Showing posts with label Deployment Ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deployment Ramblings. Show all posts
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sacrifice
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Want to know if someone loves you? Easy. What are they willing to give up for you?
A couple days ago, I had a conversation with the mother of a special needs child. The whole family has given up many things in order to accommodate one member. Being a modern mom, she is networked with other families with children sharing her daughter's condition. She was pretty fed up with the string of e-mails from parents unwilling to make their own sacrifices. Why would a parent risk a kid's health because it would cost an extra $100 a month to make a change? Especially since both parents work full time.
On this 4th of July holiday, and with the subject matter of my novel, I am reminded of the things given up in order to secure our independence. As I wait for my husband to return from his year in Afghanistan, I have a glimpse of what it must have been like for colonial women to kiss their husbands goodbye. But only a glimpse. They had no Skype, reliable mail service, or even an eventual return date. Add to that the amount of work which fell on their shoulders to keep up the home farm and animals. And what of the men? The left their families at a time when too many soldiers (on both sides of the fight) thought unattended women were...shall we say "fair game" to keep the PG rating on this blog. Overwhelming! All because they loved a dream which had about as much chance of becoming reality as I do of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
Closer to home, how do I know my husband loves me? Because, for 25 years, he went to work every day at jobs which were less than his ideal in order to provide a roof over my head and food on our table. He gives up his time and energy to do things with me which are NOT on his list of fun things to do (think ballet and opera) because I want to do them. He knows I love him by the sacrifices I make to either do things he wants or give him time with his own friends.
Why do I create hand-made cards? Because the sacrifice of time speaks more to communicate my love for the recipient than the actual pieces of paper or sentiment.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
There are many ways of laying down your life. Very few involve physical death. Most are putting to death your own plans, dreams, hopes or desires in order to accommodate those you love.
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Until next time,
Becca
Want to know if someone loves you? Easy. What are they willing to give up for you?
A couple days ago, I had a conversation with the mother of a special needs child. The whole family has given up many things in order to accommodate one member. Being a modern mom, she is networked with other families with children sharing her daughter's condition. She was pretty fed up with the string of e-mails from parents unwilling to make their own sacrifices. Why would a parent risk a kid's health because it would cost an extra $100 a month to make a change? Especially since both parents work full time.
On this 4th of July holiday, and with the subject matter of my novel, I am reminded of the things given up in order to secure our independence. As I wait for my husband to return from his year in Afghanistan, I have a glimpse of what it must have been like for colonial women to kiss their husbands goodbye. But only a glimpse. They had no Skype, reliable mail service, or even an eventual return date. Add to that the amount of work which fell on their shoulders to keep up the home farm and animals. And what of the men? The left their families at a time when too many soldiers (on both sides of the fight) thought unattended women were...shall we say "fair game" to keep the PG rating on this blog. Overwhelming! All because they loved a dream which had about as much chance of becoming reality as I do of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
Closer to home, how do I know my husband loves me? Because, for 25 years, he went to work every day at jobs which were less than his ideal in order to provide a roof over my head and food on our table. He gives up his time and energy to do things with me which are NOT on his list of fun things to do (think ballet and opera) because I want to do them. He knows I love him by the sacrifices I make to either do things he wants or give him time with his own friends.
Why do I create hand-made cards? Because the sacrifice of time speaks more to communicate my love for the recipient than the actual pieces of paper or sentiment.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
There are many ways of laying down your life. Very few involve physical death. Most are putting to death your own plans, dreams, hopes or desires in order to accommodate those you love.
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Until next time,
Becca
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saying Goodbye
Today I'm off to help some dear friends pack up and move out. It's part of this Army life, but that doesn't mean I have to like it...at all. This couple has been instrumental in making our first experience with the Army great. Jeff has just been promoted to full-bird Colonel, and they are moving to Pennsylvania so he can attend the War College.
