Rough Around The Edges
Stephen will be home soon from his pre-deployment training. It's been 3 weeks and all has gone well here - Kasey has been very good - getting up well on these dark winter mornings, bringing pillow and favorite blanket down to the couch to watch some Animal Planet for a few minutes until his breakfast is ready. He is a creature of habit - a tiny little man who knows exactly what he wants. And always please and thank yous. Church and Sunday School are now a regular part of his week - he loves it. And I love that he can be sitting between Ron and I every Sunday and receiving a blessing when Ron and I are taking communion. We've settled into a nice routine here and he seems glad to have grandma and grandpa around.
Well, MOST of the time.
Yesterday, though, was a bit difficult. He had had a long weekend from school due to (grand) parent/teacher conferences. Mine was to be on Thursday, but Thursday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland and the school canceled all conferences and kept the staff at home. So we used the day to have breakfast at IHOP, to do our errands, get Kasey a much needed haircut, and also grocery shopping at the commissary. Shopping at the Commissary is an adventure. We always try (but aren't usually successful) to shop on any day but military paydays. (unfortunately, those are usually the days we get my pension or social security direct deposits). Fridays and Saturdays are also bad. And lunch time too - get the picture?
Anyway, we were really busy but I think Kasey missed the structure of school (but I'm sure that he doesn't realize this..:-). So yesterday, Kasey and I had a little chat and the rest of our day was awesome. After all, we all have bad days once in awhile - even kids do. Especially soon to be 7 year old boys with two parents in the military.
Rough patches are okay once in awhile. It makes you think, and sit, and talk to one another. And what can help a grandma and her little boy realize respect for one another more than quiet talks with an I love you or two thrown in for extra measure? He, ummm we, are going to need a lot of those I love yous in the weeks and months ahead. Not to mention the prayers. Lots of those too.
I think we've got this one - it's not in our hands anyway, right?
Thank you for that, Lord.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Love Will Keep Us Together.
When Laurie deployed - actually before she left - I began saving up little things that would go nicely in a scrap book. Wrote down some dates, tried to keep track of EVERYTHING from Day 1. Of course with a little boy, a big house, and two grown men to look after, (and of course a dog or two or even three) some things kind of left this brain of mine. Oh, there will be a scrap book, and there will be plenty in it all right, but instead of it being one year's events from a single deployment of one soldier, it will be a two year journal of two soldiers deployed. But at least I know what the title is going to be, and that will help it take shape.
We are doing well here - all in all. Kasey is doing well with his Dad at predeployment training, we are on our second week now and he seems content to know that Grandma and Grandpa are here. I often wonder if he wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Oh man, they're still here." LOL. I know he is happy that we are here, but I wish his mom and dad could be here too. Hard to know what goes through the mind of an almost 7 year old. Tomorrow being Valentines Day, he did all of his valentines tonight, and put a scratch and sniff sticker on all of them. Of course there was one that had more than one sticker - it was for the little girl who has won his heart. He actually told her the other day that she is pretty. Wish I could have been there to hear THAT one, and to see her reaction.
He is enrolled in Sunday School at our church now - was so excited about it and that makes me happy. When we skyped with Laurie the other day she told Kasey that she went to Sunday School until she was 18 years old and almost until she left for the Army. I smile thinking of that. Kasey was just so cute yesterday getting ready for church - he let me comb his hair and everything. I wrote the day and time down so I would remember that he actually did let me comb his hair one time. :-)
We have new primary doctors now - thank you Lord. Finally, there are doctors in Colorado Springs that accept my health insurance. Of course soon I will be on Medicare and my health insurance will be secondary. Medicare....that has a ring to it that I'm not sure I like.
But we go through our days doing the things that are needed. Things that we like to do, and spending time with our little boy. Stephen calls him when he can and that's good too.
We're also hoping to make a trip back to Buffalo after Laurie gets home and has some time off. Ron hasn't seen Scott and Vi and Veronica in nearly two years....that's a long time for a Papa not to see his Veronica.
So I have the title all picked out for the scrap book. It might sound familiar - an oldie but goodie.
Considering our family -ALL of us, and what we've been through and what is still ahead - it's a given really....
Love will keep us together.
When Laurie deployed - actually before she left - I began saving up little things that would go nicely in a scrap book. Wrote down some dates, tried to keep track of EVERYTHING from Day 1. Of course with a little boy, a big house, and two grown men to look after, (and of course a dog or two or even three) some things kind of left this brain of mine. Oh, there will be a scrap book, and there will be plenty in it all right, but instead of it being one year's events from a single deployment of one soldier, it will be a two year journal of two soldiers deployed. But at least I know what the title is going to be, and that will help it take shape.
