A NEW SEASON

Written for the November 2015 issue of the Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club newsletter

A NEW SEASON by Susan Warren, Chaplain

Glorious are the changes of the seasons, especially autumn. The green of summer transforms into shades of yellow, orange and red, welcoming the coming fall. The foliage becomes a flaming display of God's handiwork, breathtaking in it's brilliance. We let go of the leisurely days of summer and replace them with the stress that accompanies the coming holiday season
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We don't have to let that happen! There is peace in nature and it's everywhere, just look out the window. There is serenity in our surroundings, we just have to take the time to be aware. We can focus on these gifts our Lord has given us because otherwise it is easy to become overwhelmed with the demands of the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas should be filled with joy, but so often we don't allow ourselves to experience that joy.

Fall is family time, filled with football and shopping. Thanksgiving brings families together to celebrate a bountiful meal and catch up on busy lives. Generations are seated around the table with the opportunity to give thanks for all that God has bestowed on us. We must not forgot to praise those who spent countless hours, even days, preparing our sumptuous meals, and not take them for granted. Hard work, pride and love go into creating such a feast because the preparer knows the delight it brings to everyone. This is one special meal that builds memories that will be cherished forever.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect on how God has been working in our lives and to thank Him for all He has provided each and every day throughout the year. He has walked alongside us through our peaks and valleys and He will always be there for us. All He desires is that we acknowledge His presence
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As our club chaplain, I pray that each of you will be filled with His love throughout the holiday season, and surrounded by the love and friendship of friends and family. May you enjoy a safe and blessed holiday.

WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN  CLUB HONORS OUR MILITARY CAREGIVERS by Susan Warren

This was our fifth year hosting such a meaningful spring luncheon, with Carol Bowis, Caring for America, in the lead.  As the liaison for our club and the caregivers, it has been my honor to coordinate the invitations to our treasured guests.

Our annual club luncheon to honor the caregivers from Walter Reed and Ft. Belvoir was a grand success.   Despite a cold rainy misty day nothing could dampen anyone's spirits.   Even our bagpiper Dan Friz willingly stood in the front yard to play for our guests as they disembarked a bus provided by the Yellow Ribbon Fund.   All of our members were cheering and welcoming the ladies as they entered the house.

Planned as a garden party at the home of Jayne Plank, we were forced indoors, but soon realized this was an unexpected blessing.   Rather than have 14 caregivers and 30 club members scattered around the garden everyone was comfortably seated in one of three spacious rooms, making the entire luncheon far more intimate.    As always, we opened in prayer, and then enjoyed a marvelous pot luck lunch. During this time the ladies were able to enjoy personal conversations, getting to know each other.

We were honored to have as our guest speaker Dava Guerin, coauthor of "Unbreakable Bonds...the Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed."  In her book, she highlighted the stories of ten women, one of whom was our guest.   Many of them have attended our luncheons in previous years.   She has developed a keen understanding of the challenges these woman face daily and they appreciated having her with us to bridge the gap between civilians and the hospital life of the wounded and ill family members.

After her short message, we opened up the floor for our guests to introduce themselves, offering their names, where they hail from, and a short history of their loved one's injuries, their triumphs and tragedies here at the hospital.   It was clear that for these caregivers to be together was an extraordinary time for them as well as for us.   They rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to share their lives in an intimate setting such as this.    There were tears and laughter, but they rely heavily on their sense of humor to see them through the daily regime of doctor appointments, meetings, and physical care for their loved ones.

Before our guests departed, we had some special gifts for them.  The generosity of our club members and non-club members raised enough in donations so that each lady attending was given a $75 Target (their store of choice) gift card and $45 cash.   Additionally, Jayne Plank gave each lady a $100 gift card to Under Armor.

The next day I received some loving 'thank you' messages from some of our guests and here are just a couple of them:  From Jacqueline: "I know you all worked really hard to make everything come together.  I was so thankful to you for allowing Patricia and I to come to the luncheon.  It was a beautiful day for us despite the yucky weather.  I loved talking to the sweet ladies from your group.  They were so fun and encouraging.  We had a rough month so this was just the uplifting I needed!"  From Claudia: "Thank you for your hospitality, everything was wonderful, the food was delicious and the company was the best!"

As Carol Bowis quoted, "Freedom isn't free...we have these brave caregivers, and their soldiers they care for, to thank for their sacrifice.  It was our privilege to thank them in person."   There were many club members who worked very diligently and to them we give thanks.