Why this strange list?

Dear family and friends,

Lisa and Jeff Russ are dear friends of ours from Italy. They are on island and we ran up on Friday to see Ed. As we were leaving for the commissary Ed said he had a list. Lisa was funny talking about how Jeff had never made a commissary list for her in his life but I didn't think a thing of it until I saw the contents. Ed was leaving for Alaska the next day so it didn't hit me as unusual as when he travels he often needs little odds and ends to take with him.

So the list claimed, "Earl Gray tea, London broil, English peas, and fish and sticks". I read it quickly and looked at my man in a quizzical manner. He brushed it off as, "I'll tell you later, it's office stuff, just get it." So everyone headed out and I headed straight back in asking what this was about as it was a strange list. "Read it again," he said with an enormous smile that was about to turn into a laugh. I'm now reading it the THIRD time and I proclaimed, "Now Ed if this were a moving year...Oh you've got to be kidding." Looking up and seeing his laughing grinning face confirmed it all. I'd follow this man anywhere, but He's making it really easy now isn't He. To God be the glory...

We are moving to London in December for a six month school that will be equivalent to War College (the Colonel's school). It was one of the craziest commissary trips I've ever had. First I'm there with my sweet friends which is just fun in and of itself. In the meantime I'm thinking about shipping cars, which cars, school, braces, Christmas plans, moving houses (we are supposed to move into another base house this summer), ect, ect, ect. I'm not sure my brain could have moved any faster.

I've been laying in bed now for two days with a migraine with plenty of time to sleep, pray, and think. The greatest thing about all of this...although a surprise to us, it's no surprise to Jesus who has this firmly laid and is fully in control.

So here we go again. I'm just as grateful that we have a full nine months to plan as I was that it happened in six weeks last year when we found out we were moving to Hawaii. God's timing...always perfect and right on time. It's always a challenge living firmly planted in the world you are in while preparing for the one that is to come. God's been giving me lots of opportunities to practice.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Caroline is making me a new web page with a Hawaii picture rather than the one I love from D.C., we've got to get a move on that now don't we.

Do elephants really paint?

Dear family and friends,

Another Thailand story...It was the morning we were going to leave Chiang Mai and head out for the mountains. Caroline and I were still asleep because Caroline was sick. We'd been up about 6:30 or so to confirm that we were going to sleep in and take the morning easy, although Caroline was hopeful that she was through the worst.

It was 10 minutes before 9:00 when Lori came banging on our door. When she realized that we were not going she had ran up 9 flights of stairs due to very slow elevators and then "implored" me to please go and see the elephants. First, I had never been "implored" to do anything in my life. This is a GREAT word that is very effective, descriptive, and just plain fun. Put it in your back pocket for the next time you need it. Secondly, did I already say that this sweet woman had already run up NINE flights of stairs. Lori implored us to go and said she'd stay with the sick and would be more than happy to finish packing our things.

We were dressed and out the door in about six minutes flat. Caroline should have been in bed, but bless her heart, you know when you've been sick and it's all out. At that point it's just crawling back up the hill. That's where we thought she was and she was going to have to travel that day either way. It was in no way strenuous and she had looked so forward to what I didn't even really pay attention to.

Now I had heard something about elephants (just like I'd heard there was something about jewelry...another story). Caroline was excited about the elephants, in fact she'd talked a TON about it (little pun there for you). I just thought that we were going to do the typical zoo sit on an elephant, take a picture, have him walk a little ways kinda thing.

When we got there, first we delighted in a full elephant show. Did you know that elephants can really paint? I had no idea myself. I watched an elephant paint an elephant, a tree, and flowers...with my very own eyes. If I'd had a tube to roll it up in I would have brought one home. I think it would have added some great diversity to my little art collection by the way. My man thinks I'm crazy, but he's never seen an elephant paint like I have so what can you expect.

The elephants also did typical circus things, but they also played a mean game of soccer. I wished Brettaboo could have seen that elephant kick that soccer ball as it was impressive. We also enjoyed their harmonica tunes.

It was a great elephant show to say the very least...but then we rode them. A trail ride, just like our children rode horses in Yellowstone. An elephant trail ride, which felt somewhat like a roller coaster ride to me. Lori had described it as relaxing, swaying, ect, ect...this is what she ran up and down 9 floors for.

This was when the secret came out. I'm a 38 year old squealer...I can't help myself. I love to scream on rides. I always squeal when I water ski. They pop out when I snow ski too, although they are easier to hide under all those layers. The tuk tuk, well, that should make anyone squeal.
Amy rode with me and we had such a marvelous time. She was more than happy to squeal with me...up the hills, down the hills, in the water, and particularly when our driver got off to take our picture. When you looked at the picture, well, if you think it looks a little cockeyed, it's because it was! Which definitely deserved a squeal.

God's creations never cease to amaze me....I think he chuckled the entire time he created those elephants. I'm glad I don't need them to move things around my house as it's already a little crowded in this 1930's three bedroom home. They certainly are strong suckers and they paint...did I mention they paint?

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Dancing...

I love dancing through life with this man...Mother, thank you for praying him straight into my heart!

Why do I prefer the quiet moments?

Dear family and friends,

God is so good to give us delightful moments amidst the chaos of life. For whatever reason, we do often seem to have lots of organized chaos around this house. Just dealing with the sin of six people is enough to create chaos.

After the storm comes the calm...I love these moments! The moments of refreshment, peace, joy, and every once in a small while...quiet.

Jefferson's drawing for Melanee Kate's precious violin teacher (with Kate's help). We're always talking about what the other person likes when we give gifts. Dr. Routman loves pigs. I think these children may have cornered the market as I've never seen a pig playing the violin for baby Jesus. Our children drawing brings me great joy...

