeheartedly by receiving the gift of salvation Jesus purchased with His blood and offers freely to us.

The Battles of Piano Lessons, Practicing, and Life

                 Bernyce Smith Gates, my mother, felt an additional account should be told connected to my piano lessons with Mrs. Wedell. The focus of the biggest “set-to” between my mother and me was piano lessons and practicing. In the eighth grade, one late afternoon of piano practice found me asserting my independence. I let my mother know I did not want to take piano lessons anymore, so I did not need to practice those classical pieces assigned to me. She told me I was going to take piano lessons. Discussion over. Despite my convulsive crying and heaving, I hunched over the keys and played note perfect the pieces that afternoon. We never discussed my discontinuing piano lessons until many years later.

                In life, choosing the battles in which to engage loom large for parents. Mother allowed me to wear the stick-straight hair style of the early 1970s, even though it did not flatter my face. Many other choices that failed to align with her preferences were overlooked by her and Dad.

                One battle worth going head-to-head with me was over the music instruction. Mother understood the importance of piano lessons for me. She felt strongly about my musical potential being developed. She believed without formal instruction, I would only play what I wanted to play, instead of practicing skills needed for growth as a pianist. The discipline of instruction helped ensure this. Dad sometimes referred to aimlessness in kids as being a “play baby.” Thankfully, both parents insisted my sister, Angie, and I learn to work, finish tasks, and do them well. (Right now, due to rain, I am suppressing stress over an overgrown lawn by recalling Mother’s frequent quoting, “If there’s a way try and find it. If not, never mind it.).

                Three Woodland High School senior young men of our church came to mind as I thought about battles. They are Ethan Fesler, a former third grade student, Kenny Endl, a reading and spelling student of mine in third grade and a Sunday School student, and Ben Brock, whom I have known for most of his high school years, working in VBS and other church activities. I worshiped with all three young men on Sundays. Our pastor’s wife, Caryn Brock, asked their opinion of a good song for senior recognition Sunday last week. It seemed without much consideration, the song selected was the rallying call, Onward Christian Soldiers.

   

                Oh that we all could recognize as these young men do, we are continually in a battle of one kind or another! Yet, as believers in Jesus, often we fail to remember our opponent. The Apostle Paul unequivocally identified our enemy as the devil and his evil realm. He clarifies in Ephesians 6:12 – “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.”

                In an earlier letter written to the believers of Corinth, Paul pinpoints the initial and main battle. He instructs the struggling followers of Jesus to “Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Winning the battle of our thoughts is the first step to victory and success.

                Jesus clearly delineated Satan’s three purposes in John 10:10. The arch enemy of God comes “to steal, kill, and destroy.” Practical understanding of his rebellion’s far-reaching consequences involved the devil scheming to use my adolescent propensity to avoid practicing due to my lack of discipline. The result would steal God’s purpose for my musical inclination to honor Him. Our committed young men from our church are targets for having their reputations and goals destroyed by the wicked one by derailing God’s plan for them, but their awareness of his intent and techniques alerts them to prepare for his attacks.

May each of us, no matter our age, be vigilant because Satan is “prowling, seeking whom he may devour.” Our reliance on God’s Word will “bring every thought into captivity.” Since Jesus “loved us first and gave Himself for us,” how can we respond with anything other than a total commitment to Him? That strong relationship coupled with the words of God flowing through our minds provides courage to battle the true enemy. Addressing the real battles, keeps us from becoming sidetracked with distractions that rob us of accomplishing the designs of God for us, His much-loved children.