Treasures in Jars of Clay



Thanks for coming back.  I know, I know, it's been awhile. 

We are two months into Laurie's deployment now - never thought when she left that I could get past the first day.  But the days and weeks are passing quickly for her - and for us as well.  I suspect busy-ness has something to do with it. She is busy there - thank goodness, and is able to Skype once a week. She looks good and looks forward to letters and packages - she shares everything with the other soldiers in her unit so I always try to send a variety of things. We try to send pictures by email of Kasey doing just the day to day things, and of anything special that might be going on.
For me, it's taking care of the house, and cooking,  and most important to me, making sure that my 3 Colorado men - big and little - get through the days.
And of course sending letters and packages to a faraway place. 

Then there is my 4th guy back in Buffalo trying to get through this deployment too.  I know that Scott always has his little sister on his mind even with the things he and Vi are trying to prepare for. They are doing well, but Vi has surgery again in a few weeks to re-do the original surgical procedure which needed undoing in emergency surgery because of the infection that set in only a couple of days after the original. I can't go back to Buffalo this time and so I hope he understands that his mom and dad are there in spirit and in our hearts.  Tough decisions for a mom and dad. They (and we) are hoping they might be able to get here in the fall for a week or so when Vi's doctor allows her to travel. We will try to help them as much as possible with their airfare. 

Kasey is doing pretty good - misses his mom, but we are trying to do at least one fun day out every week.  We've been to the movies twice this week - on Tuesday my friend  called and asked if Kasey and I would like to go to the movies with her and her daughter.  We did and it was a lot of fun.  We saw Zookeeper and it was a cute movie.  The next day Ron and I had a planned "date" with Kasey - movie (Mr. Popper's Penguins - really cute), Wal-mart and out for dinner.  Although we were hoping that Stephen could join us for dinner, his hours were too long for that.  But we  had a great time - and somehow, at Wal-mart, Kasey even talked Grandpa into buying him a sizable water gun.  Not the "soaker" but a respectable size.  LOL. School will start in less than a month so we are making the most of the time we have left. 

I sometimes wonder, from day to day, what the next day will bring. But unless we have appointments or something, we take one day at a time.  I have had my "bad" Laurie days when I wake up in the morning missing her and worrying about her.  And it's really pointless because by the time our day is getting started after breakfast, hers is over and she is on her way to dreamland.  This makes the time go more quickly also since we go by the days on her calendar, not ours.  :-)  

As a result of the trip to AZ, I have been to a hearing aid specialist and am now awaiting a pair of hearing aids. One for both ears.  They will help with clarity, and with actual hearing as well.  The doctor said that I might find the improvement hard to get used to since my hearing has been so limited for so long.  I'm thinking this will be something I will adjust to in no time. :)  How thankful I am that my insurance covers all but $360. 

You might find the title to this post a bit odd, but I base it on the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:7 which says:   

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."   

You see, I am just me - a wife/mom/grandma - fragile as any other human being, susceptible to breaks and cracks as are jars of clay.  But in me, when I feel that fragility and I think I have to do everything,  or BE everything, I also know that it won't be by MY strength, but by what God and His Son do to help me through. It's stronger than any strength I could summon on my own...none of this is my own doing, and I am SOOO thankful for that. 
I am only the fragile jar of clay and He and the gift of His Son are the treasure.  Thankfully, God has also given me the faith to know that I carry that treasure - but again, not by my own doing.

Blessings my friends and thank you for stopping by, and for your prayers.

God bless our troops, and those who love them.