Thursday, December 25, 2014

LORD We Need YOU....

Father, as you know, there were four homicides in our Nation's Capitol last night.  We need you, Lord Jesus!

I believe in your promises and I trust in your second coming!  Those who know you await your arrival.

Until then, Father your healing and comfort is desperately needed for the family and friends who suffered this great loss.  In your son's name, I pray. Amen.


A New Heaven and a New Earth

"…And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."…

Revelation 21:3-5

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Keep Up The Faith & Fight!

We received the below letter from a Christian mom who appreciates our Law Enforcement efforts.

Our Assistant Chief, Diane Groomes shared it with us via group e-mail:

I just love it!

Dear Diane,

With all the hate speech aimed at our law enforcement lately, I want to reach out to as many departments as possible with words of thanks and encouragement. I am a Christian, single mother of three and all I want to say is, please, don't give up on us all. I am with you, not against you and so is God. All the disrespect for authority is just the ugly fruit of a culture growing in un-godliness. I am so grateful for the police. I know most of you are doing what you do because you have a heart of justice. I imagine it is such a difficult job dealing with the rebellious people of society. Day in and day out feeling hated by them. Walking a difficult line. I just want to encourage you with this letter and show my appreciation for all you do and go through. I respect our police, fire department and military for all they do. I thank you, thank you, thank you for putting your life and sanity on the line for my sake daily. I pray that our heavenly Father brings you peace and rest in this turbulent world. May He strengthen you and give you perseverance to do all He has called you to do. May His blessings of protection and wisdom come upon you all the days of your life. With all sincerity, Kristi Smith-Willis




A Classic Photo

I saw this yesterday while at the Police Academy.  They have the coolest collection of photos on the walls there.  So much history in this picture.  The ability for blacks and whites to work and walk alongside one another was not permitted at the conception of the Metropolitan Police Department.  This picture says a lot!  I love it!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Awesome Feeling

to be known for more than just a "cop!"

These were gifts from Assistant Chief Diane Groomes.  So very special of her to think of me in that way.  So grateful.  A memory buried deep in my heart!


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Full Armor


Lord, I cannot do it without you!



Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Sergeant's can dream too...

Less than a year to go and I'm so excited to see what's next...



Happy 24 Years....

And the journey continues...




Random Pics

A day in the life...


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

What's Happening Now?

printer printing
pounding on the keyboard
papers shuffling
footsteps
talking
door slams
police radio
thoughts rambling
calculator
traffic
laughter
disgruntle coworker
e-mail notification
cell phone chimes
keys jingling
chewing
breathing
living
grateful

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Leaving Work Yesterday....

Yes, one day all the "crime and stuff" will come to an end and those who #believe will be with Him.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Sunset At The First District

October 5, 2014

Seasons Of Life

Many of my coworkers have retired and many are in the process of retiring. Lord willing, I will be joining them very soon.

I miss Debra, Manning, Elliot, Riddle, Donnie, John, Marcia, Chris, Dennis, Garry, Robbie, Lisa G., Lisa A., Monica, Norma, Bill, JT, and many others.

I will miss Sabrina when she leaves.

Many have been promoted and or transferred: I miss Kim, Smitty, George, Chanel, James, Julius, and many, many others.

Life is all about seasons. Nothing is permanent and nothing remains the same. I'm so grateful that with each passing day, we become closer to who we were meant to be.

Look at your life and look closely at the career you have chosen or are about to choose. What season are you in and how will others benefit from your presence and contribution?

Life is not about you or I. It is about being kind to others, loving and forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us.


Saturday, July 26, 2014

Your Grace

God you are so very gracious to [us].  In spite of the evil, cruel and disheartening acts that occur day after day, you still continue to show your grace.  You continually gift us with a new day, a new sunrise, a gentle breeze, a beautiful flower, a fluttering butterfly, green grass, amazing clouds, a sweet bird's song, food, shelter, employment, medical coverage, hugs, laughter, photographs, beaches, animals, transportation, museums, choices, friendships, comfort, books, desires, dreams, homes, parks, music, churches, playgrounds, a child's laughter, nursing homes, endless resources, grandparents, wisdom, tears, lessons, answered prayers, sleep, vacations, paychecks, dancing, ice cream, electronics, candles, memories, hope, love and so much more....My Lord, I do not take any of this for granted and I pray that if anyone is in need of a reminder about how precious this fleeting life is that they would stop, look up and praise You. 

There is nothing more precious than "knowing" that we are not alone in this life's journey and that we are not in control.  That is why my joy is complete and why I am trusting you for ALL things. 

