The month of May hosts two very important ‘events’.
National Poppy Month: At the end of WWI, the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of freedom and the blood sacrifice made by troops in wartime. The symbol comes from the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ by Lt. Col. John McCrae, which movingly begins, ‘In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row’. This refers to the poppies that sprang up in the churned earth of soldiers’ graves over parts of Belgium and France.
Mother’s Day: Moms are very special people … the ones we always run to when we fall and hurt ourselves, when relationships go bad, when we lose our job or have to move. They are also the first person we want to share good news with … new members coming into the family, a new job or house, or just sharing some special laughs and gossip over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Your mother is always with you….she’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well. Your mother lives inside your laughter and she’s crystallized in every tear drop. She’s the place you came from, your first home; and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space … not even death!
Please pray for all mothers and veterans, thank them and honor them for their involvement in our lives; each, in their own journey through life, have kept us safe and free while showing their love for us.
A baby asked God, “They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?” God said, “Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”
The child further inquired, “But tell me, here in heaven I don’t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.” God said, “Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel’s love and be very happy.”
Again the small child asked, “And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don’t know the language?” God said, “Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.”
“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?” God said, “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”
“Who will protect me?” God said, “Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.”
“But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.” God said, “Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.”
At that moment, there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, “God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.” God said, “You will simply call her, ‘Mom’.”
Last month, Cross The World attended the Living Local Expo in Crosby, MN and we are thrilled to tell you that we handed out over 550 crosses to the attendees! Here’s a photo of our booth. Standing beside Ernie is Pastor Stanley Mikles of Narrows Community Church in Outing, MN. He stopped by to help out on Saturday and, like us, was overjoyed by the many smiles those little crosses created. Thank you, Pastor Stanley for sharing the day with all of us!!
Be sure to visit our Testimonials page to see what others are saying
about how our crosses have touched lives!
The following Friends in Christ shared crosses with others during the month of April. We thank you for your support!
Tom – MN
Deerwood Lakes Lions – Deerwood, MN for their Mother/Daughter Tea
Stephanie – MN
St. Bridget Catholic Church – River Falls, WI
Christian House Baptist Church – Aliquippa, PA
Tammy – PA
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church – Tucson, AZ
Judy – IL
Faith Lutheran Church – Monticello, MN
For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
— Nelson Mandela
CROSS THE WORLD 