Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. Veteran’s Day is very special in our home, mainly because Chris is Veteran, but also because if it weren’t for our veterans, we would not be free in our country today.
Yesterday was one of the most special days for me. Chris marched in the Birmingham Veteran’s Day parade. It is one of the largest Veteran’s Day celebrations in the nation and we were a part of it. It was the first parade I have ever got to see him in.
When we arrived I saw all the military uniforms and immediately my heart felt at home. I don’t know what it is but when I see those uniforms, I know it is where I am supposed to be. When we found a spot to watch the parade, we waited for about half an hour before it began. I thought I was going to go nuts because I couldn’t wait for it to start. I was so excited. I love the military and I love to watch everything they do.
The parade started and his unit was one of the first to march by. I was so proud as he walked by. Part of me wanted to scream as loud as I could, “That’s my man!” Instead I was screaming for the kids to look at their Daddy marching. I noticed all the people watching and cheering as they all passed by. I swelled with pride because my husband was one of them.
Of course my joy was rudely interrupted when my digital camera stopped working. It stopped before I got a single picture of him. When I finally got it working again, I hurried down the street trying to catch up with his unit so I could get a picture. I squeezed my way through hundreds of people. There wasn’t nobody gonna stop me from getting my picture of my soldier. Finally I caught up and got a few pictures before they began to march away.
After his unit was finished with their part in the parade, he came over to where we were and watched the remainder of the parade with us. I was so proud to display my man in his uniform.
Ahhh, I am married to a soldier and I love it. Maybe I was meant to be an Army wife from the beginning. I guess all those years of fighting it did me no good. When a helicopter or airplane flies over the house, I am proud to say I run as fast as I can outside to see what kind it is and how low it is flying. So now, I am not going to hide it anymore. I am an Army wife and I am proud of it.
To all veterans and current members of the military, Happy Veteran’s Day.
We are holding a special military service at New Life Worship Center in Quinton, Alabama on November 16 at 10:45. All past and present military and all military families are welcome. We will be hosting a dinner after service in honor of our service members.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Great News!
Wonderful news! Chris passed his second course in his Masters of Divinity. It was History of Christianity 1. It was very hard. I watched some of the DVDs and it talked about things you would be shocked to hear. Anyway, he will start his 3rd course Monday, it is Apologetics I believe. He has 5 books to read for an 8 week course.
Meanwhile he is at Fort McClelland this weekend for drills. He left out at 5 this morning. I always miss him so much when he is gone. I hold on to everything of his I can when he is gone. I wear his shirts, smell his pillow, the works. When he leaves out for drills, he leaves ridges in the carpet where he has walked with his boots on and I make a point to walk around them so as not to make the boot print go away. I know it sounds silly to most but I love my man with all my heart and even if he is gone just for one night it feels like eternity.
As he put on his boots this morning he felt something in them. He looked inside and Alana had filled his boots full of pennies. She was making sure her Daddy was taken care of. She is such a doll. Evan was awake when Chris left out and watched him put on part of his uniform. It is amazing how much you can love somebody. Chris has definitely got all the love he will ever need.
Anyway, I am going to bunk with Mom this weekend. I get bored in the house by myself. I try to go out and keep my mind off Chris being gone.
Even though I get lonely without Chris, I am never truly alone. My Father in Heaven makes sure of that.
Meanwhile he is at Fort McClelland this weekend for drills. He left out at 5 this morning. I always miss him so much when he is gone. I hold on to everything of his I can when he is gone. I wear his shirts, smell his pillow, the works. When he leaves out for drills, he leaves ridges in the carpet where he has walked with his boots on and I make a point to walk around them so as not to make the boot print go away. I know it sounds silly to most but I love my man with all my heart and even if he is gone just for one night it feels like eternity.
As he put on his boots this morning he felt something in them. He looked inside and Alana had filled his boots full of pennies. She was making sure her Daddy was taken care of. She is such a doll. Evan was awake when Chris left out and watched him put on part of his uniform. It is amazing how much you can love somebody. Chris has definitely got all the love he will ever need.
Anyway, I am going to bunk with Mom this weekend. I get bored in the house by myself. I try to go out and keep my mind off Chris being gone.
Even though I get lonely without Chris, I am never truly alone. My Father in Heaven makes sure of that.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Rejoice and be glad!
Sometimes when you read a story in the Bible you wonder why God allows some things to happen. But then the Spirit will help you to understand in a way you never imagined.
In the book of Job you will read what a horrible period of time Job experienced. God allowed satan to torture Job because He knew that Job would not turn from Him. I can thank God that I have not been tortured like Job was but we have been tested for about the last month. In the middle of it all I found myself inside the chapel at Children’s Hospital begging for God to strengthen me.
I guess it all started about a month ago when Chris and I began to pray for something specific. It is something neither of us knew much about or had experienced. We knew that it would take time and that God would have to show us the way. Little did we know that it required such testing. I do believe that God will test you to make sure you are ready for the things you ask for.
First, our primary transportation gave out. We broke down about 30 miles from home and the van was towed away. Thankfully family was just a few miles away and was able to pick us up to carry us home. After about a week or more, we got the van back after purchasing a brand new transmission for it. Yes, that’s right, a new transmission…and various other new parts required. For those who need a “Cars for Dummies” book, a new transmission is not cheap. A couple of days later, the van begins to act up again. We put it back in the shop and it is fixed again this time just a few small parts. A few days later Evan develops a high fever. On the way to see the doctor, in the middle of the interstate, the van quits. We pull off the road and know the van will have to be towed….AGAIN! It is anywhere from 95-97 degrees at 2 o clock in the afternoon and we are broke down with no air conditioning and we have a 3 year old and the 4 month old with a burning fever in the back. I fan them the best I can while the tow truck is on its way. A family member rescues us yet again and we go straight to the doctor’s office.
After several tests it is confirmed that Evan has a UTI and needs a shot. The doctor wants us to come back the next day for a second shot. So the next day, Wednesday, we go back for the second shot and are told Evan has bacteria in the bloodstream and will need to be admitted to Children’s Hospital. When we arrive they do a spinal tap, catheter, and various blood work. He is given an IV and we are taken to our room. He is put on antibiotics and will need them for several days. Alana had to go and spend the night with Mom. This was the first time she has ever spent the night away from us. My heart cried out for her all night.