We are doing well here - all in all. Kasey is doing well with his Dad at predeployment training, we are on our second week now and he seems content to know that Grandma and Grandpa are here. I often wonder if he wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Oh man, they're still here." LOL. I know he is happy that we are here, but I wish his mom and dad could be here too. Hard to know what goes through the mind of an almost 7 year old. Tomorrow being Valentines Day, he did all of his valentines tonight, and put a scratch and sniff sticker on all of them. Of course there was one that had more than one sticker - it was for the little girl who has won his heart. He actually told her the other day that she is pretty. Wish I could have been there to hear THAT one, and to see her reaction.
He is enrolled in Sunday School at our church now - was so excited about it and that makes me happy. When we skyped with Laurie the other day she told Kasey that she went to Sunday School until she was 18 years old and almost until she left for the Army. I smile thinking of that. Kasey was just so cute yesterday getting ready for church - he let me comb his hair and everything. I wrote the day and time down so I would remember that he actually did let me comb his hair one time. :-)
We have new primary doctors now - thank you Lord. Finally, there are doctors in Colorado Springs that accept my health insurance. Of course soon I will be on Medicare and my health insurance will be secondary. Medicare....that has a ring to it that I'm not sure I like.
But we go through our days doing the things that are needed. Things that we like to do, and spending time with our little boy. Stephen calls him when he can and that's good too.
We're also hoping to make a trip back to Buffalo after Laurie gets home and has some time off. Ron hasn't seen Scott and Vi and Veronica in nearly two years....that's a long time for a Papa not to see his Veronica.
So I have the title all picked out for the scrap book. It might sound familiar - an oldie but goodie.
Considering our family -ALL of us, and what we've been through and what is still ahead - it's a given really....
Love will keep us together.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
When Words Get Stuck......
As we reach mid-January, we continue to count the months, weeks, and days (hours) until Laurie comes home from her deployment. Having her here for Christmas was a wonderful thing. R and R goes entirely too quickly, but you would be amazed at what a soldier and his/her family can pack into those two weeks. And Laurie did about as much as she could while still getting some much needed catching up on sleep. They took a trip with Kasey to see Disneyland, the San Diego zoo, and of course, Lego Land. The house was pretty quiet while they were gone and I think they thought we were ready for the quiet. Not so. Quiet can be good, but not THAT quiet. Knowing that they had some wonderful family time that they will remember for many years to come was worth Ron and I having to put up with each other, though. LOL.
But there was the reality of Laurie knowing that before her deployment is over, Stephen will be beginning his. We've known this for several weeks now - putting it into a post just wasn't possible. And I wanted to get through the joy of the holidays without thinking about what is ahead. It's not something we could even think about, and yet as time goes forward, so does the reality and the need to come to grips with it all. Stephen will be leaving soon for his pre-deployment training for the month of February, and not long after he comes home from that will be the deployment.
Your prayers for us all would be so appreciated.
God has given us a great gift these last months in our new church. Our Pastor knows the path the Lord is asking us to walk on, and he is a good friend already. Our church family has welcomed us with warm hugs and sincere welcome wishes. His timing, as always, is perfect.
Kasey will keep us busy, and we will keep him busy as well to help the time pass; but I wish I could have a peek into his little heart to understand what he must be feeling. Even if I could see, I probably wouldn't understand. I don't even understand all that I am feeling, let alone a 6 year old little boy.
I'll try to keep up my posting on a more regular basis but please forgive me if the words get stuck and aren't easily put into a post. But blogging is cleansing and good for the heart and mind so I really will try to visit here more often.
You are such a blessing to our family.
As we reach mid-January, we continue to count the months, weeks, and days (hours) until Laurie comes home from her deployment. Having her here for Christmas was a wonderful thing. R and R goes entirely too quickly, but you would be amazed at what a soldier and his/her family can pack into those two weeks. And Laurie did about as much as she could while still getting some much needed catching up on sleep. They took a trip with Kasey to see Disneyland, the San Diego zoo, and of course, Lego Land. The house was pretty quiet while they were gone and I think they thought we were ready for the quiet. Not so. Quiet can be good, but not THAT quiet. Knowing that they had some wonderful family time that they will remember for many years to come was worth Ron and I having to put up with each other, though. LOL.
