June 12—June 16 July 3, 2008

June 12 — my wedding anniversary — unfortunately, this year, we spent our 15th wedding anniversary 7,000 miles apart.  S spent the day working with soldiers, and I spent the day driving to Texas.  But both of us spent time thinking about the last 15 years.  We have had a lot of fun, heartache, struggle, and worries, but we have also created a lot of memories, strength, joy, and trust.  As I drove, I reflected on some special events from every year of our marriage…buying our first house…having a baby…moving and moving and moving and moving…having a second baby…camping…and all the other things in between…It has been a wonderful 15 years.  S and I met when we were 18, started dating at 18 and 19 and got married at 21 and 22…so basically, we have “grown up” together.  S has reached the point that he has spent 1/2 of his life with me, and I will reach that same point next year.  We have become who we are together…all those things that we learned and took from our parents and our childhood have been meshed together into our family, taking what we needed and a little of what would be better left behind.  We haven’t always done everything perfectly or solved every problem calmly, but we have loved.  And I wouldn’t change one single thing….

June 16 — my anniversary with Jesus — 30 years ago on this date, I accepted Jesus’s gift of salvation by asking Him to forgive my sins, believing that He paid for them on the cross and defeated death by rising again.  Often times, I reflect on all that He has done for me.  But especially on this day, just like with my wedding anniversary, I take time to remember the steps/stops along the way in my journey with Jesus.  He has guided me, taught me, loved me, and been with me always.  Some of those special markers along the way — a sermon on Jonah…”It’s not about following the rules…it’s about having the mind of Christ.” … a spiritual goal … “Instead it should be the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” I Peter 3:4…seeing miracles of healing happen right before my very eyes with the birth of my daughter … seeing provisions made when there seemed to be nothing left … realizing that I would rather obey God and have my husband gone for 15 months than to have him home and be out of God’s will…and oh, there is so much more…He is an amazing God!  And I am so grateful that He is my King!  When we ask, He will answer…When we want more, He will fill us…When we need strength, He will lift us up…When we need mercy, He will be merciful…When we need manna, He will provide…When we need guidance, He will direct…When we need forgiveness and love, well, He has already sent His only Son…He has forgiven …and He has loved with an everlasting love.  All we need to do is receive it.

Home Sweet Home

Well…the kids and I made it to Texas and back and no worse for the wear!  My mom along with my niece flew to Savannah, Georgia just before our trip in order to make the 17 hour, 1000 mile drive with us.  We had a great time visiting Lane Orchard in Fort Valley, GA.  We got peaches that had been taken from the tree the day before…YUMMY!  Of course, I turned it into a school lesson as we toured the packing area in the back.  We watched the entire process from bringing the peaches off the truck from the orchard to sorting, washing, boxing, and loading them onto the truck for delivery to stores.  Really fun…and educational!

After that stop, we went on to Clinton, Mississippi to share dinner with my college roommate.  We had not seen each other in 15 years!  Ridiculous, I know…but we picked up really easily and had a wonderful visit.  Dee Dee and Todd have 3 beautiful, SOUTHERN daughters that were absolutely precious!  I could have listened to little Emma talking and telling her younger sister what to do all night long.  Dee Dee and Todd have said to the Lord, “Here I am, send me,” and He has responded with, “Off you go to Mozambique!”  I was so grateful that we had the opportunity to reconnect in person before they head across the pond early next spring.  Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare their family to take this amazing journey with the Lord.  You can visit their blog As We Go .

      

We spent the night in Mississippi and finally made it to China Spring on Friday afternoon.  It was funny, though, when we crossed the state line into Texas, we rolled down the car windows, took a deep breath and exclaimed, “AH….the air is fresher, the sun shines brighter, and the sky is definitely bluer!!!”

After spending Father’s Day with my dad, we drove to Mammaw’s house in Midlothian to get ready for Camp Thurman(a Christian outdoor adventure day camp) on Monday morning.   M and J  both had a great time on the zip-line, Tarzan swing, and at the range shooting bb guns and trying archery.  I had a great time by myself from 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. everyday!!

             

After Camp Thurman finished on Friday, we hung around Midlothian in order to attend our home church FBC Midlothian.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship in my Sunday school class and an excellent service as well.  When we were headed out to church that morning, M and J both asked if we were going to “our” church.  When I answered “yes”, they both pumped their fists and declared, “WOO-HOO!! YES!!!”  That’s always a good sign and a good feeling when your kids look forward to and enjoy going to church.

We spent the next week in China Spring with my parents.  My mom and I worked in their VBS, preparing and serving dinner to the workers and their children.  M was a BIG help with the dessert table, and the kids both enjoyed Outrigger Island.  Time and time again, people from that church asked about S, about our family, and reminded me that they are continually praying for us.  What a blessing! 

So after the long 2 week vacation, we finally made our trek back to Georgia.  As we left Texas, we had to roll up the windows…and we even got “choked up” a bit…The sky seemed to become dull, and I think the light of the sun faded as we headed toward the Mississippi River.  We were leaving home.

Funny thing, though, as we arrived at Fort Stewart the next day, there were whoops and hollers from the backseat.  Kids exclaiming, “We’re home! We’re home!”  And sure enough, as we walked back into this little military house that we are only borrowing for a short time, we were home.  So I guess, that no matter where we go, no matter what we’re doing…if we’re doing what God has asked us to do…we will be at home. 

    

All the grandkids with Mammaw……………Harvesting potatoes from PaPa’s garden