(Do you know why it's called "full-bird"? I didn't. The rank insignia for a Lt. Col. is a maple leaf. When you get promoted to Col., the insignia changes to the eagle with wings spread. You refer to both in conversation as "Col. So and So", thus the need to differentiate between a Col. and a full-bird Col. That will be 5 cents for the lesson, please.)
Frankly, I don't mind if Jeff goes. Don't get me wrong...he's a wonderful man who held the position of Division Chaplain here at Ft. Carson with intelligence, humor, and compassion. But his wife, Lisa... There are no words to explain what she has meant to me personally and to all the chaplain spouses here. She needs to stay. However, after 7 deployments, she's not going for the idea of remaining here while hubby moves on alone.
But...duty calls and so, armed with rubber gloves and a mop, I'm off to help them break my heart.
Until next time,
Becca
(Do you know why it's called "full-bird"? I didn't. The rank insignia for a Lt. Col. is a maple leaf. When you get promoted to Col., the insignia changes to the eagle with wings spread. You refer to both in conversation as "Col. So and So", thus the need to differentiate between a Col. and a full-bird Col. That will be 5 cents for the lesson, please.)
Frankly, I don't mind if Jeff goes. Don't get me wrong...he's a wonderful man who held the position of Division Chaplain here at Ft. Carson with intelligence, humor, and compassion. But his wife, Lisa... There are no words to explain what she has meant to me personally and to all the chaplain spouses here. She needs to stay. However, after 7 deployments, she's not going for the idea of remaining here while hubby moves on alone.
But...duty calls and so, armed with rubber gloves and a mop, I'm off to help them break my heart.
Until next time,
Becca
Monday, May 23, 2011
Good Neighbors
I have great neighbors. Great. Neighbors.
With my husband deployed, it's important to have people looking out for me. Kathy and Gary have watched over the house while I travel, taken in the mail, overseen some of the repairs, and made sure I kept my doors and windows locked.
They are getting their house ready to sell...which does NOT make me happy. I told them they can't leave until Nathan gets back! To thank them for all they've done, I bought them a gift card from Lowes.
This cards is based off the Mojo Monday #192 sketch. All stamps and supplies are CTMH but...if you follow this blog at all...you know they are discontinued now.
So here's a blogger shout out to some wonderful people who have made this deployment just a little easier.
Thanks Kathy and Gary. You're the best!
Until next time,
Becca
This cards is based off the Mojo Monday #192 sketch. All stamps and supplies are CTMH but...if you follow this blog at all...you know they are discontinued now.
So here's a blogger shout out to some wonderful people who have made this deployment just a little easier.
Thanks Kathy and Gary. You're the best!
Until next time,
Becca
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Facts and Questions
When this year of solitary began, I knew it would be a chance for God to reveal things about me which I have avoided simply by being a busy wife and mom. Kids are grown and gone, husband is in Afghanistan for a year, and the in-laws moved into assisted living. I don’t even have a pet to take the focus off me.
The most surprising thing I’ve learned is that I no longer seek out friends. I can still “work the room” if I have to, but I much prefer hanging back and observing than actively trying to make new friends. I don’t remember being this way as a kid. Yeah…more years ago now than I’d like to admit, but still a valid reference point. There are several possible explanations for this change, but does it even matter? I’ve changed. Period. The real question is whether or not I need to do anything about it.
Here are the facts:
1. Army life means lots of moves and, therefore, lots of opportunities to make new friends.
2. Officers are supposed to look out for the soldiers and families within their unit.
3. I’m not really sure how much of #2 is the responsibility of officer spouses.
4. It makes no difference that I’m a Chaplain’s spouse when it comes to #3. It does make a difference that I’m a Christian who wishes to honor God by being used to touch the lives of people around me.
5. I strongly feel God’s leading in the area of writing. It’s a solitary profession. It encourages you to make friends with the people in your head rather than the ones next door.
Here are the questions:
1. If I wait for others to approach me, will I be missing out on potentially great friends and/or opportunities to minister to others?
2. Will I be failing my duty as an officer’s wife, or more importantly as one called by God to love those around me, if I hang back and wait?
