Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day to my American readers. :) May we all remember in the middle of the celebrations with family and friends the true meaning of the holiday: honoring those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.

Yesterday at church, we had our traditional Memorial Day service, honoring the soldiers who lost their lives, and also paying tribute to the veterans in our church.

We had some excellent special music, too. I had the privilege of being a part of the special ensemble. We sang three songs, including a challenging a cappella version of "The Star Spangled Banner." There were also songs performed by a quartet and one performed by a young man in our church who sang an incredible arrangement of each of the military songs with prerecorded versions of himself singing the other parts.

I am so thankful for those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for my freedoms. I am thankful for a father, an uncle, and a grandfather who fought for our country. And I am thankful for a Savior who paid an even greater price for my spiritual freedom.

The song lyrics I thought I'd leave you with today are from one of the quartet numbers. It's called: "Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones." According to my research, the lyrics were written by Orrin Hatch, and the music was written by Lowell Alexander and Phil Naish.

Blades of grass and pure white stones
Shelter those who've come and gone.
Just below the emerald sod
Are those who've reached the arms of God.

Buried here with dignity,
Endless rows for all to see.
Freedom's seeds in sorrow sown,
'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

Blades of grass and pure white stones
Cover those who've left their homes,
To rest in fields here side by side,
Lest we forget their sacrifice.

Buried here with dignity,
Endless rows for all to see.
Freedom's seeds in sorrow sown,
'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

Just below the emerald sod 
Are those who've reached the arms of God.

Buried here with dignity 
Endless rows for all to see.
Freedom's seeds in sorrow sown,
'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

May we never forget.