The enemy may be under the assumption that he has the upper hand and that society is losing the war against crime, but Father, I know who reigns and who still sits on the throne.  You are coming back to take what is rightfully yours and those who know and love you will NOT suffer your wrath.

Father, please have your way and continue in your will to bless our Nation in spite of how things may "appear."

I pray for comfort to those in mourning, those who have lost a loved one, those who have suffered a violent attack, those who feel lost, those who suffer from addictions, those who are contemplating suicide, those who have broken relationships, those who are homeless, those awaiting adoption, those considering divorce, those who have been mentally, verbally and physically abused, those who are victims of human trafficking, those who are wrongly imprisoned, those suffering from depression, those who have no hope and those who do not know you to be Lord of all.  This is my heartfelt prayer, in Jesus' precious and perfect name. Amen.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Thankful Me

the sun wakes me up
it's another day
the coffee keeps me going
i am on my way

the job is calling my name
i cannot be late
with the to-do's on my mind
i can't remember the date

the boss isn't in yet
oh what a relief
i fix my morning grits
yes such a treat

i turn on my music
to calm my soul
i glance in the mirror
am i getting old

i check the clock
it's time to begin
my door is wide open
you may walk right in

i talk and i listen
and i lend a hand
it just doesn't make sense
what's wrong with this plan

i say to myself
is it the end of the day
i give thanks to the LORD
for all that he gave

ahhhhhhhh
i'm headed home...

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

My Bliss....

In the midst of "calls for service," telephones ringing, unimportant e-mails, keyboards pounding, case reviews and rush hour traffic, I look up to see in the median across the street, a big white butterfly fluttering about.

Yes, that's my bliss.

Thank you Lord...

:-)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

It's Getting So Close

As many of my friends and colleagues are retiring, I'm reminded that soon, it'll be my turn.  I still cannot believe that I am a cop.  I never held a dream as a little girl to grow up and fight crime.  I actually never dreamt.

Being abandoned by my birth father, being a child of a painful divorce and being a young pregnant teen in a domestic violence relationship left very little room for dreams.

And although I have discovered at a much later stage in my life that I can dream, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.  My dreams for now consist of being content...not being concerned about a career (so to speak)...just being able to live on the water and have my needs met, one day at a time.

I want to be in a state of knowing how blessed I am and how much He loves me.  Something that has surely happened over time.  And to think that all the years in the past, I was a #crime fighter and I was not praying for my safety or that of my peers.  I didn't even know the word prayer...not in the true sense.

His grace was always there and even in the midst of this messed up world, covered in its sin, greed, evil and hopelessness...His grace is still there. 

For those that #believe, pray to Him and wait in expectation, His grace is sufficient.

Knowing that has caused my questioning to cease.  I know longer wonder, "How could such awful things happen in my day to day life in law enforcement?"  God has given us each free will and we can use it to obey and accept him or to defy and reject him.

We can continue to blame society, our local churches, the government, the school system, the prisons and the parents #OR we can each make a small contribution toward the bigger goal.  To love as He has loved us and to forgive as He has forgiven us and to bless others as He has blessed us.  It sounds simple when you say it and even as I type it, but I have found this to be very true and very effective. 

I am not the same girl I was almost 24 years ago when I raised my right hand and took an oath to serve and protect.  I was shy, controlling, angry, hurt, misguided and oh so rough around the edges.  And sad to say that I wore a smile so wide and so fake that no one knew how broken and bruised I was on the inside.

So to know that my time is quickly approaching, I hold no regrets about my yesterdays, no fears about tomorrow and no reservations about my next career as a #civilian.  I know that because of my faithfulness to Him and to M.P.D.C., a beautiful gift with my name engraved on it awaits me just on the other side of this badge and gun.

So excited and so grateful!

Sgt. Butterfly :-)

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Grateful....

My Lord,
I know what Colossians 3:23 says and I need you to hold my hand.  Without you I simply cannot.  However, with you, I can!

In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Prayer request:
Our Nation
Our Soldiers
Our Leaders
Our Pastors
Our Churches
Our Public Servants
Our Teachers
Our Government
Our Youth
Our Prisons
Our Marriages
Our Family structure
Our Enemies
Our Health
Our Medicare
Our Economy
Our Disabled
Our Mental Health Consumers
Our Pride
Our Greed
Our Sins
Our Need For A Savior

Serendipty

Sunday, February 23, 2014.  Thank you Jeff W.