Today is Halloween.
So I've never been much of a fan of this so called "holiday".
Well, maybe when I was growing up, I liked it because going to a Catholic school, we always got the next day off for All Saints Day. So we could go out trick or treating and come home and not worry about having to get up for school. I vividly remember one year when I had my good friend Angela spend the night. We stayed up late and ate ALL of our candy that night. Funny, I don't remember getting sick, but the thought of it now, causes me to shudder.
I probably had an aversion to Halloween because I think I'm missing out on that "creative" gene that so many have. And when you have kids, they want you to be creative. Its a good thing I had a husband with a bit more of creative bent than me. Todd as Dracula was one of the best costumes ever!! No one, and I mean , no one knew it was him.
So now that I live in a place where there are hardly any neighbors around, I don't have the fun of watching kids come to the door trick or treating. THAT was my favorite part of Halloween: watching the kids and their costumes and seeing little ones try and say "trick or treat".
This year is the first year that I will not get to be with Kellen and Jax on Halloween. That makes me sad, but Jax had me close my eyes two weeks ago, while his Mom helped him put on his spider man costume so that I could see him and be surprised. I will miss them tonight.
But today I got the most wonderful treat.
I got to spend almost two hours with Bob and Claudia Mitchell.
Bob Mitchell was in the very first Young Life club. He has been around since the beginning.
He went on staff when he graduated from college and has been everything from an area director to being the third president of Young Life.
I was first privileged to meet Bob and Claudia in the fall of 1977 after he had become President.
It was at Woodleaf for our Bay Area regional meeting.
What's amazing to me is that I now live at Woodleaf. And Mitch is the one who found the property for Young Life to buy 48 years ago.
Mitch is one of the funniest people you will ever meet . And his gift of story telling is unmatchable.
But what has drawn me to this dear couple is their love for Jesus Christ.
So today, instead of having to sit thru a (boring for me) business meeting, I got to spend time with them all by myself. This is not the first time this has happend, and hopefully will not be the last, but oh how wonderful it was.
We shared stories of our family and our own physical battles.
The best part of our time was talking about Jesus and what He has done in our lives, what He means to us, and how that no matter how old we are, He can still use us.
I think Mitch just turned 84 in July, and although he can't see well-or hardly at all, and his short term memory is almost gone (both due to strokes he has had) and Claudia , who will turn 80 next February and has had 2 knee surgeries and a spinal fusion this past year, their passion and love for Jesus continues to grow and grow.
We laughed and we cried together as we shared life.
We talked about how getting old isn't fun, and yet that God keeps us alive to continue to allow us to know more of Him and then gives us the privilege of sharing that with others.
We marveled at how little we really know of Jesus and can't wait for eternity to know HIM fully.
We talked about being grateful and having joy in the midst of pain and suffering.
We just talked about Jesus and the richness of knowing Him.
The three of us agreed that we need to do everything we can to encourage those younger than us to spend time in God's Word. That somehow, the importance of the Bible is not what it used to be. That we need to keep telling the younger than us generations, how wonderful and amazing and NEW, God's Word is every single day.
Mitch has always been one of the godliest men I have ever met.
And I have always wanted to emulate Claudia for how well she serves and loves Jesus and her husband.
What an enormous privilege the LORD has given me to sit under their wisdom and their passion for Jesus the past 36 years. How they have spurred me on to be obedient to Jesus; to live for Him.
What a gift it was to be with them today. To share how real God is to us. To know we would be nothing without Him. To share joys and pain and know how to pray for each other. And for me, feeling somewhat discouraged that I am not as useful to the LORD in my 60's, being reprimanded by these two, that God will use us until He calls us home, was exactly what God wanted to tell me today.
So it might be Halloween to you, but I need no tricks tonight. I was given the best treat ever!!
Thank you Mitch and Claudia for loving Jesus, for loving so many of us, for serving until He calls you home.
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
My friend Tom
Grateful.
Well that isn't enough.
Amazed.
Doesn't seem quite right either.
There just isn't really a word. Or a string of words I can put together that convey even a hint of how and what I am feeling.
It was just 5 weeks ago.
I got the call saying that the biopsy didn't look good.
That I needed to return home for another doctor appointment.
And so I did.
In the past 3 weeks, I have made a new friend.
His name is Tom Stewart.
Tom Stewart Jr.
Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
Tom is my ENT. (aka ears, nose and throat physician.)
