As I was reading my heart swelled up a little with emotion... thinking about the fears and trials I've faced with my family these past few years. The one unwaivering thing has been my faith that my God would get me through somehow and that He was still present and working on the "problems " in my life. There were so many times that I didn't just mentally stomp my feet with impatience, but even physically did so (albeit in my bathroom all alone with the vent on so no one could hear me sobbing outloud and crying out! )... Inevitably, the peace of God would overcome me and settle my heart once again and I would KNOW that He heard me and would give me JUST ENOUGH patience to get through.
This past March, my son finally called us... our family was reunited via the telephone and so much hurt has been healed. What joy! Unbeknownst to any of us, there were more trials to come... really big ones. But now looking back, I can see that my faith has grown, my love for my family is stronger, and the joy in my heart is complete.
In July, Nicholas came home for the first time in almost 5 years. Wow. I made an utter fool of myself at the airport. I couldn't even photograph... My dear hubby shot video of the reunion, which I will NOT publicly post. I don't even want to watch it again because it makes me cry all over again. Actually I'm fighting tears right now just thinking about it!~ Yikes. For two weeks we had quality family time, and we laughed, and talked and just hung out. It was so nice just to have Nick's presence in our home again. Was it all perfect? No, of course not.... but it was imperfectly perfect. Our family is made up of imperfect people, but God's love in us is perfect and we all love eachother with God's love.
I know that none of us knows what the future holds, but we do know for sure that our God will not forsake or leave us. He's proven himself over and over. We know that He will give us just enough faith, patience and grace to get through any trials that we face. Gads, I am so so thankful!!!
As we face the next few months, with my two girls' boyfriends in Afghanistan, a wedding to plan, and other trials, any who are so inclined, we would welcome your prayers. Please pray our guys come home safely (in December and January), and for the wedding to come together without a hitch, and for Nicholas to settle and enjoy his new home in Colorado Springs at Fort Carson.
I'm attaching a few fun photos I was able to get while Nick was home... That was the fastest photo shoot I've ever done, but I'm thankful for what I got!
Bless all of you, my friends...
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
