Summer over???

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Day after day, we all have jobs to do. We come from many walks in life - we work each day doing the things God has asked us to do. Outside the home, or as stay at home parents or retirees. Whatever our niche in life is, a rest from the daily routine is welcomed when those rare 3 day weekends come along.
But just as Memorial Day weekend ushers in the summer, so too does Labor Day weekend escort us out. How was your summer? Was it what you hoped for? Did the warm days of sunshine hold true to the plans you had made back in the spring? Back in early March, as I sat here in the family room with my leg elevated and the ice bag ever near my sore and swollen knee, I thought of all the things that we could do this summer. Laurie, Stephen and Kasey would be here, there would be family get togethers with Scott and Tina and Luke and Veronica. It would be a good summer. But of course I could not foresee the things that summer brought. The struggles for Scott and Tina, and their breakup. Scott leaving to go to the other side of the country; and Laurie and Stephen having to sell their new home and move because the Army said so. One of my dearest friends son who is in the sand lost his room mate and co pilot and very good friend. .
No...we do not know what each season will bring. We hope it will bring what we've planned for, but then God knows better and choses something else. It gives us strength and helps us to rely on prayer much more often...and to lean on Him.
And so we will rest on Monday from the work that we do each day. Well, most of us will. For our soldiers, there is never really a day of rest...24/7 they are called upon to do their jobs - a job which at times must seem thankless. But a service with out which we wouldn't know freedom and all it's blessings. This Labor day, thank a soldier even if - no, especially if - it's just a prayer for his or her safety. Maybe not thinking of our own rest as much as thinking of when they will be able to kick their boots off and drink a soft drink...or a beer...and enjoy a hot dog and a scoop of macaroni salad and a slab of watermelon. Now THAT sounds like a fine day for any soldier. God knows they all deserve it.
Summer as we know it may be almost over, but God has many more seasons planned for us. I look forward to spending them with you.
God bless you all with a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Coming to life.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

On Friday morning, my cousin Lynn stood before a crowded church sanctuary and read these words with a sad but believing heart. Her Dad - my Uncle Ken - knew the meaning of them, and the verse that follows..."a time to be born, a time to die." As you know, my dad's brother passed into Jesus' embrace last week after a six year long illness. His illness, though, did not prevent him from continuing to do the good and gracious things for which we will all remember him. And he didn't do these acts of servanthood - as husband, dad, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend - to be verbally remembered as a wonderful man. He did them all to make all of our lives better. His genuine and infectious laugh, the kindnesses he gave to others, the honest enjoyment he got from life. He made his life count. All the while having the assurance of his eternal resting place in heaven when God called him there. Not because of this goodness to others, but because of his faith in the Savior whose death on the cross promises eternal life to all of us who believe.

Making life count - isn't that what we really seek? Not to be heralded as a success, but as faithful. To our families, our friends, and first (not last) to our God.

Yesterday was Scott's birthday - it was kind of a blah day, but I was determined to make it count. When we finally reached him, he sounded a little bit down, first birthday away from home and all, but he was going to spend the day with new friends - that in itself is a blessing. I'd sent him a small box and a card - more will go out this week. I think a corner was turned yesterday - and as Cathy mentioned in one of her comments to me recently: 'things will get easier, but you know that.'

Yes, Cathy, I do know that. And while I am waiting for it to actually get easier, I find that it provides an opportunity to come to life. To make life count. Every day.

In less than two years, I will be retired so I don't have too much time left at work to make things count. I try to do that every day, but some days it's easier than others, and on those "other" days, at least it's not for lack of trying.

This week will be a busy one - our office staff is shrinking rapidly. A promotional exam was offered a few months ago and now all who took the exam are being interviewed for new jobs. Great for them, not so great for our office because the replacement and training process is a long one. What will be will be - and it will all be fine. I love a challenge. (within reason :).

Laurie and Stephen and Kasey are moving this week - courtesy of the Army. Further away, but they have a plan and will do as they always do - go with the flow. I bought them a wall hanging at the county fair a few years ago. "Home is Where the Army Sends Us." It goes from one home to another, and hangs proudly in each new kitchen. This will be the fifth kitchen it's been displayed in.

