Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 538

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Dec. 22, 1945: US and UK formally recognize Tito's government in Yugoslavia.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 21, 1940: Author F. Scott Fitzgerald dies.
65 Years Ago—Dec. 21, 1945: US Gen. George S. Patton dies of infection after a car accident in Germany.

World War II Army Hospitals

During World War II, medical care was required as never before. Medics administered first aid on muddy battlegrounds, surgeons operated in tent hospitals near the front under bombardment, and stateside hospitals provided modern care in sterile environments.

All three books of my Wings of Glory series required medical scenes, especially A Memory Between Us, since the heroine is a US Army nurse. Last week I was a guest blogger on Jordyn's Medical Edge, a blog which provides medical facts for fiction writers, with a three-part series on US Army hospitals in World War II.

The first post outlined the chain of evacuation, which moved the wounded soldier from the battleground to aid stations to field hospitals to general hospitals - and to stateside if needed. http://www.jordynredwood.com/2010/12/sarah-sundin-wwii-us-army-hospitals.html

The second post described mobile and fixed hospitals in more detail. http://www.jordynredwood.com/2010/12/sarah-sundin-wwii-us-army-hospitals_15.html

The third post covered evacuation of the sick and wounded: litters, ambulances, hospital ships and trains, and air evacuation. http://www.jordynredwood.com/2010/12/sarah-sundin-wwii-us-army-hospitals_17.html

As noncombatants, medical personnel were unarmed - but still in grave danger from enemy fire plus exposure to illness. They deserve our gratitude and our remembrance.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 20, 1940: US establishes Office of Production Management (OPM) to regulate defense production.

The Advent Wreath - Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath with cookies and eggnog and hot chocolate. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.

This Sunday, December 19, is the fourth Sunday in Advent, but it's never too late to participate. If you'd like to join the Sundin family in this tradition, here are some family friendly, kid-tested ideas. Adjust these to the ages of any children present to create a meaningful time for your family.

Advent Week Four - The Angels' Candle

Candles:

Light two purple candles (the Prophets' Candle and the Bethlehem Candle), the pink candle (the Shepherd's Candle), and the last purple candle (the Angels' Candle). The purple symbolizes penance. Traditionally, the father lights the candles.

Story:

Explain how God sent His angels as messengers to tell Mary she would give birth to the Messiah, to reassure Joseph, to announce the birth to the shepherds, and to warn Joseph of Herod's plot.

Scriptures:

Luke 1:26-38 (how an angel told Mary she would give birth to the Messiah)
Matthew 1:18-25 (how an angel told Joseph that Jesus was the Messiah)
Luke 2:8-14 (how a host of angels announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds)
Matthew 2:13-15 (how an angel warned Joseph of Herod's plot and told him to escape to Egypt)
Matthew 2:19-21 (how an angel told Joseph when it was safe to return to Israel)

Songs:

"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing"
"Angels We Have Heard on High"
"It Came upon a Midnight Clear"
"Angels from the Realms of Glory"

Let's all bring glory to the newborn king this Christmas!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 17, 1940: US establishes Civilian Public Service camps for conscientious objectors.[image error]

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 16, 1940: RAF conducts first area bombing, to Mannheim, Germany; also accidentally bombs Basel, Switzerland.
65 Years Ago—Dec. 16, 1945: Announcement that the new sulfa drug, metachloride, is effective against malaria.

New Book Series!

I'm thrilled to announce I've signed a contract with Revell for another three-book series set during World War II! The series is tentatively titled Wings of the Nightingale, and it follows
To Every Shore (working title), June 2013: Lt. Georgie Taylor loves her job as a flight nurse, but the goals of pharmacist Sgt. John "Hutch" Hutchinson are frustrated at every turn. As Georgie and Hutch care for American soldiers in Sicily and Italy, tragedy brings them together. But will their differences keep them apart?

With Every Beat (working title), June 2014: Flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, but C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper is immune to her charms. Throughout Italy and southern France, as she evacuates the wounded and he delivers paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them where they don't want to go. I'm enjoying getting to know this new batch of characters - and I hope you'll love them too!

Guess Who's Coming....?

"Okay." I pointed to each of my kids in turn. "You do the downstairs bathroom, you do the upstairs, you vacuum, I'll do the kitchen."

"Why?" my daughter asked. "Who's coming?"

Ouch. If you haven't guessed, I'm not the world's best housekeeper. But when guests come, I want everything clean and orderly and welcoming.

Can you imagine if the person you admired most was coming to your house? You'd want every bit of grime removed, every stack of papers filed away, and a table setting worthy of HGTV.

When John the Baptist announced that the long-awaited Messiah was coming, the people cried out, "'What should we do then?'" (Luke 3:10). John didn't tell them to scrub toilets and polish silver—he knew the Lord was concerned with the state of their hearts, not their homes.

John instructed them to give up their sinful ways—lying and selfishness and greed—and to be cleansed by baptism, representing a changed life and a renewed heart.

One of my favorite Christmas carols, "Joy to the World," says, "Let every heart prepare him room." During this Advent season, as we decorate our homes, let's also prepare our hearts for the arrival of the King of kings and Lord of lords. "Joy to the world! The Lord is come!"

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 12, 1940: Luftwaffe bombs Sheffield, England in a raid that lasts nine hours.