Tom told me that I had a high likelihood of having thyroid cancer and that the best option would be to have my thyroid removed.
We set a date of September 10.
Really that was 10 days ago??
Tom removed my thyroid and told me to go home and rest. That I would be sore for at least a week, probably two. Anything is more restful than another night in the hospital.
I think Tom missed me. Because last Friday (oh that's just a week ago too?), he called me and said he wanted to see me that day. That we would do my post op appointment that day instead of Monday.
So I was a good if not a great nurse for over 31 years. I knew Tom didn't miss me that much. That there was more and it probably wasn't good news.
So we drove to Chico to see Tom.
And yes, it wasn't good news.
Turns out I had a very rare form of thyroid cancer called Meduallary Thyroid Cancer. Of all the thyroid cancers, this is the one least seen. Its the type that can metastify, or spread. And it likes to spread to all the lymph nodes on my neck.
Tom, in his sweet way, told me I needed another surgery, and that he had taken the liberty to book me for this Monday.
This time, it would be a bit more traumatic. That I would have two surgeries in six days time.
I would have a modified right radical neck dissection.
I'm not exactly sure what modified really means.
Because today, I have an incision and soon to be, a gnarly scar that reaches from the top of my earlobe on my right side to two thirds around my neck. I imagine that a full neck dissection would go from one ear lobe to the other.
It is very sore. And swollen. And so is my neck.
But I am so thankful for my new friend Tom.
He spent alot of time researching my cancer and what needed to be done. He talked to his mentors from his fellowship days at Loma Linda, he read journals, he left nothing unturned. And he was thorough. He took all the lymph nodes around my neck and sent them to the lab.
This morning, we went to see Tom again. This time, it was a post op appointment and he took out my one remaining drain. Then he gave me a copy of my pathology report that said all the lymph nodes that were tested were clear and had no signs of cancer.
And I thanked God.
Again, words are just not there.
I will always now have this scar to remind me of my new friend Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
A vivid reminder everyday that God has given me more time.
Time not to be wasted.
And as grateful as I am, I am also a bit baffled and wondering.
Wondering why I am spared of more cancer right now and my friends Nancy and Payton still fight courageously their horrific battles? Life just isn't fair.
There's so much more I could say. And probably will, at some point. You just can't go through something like this and not be changed.
Today, I am grateful for my new friend Tom and thankful for how much he cared about me right from the start.
And thankful for how God used Tom Stewart in my life to show me more of Himself and His love for me and my family.
At sometime in our lives, or in the lives of those we love the most, we all will need a type of Tom Stewart. I hope and pray that yours is as wonderful as my friend Tom is.
Well that isn't enough.
Amazed.
Doesn't seem quite right either.
There just isn't really a word. Or a string of words I can put together that convey even a hint of how and what I am feeling.
It was just 5 weeks ago.
I got the call saying that the biopsy didn't look good.
That I needed to return home for another doctor appointment.
And so I did.
In the past 3 weeks, I have made a new friend.
His name is Tom Stewart.
Tom Stewart Jr.
Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
Tom is my ENT. (aka ears, nose and throat physician.)
Tom told me that I had a high likelihood of having thyroid cancer and that the best option would be to have my thyroid removed.
We set a date of September 10.
Really that was 10 days ago??
Tom removed my thyroid and told me to go home and rest. That I would be sore for at least a week, probably two. Anything is more restful than another night in the hospital.
I think Tom missed me. Because last Friday (oh that's just a week ago too?), he called me and said he wanted to see me that day. That we would do my post op appointment that day instead of Monday.
So I was a good if not a great nurse for over 31 years. I knew Tom didn't miss me that much. That there was more and it probably wasn't good news.
So we drove to Chico to see Tom.
And yes, it wasn't good news.
Turns out I had a very rare form of thyroid cancer called Meduallary Thyroid Cancer. Of all the thyroid cancers, this is the one least seen. Its the type that can metastify, or spread. And it likes to spread to all the lymph nodes on my neck.
Tom, in his sweet way, told me I needed another surgery, and that he had taken the liberty to book me for this Monday.
This time, it would be a bit more traumatic. That I would have two surgeries in six days time.
I would have a modified right radical neck dissection.
I'm not exactly sure what modified really means.
Because today, I have an incision and soon to be, a gnarly scar that reaches from the top of my earlobe on my right side to two thirds around my neck. I imagine that a full neck dissection would go from one ear lobe to the other.
It is very sore. And swollen. And so is my neck.