3. Is God okay if I wait for Him to bring people into my life He wishes me to minister to one-on-one rather than actively seeking them? Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Can I do something different simply because it’s my personality?
4. Is the time and energy it would take to work at making friends taking away from the call to write? Is writing the way God wants me to seek out those who are lost?
There are a few months left to this solitary life I’m leading. In that time, my prayers will be for answers to the above questions. And, much as I like you all, I’m not asking for your opinions. This is between God and me. My call is different from yours; my situation unique. You have your own set of facts and questions. I’ll deal with mine. Will you figure out and deal with yours?
Until next time,
Becca
The most surprising thing I’ve learned is that I no longer seek out friends. I can still “work the room” if I have to, but I much prefer hanging back and observing than actively trying to make new friends. I don’t remember being this way as a kid. Yeah…more years ago now than I’d like to admit, but still a valid reference point. There are several possible explanations for this change, but does it even matter? I’ve changed. Period. The real question is whether or not I need to do anything about it.
Here are the facts:
1. Army life means lots of moves and, therefore, lots of opportunities to make new friends.
2. Officers are supposed to look out for the soldiers and families within their unit.
3. I’m not really sure how much of #2 is the responsibility of officer spouses.
4. It makes no difference that I’m a Chaplain’s spouse when it comes to #3. It does make a difference that I’m a Christian who wishes to honor God by being used to touch the lives of people around me.
5. I strongly feel God’s leading in the area of writing. It’s a solitary profession. It encourages you to make friends with the people in your head rather than the ones next door.
Here are the questions:
1. If I wait for others to approach me, will I be missing out on potentially great friends and/or opportunities to minister to others?
2. Will I be failing my duty as an officer’s wife, or more importantly as one called by God to love those around me, if I hang back and wait?
3. Is God okay if I wait for Him to bring people into my life He wishes me to minister to one-on-one rather than actively seeking them? Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Can I do something different simply because it’s my personality?
4. Is the time and energy it would take to work at making friends taking away from the call to write? Is writing the way God wants me to seek out those who are lost?
There are a few months left to this solitary life I’m leading. In that time, my prayers will be for answers to the above questions. And, much as I like you all, I’m not asking for your opinions. This is between God and me. My call is different from yours; my situation unique. You have your own set of facts and questions. I’ll deal with mine. Will you figure out and deal with yours?
Until next time,
Becca
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Nothin' Doin'
I’ve been very busy this last week…doing nothing. My beloved husband is home for his 15 day R&R, so I found a vacation home in Grapeview, WA where we have been hibernating.
As he breathes in the scenery, I see him relaxing. This view could not be more different than Afghanistan (which he says resembles the surface of the moon). He doesn’t even mind the rain, and it’s rained every day since he got here. It’s the price Washingtonians pay for the beautiful green we have year-round.
Big plans for the days have been a trip to the local bakery on Wednesday, the grocery store for more milk on Thursday, two trips to my son’s house on Friday and Saturday to watch the Mariner’s play (which was more about him owning an HDTV than seeing him), Sunday church, breakfast at McDonalds on Monday…you get the idea. Yep, that’s one jam-packed schedule.
Nathan’s only jobs have been “Grill Master” and “Dish Washer.” Well, those and “White Coffee Hunter” which he successfully completed a couple days ago at a local espresso stand in Belfair. The gal asked if we wanted a punch card. We should have said yes. Not that the caffeine makes a difference. The man can have a double shot and take a nap an hour later.
There are bigger plans for this coming week: a gaming conference with his buddies, Christmas in April with our kids, and a Mariner’s game at Safeco Field. Then I drive him back to SeaTac to say goodbye for several more months before his homecoming this summer. Not sure how well that will go.