On Thursday they explain to us they can put something called a PICC in Evan. It is a more permanent IV and is more comfortable for him. It is a tiny catheter that runs through a vein in the arm all the way to his chest. With the PICC we will be able to do the IV meds from home. I had been feeling bad that day and finally that night I woke up vomiting.
Friday they put the PICC in, but because Evan is so fat, they cannot do it in his arm so they put it in his head. They show us how to administer the medications with a pump and then give us a huge box full of supplies.
Saturday we are released. I was ecstatic to see Alana! We got home and I begin to unpack. Chris comes home from drills with a terrible headache. In the midst of all the chaos, we wish each other a happy 6th wedding anniversary. That night I begin to vomit again. At midnight we do the first round of meds ourselves. It was very scary knowing I had no medical training and was doing this. Of course we couldn’t get it to work and I had to call the help line. After a long day, Chris and I pass out in exhaustion.
Sunday I go to the doctor for them to tell me I have a virus (DUH!) and to drink plenty of fluids and eat some chicken noodle soup. ($25 to hear the same advice my mother had just given me in the waiting room.) I got home and Evan begins throwing up. I am flipping out because I am thinking I did something wrong with the PICC. I call his pediatrician and he tells us to come in first thing in the morning. I pack our bags because we wanted to have a professional do his meds and were prepared to be readmitted.
Monday morning we arrive at the pediatrician’s office. Evan has some terrible diapers and his stool tested positive for blood. We are readmitted to Children’s Hospital. Mom came to get Alana and I broke down when I had to watch her leave. I pressed my face and hands against the glass and watched her leave. At this point I find myself in the chapel pouring my heart out to God. My little boy is sick, I cannot be with my little girl, I am sick and we have had little sleep. I am a mess. The Spirit comforted that evening.
Tuesday we find out that Evan has a second bacteria called C-Diff and will be starting a second antibiotic.
Wednesday Chris and Alana start throwing up. Alana is staying with Mom and I cannot take care of her. This is the only time she has been sick and I couldn’t take care of her. She has been with Mom and Nana during all this and has visited a couple of times. I miss her like crazy. She had been visiting and I cried like a baby when I saw her leaving. This is when I started getting mad. I visited the chapel again and prayed for complete healing for our family. I then walked to the cafeteria where I see a little girl Alana’s age with no hair. I was then reminded of how blessed we truly are.
Thursday, of course everyone was feeling much better because I prayed and had faith that God would heal our family. Evan has a VCUG done to check for kidney reflux and OF COURSE it came back with absolutely nothing wrong with him.
I had been talking to my Dad and I told him I didn’t understand why the devil attacked because it just draws us closer to God. He then brought up a good point. Some people give up and don’t turn to God.
Everything we have been going through is so minor. I may have whined about it the first couple of days but now I am just joyous. My joy will not be taken from me. I will rejoice and be glad because God has blessed us and continues to bless us.
Our children are God’s gift to us. I can remember when Alana was born, the cord was wrapped around her neck. The doctor quickly unwrapped it and she was perfectly fine. Then at seven days old, she had to have her heart shocked because it was not working properly. For two weeks, up until she was 14 days old, she was in the hospital. Now she is perfectly healthy. When Evan was born the doctor discovered he had a knot in his cord. For those not familiar with what that means, if it had tightened it would have cut off blood flow to him in the womb and he could have died. But he didn’t. My children are here today because I have prayed for them since before they were born and I had faith and continue to have faith that God will always care for them.
Sunday, we waited for the therapist to come remove Evan’s PICC from his little head. He had his last dose of antibiotics and then the PICC was removed. Finally he was free of wires and needles and cords. We put him in his carrier and rolled out of that hospital with our heads held high. As we walked down the hall I looked around and realized that not all parents walk out with healthy children. Some parents walk out with sick children or worse, no child at all. We drove out of the parking deck and I wondered how many parents had to drive away knowing they would never see their child alive again. I thanked God nearly the whole trip home. I kept looking in the back at Evan’s little face and thanking God for my healthy children.
The next time I start whining about a sick child, or anything else for that matter, I will try to remember those children walking the halls with no hair. I will remember hearing the alarms on the IV and seeing the parents walk around with stress written on their faces. I will remember that day when an alarm went off in the hospital and a rush of doctors and nurses ran to one of the rooms in fear they were losing a patient. I will remember those who are unable to even conceive a child. I will remember the parents who have to go home to empty bedrooms. In all that I will praise God for the children He has so graciously blessed us with, even when they do make me want to pull out my hair.
Now after nearly 2 weeks in the hospital, we are back at home and back in the routine of things. I have my healthy children making numerous messes for me to clean up. I laugh as I find huge clumps of play dough wrapped around the back of the kitchen chair. Ahhh, home sweet home.
Psalm 27:1-3 – The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, me heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (NIV)
In the book of Job you will read what a horrible period of time Job experienced. God allowed satan to torture Job because He knew that Job would not turn from Him. I can thank God that I have not been tortured like Job was but we have been tested for about the last month. In the middle of it all I found myself inside the chapel at Children’s Hospital begging for God to strengthen me.
I guess it all started about a month ago when Chris and I began to pray for something specific. It is something neither of us knew much about or had experienced. We knew that it would take time and that God would have to show us the way. Little did we know that it required such testing. I do believe that God will test you to make sure you are ready for the things you ask for.
First, our primary transportation gave out. We broke down about 30 miles from home and the van was towed away. Thankfully family was just a few miles away and was able to pick us up to carry us home. After about a week or more, we got the van back after purchasing a brand new transmission for it. Yes, that’s right, a new transmission…and various other new parts required. For those who need a “Cars for Dummies” book, a new transmission is not cheap. A couple of days later, the van begins to act up again. We put it back in the shop and it is fixed again this time just a few small parts. A few days later Evan develops a high fever. On the way to see the doctor, in the middle of the interstate, the van quits. We pull off the road and know the van will have to be towed….AGAIN! It is anywhere from 95-97 degrees at 2 o clock in the afternoon and we are broke down with no air conditioning and we have a 3 year old and the 4 month old with a burning fever in the back. I fan them the best I can while the tow truck is on its way. A family member rescues us yet again and we go straight to the doctor’s office.
