I Never Thought....

The following was written by my daughter, Becka, on Tuesday morning. I noticed the time cause if she is mine what is she doing up so early? As I read this I begin to laugh at alot of things that she and Ben did together as siblings although she did not include the frogs. But the more I read the tears begin to fall...How do I explain to the PH girls why I am crying ....and yes they do ask. My thoughts have rambled all day from the beginning of his life til now. Sometimes I think it is not fair what this world requires of our family serving in the military. But then I didn't think it was fair when God decided to call home my mom either. I have struggled with life and death since February 27, 2008.  The day my baby (yes, he admits this) flew on a plane to start his life with the Army at the age of 17 and the morning that my mom got up to go to the bathroom with her next steps being on the streets of gold in heaaven.  It won't be long and Ben will be serving for my freedom here on Earth halfway across the world.  That is something I am proud of  but I would not be a mother if it did not bother me to some degree.  I can only cling to the verse that I have used since we begin our full time ministry as preacher and his wife:  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


I Never Thought...


When I was 5 years old



and he was just newborn;


I never thought...




Then he became the 5


and I became the 10.


We dug holes in our backyard


to build a "swimming pool";


I never thought...



Once again 5 years passed


And I became a teen


as he lingered on the edge.


While I chased him with a fly swat;


I never thought...




When I reached my 20's


he was just a teenager


lost in his own dreams.


He missed me when I left,


because he lost someone to tease;


I never thought...




Now we're both adults,


and we're known as


the baby and the princess;


How dare we forget to mention


the chosen one of all,


who's stuck in the middle.




I never thought I would have to say,


"Brother, thank you for your service!"




I never thought I would see the day,


that precious baby boy


would be half a world away.




I never thought I would be so proud


of that rotten little baby boy.


Who's given up his freedom,


so that I can hold strong to mine.




I never thought...




BOH

Lance, Ben and Becka

Ben and Becka

Ben

John, Georgiana and Brennon

 

What color is your Sharpie Marker?

As I sit here tonight recapping my day

munching on my

I can only be thankful for the things that my Momma and Daddy taught us girls...

they brought us up in a christian atmosphere of which I am very thankful!

They taught us wrong from right

they taught us not to lie, steal, or fight.

I have had an eventful Monday evening.

Even though none of these girls are from my womb

my heart aches for them especially when things go south

I can only quote my favorite verse which I think applies to each one that passes under our care

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

We made one of our monthly trips to Sams today.  I was eager to get there to pick up one of my favorite things.  Sharpie Markers!  Yes!  In an assortment of colors....I couldn't wait!  Now how can someone get so excited over sharpie markers....well I love to use them all the time.  My favorite color to use is

How would you have guessed?  (except for those that have known me for a long long time)

I have a new project that I am using them with and my pink had run out of ink on Sunday...how dare!

Here at Promise House we have to drink 64 ozs plus of water every day...

yes, I know this is breaking news (to my girls anyways!) BUT it is like our number one golden rule

So to make the process of keeping up with how much the girls are drinking easier

(my director shared with me the following that worked at one time here at Promise House)

I colored, with my sharpie markers, a clothes pin on one side

then I marked on the girls water chart the color of their pin.

Each time a girl empties her 32 oz mugs of water she has to show me and pins the pin on me

So far I have three out of five girls drinking their water everyday....

ok.ok.ok.  I have just started this on Saturday but three days running is an excellent record!

I have other projects that I have used them with in the past

Vacation Bible School

Crafts

Clothes Labeling

etc. etc. etc.

So tell me .... what do you use your Sharpie Markers for?