Coming Soon...

In the next few days or maybe a week or so...

... I should be getting a call from my Julia that grandbaby #3 is on the way. We will jump in the car and hurry to VA to greet our little Josiah Daniel Mayhew. I have already resolved myself to the probability that I will not be there when he arrives in this world. But I will be there soon. And I will be staying for a while.

What I have not settled in this heart of mine is how in this world I will be able to leave after a couple of weeks. I keep trying to prepare myself... but I don't think it is working.

I have been so spoiled by the first two grandbabies. They only live across town. And it takes me about 5 minutes to get to them. Or to their mom. When she calls, whether it is day or middle of the night - I can go. And I do.

Regardless, I am so excited. For Ronnie and Julia - as their world is about to be "rocked" by the arrival of their precious baby boy. I am excited for Ronnie's parents (Roger and Connie) - as this is their first grandbaby. They will join those of us who have already found out that grandbabies are as grand as we have always been told. I am excited for me and Hal - again! And then there is the excitement for the rest of the famly... we are a close knit bunch!

Life has been so busy - that the blog posts have been few lately. And I really keep thinking that I will soon be back on track - But you can know for certain that you will hear from this MommaDee when the little one joins our world!

The miracle of birth...
Coming again soon...

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas AGAIN!

The tree is still up and decorated. The other decorations are in place. Nothing has been put away yet.



I will have Christmas music playing all day... and I have a Christmas Movie ready to put in the DVD player. We are celebrating again with our Warrior!



The family is coming and the ham is ready to be put in the oven. The presents are wrapped and the stocking is stuffed!



I can hardly wait. (Pictures will be posted later...)



We just get to double dip this year :)

Applauding our Soldiers...

It goes without saying, that we would applaud our soldier when he arrived home. But I must say that I was not prepared for the waiting.

We arrived at the airport early. I was somewhat surprised to see so many soldiers there. It must be one of the "hubs" for their arriving and departing. That was the first thing to prick this mom's heart. But it was easy for me to refrain from finding one to hug. My soldier would arrive soon.

Time for his plane to arrive and we moved from the food-court area to the corridor where the escalators brought the passengers up. All passengers from all flights come this way and then go to get their luggage.

We had to get behind a "barrier" to wait. The USO volunteers had a booth and were ready to make sure that all arriving Soldiers were properly greeted. We met several other families who were also waiting on their soldier. Some had made signs. All were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves.

We found out that once the plane landed, it would be nearly an hour before he actually made it up to this point because of customs. It was wonderful to get the call that he had landed. Sheer relief. Back on US soil. SAFE.

But as we waited, and as passengers came up the escalators, the moment that a soldier was spotted... Everyone immediately began to applaud! The USO ladies would greet them, and they were given a phone if needed to make a call - and then once again applauded. I have always wanted the opportunity to be part of such a group. One by one, many of our honorable men and women arrived... and we were able for a short minute to let them know that they are loved and appreciated for their service to us and to our country. For just a short moment, we could say "Thank You."

Needless to say, my eyes filled with tears, and often overflowed.

We had Brantley at the front, ready to scoot under the barrier and get to her husband as soon as we spotted him. Our first warning was just, "do not cross that red line" where the security guards were posted. But when one wife who was standing nearby, saw her soldier - she took off like a flash - and the red line meant nothing. Tunnel Vision. One thing in sight. Her Soldier. So, we told Brantley, "never-mind" the red line means nothing when you are going to greet your man.

For a solid hour, we waited and we applauded. We watched and I cried. We applauded and we waited. Soldier after soldier.

Then Hal said, "There he is!" Our boy was rising up on that escalator. Brantley did not have to cross the red line, Jonathan rushed/ran/hurried to wrap her in his arms. What a wonderful sight!

I do not have the words to express the emotion. Maybe this will capture some of it for you to see.


But I must say, you really have to be there. Seriously.

So, if you are ever at the airport as our Men and Women of our Military are arriving or departing and if you have just a few minutes to stop and stand and greet and applaud, I highly recommend it. They deserve it and you will be blessed by the opportunity.

I promise.

Hurry Up and WAIT...

We are awaiting the arrival of our soldier for his 2 week break. And we are waiting and we are waiting and we are waiting.

He left his base on Monday and we were SO excited because it seemed as if he were going to get here sooner than we had been told. What we did not know is that he was just moving to the next base to WAIT for a briefing.

So, the briefing was held and we were given a date of departure from the country. And he has safely arrived in a SAFE ZONE.

We thought we were going to the airport tomorrow morning to pick him up - and we were ready to leave BEFORE the crack of dawn to make sure that we were sitting in the terminal when he arrived. I had held off the extreme excitement - until we knew an arrival date. So I must say that last night my heart was fluttering with happiness - knowing that tomorrow morning he would be home. (even though we know that it is just for two weeks).

How disappointing to get the phone call that his flight arrangements have been cancelled. We are in WAIT mode again. Hopefully it is just a short delay. Hopefully he will be in route later tonight.

He will get 14 days at home beginning WHEN HE GETS HOME. And for that we are sooooooooo thankful. But we are ready. I will try to give an update... but for now, thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Waiting....