People often say things like, “I don’t know how you do it. I never could.” My response is always the same. There are two things holding me together. First, this is the job for Nathan. This is the one to which all the others have pointed. This is the one God’s been preparing Nathan to take since he dedicated his life to ministry as a teen. This one. And second, my God is sufficient for all my needs. Not my wants, but my needs. I am surrounded by family—church family—who have loved and cared for me through these months. Men who checked my car before I left on the long drive from Colorado to Washington. Women to share lunches, dinners, and weekend activities to prevent loneliness from taking over. A family who has adopted me. And His dear presence in the middle of the night when missing my Nathan becomes unbearable.
Deployment is not easy. You get into a routine, yes. It gets better, yes. But it’s not a barrel of laughs. Re-deployment (the Army’s very creative word for the soldier’s coming back) will likely not be easy either. All those routines have to change. I have to re-learn to keep my mouth shut when Nathan is driving…without paying attention to the speed limit…or getting in the right lane to turn far enough in advance…or turning off the windshield wipers when the rain stops instead of waiting until they start making horrible squeally noises. Yeah.
But my God will still be sufficient for all my needs. I learned years ago that my husband is not my provider. God is. And while He may use Nathan primarily to fulfill that role, there are many other sets of hands and feet at His disposal.
May you find God sufficient for your needs today.
Until next time,
Becca
As he breathes in the scenery, I see him relaxing. This view could not be more different than Afghanistan (which he says resembles the surface of the moon). He doesn’t even mind the rain, and it’s rained every day since he got here. It’s the price Washingtonians pay for the beautiful green we have year-round.
Big plans for the days have been a trip to the local bakery on Wednesday, the grocery store for more milk on Thursday, two trips to my son’s house on Friday and Saturday to watch the Mariner’s play (which was more about him owning an HDTV than seeing him), Sunday church, breakfast at McDonalds on Monday…you get the idea. Yep, that’s one jam-packed schedule.
Nathan’s only jobs have been “Grill Master” and “Dish Washer.” Well, those and “White Coffee Hunter” which he successfully completed a couple days ago at a local espresso stand in Belfair. The gal asked if we wanted a punch card. We should have said yes. Not that the caffeine makes a difference. The man can have a double shot and take a nap an hour later.
There are bigger plans for this coming week: a gaming conference with his buddies, Christmas in April with our kids, and a Mariner’s game at Safeco Field. Then I drive him back to SeaTac to say goodbye for several more months before his homecoming this summer. Not sure how well that will go.
People often say things like, “I don’t know how you do it. I never could.” My response is always the same. There are two things holding me together. First, this is the job for Nathan. This is the one to which all the others have pointed. This is the one God’s been preparing Nathan to take since he dedicated his life to ministry as a teen. This one. And second, my God is sufficient for all my needs. Not my wants, but my needs. I am surrounded by family—church family—who have loved and cared for me through these months. Men who checked my car before I left on the long drive from Colorado to Washington. Women to share lunches, dinners, and weekend activities to prevent loneliness from taking over. A family who has adopted me. And His dear presence in the middle of the night when missing my Nathan becomes unbearable.
Deployment is not easy. You get into a routine, yes. It gets better, yes. But it’s not a barrel of laughs. Re-deployment (the Army’s very creative word for the soldier’s coming back) will likely not be easy either. All those routines have to change. I have to re-learn to keep my mouth shut when Nathan is driving…without paying attention to the speed limit…or getting in the right lane to turn far enough in advance…or turning off the windshield wipers when the rain stops instead of waiting until they start making horrible squeally noises. Yeah.
But my God will still be sufficient for all my needs. I learned years ago that my husband is not my provider. God is. And while He may use Nathan primarily to fulfill that role, there are many other sets of hands and feet at His disposal.
May you find God sufficient for your needs today.
Until next time,
Becca
Thursday, February 17, 2011
"...It's the Other"
You know the saying, "If it's not one thing, it's the other." The Army has it's own version. "Everything breaks when your spouse deploys." Hmmm. Let's see if that holds true. Nathan deployed July 24th.
August: The loan Nathan and I took out finally closes (started the process in June 7) but they are trying to charge us $1000 in points when we specifically took the higher interest rate with NO POINTS.