But I am so thankful for my new friend Tom.
He spent alot of time researching my cancer and what needed to be done. He talked to his mentors from his fellowship days at Loma Linda, he read journals, he left nothing unturned. And he was thorough. He took all the lymph nodes around my neck and sent them to the lab.
This morning, we went to see Tom again. This time, it was a post op appointment and he took out my one remaining drain. Then he gave me a copy of my pathology report that said all the lymph nodes that were tested were clear and had no signs of cancer.
And I thanked God.
Again, words are just not there.
I will always now have this scar to remind me of my new friend Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
A vivid reminder everyday that God has given me more time.
Time not to be wasted.
And as grateful as I am, I am also a bit baffled and wondering.
Wondering why I am spared of more cancer right now and my friends Nancy and Payton still fight courageously their horrific battles? Life just isn't fair.
There's so much more I could say. And probably will, at some point. You just can't go through something like this and not be changed.
Today, I am grateful for my new friend Tom and thankful for how much he cared about me right from the start.
And thankful for how God used Tom Stewart in my life to show me more of Himself and His love for me and my family.
At sometime in our lives, or in the lives of those we love the most, we all will need a type of Tom Stewart. I hope and pray that yours is as wonderful as my friend Tom is.
Friday, June 7, 2013
So MANY FRIENDS
Facebook says I have 545 friends today.
Really???
A couple of times a year, I go look at my friends and spend at least an hour deleting people. Mostly they are summer staff or work crew kids that have requested to be my "friend" and I don't have the heart to say no. But a few months later, I will delete them because to me, they really aren't my friend.
I mean how can someone be my friend that I hardly know?
This morning I got to thinking about "friends". And what that means.
Dictionary.com has this definition:
Really???
A couple of times a year, I go look at my friends and spend at least an hour deleting people. Mostly they are summer staff or work crew kids that have requested to be my "friend" and I don't have the heart to say no. But a few months later, I will delete them because to me, they really aren't my friend.
I mean how can someone be my friend that I hardly know?
This morning I got to thinking about "friends". And what that means.
Dictionary.com has this definition:
friend
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.
I again realized that there are many differnt kinds of friends.
Casual Friends:
These people are the ones who you might have just met and think they could be someone would like to get to know better. They also might be people that you've known for awhile but it is a friendship that is very much surface level.
The depth hardly scratches any surface.
Fun Friends:
These are the people you enjoy just being with.
You have fun together, whether it be having a mutual hobby that you do together, or that you are beginning to make memories with.
Good Friends:
These are the people in your life that you begin to share your life with and they do the same with you.
You begin to help each other out when the need arises.
You've spent time with them individually and in groups.
You have memories galore.
For me, this is where I share spiritual insights and look forward to them sharing the same with me
Then there are the friends that I am going to call the Inner Circle.
I have about ten women who are my Inner Circle. These are my friends who have seen me at my best and loved me still-at my worst. My Inner Circle has been there for me in the darkest, toughest times in my life. These dear ladies are the ones I can be real and honest with. I have shared my deepest thoughts and fears with these friends. I know when I tell any of these women something so personal, that I have their confidence it will not be shared. They may be disappointed in me at times, but they have never deserted me. they have loved me and supported me for 30-35 years.
These amazing gals have stood with me when my dad left this earth, when my sons literally couldn't stand me, through very difficult times with my daughter. But they have celebrated with me in the marriages of my girls, the birth of grandbabies, travelling for birthday celebrations. They have been my rock and support. I seriously cannot imagine my life here without them.
And then there are my girls. Those younger friends who I became acquainted with through Young Life. Oh, these gals have given me tremendous blessings upon blessings. They are my friends and I'm not sure where they fit on my so called friends category list, but I love them and am thankful for the gifts of their friendship.
545 Friends?? I'm not sure they are all friends.
But I am ever so grateful for the ONES that I know are.
Thank you Susan, Sue, Karen, Beckie, MK, Ruth, Sandy, Diana, June and Jean....(in no particular order.)
Monday, April 15, 2013
A Very Precious Friendship
It was almost 31 years ago. Really? Where has the time gone?
We met because of our husbands work. Oh all right, YES it was in Young Life. But that's not why we have stayed friends. We spent a month together, mostly without our husbands around, and we got to know each other.
It was uncanny how much of our lives intersected. How similar our backgrounds were, how we shared some of the same "sins". Those things that you don't really want others to know, but somehow feel "safe" telling a few. We bonded in a hallway and would be forever linked together through our bond in Christ.