After several tests it is confirmed that Evan has a UTI and needs a shot. The doctor wants us to come back the next day for a second shot. So the next day, Wednesday, we go back for the second shot and are told Evan has bacteria in the bloodstream and will need to be admitted to Children’s Hospital. When we arrive they do a spinal tap, catheter, and various blood work. He is given an IV and we are taken to our room. He is put on antibiotics and will need them for several days. Alana had to go and spend the night with Mom. This was the first time she has ever spent the night away from us. My heart cried out for her all night.
On Thursday they explain to us they can put something called a PICC in Evan. It is a more permanent IV and is more comfortable for him. It is a tiny catheter that runs through a vein in the arm all the way to his chest. With the PICC we will be able to do the IV meds from home. I had been feeling bad that day and finally that night I woke up vomiting.
Friday they put the PICC in, but because Evan is so fat, they cannot do it in his arm so they put it in his head. They show us how to administer the medications with a pump and then give us a huge box full of supplies.
Saturday we are released. I was ecstatic to see Alana! We got home and I begin to unpack. Chris comes home from drills with a terrible headache. In the midst of all the chaos, we wish each other a happy 6th wedding anniversary. That night I begin to vomit again. At midnight we do the first round of meds ourselves. It was very scary knowing I had no medical training and was doing this. Of course we couldn’t get it to work and I had to call the help line. After a long day, Chris and I pass out in exhaustion.
Sunday I go to the doctor for them to tell me I have a virus (DUH!) and to drink plenty of fluids and eat some chicken noodle soup. ($25 to hear the same advice my mother had just given me in the waiting room.) I got home and Evan begins throwing up. I am flipping out because I am thinking I did something wrong with the PICC. I call his pediatrician and he tells us to come in first thing in the morning. I pack our bags because we wanted to have a professional do his meds and were prepared to be readmitted.
Monday morning we arrive at the pediatrician’s office. Evan has some terrible diapers and his stool tested positive for blood. We are readmitted to Children’s Hospital. Mom came to get Alana and I broke down when I had to watch her leave. I pressed my face and hands against the glass and watched her leave. At this point I find myself in the chapel pouring my heart out to God. My little boy is sick, I cannot be with my little girl, I am sick and we have had little sleep. I am a mess. The Spirit comforted that evening.
Tuesday we find out that Evan has a second bacteria called C-Diff and will be starting a second antibiotic.
Wednesday Chris and Alana start throwing up. Alana is staying with Mom and I cannot take care of her. This is the only time she has been sick and I couldn’t take care of her. She has been with Mom and Nana during all this and has visited a couple of times. I miss her like crazy. She had been visiting and I cried like a baby when I saw her leaving. This is when I started getting mad. I visited the chapel again and prayed for complete healing for our family. I then walked to the cafeteria where I see a little girl Alana’s age with no hair. I was then reminded of how blessed we truly are.
Thursday, of course everyone was feeling much better because I prayed and had faith that God would heal our family. Evan has a VCUG done to check for kidney reflux and OF COURSE it came back with absolutely nothing wrong with him.
I had been talking to my Dad and I told him I didn’t understand why the devil attacked because it just draws us closer to God. He then brought up a good point. Some people give up and don’t turn to God.
Everything we have been going through is so minor. I may have whined about it the first couple of days but now I am just joyous. My joy will not be taken from me. I will rejoice and be glad because God has blessed us and continues to bless us.
Our children are God’s gift to us. I can remember when Alana was born, the cord was wrapped around her neck. The doctor quickly unwrapped it and she was perfectly fine. Then at seven days old, she had to have her heart shocked because it was not working properly. For two weeks, up until she was 14 days old, she was in the hospital. Now she is perfectly healthy. When Evan was born the doctor discovered he had a knot in his cord. For those not familiar with what that means, if it had tightened it would have cut off blood flow to him in the womb and he could have died. But he didn’t. My children are here today because I have prayed for them since before they were born and I had faith and continue to have faith that God will always care for them.
Sunday, we waited for the therapist to come remove Evan’s PICC from his little head. He had his last dose of antibiotics and then the PICC was removed. Finally he was free of wires and needles and cords. We put him in his carrier and rolled out of that hospital with our heads held high. As we walked down the hall I looked around and realized that not all parents walk out with healthy children. Some parents walk out with sick children or worse, no child at all. We drove out of the parking deck and I wondered how many parents had to drive away knowing they would never see their child alive again. I thanked God nearly the whole trip home. I kept looking in the back at Evan’s little face and thanking God for my healthy children.
The next time I start whining about a sick child, or anything else for that matter, I will try to remember those children walking the halls with no hair. I will remember hearing the alarms on the IV and seeing the parents walk around with stress written on their faces. I will remember that day when an alarm went off in the hospital and a rush of doctors and nurses ran to one of the rooms in fear they were losing a patient. I will remember those who are unable to even conceive a child. I will remember the parents who have to go home to empty bedrooms. In all that I will praise God for the children He has so graciously blessed us with, even when they do make me want to pull out my hair.
Now after nearly 2 weeks in the hospital, we are back at home and back in the routine of things. I have my healthy children making numerous messes for me to clean up. I laugh as I find huge clumps of play dough wrapped around the back of the kitchen chair. Ahhh, home sweet home.
Psalm 27:1-3 – The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, me heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (NIV)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Second Sermon
Sunday, July 6, 2008 was Chris’s second sermon. It was a beautiful message that spoke to many. It spoke to me for sure. It was about love.
How many of us truly love one another as Christ instructs us. He gave His life for a bunch of sinners. Are we willing to give our lives for one another? If so, that is true love.
Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are on love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures every circumstance.” (NLT)
I know for a fact just based on those verses that I have not loved the way I am supposed to. Thankfully, I have a Savior who has forgiven me. Now I just have to change my ways and become more Christ like.
