As three of my friends and I took about 10-15 minutes to pray for the people who are/were affected by the wars and fighting for our freedoms. Our Canadian friend on the race with us said each year on November 11th her and her family take a moment of silence at 11:11 A.M. to pray for and recognize the sacrifice given for our freedoms (Canada calls it Remembrance Day). We prayed to thank God for their sacrifice. 

It is very weird the holidays you don't think about as much while halfway around the world, and I am thankful for Joanne bringing it up to us. It made me think about what they and their families give up. One thing I thought was these people who give their lives are examples for us Christians. Like they realized what the cost could be (their life) and they went to fight the fight anyways. Like they are being Christ-like whether they know it or not. Jesus didn't lose His Life. He gave His Life. He gave It up on purpose. These men and women don't lose their lives, they give it up. They say, "We may not make it through, and we are okay with that." Like they put everything on the line to keep us safe and free. It is a beautiful thing that people are willing to sacrifice everything for the country they love. Like they give their lives for people they will never know. 

So, this is for all of the Veterans. The spouses of Veterans. The kids of the Veterans. I thank you not only for your service. Not only for your life. But for your courage. For your willingness to fight. For the example you set. For fighting until the end. I thank your family for allowing you to fight a fight that didn't have to be yours. I thank your family for the strength they have to keep going. I thank you for the example you set for me, and for generations to come. I thank you for showing us that some things are worth giving our lives up for. Thank you for being like Jesus and dying for the people you love to be free.