just a boy

The boy talks to his parents and tells them his lifetime dream of joining the military.  I can imagine them sitting around the kitchen table, talking about this, nursing cups of coffee.  And all the while the young man is talking, the mom is thinking, "But he's just a boy." 

I'm sure there's also pride in their hearts (the good kind), as he tells them of his plans.  I can almost feel their emotions, proud of their son, but torn as to whether or not they should support him or talk him out of it. 

But as hard as it must be, I imagine their encouragement.  Because isn't that what good parents do?  Encourage their kids along the way? 

But he's just a boy. 

I imagine that it's in this moment that Mom realizes that maybe, just maybe he's not just a boy.  

Maybe overnight, before her eyes, he's become a man.  The kind of man who is confident, one who knows what he wants to do and decides to set out to do it. 

I imagine Mom looking at her son in a new light.  And I imagine an inner peace, the kind that we cannot fathom, filling her body.  I imagine her gaining strength moment by moment, almost second by second.  I imagine her deciding to put her faith into action and trusting God with her precious child, this one that God has trusted her with. 

And I imagine her conveying all this to him with a tearful smile.  I imagine her reaching out and holding his hand and saying, "If this is what you're sure you want to do, we'll support you."

Even though he's just a boy. 

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Even though I imagined all the above, I cannot fathom the kind of strength it would take for a mom to let her son or daughter feel her support as that child signs up for the military.  But I know countless moms have done just that, my own Grandma Lloyd being one of them.  I know it's probably the hardest thing she'll ever do, but I also know how crucial it must be for that young person to have the parental support he/she needs.  

As a mom to boys, I imagine all this taking place with one of my sons.  Because all of them, at some point or another, have said they would like to be in the military.  I don't know what God has in store for them, and as hard as it may be for that day to come, I know without a doubt that I will support whatever decision my sons make.  

I know of a mom whose son joined the marines.  I know it was the hardest day of her life, saying goodbye to him.  I also know that as hard as that day was, her future would soon be consumed with even more goodbye's.  

As he went on his first tour to Afghanistan.  As he would come home to visit, then go back to his new home in California.  Then again, as he came home once more before his second tour in Afghanistan, this time with his new wife.   Then, one final time as his body was sent back home for his burial.  

He was her only biological son.  

I think of her often, this mom I talk about.  She's the sister of my best friend from when I was a young girl, and I sometimes cannot stop thinking about what kind of day she must be having, knowing she'll never see him on earth again.  I know she has been given strength for the moment, but I also know that there are days when she calls her dad and says, "Daddy, I need you."  

He was just a boy. 

Today, as Veteran's day is observed, join me in praying for the families of our boys who are deployed right now.  I know of at least two families who are in Afghanistan right now; one is a friend of Graham's at school.  Her older brother is deployed, and another family we used to go to church with, my elderly friend's son is overseas right now.  

They need our prayers.  

I'll be observing this day with my boys, my dad and my sister.  We're attending a Veteran's day program here in Collierville, one that Graham's concert band is performing in.  It's just a token of appreciation, this attending this program, but it's one that means a lot to me. It's important to me that my boys know what holidays mean, so we have always appropriately celebrated whatever holiday is being observed.  This is one we always celebrate with my favorite veteran, my sweet daddy.  He is a Korean War veteran.

Will you join me in praying for our troops?

Love to all. 

days 9, 10 & 11

One of these days, I'll do one a day.  But for now, I have to keep playing catch up!  This is the story of my life...

On day nine, I am thankful for my in~love's.  They have always called me their "daughter-in-love" instead of the less endearing, "daughter-in-law".  Isn't that sweet?  Wiley and Phyllis are two of the nicest, most selfless people you will ever meet.  We have a wonderful relationship, and they've always said if anything ever happened to Todd and me, they would support me one hundred percent.  ;)  Not that that's going to happen, but you get the picture of how sweet they are. 

Poor Todd. 