John 13:34-35 says “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)
Look around in your life and ask yourself if you love everyone as Christ does.
How many of us truly love one another as Christ instructs us. He gave His life for a bunch of sinners. Are we willing to give our lives for one another? If so, that is true love.
Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are on love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures every circumstance.” (NLT)
I know for a fact just based on those verses that I have not loved the way I am supposed to. Thankfully, I have a Savior who has forgiven me. Now I just have to change my ways and become more Christ like.
John 13:34-35 says “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)
Look around in your life and ask yourself if you love everyone as Christ does.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Responsibility
Sunday, June 22, 2008 was a very special day for our family. Evan, our baby boy, was dedicated to God.
It was a beautiful ceremony because we were surrounded by our lovely family and church family. Evan was dedicated along with our dear friends Micah and Maria’s beautiful daughter Skylee. It was all so wonderful. I know God has a wonderful work in store for our children.
Monday, June 23, 2008 was a difficult time for the family. A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend was laid to rest. Georgia was a lovely woman. It was very difficult to say goodbye, but we all knew she was in Heaven celebrating her new life with God.
Chris was asked to do the eulogy. He has never done that before so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him to do his first one at his own grandmother’s funeral. He did an amazing job. He didn’t just speak about her; he spoke about Heaven and the importance of giving your heart to Jesus Christ.
How many of us have grieved over family members who have passed away? Did you wonder whether they went to Heaven or hell? What have we done to let our family know how much Jesus loves them?
Once we become saved, we are all required to reach out to others and share the love of Christ. If there is an unsaved person in your life, it is your responsibility to share Jesus with them. If not and they die and go to hell, that person’s blood is on your hands.
I know I have not done a good enough job. We all would benefit from praying and asking Jesus to help us have the boldness and the ability to reach others and bring them to Christ.
Ask God to help you reach out to someone today and every day. Our time here on earth is so limited. We have to use it wisely.
It was a beautiful ceremony because we were surrounded by our lovely family and church family. Evan was dedicated along with our dear friends Micah and Maria’s beautiful daughter Skylee. It was all so wonderful. I know God has a wonderful work in store for our children.
Monday, June 23, 2008 was a difficult time for the family. A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend was laid to rest. Georgia was a lovely woman. It was very difficult to say goodbye, but we all knew she was in Heaven celebrating her new life with God.
Chris was asked to do the eulogy. He has never done that before so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him to do his first one at his own grandmother’s funeral. He did an amazing job. He didn’t just speak about her; he spoke about Heaven and the importance of giving your heart to Jesus Christ.
How many of us have grieved over family members who have passed away? Did you wonder whether they went to Heaven or hell? What have we done to let our family know how much Jesus loves them?
Once we become saved, we are all required to reach out to others and share the love of Christ. If there is an unsaved person in your life, it is your responsibility to share Jesus with them. If not and they die and go to hell, that person’s blood is on your hands.
I know I have not done a good enough job. We all would benefit from praying and asking Jesus to help us have the boldness and the ability to reach others and bring them to Christ.
Ask God to help you reach out to someone today and every day. Our time here on earth is so limited. We have to use it wisely.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
New Challenges
We all face new challenges each day. Some are more difficult than others. I am so joyous to know that no matter what challenge we face God is always with us.
Around 4 a.m. this morning, Chris’s grandmother passed away. Georgia was a very kind and gentle woman with nothing but love to give. I never heard an unkind word come out of her mouth. She was such a blessing in our life.
Georgia is going to Heaven, the most wonderful place. So wonderful our human minds cannot comprehend. What a joy it will be when we are all gathered together in Heaven. I will be so happy to see her when I arrive.
Now as the challenge lies ahead to put her to rest, we rely more than ever on God’s love. Only His love can provide our hearts the comfort we need when a loved one passes away.
Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you. Could you allow your child to be murdered for another person’s sins? God did. He loved us so much that He allowed the blood of His own Son to be shed so that we would be forgiven from all the bad things we do.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
Do you love God? Commit your life to Him and He will take care of the rest. Let Him show you His love. All you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you for the sins you have committed. Ask Him to help you not to sin anymore. Trust Him. Let Him guide you. No matter what you have done, He still loves you and wants you to come to Him.
We are not guaranteed another day on this earth. Please make things right with God.
Around 4 a.m. this morning, Chris’s grandmother passed away. Georgia was a very kind and gentle woman with nothing but love to give. I never heard an unkind word come out of her mouth. She was such a blessing in our life.
Georgia is going to Heaven, the most wonderful place. So wonderful our human minds cannot comprehend. What a joy it will be when we are all gathered together in Heaven. I will be so happy to see her when I arrive.
Now as the challenge lies ahead to put her to rest, we rely more than ever on God’s love. Only His love can provide our hearts the comfort we need when a loved one passes away.
Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you. Could you allow your child to be murdered for another person’s sins? God did. He loved us so much that He allowed the blood of His own Son to be shed so that we would be forgiven from all the bad things we do.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
Do you love God? Commit your life to Him and He will take care of the rest. Let Him show you His love. All you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you for the sins you have committed. Ask Him to help you not to sin anymore. Trust Him. Let Him guide you. No matter what you have done, He still loves you and wants you to come to Him.
We are not guaranteed another day on this earth. Please make things right with God.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Pinning Ceremony
Sunday, May 4 was Chris’s pinning ceremony.
When someone is pinned, it means they have received a new rank in the military and their new rank is pinned on to the uniform. Chris is now a Lieutenant in the United States Army. He got to choose whoever he would like to pin on his rank. He chose his parents and me.
The service began with a military related video clip. Then our talented youth group performed a drama titled God’s Army. A second military video was then played. After it finished we said the pledge. After the pledge was the pinning.
When I pinned Chris’s rank on him, I thought I would cry. But I didn’t. I was too proud. I was glowing inside. I looked at his face and I could tell how proud he was to become an officer. He is the first military officer in his family. The only military officer I have ever known. I am proud to have a soldier on my arm and it means even more to have a husband who is following the calling of God. It seems like when I pinned on his rank, I changed. Instead of worrying what path God was going to take us down next, I thanked God for using us and found a new excitement. I am excited to see where He takes us.
