11 weeks down, 18 days to go!

18 days. Wow. That’s fantastic. Bring it on!

My boy has taken his 5th of 6 tests and scored a beautiful 98 on it, which keeps him as the top candidate for the Distinguished Graduate award, which he desperately wants. One more to go and he’ll know for sure! His schedule is still very full, his meetings aren’t as frequent and his running (on his own time) is on the upswing as he wants to train for the USAF marathon in September. (Maybe his girlfriend will go along with him and run the 1/2 marathon…?)

He is terribly anxious to get home, and I’m certain that will only increase over the next 18 days. (I really think it’s more like 17, but I’m at the point where I don’t care about the math anymore!) Of course he can’t wait to get back to a sense of normalcy again, though for the first month back, it won’t be normal as he will be on active duty at the base. BUT HE WILL BE HOME.    There will most definitely be a period of adjustment when he returns, which I am not looking forward to (let’s just be honest), but we will get through it! I wonder how many other couples get to (read: have to) go through things like this…? 

I like looking forward to the end of his time in Texas. I’m just about over this stuff… 

Continued prayers requests include ability to focus, continued buffered immune system, an injury-free body while he starts (and continues) his marathon training program, continued communication with the ones back home, time to study and time alone with God. Thank you all for your continued prayers! 18 days to go- almost there!

Daddies and daughters :)

My father never ceases to amaze me. He is such an astounding picture of my Heavenly Father and His love and adoration and abounding grace for me.

Those of you who are fathers (and mothers, for that matter) know what it’s like to feel unconditional love for your child, to do everything in your power to never let them be bullied or be sick or feel an ounce of pain, to want only the best for them and expect nothing in return, to shower love and grace and mercy on them as if they were the only ones in the world. I do not. I am not a parent. I have 2 dogs and that’s about as close as I come to not wanting anyone to hurt “my babies”. (I know all of you parents are rolling on the floor laughing at this HORRIBLE analogy and how far off it is from relating to human children that you birthed yourself, but it’s the best I can do.) 

My father, God love him…he’s a different breed. His life story explains a LOT of why he is the way he is, thinks the way he does, acts the way he does, etc. He is a lawyer AND a pilot, so he’s DOUBLY as anal as one of those occupations would be singularly. He has his quirks and flaws like everyone does, but my father…is gracious and merciful and content and generous and loving and kind and maybe the Godliest man I know. His wisdom and knowledge far surpass anyone I can think of- I think there’s nothing he doesn’t know. As many times as I fail him, he continually picks me up and help me out and pushes me back on the road. I know that it is only by the grace of my Savior that I was given to him (and he to me) and not to a family of 15 in Uganda trying to live on 15 cents a day and have never heard the name “Jesus”. It is only by God’s unimaginable, undeserved grace and mercy that I lived the life I did while growing up under the shelter and care of my parents.

I hear some of the things my dad used to say when I was growing up, and I heard it…but I never REALLY understood it until the world took hold of me and started vying for my time  and attention, wanting every piece of me and to mold me into what IT wants rather than what my God wants and expects of me…. things like “remember who you are and what your name is.”    “Remember who you are and Whose you are.”     “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”     ”What do we have that is not a gift from God? The very air we breathe, the car you drive, the parents He gave you, the faith to believe that He IS God and is the ONLY God…these are all gifts, sweetheart.”     ”In the overall scheme of things- in the big picture- does this really matter?”     “Obey your father and mother, for this is good in the sight of the Lord.”   ”Live below your means.”      “Obey the first time, every time, and with a good attitude.”      “What else could that money have been spent on, sweetheart? Sending Bibles to China? Sending a missionary a month of meals in Nairobi, Kenya, while they do the work of the Lord?”       “Because I said so.” (NOW THIS MAKES SOOOO MUCH SENSE! Unfortunately, THAT is the first things that comes out of our mouths, not “because mama asked you to do this and you should obey mama because Jesus asked you to obey mama”…)   “Do you need an attitude adjustment?…because I can make that happen.”        ”If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you SURELY won’t have time to do it right the second time.”         ”…SEE the key….” (as in, “do you see they key in your hand? Do you have the keys in your hand before you lock the door?”)      “…YOU do the right thing.” (as in, “I don’t care whatever everybody else is doing, THEY are not my children or my girl. YOU are. So YOU do the right thing.”)   “Hey, my girl…” (as in what he says when I call him and he answers the phone)      “I wouldn’t take anything in the world- not anything- for you and your brother.”        ”Don’t miss this, dear friends….” (as in, adopted this from our long-time pastor, Dr. Carter, and used it for his own!)       “Just act as nice as you look and you’ll be fine…” (as in, picked this up from my grandmother [mom's mom] and used it for his own- it makes sense, right?!   )

I’m reminded so much of a song by Laura Story. It’s perfect for this post!