A moment of quiet, captured! The children's Nana and Chief gave them a hammock for Christmas. It's in our front yard under a huge Plumeria tree. It was a great afternoon...what's a little rain...

Our children playing and building things brings refreshment...to creative minds, relationships, and to a mother's soul who rejoices at all the hours that God has provided over the years for these children to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! Yesterday the boys decided to wait for Kate to come home to finish as "It's just not fun without Kate."

Growth...we have lots of that going on around here... God ordained, moving us forward! I realized a few weeks ago that our first litter all have the same size of feet as their mother. This is only a short moment in time and no matter how crazy they thought I was, it had to be captured on film.

Boys heading out fishing after a diligent day of school...now that's a delightful moment. Jefferson would follow Wyatt anywhere. Which brings us to diligently training Wyatt in where he would go...usually in the chaotic department, but more than worth the while.

Teaching moments, that take time and patience...caring more for others than yourself. When I see these moments in our home they inspire me. They give me the courage to continue what I do everyday, knowing that although it sometimes seems WAY TO SLOW, what I'm teaching is sinking in. I've got to be on God's timetable, not my own.

This is the home team with our welcome home sign...a week later after much wind and rain. "Yes, you do have to let me photograph you with it before you throw it away!" I was raised on signs, I love them, as do our children. What a great thing to come home to sign made just for you!

Then there are many moments just like this...what you don't see is how someone was ugly because someone else jumped in their spot. You also don't see one child being ugly to the child who is demanding that the picture be taken again because so and so didn't do it right. Oh, and don't forget how someone got hurt in the end! These are the teaching moments that I need to more readily embrace...why do I prefer the quiet moments, when the other moments are really the opportunity to produce fruit in our children!

Off to the races...

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Troops

Do you like to share?

Dear family and friends,

Yesterday after church the non Pro Bowl crew went to Subway.

As I was coming out of church I approached the van, I and heard the chant of, "Subway, Subway, Subway". My children love to go out to eat just like their mother and the mother who went before me. They also know I watch our money and have figured out that the cheaper it is, the more likely I am to do it.

The boy's were at the Pro Bowl stadium at that point. Wyatt got Peyton Mannings,Drew Brees, and Adrian Peterson's autograph's. (This paragraph was randomly added by our 13 year old son when I left the computer. It is very true, and extremely exciting.)

The promises came quickly. "Mother we can all share the 12 inch subs and not get drinks or chips. We can do this for $12!" spouted our oldest.

I have a little secret about myself...I LOVE to share food when we go out to eat. If the portions are huge down the middle is fine. If they are not, order two and give me half, this way I get to try and enjoy two new things. After ten years of marriage (nine years ago) my sweet husband decided he would share his food with me, which was a huge sign of love, as he's not naturally a food sharer.

So there we were standing in line discussing and planning who wanted what meat and who wanted what bread. The meat, not a big deal as we were all happy with ham. The bread, definitely more give and take.

Now there are times that we go and order like so many other families, everyone gets their own choice of meal and and a drink. These are special times though, treasured and enjoyed by all. But often, we share, I think it's somewhat of an art...ordering enough for everyone to enjoy in the most inexpensive way possible. My father always gets a kick of watching me order for our family. I take into consideration likes, dislikes, amounts, prices, and whether we are in a position to take home leftovers.

In the long run, my children are benefiting from my method...having to forgo the kind of bread you want, or splitting a meal that would not be your number one choice. I've watched them sacrifice, giving and taking, being excited for another family member...these are great qualities that will serve them for a lifetime. I've seen them grow in gratefulness! Nowadays I think they just think this is the way it is with everyone...shhhh, please do not tell them.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Where were they going on Sunday morning?

Dear family and friends,

It was a very exciting morning at the Thomas house. Four of us were ready for church and the other two were off with a friend to the Pro Bowl. Wyatt's football league was a part of the pregame ceremonies carrying the Dallas Cowboy flag. I can only imagine how exciting the evening will also be as it will be filled with stories, sights, and sounds of the day. I could care less about football, unless the Aggies or one of my boys are involved...

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Did I ever think we'd make it to this point?

Dear family and friends,

Many people have asked what the highlight of my trip was. This is easy, hands down, it was our daughter. Although it really is a twofold answer.

First of all, I just loved being with her, loved watching her blossom and serve. It's a real privilege to serve Jesus with our children. We had a great time travelling there and quite the memories travelling back. They were two very different trips as on the way we were excited to be going and being together. We laughed a ton and really missed Kate as at that point is seemed weird to be doing a girl thing without her...but the day will come.

Coming back was more like survival. Caroline felt horrible from being so dehydrated but I couldn't have been more proud of her for pushing the way she did, drinking more water when she thought she couldn't, and walking when it seemed impossible. So on the way there we fellowshipped with one another and Jesus, on the way home we trusted Jesus in a whole different way. Our grand dreams of spending the day in Tokyo were quite different than we'd imagined...but we knew we could trust Him even in this.

Second of all, Caroline and I had a precious opportunity on the last day of the conference. We knew before we left that we would be able to sing together at some point. Once we were there we knew it would be at the family worship on Friday which wraps up the conference. The children all sing for their parents and we all have the opportunity to worship together in song.

On Wednesday God made it very clear to me that God didn't just want us to sing, He wanted us to share. So we prayed...Caroline, Ed, and I have been on quite the journey the last two years plus. We have fought for this child's heart, and by the grace of God, He has prevailed. She was so precious to be willing to stand before so many and let them have a peek into her heart, where she had been and where God has brought her. Standing before the throne of our Saviour, sharing all that He has done, while watching our child's boldness, courage, and how He has changed her, was a sheer privilege. Singing and publicly worshiping our King was just the icing on the cake.

To God be the glory great things He has done...

Love in Christ,
Dinah for the Troops