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

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...

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!

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

Will Tuesday ever get here?

Dear family and friends,

We have just a few minutes before we head out for Caroline's piano recital. It's been a good Lord's day.

I just have to quickly say MY PARENTS ARE COMING, MY PARENTS ARE COMING, MY PARENTS ARE COMING!! Until this point I've never gone longer than eight months without seeing my mother since she gave birth to me. I've gone a little longer without seeing my Dad. I haven't put my arms around either one since I stood at the curbside at the Denver airport on March 12, 2008. My last memory is throwing our ski coats in their ever welcoming arms as we were heading to Hawaii.

God is good and contentment comes from Him, for which I am so grateful. It's been okay as it's been clear this has been has been God's timing, and His timing is best.

Now that it's almost here...I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!

Lord, help me be content, in the big and little things. I want to honor you...

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

I just love this man...can I stop and say that right here in the middle?

Dear family and friends,

I know I talked about a picture over two weeks ago. I'd love to share a picture every day, with a story of God's goodness, or faithfulness, or whatever we might see Him doing. He's at work all the time, not just when I see Him...I'm so grateful for that.

It's very appropriate that I post this picture today and God has used this day to reconfirm His plans. ALL OF THEM...

Last year when we found out we were moving to Hawaii the great car fest began. One point that I had concluded many years ago is that when military families move overseas they just loose money on cars. Buying and selling cars is expensive and most of the time, necessary. It's a sacrifice we make, all part of serving the country we love.

So we started where we always should...prayer. It was quickly concluded that we would ship the van (that is now over 11 years old) and keep the Honda. Ed's car has been fantastic and we have been so grateful for it. It's reliable with very low millage and we weren't overly interested in getting rid of it for two years while we were on the island. Both of our parents were willing to help, they serve our country to in their continued service to us by the way.

So with all the quick decisions we were having to make, it was a welcomed and delightful call when Daddy said he would be willing to fly up to D.C. and drive the Honda to Texas where they live. He couldn't make it until ski season was over, but he was coming.

We started praying about buying an island car for when we arrived in Hawaii. God is ALWAYS faithful to go ahead of us. We just get to watch it all unfold.

Before we even got here the gal Ed was replacing was gracious and kind and offered up her car for the year. Anne was heading to Baghdad and was more than happy to share and keep the car running. We really had to pray about her generous offer. To borrow a car from a friend for that long would be a big deal, but from a stranger. As we prayed, God quickly gave us peace that this was His provision. We have been so grateful.

The "plan" (ours not God's) was to buy a little island car for the 15-16 months that were left. The "plan" changed the moment we found out we were moving to London. So again, we began to pray. It was one of those things though that I just had to pray about and then move on while waiting for God to make things clear. I could have worried, but worry is not from the Lord. In fact, it's sin, telling God He doesn't have it all under control, when He clearly does. Worry does nothing to fix anything and by His grace, I choose not to do it.

We also had other car decisions to make...ship the van, sell the Honda, buy a used car here, leave the van on the island. Lots of options in which all had good and bad points. All of this to say, in the past two weeks God has given us a peace about leaving the van on the island and waiting to see what are options are as it unfolds once we are in London. We gave back Anne's car in April and have been sharing a car which was now the new "plan" which we were going to do until we leave.

So to my picture. I just love this man, can I stop and say that right here in the middle? This picture cracks me up. It's so Ed...

I drove up a few weeks ago and there was our bike, right up at the front of the building in his reserved parking space. Parked, just like his car, with his helmet hanging there on the handle bars.

My parents are coming on Tuesday, which is another blog in and of itself. I've already made arrangements for a rental car for the week that Ed is taking off. Today my sweet husband called and told me I could cancel our reservations.

Anne emailed him today and said that next week she would like to drop the car back off and could we drive it until the end of August.

It was such confirmation of the decision we made to not buy another car here and to leave the van. I was so excited this afternoon. It was such a clear reminder of how God has this all under control, that His plans are best, and that He is worthy of our trust.

God has it all under control...cars, our children's education, timing of seeing my parents, vacations, London flats, dogs, piano and violin teachers, travel arrangements, military hops, houses, moves, sickness, math curriculum, renters, mortgages, new dentist, life, death. I know that it's a pretty big jump from new dentist to life and death, but it's true. Not just the little things in life, but the big things too. All, not just some, but all.

Thank you Lord, that you have everything under control, that you are Sovereign of all. Thank you for being trustworthy and faithful. Please help me to continue daily to see your great hand of provision.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

P.S.-It's six a.m. and the birds are singing His praises while I just heard a boat horn on the canal that heads to Pearl Harbor. It's a good day to be in Hawii...

What are your children doing that you don't know about?

Dear family and friends,

When we moved to Hawaii last year the children were invited by dear friends to go to Awana's, a Bible club. They went and had a wonderful time which catapulted them into their summer campaign of wanting to attend Awana's this year.

I have to tell you I am cautiously careful about what we commit to as a family and individually. There are so many wonderful things to do, and I want to do so many wonderful things. On the other hand, I don't want to miss life. I want our children to have fond memories of being home, being together.

I also struggle as Awana's very much runs on a rewards system. This of course is not bad in and of itself, but I want our children to hide God's Word in their hearts for the right reasons.

When the fall came our sweet friend Emily offered to take them this year as she was going anyway and had four extra seats in the car. Well, and because she is a great lady who has been so wonderful to our children, and their mother. Ed and I prayed about it as there are very few things that we've just sent our children off to do without us being right there in the middle of it.

Awana's had a great focus on Bible memorization. At the beginning of the year I clearly told the
three older children that they would be on their own. There were basically three guidelines for the year. 1) They were going to have to be self motivated, I was not going to make them memorize verses. 2) They could only say verses that they had memorized at home and could not work on verses at Awana's. If they couldn't go to Awana's and say it without practicing then it really wasn't memorized. 3) They had to write all their verses on cards so they could review them in the future.

Awana's has been a great blessing this year.

So this Sunday was the last day and parents were invited for songs and presentations. The children all finished the books that they were supposed to for the year, with the three older children going above and beyond in some manner.

Okay this is where I am totally embarrassed. Melanee Kate has receited a few verses for me this year and I knew she'd finished several books but this didn't mean much to me as I just don't know the older Awana's materials. She was allowed to work on Awana's during school and I saw her working on her verses many mornings. I clearly remember when she announced that she had decided that she was going to complete all four books. The item that I missed...okay, I missed that Melanee Kate memorized well over 200 verses!

What a blessing...I know our children have done many things over the years without Ed and I knowing. What things did you do as a child that your parents didn't know? Well, when it's all said and done and the final list is made, it will bring me great joy that somewhere on that list is "memorized 200 Bible verses without Mom and Dad knowing".

I should have caught a clue this spring as we read Scripture and Melanee Kate interrupted and kept piping in, "Oh Mommy, let me say that one. Oh Mom, I know that one." She didn't do it 200 times though, so I just had no idea.

She also had a heart attack recently when the children were reminded of the cards I told them they had to write this year. I reminded them a few times at the beginning of the year and then just knew they would have to learn the hard way.

I love being, not just a mother, but I love being Caroline, Wyatt, Melanee Kate, and Jefferson's mother.

Lord, may the list not be too long...

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops