Yesterday morning Eric took Ayden with him to Camp Dodge. Ayden needed to get his military ID renewed and it was just a good moment for him to spend time with his pop plus we were picking up the new car. On the way they stopped in DeSoto to get gas. Eric was driving the Bravada and he filled the tank and I will assume they also got a couple of breakfast items. Cost: $45. When he went to use his card it wouldn't work. He had done some messing with it the other day because it's about to expire and he had not activated our joint account card yet. So he left his drivers license and told them I would come up and pay when I came through. Back on the road, he called me and said I needed to stop and pay when I came through. No problem. I was heading up right behind them with the silver van. I got to DeSoto around 9:15 and went in to pay. I picked up a couple of items and approached the counter. I stated I needed to pay for my husband's gas. Both cashiers looked at me kind of funny and then one said, "No you don't. The lady behind him paid for his gas". What?!?! I looked at him confused and then said, "Are you kidding? Was it because he was in uniform"? To which they replied yes and I started crying... and became rather speechless and had a hard time figuring out that I still needed to pay for my items. I left dumbfounded and called Eric who was incredibly touched. She waited until he left and then paid. He would have refused her and she didn't want any recognition. Pretty cool, huh?
So to the woman who was a good samaritan even when there was no need....THANK YOU!! You touched my family's hearts and I am blessed by your kindness. I hope that I see and seize any opportunity I have to bless someone else someday.
Praise and prayer requests:
1) Praise for both of our non-running vehicles to be gone! Today the Honda and the Dodge conversion van were hauled away (we had the van for 10 years and it served us well..kinda sad to see it go...lots of family memories in that van including our trip to Seattle and back)
2) Praise for things getting done and continued prayer for stamina and all to come together and be done by May 24th
3) Prayer for my neurologist appointment on Friday
4) Prayer for the kids....this is a lot for them to bear at times even though they don't show it and maybe even know it
Psalm 27:13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
God Bless,
Monica
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Ba-bye!
There are so many things going on right now in our lives. Many of those things are not much fun. But the back of my van is fun. Most of you would never consider putting this many stickers on the back of your van. I have never had that many on the back of any vehicle I've ever had. And I plan on never having that many again. However, how many silver minivans do you see on the road? Yes, everybody seems to own one. And this is where my problem started. Too many, many times I have gotten in the wrong van! The first time I did it I actually climbed in and there was a plastic frog on the dash staring back at me. Confused about the placement of this frog that never rode on my dash before, I quickly realized I was in the wrong van and jumped out. This trend continued for a long time. If I didn't get in the wrong van, I at least walked to the wrong van. Remember we live in Winterset and many people don't lock their cars. But then I started having problems in larger parking lots. And then my sweet Melody acquired a silver van. She drives a white van and a silver van. One time she parked her white van behind my silver van at my house and when she left she jumped in my silver van. When it was too quiet, she realized her kids were sitting in her white van behind her! Silver vans are everywhere!
So I started with an ISU sticker on the corner on the front windshield. It wasn't enough. And then I just got carried away. The first time I went to Fareway with all of my stickers I still lost my van. I walked to my van and all of the stickers were gone. Some of them are magnetic so I wondered who had taken all of my stickers! And then I realized my van was the next one over.
Today my lost van issues end. I am trading for an ink blue Ford Edge and I am soooo excited! There are only a couple of them in town and no one has an ink blue one. I should be good. That is if I remember I have an Edge and not a silver minivan!
Thank you for all of your prayers about our vehicles. Having a very reliable car while Eric is gone greatly reduces my stress and our van was starting to have issues. We still have the Honda and the conversion van to deal with as they haven't sold. But shortly they will be donated if we don't see any action.
We have lots of information and an address for Eric. Our time is quickly running out because once he goes active in a month he will not be able to come home except on his leave days. I will post more about this very soon.
