*WE* ARE That Old Couple ...you know the one stalking unsuspecting young parents.....

I admit that I've been emotional.

Today we were sitting in Arbys (because we had planned to pick Josiah up at the airport and the plane was late but not late enough to cook a meal before chapel). Alright, already.....Today we were sitting in Arbys and a young couple walked in with a newborn.

I remember old couples smiling and watching our little ones. This actually still happens to us quite a bit. We'll notice someone is paying attention to us. Often as they leave they'll give us a compliment on our large family, or comment on how our children remind them of theirs and several times they've even paid for our meal. We've been good natured about this, especially the paying for the meal part. ::snort:: It's actually been nice to know that we have been able to resurrect fond memories for others.

Today we were sitting in Arbys and I couldn't keep my eyes off the young couple. They seemed SO young but a reality check revealed they were no younger than I was when Bre was born. They were visiting with each other but it was so OBVIOUS this baby was the center of their focus. The baby did this little snake thing with his tongue and both looked at each other and did it. ::snort:: They ate with a hand jiggling the carseat or leaning in to smile at Jr.

Memories flooded back. Our days of being so young with a newborn. It seems like yesterday but its been 23 years since BreAnne was born. Wow. Where does the time go?

I teared up. I CRIED. Mike said, "What's wrong" and then he got emotional too. I love that about my husband - there is no doubt that family is so very important to him. We discussed how quickly the years had passed, how we'd like to have held on to them a bit longer and how blessed they really were...and now I'm tearing up again.

Oh yes, Josiah DID get home today on a later plane.

God's Medicine ~ It's HIS Idea!

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverb 17:22 KJV

The original removes the word “like”. It literally says, “A merry heart does good medicine”. Merry in this verse means “joyful, glad, to show joy, those who rejoice” (8056).

Joy is far deeper than “happy emotions”; however, this word does specifically encompass showing joy. It is said that the average toddler will laugh at least 400 times a day. The average adult laughs only 68 times a day. It is good for us to cultivate an attitude of joy and gratitude. It is good for us to “show joy” even on “those” days that are less than joyful from our natural perspective. It does US good.

But a broken, stricken, wounded (5218) spirit dries our bones. Could it be that God commands us to “Choose Joy” (James 1:2), “Rejoice Always” (Phil 4:4), “In Everything Give Thanks” (I Thess 5:16) because he KNOWS that doing so is medicine to our wounded spirits?

It is interesting that the word merry can also mean “those who rejoice”. Those who rejoice do good medicine. I so want to be a balm, an agent of healing to those around me. This appears to be a good place to begin.

I am making a conscious effort to show joy and to cultivate a merry heart even when I feel dry and wounded. I’m not sure how God does it; I only know that time and again He meets me with gracious healing as I begin to exercise my less than merry heart.

Old Testament through New Testament we see a thread of joy. It’s important if God had it repeated so many times. I plan to up my laughing stats. On those days when I can’t manage laughter, I plan to smile more. This will be good for me as well as for those around me.

{I've been asked to post weekly devotionals on SHS and finally realized I could cross post them here too. }

©2008 D.R.G.

PWOC QUESTIONS - Darshia????

I am trying to remember where PWOC Fall Focus 2004 was held. I know it was NC. Was it Ashton?What was the name of the conference center? What about the big fancy mansion that you can tour - maybe the name starts with a B? Was anyone else at Fall Focus. Darshia are you reading? I'm working on the PWOC album from EAFB. (Wow - we were silly at Olive Garden. ::snort:: None of the pictures turned out except one of Carleen with something strange in her glass and the waiter...)

Help. I need this info. LOL

TODAY - Create your own catchy title?

I will blog. I don't think there's much to say...but I will blog.

Josiah texted and said he was at Hard Rock Cafe. Now, I'm sure this is hot news, but I'm not sure why. ::snort:: I know it's a t-shirt logo. I know that they have one in San Antonio.

Bre called Arielle to ask where Felicity was born....I guess that gives a hint as to where they are?

We had a play date at Mommy A's house today.

We met Mike for dinner at Burger King. OK - I KNOW - but this allows the youngers to SEE Mike as they don't usually see him on Wed or Thursdays at all. Mike and Jared aren't home yet. Jamin is at work.

As Jared left the van for CAP Stacia said, "Jared, promise you'll be back". It nearly broke my heart - but I've been emotional lately you know. ::snort:: He said, "Stacia, I'll be back tonight" and she repeated it. Then she continued to yell, "Jared, I LUF you" while he walked to CAP. He came back and leaned in the van and told her he loved her. A young man to make a mom proud. I love how Stacia gives her big, hulking, teen brothers reasons to be gentle and loving.

