The World of "Mother"

As a mom, it is hard to explain the emotion of knowing that YOUR baby girl is in labor and about to give birth. You want to do something... and there is absolutely nothing you can do. Nope, she has to walk this road... on her own.

When we arrived in VA - we were able to go back to the room and visit for just a minute. Our first born baby girl was in labor. Her hands were shaking from the meds - and I could hardly contain the emotion. But I did. As I said, I just wanted to do SOMETHING. So, I prayed. And went back to the waiting room. And continued to pray. And went to sleep curled up on a small chair. And prayed. And waited.

She did so well - of course! You can read her story here.

It is the beginning of motherhood. The beginning of being able and willing to give your life for your child. The beginning of sacrifice. The beginning of a love that is incomprehensible and unexplainable and unending.

And for the Mom of the new Mom - it is certainly another "No Greater Joy" moment..

Welcome, my Julia, to the world of "Mother".








(P.S. - there will be pics of our Baby Josiah coming soon!)

In His Arms...

From today's reading in the Word - a very familiar passage - and yet with a vivid picture to me today for Brandy and Micheal... and for sweet little Abigail.

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them for to such

belongs the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:16

The picture that first comes to mind is when our Savior was walking on this earth - and on this particular day - He stops and takes time to let the little children crawl into his lap. He RECEIVES them. He loves them. He has time for them.

But then I had the picture of my Savior receiving this precious 2-year-old into His arms. Literally.

While the hosts cry Hosanna,

from heaven descending,

With glorifed saints and the angels attending,

With Grace on His brow,

like a halo of Glory,

Will Jesus receive His own.

(Horatius Bonar)

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.

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.

WFW # 19 Beach and Babies...

Psalm 78:4 (b)

"...we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

His power, and the wonders He has done.

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 am SO Thankful for SKYPE Technology...

During Deployment days, it is good to be able to IM on AOL with my soldier and chat with him.

During Deployment days, it is good to get a phone call from my soldier and hear his voice.

BUT---

During Deployment days, it is even better to get on SKYPE with my soldier and SEE HIM.

I don't even have the words to describe the emotion that overwhelms me when the screen comes up and I see his face. Not only because it has been months - but also because of the reality that he is at war.

He is wearing in his ACU's... he is in a tent... other soldiers are at other computers behind him...I am looking at all the details.

On SKYPE we are all able to "chat" but only one of us can have video time. This was my night. I really did not have much to say. I just wanted to watch him.

No... actually I wanted to jump through the screen and hug him.

But since I could not - I did blow kisses - I did chat some - I did watch his every move - and I did hold back my tears.

... until he had to sign off. And as the tears began to flow from this Military Mom's eyes - I prayed. Silently. I had no words to speak. I once again held on to Scriptures that I so often pray for him... I once again make myself believe what I say I believe...

Isaiah 52:12b

"For the LORD will go before you,

And the God of Israel will be your rear guard."

He IS in our Lord's hands - the Lord is in front of him and the God of Israel is behind him...



and I know it.





I think when I go to the mall later in the week - I may find a soldier to hug.



I have been known to do that...

Songs of Praise...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 28

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 Matthew 4-7; Psalms 68-70; Proverbs 16.

Lately our three year old grandbaby has been singing.

Constantly.

About everything.

Sometimes she is singing songs that she knows and that we have sung together. Sometimes she is singing about what she is doing. And sometimes she is just making up words to sing.

I thought of her as I read this particular passage - and several other verses in the reading from Psalms this week.

Scripture tells us to sing songs of praise to our God. And this is just one of those verses:

Psalm 68:4

"Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;

his name is the LORD; exult before him!"

Now, I want to share a picture of her singing. Her Dad took this with his camera on his phone.

She is singing to her rabbit and dog. That is her little Bible in her lap... notice her little hands.... (oh and by the way - she is in her bathing suit)

... she is singing praises to His name. It is sweet music to my ears.

I just know that it is a sweet, sweet sound in HIS ears too.

I pray that she NEVER loses that song that is in her heart.

Makes me want to sing...





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.

WW # 20 Deployment Again

Here we go again....
(see my previous post)

WW # 19 Joyful Noise

(the little one in the purple is our Aubrey... with her friends, Piper and Ainslee)

I love the house being filled with praise... and joyful noise :)

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands...

Cardboard Ministry

We had a Disciple Now weekend at our church this weekend. It was good for our teens... and expect to hear even more in the days and weeks ahead.


It was good for me too... in that my Julia and Ronnie came here from VA to help with it - so this mom was able to have all the fam in the same city for this weekend. We did not get to spend much time with them - because they were with the kids... but that is completely ok. Loved seeing them for a short while - and also loved knowing that they were ministering to our kids. That is a "No Greater Joy Moment".


But mainly this post is about the end of the service today at our church. We finished the service with a song by the Youth Praise Team (which was AWESOME)... and any who wanted to participate in the Cardboard Ministry.


It is a visual of where you have been - and what God has done in your life.


It was amazing....


I am going to share a few pics today... and when we get the video, I plan to show it to you too. But just to be honest... I did not want to wait on it. I WILL share it with you when I get it.


You can go to You Tube and see examples of others who have done so... but I must say it was so moving to have OUR people... share. I dare say there was not a dry eye in the house. People broke out in applause... and tears.


In the audience... and on the stage. Tears of Joy. Tears of relief. Tears of Praise. Probably tears of relating... Applause of support and love and acceptance!


I praise the Lord for His Sweet Spirit and the freedom in our church for Him to move.


Praise the Lord for people willing to share by the word of their testimony.


Overcomers.... by the Blood of the Lamb!!!


























P.S. Just found out that Michelle and Tricia have posted blogs about today also. Visit with them too! I will add links to others if more are posted. You can tell we all were blessed!

WW # 18 Egg Hunt

I know there is one here somewhere :)

WFW # 18 My Sweet MOM

Psalm 25:14
"The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him..."

I wanted you to see a pic of my mom that I have blogged about so much lately. See what I wrote about this verse here.

This picture was taken two weeks before surgery... with her new great-grandson! Isn't she beautiful? And I am not the only one who will tell you that she is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. I am truly blessed!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

WFW # 17 Whiter than SNOW...

Psalms 51:7 (b)

"... wash me and I shall be whiter than snow."

I love the beauty of snow. And in those rare times that we get a good snow here in the south, I am always reminded of the price that Jesus paid for my sins...

His blood has washed me whiter than snow!

(I am still learning how to put the scripture on the picture... got it on there this week... just too small to read it LOL!)

Maybe when life slows down some - I will get one of you to tutor me :)

Sweet Blessings my friends -

and please keep my mom in your prayers this Friday.

Thanks so much!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)