Our 28 Year Adventure

Yesterday Grandad & I marked our 28th anniversary! Sure doesn't seem like 28 years since I "called in sick" to work ... and hit the road to elope with my groom-to-be.  We knew who each other was in high school (he was the "new guy" at school during his junior year -- and I was a freshman), but never spoke one word to each other.

 He asked me out on a date 4 1/2 years later in Sept '83.  Then we eloped on May 16, 1984 ... no wedding pictures, but a lifetime of memories of our wedding day.  Down to even remembering the pizza place we ate at after our ceremony ... and the couple eating at another table who thought they had all the time in the world before the church pastor left for the day. So glad we put our "wedding" as priority before food!

God's blessings has far exceeded anything we dreamed of 28 years ago:

 

our family has grown with our daughter, son-in-law & grandchildren ... 

our love for each other has matured & grown deeper ...

Our life-long adventure together began May 16, 1984 as we journeyed into basically unknown territory of marriage ... 

And our adventure continues everyday following the road that God has laid out for us to travel down together.

We look forward to many more years of God's blessings on our marriage.

 

 

The Power of Words ...

(Photo rights Love, Granny)

Sticks and stones may break my bones, 

but words will never hurt me.

(Says the world.)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

and they that love it will eat the fruit thereof.

(God breathed Proverbs 18:21) 

  

 Have you ever been in a position where your words truly mattered to the person 

you were talking to or corresponding? 

Have you thought about how much of an impact the very words that come out of your mouth or that you write will have on another person?

Have you ever been in a position yourself that you were the one who needed encouragement and support to get through a crisis or a challenging time in your life?

I may be alone in answering YES to all the above, but for some reason I think I may not be the only one.  Every single person who is on this planet Earth will at one time or another need encouragement ... need support ... need a friend to lean on.  

Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.

(God breathed Job 14:1)

Our little grandson Tag can attest to this.  He made his grand entrance into our world while his Daddy was overseas supporting our country in his military position.  'Joe had emailed our daughter saying that he was counting down the days to when he would be home to meet his son and reunite with his wife & daughter.  Then, within hours of the email ... the phone call came through that 'Joe had been in an explosion. 

Throughout this process -- situation -- challenge (however to word it), we have had so much support and encouragement from family & friends.  They have prayed for us, sent us cards, emails, text messages ... all to say that we are being thought of.  What a blessing this has been to us!  It's been these that have pulled us through these past 2 1/2 months ... well, actually since last year when 'Joe was preparing for his assignment, and our daughter & little princess were adjusting to their new assignments of holding down the home-front while their soldier was "at work" (this is the way Lucy relates her Daddy's career).  Then preparing for Thomas Alexander ... his birth ... the explosion ... the recovery ... the ongoing rehabilitation ... the traveling back & forth with Lucy as she spends time with her parents & brother, and then coming home to her grandparents. 

Every step of this journey has been met with those who have lifted us up before our Heavenly Father.  It's our prayer as well that each of us will be an encouragement to others who are going through challenges in their lives.  Unfortunately I'm sure in my past that I have not always encouraged but I have actually discouraged ... 

I do not want to be that person.

God breathed His word in II Corinthians 1:3 & 4 ... 

Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulation, that we would be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

It's God Who ultimately brings us comfort through our crises and challenges, but ... 

we have a responsibility to each other to be the bearer of God's comfort to those who are hurting.  I will ashamedly admit that I have not always brought comfort to my hurting family or friends.  It is not something that I am proud of, but I have learned and continue to learn how to bring comfort (and how actions will have the opposite affect).  

It might do me more good to say a little prayer before opening my mouth or typing my words ... 

Lord, breathe YOUR words into me that I might be an encourager and not a discourager ... 

that I will be Your light & comfort to those who need my support.

Although this little nursery rhyme may say that words can never hurt us, why take the chance that they will?  God tells us that we have the power of breathing life into the hurting ...
of showing them that He will lead them through their times of trouble ...
that He cares & loves them. 