We have shared so much together. From having and raising our children and wondering how on earth they made it to adulthood with us as their mothers, to rejoicing in the births of grandchildren
There has been joy and heartache and we have prayed for each other and our families. And we have laughed and cried together.
Somehow God helped us understand each other. She gets me and loves me in spite of who I am and I do the same for her. We have learned from our mistakes and shared deeply where God has touched us, taught us and disciplined us.
This friend is one I have gone to repeatedly over the years for prayer because I know that when I ask her to pray, she will. And then she shares her deep insightful thoughts God reveals to her and always will be honest with me.
We don't always have people who will be totally honest with us. This sweet friend is because you always get brutal honesty from her.
We haven't gone without our struggles but because of our love for Jesus and our love for each other, we have forged ahead and kept our friendship intact. We have forgiven each other and been better because of it.
So yesterday, during a very hard time of self-doubt and being attacked, I texted her and asked for prayer. Immediately she responded and I knew that she would keep praying. Oh I am so indebted to her for how she has prayed for me.
And this morning I had the privilege of having almost a 2 hour conversation with my friend where I laid my soul out and she encouraged me and affirmed me. This is what she has done faithfully to me for 31 years.
I have been incredibly blessed by her friendship for over half my life.
To me, she is so very dear and precious and I truly thank God for her.
I only hope that I can be half as good a friend to her as she is to me.
I pray that we each would be blessed with those forever type friends who rally for us, rejoice with us, cry with us and keep loving us, even amidst the pain and sin in our lives.
Truly friendship is God's gracious gift to us. THANK YOU LORD.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times.
We met because of our husbands work. Oh all right, YES it was in Young Life. But that's not why we have stayed friends. We spent a month together, mostly without our husbands around, and we got to know each other.
It was uncanny how much of our lives intersected. How similar our backgrounds were, how we shared some of the same "sins". Those things that you don't really want others to know, but somehow feel "safe" telling a few. We bonded in a hallway and would be forever linked together through our bond in Christ.
We have shared so much together. From having and raising our children and wondering how on earth they made it to adulthood with us as their mothers, to rejoicing in the births of grandchildren
There has been joy and heartache and we have prayed for each other and our families. And we have laughed and cried together.
Somehow God helped us understand each other. She gets me and loves me in spite of who I am and I do the same for her. We have learned from our mistakes and shared deeply where God has touched us, taught us and disciplined us.
This friend is one I have gone to repeatedly over the years for prayer because I know that when I ask her to pray, she will. And then she shares her deep insightful thoughts God reveals to her and always will be honest with me.
We don't always have people who will be totally honest with us. This sweet friend is because you always get brutal honesty from her.
We haven't gone without our struggles but because of our love for Jesus and our love for each other, we have forged ahead and kept our friendship intact. We have forgiven each other and been better because of it.
So yesterday, during a very hard time of self-doubt and being attacked, I texted her and asked for prayer. Immediately she responded and I knew that she would keep praying. Oh I am so indebted to her for how she has prayed for me.
And this morning I had the privilege of having almost a 2 hour conversation with my friend where I laid my soul out and she encouraged me and affirmed me. This is what she has done faithfully to me for 31 years.
I have been incredibly blessed by her friendship for over half my life.
To me, she is so very dear and precious and I truly thank God for her.
I only hope that I can be half as good a friend to her as she is to me.
I pray that we each would be blessed with those forever type friends who rally for us, rejoice with us, cry with us and keep loving us, even amidst the pain and sin in our lives.
Truly friendship is God's gracious gift to us. THANK YOU LORD.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sweet sweet times with lifelong friends.
There is just something so special in being with people who have known you all of your adult life.
Scud and I have had the extremely, what i consider rare privilege of being involved in some couples lives for 30-35 years.
This past weekend we went to San Jose to celebrate the Legacy of Young Life in San Jose for the past 57 years. Yes, I wondered too why 57 years, but the faithful committee in San Jose just decided it was time to celebrate. And celebrate we did!! It was such a marvelous 2 evenings of being with the wonderful staff that had ministered over the years and the committee who has worked tirelessly over the years, the tremendous leaders who have loved teens so well, and of course the kids.
I mean to be able to reconnect with kids lives that you haven't seen in 25-30 years who wanted to come remember what YL meant to them, it was truly a special time.
