Family Walks

A while back I was asked to speak for a small group up in Washington. They wanted me to share how we coped with being in the military, moving and family life. My post on Choices also came from  the preparation I did for that meeting.

As I was preparing, I thought it would be wonderful to get our children's perspectives. I would love to share all of the letters they wrote in response to my query and I believe I shall one of these days. As I was looking back through my journal today I saw the following words regarding Jennifer's letter: "My daughter said she loved family walks."  Jennifer said she loved them because we would just walk and talk and listen.

I remember one walk we took when she came home to Alabama from college in California.  Lonnie, Tiffany, Jennifer and I (and our dog Allie) went walking along the Alabama River at Maxwell AFB.  We started out as a group and then broke up into couples and it was so sweet to look back and see Tiffany and Jennifer arm-in-arm walking together and deep in conversation.

Walking with Lonnie

One of my favorite pictures of Lonnie and me was when we were walking on a rainy day in Virginia (thank you Tiffany for the picture). Everywhere we moved, walking was part of our life.  We loved walking in the forest near our home in Germany, along the Potomac River in DC, at Hickam Harbor in Hawaii, etc... The toughest place to get our walk in was North Dakota but we would even walk there in the winter inside a huge building that contained tennis courts and a walking trail.  Lonnie would run and then join me in a walk around the track. 

Such a sweet family memory and tradition! Dreams for the future and events of the day were discussed and sometimes maybe nothing of consequence but the time spent together was priceless. Thankfully, our children are spending time on precious walks and talks with their families and I have the privilege of joining them as well!  Lonnie would like that! 

Oh the walks Lonnie must be having now!  Lonnie is experiencing the words of the hymn "In the Garden" in an awesome way (and I am in a different way):  "He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own and the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known." Thank you, Lord, for walking and talking with us as we continue our journey here on earth.  

Our family is growing....we need double strollers now!

Walking and playing frisbee golf

Off they go!

Words Fitly Spoken

Our little Jason

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."  Proverbs 25:11 



I received two messages recently from our son, Jason, and they touched my heart and came at just the right time.  They came seemingly "out of the blue!"


The first was five days ago:  "I want you to be full of joy and love all the days of your life!"  


The second came today:  "You are the woman God created you to be.  You are His precious daughter and He loves you dearly.  Live with freedom and joy." 


Words fitly spoken!  Such encouragement!  Thank you!


I am so grateful for our children and their precious spouses who encourage me all the time.  They are all blessings and gifts from God.  

Crying Like a Baby

I have been incredibly blessed to be with our children as they are welcoming precious little babies into their families. It hardly seems possible that God would bless us in such amazing ways with these precious new lives.  I also rejoice and admire our children for the way they have walked in faith and trust in the Lord through the past couple of years.


The other day I found myself crying like a baby.  It just hit me afresh!  Lonnie is not coming home from a deployment.  I was driving back from the airport after dropping off three precious little grandsons and their mommy. The car went from being full of life and chatter and activity to....me....in my sweet little Ford Focus.


I decided to drive by the ocean to see the sunset and saw couples walking together.  It's easy sometimes to just start feeling sorry for yourself.  The awesome husband God gave me is not with me now to walk hand-in-hand and enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the beautiful skies and, most of all, our children and their children.


But then, I remember the precious days we spent together and thank God for the memories of days gone by and for the memories our children's families will make together in the future.  And their Daddy is present in their stories, laughter, and remembrances.


So, I cried out to God who was with me in my pain, cried pretty much the rest of the day and I knew that I was not alone.....I may be lonely for Lonnie but I am never alone. God is with me.  I thank Him for that and for letting me sob and cry out to Him. I called out to my children and their precious spouses who pray with me and for me (and I know so many dear family members and friends who continue to pray for us).


Tiffany reminded me that on the day her Daddy died she asked me, "How are you ever going to make it without Daddy?"  She said that I responded, "I have Jesus.  He's right here with me.  I have Jesus." I can hardly remember what I said that day, but I am thankful He has been with me every step of the way.


I thank anyone who would continue to remember us in their prayers as I covet those prayers for me and our family.  I pray today for those who have lost loved ones.


I think God is doing a new thing in me where prayer is concerned. I know He is!  Oh God, thank you for teaching us to pray and for the examples in the Word of those who prayed and who also asked for prayer. We really need each other, don't we?