;)  They're really sweet grandparents, too, and we are definitely blessed to live near not just them, but all of our grands!  God has been so faithful and good to our family. 

On day ten, I am thankful for my sisters and brother.  Have I told you that I have four sisters and one brother?  From oldest to youngest, the lineup is Paul, Terri, Lisa, Debi, Tricia and me.  There are halves in this lineup, but I was raised to never view them that way.  These precious gifts to me are my flesh and blood, and though miles and time might separate us, we always pick right back up where we last left off.  I'm thankful to have great relationships with all of them, and I thank God for each and every one of them.  And not just for them, but for their spouses and their kids.  Our family is huge and continually growing, it seems. 

I only see Paul once every few years, and Terri usually once a year, or maybe a little less.  Debi lives in Colorado, so I see her at least once a year, sometimes two or three times, if we're lucky.  It just depends on how much she gets to travel...one of these days, I would love for us to go see her.  I know the boys would love the amazing scenery.  I'm so thankful that Lisa and Tricia live here.  We might not talk all that often, but we all know that we're loved by one another. 

On day eleven, Veteran's day, it seems appropriate to make this the day to be thankful for those who have fought for our freedom in the great United States of America.  My dad is eighty-one, and he is a veteran of the Korean War.  I'm thankful, not only to him, but to all of the ones who so selflessly served God and our country.  Freedom is something I pray we never take for granted.  We are so fortunate in this country, and I pray that God continues to have mercy on us as a nation. 

If you're tired of my "thankful" posts, stick around.  I plan to get started on all the blog ideas I've got rolling around in my brain tomorrow.  Hopefully.  Love to all!

Days 7 & 8

On day seven, I wrote that I was thankful for Noah.  He is the sweetest, most kind boy you will ever meet.  He might seem kind of quiet, and he usually is, because he doesn't like to compete to talk around our dinner table.  However, get him alone, and he loves to talk.  One of his most favorite things to do is to climb.  He climbs our walls and doorjambs nonstop.  His little foot prints are all over the place.

He's also really good with animals, and he's always loved them.  He used to always ask me if he could go pet such and such dog that he saw.  I could totally see him being a veterinarian when he grows up.  He has a quiet, gentle way about him that definitely does not go unnoticed.  He is also our "baby" of the family.  :)

On day eight, I wrote that I am thankful for my parents and their spouses.  I have such a great relationship with both my mom and my dad.  It's no secret that I spend (almost) every Friday with my sweet dad.  I am so thankful for that time that we share.  I never in a million years would have dreamed that we would be so close.  I can tell him anything, and he never judges me.

The same is true for my sweet mom.  I am blessed to get to see her at least once every week, sometimes more.  Ever since Todd and I first got married, we have eaten dinner with them on a weekend night.  Now that the boys are older, I really love that we started that tradition.  I love that the boys look forward to this night every week.  I know that as they get older, that won't be the case, so I try not to ever take it for granted now.

Along with my parents, God has blessed them each with some pretty amazing spouses.  My step mom, Sandy is among the ones that I'm thankful for.  She loves and cares for my dad so well.  I know that she is part of the reason why my dad, at eighty-one years old, is in such excellent health.  I thank God for the day that He brought her into his life.

My mom is married to an amazing man, my step dad, Bill (a.k.a. "Big Daddy").  They met right after Todd and I first married sixteen years ago, and have been married now for almost thirteen (fourteen?) years.  Bill is a HUGE reason why the boys love Saturday nights.  He is the most awesome chef ever, and he cooks things he knows they want.  Tonight, for example, we are having catfish, requested by Noah.  Bill also genuinely loves spending time with the boys, and they love spending time with him.  Plus, he lets them drive his cool tractor. 

I am among the blessed~I have two amazing sets of parents.  I love spending time with all of them, and try to do just that as much as possible.  I pray I never take any of them for granted.

