Mambo Samantha Corfield

Oslo, Norway

Hello everyone,

It has taken me a few days to be able to speak clearly about the tragedy in Oslo, Norway.  My first order of business was to try to check up on our friends and clients that live there.  Thankfully, I believe that we have been able to determine that everyone we know there is fine.  Sadly, of course, not everyone is so lucky to have been personally untouched.

These kinds of events not only leave us sad, angry, and frustrated, but often wondering how one person, looking so normal, can do something so heinous.  It is always a mystery to me when I look into the pictures of these people; why, what, how did you get to be that person?  Of course, there is no easy answer.  Maybe there is no answer, easy or otherwise.

I will not relate the details of his crimes here, but they are chilling right down to the bone.  The crimes involve things that nearly none of us could even stand to see in a fictional setting let alone know that somewhere in the world these acts happened to innocent people.  The feeling is of incredible sadness and yet still laced with wondering how this kind of person gets shaped in life.

When we are faced with the tragedies of natural disasters, we are horrified that nature can be such an awesome force to take anyone and anything down. I have heard reporters say that we are sometimes at war with nature and nature will eventually win.  But when it comes down to one human being causing such death and destruction, where do we look?   Upon whom do we lay blame? Surely we cannot blame Mother Nature here.

There are no easy answers to any of this.  Most of the time we end up just feeling helpless and frustrated, not knowing how to direct our energies to most help.  One way to help is to join with us here at Spellmaker in praying for whatever peace and help can be given to those affected by this tragedy in Norway.  The Spellmaker Prayer Group will be devoting a portion of the prayer meeting on Thursday, July 28 to praying for those victims and families in Norway.  Please join them if you can - even if you cannot join in on the meeting, praying at the same time they meeting is going on will combine our collective energies. 

Also, remember, the prayer group takes requests for your prayer needs, too!  Our prayer group offers prayers for all that we know about, it is very easy for you to be included.   Just follow the link above for instructions.

Take care of yourselves and each other!  Have a safe, blessed, and peaceful week.

Love, Mambo Sam, www.spellmaker.com

 

Moment of Remembrance

Hello dear readers,

In 1996, a humanitarian organization based in Washington, D.C., known as 'No Greater Love' conducted a survey on children and asked them why do they think there is a holiday on Memorial Day....what did they think it was all about?

Mostly their answers revolved around barbecues and extended weekend parties and celebration.  They hadn't the vaguest idea about the sacrifices of the military personnel in whose honor it is celebrated. One of the children was even quoted as saying that this was the day when swimming pools open!

Thus, the organization came up with the idea of 'National Moment of Remembrance' to remind and especially, let the future generations know about the real meaning of the holiday. The idea clicked with the President and Congress and since 1997, it became a standard American tradition. National Moment of Remembrance requires everybody to keep silent for a minute, exactly at 3.00 pm (local time) when 'Taps' is played and reflect on the glory of those who have shed blood for us.

If you can, please join in at 3:00 p.m. for a moment of silence, prayer, or blessing for those sacrificed in the name of our Freedoms.

Love to all and thanks to all those who serve,
Mambo Samantha Corfield
www.spellmaker.com