“Grace” by Laura Story  

My heart is so proud, my mind is unfocused
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done
And now You gently break me then lovingly You take me
and hold me as my father and mold me as my Maker

I ask you how many times will You pick me up when I keep on letting You down
and each time I will fall short of Your glory,  how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer, “My child, I love you ,and as long as you’re seeking my face
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged
knowing that someone somewhere could do a better job
for who am I to serve You? I know I don’t deserve you
and that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on…

I ask you how many times will you pick me up when I keep on letting you down?
and each time I will fall short of Your glory how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer “my child, I love you, and as long as you’re seeking my face,
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”
You are so patient with me, Lord…

As I walk with You, I’m learning what Your grace really means
the price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary
so instead of trying to repay You, I’m learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to You for all that You’ve given to me

I ask you how many times will you pick me up when I keep on letting You down
and each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer “my child, I love you, and as long as you’re seeking My face
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

Thank you, Daddy- I love you!

10 weeks down, 25 days to go!

Did you catch that???! I’m down to talking in DAYS to go, not weeks to go!!! SOOOOO exciting! I never thought I’d see it this close, as time has seemed at a standstill at some points. But hallelujah, the END IS NEAR!

Updates from Wichita Falls: graduation is still on for June 15. I still have a bad feeling it might be changed, but that’s just me not being optimistic. I’m told it will stay that date as the commander of the squadron has to be there and his schedule is made (and kept) weeks in advance of activities… so I’m hopeful nothing will be changed. Other updates…my boy is still doing beautifully. At the head of his class, he’s pretty much wrapped up the Distinguished Graduate award, which means he’s kept his average above 96 (I think he’s at a 98 or so now…?). He’s sleeping better as he’s on a better schedule, and though it’s not home on a regular routine, he’s adjusting well. His allergies are still a bit whacked out, and some days are better than others (don’t we know how true this is…).

This flight he’s in is giving him a run for his money (dealing with all kinds of people, mostly who do NOT share his high moral standards and upbringing), so he’s learning humility tempered with grace and patience…not an easy task for most of us, myself included.    His instructors are pleased with his work and his leadership qualities, which is ALWAYS good to hear.

We are both counting down the days ’til we see each other again, though I know there’s SO much more that goes into that coming-home-date than just me. I’d be selfish and pious to think otherwise. His family and I are SO excited to be counting down the days ’til we don’t have to count down the days anymore!   

Continued prayer requests include focus and renewed intensity in reaching his goal of graduating AND graduating at the top of his class, patience and humility in dealing with his classmates, continued growth and development in leadership skills in his flight, continued overall health and energy to get through his days, regular “downtime” to re-focus and re-group, time to spend with our King and a quieted, content spirit to get through these next few weeks.

Thanks to ALL who continually pray over my precious guy and his family (and me!)…we’re nearing the end! 

9 weeks down…and the countdown continues

9 weeks down, just over 4 and 1/2 weeks to go. Since his graduate date has been changed, it’s another week added on to his time there. And another week apart for us. However, we have been called to do this and face this and go through this and learn from this… so we will continue to do so! Our Father is sustaining us, as He promised He would. It doesn’t, however, diminish how much I truly miss him and want him back here!

I didn’t think I’d get to this point. Obviously I knew I would, God-willing, but time has seemed to draaaaaaag on and on- and I have felt every day of that 9 weeks. I’m so thankful that the end is almost in sight. My last FB status said something to the effect of I am SOOOO over this whole “boyfriend-being-in-Texas” crap.

