Dear friends, several people have made inquiry about my sporadic posting in the past week+ and asking if everything is okay.  While I generally do not discuss facets of challenges that are of a more personal level, here’s the essence.

The post hurricane recovery process is exceptionally challenging and difficult.  There’s so much to rebuilding an entire community, economy and social system in the aftermath of such damage; it’s almost too encompassing to explain.

Previously, as I worked in the aftermath of disaster, I always enjoyed the benefit of leaving after the first several phases of recovery were addressed.

This is not that.

Even the smallest life detail can be difficult when everything is in turmoil.  My roof was structurally repaired by professionals about two weeks ago; I no longer have a tarp.  However, now the work inside begins against the backdrop of shortages of materials and workers.  If you don’t have buckets of cash to burn to go live somewhere else while you hire a contractor to do the work, essentially you end up in the role of a contractor yourself.

Living while this is happening is a series of complex challenges, I’ll explain.

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Early in the morning of September 23, 2022, pro-life activist Mark Houck was awakened by the nightmare of 25 armed FBI agents banging on his door.  They gained entry, held his family at gunpoint and took him into federal custody on charges he violated the “Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The issue stemmed from an incident in October of the prior year (2021) when an abortion activist confronted Mr. Houck and his son while peacefully protesting.

Bruce Love, a 72-year-old volunteer at a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood began shouting at Houck and his son, aggressively in his face.

Mr. Houck shoved Mr. Love out of the way, and the abortion industry used the shove to claim Houck committed violence and federal law enforcement got involved.

Today, Mark Houck was found not guilty of the federal charges, by a jury in Pennsylvania.

(Fox News) – […] Houck was arrested in his home by multiple FBI agents in September 2022.  U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, celebrated the news of Houck’s acquittal with a tweet. “Good. Begs question of the $48 billion we give to DOJ…,” he wrote. 

Shortly after Houck’s arrest last fall, his attorney Peter Breen told Fox News Digital that his client’s arrest was an “outrageous abuse of power” from the Department of Justice that was intended to intimidate pro-life Americans.

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President Donald J Trump delivered remarks yesterday during the celebration of life for Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway {Direct Rumble Link}.

Delivering remarks in his authentic style, President Trump delivered a mostly ad lib speech to celebrate the life of Diamond and the joy she delivered to all around her.  While interplaying personal anecdotes about the time they spent together, President Trump overlays the positive impact of both Diamond and Silk amid the cultural and political dynamics of the day.  WATCH:

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President Donald J Trump headed a beautiful celebration of the life lived by Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway on Saturday. {Direct Rumble Link}

During an event at Crown Theatre in Fayetteville, NC, President Trump, Silk, the family and friends of Lynette Hardaway joined in celebration. RSBN was present to broadcast and record the entire event. WATCH:

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President Trump announced via Truth Social that he will be participating in a memorial event to celebrate the life of Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway, this Saturday January 21, at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Lynette Hardaway, aka “Diamond”, left, and Rochelle Richardson, aka “Silk”, right

Posting a brief video on his account President Trump recognized the life of Diamond, saying “she lived it in a credible way, and we’re going to have a wonderful celebration and ceremony. All of Diamond’s family and Silk, we love Silk, her sister. She loved her sister so much, and they loved each other. And they really loved the world.”  President Trump added, “they were with me from the beginning, and they never wavered. So, we’re gonna celebrate. Silk will be there, but I’ll be there, and we’re going to celebrate the life of Diamond.”

They both brought an incredible amount of joy with them wherever they were.  It must be a very difficult time for Silk. There are a limited number of seats available at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  A registration site for tickets is AVAILABLE HERE.   The event is 4:00pm ET, Saturday January 21st.

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According to a Facebook announcement by her mother earlier today, Lisa Marie Presley (54), the only child of Elvis Presley, suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital.  It is now being confirmed that she died.

[Hollywood] – Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, has died. She was 54.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” her mother Priscilla Presley confirmed.