September: New paperwork for our loan, but there are three different sets of settlement statements presented to me at the signing. You saw that correctly. THREE. Loan closes with an entirely different amount than any of the three from the signing. Discover that the title company charged $450 more on the "final" settlement amount than on the "correct" settlement amount (of the three possibles) presented at closing.
October: Plumbing backs up, plumbers decide it's a collapsed pipe, dig up the front yard and break the water main into my house.
November: Still fighting with the title company over their fees. For the first time in my life, I engage the services of a lawyer. He writes them a letter. Their response? They have to retrieve my records from storage. Huh! Weather turns cold, but the furnace has a mind of it's own and decides if and when it wants to work.
December: Still fighting with the title company. They can't find my records. Roofing layer on my rental house sheers off in a Christmas Eve windstorm. The wood is still there, but the stuff protecting it (and everything inside my house) from rain, snow, and sleet is gone. It's Colorado. In December.
January: Still fighting with the title company, they were going to look into in and get back to me by "the end of the day." After a month of nothing but a blue tarp covering my house, the roofers finally arrive. Their "fix" leaves a shower of debris over THE ENTIRE TOP FLOOR of my house. It costs me $200 to get it cleaned up because my insurance doesn't cover it (no actual damage to my property...just covered with filth), my landlord's insurance doesn't cover it because there is no structural damage, and the roofing company doesn't cover it because they aren't responsible for the interior of the house and they told me to lay down a tarp. Uh...no, they didn't tell me to tarp, and even if they did, how am I supposed to cover THE ENTIRE TOP FLOOR?
February: Still fighting with the title company; they never got back to me, and so I'm now on to my second lawyer because the JAG officer can't actually go any further than write demand letters and follow up e-mails which, as you can see, have gotten us nowhere. The plumbing backs up again. This time the guy digging up the pipes running from the house to the street hits the gas main. They also didn't turn my water back on so, tonight, while I'm supposed to be getting ready to leave on a big trip, I have no way to clean up the kitchen after days of trying to not do dishes until the plumbing cleared up, no way to do laundry, and no more sanity.
Do you think the Army would go for it if I requested my husband be allowed to come home early from his deployment because this house (and his wife) are not going to survive much longer?
Until next time,
Becca
August: The loan Nathan and I took out finally closes (started the process in June 7) but they are trying to charge us $1000 in points when we specifically took the higher interest rate with NO POINTS.
September: New paperwork for our loan, but there are three different sets of settlement statements presented to me at the signing. You saw that correctly. THREE. Loan closes with an entirely different amount than any of the three from the signing. Discover that the title company charged $450 more on the "final" settlement amount than on the "correct" settlement amount (of the three possibles) presented at closing.
October: Plumbing backs up, plumbers decide it's a collapsed pipe, dig up the front yard and break the water main into my house.
November: Still fighting with the title company over their fees. For the first time in my life, I engage the services of a lawyer. He writes them a letter. Their response? They have to retrieve my records from storage. Huh! Weather turns cold, but the furnace has a mind of it's own and decides if and when it wants to work.
December: Still fighting with the title company. They can't find my records. Roofing layer on my rental house sheers off in a Christmas Eve windstorm. The wood is still there, but the stuff protecting it (and everything inside my house) from rain, snow, and sleet is gone. It's Colorado. In December.
January: Still fighting with the title company, they were going to look into in and get back to me by "the end of the day." After a month of nothing but a blue tarp covering my house, the roofers finally arrive. Their "fix" leaves a shower of debris over THE ENTIRE TOP FLOOR of my house. It costs me $200 to get it cleaned up because my insurance doesn't cover it (no actual damage to my property...just covered with filth), my landlord's insurance doesn't cover it because there is no structural damage, and the roofing company doesn't cover it because they aren't responsible for the interior of the house and they told me to lay down a tarp. Uh...no, they didn't tell me to tarp, and even if they did, how am I supposed to cover THE ENTIRE TOP FLOOR?