But there was the reality of Laurie knowing that before her deployment is over, Stephen will be beginning his. We've known this for several weeks now - putting it into a post just wasn't possible. And I wanted to get through the joy of the holidays without thinking about what is ahead. It's not something we could even think about, and yet as time goes forward, so does the reality and the need to come to grips with it all. Stephen will be leaving soon for his pre-deployment training for the month of February, and not long after he comes home from that will be the deployment.
Your prayers for us all would be so appreciated.
God has given us a great gift these last months in our new church. Our Pastor knows the path the Lord is asking us to walk on, and he is a good friend already. Our church family has welcomed us with warm hugs and sincere welcome wishes. His timing, as always, is perfect.
Kasey will keep us busy, and we will keep him busy as well to help the time pass; but I wish I could have a peek into his little heart to understand what he must be feeling. Even if I could see, I probably wouldn't understand. I don't even understand all that I am feeling, let alone a 6 year old little boy.
I'll try to keep up my posting on a more regular basis but please forgive me if the words get stuck and aren't easily put into a post. But blogging is cleansing and good for the heart and mind so I really will try to visit here more often.
You are such a blessing to our family.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
December in Our Town - A Wonderful Place To Be!
Last week, we attended the holiday program at Kasey's school....awesome, as all programs have been. As last year's Holiday program did, the music director found another group of songs/skits/dancing which concentrated not just on the "generics" of the now politically correct "holiday" season, but on specifics. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, and Mexican traditions....as well as some traditional winter songs which the kids sang just beautifully. Oh yes, as the title of this post might indicate, the program was titled 'December In Our Town.'
The kids opened with the title song - 'December in Our Town - What a Wonderful Place To Be!' and the students from Kindergarten right on up to sixth grade were animated and enthused and awesome. The sixth graders took the stage and did the speaking parts at first and they participated in the opening song too, but just did a wonderful job with their leadership jobs. Each grade had a song about a different religion - Kasey's grade sang the song Innkeeper, which of course was about the innkeeper, Mary, Joseph and the stable and baby Jesus. It was beautiful and yes, my eyes did leak a bit.
After it was over, and when we went to the commissary for groceries, I was humming the title song and singing the only part I remembered which were the two opening lines. But then I got down to the business of buying groceries - and preparing for a special person. Kasey's mommy would be on her way home soon after that and I wanted everything to be JUST right for her R and R.
Which brings us quickly to just the last day or two, when a determined pilot - despite Mother Nature and the airlines he works for - brought Laurie safely home. As soon as she rounded the corner to the waiting area and saw Kasey, she ran to him with tears in her eyes. As they hugged and kissed and Laurie looked at every single inch of Kasey's little face, Stephen, Ron, and I waited patiently as our little boy and his beautiful mom embraced. There were smiles and tears all around us as other soldiers greeted their families - and from others as they just looked on at the sheer emotion unfolding in front of them. When Ron and I got to give Laurie her hug, hers to us was long, and warm, and happy.
December in Our Town....God in His grace has truly made this a wonderful place to be.
Thank you all for your prayers for our girl and for our family. May God bless the rest of YOUR December.
Last week, we attended the holiday program at Kasey's school....awesome, as all programs have been. As last year's Holiday program did, the music director found another group of songs/skits/dancing which concentrated not just on the "generics" of the now politically correct "holiday" season, but on specifics. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, and Mexican traditions....as well as some traditional winter songs which the kids sang just beautifully. Oh yes, as the title of this post might indicate, the program was titled 'December In Our Town.'
The kids opened with the title song - 'December in Our Town - What a Wonderful Place To Be!' and the students from Kindergarten right on up to sixth grade were animated and enthused and awesome. The sixth graders took the stage and did the speaking parts at first and they participated in the opening song too, but just did a wonderful job with their leadership jobs. Each grade had a song about a different religion - Kasey's grade sang the song Innkeeper, which of course was about the innkeeper, Mary, Joseph and the stable and baby Jesus. It was beautiful and yes, my eyes did leak a bit.
After it was over, and when we went to the commissary for groceries, I was humming the title song and singing the only part I remembered which were the two opening lines. But then I got down to the business of buying groceries - and preparing for a special person. Kasey's mommy would be on her way home soon after that and I wanted everything to be JUST right for her R and R.
Which brings us quickly to just the last day or two, when a determined pilot - despite Mother Nature and the airlines he works for - brought Laurie safely home. As soon as she rounded the corner to the waiting area and saw Kasey, she ran to him with tears in her eyes. As they hugged and kissed and Laurie looked at every single inch of Kasey's little face, Stephen, Ron, and I waited patiently as our little boy and his beautiful mom embraced. There were smiles and tears all around us as other soldiers greeted their families - and from others as they just looked on at the sheer emotion unfolding in front of them. When Ron and I got to give Laurie her hug, hers to us was long, and warm, and happy.
