Thursday, December 3, 2015

Goodwill To Men ...

I've pretty much been laying low lately ... absorbing family & life ... praying for the unreal horrific tragedies in our world over the past several weeks.  Honestly, I've asked how much longer will God allow His earth to continue the way it's going?  I've looked back on 2015 and can honestly say that it's been a year of loss ... it began in January with my cousin passing away and it has continued -- some expected, some totally unexpected.  I simply cannot remember any other year that we've experienced such loss as we have this year.

But this week has been a different week ...
I had to take Lucy back to her family on Tuesday (instead of Thursday) because of an event yesterday...
their event... all about them.


A little back-story... our son-in-law deployed in late 2011 on his 2nd overseas assignment.  Our grandson was born on February 9, 2012... the Red Cross notified Michael who was in a remote location on assignment.  We celebrated Jacqueline's birthday on February 13th... Michael's upcoming birthday on February 20th.  That morning -- February 20th -- the phone call from his command... the base had come under attack and he was wounded.  Deep leg wounds and a shattered jaw.  They put him on the phone so that he could reassure her that he was in one piece... still talking with shrapnel embedded in his face.  The next morning the casualty department called and asked if she had spoken to him in the past 24 hours -- it had been more like 27 hours... the next 15 seconds were an eternity since he had been in & out of surgeries since being attacked. 
Yes, he was still alive!  In about a week he was stateside at a military hospital a few hours away from us... five months there and then home for rehabilitation & more recovery... not much medical treatment for the next 2 years, then more medical treatment at another military facility a couple of hours away -- their family has base housing but our house is still "home base" (so to speak)...
and now he's just a couple of weeks away from his medical retirement.



Sorry for the long recap, but it's really been a rough few years for them.  
But yesterday was all about them. 
A non-profit organization works closely with a garage that takes totaled or nearly-undriveable vehicles and restores/rebuilds them to better-than-new condition... and then they present a wounded warrior family with the vehicle.  Well... a luncheon and ceremony (all just for them!), then the van was brought out -- complete with a green bow on it AND the kids' seats were filled with brand new toys for them!
Their generosity was incredibly unbelievable!!!
 


And then... just when we think we couldn't shed any more tears... the soccer ball incident.  The mechanics who rebuilt this van got Lucy & Tag to playing around with the soccer ball that they keep in the shop for some down-time activities. The kids loved playing!  So after the presentation, there was not a dry eye in the garage... even the mechanics.  Our 4 kids had been completely blown away with this whole event.  And the mechanics saw how genuine they were... and they gave Lucy & Tag their garage soccer ball as a keepsake... Jacqueline told Lucy that these were the mechanics who rebuilt their new van... and then
Lucy asked if the mechanics could autograph the ball! 
Needless to say ... more tears!


Each person who had a role in this signed their name ... and the kids were attentive to each and every one ... these are the heroes that our grands look up to and will always remember the role they had in the "new" van.
Dan & I are completely speechless with Lucy & her heart... and look at Tag -- he watched every single person sign their soccer ball!  Oh how I want to have the heart of my grandkids!

So here is Granny's reminder in all of this...

One of my favorite Christmas songs is by Casting Crowns -- Christmas Bells Peace on Earth.  This week we have lived out this song...
what the enemy intended for death almost 4 years ago -- God is using for good.
  We are His instruments of peace here on Earth

This video is a little lengthy because Mark Hall explains the meaning behind this arrangement. Please take a few extra minutes to listen to the whole video {he talks at the end of the song too}...
perhaps it will resonate with you as it has with me as we begin this last month of this tough year...
at the same time as we look forward to the coming of the
 Baby of Hope and Peace.
 
  

2 comments:

Theresa said...

What a blessing this post was to me. I have been heartbroken with all of the bad things going on in our World too. But... There are SO many doing great things. Praise God for these people and their kindness and generosity. Have a blessed evening dear friend. Hugs.

Buttercup said...

I'm so glad I stopped by to visit. I'm with Theresa, there is hope when we do good deeds. Keeping your family in my prayers. Thanks for visiting Buttercupland and please stop by often.