Election Day '12

The kids were an instrumental part of helping Mommy vote today. :)

Clayton was fascinated by all the new words he had never heard of. Some of his great questions included: "What does vote mean? What is the president? What does country mean? What does election day mean?" I was thrilled to explain!!! :)

For Undecided Voters...What is your world view?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52088685/10-21-12.mp3 This is an excellent message to help you figure out "What is my world view?" and what to do about it!

Here We Go Again...

Andy found out yesterday that he will be deploying in a few shorts weeks. He will be gone a year.

In a way, this feels like Déjà vu of 2007, leading up to Andy's first deployment. 

At first, the news hardly sinks it. It feels like you are talking about another family or something. Then the emotions hit, and you start realizing how all the plans that were made for next year, have to be put on hold...there will be special holidays, birthdays and events that seem unbearable to miss. After the first waves of emotions hit, the realization sets in, and there is a deep-settled peace that all will be fine. 

God is in control. None of this news surprised Him, and He has a beautiful plan for it all. This is what will help us survive the next long year. This will fuel us on with strength and wisdom to make the decisions necessary to do what we need to do in the short time before Andy leaves. 

We certainly appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement we have received already. We are not alone, and we will grow stronger through the next 14 months, I'm sure!

Patriotic Kiddos

 Here are our patriotic kids getting ready for the Veteran's parade to start in Lewisburg today.
 Below are the kids' thoughts on the parade. LOL. ;)

A 'Lil Remembering

Just before Memorial Day, we took flags & flowers to the grave sites of Andy's Uncle, Grandfather & Great-Grandfather. 

Clayton had a lot of questions about the cemetery, the reason why we were there, and why we were leaving the flags and flowers behind. It was such a great teaching moment for Andy & Clayton.
He had the kids do a salute to honor the ones who had died. Clayton has talked about it ever since. Remembering is passing on the stories and creating heroes in the minds of the one next generation, who never will actually remember the people we are honoring.

Fear Not

Veteran's Day~ 11/11/11

Thank a veteran today! I know I will! ;)

Where the Spirit of The Lord is, There is Freedom

Absolutely cannot get this song out of my head...not that I mind. Psalm 24:3 "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Clayton & The Gospel Story

Before falling asleep last night, Clayton wanted me of course to say night-night prayers. When I started to pray (he was in my bed, since his Daddy is away), he started jumping on the bed. So I stopped praying and acted like I just went to sleep. He immediately laid down and begged me to pray again. I said that praying wasn't the time to be silly. This happened 2 more times. Finally I said he was disobeying Mommy and I was not going to finish his night-night prayers if he couldn't be serious. He laid down and cried and begged for me to keep praying. When I asked him why? he said, I really want you to pray, I like that."

I'm not quite sure why I even thought of it, but I asked him if he knew what the word sin meant or the word gospel. He said, "no, what is it?"

I said, "Well, 'gospel' is a story about Jesus. Want to hear it?" Yep. He sure did! My mind was racing trying to put everything in such simple terms. We talked a long time about how "sin" is when we do bad things. Of course he wanted to know, "like what?" HHmmmm...it was easy to point out his sins (and Sadie's)...when they disobey Mommy and Daddy, when they hurt each other on purpose, when they lie etc.

Then Clayton said materafactly, "and You and Daddy sin too." I had to admit I wanted to feel defensive and argue that I didn't, but like a lightning flash, my impatience, selfishness, pride, doubt, fears...all the thing I know to do and don't, it all came to mind, and I had to say, "Yes, Mommy sins too. We don't have to though, because of the gospel story I need to tell you about." Clayton again, "What is the story?" By this time, I was so emotional, but knew he wouldn't understand that, so I sucked it up with only one tear escaping, I started with,

"Well, you know the whole story about Jesus dying on the cross, right?" (We really worked on that around Easter and ever since) "And when we ask you "why did Jesus die on the cross?" you know to answer "Because He loves us SOOOOOO much, right?" He nodded yes. "Well, Jesus DOES love us, but it is also because every person in the whole world had sin in their hearts, and since Jesus is perfect and good and never sinned, He was the only one that die to take our sins away. When He died on the cross, He knew if we asked Him in our hearts, He could take away all the sins we had done and could live in us and help us be good like Him."

Clayton hopped off the place he was sitting from the bed, and returned with a heart-shaped pillow that I used for birthing Clayton (another story). I didn't know how much Clayton was understanding, and couldn't believe it when Clayton said, "here's a heart, Mommy. How can I get Jesus in there?" It about took my breath away. I had to smile at him holding that heart-shaped pillow! He was so sincere and adorable. I tried to explain, "Well, you know how when you say something mean to Mommy and I say you hurt Mommy's heart?" It was like a light came on. "Oh! yeah." He pointed to his belly-button and said, "My heart's in here." :) Then he repeated, "How does Jesus get in there?" Oh my word...I felt so inadequate to be on the spot, then I remembered, it didn't have to be perfect or a one-time conversation. So we talked a little bit about prayer and how Jesus and God (I didn't want to stretch his understanding by explaining the Holy Spirit quite yet), but that they can see us and hear us all the time even if we can't see them with our eyes. That was more of a refresher course, since we had talked about it a little bit before. And that when we should focus on Jesus and not just ask Him for stuff. (whew! this was turning into more lessons than just the simple gospel) He was sticking right with me though and asking questions here and there. Then I told him, "to 'get Jesus in there' we just pray like this, (I meant to just say a simple pray of accepting Jesus). I was caught off guard when he started repeating what I said!!! The prayer was simple, "Dear Jesus," (he started repeating me right there.) "I'm sorry for my sins. I don't want to be a bad boy. Please forgive me. I want Jesus to come live in my heart and help me be a good boy. Thank you for dieing on the cross for my sins. In Jesus' name, Amen."

