Back Again!

Well, here I am.  Ready to tackle this blog again.  I didn't want to publicize my absence on the world wide web; but we were out of town for 2 weeks.  Actually, out of country.  My husband took a tour group to the lovely country of Israel!  We had a marvelous time; and contrary to popular opinion, didn't even get shot at.

Although, I will say there was a bombing while we were there.  Yes, someone planted a bomb at the Central Bus Station - and our hotel was less than a mile from that station.  Guess where we were?  A group of us, enjoying our free day in Jerusalem were coming back to the hotel on a city bus!  Was that a bit unnerving?  Yes, a tad.  But seeing the stoicism of our fellow Jewish bus riders calmed me down.  The news was blasting out via the radio or intercom on the bus (not quite sure, it was all in Hebrew); so we thought something was going on.  Then a nice woman told someone in our group what had happened.  Our busy took many detours, going through neighborhoods trying to get back to our hotel.  Unfortunately, one woman at the bus station was killed in the blast.

But let's put this in perspective, shall we?  In the city/greater metro area in which I currently live, I counted no less than 5 murders while we were gone.  When we had internet access, I would see the headlines from back home, and read about the latest murders, etc.  So to all those who say that Israel is not safe, I say that's not quite true.  Truth of the matter is this:  No place is safe these days.  Anything can happen anywhere at anytime.  If you think otherwise, then you are not being realistic.  Besides that, I think it's life-threatening to get behind the wheel of a car these days - we have some cr-a-zy drivers around here, whom I think are on a death mission!

The second point, which I think is the most important is this:  God has the number of your days already figured out.  When it's your time to go, it's your time to go.  You can be at home, watching TV and die of a heart attack or stroke.  You can be in Jerusalem, and die in a bomb blast.  Nothing is going to change that time.  Nothing.  Conversely, if something horrific happens near you, if it's not your time to go, then the bomb, or attack or whatever it is will not come close to you.   I learned this lesson well a few years ago when I was less than 1/4 mile away from where the DC Sniper(s) attacked a woman!  If I had turned in the opposite direction, I would have been almost on top of where the attack took place at about the same time the attack took place.  I knew nothing about it until I got home and turned on the news. 

So, with the second point comes this question:  Are you ready?  Are you ready to die and face eternity?  For we are all eternal beings - and it is our decision where we will live for all eternity.  Heaven or hell.  If you want to go to heaven, please accept Jesus as your Savior.  Today. Jesus is the only way to get into heaven.  Tell him that you are a sinner, and that you are sorry for your sins that nailed Him to the cross.  He died, so that you may live.  Eternally.  If you have any questions about this, please leave a comment, I would be happy to help you understand.

With all that...I'm back.  Not sure if I will be posting daily or weekly.  We will see.  It's good to be back!

My New Normal

Well, this week will be about my new normal.  Can I just say that I am not a fan?  I really, really, do not like this at all.  But there is zero that I can do about it.  I went to the bank today to take care of something for my son; and as I explained to the banker, he said that he would remember Josh in his prayers.  Hmmm.  I thought that was really nice, and a gift from God. 

Yes, prayers are the only thing that is going to keep me going.  Yesterday at church, so many people came up to me to say they would be praying for my son, and for us.  So many hugs, kisses, tears.  It was amazing and very, very appreciated! 

Really Bad!

Wow, I am really bad at this photo a day blog.  So I thought what I would do is to maybe do one post a week; and include pictures from the week.  Maybe not exactly what the whole thing is about; but if the idea is to have a photo blog of the year, it will certainly serve that purpose.

EDITED TO ADD:  Boy, it's hard (at least for me) to add a bunch of pictures.  Oh...wait...I'm going to try one more thing before I go to plan B.  I sure hope it works. 

EDIT #2: It worked!!!  So excited!

This week has been a weird one.  We have gone thru it with the knowledge that our son will be leaving at some point.  We weren't really sure when, we thought it was Friday morning.  But late on Thursday, we got the word that he would actually be leaving on Sunday!  So we got a couple extra days! 

Monday was a sad day for our church family.  A young couple had a memorial service for a baby they lost through a miscarriage.  I went to the graveside service; and it was very touching, but also very sad.  I didn't go to Bible study; as I wanted to spend time with my son. 

Tuesday was spent trying to get a new insurance policy for our home and our car.  And almost dying at the price increase over last year; and wondering how we are going to pay for it.  Thank goodness, God is in control of providing for us.  



Josh at lunch

 Early Wednesday morning, I found out that my niece and her husband were going to be on TV!  They were outside the studio where the Today show is broadcast.  I saw them as the camera panned the crowd outside.  Then I got a text from my sister-in-law saying that my niece was going to be on the Kathy Lee & Hoda show.  So I waited around to see that.  I actually video'ed it using my iPhone.  Pretty neat!   Then my son and I went and got some legal documents signed and notarized.  I hope these will help when he is deployed - I can take care of any situation that comes up; or at least I hope so.  He took me out to lunch at a coffee shop in Edmond, Java Dave's.  It was pretty good.  But it was wonderful to spend time with him.  The weather was gorgeous, warm and breezy!  I wished I didn't have to go to work, I just wanted to hang out with Josh.