“She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known,” she said in a statement to TMZ. “We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.” (more)

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Treehouse friends, it was announced yesterday that Lynette Hardaway, the dynamic “Diamond” from the duo Diamond and Silk, has passed away.  She was a beloved and friendly voice amid the community of ordinary patriots who support President Trump.

CTH first put Diamond and Silk on blast back in July of 2015, yet it seems like only yesterday.  Their contagious and hilarious takes on the comings and goings in the world of politics gained increased attention and many smiles followed.

[Lynette Hardaway, aka “Diamond”, left, and Rochelle Richardson, aka “Silk”, right]

A memorial fund has been established for Ms. Lynette Hardaway {HERE} with the notation: “The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity! Diamond blazed a trail, founded on her passion and love for the entire race of humanity. The memory of her passing should forever remain in our hearts. In this time of grief, please respect the privacy of Diamond’s family but remember and celebrate the gift that she gave us all!”

Shine on, you crazy Diamond. Shine on!

A blast from the past, below:

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… “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

~ Robert Frost

2022 has been another tumultuous year for most of us.  I will have other thoughts on the year upon reflection. However, as the eve winds down, and as we are given to considering everything that has taken place, a revisit to the spiritual core of our association is appropriate.

For me, this year provided many memorable gifts; almost all driven by a purposeful God reminding me of my selfish insignificance.  This year I watched the physical landscape where my youth unfolded, forever changed; much of it erased completely.

The trees which once held the swings and forts for youthful triumphs, felled by nature’s fury and soon thereafter turned to mulch.  Their trunks and branches likely to landscape a coming McMansion for a person with no similar attachment.  And so it goes…. And so, it goes.  An apropos metaphor for life, and a not subtle reminder that we are temporarily living it.

If my younger self had known a clock was counting down, perhaps the kid would have paused under the shade of the old banyans and thanked them. Then again, it really wouldn’t be childhood if we carried such weighty concerns.  I am forever thankful I never carried that weight, and simultaneously today I cherish each breeze with a newfound appreciation for what I did not know.

Perhaps we have new challenges, perhaps our center is askew, perhaps our faith holds a new perspective, or perhaps our exhaustion weighs heavy as we rush turning to the next chapter…. hoping, praying for a better tomorrow.

It is easy to lose our sense of optimism.  Retaining a joyful perspective while everything around us seems mad isn’t easy.  However, if you accept that you can create something just a little bit better by making a choice, then you have accomplished a great deal.

Regardless of what tomorrow brings, we always have choices.  A new year’s perspective:

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Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was named the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on April 19, 2005, at the age of 78. He was the first German pope in several centuries and chose the name Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict resigned in February 2013 at the age of 85 and the Vatican announced earlier today he died, age 95.

ABC News reports: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible,” said the Director of the Holy See press office Matteo Bruni’s statement.

The Vatican press office has said that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for the faithful to pay their respects. No further details have been announced. (more)

It’s very unusual for a pope to die while another is in office.

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Neil Oliver’s Christmas message is timely and brilliant.  Using the heroic story of incredible selflessness exhibited within the historic Penlee lifeboat rescue effort, Oliver reminds the audience the true heroes in life are the people around you right now.

As we gather to celebrate the birth Christ, the greatest gift ever provided by a loving God, we reflect on what it means to give.  We are surrounded by valiant givers; they are just not in the spotlights created by lesser men – but they are present in our family, in our lives and in our communities.   WATCH:

[Transcript] – Last week saw the anniversary of the loss of the Penlee lifeboat, with all hands. She was the Solomon Browne, a 47-foot Watson class vessel paid for, like all RNLI lifeboats, by donations from the public.

On the evening of the 19th of December 1981, The Union Star, a brand new 1,400-ton coaster on her maiden voyage and making for Arklow, in Ireland, was in trouble around 8 miles off the Wolf’s Rock lighthouse, in SW Cornwall. Her engine had failed and could not be restarted. Aboard were her skipper Henry Morton, his wife, two teenage daughters and a crew of four – eight people in all.

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