september 5, 2007 - though we are weak, He is strong...

top of the evening, friends...

first of all, mary and i would like to thank dianna white and don grimwood for the previous posting and for planning the october benefit breakfast and ride for us. we can only surmise the time and effort it took in planning such an event. we would also like to thank quaker steak & lube, as well as the blue and red knights motorcycle clubs for their assistance.

i have been a member of the blue knights for over a year now and although i've not had the opportunity to ride alot with them due to working on my master's degree, they have been great! the blue knights was one of the first to send prayers, cards, flowers, and even a visit by our chapter president, jim rose.

while most people know that mary is a lieutenant and post commander at the marietta post, few know that over the last few years, she has worked diligently to first earn her EMT certification, then her FIREFIGHTER'S title. also, while mary is not currently a member of either organization, she often rides with others who are, and greatly supports their initiatives. mary and i have been friends for about 20 years now and both share a passion for motorcycles and for riding.

throughout this terrible ordeal, mary and i have learned many things. we have learned that:

• even though we don't always understand why, things often happen outside our control
• things happen in His time - not ours
• again, even though we don't always understand why, things happen for a reason
• patience is sometimes a hard pill to swallow
• sometimes our goals must take a backseat to His
• the only 2 things we really control are our attitude and effort
• faith will sustain us

but we believe the most important thing we've learned is how many wonderful friends we have and how humbling that can be. we cannot place a value on the calls, visits, cards, prayers, etc... that we've received. we've received numerous gifts of food and service from friends who just wanted to make sure we've been OK. that, friends, is why we've not only survived, but thrived in such terrible circumstances.

it is often said that law enforcement and firefighting is a "calling," - and i believe it is true. these types of careers are as much a calling as the ministry. most of us do what we do in order to help others - it's that fundamental. so, i guess, it shouldn't be a surprise that when one of our own goes down - the calvary comes to the rescue. we do this daily for everyone else, then we do it for own.

i guess my point to all of this is to thank everyone (family, friends, co-workers, etc...) who has been helping us in any way. we are thankful, grateful, and humbled by all of your support.

sue rance-locke - thursday / noon is fine!

may God bless you and yours,

Lisa - 1095 / mary - 709