To our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, home seems far away. And in the homes where their loved ones wait, home is incomplete. But overseas, and here in our nation, God is with us. All at the same time. Giving courage and faith and hope to all of the hearts calling out to Him.

And during all His seasons of time, we are embraced by the goodness of His love.

Embraced by Jesus.

My uncle Ken passed away last night - he was 76, my dad's second youngest brother, and an awesome man. But God in His grace and mercy called him to be there with Him and out of the pain and suffering Uncle Ken was experiencing here. The older I get, the more I realize that this is what we are all looking forward to - the Hope we have in eternity. Of course, we all would like to live long lives, see our kids and grandkids grow up and be happy. Uncle Ken realized all of this, and is resting now with Jesus.
And on another note...14 soldiers died today in Iraq. My friend Wendy, well her son is a pilot over there and the sinking feeling our military mom sisters felt with this news was felt by many. But then, as quickly as the fear came, so too did our faith. And the meaning of Paul's "prayers without ceasing" was ever clear. I pray that these soldiers also knew the embrace of our Lord much stronger than their fear.
Wendy - God be with you today as you wait to hear from your soldier. He is OUR soldier too.
And may He comfort all those families today receiving the visits and hearing the news a military family fears most. You are not alone - I promise you. And your soldier will never be forgotten.
Peace, my friends.

Old habits die hard.

It's been five days since Scott left and old habits seem to die hard. He still calls us every night. I'm not sure if he needs the connection or if he thinks WE need the connection but he's learned that talking to mom and dad isn't a bad thing at all. He doesn't seem to think of it as obligatory. And that means a lot. He calls because he wants to talk to us. That's a cool thing, don't ya think?
Ron's not in a good place with all of this right now - men see things differently. Oh, don't get me wrong - Scott wasn't right in what he did. But a mom's heart never gives up - never stops believing in her child. And a Christian mom never stops trusting that her child is in God's hands.
The weekend was difficult - Veronica was here a lot and to look at her, well it's like looking at her daddy when he was 3 - their expressions, mannerisms, and everything about their faces are mirror images of one another. Scott was always off on Saturday and we'd spend time together. We really missed him this past weekend and since his birthday is this weekend....hmmm, that won't be too much fun either. But he is happy and healthy, so I am thankful for that. It will be a different kind of birthday (or "birth" day) for us all.
The work week is going to be a busy one for sure - classes begin next Monday - another fall semester underway. They go fast - I have the semesters til my retirement counted. Five - count them, five, well actually five and a half. I don't have the number of days counted out yet. Teehee.
And then we can travel to see the kids whenever we feel like it. I like the thought of that.
In the meantime, the phone calls will continue - To Laurie and Stephen and now to Scott too. Need to share the calls because the long distance bills won't be easy if we don't.
Thanks for listening - praying that your Tuesday (or whatever day you are reading this) will be blessed.
God bless our troops and those who wait.

Leaving the light on.

Sometimes, when I think of all the things my mom and dad did for us as kids, one of the nicest and comforting things was that they left the porch light on for us when we were out at night. It made it so much easier for our friends dads and moms to find the house late at night - we could always say, 'There! It's the one with the light on.'
Scott left last night with a one way ticket headed west. It wasn't an easy time but I didn't cry at the bus station. God knows there have been tears enough to fill an ocean - no, make that TWO oceans - the past several weeks. But in the end, although he is leaving home and family, this trip will be something that will make a profound difference in his life. I can't explain it - wish so bad that I could, just know that he will be back after he figures things out. A mom knows these things - not because she is fooling herself into thinking this, she just knows.
And so, that light will be burning - not in the literal sense but figuratively. The light of hope doesn't go out when your kids are out of sight - it's just that you miss them so much that it feels like it will never shine again.
He just called - the usual nightly phone call, but oh tonight it was anything but ritual. He had adventures to share about the trip...said that I packed so many chocolate chip cookies that he shared them with other travelers. :) Dear Lord, I miss him so. But the light is brighter than it was an hour ago. And it was a good way to end the day.
In a little while, when I finally get some sleep, I will be thanking God for the night light He gave me with Scott's phone call. If I wake in the darkness, it'll be ok. Really it will.
Thank you Jesus.
God bless our troops.