December in Our Town....God in His grace has truly made this a wonderful place to be.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Comforts of Deployments
Okay, you might think the title of this post is a bit rhetorical. What, you may ask, can you find that's comforting during the deployment of your child? Yup, I had asked the very same question a long time ago - before Laurie even deployed. It took the actual deployment to understand the answer. I am finding several things - none of which, of course, are as comforting as having Laurie back home, but still offer moments of joy every single day.
There is Facebook....that "social network" that can be such a pain in the neck sometimes. I have been known to ignore some things about FB. I fell for the "__________ has answered a question about Sue" thing once or twice, but some of the questions it asks are not exactly nice, so I gave up on that. The Farm thing sounded like fun but I didn't really want to ask all my friends for 13 cows, or more chickens. (Heaven knows I cook enough chicken here for the boys to start my own farm :). So, basically, I use FB to see what is happening in my friends lives. And to see how many others walk in my shoes and who need or offer prayers with understanding.
One morning, I discovered that Laurie was on FB at the same time as I was. That doesn't mean I immediately started a chat with her - but I thought about how comforting it was to know that thousands of miles away in a war zone, I could see that Laurie was safe, and well, and making comments on FB. It's a little thing, some would think, especially since I don't chat with her. But to "see" her, and to read her comments or see the thumbs up "likes" that she gives to someone - it's a little thing that is HUGE to this mom.
There are the emails I receive when I am online at the same time she is. It's like God assuring me that she is doing okay. Knowing that she is usually at the end of her day when I am at the beginning of mine, well, it's like crossing another day off her deployment. No wait, it IS crossing another day off. Small thing? Hardly.
Skype. Well, we are usually not here when Laurie Skypes with Stephen and Kasey BUT it's a given that on a certain day at a certain time, Laurie will be talking to her boys. The internet connection may be spotty but they usually can have a nice chat with 3 or 4 interruptions. :)
Another thing is when she receives the packages we send. When I pack them, I try to put the happiest things on the top - so that when she takes off the ton of tape I put on them, she can see a picture Kasey has colored, or a colorful envelope with a funny card and a letter inside. An example: Probably her least favorite classic family movie she saw as a kid, and a movie that is STILL being shown all the time, is The Wizard of Oz. It seems the Munchkins - those adorable little people who belonged to the Lollipop Guild - scared her as a kid. So when I was shopping in Safeway not long ago and looking for a funny card, there was a blank card with a picture of Dorothy and Toto, the Tinman, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. I laughed as I picked it up, got a few strange looks from the customers nearby, and immediately knew that was THE card I would be sending. She enjoyed it and said that she laughed too when she saw it. By the way, she still dislikes the movie intensely so I don't know if Kasey will ever get to see it. I think it will be up to me to make sure he sees it while she is deployed. I'll rent it one of these weekends. LOL.
And then there is Faith. Last Sunday we had an Army Chaplain fill in at our church while our Pastor was away, and he did a question and answer session during the Bible Study hour after worship service. I was able to share that Laurie is deployed, what she does, and the fact that not long ago, Laurie and her staff were required to see and do something a parent would never want their child to see or do. He cringed and said he would pray for her "because" he said, "I understand exactly what you mean. " The cringe confirmed MY discomfort but the fact that he promised to pray for her confirmed the knowledge to everyone in that room that people of faith believe He is listening. And answering. And for those sitting around us, I believe it also made them thankful for their own children sitting in their Sunday school classes downstairs.
And this is the biggest comfort - the prayers. I know that you are all praying for Laurie - and for us, and those prayers bring immense comfort. I have the assurance that He is listening and will answer them all, I trust, with His grace.
Thanks for stopping by. And for all you do for our family.
Okay, you might think the title of this post is a bit rhetorical. What, you may ask, can you find that's comforting during the deployment of your child? Yup, I had asked the very same question a long time ago - before Laurie even deployed. It took the actual deployment to understand the answer. I am finding several things - none of which, of course, are as comforting as having Laurie back home, but still offer moments of joy every single day.