Love,
Monica
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Make me smile, laugh, and laugh until I cry....or tinkle a little :)
Now that Ayden has broken his arm, he really needs help delivering his papers. So on Tuesday I loaded up one of his bags and decided I would listen to a deployment prep CD while delivering; good exercise and quality learning time combined. Except I found myself crying while delivering which actually ended up making me laugh. I finished the first street and saw my friend, Annie, heading my way doing her morning power walk. Of course, someone would find me while I'm delivering papers and crying. So, it's just God's way of giving us all something else to laugh about. Friends are great for reminding you later about stupid things you have done. And some stories are worth retelling just to belly laugh once again.
Things that make me happy.....
my dogs (I waited a long time to have my bichons and Isabelle our lab..well, she's just such a sweet girl)
my sons, my daughter-in-law, and my hubby....nothing like dinner with them all home and a rousing game of Last Word :)
my friends make me smile, laugh, and belly laugh!
puppy feet that smell like Fritos, morning glories, and clean cars....and seeing Eric find that little treasure in the woods..happy moments
my dad's 'member that? story...I can laugh and giggle just thinking about it..if you ever get a chance to have him tell it in person take the time for sure because his facial expressions are priceless
silly things and customers at the restaurant...working in a restaurant produces at least one laugh a night
(last night an older gentleman said, "wow..you keep getting new people working in here...and I had no answer because it was our regular long-time servers working....so I just agreed with him and then he said...oh, but we don't come in too often... :x?*!?! what? )
leaving our children places...particularly Laramy in the Pamida parking lot while he was kindly putting the cart away for us...
deciding to go TPing for the first time at the age of 40 and watching a ginormous roll of industrial TP hit your friend in the mouth as it came down....yeah, way tooooo funny even though she had a fat lip...sorry Renee!
stories about gas always are useful for a good laugh....smelly coleslaw...how Isabelle can clear a room with her gas while she's sleeping even though she is such a sweet girl....my boys in shock if I let one loose (I tell them I learned from the best...all of them!)...and Eric being discrete but then fluffing the covers so it comes up and hits you in the face... irritating but good for a laugh...Brady and Laramy have been known to clear a car a time or two...
driving to Texas with my Melody and her four kids straight through....yeah, what else do I need to say here? let's see..speeding ticket, taking a picture of the lights in the rear view mirror while getting the ticket, my cautious driving, Shocktarts..... memories I'm so thankful we made
things I think I hear or don't hear... Monica-isms... need to start keeping a log... I heard "Who's stupid salad is that?"...he said "Who's soup and salad is that?" and so many many more... Please feel free to add your own comments to this
Most importantly I have learned that when you do something stupid or funny it is best to have someone around to enjoy the laugh. Otherwise it is just wasted. And retelling the story just isn't always that funny. However, some are worth retelling. Examples: 1) my friend, Charlene, taking the garbage to the street on an icy night and slipping and falling spread eagle into the middle of the street...totally wasted just on her 2) me being all dressed up for work, feeling kinda sassy, and then realizing while I was getting gas that I totally missed a strip of hair on my leg... wasted on just me 3) and me in a public bathroom hearing a toilet flush thinking.."Oh, someone else is in here" and then realizing it was just my automatic toilet flushing behind me... totally wasted on me.
So if you're going to do something funny over the next year...invite me! but, make sure I have gone to the potty first!
Here's to having a year of laughs....
Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laugher and your lips with shouts of joy!
Prayer requests remain the same for now.
Love and laughter,
Monica
Things that make me happy.....
my dogs (I waited a long time to have my bichons and Isabelle our lab..well, she's just such a sweet girl)
my sons, my daughter-in-law, and my hubby....nothing like dinner with them all home and a rousing game of Last Word :)
my friends make me smile, laugh, and belly laugh!
puppy feet that smell like Fritos, morning glories, and clean cars....and seeing Eric find that little treasure in the woods..happy moments
my dad's 'member that? story...I can laugh and giggle just thinking about it..if you ever get a chance to have him tell it in person take the time for sure because his facial expressions are priceless
silly things and customers at the restaurant...working in a restaurant produces at least one laugh a night
(last night an older gentleman said, "wow..you keep getting new people working in here...and I had no answer because it was our regular long-time servers working....so I just agreed with him and then he said...oh, but we don't come in too often... :x?*!?! what? )
leaving our children places...particularly Laramy in the Pamida parking lot while he was kindly putting the cart away for us...