A "No Greater Joy" Moment...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 33 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from I John 5; II John; III John; Psalms 120-125; Proverbs 25; and John 1.

One of my favorite verses... as seen by the title of my blog... is III John 1:4.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

I have a previous blog that talks about all of my children here. The other "no greater joy moments" posts are here.

Today I want to tell you about the most recent:

My son-in-love, Andy has just been selected as a deacon at our church. I am so proud of him. I have watched him grow in the Lord. I have seen him serve our church diligently. I have observed him as a daddy to our grandbabies and as a husband to my precious baby daughter. (BTW - their 6th anniversary was this past Sunday)

And I have NO GREATER JOY than to see our Andy walk in truth.

...Brings joy to this momma-in-law's heart.

I took a picture as some of the deacon's of our church were praying over the three who were ordained. What a blessing!

***(Alan and Bill - I am so proud of you too)***

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Pictures of my Warrior on SKYPE

See my previous post.... as I share about the SKPYE technology that we LOVE!

But also... pray for my warrior ---- it is hard for him on the other side of the world too... in a completely different

way. Maybe go to his blog and leave a word of encouragement for him...

Thanks so much for your support, love and prayers :)

I will Praise You in this Storm

Our precious friends, Rick and Carolyn, sang this song on Sunday. They may not know it - but it was just for me...

I wept as I listened...
Just as I am now...
I wish I had a video of them singing... but for this post I will share this video from Casting Crowns.
We are praising Him in this storm...

Without the Blood, there can be no life...

That is the title of Julia's post today....

Once again.... She has told their story well. Thank you so much for those who have gone and given support to them. And I know that others of you have been praying. Thank you so much!

Holding on...



but my heart aches.

Tuesdays Together (#22)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Colossians 2-4; Psalms 50-53; Proverbs 12; and Ephesians 1.

First, I want to thank you readers for the prayers for my daughter/son-in-love and precious grandbaby. They go back to the doctor Tuesday afternoon. We will post an update for you all.

Which brings me to my particular passages to share this week...

Ephesians
1:15-21


For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

It is times like these that you hold on to the truth that His Grace is Sufficient. But that does not mean that there is not pain or hurt. I long to be there with my daughter during this time. Yet, I wait.

Wait till the doctor's appointment today.

Wait for the update.

Wait.

And as I talk to her (daily) and as I read her words in her blog, I am filled with thanksgiving....

...for their faith and their love

...for their wisdom and knowledge of Him

...that the eyes of their hearts are enlightened

...that they know the hope to which He has called them

I join them in knowing that He is working for them with the same power that it took to raise Jesus from the dead.

I also join them in saying, "I know my God is able... but if not, we will still praise Him."

I will be honest and tell you that this momma is sitting on ready to get in the car and head to Virginia... but for today, I wait.

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Speechless...Wordless...

Jon loaded the bus this morning...

Hal has a short blog here...

Jen has a pic here...
(if you click on her picture - it enlarges - and you can get a small glimpse of the emotion... )

We all HAD it...

We all HAVE it...

Overflowing...

I will try to express more later.

Tuesdays Together (#15)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).

I am so glad that you have joined us.Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.



This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Proverbs 9, Psalm 36, Mark 7-11. (If you are reading something else - that is perfectly fine... just share with us.)



As I mentioned in this blog post from our Helping Homes Blog a few months ago... I am also reading in a Bible that will one day be my granddaughter's. I purposely bought a wide margin Bible so that I could write notes to her along with prayers that I am praying for her. I plan to do so with all of my grandchildren. This is another reading plan other than the one for our Tuesday's Together. How interesting that this week, part of my reading was the same in both plans.

So, I share with you the verse that has jumped off the page to me... twice.

It is the passage from Mark 10 about the rich young ruler. Specifically from verse 21.

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,

"You lack one thing:

go, sell all that you have and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven;

and come follow me."

This is the part that I am not sure I have ever thought about before... Jesus looking at him.... LOVED him.

And this is the note that I have written in the margin of Aubrey's bible:

"Look at this Aubrey, isn't it precious that when our Savior looks at us - He loves us - even when he knows the condition of our heart. Always remember that. How much HE loves you - and also, how much I love you."

And that is my thought for you today too.... Even though Jesus knew that this young man would walk away and not follow him (because of his great wealth)... He loved him. His love was not conditional... And the same is true for us.
He looks at us and He loves us.
He loves us.
He loves us.

Really it can be hard for our earthly minds and hearts to completely understand such love, huh?

But how wonderful.

I have had several songs posted from u tube lately.. and that really is unusual for me - but I have been singing this song... and wanted to share it with any of you have time to listen to it today. Maybe you will be singing it along with me all day.




Now, your turn.


Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

For My Children...

"...if there is any legacy I want to leave you, it is not money or house or land; it is a vision of God--as great and glorious a God as one could ever see. But more than that, I want to leave the legacy of passion for this God. A passion far beyond what any human can produce. A passion for God flowing from the very heart of God.

Never forget that God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him.

But even more--this is my prayer for you: In God's time, may your satisfaction in him be without measure, as it becomes the very pleasure of God in God."


