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....

Merry Christmas 2009...

Well, the house is clean and as decorated as it will be for this year...

The food for Christmas Eve is cooking. The food for Christmas Breakfast and Lunch is in the refrigerator... I will put the casseroles together tonight and have them ready for tomorrow.

Most of the wrapping is done ... wonder if I could just put the stuff for the stockings in without wrapping them this year? Maybe that will be the NEW tradition. We have 13 stockings at our house since we celebrate Christmas at Breakfast :)... I love it!

I just had a chance to AOL IM with my Warrior. Makes me so happy and so sad. He has to go on a "walk" as he calls it tomorrow. So, if you understand what I mean by that - please pray for him and the others that are "walking"... as you are celebrating Christmas with your family. We are so proud of him and the others who willingly serve so that we can continue to be free! But goodness - how we miss him. Always. But especially at Christmas. Once again so thankful for the technology that lets us have contact. Cannot even imagine how much harder it would be without it.

So, for now, let me close with this Video. I hope you will take the time to listen and watch it all.

Merry Christmas!

Memories...

27 years ago, Hal and I moved to Decatur Alabama. He had just graduated from seminary, and we had a 3 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. (Our baby came the next summer.) This was the first "full-time" church. We were young... and away from home.

One of the scriptures that I have seen God fulfill in our lives is the promise from Mark 10:29-30
"29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands..."

So, enter the scene of our lives - Henry and Shirley Workman. We had left our family - for ministry - and they became family to us. They took us as their own and loved our children as if they were their own grand-children. I am talking literally here.

i.e. They offered for us to come and swim in their pool - and they were serious. When I did not take them up on the offer immediately, Shirley would call me, to personally invite me to come and bring my babies. Henry gave Hal the key to their house and told us that anything they had was ours too. He meant it. Shirley would call when there was something going on with the young couples at the church and offer to babysit my kiddos so that this young mom could go too.

Our little ones had to come out to "big church" at the age of three. I was in the choir - so after a few weeks of a break from choir and sitting with me, Shirley was the one who told me to go back to the choir and let them sit with her. For all three children. That is just the way she was.

They bought our children gifts - probably way too many - but they would just tell us that they did not have any grandchildren yet - so they would take ours. And on... and on... and on I could go with examples. Seven years worth...

Shirley had cancer when we first met. She had been given 6 months to live. God healed her and her 6 months lasted 27 years. This past week, she met her Savior face to face.

It has been a few years since I have seen her or talked to her. We do not get back to Decatur very often. But I have a storehouse of memories. And heaven is a little sweeter...

So, Henry - thank you for sharing your life and all that you had with us. You will never know this side of heaven how much it meant to us then... and how much it still means to us now. Sweet, sweet memories.

Also thanks to Robert, Tony and Jeff - for sharing your parents and your home and your lives with us. Even though we do not see you often - our lives are richer because of the Workmans...

A Different Christmas Poem...

(This is my Warrior - currently serving)

I received this poem today in an email... and I wanted to share it with you all. Please remember our soldiers who are out there this Christmas season... serving us all.... protecting us... and by choice I might add.

And remember their families as well. It is a sacrifice. Trust me.

Once again - I proclaim that freedom is not free.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

30th Naval Construction Regiment

OIC, Logistics Cell One

Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Thanksgiving Week

Here we are at the beginning of Thanksgiving Holidays.

I am struggling to write a post.

I am very thankful - I just have the multi-emotions going again.

I worded it pretty well two years ago here.

Basically, it comes to this... for 2009.

We will celebrate Thanksgiving together.
By "we" - I mean Hal and I, MawMaw and PawPaw, MaMaw, Andy, Jenifer, Aubrey and Barrett, and Brantley.

Julia and Ronnie are coming later - and will have a few days to spend with us.

Jonathan is at war again. We will be hoping for a phone call.

Only a mom who has worn these shoes knows how they feel.

Words are few these days. Hence the lack of blogging.

Prayers are continuous...

Retreat Planning (again)...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 34 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 John 2-6; Psalms 126-128; and Proverbs 26.

As I seem to be mentioning in every post lately... life is extremely busy. I am really having a hard time finding the time to even blog this one day a week lately. And I am not happy about it!
However, this morning (Tuesday) as I sit in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains... I am blessed beyond measure. And I decided that a quick post is better than no post at all. Even if it is late going up. And I had so much that I really wanted to share.

So, I share this passage from Psalms 127 AND 128:

127

Unless the LORD builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early

and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to
those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their
enemies in the gate.

128

Blessed is everyone who fears
the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of
your hands;
you shall be blessed,

and it shall be well with you.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.

Behold, thus shall
the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
May you see your children’s children!
Peace be upon Israel

Beautiful passages for the home and family. Precious promises to hold. Encouragement to embrace for us in the present days of attack on our marriages.

Once again, how fitting, the timing. Hal and I are away for our preparation/planning/studying time for our annual Marriage retreat. You can read about some of that preparation time here (all three posts)

How I love coming back to these verses that speak so specifically to the home and marriage and family.

I ask for prayer from all who come and read. We want ears to hear what the Spirit has to say to us. We want to have lives open and transparent enough to share our strengths and our weaknesses in this journey of life. We desire to embrace these promises and live by them. And then be able to teach/lead others to do the same.

So, for now, I go. I have much to do. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

P.S. As you can tell, Blogger has decided to act up in my formatting today. Wouldn't you know? I do not have time to wade through the html and figure out how to fix it today...so what you see is what you get. :)

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.

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.

Relaxing...

We are home tonight and we feel as if it is the first night in forever that we have nothing to do.

Relaxing - and yet - both seem to be struggling with the feeling that we should be doing something. That means that it has been too long.

But this is just the way that life is sometimes. Busy. Draining. Emotional. Fun. Stressful. Physical. Painful. Hurting. Joyful. And the complicated task of juggling it all.

So, for my blogging buds... I have missed visiting your blogs. And if I still have anyone reading mine after this time of such inconsistancy... I will tell you that I will once again try to be more consistant. But I make no promises. You see, I do not know what tomorrow holds.

But I do know who Holds Tomorrow. And He will give strength for the journey.

And if you will leave me a comment and let me know that you are still coming around - I promise to come and visit with you. I promise.

His Grace is Sufficient...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 32 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 II Corinthians 9-13; Psalms 115-118.

This would have to be one of my very favorite passages...

II Corinthians 12:9-10



But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I really will not be able to comment much on this right now- we are dealing with sickness - and I have just been called to come and help out with the Grandbabies. So, blogging time moves to the back burner - and it should.

And this passage applies to this particular situation - His grace is sufficient.

And for what ever we may be dealing with right now - weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities... His grace is sufficient. When we are weak - He is Strong.

I rest in that truth. I hold on to that truth. I am so thankful for that truth.

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.