February: Still fighting with the title company; they never got back to me, and so I'm now on to my second lawyer because the JAG officer can't actually go any further than write demand letters and follow up e-mails which, as you can see, have gotten us nowhere. The plumbing backs up again. This time the guy digging up the pipes running from the house to the street hits the gas main. They also didn't turn my water back on so, tonight, while I'm supposed to be getting ready to leave on a big trip, I have no way to clean up the kitchen after days of trying to not do dishes until the plumbing cleared up, no way to do laundry, and no more sanity.
Do you think the Army would go for it if I requested my husband be allowed to come home early from his deployment because this house (and his wife) are not going to survive much longer?
Until next time,
Becca
Thursday, January 27, 2011
This and That
I'm not sure where to start. Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
Until next time,
Becca
- Good news: The roofers are finally here. I should have a real roof by the end of the week.
- Bad news: Because my house has a pitched roof with literally no barrier between the roof and the inner ceiling, all the banging and walking around up there is sending a shower of dirt and debris into my house. It's EVERYWHERE. I'm trying to see if insurance will help cover some of the clean up. If not, clean up is going to be an icky, sticky job.
- Good news: I get to travel to Texas soon for a writing conference and meet honest-to-goodness writers and real-live editors. I've been off the blogging because I'm racing against a deadline to get 30 pages of polished work submitted by Feb. 1. I should be working now, but the banging and shower of junk makes it impossible.
Until next time,
Becca
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Happy Anniversary
Today I am celebrating my 26th Anniversary. It began with my husband singing "Love Me Tender" over Skype. He's learning guitar, so it went something like this: "Love me tender (look down for chord change), love me true (look down for chord change)..." Loved it!
Last night, I ran through all the things I remember about my wedding from the fiascoes to the sublime. The most prominent memory was my father walking me down the aisle to transfer the care of my person to the man waiting at the end of that walk. The only thought running through my head was, "This is the best decision I've ever made." In 26 years, there has never been even a split-second of question.
Happy Anniversary, Honey. The best is yet to come!
Becca
Last night, I ran through all the things I remember about my wedding from the fiascoes to the sublime. The most prominent memory was my father walking me down the aisle to transfer the care of my person to the man waiting at the end of that walk. The only thought running through my head was, "This is the best decision I've ever made." In 26 years, there has never been even a split-second of question.
Happy Anniversary, Honey. The best is yet to come!
Becca
Saturday, November 6, 2010
15 Weeks
Ephesians 4:16
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Last night a group of Army wives got together for "coffee" although there wasn't a drop of the stuff in sight. We dressed up, chatted, shared our weeks, offered and received comfort, and then said goodnight after filling both our stomachs and souls. How I needed both!
Some weeks here are good; others seem endless. Last week I found a groove; this week's been the worst I've missed my level-headed, funny husband since he left fifteen weeks ago. I almost canceled and stayed holed up in my basement. I doubt I was the only one who forced a smile and showed up to offer and receive the solace of those who understand the challenges of deployment.
These women are each amazing. What struck me last night was how, as a group, we complement one another and are mutually stronger. It brought to mind the above verse. The military life is not for everyone, nor do the majority of people in this world belong to the body of Christ. I count myself blessed to be part of both. Magic occurs when individuals merge, knitting their individual parts together for strength. On our own, we falter and unravel. United we hold not only our own strand together but those connected with us, too.
Several years ago, when Nathan directed a prison ministry, we attended an "open house" at a correctional facility. On display were items prisoners had used to create contraband like knives made from sharpened spoons, pens, etc. Most impressive to me was the rope made from toilet paper. An industrious inmate wet down small pieces of toilet paper, twined them together to make thin, twisted strands, wrapped five strands into one, created three more just like it and braided them all together. He created three more braids the same way. Then, like a hairdresser, he braided the braids into a single rope. The guards allowed us to pick it up. I pulled and twisted. It did not break. Nathan grabbed one end, I held the other. We still couldn't break it. That's the power of togetherness. Okay...so the comparison of people to wet toilet paper isn't exactly flattering, but it aptly describes how I feel right now.