After the pinning, Chris received his first salute as an officer. Jonathan did the honors.
Next, the third video played. Then it was time for Chris to speak.
When Chris spoke, I was in the very back of the church running the video camera. I wanted to make sure it was zoomed in on him. I heard how sincere his words were and I knew his message was from God. I watched him speak and the Holy Spirit was on him. I could tell he was nervous so I began to pray for him. As he finished his message, he went and sat on the front row. I was hesitant to go over and sit with him because I was in tears. (I hate for anyone to see me cry.) I kept feeling this tugging at my heart to go sit with him. I looked up to where he was sitting. He was sitting in the second seat of the front row. There was one seat next to him that was empty and it was as if the Holy Spirit said to me, “That chair is yours, go take your place next to your husband.” So I gathered myself and I walked to the front row and sat next to him. Pastor then called us to the front and had our family gather around us to pray for us.
When everyone was finished praying, service was dismissed. The family and our wonderful church family came around and hugged us. I cannot express how much love and support we have received. Our families are amazing. There has not been one person who has not supported us. We have been so blessed with our relatives and our church family. We love and appreciate each and every one. Support, love, and most of all, prayers, are vital. We need all we can get.
To everyone who attended the service, I want to say a special thank you for joining us on such a special occasion. The church was so much more full than usual. I loved seeing all the filled chairs and all the friendly and familiar faces.
Before I end this entry, I just want to say a few more things.
At the end of the third video was a picture of Jesus on the cross. When you see His bloodied body and the crown of thorns on His head, what do you think about?
I think of how thankful I am He died for our sins. I feel guilt for every wrong I ever did because here is a completely innocent man hanging dead on the cross. He never sinned, yet He had to die so that I could be forgiven of mine. I then think of how much God must love us to give us His only Son. I love my children so much that I think I would die of heartbreak if anything happened to them. Yet God willingly sent Jesus for us. He was beaten and then killed in such a brutal way. And what do we do? We keep sitting around and saying, “Bless me Jesus.” What are we doing for Him? If you died right now and had to face God, what could you tell Him that you did for Him? Would we be able to tell Him that we made a difference in someone else’s life? Would we be able to tell Him that we witnessed to people and risked our own lives just to help someone accept Jesus as their Savior? Most of us won’t even risk embarrassment.
We just sit around and talk about how much bad stuff other people are doing and what they need to do to straighten out their life. Instead of talking about what they should do, uplift them in prayer and ask God to help them be more wise. Help them out. The smallest things make the biggest difference. Call someone and tell him or her you are thinking of them. If you see someone making a bad choice, stop judging him or her for it and start helping them out when they need it. We all make unwise decisions and learn from them. It is not our place to punish someone for a bad choice they made by not helping them out. We have to do our part and leave the judgment to God.Another thing I think about is how much God loves us. Think of the person you love most in your life. You would do anything, even give your life for that person. It could be your spouse, a parent, or your children. Now imagine if that person didn’t like spending time with you? You love them so much but they do not want to give up any of their own time to spend with you. You keep trying to reach out to them and you give them all that you have…..but they just won’t come to you. Now imagine how God feels when we won’t spend just a little bit of our time praying or reading His word. We have made it such a chore to come into God’s house. We think if we come to a Sunday morning service that we are doing great, but how much time do we spend with God outside of church? What do we do to bless Him? If Jesus were to come spend an entire day with you, what would you do different?
When someone is pinned, it means they have received a new rank in the military and their new rank is pinned on to the uniform. Chris is now a Lieutenant in the United States Army. He got to choose whoever he would like to pin on his rank. He chose his parents and me.
The service began with a military related video clip. Then our talented youth group performed a drama titled God’s Army. A second military video was then played. After it finished we said the pledge. After the pledge was the pinning.
When I pinned Chris’s rank on him, I thought I would cry. But I didn’t. I was too proud. I was glowing inside. I looked at his face and I could tell how proud he was to become an officer. He is the first military officer in his family. The only military officer I have ever known. I am proud to have a soldier on my arm and it means even more to have a husband who is following the calling of God. It seems like when I pinned on his rank, I changed. Instead of worrying what path God was going to take us down next, I thanked God for using us and found a new excitement. I am excited to see where He takes us.
After the pinning, Chris received his first salute as an officer. Jonathan did the honors.
Next, the third video played. Then it was time for Chris to speak.
When Chris spoke, I was in the very back of the church running the video camera. I wanted to make sure it was zoomed in on him. I heard how sincere his words were and I knew his message was from God. I watched him speak and the Holy Spirit was on him. I could tell he was nervous so I began to pray for him. As he finished his message, he went and sat on the front row. I was hesitant to go over and sit with him because I was in tears. (I hate for anyone to see me cry.) I kept feeling this tugging at my heart to go sit with him. I looked up to where he was sitting. He was sitting in the second seat of the front row. There was one seat next to him that was empty and it was as if the Holy Spirit said to me, “That chair is yours, go take your place next to your husband.” So I gathered myself and I walked to the front row and sat next to him. Pastor then called us to the front and had our family gather around us to pray for us.
When everyone was finished praying, service was dismissed. The family and our wonderful church family came around and hugged us. I cannot express how much love and support we have received. Our families are amazing. There has not been one person who has not supported us. We have been so blessed with our relatives and our church family. We love and appreciate each and every one. Support, love, and most of all, prayers, are vital. We need all we can get.
To everyone who attended the service, I want to say a special thank you for joining us on such a special occasion. The church was so much more full than usual. I loved seeing all the filled chairs and all the friendly and familiar faces.
Before I end this entry, I just want to say a few more things.
At the end of the third video was a picture of Jesus on the cross. When you see His bloodied body and the crown of thorns on His head, what do you think about?
