RIP Conrado Javier

 

At this time of year when we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of our savior, the birth of the man who died on the cross for our sins, is actually when we tend to forget him the most. We forget to thank him every day for what he did for us. And that made me think that we forget to say something so simple like 'thank you' for something so extraordinary! But we remember everything on our Christmas lists?! And then I thought of other things we forget to say thank you for things that we don't even realize, things like another young man's sacrifice that maybe you don't know about, and I know he didn't get the thank you's he deserved but I'm hoping this year his family will not only get those them but also the prayers for strength and peace that I'm sure they need. Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of PFC Conrado Javier

 

 

Javi was killed by an IED near Kandahar Afghanistan last year while serving in operation enduring freedom on this day December 19th. I'm hoping that maybe this year while you're preparing food and gifts, worrying about family celebrations and those last minute details you could take the time to not only thank the Lord for the sacrifice that he made for us but also for the sacrifice that Javier and thousands of other young men like him have made for you and your family, so you can enjoy the things you are now and even so you can experience the holiday stresses you are now. Maybe you could take the time to say a quick prayer for his family, who lost their son, and brother, to all the men like my husband who lost a friend. And for the girl he was going to marry as soon as deployment was over. I cannot imagine what they're going through this year. And I hope you'll join me in praying for them, praying that they are able to remember the good times with Javi and reflect on what an amazing person he was, what a good soldier he was, and I hope someday they are able to understand all the lives he touched in his short 19 years. So just remember all the men and women still serving, and the ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and all the families that are touched by their work and their absence. Remember all the people who aren't able to be with their loved ones this year and the ones that unfortunately will never be able to spend it with them ever again. And most importantly remember to say a praise of thanks to God for giving the world his only son. Just remember to say 'Thank you' two very small and simple that are so easy to say and can mean so much.

This started out as a way for me to get a prayer chain going for Javi's family but now I'm hoping you'll read this and maybe you'll remember to thank the Lord for his sacrifice, he died so you could be free from sin.

And No other gift could ever compare to that

"For God So Loved The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son and Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have ever lasting life"

- John 3:16

God Bless you and Merry Christmas!

Please ignor the total gangster-ness of the below video...the message really got to me on the day we found out about Javi and it's been a favorite ever since.

...and to end it on a happy note below is a picture of my husband and Javi before deployment...

please keep in mind my husband doesn't usually look quite that creepy...he was super duper drunk (which is why he's wearing the hot wheels shirt I got him hahah!)