Through recent posts, I've picked up several new "followers" on this blog. You need to know I pray over each and every one of you. This week, my prayer is for you to find a place where your unique gifts, talents, abilities and interests join together with others in an "up close and personal" way. Internet connections, social networking sites, and blogging comments are no substitute for real people who will irritate you, bless you, and require more of your heart than typed comments from the safety of your laptop.
Until next time,
Becca
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Last night a group of Army wives got together for "coffee" although there wasn't a drop of the stuff in sight. We dressed up, chatted, shared our weeks, offered and received comfort, and then said goodnight after filling both our stomachs and souls. How I needed both!
Some weeks here are good; others seem endless. Last week I found a groove; this week's been the worst I've missed my level-headed, funny husband since he left fifteen weeks ago. I almost canceled and stayed holed up in my basement. I doubt I was the only one who forced a smile and showed up to offer and receive the solace of those who understand the challenges of deployment.
These women are each amazing. What struck me last night was how, as a group, we complement one another and are mutually stronger. It brought to mind the above verse. The military life is not for everyone, nor do the majority of people in this world belong to the body of Christ. I count myself blessed to be part of both. Magic occurs when individuals merge, knitting their individual parts together for strength. On our own, we falter and unravel. United we hold not only our own strand together but those connected with us, too.
Several years ago, when Nathan directed a prison ministry, we attended an "open house" at a correctional facility. On display were items prisoners had used to create contraband like knives made from sharpened spoons, pens, etc. Most impressive to me was the rope made from toilet paper. An industrious inmate wet down small pieces of toilet paper, twined them together to make thin, twisted strands, wrapped five strands into one, created three more just like it and braided them all together. He created three more braids the same way. Then, like a hairdresser, he braided the braids into a single rope. The guards allowed us to pick it up. I pulled and twisted. It did not break. Nathan grabbed one end, I held the other. We still couldn't break it. That's the power of togetherness. Okay...so the comparison of people to wet toilet paper isn't exactly flattering, but it aptly describes how I feel right now.
Through recent posts, I've picked up several new "followers" on this blog. You need to know I pray over each and every one of you. This week, my prayer is for you to find a place where your unique gifts, talents, abilities and interests join together with others in an "up close and personal" way. Internet connections, social networking sites, and blogging comments are no substitute for real people who will irritate you, bless you, and require more of your heart than typed comments from the safety of your laptop.
Until next time,
Becca
Monday, August 23, 2010
Crash and Burn
I have known I was living in denial since the day I dropped my husband off in the parking lot and kissed him good-bye for a year. I went home, finished packing for my own trip, and was on the road within an hour and a half. I've been working myself silly since then, but yesterday was my crash.
Thursday, my son came home. We celebrated, showed him his new house, ran around getting things he felt were essential (let's just say I should have bought stock in Best Buy!!), and yesterday we went to church where the kids spent their elementary years. It was great to see friends, but Nathan should have been there. And it hit me...Nathan will not be around for another 11 months to see and share the things I'm experiencing.
Cried like a baby inside but tried to hold it together outwardly. Not sure I succeeded.
I've not been reading the Psalms like I said I would. Instead of berating myself, I just went back to the beginning and stared reading until I felt comforted. It only took until Ps. 3. God is the lifter of my head!
Until next time,
Becca
Thursday, my son came home. We celebrated, showed him his new house, ran around getting things he felt were essential (let's just say I should have bought stock in Best Buy!!), and yesterday we went to church where the kids spent their elementary years. It was great to see friends, but Nathan should have been there. And it hit me...Nathan will not be around for another 11 months to see and share the things I'm experiencing.
Cried like a baby inside but tried to hold it together outwardly. Not sure I succeeded.
I've not been reading the Psalms like I said I would. Instead of berating myself, I just went back to the beginning and stared reading until I felt comforted. It only took until Ps. 3. God is the lifter of my head!
Until next time,
Becca
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