 None of us knows what the next moment will bring into our lives.  But each of us have the power of breathing life or death to those in need ...

 Which will we choose?



(Photo rights Love, Granny)



Part of Me Stayed

I've made this trip countless times ... with Lucy and my husband.  Driving to what seems like has truly become more like "home".  The staff at the Navy Lodge know me by sight & we always do a little catch-up when I come back.  Sometimes it's every week ... week and a half ... or two weeks.  

But it just seems like home now.  If not "home" then definitely my second "home".  

From the first time we made the journey when 'Joe came back to the States ... til now ... there's a sense of "family" on the Walter Reed campus.  As I look around & soak it all in ... every single person who is on this campus is there for a reason. 

Even the very youngest among everyone is there for a reason.  From the newborn & his 3 year old sister whose Daddy was injured in an explosion ... yes, my precious grandchildren. Tag was 11 days old ... and Lucy knew that Daddy got "boo-boos at work" ...

 To the unborn baby whose parents were transferred in order to get their precious unborn daughter the medical treatment she needs to even survive ...

To the parents awaiting their son to wake up from his coma after suffering a 

traumatic brain injury ...
To the young man who lost his leg in 2006 and is still undergoing surgeries ...
To the young family whose husband, Daddy, son, son-in-law, brother, cousin, friend was injured by an IED and is now a quadruple amputee.

Everyone is there for a reason.

I stand in awe of these families. They are amazing people ... my heroes.

If you are looking for a place to become involved ... a place to volunteer ... a place to pray for ... 

I encourage you to consider our military community. 

Military spouses serve alongside their loved ones by holding down the home-front -- sometimes alone, sometimes with children, sometimes with extended family.

Military children serve our country as well. They sacrifice time with their Daddies, Mommies, loved ones so that other children are given the same opportunities that they have.

Yesterday when I left the Walter Reed campus with Grandad & Lucy ... 

A part of me stayed behind.

And part of me will always be there.

 

Sometimes I Forget ...

Sometimes I forget ...

to be footloose and fancy free

not stressed out with the challenges that may be upon me.

Sometimes I forget ...

that laughter is the best medicine

that relieves the worried lines that go unseen.

Sometimes I forget ...

the carefree spirit of butterfly wings

leaving the world of cares floating beneath.

Sometimes I forget ...

the wonderment of a thousand questions asked

interrupting my thoughts laid by forth-coming tasks.

Sometimes I forget ...

simple pleasures are truly the best

with no complications inhibited by worldly tests.

Sometimes I forget ...

pure thoughts of young, innocent minds

proven best to withstand the test of time.

Sometimes I forget ...

that she sees beyond the mask that I wear

and into my soul much more than I am aware.

Sometimes I forget ...

that actions really do speak louder than the words I say
when she sees my follow-through with her I do play.

Sometimes I forget ...

the young child I see her as now
will grow up too soon although my time may not allow.

Sometimes I forget ...

to see beyond the "now" as I wish it could be
and daily remember that she is only three.

I *heart* Lucy Michaela


Written by Granny ... just for Lucy
March 30, 2012

 

The American Flag & Yellow Ribbon Project

Our driveway ...

One of our neighbors came over yesterday evening as her daughter was selling candy bars for a school fundraiser.  As we were talking, I told her about the events of the past month and a half -- 

Tag's appearance on Feb 9th, 

'Joe's injuries on Feb 20th & now rehabilitation at the "soldier get better place", 

Grandad's busy season ...

I'm embarrassed to say that our neighbor (and probably most of our neighbors) really didn't know what was going on. Her family was concerned once they saw this American flag going up in our driveway (which was after 'Joe had returned stateside).  A friend of ours from church asked if he could put this over our driveway & 

of course we fly it proudly.