I can't thank the LORD enough for how He has blessed my life abundantly thru the ministry of YL in San Jose. To hug girls who I loved so dearly while they were in high school and college and briefly catch up with, to seeing leaders who gave so much of themselves trying to share Christ with kids, and then being with some people who worked behind the scenes so diligently and prayed so hard-the amazing committee, was incredible!!
And then there was the time spent with our dear friends who we have had the privilege of "doing life" with from the time we were newlyweds and on staff together in the 1970's. The people who know us the best. The ones who love me in spite of knowing me. These dear sweet friends, none of who lives closer than 3 hours away now but have lived thousands of miles apart at different stages have stayed close thru the years. We've changed and grown and been thru so much together. How could you not love those people. These are the ones who we have walked thru the joys and tragedies of life with: the births of our children, the death of one of those dear babies, watching our kids grow up, praying for our kids as some chose to walk away from the Lord for a time, we have supported each other thru our parents deaths, thru vocational challenges and changes, we have attended the weddings of our children, celebrated the births of our precious grandbabies, and sadly watched one of our couples divorce.
But we LOVE each other and I believe we love each other well. WE never get together without praying and that is so sweet.
These friendships are holy and sacred to me. And I realize the older I get, how rare this type of friendship is. WE know each other well, don't judge each other and will always be here for each other-even if distance keeps us physically apart. My life would be missing so so much if I had not known the Walters, the Sievers and the Tuttles. (and I can't believe again that we didn't take a group pic!)
How graciously God has blessed me!
Scud and I have had the extremely, what i consider rare privilege of being involved in some couples lives for 30-35 years.
This past weekend we went to San Jose to celebrate the Legacy of Young Life in San Jose for the past 57 years. Yes, I wondered too why 57 years, but the faithful committee in San Jose just decided it was time to celebrate. And celebrate we did!! It was such a marvelous 2 evenings of being with the wonderful staff that had ministered over the years and the committee who has worked tirelessly over the years, the tremendous leaders who have loved teens so well, and of course the kids.
I mean to be able to reconnect with kids lives that you haven't seen in 25-30 years who wanted to come remember what YL meant to them, it was truly a special time.
I can't thank the LORD enough for how He has blessed my life abundantly thru the ministry of YL in San Jose. To hug girls who I loved so dearly while they were in high school and college and briefly catch up with, to seeing leaders who gave so much of themselves trying to share Christ with kids, and then being with some people who worked behind the scenes so diligently and prayed so hard-the amazing committee, was incredible!!
And then there was the time spent with our dear friends who we have had the privilege of "doing life" with from the time we were newlyweds and on staff together in the 1970's. The people who know us the best. The ones who love me in spite of knowing me. These dear sweet friends, none of who lives closer than 3 hours away now but have lived thousands of miles apart at different stages have stayed close thru the years. We've changed and grown and been thru so much together. How could you not love those people. These are the ones who we have walked thru the joys and tragedies of life with: the births of our children, the death of one of those dear babies, watching our kids grow up, praying for our kids as some chose to walk away from the Lord for a time, we have supported each other thru our parents deaths, thru vocational challenges and changes, we have attended the weddings of our children, celebrated the births of our precious grandbabies, and sadly watched one of our couples divorce.
But we LOVE each other and I believe we love each other well. WE never get together without praying and that is so sweet.
These friendships are holy and sacred to me. And I realize the older I get, how rare this type of friendship is. WE know each other well, don't judge each other and will always be here for each other-even if distance keeps us physically apart. My life would be missing so so much if I had not known the Walters, the Sievers and the Tuttles. (and I can't believe again that we didn't take a group pic!)
How graciously God has blessed me!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
GRATEFUL
I have a young friend named Kyle.
He is someone I admire and respect deeply. And I'm in awe of him. I guess you could say he is one of my real life heroes.
I have known Kyle since he was born. His parents are some of our oldest and very dearest friends.
As a young boy, Kyle was all about playing army. He could sit for hours and play with his green plastic army guys with pretend rifles, guns , tanks etc.
As he grew older, he had a maturity about him that was unusual for boys his age. He never really knew his paternal grandfather but he admired him tremendously. You see, his grandpa was a retired colonel in the US Army-as was his oldest uncle.
Can you see where this is going? Kyle wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. I think it was after his sophmore year of high school that he went to a camp at West Point in New York and then he was absolutely convinced that this is where he wanted to go , what he wanted to do.
