Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Again, why am I ever surprised by God?


Dear family and friends,

It's incredibly quiet here on 3rd street today. Three at camp, one little one sick in bed, and my sweet man traipsing across the Pacific. He's going to cover over 7000miles this week which is almost CRAZY.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to play with my dear friend, Sharla Smith. One of my life dreams...movie, lunch, move and a little shopping in between. I'm relatively easy to please. I'd never done it and I'd always wanted to. It was a great day of relaxation, fellowship, and fun.

It's funny though as much as everyone has talked about me having a week off, which is true in so many ways, on Sunday afternoon God made me clearly aware that I'd be fully engaged. After the children had been dropped off I had a 45 minute drive back which was a precious time to spend with Jesus. It was during these moments that I knew my impact would be different, my job altered, yet just as important.

I've had the privilege of praying. This is a role my parents take very seriously as parents/grandparents and this week God is giving me a little peek what they do for us and the time they spend with Him.

I have one at camp who was quite apprehensive to be there, yet willing to trust us that this is where God wanted her firmly planted for the week. This morning Sharla went up to grab one of hers that needed to run to the doctor and was able to do a little recon. I am so excited and encouraged to know that all the campers are doing great and they were very excited to share not just the fun and games, but what they are learning! (THANK YOU JESUS!!!)

I'm sure I've said this before here, but again, why am I ever surprised by God? The past three days He's had me in Romans 12...this morning I was ready to move on and He impressed upon my heart, no Romans 12. I read it three more times...soaking it in. Clinging to it. "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not CONFORM any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will - His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Do you know where this is going? What are they talking about this week at camp...not conforming to the world. There they are right in Romans 12 along with their mother. God has us all there this week and He doesn't need me to do it!

We just read it together last week and spent time talking and praying about verse 10...honoring others above yourselves. Something all six of us are still working on.

So here I am this week, enjoying my calling, being their mother. I have no business taking a week off even if I do get a little break from routine. As I was driving my litter (Kate rolls her eyes at this phrase we've been using for so long...our first three came so quickly that when they were little they seemed like a litter) to camp I couldn't pull my mind off the fact that in six years from now all three of them will be at college. I can't afford to take a week off...the stakes are too high, these children are too important, they are so loved and treasured.

I'm understanding my mother a little more this week...I'm so grateful for her. I want to be a better mother, I want to trust Jesus more, I want to depend on myself less. Maybe this week is more for my growth than theirs...by the way, my lack of faith is why I'm surprised.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What in the world would have us out the door this early on a summer day?




Dear family and friends,

By 6:25 this morning we were heading to the channel! What in the world would have us out the door this early on a summer day?

THE SBX...

Something I'd never heard of until this past January. It was docked at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor until this morning. It's an amazing thing to see something larger than a football field floating down the channel.

Thanks to Doug Smith, we were able to tour it in May. The children were pumped when it was all over. The technology that protects our country is MIND BOGGLING!

Here's a quick fact sheet if you interested.
http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/sbx.pdf

The day is going to be filled with packing for camp (Awana's), two military functions, and dear friends.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Pictures later...


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

So what did y'all do?



Dear family and friends,

Being together with people you love dearly, a privilege, not a right.

We loved every moment with Mother and Daddy, it went way too quickly, as we knew it would.


We had the thrill of showing them the things we love dearly on this island...the God created view and God given relaxation at Bellows, watching the boys come in on the waves again and again and again, walking along the channel that leads to Pearl Harbor, and bike rides with one fast pup in the morning while the beautiful scenery passes by.


We were able to do things we'd do anywhere we live...sneak away for an evening with just the adults albeit we don't always have as beautiful a sunset to share, grill chicken and eat Lisa Russ's rolls, sit in Ed's office, and share the love and delight of our children. Grandparents are a special thing, not enjoyed by all in the world, yet certainly treasured here.

We had the blessing of the not so common...watching aircraft carriers float down the channel with over sixty planes on deck while sailors lined it like lights in their crisp white uniforms. We were able to personally tour it with friends several days later.

