J.R. Martinez Inspires Military Friends

Top photo: Pictured, left to right: Mattie Reynolds, Courtney Kramer, J.R. Martinez and Katie Reynolds.

Second photo: Pictured, left to right: Katie Reynolds, Courtney Kramer and Mattie Reynolds.
Photos by Phyllis Wheeler

 Shirley Endres and Phyllis Wheeler. Photo by Phyllis Wheeler

Not only did I get to hear Army Hero and Dancing with the Stars Champion J.R. Martinez' amazing story today but I got to meet him in person! Thanks to J.R. Martinez I not only have some inspiring words to remember and a wonderful experience to treasure but I made three new friends and strengthened an existing friendship. What a fantastic day filled with blessings!

It was wonderful to meet Katie, Courtney and Mattie, three fun young ladies who kindly shared some great blogging tips. It was also great spending time with my friend Shirley who was kind enough to drive us both today.

If you're interested in learning more about J.R.'s talk you can check out this article on my local news/community events blog. If you'd like me to type up the notes I took of his story (in addition to what is in the aforementioned article) please email me or comment below and I'll be glad to do that for you.

Two Are Better Than One

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 (NLT)


Today as I was slowly driving down a narrow residential street I saw two happy little girls running around in circles with expressions of sheer joy on their faces. It warmed my heart. 


Suddenly they ran right into one another with quite a bit of force and both started to fall down. One of the little girls apparently cared more about her friend than herself and somehow managed to keep herself upright just long enough to reach out and keep her friend from falling. As her friend straightened up she pulled her helper up. Neither one ended up hitting the ground. These 3-4 year old children demonstrated a great Biblical principle from Ecclesiastes.


Two really are better than one! Who can you be a friend to today? Have you ever had a friend save you from harm? I'd love to hear about it! You can comment below or email me at lovejoypeas@gmail.com.


PS: I was tempted to stop and take a photo of these precious inspirational children for this blog post but I doubt many parents take too kindly to strangers asking for photos of their little ones so you get this photo of two lion siblings I look recently at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. They were grooming one another (definitely a friendly gesture).