So it was no surprise to any of us, during his senior year, that he applied and was accepted into the Military Academy at West Point. All of us were completely thrilled for Kyle. And so in the late summer of 2007, Kyle headed off to West Point.
It was at that time, they I made a commmittment to pray for Kyle thruout his stay at West Point. I confessed to him this March when he was home for spring break that I think I have missed 2-3 days of praying for him during his stay at West Point.
Why wouldn't I pray for him? Kyle is going to spend the next years of his life fighting for my freedoms. He is willing to do whatever it takes . This summer he will be in Alabama in some type of flight school. His years in the military are just beginning and I am so grateful for the men and women who fight for our freedoms.
I must admit that my mother's heart is scared for him. I don't want him to go to Afghanistan. I want him to be safe here. And I can't imagine what he must feel. He is willing to give his life for any of us if needed. Just like the thousands who have since our country began.
Kyle and the rest of all the military in the world have jets, submarines,aircraft carriers, fighter planes, and so much more than I can even begin to comprehend at their disposal to try and fight for ours and many others safety and freedom. I don't even understand it, can't fathom why we get into wars and why we win some and lose others.
But there are many Kyle's out there doing this for us.
So as Kyle waits for another month to graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point, I want to thank him for his selflessness, for his willingness to fight if need be, for all of us. He is worthy of the admiration,and respect I have for him. And although, I would LOVE to be at his graduation..to be a beaming proud friend, (money and a commitment to be at my job in AZ days later prevent this), I will celebrate him from a distance. Congratulate him and give him my gratitude, and yours too.
This morning I was reminded of Kyle while I was reading the book of Jeremiah.I read that :
But the ONE who redeems them is strong. His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies. He will defend them" (see Jeremiah 50)
God who is the Head and LORD of Heaven's Armies, will defend them.
My God will fight for me, will do whatever it takes to redeem me. Afterall, His Son died for me in order to redeem me-to get me out of the clutches of the one who wants to destroy me, to keep me from knowing God's love, mercy and forgiveness.
I have been contemplating this phrase the LORD of Heaven's Armies off and on for about a year now. And I am not sure of what it really means. But what I do know is that the Army in heaven is massive. And God, being God has ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING at His disposal. Everything He needs to enable me to keep going. Everything I need to keep me from losing hope. He is the real COMMANDER IN CHIEF and HE has EVERYTHING we need to win the battles, to win the war for our souls.
So I have even more gratitude, respect and awe of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.He has truly given His Life for mine.
Thank you Kyle.
Thank you God. YOU are truly the LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!!!
He is someone I admire and respect deeply. And I'm in awe of him. I guess you could say he is one of my real life heroes.
I have known Kyle since he was born. His parents are some of our oldest and very dearest friends.
As a young boy, Kyle was all about playing army. He could sit for hours and play with his green plastic army guys with pretend rifles, guns , tanks etc.
As he grew older, he had a maturity about him that was unusual for boys his age. He never really knew his paternal grandfather but he admired him tremendously. You see, his grandpa was a retired colonel in the US Army-as was his oldest uncle.
Can you see where this is going? Kyle wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. I think it was after his sophmore year of high school that he went to a camp at West Point in New York and then he was absolutely convinced that this is where he wanted to go , what he wanted to do.
So it was no surprise to any of us, during his senior year, that he applied and was accepted into the Military Academy at West Point. All of us were completely thrilled for Kyle. And so in the late summer of 2007, Kyle headed off to West Point.
It was at that time, they I made a commmittment to pray for Kyle thruout his stay at West Point. I confessed to him this March when he was home for spring break that I think I have missed 2-3 days of praying for him during his stay at West Point.
Why wouldn't I pray for him? Kyle is going to spend the next years of his life fighting for my freedoms. He is willing to do whatever it takes . This summer he will be in Alabama in some type of flight school. His years in the military are just beginning and I am so grateful for the men and women who fight for our freedoms.
I must admit that my mother's heart is scared for him. I don't want him to go to Afghanistan. I want him to be safe here. And I can't imagine what he must feel. He is willing to give his life for any of us if needed. Just like the thousands who have since our country began.
Kyle and the rest of all the military in the world have jets, submarines,aircraft carriers, fighter planes, and so much more than I can even begin to comprehend at their disposal to try and fight for ours and many others safety and freedom. I don't even understand it, can't fathom why we get into wars and why we win some and lose others.
But there are many Kyle's out there doing this for us.