Feb 26th - Lucy all-decked out to see her Daddy for the 1st time since his injuries.

You know, when life gets so hectic ... sometimes it's all a person can do to just go about a semi-routine and keep going forward.  I'm not saying that it's expected that others check in on us or anything like that.  But sometimes those who experience a trying time in their lives have a lot on their plate to handle.  There's certain things I know that I "should" do, but right now I have a different set of priorities.  My focus is set on my little princess, her Grandad getting through his busy season, her parents & baby brother coming home ... so right now I just really don't have the time nor energy to add much anything else.

However, I do need to send our neighbors an update so that they will know what is going on with us.  When 'Joe's Purple Heart medal & certificate came in the mail, our former mailman was very concerned seeing that package.  I had to call the post office for redelivery of the package & was able to explain to him what was going on with 'Joe.  He said that when he saw "Purple Heart medal" written on the custom form, that his own heart just sunk.  And I know we have other neighbors & friends who are wondering "what is going on" ... 

and we do need to inform everyone ... it's just a matter of doing it.

Feb 26th - Tag was ready to meet his Daddy for the first time ever!

Now for a brief update on the 'Joes ...

'Joe's recovery is going good ... hopefully he will get stitches removed from his leg very soon. He's getting around better without the use of a cane, and is smiling more & talking more as his jaw continues to heal very good too. We all hope that he will be released very soon to come home to finish his rehab.  Mrs. 'Joe & Tag are with the soldier to help in his rehab process ... and Princess Lucy is staying at home with Grandad & Granny.  We make trips weekly to visit & have special "sleepovers" ... but it's not the same.  For Lucy, for Mommy or Daddy ... and even for Tag.  Although Granny & Lucy stay very busy, she is ready for her family to come home & just be together.

And for now ... for this post ... for my readers ... please take a look at our driveway-in-progess as we are adding yellow ribbon gradually & proudly flying the American flag.  Since Lucy began saying words, her Daddy has taught her that it's not just a flag ... so she does not refer to it as "the flag" ... she refers to it as "the American flag" ... ahhhhh, this little girl is a girl who is as proud of her country & her Daddy serving her country as anyone else in our family.

The little girl & her yellow ribbon project ... 'til her Daddy comes home.

Our mailbox American flag

No words necessary.

May God continue to bless all of us ...

600 ... Half the Oreo ...

That's exactly how Grandad described turning 50 ...  "I'm now half the age of the Oreo cookie".  

But ... it really doesn't matter how "he" viewed turning over another decade ... what mattered most was how his daughter looked at him turning over another decade.  Yes, in the midst of everything going on with her 'Joe, Mrs. Joe (our dear daughter) still had some good ones up her sleeve for her Daddy.  

Although it's Grandad's busy time at work, we all met for a quick birthday lunch. It was there that Mrs. Joe realized "Tag is one month old today!" ... and then she just blurted out --- 

"How many months old are you today, Dad?" 

It took all of about 3 seconds for the reply ... 

"I'm 600 months!"

I should have moved Tag's carrier to the other side of the booth so that he could be in his Grandad's birthday picture too ... maybe the next time we see our little man, he & his big sister will need a special picture with Grandad.

One thing about Grandad & me ... we've learned throughout the years that if we can't have a "celebration" on it's specific day, then we celebrate when we can ... as long as we're together, it really doesn't matter the "when". 
 So, Lucy & I got Grandad a special birthday "cookie cake" on the Sunday after his big day.
  I *think* it still had the same effect ... don't you?

 

 We've shown him what his gifts will be, but it may take a little while to get them assembled.  I can't wait to show the finished product to everyone ... yes, I'm keeping this little secret hopefully for a short time ... Mrs. Joe had started the project, so now Lucy & Granny can hopefully get it completed soon.


So, although in piece-meal ... 


Happy 50th Birthday to my wonderful husband ... 


God truly blessed *me* 50 years ago with my greatest gift of all ...