Love to all!

gratitude, days 5 & 6

I'm doing pretty good at keeping up in my journal, but not so much on here.  In case you're still reading these posts, here are days five and six.

On day 5, I am thankful for my middle child, Andrew Myles.  God gave us the gift of joy when He gave him to us.  From a very young age, Drew has always been happy, full of joy.  In the second grade, his teacher gave him the character trait of...

Can you guess?

Joy!  People are drawn to him.  They want to sit by him, they want to be his friend.  And does he have a lot of friends!  Life is one huge social event to him.  I pray that he always uses that to the ability God has given him.  Just this morning (Wednesday), Drew and two of his friends stood up in front of the FCA club and delivered a devotion on internal vs. external.  (Appearance)  I am so proud of them.  It takes courage to do that in front of about a hundred kids!  Drew came up with this topic on his own, and together, we found Bible verses to go along with it.

Psalm 16:11 says, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." 

Proverbs 15:13 says, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful...".

I pray that Drew always walks with the Lord.  I pray that God always fills him with joy in His presence, and that others are drawn not to him, but to WHO they see in him. 

On day 6, I am thankful for Jonah.  Jonah used to call himself "Daddy's little buddy", and is he ever.  He loves anything that Todd loves.  That list of things includes Alabama football, all things law enforcement, and anything that has to do with the state of Alaska.  Jonah is a hard worker and the way he best loves on people is by giving. 

Proverbs 25:21 says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." 

2nd Corinthians 9:7 "For God loves a cheerful giver."

I pray that God continue to make Jonah a servant.  He Himself came to this earth to serve us, and what better way to give back to Him by giving to others. 

On both of these days, the attribute of God I am looking at is His love.  I am forever grateful for the love that He shows to us, though we do not deserve it.  I pray that He allows my family to love on others.  Because He first loved us.

Love to all!

gratitude, days 3 & 4

Once again, the Facebook statuses are blessing me!  I love all these thankful posts, and I love that some of them are so shocking to me.  You never know what someone might say. 

On day three (Saturday), I wrote that I was grateful that God gave me my husband.  I say "God gave me him" because He creates for us our perfect-for-me mate.  I started my relationship with my husband as a friend.  I'm glad we started that way because when the kids are grown and married, we will still have something in common.  We got along great before our kids, and that will continue afterward.  We married young, and started our family young.  For us, it's worked great and we are on year sixteen of being married!

There are times when I look at him, and his face is more familiar to me than my own.  Our marriage is not perfect, but it does improve each day.  I pray that we never be idle.  I pray that we always be growing closer and closer to one another, all with the Lord in the middle of us.  I once heard a pastor say that we should think of marriage as a triangle, with the couple at the two bottom corners and God at the top point.  As the couple moves up that triangle, they grow closer to God, and they grow closer to each other.  That is how I picture us.  

On day four, I wrote that I was thankful for my firstborn son, Graham.  I will never forget the overwhelming love I felt for him as I first laid eyes on him.  I used to pick him up out of his crib while he was sleeping, just so I could cuddle him.  He was perfectly beautiful.  The same rings true today, thirteen and a half years later.  The cool thing is that he is also perfectly beautiful on the inside. 

When he was in second grade at the elementary school, one day in walking to his classroom, he noticed a special needs' little girl crying.  There was aid next to her and Graham asked the aid what was wrong.  When the aid told Graham that she was upset because her mom had forgotten to pack her a snack, without even blinking, Graham handed the little girl his snack.  I love that has always been like that; one who puts the needs of others above his own. 

The attributes I've studied on these two days were the wisdom of God, and once again, the love of God. 

I don't think I can say enough on the love of God.  Not only on His love for us, but for us to reflect that love to others.  His greatest commandment is for us to love one another.  Over and over and over His word says that in the New Testament.  I pray that God will give me the wisdom to reach out to those around me and to love them like He loves me.

Whether that be through this blog, through my Facebook account, over the phone or in a hug I might give my loved ones, I pray that He uses me to reach those around me.  It's my challenge for myself today, and everyday. 