So as Kyle waits for another month to graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point, I want to thank him for his selflessness, for his willingness to fight if need be, for all of us. He is worthy of the admiration,and respect I have for him. And although, I would LOVE to be at his graduation..to be a beaming proud friend, (money and a commitment to be at my job in AZ days later prevent this), I will celebrate him from a distance. Congratulate him and give him my gratitude, and yours too.
This morning I was reminded of Kyle while I was reading the book of Jeremiah.I read that :
But the ONE who redeems them is strong. His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies. He will defend them" (see Jeremiah 50)
God who is the Head and LORD of Heaven's Armies, will defend them.
My God will fight for me, will do whatever it takes to redeem me. Afterall, His Son died for me in order to redeem me-to get me out of the clutches of the one who wants to destroy me, to keep me from knowing God's love, mercy and forgiveness.
I have been contemplating this phrase the LORD of Heaven's Armies off and on for about a year now. And I am not sure of what it really means. But what I do know is that the Army in heaven is massive. And God, being God has ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING at His disposal. Everything He needs to enable me to keep going. Everything I need to keep me from losing hope. He is the real COMMANDER IN CHIEF and HE has EVERYTHING we need to win the battles, to win the war for our souls.
So I have even more gratitude, respect and awe of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.He has truly given His Life for mine.
Thank you Kyle.
Thank you God. YOU are truly the LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
JUNE...so much MORE than a month
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Author's note: Due to severe winter storm warnings in the mountains, this may be my last blog for a while.
I remember having a family in my days as a NICU nurse whose children had names of the months. They had an April, May , JUNE, August and November. They were a very tight knit Hispanic family and when I met them is was when little Octobre was born . He was a little pint of a fellow weighing about 2 1/2 lbs at birth, so he had an extended stay in the NICU as he grew and matured.
I always thought it was a bit strange that they named their children after months, because I couldn't imagine doing that to my kids. Umm hello Todd...your name is now April. I think he might have killed me.
Now I could see naming a girl June if she was born in that month. In fact, I have 2 very dear friends named June . But the other months...I don't get it. Must be something in their culture.
But I do love the month of June!! I graduated from college in June, got married in June and had my first daughter in June. So it really is a month full of memories for me.
But when I think of "June", I usually think of my dear friend, mentor, spiritual mother, adopted mother and wonderful adopted grandmother to my kids.
My friend, June Hoch Clodius, has been one of my life's greatest and profound blessings.
I met she and her then husband Carl, right after I had my first baby, Kristi.
They were a couple at our church, they were involved in Young Life and I had absolutely no idea, when I met her , that she would become so so important to me thru my adult life.
When I met her, June had recently undergone surgery, radiaton and chemotherapy for breast cancer. She was a survivor and would go on to survive another bout or two of the awful cancer.
But she and Carl probably saw something in Scud and I that they thought might need some help..or some coaching, or something.
We quickly got to know each other. I asked June if she would disciple me. Ok now that i write this, I notice my own lack of sensitivity. She is just recovering from the ordeals of cancer and I ask her to help me...seriously Missy, what were you thinking?
But she said YES and from that moment on, she became to me the person I could share anything with. I went to her for advice on EVERYTHING. From how to be a better wife (we did a bible study on how to the wife of a happy husband...did it work , Scud?), how to handle toddler tantrums, how to pray for my children.
She has been a source of strength, comfort and hope to me thru some very troubled times in my own life.
Not that I was always completely self indulging. I think because of my deep love, respect and honor for her, I have been there for her too, during some of the hardest moments in her life too.
We have shared births, deaths and everything in between. I rejoiced with her when Cynthe and Kevin got married, and when all 3 of her grandchildren were born. And she was there for me during the times when I needed a mom right after both Katie and Todd were born.
And not only was she there for me, but my kids truly believe she is "Gramma June". Because we live so far from Scud's mom, she has been the grandparent at baseball games, musicals, graduations and any other big event in each of my kids lives.
IN both Kristi and Katie's wedding, Gramma June was escorted as a grandmother right before I was seated as the mother of the brides. She deserved just as much a place of honor as Scud's mom did.
Last year in june, my June celebrated her 80th birthday. for weeks I wondered what I could do for her. there was absolutely nothing she needed and if she did, dear Jerry would have gotten it for her long before i did. So all I could really think of was to write her a letter of how much she meant to me. Words could never adequately express that but I tried. What has blessed me the MOST about our friendship is that repeatedly over the many years, she has ALWAYS pointed me to Christ. To show me that HE would always be there for me, that HE had the answers when I had none. That JESUS was the HOPE for me to cling-that I would never be hopeless.