I think of how thankful I am He died for our sins. I feel guilt for every wrong I ever did because here is a completely innocent man hanging dead on the cross. He never sinned, yet He had to die so that I could be forgiven of mine. I then think of how much God must love us to give us His only Son. I love my children so much that I think I would die of heartbreak if anything happened to them. Yet God willingly sent Jesus for us. He was beaten and then killed in such a brutal way. And what do we do? We keep sitting around and saying, “Bless me Jesus.” What are we doing for Him? If you died right now and had to face God, what could you tell Him that you did for Him? Would we be able to tell Him that we made a difference in someone else’s life? Would we be able to tell Him that we witnessed to people and risked our own lives just to help someone accept Jesus as their Savior? Most of us won’t even risk embarrassment.
We just sit around and talk about how much bad stuff other people are doing and what they need to do to straighten out their life. Instead of talking about what they should do, uplift them in prayer and ask God to help them be more wise. Help them out. The smallest things make the biggest difference. Call someone and tell him or her you are thinking of them. If you see someone making a bad choice, stop judging him or her for it and start helping them out when they need it. We all make unwise decisions and learn from them. It is not our place to punish someone for a bad choice they made by not helping them out. We have to do our part and leave the judgment to God.Another thing I think about is how much God loves us. Think of the person you love most in your life. You would do anything, even give your life for that person. It could be your spouse, a parent, or your children. Now imagine if that person didn’t like spending time with you? You love them so much but they do not want to give up any of their own time to spend with you. You keep trying to reach out to them and you give them all that you have…..but they just won’t come to you. Now imagine how God feels when we won’t spend just a little bit of our time praying or reading His word. We have made it such a chore to come into God’s house. We think if we come to a Sunday morning service that we are doing great, but how much time do we spend with God outside of church? What do we do to bless Him? If Jesus were to come spend an entire day with you, what would you do different?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Planning
We took Chris’s dress blues to the cleaners to be altered last week. I think I embarrassed him. I took pictures of the lady measuring him. I am one of those obnoxious moms and wives with the camera in their faces. I just want to make sure I have pictures of everything so we can look back and see when and where we did things. I want the kids to be able to see these events later in life when they start to understand how important it is what their daddy is doing.
I ordered some books written for military wives. They are supposed to help me understand all the military terms and the etiquette. Let’s face it, I have no knowledge of this stuff, only what Chris tells me. I want to study up on it so I can support Chris in what he is doing. I know he needs all the support he can get. I am also going to try to read all his schoolbooks with him, if possible. I have read two of them already and they were boring.
We set a date for his ceremony at church. It will be Sunday, May 4, 2008. We are trying to get all the details together. We have got to get some pictures, videos, and make the invitations. I am trying to figure out how to download videos from you tube. That website is all new to me, I have only been twice.
Anyway, on another note, our 2-week-old baby boy, Evan, laughed out loud today when I was cleaning his belly button. I was cleaning it and noticed his belly bouncing and he was making a noise. I looked at his face and he was laughing. It was so precious.
God is so great to us. We all have so much to be thankful for.
I ordered some books written for military wives. They are supposed to help me understand all the military terms and the etiquette. Let’s face it, I have no knowledge of this stuff, only what Chris tells me. I want to study up on it so I can support Chris in what he is doing. I know he needs all the support he can get. I am also going to try to read all his schoolbooks with him, if possible. I have read two of them already and they were boring.
We set a date for his ceremony at church. It will be Sunday, May 4, 2008. We are trying to get all the details together. We have got to get some pictures, videos, and make the invitations. I am trying to figure out how to download videos from you tube. That website is all new to me, I have only been twice.
Anyway, on another note, our 2-week-old baby boy, Evan, laughed out loud today when I was cleaning his belly button. I was cleaning it and noticed his belly bouncing and he was making a noise. I looked at his face and he was laughing. It was so precious.
God is so great to us. We all have so much to be thankful for.
Monday, April 7, 2008
New Baby!
1 week ago today, we welcomed our second child, a baby boy into this world. His name is Evan Bane. He weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and was 19 ¼ inches long. He is beautiful. He looks exactly like my baby pictures. I am so happy that I have a child that looks like me since Alana looks just like Chris. Evan was born healthy and continues to be healthy. The only issue is a blocked tear duct, which is a piece of cake to deal with compared to Alana’s health issues.
I am so thankful to God for our healthy family. He has truly blessed us in so many ways. The birth of my children helps me to be so appreciative of things. There are so many people who cannot even conceive a child. I have been blessed to have very healthy pregnancies and births and healthy children. I am thankful for the time we have together to bond. Chris has taken off work all last week and probably all this week to spend time with us. He is such a wonderful Dad, the best I have ever seen. I am so thankful for him.
Chris got his dress blues in the mail Friday. He put them on and it took all I had not to cry. I was so proud. He looked so handsome in them. My mom, being the wonderful mother that she is, was kind enough to come over and sew the things that needed sewn, with the exception of the hem on the pants. I can sew but I refused to touch them because I am not good enough at that kind of thing to even attempt a military uniform.
Now we have to plan for the swearing in ceremony at the church. I am really not sure what all we will do. I want it to be very special for him. I will have to set up the tripod and film it. I will also have to find someone to take pictures. As far as I know, Chris will be the very first military officer in his family. He has picked out a book for me that is an Army wife handbook to teach me all the ranks and all the military terms and stuff. I don’t have the slightest clue on how all this stuff works so I am going to need it.
I am so thankful to God for our healthy family. He has truly blessed us in so many ways. The birth of my children helps me to be so appreciative of things. There are so many people who cannot even conceive a child. I have been blessed to have very healthy pregnancies and births and healthy children. I am thankful for the time we have together to bond. Chris has taken off work all last week and probably all this week to spend time with us. He is such a wonderful Dad, the best I have ever seen. I am so thankful for him.
Chris got his dress blues in the mail Friday. He put them on and it took all I had not to cry. I was so proud. He looked so handsome in them. My mom, being the wonderful mother that she is, was kind enough to come over and sew the things that needed sewn, with the exception of the hem on the pants. I can sew but I refused to touch them because I am not good enough at that kind of thing to even attempt a military uniform.