I thought there'd be a huge smile on his face or something, but he was just calm and snuggled into his pillow. I forget that we adults, put a lot of "process and expectations" on experience when we can just rest instead.

I always dreamed this day would come, and I'm not pretending to think he won't have struggles or that he even truly comprehends all that we talked about, but I am resolved to do my best to keep talking about the gospel to him, in fact, I told him we are going to talk about it more tomorrow, and he cheerfully agreed.

I thank God for awakening something in Clayton, but it is such a responsibility to teach and guide him, and make sure he sees us walk this out before him. Perfectly? NO! but increasing? YES!

"To God alone be the glory, to God alone be the praise. Everything I say and do, let it be all for you, the glory is Yours alone, Yours alone..." ~Aaron Shust

Grace Excerpts

All who embrace grace become "free indeed." Free from what? Free from oneself. Free from guilt and shame. Free from the tyranny of others' opinions, expectations, and demands. Free to obey. Free to love. Free to forgive others as well as myself. Free to allow others to be who they are ­ different from me! Free to live beyond the limitations of human effort. Free to serve and glorify Christ.

Because of grace we have been freed from sin, from its slavery, its bondage in our attitude, in our urges, and in our actions. But having been freed and now living by grace, we can actually go too far, set aside all self-control, and take our liberty to such an extreme that we again serve sin. But that isn't liberty at all, that's license. And knowing of that possibility, many opt for legalism lest they be tempted to live irresponsibly. Bad choice!

Freedom is frightening. There are people who want to be told what to do and when ­ how to believe and why. And the result is tragic ­ perpetual adolescence.

You can't be afraid of the heights if you're going to walk on the tightrope of grace. But at the same time you have to watch out for the strong gusts of wind that will occasionally blow like mad.

~Grace Awakening
Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

Work. Life Lessons

Work is super demanding for Andy these days. With just getting back from a school, trying to move his office to another town, preparing for annual training in a couple weeks and ultimately preparing for deployment in just a few short months, there's lots of long hours that have to be pulled. We cherish each moment we get with him lately, including this day (pictured above) where he forgot his wallet and dog-tags at home and had to stop by for 5 minutes to get them. yay! :)

We have gotten lots of comments, questions etc. over the years from lots of people about being a military family, but the kids and I do not resent this time in our family's lives. Rather we choose to create quality memories and to not take for granted the moments we do have, (which is a lot more than some people get). There are many occasions that are brought about for our sanctification, and it's not the problem we are in, but how we respond to it that makes the difference.
I am proud of Andy for much more than his service to our country. That can't be what defines us. I love him for him, and not for just who he is or what he does for a living. When we start to feel sorry for ourselves and think the situation or circumstances are not fair, I try to remember that, no, it might not be, but neither was Calvary.
Whew. I didn't mean to say any of that. Just that Andy had a big work load. lol. Guess I am learning a lesson in all of this and wanted to share it with you. Have a fabulous weekend! We are knee-deep in yard sale preparation as our community yard sales are Saturday.

Remembering- The Cost of Freedom

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my children may have peace. -Thomas Paine
Some have said, "I didn't know anyone in the towers, so 9-11 didn't affect me," but the very core of our country was threatened and terrorized when those planes flew into the world trade center, Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. We cannot live in our own little bubble. We must remember so we can feel what we need to feel to continue the mission against terror for our own country and countries around the world who are constantly being threatened and deserve freedom. One day, God will set all things right. Until then, we have to do our best to use the tools He has given us to fight the evil of this world.
Here is one godly family's story of the sacrifice made.

This is what real heroes are made of!

God Strong, Army Strong

http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/community/webcasts/2010/0707
It can be challenging to be a military wife. We have to run the household and take care of the children while our husbands are away for weeks to months at a time. But we don't have to be an army of one...This link (webcast) is a great encouragement from Focus on the family for other fellow military wives.
I love being an Army wife, however it obviously has its hardships just like anyone else in the center of God's leading. I certainly am thankful to have these kinds of resources to use in times of struggle!

E-6

Everyone LOVES a promotion, right???
Well, I am so excited to report that my favorite soldier in the whole wide world has earned his rocker and is officially a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army!!!
Congratulations, SSG Plank!!!
We are so very proud of you!
~Kara, Clayton & Sadie

Independence Day!

We Celebrate Freedom Today!!!! Happy July 4th!

Scenes from our porch...

My Chains are Gone

Acts 12:7 (ESV)

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly."

And the chains fell off his hands."

A Soldier's Welcome Home!!!

The day the 4 of us has been waiting for!!! Andy has been away the last 2 1/2 weeks to Army AT (annual training) and was so busy & worn out that he rarely got to even call, text,...anything!
The kids and I having been making our welcome home signs so we could hang them out early tomorrow morning, but Andy surprised us and got home even earlier than we planned!
A VERY welcome surprise for the kids and I!!! =D
-------------------------------------------------
THANK YOU to all of our friends who mowed the lawn, ran the weed-eaters, invited us out and keep us busy the last couple weeks. We are blessed to have so much support, which means a lot to this grateful army family!
........Now to have an awesome Independence Day Weekend!!!

Parade Time!

We always have tried to make it to the Union County Independence Parade.
The kids had a great time collecting candy and clapping in time to the bands. The army band is my favorite, and of course I knew some of the soldiers in the local unit that followed the band so that's always fun. :)
Our beautiful patriots!!