Communication

Interesting comparison -

When my uncle was drafted and sent to Vietnam, Granddaddy had a phone installed. Now, it is not that they could not have had a phone earlier - he just saw no need. But when his son was being sent to the other side of the world - the need arose. Just perhaps, he would be able to call home. So, they installed the phone. I do not remember whether he ever had the opportunity to call or not. Regardless, communication is so important with the ones we love and we usually do what we have to in order to have the opportunity.

Fast forward to today. I have bought a blackberry phone. Not that I could not have gotten one before now. I just have never wanted one. Oh, I have heard the raves about blackberrys - and about anyone who ever uses one - are given the name "crackberry" because they become addicted to it and love it so! But until my son was sent to war - I just never saw a need. However, now I want to be able to get emails sent directly to me - wherever I am. So, I begin my journey with my blackberry phone. I am still learning. But I can answer the phone, I can send emails and I can receive emails. Communication is so important with the ones we love and I have done what is necessary to have that opportunity.

Makes me so thankful that no matter how much technology changes, when I take the time to meet with my Heavenly Father - I do not have to figure out anything new. I just sit and read His Love Letter to me. Or, I just bow the knee. Or, I just cry out - Oh Father - and he hears me when I pray. Communication is so important with the One I love. How precious that the God of the universe, the Creator of it all, the Sovereign Lord, The Prince of Peace, the Alpha and Omega, The Great I Am (and I could go on and on with His names) - how precious that He meets with me - He listens to me - He talks to me. Whenever, Wherever, However - Oh, Thank you, Father. Communication is so important with the One we love and we need to do what is necessary to take the opportunity.

Communication - so important

WW # 4 So Hard to Say "Bye"

Time for an Update

Not really sure if I am up to writing yet. But feel the need for at least a little update.

We had a wonderful visit with Jonathan home. Having the entire family together is such a blessing. I had prayed that we would just be able to enjoy the time together and not think about what was coming. And God so graciously answered! We had a great time...

To start - Jonathan proposed to Brantley on Friday night :) What a celebration we all had! From the Warren side of this - we are all extremely happy. Brantley is such a blessing. And there is no doubt that Jonathan is crazy in love with her! And I will let the Robersons speak for themselves - but I love how they all love my boy! They have accepted him in their family...that is something that we have prayed for all of his life. Well... enough about that for now. I am sure that more will follow in the next year as plans are made.

We went back to Hattiesburg on Wednesday, Sept 19th. We had a send off picnic by the lake on Thursday. We said our good-byes. We hugged. We cried. Hard. Harder than I can even express. Only those who have walked this road before us understand. Makes my heart skip a beat just thinking about it. Hard. It was a long drive back to Alabama. Very little spoken.

Oh, now don't get me wrong. We have a peace. We have assurance that he is in God's hands. We know that God is not at all surprised by any of this.

So - we are also relocating our church this same week. The final move. We get back home running (on empty). So many details to finish for the open house and the first service. So many people helping - but much that only we can do. In our exhaustion, we work all day on Friday (after returning from Mississippi) until about 12:30 a.m.

Saturday morning - still much to do before the open house at 2:00 p.m. I would like to tell you that I always have my quiet time before I leave the house - but I am afraid that is not true. But somehow, even in the rush to get things finished, I knew that I must sit with my Savior before I left for the day. I knew that many would be there for us and that many would be asking how I was doing. Some would really want to know - others just ask because that is the thing to do. Regardless, I knew that I would have to answer. How do you answer that question... How am I doing? I would not have the time in three days to tell you all that is going on in this head and heart of mine. I had to have an answer. As I sat to read my Bible and meet with my precious Lord - I ask Him to meet with me there - and that I was not getting up until I had a Word from Him for my day. In my daily reading (where I was for the day) I came to Psalms 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" That was it - my rock to hold on to for the day. I quickly wrote the verse on a small piece of paper - and put it in my pocket. And literally all day, when someone would ask how I was doing - I would put my hand in my pocket and squeeze the piece of paper - and tell them, "I am holding on". Holding on. That even when my flesh (I was so physically exhausted) and my heart (hurting so bad) may fail - God Is the strength of my heart and He is my portion forever. Holding on.
Thank you Father.

We made it through the day. Holding on. It was a wonderful service at the new building on Sunday. And this morning, Jonathan was able to call from Kuwait. He is there - settling in and doing fine. One day closer to coming home. :)

Holding on.

WW # 3 They are Engaged!

Jonathan is home!

He is home!

That is all I need to say right now.
~dd

WW # 2 Memories

Wordless Wednesdays # 1

Learning More about Blogging

Ok...

I have decided to upgrade my blogging and see if I can add pictures.

I have already added to the last two posts...One picture of my family. And on the post about loving your husband - I have added a picture of me and my wonderful husband of 31 years!

Oh but you just wait - I have over 500 pictures on my 1G memory card - Hal knew it was a bad thing for me to get a card that large :)

This should be fun...

Emotional

For the ones who come and read with me...I have not been too regular at posting lately. Sorry.

I have lots going on in this head and heart of mine. I will try to put it in words.

I talk to Julia almost everyday during the week. At least while she is driving into work. It is enough to keep up with how she is doing and a little of what is going on in her new "married" life. But I miss seeing her. She has been in and out of our home for several years now...with the year in Germany...and then the year traveling with Wings of Morning. But it is different now... it is permanent. I am so happy for her and Ronnie. But I still miss her. She is coming home in two weeks and I can hardly wait.

That leads to the next thought...

I talk to Jonathan several times each week. Probably more while he is a Camp Shelby than I did when he was here. But when he was here...I saw him every week on Sunday. At church...then lunch at the Mexican Restaurant...and then with the group on Sunday nights here at our house. Then sometimes he would come by here on his way to work during the week. I would get up early and fix him a lunch and throw in a good breakfast and vitamins (always in MOM mode). Regardless, I miss him like crazy. He is coming home in two weeks and I can hardly wait.

But that leads to the next thought...

It will be soooooooo good to have the whole family together. We are making plans. When will we go out to eat? When will we have family and friends come to the house? Will we get to watch the ballgame together? Ronnie will be here with Julia for the weekend. Julia is staying the whole week. Jen and Andy and Aubrey will be here with us. MaMaw, MawMaw and PawPaw will be here part of the time. Brantley will be at Jonathan's side - wherever he is :) We will all be savoring each moment that we can squeeze into Jonathan's schedule.

So the next thought....

We all know what is coming. When he leaves this time - he is going to war. He is our soldier. He is defending our freedoms. He told me he is going to war so that maybe one day his son will not have to...

My faith is strong. He is in the Lord's hands. Scripture says in Psalms 91:11-12 "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. " I am claiming that one. He will have angels protecting him. Here is another one: Isaiah 52:12b "For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. " That is good. The Lord will be before him. And the God of Israel will be behind him. That is sweet protection.

But I will miss him. I know that a year goes by fast. But not from this side of it.

And Julia will go back to Virginia - it will be Nov. or Dec. before I see her again. I will miss her. Thank the Lord for phones...but they just cannot replace a good hug - a sweet smile - a face to face talk. But I will take what I can get and be thankful for it.

I am so blessed with my family. Blessed beyond measure.



I heard someone say, the extent of joy/love that one brings to you is the extent of the pain of missing them. As much as the heart loves....is how much it hurts when they are gone. Bitter Sweet. That is probably the best way to describe it all right now. Sweet times together that I can hardly wait for. Then bitter hurt as he leaves for war and as even as she goes back to Virginia. Not at all the same....certainly not on the same level...but each with its own degree of pain. Bitter Sweet.