Pearl Harbor has found a special place in our hearts: the history, the hero's, the fallen. I'm amazed regularly that the house we live in was standing that day. If the family that lived here was home that early Sunday morning I can only imagine they clamored together in our storage closet as is the largest place with no windows. Mother and Daddy ski with a man who is a Pearl Harbor survivor...Herb defended our country that day.

Daddy was given a chance of a lifetime as he was able participate with a group of community leaders as he has certainly been one. They flew off of Hickam to run and catch up with the USS Reagan. The Reagan was just passing by and never stopped in Hawaii. They landed on the aircraft carrier being quite grateful for that tail hook, only to be catapulted off four hours later after enjoying a full tour and lunch. Apparently standing on deck watching planes land and take off was quite surreal in the Pacific that day.

Mom and Dad came in on Tuesday and by Saturday night I thought I might be coming down with something. Sunday continued down the road I didn't want to be on and my Monday I felt quite slow and crummy. Wednesday night I took to bed and didn't come up for air until Sunday. I was just so grateful my parents were here with my family...it didn't even matter.

Sunday the crew headed off to church and Mother and Daddy were so sweet to stay home and go and sit on the channel and have breakfast with me. What a treat...to be alone with my parents in a place that I love.

It's funny as in one moment I will think December is not far away and will come quickly...I can't wait to be together again. On the other hand since we love where God has us for the moment, I think...Christmas is so far away and I just need to enjoy every moment. Living in the present, preparing for the future, it seems to be a theme in my life.

Thank you Jesus for my amazing parents...I'm so grateful for how they pray, love, and support our family. I know they are your provision.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Thomas Troops

P.S.-Finally feeling back to normal although Wyatt wasn't feeling good tonight...SOMEONE has been sick in this family for the past six weeks plus. Hopeful that we are getting next winter's due early.

Since they've left we've celebrated lots of special birthdays in the neighborhood, are helping friends move, have been assigned our new house, and Ed had the honor of speaking in our church's pulpit.

God is good, yah!












Thursday, June 4, 2009

Do you ever "feel" alone?

Dear family and friends,

Our timing with my parents is flying by but being enjoyed and treasured second by second. More on that later.

This week I've been reminded of something that happened to me a little over six years ago and wanted to share it with you. I have a friend who is really struggling this week and my precious sister has been incredibly sick in D.C. She is "alone" with my nieces while her sweet husband is protecting our freedoms in Iraq.



I had a small place on my neck that I had checked out at the clinic and they quickly said it was precancerous and needed to be removed. Not a big deal, just a quick procedure. Ed and I agreed that we didn't need to get a babysitter, but he would sit with the children in the car and read to them while it was accomplished.

Everything was going according to plan until they put me on a surgical table with an enormous light and brought out this incredible needle and a knife that I should have never seen. They had me tilt my neck back as far as I could. It was the first moment that I had some inkling of what a lamb might feel like being taken to slaughter. It's a great thing that lambs are not particularly bright animals and have no idea what's really coming.

At that moment I cried out to God saying, "Oh Lord, if I'd known, I would have secured a babysitter at all costs so Edward could be with ME, not our children!" I was missing my sweet husbands touch and comfort like never before.

The Lord quickly and surely replied in my heart, "Dinah, I am enough...".

My heart lept as I knew He was so right. I was not alone, although I felt alone. I could proclaim truth, not how I felt. I quickly sank into the arms of Jesus like I had never before in my life. I have never felt so loved or cared for in my entire life, my Lord was enough, and in no way was I alone. I did not apologize when it was all over and they sat me up with a huge grin on my face proclaiming the goodness of God!

I've claimed this many times in the last six years as it is truth. I am a child of the King, and He is ALWAYS with me. I will never be alone one moment on this earth, no matter how I feel, I can choose truth. My God is enough!

I still thank God for that moment, I am so grateful He allowed me to learn to trust Him in new ways. I am so grateful He allowed me that moment of His presence that I know I will enjoy eternally someday.

Life can be overwhelming at times, it can be hard. I am so grateful that my friend and my sweet sister have not been alone this week...

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8