This article is written by a lady soldier who is stationed in  Iraq

She is a "local" and would like you to hear the heart of one serving our small town in America. These are the words she has freely shared. She sounds like she is definitely missing home.

You may write her at
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001596580985

Encouragement is always a gift.

God Bless You All, With Power

by Taylor Angel 

Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12:41am

I can not tell you how great it is to be from a great place like Columbus County. I grew up in Hallsboro and loved every minute of it. My grandfather, Ralph Leo Edwards, had served this county and was the best Magistrate of North Carolina. He really was a fair and noble man with a heart of gold and was wiser than anyone I have known. He was my hero and always will be. I love the hearts of the people. When I go and visit them I get all the welcoming in the world. The great home cooking from grandmas stove is so great that you can't just have one plate. You have got to have more and more.

The talks of how things are going, watching childhood videos, looking through picture albums, seeing missing people that have passed on, made me teary eyed, because the memories were so great. You wish you could hold on to it all, and never let it go. Oh! The best part is the fishing , and getting up real early, waking everyone up in the house saying, “Let’s Go, Let’s Go"!  It was a great hobby and a challenge to the one who could catch the most fish. Then, close to dark we would go and feed them food and look at the sun set and talk about anything and everything that would come to mind.

The next day, we would go into town. Everyone was so warm, friendly, and loving. Everyone knew everyone. Everyone would talk, and I mean talk. There would be people that I watched and listened to talk for hours at a time. It was so interesting to me, because the stories that were told were just so funny. They would always say, “Don’t ever do what I did, I learned my lesson" or " you can learn from him". It was great!

There were those special and dear state troopers, police officers, firemen, and EMT's always ready to help other people. There is nothing like you guys! I really commend you guys on your hard work, and love you guys deeply. Everyday they risk their lives for every single one of us. They show just how much they care about the people. I always wanted to see a day where the people would give back to them from the community, taking them food, or even doing a festival type thing, so, they could feel really appreciated for what they do. Hopefully, with this idea, maybe it can be done, but the town would have to bond together for it to happen. I know one way or  another, these people have touched you in some way, to steer you in the right direction and now, it is time to not only say thank you, but to designate a special day or memorial for them. I miss Columbus County. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!

God has un-silenced the guilt and has let the blind see. Everyday a miracle is being performed. Now, I don’t have to hide anymore. I can be heard. One can make a difference and have power, but with whom, and how that power is used shows the strength of the person. No one goes unnoticed or is over looked. We are one in His kingdom and one we shall stay. God makes us different and we are not to judge. We need to come together working with all of our strengths, leaning on Him, and each other in our weaknesses. We are the people, and our voices can be heard.

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