deciding to go TPing for the first time at the age of 40 and watching a ginormous roll of industrial TP hit your friend in the mouth as it came down....yeah, way tooooo funny even though she had a fat lip...sorry Renee!
stories about gas always are useful for a good laugh....smelly coleslaw...how Isabelle can clear a room with her gas while she's sleeping even though she is such a sweet girl....my boys in shock if I let one loose (I tell them I learned from the best...all of them!)...and Eric being discrete but then fluffing the covers so it comes up and hits you in the face... irritating but good for a laugh...Brady and Laramy have been known to clear a car a time or two...
driving to Texas with my Melody and her four kids straight through....yeah, what else do I need to say here? let's see..speeding ticket, taking a picture of the lights in the rear view mirror while getting the ticket, my cautious driving, Shocktarts..... memories I'm so thankful we made
things I think I hear or don't hear... Monica-isms... need to start keeping a log... I heard "Who's stupid salad is that?"...he said "Who's soup and salad is that?" and so many many more... Please feel free to add your own comments to this
Most importantly I have learned that when you do something stupid or funny it is best to have someone around to enjoy the laugh. Otherwise it is just wasted. And retelling the story just isn't always that funny. However, some are worth retelling. Examples: 1) my friend, Charlene, taking the garbage to the street on an icy night and slipping and falling spread eagle into the middle of the street...totally wasted just on her 2) me being all dressed up for work, feeling kinda sassy, and then realizing while I was getting gas that I totally missed a strip of hair on my leg... wasted on just me 3) and me in a public bathroom hearing a toilet flush thinking.."Oh, someone else is in here" and then realizing it was just my automatic toilet flushing behind me... totally wasted on me.
So if you're going to do something funny over the next year...invite me! but, make sure I have gone to the potty first!
Here's to having a year of laughs....
Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laugher and your lips with shouts of joy!
Prayer requests remain the same for now.
Love and laughter,
Monica
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Practice and Lessons
I am absolutely positive during the next year when Eric is gone we will face moments of crisis like today. Today was our first really warm and sunny spring day reaching almost eighty degrees. With warm weather comes increased activity. I had worked on a few spring cleaning things, been outside and played with the dogs a number of times, gone to the grocery store and purchased our Easter ham, and when afternoon rolled around and I decided to jump in the shower to get an early start on getting ready for work.
Today is Wednesday. It follows Tuesday. It actually does this every week for everybody. But for my youngest son, Ayden, every Wednesday is payday. He has delivered papers on Tuesday since he was 8 years old. He started with a small 43 paper route and now delivers 300 papers every Tuesday. He is able to do this because he is homeschooled and it is a part of his education. This winter has been particularly rough during delivering with the mountains of snow and we have all pitched in to give him a hand at times. But last week and this week he has been able to ride his bike. Well, his old beater bike tires didn't survive the winter well. He used his good RAGBRAI bike last week and we fixed the tire on the beater bike. Lucky for him his birthday was Saturday. So Friday we took him to buy a new romp-around-town Mongoose bike. Being his usual self, he is very picky about his new bike. And after much discussion and parking it in the living room, we decided the safest place for his new bike would be inside the fence in the backyard.
But today is Wednesday; payday. As I hopped in the shower, I heard Ayden yell something. As I was getting out of the shower, our old rotary dial house phone rang downstairs. But I couldn't get it. And then it rang again. This alarmed me a bit so I hustled and dried off and dressed but nothing else happened. I also realized that Ayden had gone to get his pay. He always goes at 2pm every Wednesday because they don't pay before 2pm. And then he heads to the bank to deposit most of his money. He usually keeps out a couple of dollars for a treat. He is faithful and diligent to this weekly ritual and he does not forget. Today he was behind. Public school threw him off this morning so he was late returning from music. Instead of getting his new bike out of the back yard (the one with brakes that work) he chose to jump on his beater bike and head up to the square for his weekly errand. Two blocks from home he crashed. The bike chain came off and tangled in the tire sending him twirling and whacking his arm on the pavement. I believe he knew he broke his arm right away. He called me using his Trac phone twice in a row. But I didn't answer. A lady who works with our sons at Fareway saw him and, according to what she told Laramy, heard him howling. She had her Fareway uniform on which clued him in to get Brady who was still at work.