There is Facebook....that "social network" that can be such a pain in the neck sometimes. I have been known to ignore some things about FB. I fell for the "__________ has answered a question about Sue" thing once or twice, but some of the questions it asks are not exactly nice, so I gave up on that. The Farm thing sounded like fun but I didn't really want to ask all my friends for 13 cows, or more chickens. (Heaven knows I cook enough chicken here for the boys to start my own farm :). So, basically, I use FB to see what is happening in my friends lives. And to see how many others walk in my shoes and who need or offer prayers with understanding.
One morning, I discovered that Laurie was on FB at the same time as I was. That doesn't mean I immediately started a chat with her - but I thought about how comforting it was to know that thousands of miles away in a war zone, I could see that Laurie was safe, and well, and making comments on FB. It's a little thing, some would think, especially since I don't chat with her. But to "see" her, and to read her comments or see the thumbs up "likes" that she gives to someone - it's a little thing that is HUGE to this mom.
There are the emails I receive when I am online at the same time she is. It's like God assuring me that she is doing okay. Knowing that she is usually at the end of her day when I am at the beginning of mine, well, it's like crossing another day off her deployment. No wait, it IS crossing another day off. Small thing? Hardly.
Skype. Well, we are usually not here when Laurie Skypes with Stephen and Kasey BUT it's a given that on a certain day at a certain time, Laurie will be talking to her boys. The internet connection may be spotty but they usually can have a nice chat with 3 or 4 interruptions. :)
Another thing is when she receives the packages we send. When I pack them, I try to put the happiest things on the top - so that when she takes off the ton of tape I put on them, she can see a picture Kasey has colored, or a colorful envelope with a funny card and a letter inside. An example: Probably her least favorite classic family movie she saw as a kid, and a movie that is STILL being shown all the time, is The Wizard of Oz. It seems the Munchkins - those adorable little people who belonged to the Lollipop Guild - scared her as a kid. So when I was shopping in Safeway not long ago and looking for a funny card, there was a blank card with a picture of Dorothy and Toto, the Tinman, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. I laughed as I picked it up, got a few strange looks from the customers nearby, and immediately knew that was THE card I would be sending. She enjoyed it and said that she laughed too when she saw it. By the way, she still dislikes the movie intensely so I don't know if Kasey will ever get to see it. I think it will be up to me to make sure he sees it while she is deployed. I'll rent it one of these weekends. LOL.
And then there is Faith. Last Sunday we had an Army Chaplain fill in at our church while our Pastor was away, and he did a question and answer session during the Bible Study hour after worship service. I was able to share that Laurie is deployed, what she does, and the fact that not long ago, Laurie and her staff were required to see and do something a parent would never want their child to see or do. He cringed and said he would pray for her "because" he said, "I understand exactly what you mean. " The cringe confirmed MY discomfort but the fact that he promised to pray for her confirmed the knowledge to everyone in that room that people of faith believe He is listening. And answering. And for those sitting around us, I believe it also made them thankful for their own children sitting in their Sunday school classes downstairs.
And this is the biggest comfort - the prayers. I know that you are all praying for Laurie - and for us, and those prayers bring immense comfort. I have the assurance that He is listening and will answer them all, I trust, with His grace.
Thanks for stopping by. And for all you do for our family.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Not JUST a Day for Numbers
Veteran's Day...November 11, 2011.
11/11/11.
It's a day which some will think of first as a day of six ones. But for those of us who love a veteran, who REMEMBER a veteran, or who love someone in active military service it is a day we set aside for respect. And for honoring all those who came before us and fought for this land we call America.
My good friend Bruce wrote me an email last night that included this, amongst other things:
Dear Lord we thank you for those who fought, for those who died to keep us free, and for those who LIVE to keep our land free.
Amen
Veteran's Day...November 11, 2011.
11/11/11.
It's a day which some will think of first as a day of six ones. But for those of us who love a veteran, who REMEMBER a veteran, or who love someone in active military service it is a day we set aside for respect. And for honoring all those who came before us and fought for this land we call America.
My good friend Bruce wrote me an email last night that included this, amongst other things:
TWO HOLIDAYS:
THANKSGIVING IS A DAY WHEN WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS
FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE
VETERANS DAY IS A DAY WHEN WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS
TO THE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE
FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE
VETERANS DAY IS A DAY WHEN WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS
TO THE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE
Dear Lord we thank you for those who fought, for those who died to keep us free, and for those who LIVE to keep our land free.
Amen
Monday, November 07, 2011
Not Too Much Changes.....Well, Maybe One or Two Things.