I know that June has prayed for me faithfully for years and has helped me grow in areas where I needed to most.
I was reminded again today of how my life has been enriched by June's friendship as I chatted with her on the phone. I have been blessed beyond measure because of her presence and friendship in my life. I pray for June and Jerry daily, I pray for her dear Kevin too.And I pray that someday God will allow me to be a "JUNE" to some young woman starting out in life as a newlywed or young mom...because we ALL NEED A JUNE in our lives .May you be blessed to have someone like her in your life.
Author's note: Due to severe winter storm warnings in the mountains, this may be my last blog for a while.
I remember having a family in my days as a NICU nurse whose children had names of the months. They had an April, May , JUNE, August and November. They were a very tight knit Hispanic family and when I met them is was when little Octobre was born . He was a little pint of a fellow weighing about 2 1/2 lbs at birth, so he had an extended stay in the NICU as he grew and matured.
I always thought it was a bit strange that they named their children after months, because I couldn't imagine doing that to my kids. Umm hello Todd...your name is now April. I think he might have killed me.
Now I could see naming a girl June if she was born in that month. In fact, I have 2 very dear friends named June . But the other months...I don't get it. Must be something in their culture.
But I do love the month of June!! I graduated from college in June, got married in June and had my first daughter in June. So it really is a month full of memories for me.
But when I think of "June", I usually think of my dear friend, mentor, spiritual mother, adopted mother and wonderful adopted grandmother to my kids.
My friend, June Hoch Clodius, has been one of my life's greatest and profound blessings.
I met she and her then husband Carl, right after I had my first baby, Kristi.
They were a couple at our church, they were involved in Young Life and I had absolutely no idea, when I met her , that she would become so so important to me thru my adult life.
When I met her, June had recently undergone surgery, radiaton and chemotherapy for breast cancer. She was a survivor and would go on to survive another bout or two of the awful cancer.
But she and Carl probably saw something in Scud and I that they thought might need some help..or some coaching, or something.
We quickly got to know each other. I asked June if she would disciple me. Ok now that i write this, I notice my own lack of sensitivity. She is just recovering from the ordeals of cancer and I ask her to help me...seriously Missy, what were you thinking?
But she said YES and from that moment on, she became to me the person I could share anything with. I went to her for advice on EVERYTHING. From how to be a better wife (we did a bible study on how to the wife of a happy husband...did it work , Scud?), how to handle toddler tantrums, how to pray for my children.
She has been a source of strength, comfort and hope to me thru some very troubled times in my own life.
Not that I was always completely self indulging. I think because of my deep love, respect and honor for her, I have been there for her too, during some of the hardest moments in her life too.
We have shared births, deaths and everything in between. I rejoiced with her when Cynthe and Kevin got married, and when all 3 of her grandchildren were born. And she was there for me during the times when I needed a mom right after both Katie and Todd were born.
And not only was she there for me, but my kids truly believe she is "Gramma June". Because we live so far from Scud's mom, she has been the grandparent at baseball games, musicals, graduations and any other big event in each of my kids lives.
IN both Kristi and Katie's wedding, Gramma June was escorted as a grandmother right before I was seated as the mother of the brides. She deserved just as much a place of honor as Scud's mom did.
Last year in june, my June celebrated her 80th birthday. for weeks I wondered what I could do for her. there was absolutely nothing she needed and if she did, dear Jerry would have gotten it for her long before i did. So all I could really think of was to write her a letter of how much she meant to me. Words could never adequately express that but I tried. What has blessed me the MOST about our friendship is that repeatedly over the many years, she has ALWAYS pointed me to Christ. To show me that HE would always be there for me, that HE had the answers when I had none. That JESUS was the HOPE for me to cling-that I would never be hopeless.
I know that June has prayed for me faithfully for years and has helped me grow in areas where I needed to most.
I was reminded again today of how my life has been enriched by June's friendship as I chatted with her on the phone. I have been blessed beyond measure because of her presence and friendship in my life. I pray for June and Jerry daily, I pray for her dear Kevin too.And I pray that someday God will allow me to be a "JUNE" to some young woman starting out in life as a newlywed or young mom...because we ALL NEED A JUNE in our lives .May you be blessed to have someone like her in your life.
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