I was dressed and about to comb out my hair when Brady charged up the steps exclaiming Ayden had broken his arm and he was rushing him to the emergency. It was quite an andrenaline rush for me but I said, "Not without me!" I grabbed my two purses (my curse for having too many and having my ID in one and my insurance card in the other) and off we went. As I jumped in the truck it was obvious his arm was broken. He was calm and scraped but okay. He was well taken care of and the arm was stabilized. And tomorrow we see the ortho.
Tonight as I sit in my bed waiting for Eric to return from some out-of-state training, I realize how responsible my guys were today. We have, unfortunately, experienced plentiful trips to the emergency room between the five boys and they are aware of what to do. Logan came home and was calm but took care of some business before he left. Laramy got the rest of the scoop from our good samaritan at work tonight and exclaimed when he came home, "I don't want him riding that bike anymore". I loved seeing that protection mode come out. Ayden realized his lesson learned about impatience. As it was he never made it to pick up his pay or deposit it in the bank because he didn't want to take the time to get the new bike out of the fence. I have some very decent caring young men in my family.
So I'm counting this practice. Eric is available but not really here. He will be here tomorrow when we see the ortho. We made decisions without his input and I resisted the urge to call him knowing that I will be taking care of things like this without his immediate knowledge. We are very capable. When a child is injured the first response is to make sure both parents know. I won't have that immediate option during the next year. We will survive. And he will be better less any of these family stresses to distract him.
Deuteronomy 28:6 May you be blessed in your coming in, and blessed in your going out!
Prayer request:
1) Thanks and praise for sunshine and warmer temps during this glorious Holy Week.
2) Continued prayer for our vehicles. We have two listed to sell on Craig's List and have had many calls but no takers just yet.
3) Continued prayer for my daily stamina.
4) Continued prayer for my transition to bill-paying.
5) Pray that we find and utilize every option given to us by the military while he is deployed.
6) Pray that time slows down until he leaves and speeds up when he is gone. :) It's possible.
Love,
Monica
Today is Wednesday. It follows Tuesday. It actually does this every week for everybody. But for my youngest son, Ayden, every Wednesday is payday. He has delivered papers on Tuesday since he was 8 years old. He started with a small 43 paper route and now delivers 300 papers every Tuesday. He is able to do this because he is homeschooled and it is a part of his education. This winter has been particularly rough during delivering with the mountains of snow and we have all pitched in to give him a hand at times. But last week and this week he has been able to ride his bike. Well, his old beater bike tires didn't survive the winter well. He used his good RAGBRAI bike last week and we fixed the tire on the beater bike. Lucky for him his birthday was Saturday. So Friday we took him to buy a new romp-around-town Mongoose bike. Being his usual self, he is very picky about his new bike. And after much discussion and parking it in the living room, we decided the safest place for his new bike would be inside the fence in the backyard.
But today is Wednesday; payday. As I hopped in the shower, I heard Ayden yell something. As I was getting out of the shower, our old rotary dial house phone rang downstairs. But I couldn't get it. And then it rang again. This alarmed me a bit so I hustled and dried off and dressed but nothing else happened. I also realized that Ayden had gone to get his pay. He always goes at 2pm every Wednesday because they don't pay before 2pm. And then he heads to the bank to deposit most of his money. He usually keeps out a couple of dollars for a treat. He is faithful and diligent to this weekly ritual and he does not forget. Today he was behind. Public school threw him off this morning so he was late returning from music. Instead of getting his new bike out of the back yard (the one with brakes that work) he chose to jump on his beater bike and head up to the square for his weekly errand. Two blocks from home he crashed. The bike chain came off and tangled in the tire sending him twirling and whacking his arm on the pavement. I believe he knew he broke his arm right away. He called me using his Trac phone twice in a row. But I didn't answer. A lady who works with our sons at Fareway saw him and, according to what she told Laramy, heard him howling. She had her Fareway uniform on which clued him in to get Brady who was still at work.