As the weeks pass and we count the days in Laurie's deployment, (pretty soon we will be on the down side of the count) there are more things to think about. And some days, as the news unfolds, these things are not always easy. But this is why we have the blessing of prayer and knowing that He is listening. No matter how many times we repeat the prayer, He listens. And every day, He answers. Day in and day out, war goes on around her unit, but the Lord keeps answering. Even on those days when I am feeling afraid, somehow He gets me through them Sometimes one foot in front of the other, but from sun up to sundown, He is listening.
The last couple of weeks in church I have found myself just taking a moment or two to pray. The choir might be singing their joyous anthems, Pastor might be preaching his sermon (and I try to always keep listening but that's hard when you are trying to pray at the same time :), or the ushers might be working their way back with the collection plates during the offering. And it feels like He is nudging me. The prayers are not always for Laurie's safety, but a thank you for His grace. I think it's pleasing to Him to hear those prayers of thanks and not just those of asking for something. Don't you think so? Trust me, and I think He knows this too, I never take Him for granted. But I always know He is in our corner...watching, protecting, and loving.
One thing I have to keep in mind ALWAYS...my family counts on my trust in Him, and that I am not afraid. That's a pretty tall order sometimes and I know they know better about the fear thing - I am, after all, a mom. I know that Laurie prays as well so we are together in that because we pray for the same things - family, protection, thanksgiving. And a lot of times, my prayers are for strength for us all. The world can be a frightening place, can't it?
We don't talk too much with Stephen about what's going on over there. He doesn't watch the news (not a bad choice - maybe I should try this), and doesn't really want to know about it either. We don't listen when Laurie calls on Skype because it's none of our business, and what Stephen wants to share, he shares.
The one other thing that is changing is that, after almost giving up on it, the afghan is nearly done. The boys (Ron and Stephen) are taking back all their suggestions that I buy one instead of knitting one) and Stephen said a VERY interesting scrap book for me to make to go with the afghan would be the process of how the knitting of it has unfolded. Never mind this, Stephen! That it will be done in time is the good thing, right?
And so, as we wait for yet another mountain snow storm which is supposedly on its way, I'll keep on counting, keep on praying, and trusting. (and knitting). It's a good day for baking an apple pie, and for some knitting and purling.
Thanks for stopping by - you are a blessing to me and to our family which we are so grateful for.
As the weeks pass and we count the days in Laurie's deployment, (pretty soon we will be on the down side of the count) there are more things to think about. And some days, as the news unfolds, these things are not always easy. But this is why we have the blessing of prayer and knowing that He is listening. No matter how many times we repeat the prayer, He listens. And every day, He answers. Day in and day out, war goes on around her unit, but the Lord keeps answering. Even on those days when I am feeling afraid, somehow He gets me through them Sometimes one foot in front of the other, but from sun up to sundown, He is listening.
The last couple of weeks in church I have found myself just taking a moment or two to pray. The choir might be singing their joyous anthems, Pastor might be preaching his sermon (and I try to always keep listening but that's hard when you are trying to pray at the same time :), or the ushers might be working their way back with the collection plates during the offering. And it feels like He is nudging me. The prayers are not always for Laurie's safety, but a thank you for His grace. I think it's pleasing to Him to hear those prayers of thanks and not just those of asking for something. Don't you think so? Trust me, and I think He knows this too, I never take Him for granted. But I always know He is in our corner...watching, protecting, and loving.
One thing I have to keep in mind ALWAYS...my family counts on my trust in Him, and that I am not afraid. That's a pretty tall order sometimes and I know they know better about the fear thing - I am, after all, a mom. I know that Laurie prays as well so we are together in that because we pray for the same things - family, protection, thanksgiving. And a lot of times, my prayers are for strength for us all. The world can be a frightening place, can't it?
We don't talk too much with Stephen about what's going on over there. He doesn't watch the news (not a bad choice - maybe I should try this), and doesn't really want to know about it either. We don't listen when Laurie calls on Skype because it's none of our business, and what Stephen wants to share, he shares.
The one other thing that is changing is that, after almost giving up on it, the afghan is nearly done. The boys (Ron and Stephen) are taking back all their suggestions that I buy one instead of knitting one) and Stephen said a VERY interesting scrap book for me to make to go with the afghan would be the process of how the knitting of it has unfolded. Never mind this, Stephen! That it will be done in time is the good thing, right?
And so, as we wait for yet another mountain snow storm which is supposedly on its way, I'll keep on counting, keep on praying, and trusting. (and knitting). It's a good day for baking an apple pie, and for some knitting and purling.
Thanks for stopping by - you are a blessing to me and to our family which we are so grateful for.
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