Handwritten Letters

What a day this was for our family. Lonnie was leaving for a year-long remote assignment to Korea. He was so choked up about leaving his family behind. He says that it was the first time he ever had that "lump in your throat" experience. In fact, Jason looked up at him and asked him, "Are you ok, Daddy?" Lonnie could not even answer him. He tried to speak but no sound would come out. It was a sad day for us.

While he was gone, he handwrote many letters to us and I saved them all. He made "rules" for his letter-writing that year. He wrote the letters in cursive (except for the ones he wrote to Jennifer and Tiffany as they were 8 and 4 years old) and he also had "rules" for the content of his letters. I know this because one day he wrote that he had started a letter to me but had to throw it away and start over because he had broken one of his "rules."

He was always very encouraging and loving and enjoyed teasing me too. Here is an example: "Chris, please let Tiffany read this herself. She should be able to by now. Can she sing harmony yet? How often do you floss her teeth? Oh, how is she doing on her times tables? Chrissy--do you still love me?"

Yes, I do, Lonnie.

Good advice and godly wisdom were wrapped up in those letters too. On October 2, 1991, he wrote these words:

"I hope you realize how proud of you I am. Just take it a day at a time and please in all that you do--don't despair--you are everything to me and sweet to others and, above all things, remember--you can make it and I love you!!!

Phil 3:20 'Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.' I am going to preach from I Thessalonians 4 this week on the soon return of Christ."

His handwritten letters continue to encourage and point us to Jesus today. Thank you, Lord, for Lonnie's words and life. Help us to remember our "citizenship is in heaven" and to live our lives with "eternity's values in mind."

Another Birthday Boy

Our little baby boy is 30 years old today! How can this be?

The secret is out, Jason. You grew up! We celebrate you and the amazing life you are living. Thank you for following hard after the Lord and having that compassionate heart for Him and for reaching and teaching others to walk with our Savior as well.

Oh, and congratulations to you and Sunnie! So excited about your newest baby who is due in March. Love the baby announcement picture!

Happy Birthday, Benji and Zach!

My daughters have been blessed with such amazing, wonderful, loving husbands who are one year older today! Born on the same day, one year apart....makes it easy for this mother-in-law. They are sons to me. I cherish them and am thankful to the Lord that He brought them into our lives. They are so much fun, encouraging beyond words, full of God's love and goodness and they bless us everyday.

Have a happy celebration, Zach and Benji, and may this year be filled with God's blessings beyond imagination!

A Friend's Timely Reminder

I received a note yesterday from my friend Sheila which reminded me of verses that were whispered in my ear more than nine months ago: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22,23) How thankful I am for these words.

As I read these words in my Bible today, I noticed the next verses which state, "The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." (Lamentations 3:24,25)

Thank you, my precious friend. Your message was right on time!

May we always seek after the Lord, hope in Him and wait upon Him for He is faithful. His love is constant and His mercies are without end. Oh, how our Father loves us!

Lord, thank you for reminders......please help us to always remember your love.

A Sweet Daughter

Jennifer, I love you and thank God for the day He brought you into our lives. What a precious morning that was! Jeremy and Jason were so proud of their baby and so were your mommy and daddy. We still are!

The lyrics from The Sabbath Prayer in the musical Fiddler on the Roof have been one of my favorites. I pray this for Jennifer, all of our daughters and our granddaughters too. I thank God for answering our prayers in so many ways (how I thank God for our sons and such amazing husbands for our daughters). He is Faithful!

May the Lord protect and defend you,
May He always shield you from shame,
May you come to be in years full well a shining name.
May you be like Ruth and like Esther,
May you be deserving of praise,
Strengthen them o Lord and keep them from the stranger's way.
May God bless you and grant you long life

(May the Lord fulfill our sabbath prayer for you),
May God make you good mothers and wives

(May He send you husbands who will care for you).
May the Lord protect and defend you,
May the Lord preserve you from pain,
Favor them o Lord with happiness and peace,
O hear our sabbath prayer,
Amen.

Oh Lord, hear this mother's prayer. Please protect and defend and favor with Your peace and joy!

"Are You Going to be Afraid?"

The other day Crystal, her dad, Logan and Elijah were going on an outing and the boys came in to say good-bye and give me a kiss (I imagine at the prompting of their mommy ). They invited me to come along but I needed to prepare for my road trip.

Logan was first to come in. He gave me a big hug and kiss and left the room.

Then it was Elijah's turn. As he was leaving the room for his little journey that day, he turned and looked at me with concern on his little face. He asked me, "Are you going to be afraid?"

I answered, "No, I'll be alright." As he left the room, I pondered his question. "Are you going to be afraid?"

I was reminded of the verse that is engraved on my bracelet, "Never will I leave you or forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). I am thankful for the promise of His presence with us on our journey. Lonnie's favorite verse was Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call on Him in truth."

So we'll call on Him for peace, hope, refuge, strength and calm in the midst of the storm. When fear would arise in our hearts, let's keep our eyes on Jesus and take note that He has promised....and He is here.

Blast from the Past

(Had to add a picture of our precious family during our visit to San Diego in July. Just because I love them all so much!)

Today I came across a verse that has meant so much to me from the time I was a teenager for different reasons along the way. "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him" Psalm 62:5. The whole psalm is amazing...starts out with the words: "Truly my soul finds rest in God: my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

I am behind in my Bible journal reading....this was in the August 1st reading, but it was perfect for me today.

Oh, and funny thing, Crystal and I went to a garage sale last weekend and I found this old style exerciser that I had when I was in high school and college. I just had to buy it! It was a new version of the old one I had years ago. You hook the "gismo" up to the doorknob and exercise your core with resistance as you move your arms and legs. So, I have had it for a week and actually got it out today and used it.

Take note, feel free to ask me if I have done any exercise. It won't bother me at all. At least I don't think it will. Keep an eye on me!