Now we have to plan for the swearing in ceremony at the church. I am really not sure what all we will do. I want it to be very special for him. I will have to set up the tripod and film it. I will also have to find someone to take pictures. As far as I know, Chris will be the very first military officer in his family. He has picked out a book for me that is an Army wife handbook to teach me all the ranks and all the military terms and stuff. I don’t have the slightest clue on how all this stuff works so I am going to need it.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
First Post
I cannot believe I have a blog. I am so behind the times that I had to ask where to start a blog because I had no idea what to look for.
Why am I starting a blog? I still have no idea. I guess to try to keep everyone updated on what is going on with our wonderful family. I want people to know that God is still in total control and is still using people. Our family is a family that is being used.
I am not 100 percent sure when it all began, but Chris, my wonderful husband, has been called to a ministry. He has begun the process of becoming an Army Chaplain. I could not be more proud of him.
Of course God has had to completely soften my heart to the whole idea because I wanted Chris to be out of the military for good. He was in it when I met him and after September 11, lets just say I no longer wanted him to be a part of the military. I want him at home safe with me. And now that we have children, I definitely want him to stay away from the military because I wanted us to all have as much time together as possible. So you can imagine my horror and shock when he first brought this up. I was absolutely disgusted.
I believe we were on our way to or from church when he brought up the idea. I dismissed it at first, hoping it was something that would go away. Anything military related made my stomach turn. I am proud of his background and prior service but I wanted him to remain veteran status. And not to mention he would have to go back to school. He had just finished his Master degree in Information Systems Engineering. I felt like I had just gotten reacquainted with him because he had spent so much time on his school. Now he would have to complete another master degree and I would have less time with him.
I did what any good wife would do. I listened. I prayed about it. I admit I was not very supportive toward him at first. He even mentioned that he did not know how he was going to bring it up with me because he knew how I would react. I felt awful about that too. I want to be a loving and supportive wife.
I let the issue settle in the back of my mind for a while. Around the middle of July I felt as if God had laid it on my heart to fast. I had been fasting breakfast for a couple of weeks. Then one morning when Chris was home, he asked if I was going to have breakfast. I told him no and he asked why. I told him I had been fasting and he asked how long. I told him and he then told me he had been fasting for the same amount of time. I thought it was so strange that we were fasting at the same time and neither of us knew the other was doing so. I knew then that God had us on the same page and that something was about the happen.
On July 24, an Army Chaplain recruiter named Nick came to our home. I must admit that when I saw him walk in with his uniform on, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. After dinner he sat down and spoke with us about everything. He was honest and answered all of our questions the best he could. Every few minutes I would have to excuse myself, pretending to check on Alana but secretly crying in the bathroom. I just couldn’t handle some of the stuff that we were talking about. I guess being pregnant didn’t help either. Nick was telling us how intense the schooling was and how much schoolwork Chris would be doing and that we may not see much of him for a while. Then talks of deployment. I think this was the point where I excused myself quite a bit. Apparently chaplains are in high demand and the chance of deployment when he completes school is great. It felt like someone had shoved a metal rod through my heart and stomach. After a lot of talking, Nick left. As Chris showed him out, I cried like a baby in the bathroom and then gathered myself for his sake and Alana’s. I then went to play with Alana and pretended everything was fine.
After that visit I prayed a lot about the situation. I explained to God how I felt about it all. Then everywhere I turned, the tv, magazine articles, the radio, church……there was always something about chaplains. I remember one day when I opened up a Redbook magazine and there was an article about a military chaplain. I thought I was going to pass out. I said, “Ok God, I get it.” I called Chris and told him that it was everywhere and I couldn’t get away from it. Apparently the same thing had happened to him. I guess at that point I submitted to God and told Him that I understood He had a work for us.
As time went on, Chris filled out paperwork and got all of his information together. Then on December 10 we met with the Church of God Chaplain Commission located at Lee University. I could barely hold myself together. They began to ask Chris questions and I did my very best to hold myself together. Then I couldn’t hold it anymore. They excused us while they met to decide whether to approve him or not. I went to the ladies room and again let it all out and tried to gather myself. By the time I had finished, they were all waiting on me to let us know their decision. When we went in, they let us know that Chris was officially approved by the Church of God to go to the next step to become a Chaplain candidate. Next step is the Army board.
Chris was told the Army board would meet on February 12, Abe Lincoln’s birthday. We thought it was odd because everyone says when Chris shaves a certain way he looks like Abe Lincoln. Then we were told that board met on the 21st instead of the 12th. So we waited. Then, on February 16, on the way to our baby shower, Chris told me he had gotten the call that the Army board accepted him. Come to find out, they did meet on the 12th and had approved him. I was so proud. There would be one more board, the state Army board, which would have to approve the packet. Of course by this time we knew he would more than likely be accepted.
On March 20 we drove down to Montgomery and spent the night in a hotel. The next morning, March 21, again a strange coincidence that it was Good Friday, was Chris’s meeting with the state Army board. We went with him because he was told he would have to swear in right then so Alana and I wanted to be there. It was a very nervous trip because I was 37 weeks pregnant. Chris was very sick and had been throwing up and coughing stuff up. I felt so bad for him. All I could do was pray for his healing. I remember praying a lot that morning while he was gone that God would give him strength and healing. He returned to the hotel after the meeting as a Second Lieutenant, also known as a butter bar. (That is what I told him I was going to call him around the house.) So it is official, Chris has been accepted. He starts his master in divinity schooling in a month or two. It will take him several years and during this time he will be attending drills. There is no chance of deployment until he finishes his schooling, thank God.
My husband is an officer in the United States Army. I never in the whole wide world imagined it. But I am so proud of him that I could burst. Not only will he be an officer, he will also be a licensed minister. A man of God. What more could a woman ask for in a husband? I can remember about 10 years ago getting on my knees in my bedroom and asking God to send me a strong man of God who would love me. I met Chris just a few weeks later at church. God answers prayers.
I don’t know where God is taking us and where we will end up. I do know that God loves us and has a beautiful plan for our lives. Our family is truly blessed.
I will be updating this blog as much as I can throughout the entire process. With a 3 year old and a baby due any minute though, it may be hard.