My boy is still doing great- he’s still on track to have the honor of being “Distinguished Graduate” for his flight. YAY! He is still doing very well on his tests (2 to go!) and has something like a 98 average for his time there. What a warrior! I am so proud of him and what he’s accomplished. When he first enlisted last year and then went to basic, he came back with orders to go to school in March of 2009. 3 months away from family is hard enough anyway, but then add in the unexpected meeting of the girlfriend (i.e., ME!) and have your world turned upside down THEN have to leave for 3 months…well, that’s a bit difficult to swallow. But he’s done beautifully. There’s a learning curve here for us both as neither of us expected this. Again, God’s timing is not our timing (thank You, Father), so we trust in His perfect will and His perfect timing always above our own.

His mama and I will be able to go out in just over 4 and 1/2 weeks to see him and see him graduate. What we’re thinking will happen will be a weekend trip to DFW a couple of days before he actually graduates- it’ll be expensive, but we think it’ll be worth it. Who knows.    We’re planning on getting out there on Saturday, June 13, spending some time w/him over the weekend (in the “booming metropolis” of Wichita Falls….haha), then going to the “ceremony” on Monday, June 15. We’ll spend the night and drive back the next day, June 16. Hallelujah. Y’all know I’m just gonna be bouncing off the walls!!! It’ll take all I can to get some sleep the few days before that happens. And, of course, I’m sure emotions will be off the chain…darn female hormones!!

SO…that’s the plan as it stands now. I’m trying not to get too excited yet b/c I have the feeling if I do, something will change, and I’ll be disappointed. What’s the adage? “Set your expectations low so you’re always surprised and never disappointed?” Might be just right for the military…

Continued prayer requests include focus for my precious guy. Every day there is one day closer to home, he put in an email this week, which means it’s going to be harder and harder for him to focus on his work and keep up with the demands placed upon him. That also means it’s going to be easier and easier for the Devil to gain a foothold- anxiousness, lack of clarity and focus, apathy, restlessness, lack of sleep…all of these are little “in’s” for him. Stay away, Satan! Please continue to pray for rest, no injuries or sickness (thank You, Jesus, for Your faithfulness so far), safety as he goes off base (and as he’s working with his comrades on the plane) and quiet time with our Savior. That can be so easy to put off and “do later” (speaking from experience). Thank you for your continued prayers for my boy and his family (and selflishly, ME!).

8 weeks down, 6 to go!

YES.

You read correctly.

I said 6 weeks to go.

“But…..wait….” you’re thinking (I know you are…)- “it was 6 weeks to go LAST week when y’all were 7 weeks down. What happened?”

The military. THAT’S what happened. I’m not mad. I’m not even upset. I’m just frustrated that they change dates up like that. Apparently, this is what happens on a fairly regular basis, so I guess I’d better quit complaining about it, go ahead and get used to it and just remember that no plans are actually set in stone until I’m actually IN the thick of them, huh….?

SO, yes. S won’t be graduating until June 15th, which is a Monday…which MIGHT mean a fun weekend could be made of it all. We’ll see. His graduation date was pushed back a week (why does no one check with ME on these things…? HA!), but what’s another week since it’ll be 13, now 14, that I haven’ t seen him? EH…

S is doing beautifully, as expected. His body is adjusting slowly to this new schedule (sleeping during the day, going to school at night) which is actually good…because it’s his last week of this schedule! YAY! Next Monday he’ll start swings, which puts him going to school from 1600-0000. I think (listen to me, I’m not even OUT there and still giving my opinion- ridiculous) it’s even better than days because he’s got more time during the day to do other things and still get good sleep…when his body says it’s SUPPOSED to be sleeping! YAY for schedule changes! (Wait, did I just say that…?)

On another note, I am even more in love with S’ family than I was before after spending some really good time away with his mama, cousin and sister. These wonderful, precious women…such God-fearing, centered, down-to-earth, easy to get along with, entertaining, heartwarming, terrific womena. If there was ever anyone who was SO like me on the face of the earth, it’s his sister. I love you, girl. And his mama…love her to death. And “mysteph”- love you, too. I’m so grateful that I was SO blessed to be able to spend such good time with y’all this weekend.

Continued prayer requests include time alone with our God, a hearty appetite, an injury- and illness-free body, clarity of mind when studying and taking tests, a steady, positive, healthy outlook, continued friendships with other students, safe travels when he goes off base and as always, good communication with those wanting to hear from him back home (namely…ME!).