My favorite sport is college football. I love the color, traditions, and spirit of this fall game. Of course I am passionate about Aggie football. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much to cheer about this season. However, there are Aggie traditions that have more substance than a game. Here are some other reasons to be Aggie Proud.
1) Texas A&M’s Corp of Cadets is the largest single source of officers for our nation’s armed forces.
2) The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is the best military marching band anywhere! I was a proud member for four years.
3) The “Howdy” tradition makes A&M the friendliest campus in the nation.
4) The spirit of volunteerism. The entire graduating classes of 1941 and 1942 enlisted to help their nation during World War II. Reed Arena was a triage for victims of the recent hurricane.
5) The tradition that Aggies don’t lie.
6) By far, one of Texas A&M's most honored traditions is Silver Taps. Silver Taps is held for a graduate or undergraduate student who passes away while enrolled at A&M. This final tribute is held the first Tuesday of the month when a student has passed away the previous month.
7) Each April 21st Muster is celebrated in more than four-hundred places world wide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station. The ceremony brings together more Aggies, worldwide, on one occasion than any other event. Accompanying muster is the Roll Call honors Aggies that have fallen since the last Muster roll was read. As the names are read, a friend or family member answers 'Here', and a candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit.
8) Texas A&M’s values make it one of the most conservative universities in the country. That is why Josh McDowell, well-known evangelical, and author of a series of Bible based books on evidences said: “If I were to send my son or daughter to a state supported school, it would be Texas A&M.” That is why it is the home of the George Bush presidential library.
9) Aggie Spirit and home of the 12th man. True Aggies yell for their team even when they are behind 49-3! "There's a Spirit can ne'er be told, it’s the spirit of Aggieland."
10) College Station is the home of two wonderful churches: The Twin Cities church of Christ and the Benchley church of Christ. Both churches support and encourage their large group of students with the challenges they face of being a Christian in a university environment.
Last week David Holder hosted the annual Fall Bible Study in Ft. Worth. Thirty preachers meet each year for two days of study, prayer, and fun. This year’s topic was the books I & II Samuel. Both the speakers and the round table discussion that followed were informative and encouraging.
This week David Banning was in San Marcos on Thursday. He was the keynote speaker for the annual luncheon of the Hays-Caldwell Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. David related the story of his work in the state penitentiary in Huntsville and of his 11 year relationship with Ricky Blackmon, a death row inmate. After the luncheon we went to the Hays County Detention Center where he spoke a gym full of youngsters. That was a real eye opener for me!
I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving and some time to rest.
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving too! I'll actually be able to watch the game even though it will probably be sad! :'( Maybe they'll surprise us though!
David told that story in the meeting he held for us a couple months ago. One of the best lessons I've ever heard. (For anyone reading this that hasn't heard it, I highly recommend it. You can hear it at www.cedarparkchurchofchrist.org)
1) Be Converted: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”
2) Be Prepared: “be ready to give a defense”
3) Be Bold: give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
After visiting the “Harvey House” museum, we left Belen on Saturday for Tucumcari. After church on Sunday we took Martha O’Rear (Jana Reeves’ mother) with us to the Wallis Ranch for an evening visit with Paul and Doris Height. The ditches were actually full of water due to two days of rain! The sunset with Mesa Redondo as a back drop was awesome!
We ended our trip to New Mexico with a few days of rest and relaxation in Red River. We made the familiar drive across the Canadian River canyon to Wagon Mound and then along the Cimarron River to Eagle Nest, Bobcat Pass, and Red River. The fall colors of the Sangre de Christo Mountains were spectacular! It is one of the rewards of going to northern New Mexico in October.
Unfortunately, our accommodations did not work as planned. A local friend of mine has a really nice cabin he rents to only to close acquaintances, but the electricity was out and we had to settle for the Alpine Lodge.
On Tuesday morning we woke up to a coating of snow of the ground! There were huge snowflakes falling until about mid morning. It was beautiful! On Wednesday the weather cleared and we drove to Taos. After a detour to the Taos Ski Valley, we toured the Taos Pueblos and enjoyed an afternoon coffee break in the “craft” market in downtown Taos. On Thursday, other than a walk through downtown Red River, we stayed close to the cabin to read and play cards.
We left Friday for Amarillo to visit with one of my cousins. On Saturday we made the long drive home. It is great to be back!