Josh and Pastor Ken



But he came to church.  And he looked really handsome, if I do say so myself.  The pastor and elders prayed over him; and after the Bible study we had cake for him. 



Cake for Josh





Jerry and Dan at church


We have a great church family.

My last day at work for the week was Thursday.  I enjoy my job very much; but I'm always glad for the end of the week.  At this point, we still didn't know exactly when he would be leaving, so it was a kinda sad day.  I made tacos for dinner, and both sons came over to hang out.  We watched our current favorite TV show and hung out.  And then we found out that he would be leaving Sunday for training.  He spent the night because he had all his gear here; and it was just easier for him to load it once.



Cardinal outside my window


Friday is my day off work.  I love my Fridays.  This little guy was outside my front window - hopping from the roof to the nearby tree.  I actually was able to snap a picture of him, and even had time to grab the other camera.  I love cardinals - they are so beautiful.  When I see them, it always reminds me of Matthew 6:25-34 - "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;  and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  I have to remind myself of that verse more often than I would like!

I went to pick Josh up this afternoon, and we went to Tinker.  He had to pick up a few things, and I was in heaven, being on an Air Force base again.  I was in the AF many years ago; consider it one of the best things I did in my life and sometimes miss it.  I love all things military; well, except for deployments, that is.  But I couldn't be prouder of the young (and old) service men and women who serve our country.

This pic was snapped as we drove along the highway. That's why part of the plane is cut off.  Josh told me it would probably be best if I didn't take pictures once we got on the base.  (darn it!)

After getting what Josh needed, we went to my favorite grocery store to pick up stuff for dinner.  I decided to grill steaks (well, actually, I volunteered my husband); made potatoes, steamed broccoli, and salad.  It was all very good.  Apparently, Crest was having their semi-annual or annual "monster" of a sale.  And so I had to take that picture!

Well, that about covers it for this week.  Tomorrow, my husband will be going to a retreat, Josh will be at the armory, and I'll be home alone.  I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow night and Sunday; for that is when Josh will be leaving.  

Not sure what the pics for next week will be about.  Will be interesting!!  

Heart Wrenching Ceremony

Well, I made it through the ceremony today.  Barely.  My husband and I walked down from the parking lot. I saw the American flags and a bunch of what looked like vets standing by the buses and watching everyone walked in.  At first, I wasn't sure who they were, but my husband said they were there to protect us from any crazies (i.e. from the Westboro Church).  I was so grateful for them. 

We got in the Ford Center, and when we got to our seats, I looked around and I swear, about half the Center was soldiers.  The paper said that 3200 soldiers are part of this deployment - and I just about lost it then.  Oh.my.goodness. 

Once the ceremony started, they played a video called "Citizen Soldier". I couldn't really see it because we sat basically right underneath the jumbotron.  I did catch bits and pieces though, and honestly, I was glad that I couldn't see it all.  I loved the music, just not the pictures so much. 

Many dignitaries gave speeches, and it seemed like it was basically the same thing that was said.  Through the whole thing, I wanted to just break down and cry.  Cry hysterically, I might add.  I do not want my son to go next week. 

My only hope in getting through this next year is knowing that the Lord is in control.  And that He loves me; and will be there to help me.  If I didn't have that certain knowledge....well, I just don't know what I'd do. 

Going Away Ceremony

Tomorrow, I am going to a going away ceremony.  Not really looking forward to it; as my son will be deployed the following week to Afghanistan.  Not a fan.at.all.

So my son transferred from VA to OK National Guard.  He knew that he would more than likely be deployed one way or the other.  But we never expected it to be this soon.  He signed in at the end of November, at which time, he was told that his unit was deploying in February.  He had just started his new job. 

Tomorrow, like I said, is their going away ceremony.  My pastor sent out a church wide email today informing everyone in the church of the ceremony.  A bit later, I received this in my email.  I thought this was appropriate for my picture of the day. 

What a wonderful card!  Thanks, BBFF, love you too!  I hope you don't mind me putting it on here, but I wanted to always have a record of it. 

V-Day!

Today is Valentine's Day.  After I went to the doctor, came home and did some billing for our small company, I went into work at church.  This is what greeted me as I went into my office.

Of course, the best Valentine's Day present is the gift of eternal life offered to us through Jesus Christ our Savior!

Sunny in the OKC!

Today was a glorious day - especially after the last two weeks and two blizzards!  This temp was at 5:30 in the afternoon, I took this picture as I was grilling some hamburgers and hot links (which turned out to be too hot!) for dinner. 

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This is all the snow that is left after the last two weeks of blizzards.  Snow covered my front yard as well as the street.  This little snow pile here was almost 5 feet tall last Wednesday morning!