Todd Ladd is the pastor at the Delphi United Methodist Church Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. We use that weekend to mark the unofficial start to summer. More importantly we use it to say thank you to those veterans who have laid down their lives in service to their country. During the last six years we have been working to bring about peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, it looks like we will be increasing our efforts in Afghanistan to stop the efforts of the Taliban who seem daily to be moving more into Pakistan. Thank you to all service men and women who have served in all theatres of conflict through the years. Cultivating this attitude of gratefulness is an important task.

Today I want to remind you that we are still working on a problem that many think has gone away. We are still working on flood relief in our community. Yes the devastating floods of January and February 2008 are long past but they are also still a daily reminder for some people who are still working on their homes.

This is where the church gets it right. I am thankful that the Disaster assistance of North West Indiana (DANI) found on the web at dani.org is operating. This group formed by the efforts of many churches throughout the region is active in helping people put their lives back together. Groups are still coming to our area to help rebuild homes and lives. In fact, we have a group of 29 present this week from near Allentown, Pa. They have come to share God's love and help others rebuild. I am thankful for their efforts.

This past week we again experienced record rainfalls and dealt with flooding of different kinds. Many basements were flooded and roads overrun with water. I drive past Riley Park in Delphi, which is still being pumped out and realize how bad things were. I am mindful of the tragedy the Wagoner family in Flora experienced this past week. Yet I stop to give thanks that I am blessed to live in a community that serves their neighbors. I am blessed when we see Christians getting it right in helping others they do not even know, offering a hand to help them get up.

Please say a prayer of thanks for everyone who serves. Pray for servicemen and women in many parts of the world. Pray for First Responders who put their lives on the line and pray for shortterm missionary's right here in our own back yard.