Keeping Busy

Well, I have decided that in order for me to deal with the recent events in our home, keeping busy seems to be a much better alternative to sitting and wallowing in my sorrows.  So, I have finally gotten my other blog started.  In the future, all up dates on Dustin will be primarily posted to "Dustin's Journey" (http://dustinsjourney.blogspot.com/).  It seemed much easier to keep friends and family up to date this way.  Honestly, there are just so many.  I felt I owed it to them and Dustin to have a designated site.  Let's face it, not all are interested in laundry stain removal, healthy recipes, or what my kids would refer to has "momma stuff".  Again, I thank you all and encourage you to visit the blog.  I will occasionally post references to this site, but it will not be as detailed.  You know?  Blogging started out just being a way for me to explore my passion for creative writing.  It really has become a blessing to me.  It helps me when I know that others can be helped, encouraged, or just plain entertained by what I post. 

Recently, I have experienced some down falls.  My health has been not so great.  Another infection and a lot of added stress.  I am not proud to say smoking has worked its way back into my life.  However, I have a plan for getting back on the wagon.  It involves keeping busy.  This should not be any problem with a new house to move into, thank you letters to write, two teenagers and a husband to keep up with, and work.  One thing I have learned is that it is an addiction that will always linger and is very easy to give in.  Have also learned that addiction is an illness.  I pray for strength and the day I can completely be free of it.  I also know the disappointment in peoples faces (especially my kids) is hard for me to deal with.  Have always tried to be a people pleaser.  It's a drawback I have to work on as well.  If there is one thing I have learned is that the power of prayer is my biggest defense.  So, I continue to pray for myself and other people dealing with this monkey on our backs.

These past couple of weeks have not only been quite the eye opener for me, but for the rest of my family, as well.  I have posted before about it being about God's plan.  Boy!  It is turning out to be a lot different then the plan Paul and I thought it would be.  Somehow, it has turned into more of an adventure.  It seems we never know what is going to happen next.  A great example is the new house we picked out.  Our original plan was to build a house on the 20 acres we own.  Then, due to the economy and housing market, we decided to buy a house.  We must have looked at so many.  Even placed offers on a couple that fell through.  I prayed to the Lord while looking at every house.  Just a simple prayer that if this house wasn't meant to be ours, then show us a sign.  After so many, we finally found one.  It is nothing like what we had originally planned to have.  But somehow, it is perfect.  So far the whole process has gone easier then we expected.  Just a few things to verify with the bank, a water test, and we should be set.  So, it turns out Dustin is not the only one starting a new chapter in his life.  It's so exciting.  At the same time, it seems to help with all the other emotions we are going through right now.

Last but not least, Paul and I have learned the power of community and the blessing of having so much love and support.  We would have never imagined the compassion from this small town that has come since Dustin's enlistment became public.  It has made us so proud of Beaverton and even prouder of the young man Dustin has become.  We had made the decision a long time ago that no matter what it took we were going to raise our family here.  Now we know why.  It really does take a village to raise a child.  We feel that this whole town has helped shaped who our children have become.  God has truly blessed us in more ways then we could have even imagined.  You could even say it has been overwhelming in some ways.  Deuteronomy 28:2 states, "All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to the Lord your God's voice".  It is so easy for one to turn their back on or question God's presence during times of trial.  Yet it is important during these times to maintain that He will take care of us.  I have always told my husband and kids that He will take care of us.  After the events of this past month, I am truly convinced that this holds true.  The blessings just keep coming in so many different ways.  I could never repay all that people have done for us.  Besides saying thank you, I can only offer our love, prayer, and continued support to this wonderful town.  I am not sure when my next post will be to this blog due to the busy week ahead and my current health state.  Please be patient and know that I will be making it up after Dustin leaves and I feel better.  As I stated before, keeping busy is my goal.  Much love and many blessings.        

 

   

One Day At A Time

Well, as it gets closer, things around here get quieter.  In 12 days our Son will be off to Basic training for the U.S. Army.  He just graduated from high school last Sunday.  Reality is starting to hit.  Unbelievable!  It is hard to believe that he is already grown up.  When the kids were little, Paul and I were criticized by some for making our world revolve around our children.  We never went out, took them everywhere, went without sleep to make activities, and just made everything we did about them.  Today I realize I would never change how we did things for anything in the world.  While some parents sit back and think should have, would have, could have...Paul and I think of all the great memories we created as a family.  Those are the memories that will carry us through this time of worrying and waiting.  I have faith in Dustin and the lessons we have taught him about life in general.  However, as a mother I can not keep the instinct to worry.  If there is one thing in our life Paul and I have learned is that God has a plan, although it may not always be clear to us.  We have never questioned the Lords motives and influences over our family.  He has always held us in his hands, no matter what trials or triumphs we have encountered.  So again, we will trust in His path and accept it.  I know that Dustin will do the same. 

The following year holds many unknowns, changes, and decision making for this family.  Not only does  Dustin enter the world of being an adult, but our daughter is entering her Senior year of high school, and our youngest enters his freshman year.  Am I worried?  I would be lying if I said I wasn't.  But I have faith in them both, as I do with Dustin.  I know that they will make decisions that are wrong ones.  I can only hope that they will choose to learn from them like we taught.  Shelby is starting to look at options for college and making plans for her senior year.  An exciting time for any high school senior.  She has grown into such a beautiful young woman...inside and out.  I just pray that she sees in herself what others do.  Dylan turns 14 this Saturday and is so excited about being in high school.  The day he was born, I held him in my arms and knew that he would make people laugh everyday.  He was meant to spread happiness.  I just pray that he learns the self control he needs to use it in a positive light.

Saturday is Dustin's Open House/Going Away party.  But it is so much more than that.  It is a celebration of accomplishments for everyone, as well as the start of things to come.  My hope is that it is a day of laughter and love.  Tears will fall, but they will be tears of love and joy.  My comfort comes from the fact that although he wishes he had more time with friends and family, Dustin has no regrets about his decision.  We will take this journey has we have every one before...one day at a time.

Romans 8:28  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.