Artemis II

 

"We need

Jesus,

whether on Earth

or circling the

moon.”

Victor Glover

 

Observations about Artemis II:

April 1-10, 2026 – 1st crewed mission to the moon’s vicinity in over 50 years

Commander: Reid Wiseman, 2nd spaceflight

Pilot: Victor Glover, 2nd spaceflight

Mission Specialist 1: Christina Koch, 2nd spaceflight

Mission Specialist 2: Jeremy Hansen, 1st spaceflight

 

Trip around the moon broke record for farthest human spaceflight in history: 252,756 miles

 

Flying behind moon astronauts lost radio contact for 40 minutes

 

First humans to see entire far side of moon which faces away from Earth

 

Named a lunar crater “Carroll,” after Commander Wiseman’s late wife

 

Trained for years to perform mission with excellence

 

Hundreds, if not thousands of people back on earth, had to perform their specific job accurately to ensure a successful mission.

 

Families make great sacrifices for their loved one to train and go into space.

 

Jim Lovell spent 715 hours in space, during 4 missions. Months before his death, on August7, 2025, at age 97, Lovell recorded a message for the four astronauts on Artemis II to hear right before they broke his record of distance traveled. NASA held on to it, without others knowing. On April 6, day 6 of the mission, a few hours before reaching the furthest humans have flown, Jim Lovell’s voice was played, “Hello, Artemis II. This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood.” After talking about Apollo 8, orbiting the moon with Frank Borman and Bill Anders, watching the sunrise, and the lunar horizon, he called each astronaut by name and said, “I’m proud to pass that torch on to you. Don’t forget to take it all in…the beauty, the perspective…the meaning of what you’re doing. Good luck and Godspeed from all of us here on the good Earth.”

 

Glover emphasized, “The mission was an opportunity to appreciate the shared, fragile nature of life.” He urged people to “love God” and “love your neighbor.”

 

Orion splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego.

 

Lucas Ye, a second grader, designed the Artemis II mascot, Rise, that rode in the capsule. Reid Wiseman brought Rise with him when he excited Orion, to make sure he stayed safe.

 

Nikola Sagan stated, “Their mission reminds us that even at the edge of deep space, human connection remains our greatest strength.”

 

I will treasure seeing the anticipation and excitement of 3 generations of our family watching and celebrating the successful reentry and landing of Orion and the four astronauts.

 

What an amazing 10 days of so many people coming together to marvel at space exploration and wish the best for the astronauts and their mission.

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

 

 

Kindness Blessings

A man came by Helen Bell’s house and offered to mow her lawn. She explained that she didn’t have the money to pay him that day, but invited him to come back later in the week. Soon she heard a loud noise in the yard. Upon opening the door, she saw the man already mowing. When she tried to stop him, he explained that he had seen her children playing in the yard and he didn’t want the tall grass to hide snakes or other things that could hurt them. He hoped that someone might do the same to keep his grandchildren safe, if needed. Helen commented, “Today Johnny showed me what true kindness looks like. I am so thankful to have met him.”

Laura Sheffield works at the Bluebird Tearoom. On Saturday, two twelve-year-old boys came in and ordered a green tea and iced latte. They asked Laura what she would recommend on the menu. In the course of conversation, she found out that the boys save up their money and every three weeks go to a different place to eat, looking for the best in town. When the young men left, Laura found a tip and note: “Thank you so much. Service was great. Food was great.”

 

To offer a creative extra for the high school students, at the school where she teaches in Ohio, Anne Erickson started The Crochet Club. The girls come every week and often bring friends. Conversation and laughter fill the room as they work. The club outgrew Erickson’s classroom and had to move to a larger space. The girls get help learning different stitches. They share yarn, ideas, and even plan holiday service projects. Anne enjoys teaching the teenagers the same stitches her grandmother taught her and delights as the students finish a scarf or learn new stitches. The girls started selling some of their patterns, in order to buy more supplies. They are in the process of making items for their families and charity.

 

May we, too, be willing to do the extra, so that our words and actions bless others with kindness.

 

He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Luke 11:28

 

What Great Love

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

 

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21

 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

 Acts 4:12

 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

 

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Because of God’s great love for us, may it make a difference in our words, deeds, thoughts, and actions as we share His love with others.