Thunderbirds Demo at Air Force Academy Graduation May 2007

Part of the graduation ceremonies at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs was a demonstration at the end by the Thunderbird Delta Formation. This is a team of amazing pilots who go around the country showing what AF pilots are capable of through performing complicated and death-defying (at least it looks that way to me!) acts with their jets and the others in the group.

The demonstration came after the cadets had received their diplomas. For approximately 20 minutes the 6 demonstration pilots, each in their own aircraft, performed curls, drops, and other maneuvers that made me glad I was not their mother! They would fly straight at each other and then veer off at the last minute. Wow! If you can ever see a demonstration by the AF Thunderbirds, do it! It’s fabulous and will make you very proud of our young people who are willing to undergo the training to do this special skill that translates over into war maneuvers.

I had the privilege of meeting the executive officer of the Thunderbirds in the Denver airport. Capt. Amy Glisson looks far too small and feminine to be in charge of this unit. But she does it and does it well. She was patient as we took this shot and very humble as people complimented her on her job.

Thanks to all of the Thunderbird pilots who staged this performance for the families and friends at the 2007 US Air Force Academy graduation. It was something we’ll never forget!

There are photos of the Thunderbirds at http://www.nellis.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=1568.

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“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”- Colossians 2:9-10

Dreaming makes life exciting and challenging

Here’s a pic of our family at our son’s Graduation Ball at the US Air Force Academy in May.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”- Ephesians 3:20-21

This verse from the Bible sums up how my husband and I feel about our kids and their lives. First, they are so much more as young people than we could ever imagine. Sure, we’ve had times when we’ve yelled at them for something they’ve done we didn’t agree with and sometimes they yelled back (rarely).

But we have never hit them or made fun of them or called them names or demeaned them in any way. We have always tried to tell them they can do anything they want to do. Sometimes it’s hard as humans to get around restrictions, either physical (money obligations) or mental (I can’t be a writer! No one in my family has ever written anything!).

But we’ve learned the hard way that you have to believe in yourself before you can convince anyone else of your goals. If you want to be a pilot, go for it. Study hard, work hard, and then put a plan in place to get there.

If you want to be a teacher, get good grades and get your resume out there. Volunteer for local events and network.

If you want to major in international business, be prepared to meet all kinds of people and spend a semester or two overseas.

We also emphasized putting God first in every plan. It will all happen in His timing.

Dreaming makes life exciting and challenging. What is your dream in life?