To everyone reading this right now, God has a plan for us all. No matter where you are or where you are heading, make sure and pray and let God direct your path. It may not be what you believe is a great plan, but He is in total control and we must trust Him to guide us.
Why am I starting a blog? I still have no idea. I guess to try to keep everyone updated on what is going on with our wonderful family. I want people to know that God is still in total control and is still using people. Our family is a family that is being used.
I am not 100 percent sure when it all began, but Chris, my wonderful husband, has been called to a ministry. He has begun the process of becoming an Army Chaplain. I could not be more proud of him.
Of course God has had to completely soften my heart to the whole idea because I wanted Chris to be out of the military for good. He was in it when I met him and after September 11, lets just say I no longer wanted him to be a part of the military. I want him at home safe with me. And now that we have children, I definitely want him to stay away from the military because I wanted us to all have as much time together as possible. So you can imagine my horror and shock when he first brought this up. I was absolutely disgusted.
I believe we were on our way to or from church when he brought up the idea. I dismissed it at first, hoping it was something that would go away. Anything military related made my stomach turn. I am proud of his background and prior service but I wanted him to remain veteran status. And not to mention he would have to go back to school. He had just finished his Master degree in Information Systems Engineering. I felt like I had just gotten reacquainted with him because he had spent so much time on his school. Now he would have to complete another master degree and I would have less time with him.
I did what any good wife would do. I listened. I prayed about it. I admit I was not very supportive toward him at first. He even mentioned that he did not know how he was going to bring it up with me because he knew how I would react. I felt awful about that too. I want to be a loving and supportive wife.
I let the issue settle in the back of my mind for a while. Around the middle of July I felt as if God had laid it on my heart to fast. I had been fasting breakfast for a couple of weeks. Then one morning when Chris was home, he asked if I was going to have breakfast. I told him no and he asked why. I told him I had been fasting and he asked how long. I told him and he then told me he had been fasting for the same amount of time. I thought it was so strange that we were fasting at the same time and neither of us knew the other was doing so. I knew then that God had us on the same page and that something was about the happen.
On July 24, an Army Chaplain recruiter named Nick came to our home. I must admit that when I saw him walk in with his uniform on, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. After dinner he sat down and spoke with us about everything. He was honest and answered all of our questions the best he could. Every few minutes I would have to excuse myself, pretending to check on Alana but secretly crying in the bathroom. I just couldn’t handle some of the stuff that we were talking about. I guess being pregnant didn’t help either. Nick was telling us how intense the schooling was and how much schoolwork Chris would be doing and that we may not see much of him for a while. Then talks of deployment. I think this was the point where I excused myself quite a bit. Apparently chaplains are in high demand and the chance of deployment when he completes school is great. It felt like someone had shoved a metal rod through my heart and stomach. After a lot of talking, Nick left. As Chris showed him out, I cried like a baby in the bathroom and then gathered myself for his sake and Alana’s. I then went to play with Alana and pretended everything was fine.
After that visit I prayed a lot about the situation. I explained to God how I felt about it all. Then everywhere I turned, the tv, magazine articles, the radio, church……there was always something about chaplains. I remember one day when I opened up a Redbook magazine and there was an article about a military chaplain. I thought I was going to pass out. I said, “Ok God, I get it.” I called Chris and told him that it was everywhere and I couldn’t get away from it. Apparently the same thing had happened to him. I guess at that point I submitted to God and told Him that I understood He had a work for us.
As time went on, Chris filled out paperwork and got all of his information together. Then on December 10 we met with the Church of God Chaplain Commission located at Lee University. I could barely hold myself together. They began to ask Chris questions and I did my very best to hold myself together. Then I couldn’t hold it anymore. They excused us while they met to decide whether to approve him or not. I went to the ladies room and again let it all out and tried to gather myself. By the time I had finished, they were all waiting on me to let us know their decision. When we went in, they let us know that Chris was officially approved by the Church of God to go to the next step to become a Chaplain candidate. Next step is the Army board.
Chris was told the Army board would meet on February 12, Abe Lincoln’s birthday. We thought it was odd because everyone says when Chris shaves a certain way he looks like Abe Lincoln. Then we were told that board met on the 21st instead of the 12th. So we waited. Then, on February 16, on the way to our baby shower, Chris told me he had gotten the call that the Army board accepted him. Come to find out, they did meet on the 12th and had approved him. I was so proud. There would be one more board, the state Army board, which would have to approve the packet. Of course by this time we knew he would more than likely be accepted.
On March 20 we drove down to Montgomery and spent the night in a hotel. The next morning, March 21, again a strange coincidence that it was Good Friday, was Chris’s meeting with the state Army board. We went with him because he was told he would have to swear in right then so Alana and I wanted to be there. It was a very nervous trip because I was 37 weeks pregnant. Chris was very sick and had been throwing up and coughing stuff up. I felt so bad for him. All I could do was pray for his healing. I remember praying a lot that morning while he was gone that God would give him strength and healing. He returned to the hotel after the meeting as a Second Lieutenant, also known as a butter bar. (That is what I told him I was going to call him around the house.) So it is official, Chris has been accepted. He starts his master in divinity schooling in a month or two. It will take him several years and during this time he will be attending drills. There is no chance of deployment until he finishes his schooling, thank God.
My husband is an officer in the United States Army. I never in the whole wide world imagined it. But I am so proud of him that I could burst. Not only will he be an officer, he will also be a licensed minister. A man of God. What more could a woman ask for in a husband? I can remember about 10 years ago getting on my knees in my bedroom and asking God to send me a strong man of God who would love me. I met Chris just a few weeks later at church. God answers prayers.
I don’t know where God is taking us and where we will end up. I do know that God loves us and has a beautiful plan for our lives. Our family is truly blessed.
I will be updating this blog as much as I can throughout the entire process. With a 3 year old and a baby due any minute though, it may be hard.
To everyone reading this right now, God has a plan for us all. No matter where you are or where you are heading, make sure and pray and let God direct your path. It may not be what you believe is a great plan, but He is in total control and we must trust Him to guide us.
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