Dear J:
I was so excited to get your 30 second phone call yesterday... and I mailed your first letter to you. I can't wait for you to receive it, and you've gotta know that there are so many more heading your way. We also can read the welcome letter posted on Fort Jackson's website. I am just so thankful that we have the capabilities today to have contact like we do.
But of course, I know that unless you have a chance to write a few sentences on one of the postcards you took with you, I won't hear from you for awhile. And that's okay. I know that it's part of the process.
I sure do think of you, though, througout the day. Like when I come across a John Wayne movie. Or see fruit snacks at the store. Or watch the trumpet section at band practice. You've left a hole in our family, but it's a hole that gets filled when I begin to pray for you. And that's what I do every time I see that thing that reminds me of you... (oh, wait, isn't that a Michael Buble' song?)
I love you, my sweet girl. I am in constant prayer for you. And, I'll send another letter tomorrow - I promise! I hope it doesn't take too long to reach South Carolina...
Love, your momma
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Week One - Letter One
Dear J:
What a difference 48 hours makes. Your text two nights ago left me stumbling for a few minutes. You were questioning why you were there, and there was so much doubt. So little sleep. And some fear, I think, too. And I became fearful. How could I be a mom who could talk you through this?
As we talked about your lack of sleep, my encouragement was to look to Jesus again for His example. How he stayed up all night praying in the garden while the disciples slept. And if you couldn't sleep, maybe you should pray for all of those around you. I don't know if it helped, but I treasured the text that was waiting for me the next morning (from 3:38 am your time)... you had gotten 3 hours of sleep!
Getting your phone calls on Friday were awesome, but I could still hear that slight fear. It wasn't until the final time we talked, at 6:00 pm your time, that you told me "this is it - it all starts tomorrow". And amazingly, I could hear the excitement and readiness in your voice. And most of all, that sweet determination.
I'm not sure what today held in store for you. Your first offical basic combat training day. But I can't wait to hear the stories and see the woman of God you become through all of this.
Remember that you are a mighty warrior girl, and that God does have such a purpose for your life! I don't want to be fake, and even though I am slightly scared for you, I am not going to let that show. I will be your biggest cheerleader - and yes, I'm going to be one of "those moms" - bumper sticker on the car, t-shirt, keychain.
Hoo-ah, my sweet soldier girl. Stay strong. And remember, Momma loves you!
What a difference 48 hours makes. Your text two nights ago left me stumbling for a few minutes. You were questioning why you were there, and there was so much doubt. So little sleep. And some fear, I think, too. And I became fearful. How could I be a mom who could talk you through this?
As we talked about your lack of sleep, my encouragement was to look to Jesus again for His example. How he stayed up all night praying in the garden while the disciples slept. And if you couldn't sleep, maybe you should pray for all of those around you. I don't know if it helped, but I treasured the text that was waiting for me the next morning (from 3:38 am your time)... you had gotten 3 hours of sleep!
Getting your phone calls on Friday were awesome, but I could still hear that slight fear. It wasn't until the final time we talked, at 6:00 pm your time, that you told me "this is it - it all starts tomorrow". And amazingly, I could hear the excitement and readiness in your voice. And most of all, that sweet determination.
I'm not sure what today held in store for you. Your first offical basic combat training day. But I can't wait to hear the stories and see the woman of God you become through all of this.
Remember that you are a mighty warrior girl, and that God does have such a purpose for your life! I don't want to be fake, and even though I am slightly scared for you, I am not going to let that show. I will be your biggest cheerleader - and yes, I'm going to be one of "those moms" - bumper sticker on the car, t-shirt, keychain.
Hoo-ah, my sweet soldier girl. Stay strong. And remember, Momma loves you!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Week Zero - Letter Two
Dear J:
I was so happy to hear from you today - the 5:00 am text, the 10:00 am phone call. And that last phone call at 12:20 pm. I didn't know that would be our "final civilian phone call", as you put it - but I am so glad that we had that chance to talk again. You've never been much of a phone person - and because you're not afraid to admit it makes me love you all the more.
Thank you for making your last phone call to Mike - he did call me, and we passed the word around that you were safe in S.C. I understood when he told me that you were afraid to talk to me, that you didn't want to break down again. You are a tough warrior, Jael - but it makes my heart smile to know that your heart is soft towards your momma.
I keep thinking about David, one of the greatest warriors that God ever used. I truly can't wait to see how God is going to be using you at basic training, and in the Guard.
Psalm 144:1-2 "Praise be to the Lord my Rock who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."
Jael, hold strong onto the Lord your Rock. That is my prayer for you, especially in these next few days. I love you!
I was so happy to hear from you today - the 5:00 am text, the 10:00 am phone call. And that last phone call at 12:20 pm. I didn't know that would be our "final civilian phone call", as you put it - but I am so glad that we had that chance to talk again. You've never been much of a phone person - and because you're not afraid to admit it makes me love you all the more.
Thank you for making your last phone call to Mike - he did call me, and we passed the word around that you were safe in S.C. I understood when he told me that you were afraid to talk to me, that you didn't want to break down again. You are a tough warrior, Jael - but it makes my heart smile to know that your heart is soft towards your momma.
I keep thinking about David, one of the greatest warriors that God ever used. I truly can't wait to see how God is going to be using you at basic training, and in the Guard.
Psalm 144:1-2 "Praise be to the Lord my Rock who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."
Jael, hold strong onto the Lord your Rock. That is my prayer for you, especially in these next few days. I love you!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Week Zero - Letter One
Dear J:
I dropped you off two nights ago at the hotel. Nervousness and excitement were both in your eyes - but I was a good momma, and I stayed strong and didn't cry.
This is a dream you've talked about for years - even buying a camo-theme laundry basket when you were in middle school. Dreaming and talking about a life in the military. Understanding the dedication and willingness to do more for others than for yourself - that is who is you are. That's why I know you are where God wants you. And why I could walk away without crying.
Even though I have a confession - you didn't see me crying in church Sunday morning before we left for the hotel.
They were playing the song "Amazing Grace", and when I sang the verse "my chains are gone, I've been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains, Unending love Amazing Grace" - I cried. Hard. Because when I see you, I see His mercy. He held you in His hands and declared He has a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11, baby. That's you.
I love you and I am proud of you. You are my American Soldier. When your plane flies out to Fort Jackson tomorrow, I will be continuing to pray for you moment by moment.
You are amazing!
I dropped you off two nights ago at the hotel. Nervousness and excitement were both in your eyes - but I was a good momma, and I stayed strong and didn't cry.
This is a dream you've talked about for years - even buying a camo-theme laundry basket when you were in middle school. Dreaming and talking about a life in the military. Understanding the dedication and willingness to do more for others than for yourself - that is who is you are. That's why I know you are where God wants you. And why I could walk away without crying.
Even though I have a confession - you didn't see me crying in church Sunday morning before we left for the hotel.
They were playing the song "Amazing Grace", and when I sang the verse "my chains are gone, I've been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains, Unending love Amazing Grace" - I cried. Hard. Because when I see you, I see His mercy. He held you in His hands and declared He has a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11, baby. That's you.
I love you and I am proud of you. You are my American Soldier. When your plane flies out to Fort Jackson tomorrow, I will be continuing to pray for you moment by moment.
You are amazing!
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