I wonder if God is trying to tell me something?

It's been over a week since I've been here...and trust me when I say that the week hasn't been an easy one for any of our family members. In a few days, Scott will be gone - across the country and about as far away as he could get.
This morning's epistle lesson was from Hebrews 11 - the faith chapter. Verse one:
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
I guess God is trying to tell me something because He brought that verse to mind a few weeks ago when Scott's plan first came to light. There have been tears enough to fill an ocean, angry words spoken, loving words spoken as well.
And now, the week looms ahead...well, it looks waaay too rough but it's a path we have to travel because as someone once said, time marches on.
And so, both of our children will be farther away than I'd ever imagined. Ron and I will do our utmost to keep Scott in the picture for Veronica - and we will be praying that somehow it will all work out.
Then of course there is another scripture verse from Romans 8:28 -
'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.'
I think it's been a long time since Scott has had a conversation with God - but his mom has been in daily touch from the moment I knew we were going to have a child all those years ago. Now "daily" touch isn't enough and so I will work on that every moment of every day for the rest of my life - however long God ordeigns that will be.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and for being with me in this journey. Any military mom knows that the road we travel needs to be taken one day at a time. When I wrote my very first post more than 13 months ago, I said that it's not just about the soldiers - but about their siblings as well. It's never an easy path - no matter what. But it's also never a journey we take alone.
Thanks for the company.
God bless you - and God bless our troops.

Face it.

My last post told you about Scott and Tina - their struggle, and of course the ripple effect on this mother's heart. It's not getting any better, and they've made the decision to separate. Scott has, in fact, accepted a job out of state and will be leaving in a week or two. It's so hard to imagine Scott not being here...impossible to imagine that no one will answer when Veronica calls out for "dadee." But he isn't leaving to abandon her, this is something he has agonized over and yet feels that he must do.
And I am facing it - (she says with conviction). Well, at least I am coming to terms with it. As I have told Ron...and my dearest friends...when Laurie left for the military 9 years ago, I thought I was going to die. For a whole year, as she was on delayed entry, all I could think about was that Laurie was leaving home. But I didn't die - actually, we have been blessed. She is a very happy young woman - a wife, and a mom, and oh yes, a soldier too. And so I need to remember that as Scott prepares to move across the country. I will not die. My heart might crumble in a few spots, but I will be ok. Eventually. Because Scott will be ok, and he won't be gone forever. I have a friend Cathy who lost her son last year. She blogs and I know that some days she gets through by putting one foot in front of the other and trusts the Lord to keep them on the path. She has a mountain top faith and she is very honest about missing her son. We don't know if the hurt will ever go away, but we know that He is working on our hearts every moment of every day to make it better.
A good friend of mine passed away this weekend. She was 80, the mom of one of my dearest friends, and a sister in Christ. She has suffered a long time and so deserves the Victory feast that she's enjoying now. I'll miss her, but knowing where she is now, it would be selfish to want her back. I cannot imagine anything in this world greater than seeing face to face what, as Paul wrote, we only see dimly now.
Times like these happen to us all - sometimes it seems like everything happens at one time...or one thing after another. They often seem like a bitter pill to swallow. I know the feeling.
Each and every day though, God helps me to remember what He asked His Son to do. His Son who had never sinned, never did an unkind thing, only worked and lived, taught and ministered to throngs of people who would eventually be the ones to help nail Him to the cross. Jesus. He asked to be spared that cup - and yet prayed that His Father's will be done. In church this morning I ate the body and drank the blood of Jesus...not a bitter pill, but rather redemption because by God's grace, I have faith in this man Jesus. A saving faith - however tiny on those really really bad days, He has ordained that it is big enough.
And, also by God's grace, we are given the blessing to bear all things through Christ. To face it and be reconciled to these things He asks us to bear. For we do not bear these burdens alone.
This faith that He has given us - well, it keeps the light on in our hearts and helps us to wait for the answers to our prayers. We know that, in His time, each one will be answered.
God bless our troops and those of us who wait.
Sue