This is a quote from John Piper in the preface of The Pleasures of God.

But I wept as I read it... for it speaks the desire of my heart for you...
-for my three children by birth: Julia, Jonathan and Jenifer
-for my three children-in-love: Ronnie, Brantley and Andy
-for my two "grands" : Aubrey and Barrett
-for my "many more to come"...

Read it again. And again. And again.

I love you all more than you can even imagine. But more than anything in this world, I desire this legacy for you.

WFW # 16 New Life...

The Spirit of God has made me;

the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:4

The miracle of birth still amazes me...

the blessing of offspring...

the joy of family...

Blessed beyond measure...

Baby Barrett

***UPDATE***

The baby has turned - and they are going to have to do a c-section. But not today... Jen's Doctor is sick. They are scheduling it for tomorrow morning.
Thanks for your prayers

*****And I will update tomorrow******

Our Grandson - Barrett McMillian Stewart - is on the way!! We are on the way to the hospital. I will post again soon with pictures.

Thanks for your prayers for our Jenifer (MOM) and for baby Barrett. Pray for Andy (our Wonderful Son-in-love) and for Little Aubrey (the big sister).

Children truly are an heritage from the Lord - and grandchildren... well ...

Proverbs 17:6 says, "Children's children are a crown to the aged..."

Precious crowns...

And we are about to meet #2...

Blessed beyond measure!

Emotional Roller Coaster

The appointed RIDE for next week...

Extreme Joy - Julia is coming home on Sunday (Ronnie will be here Thursday).

Extreme Excitement- Jenifer will be induced on Monday (Baby Barrett will be here before the day is over)

Extreme Concern - Mom is having a second biopsy on Friday.

Extreme Sadness mixed with Extreme Pride - Jonathan leaves for a 3-week training for deployment on Saturday.


EMOTIONAL . ROLLER . COASTER .

I think I remember a post about MULTI-emoting... Here I go again.

Thank you in advance for your prayers.

A Father's Perspective

For those interested...
Hal's recent thoughts about our soldier/son.
I thought you might want to read.

2009 Scripture Memory # 2

#2 Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

In light of my previous few days - I believe this is my verse for the next two weeks.

It was Hal's hand physically holding mine on Thursday morning. And his words that said to me, "You are not going to die." It was the Lord my God, who was there with us. And the one who helped me.

For in reality, it was out of our hands.

Not really sure why it gave me such fear. Other than referring back to Hal's words again. I know that I know that I know, when I die that I will go to heaven.

But I remember something that my dad told me when he had his first heart attack. He said that he knew he was not going to die.... because he had been given the promise that he would see his children's children. (Psalms 128:6)

Maybe that was it. Jenifer was there in the room - with baby Barrett due in a few weeks. I want to be his MommaDee like I am for Aubrey. I want to be a part of his life. And when the Lord blesses Julia and Ronnie with babies - and when the Lord blesses Jonathan and Brantley with babies - I want to be a part of their lives too. My Children's Children. I want to see them, and hold them, and sing to them, and read to them. I want to teach them songs and scriptures and truths about our Lord.

Just proves that I really do not understand about my home in heaven. For I am sure that if I really understood - that is what I would desire even more.

Regardless, I rest tonight as I hold on to this Word for me.
He is holding my right hand - no need to fear - He is helping me.

Thank you to my Hal - for being His hands, and His arms of comfort to me. Thanks for your wisdom and your words. Thank you for your love. I love you too!

Happy Birthday Hal (edited 6:15 p.m.)

Today is my hubby's b-day. (edits in red)

We are having the children over for supper. (Julia and Ronnie - we will miss you.)
That is his preference. He is actually going to grill out. (Remember - I do not grill)
He would rather do that than go out to eat.??? Since it is HIS day - we will do what he wants.

*** since I went to the hospital yesterday (the 15th) with chest pains - this is all wrong.
Julia came home - so Ronnie - we miss you! Jen and Andy and Aubrey are not here either.

***No grill - Thank you so much Anita for a wonderful Lasagna supper!*(that is actually one of my favorites!)

***Sorry - Hal - we will celebrate your birthday on Monday night - and let you grill some steaks for us then! :)

So... Happy Birthday, Hal! I love you!

WFW # 11 Coming Home

3) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

4) always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

8) For God is my witness,

how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9) And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,

with knowledge and all discernment,

10) so that you may approve what is excellent,

and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,

to the glory and praise of God.

Julia and Ronnie are coming home....

It has been since the wedding in August since I have SEEN them.

That is entirely toooooooooooo long for this mom.

I can hardly wait!

The closer it gets, the more excited I get.

Cooking, Cleaning, and going to Edgars Bakery :)

All of my Chicks will be here in my nest for a little while.

Joy- pure Joy for this mom.

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

M I C K E Y MOUSE

Just a quick note to tell you all that we are going to Disney on Ice tonight!
Momma Dee and Poppa
Granna and Granddaddy
Mom and Dad
......and Aubrey!!!

What fun... I think I am more excited than she is .... and that is saying a lot!

I am sure that I will have pictures later... and MOM too.

But I just had to tell you.

Cause I knew you would want to know.