I was dressed and about to comb out my hair when Brady charged up the steps exclaiming Ayden had broken his arm and he was rushing him to the emergency. It was quite an andrenaline rush for me but I said, "Not without me!" I grabbed my two purses (my curse for having too many and having my ID in one and my insurance card in the other) and off we went. As I jumped in the truck it was obvious his arm was broken. He was calm and scraped but okay. He was well taken care of and the arm was stabilized. And tomorrow we see the ortho.
Tonight as I sit in my bed waiting for Eric to return from some out-of-state training, I realize how responsible my guys were today. We have, unfortunately, experienced plentiful trips to the emergency room between the five boys and they are aware of what to do. Logan came home and was calm but took care of some business before he left. Laramy got the rest of the scoop from our good samaritan at work tonight and exclaimed when he came home, "I don't want him riding that bike anymore". I loved seeing that protection mode come out. Ayden realized his lesson learned about impatience. As it was he never made it to pick up his pay or deposit it in the bank because he didn't want to take the time to get the new bike out of the fence. I have some very decent caring young men in my family.
So I'm counting this practice. Eric is available but not really here. He will be here tomorrow when we see the ortho. We made decisions without his input and I resisted the urge to call him knowing that I will be taking care of things like this without his immediate knowledge. We are very capable. When a child is injured the first response is to make sure both parents know. I won't have that immediate option during the next year. We will survive. And he will be better less any of these family stresses to distract him.
Deuteronomy 28:6 May you be blessed in your coming in, and blessed in your going out!
Prayer request:
1) Thanks and praise for sunshine and warmer temps during this glorious Holy Week.
2) Continued prayer for our vehicles. We have two listed to sell on Craig's List and have had many calls but no takers just yet.
3) Continued prayer for my daily stamina.
4) Continued prayer for my transition to bill-paying.
5) Pray that we find and utilize every option given to us by the military while he is deployed.
6) Pray that time slows down until he leaves and speeds up when he is gone. :) It's possible.
Love,
Monica
Monday, March 22, 2010
Keeping composed
In the past couple of weeks, I have found I have not been able to keep myself composed when someone asks about the current status/schedule. It is a common occurrence now for Eric to look at me and say, "What's wrong?" I have moments where I just tear up....or snot up in my case. I guess I must look teary even though I don't have tears that run across my cheeks anymore. That is not because I have cried so much I am out of tears. It is because Sjogren's has caused my tears to decrease. But I really wish my snot would dry up because now when I cry it all runs out my nose. Anyway, I guess I'm not sure how I am supposed to be. We were in Lowes last Sunday looking for tile and pricing a new front door when I found myself "tearing up". We love to do those things together. And we enjoy putzing around together. I will miss that time with him very much. Today in church I glanced at my sons during the Our Father and we were all holding hands and I started "tearing up" again. Eric was at drill all weekend so he was not with us in church. We miss him very much when he is not there. But we are sticking together as a family through this and Christ's presence is very evident to me through my sons and how they are treating one another as we all prepare for the coming year.
We have been practicing Skyping and playing Scrabble online at the same time. Eric and I love to play Scrabble and we found an online version on facebook. So it is possible we might be able to stay connected by doing that one thing while he is overseas. For now I sit in my bed and he sits downstairs and we kind of pretend what it will be like. It is all in good fun and is giving us some laughs, too; especially so when the boys realize we are talking to each other in the same house. But most importantly we have everything set up and ready with our computers. And no matter what I won't give up my competitive nature and will try to beat him wherever he is!
Next month I will attend a family support meeting to learn more. Being apart in this kind of a situation is quite a balancing act. Eric and I will have to find our own niche and figure out what is acceptable for us for our situation. We will have to learn what to share about our daily lives and still stay as connected as possible without creating unnecessary stress for one another as we go through the year.
So today I find much comfort in this verse...
Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So keep asking both of us. Eric has interesting thing to share. I will do my best to hold my composure. All hugs and well-wishes accepted! Thank you to everyone for your support!