We played games tonight and had ice cream. Shhhhh...don't tell the young men or Mike....that's a treat for Sunday.

I sense a growing excitement that Krista may have found her niche in missions. I can so SEE her on a ship, traveling the world. She's always had missions in her heart and adventure in her spirit.

BEWARE of what you teach your children. We read a TON of missionary biographies when the kids were little. We taught them to see a need and be a part of the Kingdom solutuion. Having raised them thus, we can't tell them now, "No, turn your head." Earlier this week - I think on Father's Day - Mike or I were talking to Krista about pushing open doors God may be shutting. SHE had the audactiy to remind US of Gladys Aylward and Amy Carmichael...both women who pushed plenty of doors open and changed parts of the world for His glory.....I agreed.

Today, I am excited when I think of the possibilities for Krista. I'm letting her dream become my own. At first, I resisted her dream because I'd rather have her married, having grandbabies, moving every 3 years or so with us when the Air Force moves us. ::snort:: Today, I'm also realizing that the ships she is interested in dock in the UK - mabye God is setting things up so we'll be in the UK with a few of our babies???? You never know now, do you? I can still have a few dreams of my own. ::snort::

Hmmm....phone calls and text messages from all 3 of our grown up babies - this was a red-letter day.

Zander's Advice

Zander's lover called to talk to him. He gave her some helpful advice for any woman out on her own. I thought I'd share it here.

"If your car is out of gas, go to the gas station and fill it."

"If your car gets a flat tire, put the spare on and then call me."

The Last Two Days

I didn't blog yesterday.

I haven't been to the gym the past two days - but I did swim yesterday. If you know me that tells you that the past two days have not gone according to schedule and yet I'm still making time to play with the littles. ::snort:: That says it all. I honestly can't remember what I did yesterday.

We are learning lots of great things about the Romans and will shortly study their fall: the last topic of our year. Have I mentioned lately what a good fit TOG has been for us?

Highlights of today:

Chad and Sherri offered Josiah a good deal on a couple of items and a free deal on others. I've been texting Cy and he now owns a bed, some pans, a fan, a bookshelf and some sheets. The kids and I drove across town to pick up.

Krista has called a few times with organizations she wants our opinion on. Exciting days for her. If you've heard of Sons of Salvation, Operation Mobilisation (their ships specifically), or Mercy Ships feel free to email or leave a comment. If you have FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE we'd really love to hear from you. We ARE aware of Mercy Ship's ministry from our time in the Philippines. They are doing all sorts of things in Monrovia, Liberia. Mom & Dad, go check out their blog here and see clips of Liberia. Krista's plan is to resign her staff position with Master's Commission in August and find a job to work and earn her mission's support. She really HATES to ask for money...but it sure appears to me that she's going to have to raise funds if she plans to go overseas for a year or two....God will supply. It's a huge step of faith for her without a "home church" behind her....I mean WE are behind her but she's not lived at the same church forever and ever......and the chapel doesn't seem to really support missions near as I can remember....seriously WHOSE mission flavor would you support I guess.

My digital prints from Costco arrived. I can see a few things I'll change but I really like the way they look. *I* like the colors and frills. I called a local store. She STILL doesn't have her printer ready but promises she will by Monday. ::snort:: She thinks her price will be $3.49....Costco is $1.67 (3 prints from a 12x36 print) but no shipping locally and instant gratification. She told me that emailing my prints to Cindy lessens the print quality.... I still won't have photos for an "accurate" comparison as the ones here won't be emailed. ::snort:: I thought it was nice of her to point that out. I LOVE the way these prints are nice and big....and if at some later time in my life....say when Stacia is in Jr high or high school.....I have lots of time to do more scrapping and don't like my naked albums or my digital albums....I can cut the photos out of these digital layouts and scrap them manually. ::snort:: At least they are OFF MY COMPUTER and in an albums for the family to enjoy. Thanks again all who nudged me to try digiscrapping.

I do NOT know what we've been doing but we have been exhaustingly busy. ::snort:: Mike is working late tonight so I'll get the kids in bed shortly and try to read or something relaxing. LOL

This was sent to Mike. I checked it out on Snopes. They say it's true.

I think God loves to show off His creativity....but for the Sceintific explaination, read below.

This is a fire rainbow - rarest of all naturally occuring atmospheric phenomena.

The picture was captured on the ID/WA border. The event lasted about 1 hour.

Clouds have to be cirrus, at least 20K Feet in the air, with just the right amount of ice crystals and the sun has to hit the clouds at precisily 58 degrees.

Text found in email and snopes.