Love to all. 

attritubes of God

I love, love, LOVE seeing all the "thankful" posts on Facebook!  I'm so lovin' this gorgeous month of November so far.  It's good to see some good, positive stuff after a whole lot of negative political junk the past several months.  It's refreshing to my soul!

I started my gratitude journal Thursday.  I thought I would share days one and two with you. 

Day one: 

I am thankful for my Savior. I don't ever have to be "good enough" to receive His love.  He loves me just as I am; imperfections and all. 

I immediately thought of the hymn, Just As I Am.  I thought I would share the lyrics.

1. Just as I am, without one plea,
   But that Thy blood was shed for me,
   And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2. Just as I am, and waiting not
   To rid my soul of one dark blot,
   To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3. Just as I am, though tossed about
   With many a conflict, many a doubt,
   Fightings and fears within, without,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
   Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
   Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
5. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
   Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
   Because Thy promise I believe,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
6. Just as I am, Thy love unknown
   Hath broken every barrier down;
   Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

 Isn't that beautiful?  I also wrote down John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the word that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

The attribute I focused on for this day was on the love of God.  I'm using Bible.org for my information on the attributes of Him.  On that website, I found this verse to go along with this attribute:

Psalm 103:11 "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him."

His love is infinite, limitless, eternal, immutable, holy, sacrificial, bestowed by grace. 

Day two:

I am thankful for the Word of God.  Through the reading of His word, I grow closer and closer to Him. 

Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 

Attribute of God for this day: the nearness of God (omnipresent). 

Psalm 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." (King James Version)

I haven't done day three yet, but I'll share with you when I do.  Happy Saturday!  Love to all. 

November?! Already???

I flipped over my calendar to November this morning.  I was struck by how fast this year has gone by.  I even voiced that to my husband.  It seems like just yesterday that I sat down to fill in all the birthdates for 2012 on our new calendar.  I can't be the only to think time is flying.  Can I?

Thanks to Facebook, I feel like a complete and total failure.  In scrolling through the pictures of perfection statuses last night, it dawned on me that I did not snap even one picture of my kids dressed up for Halloween.  How in the world does that happen?  Especially from this girl, who is ALWAYS taking pictures?  It's ridiculous.  The fact that I forgot.  I will say, though, that Graham and Drew didn't dress up.  Well, Graham put on a ski mask and Drew got a baseball bat (???) to trick-or-treat with, but they were in the puppet show at our church's Fall festival, so that hindered their dressing up.

On a positive note, while other moms were snapping pictures, I was making memories and helping my kids carve pumpkins.  Well, I helped Jonah and Noah.  Graham and Drew did theirs by themselves.  I was proud of them for doing such a great job.  Those suckers are not easy to carve! I also roasted some pumpkin seeds.  I wasn't that impressed, though.  They turned out kind of rubbery.  I baked them at 250 degrees for one hour, stirring in fifteen minute intervals.  I cooked them with butter, garlic salt and Worcestershire sauce.  It sure did smell good in my kitchen!

In other news, today was a fun day for Jonah and Noah.  Our homeschool group had a Fall festival/field day today after classes.  They did a craft and had some crazy scarecrow relay races.  While they ran their little hearts out, I kept toddlers.  :)  I'd forgotten how much work young kids are!  It makes me thankful that mine are all older now.  Although, part of me misses their cute little toddler selves.  But a bigger part of me is thankful for their age. 

I'm starting a thankful journal tomorrow.  I have a nice, new notebook all ready and waiting.  Someone told me that they did this last year and they were so encouraged by it, so I thought I would give it a try.  I think I've started one before, but I've never completed the full month.  I think I'm going to do mine all the way through Christmas, though.  I would like to take one thing each day to concentrate on and also take one attribute of God and do them side by side.  I can't wait to get started!

Well, my book is calling my name, and it's almost time for me to call it a night.  Love to all!