Prayer requests:
1) Pray Monica has an easy transition as she takes over the budget and bill-paying.
2) Pray for stamina and health for Eric as he goes through physical training to prepare.
3) Pray for Eric to continue to make connections and bonds with his team.
4) Pray we make all the right and necessary car decisions in the next couple of months.
5) Praise for no snow and warmer temps!!
God Bless,
Monica
We have been practicing Skyping and playing Scrabble online at the same time. Eric and I love to play Scrabble and we found an online version on facebook. So it is possible we might be able to stay connected by doing that one thing while he is overseas. For now I sit in my bed and he sits downstairs and we kind of pretend what it will be like. It is all in good fun and is giving us some laughs, too; especially so when the boys realize we are talking to each other in the same house. But most importantly we have everything set up and ready with our computers. And no matter what I won't give up my competitive nature and will try to beat him wherever he is!
Next month I will attend a family support meeting to learn more. Being apart in this kind of a situation is quite a balancing act. Eric and I will have to find our own niche and figure out what is acceptable for us for our situation. We will have to learn what to share about our daily lives and still stay as connected as possible without creating unnecessary stress for one another as we go through the year.
So today I find much comfort in this verse...
Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So keep asking both of us. Eric has interesting thing to share. I will do my best to hold my composure. All hugs and well-wishes accepted! Thank you to everyone for your support!
Prayer requests:
1) Pray Monica has an easy transition as she takes over the budget and bill-paying.
2) Pray for stamina and health for Eric as he goes through physical training to prepare.
3) Pray for Eric to continue to make connections and bonds with his team.
4) Pray we make all the right and necessary car decisions in the next couple of months.
5) Praise for no snow and warmer temps!!
God Bless,
Monica
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Holding Pattern
This holding pattern that I am living in stinks. Sorry, there is no other way to start this entry. The waiting, waiting, waiting, wondering, waiting...ugh. There's a small part of me that wishes he would get up one morning, kiss me goodbye, and come home from work 12 months later. That's how my mind is compartmentalizing what is to come. And then I can exclaim, "Wow! That was the longest work day ever!"
It looks like his open house will be the Saturday before Father's Day or the next Saturday. At this time the sending ceremony will be on his birthday...Happy Birthday to him! But at least we'll get to see him on his birthday. Brady will also be back from AT and be able to see him before he leaves, too. But we'll continually keep everyone updated as things become more and more definite. But as we all have experienced in the past...until it happens it's not official and things could change at any time.
If you can only make one of our events this spring, we would prefer you choose Logan's graduation if that is possible. We don't want anything to distract from his special day. But if you can't make May 30th, then wishing Logan a happy graduation at Eric's open house is more than acceptable. :) We hope we will get to see everyone at some time.
And those are the wisest words of wisdom that I could come up with today.....
And so I turned to Proverbs for some wisdom and I found this verse which I have never read before and it gave me a giggle. And for those of you who know me and my gagginess..you will giggle too. But it does have deeper meaning than just what it states.
Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
I think you can apply it to any situation in your life; even ones where you don't physically vomit. :)
Love,
Monica
It looks like his open house will be the Saturday before Father's Day or the next Saturday. At this time the sending ceremony will be on his birthday...Happy Birthday to him! But at least we'll get to see him on his birthday. Brady will also be back from AT and be able to see him before he leaves, too. But we'll continually keep everyone updated as things become more and more definite. But as we all have experienced in the past...until it happens it's not official and things could change at any time.
If you can only make one of our events this spring, we would prefer you choose Logan's graduation if that is possible. We don't want anything to distract from his special day. But if you can't make May 30th, then wishing Logan a happy graduation at Eric's open house is more than acceptable. :) We hope we will get to see everyone at some time.
And those are the wisest words of wisdom that I could come up with today.....
And so I turned to Proverbs for some wisdom and I found this verse which I have never read before and it gave me a giggle. And for those of you who know me and my gagginess..you will giggle too. But it does have deeper meaning than just what it states.
Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
I think you can apply it to any situation in your life; even ones where you don't physically vomit. :)
Love,
Monica
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
One big prayer answered
The last few weeks have been incredibly busy for Eric and I because we were finishing up our Christ Renews His Parish time. I really can't believe that the "6" months are over already! So this post is all about our Christ Renews brothers and sisters.