 And I'm so thankful to have shared the past 28 birthdays with the man of my dreams ...


my husband ...

 











 

Grace Under Fire

I’ve been thinking about this post for several days now … what to write about … how to write it … what would be the focus?  Well, after everything jumbling in my head for the past two weeks … it’s hard to believe that it’s been two weeks since ‘Joe’s “accident”. Although Granny & Grandad have been living in a fog just as the ‘Joe’s have, there’s just certain things that are worth taking note of.   

And one of these is our daughter – 

Mrs. G. I. Joe

I want to first give everyone a little background on the ‘Joe’s.  They met each other at the beginning of their 9^th grade year at our church’s private school, became best friends, never dated each other, but knew they were both meant for each other.  They renewed their companionship around Memorial Day 2005, officially began “dating” early July ’05, officially became engaged October ’05, and married on Christmas Eve 2005.   

God definitely knew what He was doing when He created these two!

Well, now for the past few weeks …

As you may remember, our grandson “Tag” was born in the early morning of Feb 9^th (after Mrs. ‘Joe had an “extensive” labor of a whopping 2.5 hours).  ‘Joe was out on assignment and had to be contacted through the Red Cross of his son’s birth.  So, now Mrs. ‘Joe has an energized 3 ½ year old toddler and a newborn.   

She celebrated her birthday on Feb 13^th with 2 precious angels sent by God Himself to complete their family.   

Then on Monday morning, Feb 20^th, she received a phone call from the Casualty Dept. (heart literally sinks & tears flow immediately upon the introduction).  ‘Joe had been in an accident ... actually an explosion.

Well, from that moment forward Mrs. ‘Joe (our daughter) has shown her true-grit & resolve … and her deep devotion to her soul-mate.  Right after the personnel on the other end of the phone allowed her to talk to her husband, she began making phone calls to ‘Joe’s family.  She decided that she needed to tell them herself about the accident so that they could be spared the heartache that she felt from being introduced to the Casualty Dept. 

For the following moments, hours, days to follow she was on the phone constantly receiving updates with each process that ‘Joe was going through (whether one of his numerous surgeries, flights from all over the world to eventually stateside, administrative procedures, etc).  And of course, there were calls from ‘Joe himself when he was able to call & talk. 

All of this … along with a toddler & a newborn.  All the emotions of having a newborn by her side most of the day … 

and a toddler who loves her Mommy & Daddy so dearly and just wanted to 

“help Mommy feel better” 

 and 

“help Daddy’s boo-boos feel better so he can come home.” 

I do not believe there’s any parent on the face of the planet who wants to see their child hurt – physically or emotionally.  Yet for these past couple of weeks, Grandad & I have witnessed the hurt that has engulfed our kids.  G. I. Joe was hit with the physical, and his Mrs. was hit with the emotional.   

Grandad & I always refer to them as “our kids”.  You see, when they said “I do” they became “one” in the eyes of our Lord & Savior.  And therefore, G. I. Joe became our son.   

He is just as much a member of our family as anyone in our bloodline.   

And isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

Well, to just conclude about Mrs. ‘Joe …

Grandad & I have seen her go through so much hurt and devastation over the past 2 weeks.  We’ve seen her rise to each occasion with grace & direction. Her focus throughout this journey has been on her wounded soldier and their children.  She has held herself up with dignity which is a reflection of her devotion to her soldier & family.   

Whether gathering information from around the world (and feeling helpless that she couldn’t be “there” with her soldier) or meeting his commanding officers here stateside ... 

Whether sending family members updated information as she receives it (and not even having time to process it herself before relaying her notes to everyone) ... 

Whether explaining to Princess Lucy that Daddy has some boo-boos that the good soldiers are helping to feel better (all-the-while venturing into this whole unknown territory herself) …

She … our daughter … Mrs. G. I. Joe is the walking, breathing definition of

Grace Under Fire