When Eric and I went through the weekends in the fall, we did not know that it was more than a renewal weekend. We didn't know that it would continue on for six months. He was really surprised that I decided to continue. We are both so grateful to Father Hurley and Father Halbur and our men and women in our groups. We feel doubly blessed because we went through it at the same time. And now we see God's purpose.
I am the most guilty of wanting to ask a thousand questions so that I am not surprised by anything. Why is it so difficult to trust God's path? If we are seeking God's will, we should just fall in (good military reference) and watch and wait. I think this is a lesson I will have to constantly be reminded of.
When we started Christ Renews, we did not know Eric would be deploying. I had a hint of a possibility but I believe I was in denial that it really could happen. It was not public knowledge when we found out. So I confided in my dear, sweet friend, Melody and my Christ Renews sisters, the Lees and the Freesemans. Eric also told his Christ Renews brothers. And then we waited and prayed. The support we felt from them all was unreal.
In January, we were free to tell everyone. I started this blog. We were devastated when we found out Eric's drill schedule had changed to the men's weekend. I know they were all praying because Eric was able to participate more than he imagined was possible. In the meantime, Eric and I started praying about a laptop for him to take. I listed it on this blog but only told one person. We were praying for someone to have a laptop they could send with Eric that they weren't really using but had skype capabilities.
Our prayers were answered a couple of weeks ago during our Friday night service when our brothers and sisters presented us with a brand new laptop for Eric. I could not have been in more shock or been more grateful! They have given us the gift of communication! I don't even really know how to express my gratitude.
So now going forward, I see God's purpose. We have the best support system in place to endure the next year. Without a doubt, I know they are all praying and so many other family members and friends. Our very large church now seems very small and I look forward to their smiles and hugs. And I will miss our Monday night meetings very much!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Prayer requests:
1) Praise for the laptop!
2) Praise for my brother-in-law, Larry, and his continued healing
3) Praise for melting snow!
Psalms 91: 11&12 For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Love,
Monica
When Eric and I went through the weekends in the fall, we did not know that it was more than a renewal weekend. We didn't know that it would continue on for six months. He was really surprised that I decided to continue. We are both so grateful to Father Hurley and Father Halbur and our men and women in our groups. We feel doubly blessed because we went through it at the same time. And now we see God's purpose.
I am the most guilty of wanting to ask a thousand questions so that I am not surprised by anything. Why is it so difficult to trust God's path? If we are seeking God's will, we should just fall in (good military reference) and watch and wait. I think this is a lesson I will have to constantly be reminded of.
When we started Christ Renews, we did not know Eric would be deploying. I had a hint of a possibility but I believe I was in denial that it really could happen. It was not public knowledge when we found out. So I confided in my dear, sweet friend, Melody and my Christ Renews sisters, the Lees and the Freesemans. Eric also told his Christ Renews brothers. And then we waited and prayed. The support we felt from them all was unreal.
In January, we were free to tell everyone. I started this blog. We were devastated when we found out Eric's drill schedule had changed to the men's weekend. I know they were all praying because Eric was able to participate more than he imagined was possible. In the meantime, Eric and I started praying about a laptop for him to take. I listed it on this blog but only told one person. We were praying for someone to have a laptop they could send with Eric that they weren't really using but had skype capabilities.
Our prayers were answered a couple of weeks ago during our Friday night service when our brothers and sisters presented us with a brand new laptop for Eric. I could not have been in more shock or been more grateful! They have given us the gift of communication! I don't even really know how to express my gratitude.
So now going forward, I see God's purpose. We have the best support system in place to endure the next year. Without a doubt, I know they are all praying and so many other family members and friends. Our very large church now seems very small and I look forward to their smiles and hugs. And I will miss our Monday night meetings very much!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Prayer requests:
1) Praise for the laptop!
2) Praise for my brother-in-law, Larry, and his continued healing
3) Praise for melting snow!
Psalms 91: 11&12 For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Love,
Monica
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