Can God handle Algebra?

This week in Bible study we were in Isaiah 10:5-15 and 2 Kings 18:9-16. At first glance I thought, "Okay God, what am I going to get out of this one?" Then the deeper dig began.

It's a reasonable question though. What in the world does Judah, the Assyrians, and their rebellion to God have to do with me? How does it apply to my life?

I warn you, the first time you read it, you may yawn.

Isaiah 10:5-15 (New International Version)

God's Judgment on Assyria
5 "Woe to the Assyrian, the rod of my anger,
in whose hand is the club of my wrath!
6 I send him against a godless nation,
I dispatch him against a people who anger me,
to seize loot and snatch plunder,
and to trample them down like mud in the streets.

7 But this is not what he intends,
this is not what he has in mind;
his purpose is to destroy,
to put an end to many nations.

8 'Are not my commanders all kings?' he says.

9 'Has not Calno fared like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad,
and Samaria like Damascus?

10 As my hand seized the kingdoms of the idols,
kingdoms whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria-

11 shall I not deal with Jerusalem and her images
as I dealt with Samaria and her idols?' "

12 When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, "I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.

13 For he says:
" 'By the strength of my hand I have done this,
and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
I plundered their treasures;
like a mighty one I subdued [a] their kings.

14 As one reaches into a nest,
so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations;
as men gather abandoned eggs,
so I gathered all the countries;
not one flapped a wing,
or opened its mouth to chirp.' "

15 Does the ax raise itself above him who swings it,
or the saw boast against him who uses it?
As if a rod were to wield him who lifts it up,
or a club brandish him who is not wood!



2 Kings 18:9-16 (New International Version)

9 In King Hezekiah's fourth year, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it. 10 At the end of three years the Assyrians took it. So Samaria was captured in Hezekiah's sixth year, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel. 11 The king of Assyria deported Israel to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in towns of the Medes. 12 This happened because they had not obeyed the LORD their God, but had violated his covenant—all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out.

13 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. 14 So Hezekiah king of Judah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: "I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me." The king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents [a] of silver and thirty talents [b] of gold. 15 So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace.

16 At this time Hezekiah king of Judah stripped off the gold with which he had covered the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

Read it again.

So the first question in my study was: How was Isaiah's prophecy accomplished against Israel and Judah?

In my mind that was an easy one, God allowed the Assyrian's to come in and take Judah back to Assyria.

The next question asked, "How did God's immediate purpose in sending Assyria against the godless nation of Israel compare with the Assyrian king's intention in advancing against Judah and other nations?"

I love that God's plans were different than the Assyrian kings, yet he used this man to accomplish what he knew was best for his people. God remained in control. It never slipped out of His hand. He had full reign of the outcome AND the process.

How in the world do we somehow think we are in control? What a waste of time, energy, and often heartache. I will tell you that I do not believe that I am, yet at times my heart and my actions reflect otherwise.

I then wrote, "Lord, teach me to bask in the fact that you are in control. Please give me your peace and joy. I want to walk the process in a way that honors you!"

The bigger questions for my week were questions like this. Why am I stressed over school? What if a child failing a particular class this year is part of God's bigger plan? What if that child needs that experience to see God's hand in bigger ways, to prepare them for life that is to come, or just to have to work hard in order to receive victory?

I ask Him with great fervor, on a consistent basis to work in all of our lives, then I stress out when He does just that.

I want to learn to trust my Lord, as many doubts that I do have in life, His trustworthiness is NOT one of them!

So here we are. Today we left London 12 weeks ago. I have to be honest, I am grateful that they are twelve weeks under my belt and that I do not have to repeat them. It's been hard, but it's been good. We have no doubt that God is using this all as part of His bigger plan!

This weekend, today or tomorrow, is the day that we finally get to claim we are unpacked! What a great thing, a certain victory for The Thomas Troops. Yet even in typing it, He reminds me that this is not where we find contentment or peace. He is the only source for such treasures and in the greatest moments of chaos, stress, or even tragedy, in Him, they can be found.

If God can control great armies and Kings, he can certainly handle all three levels of Algebra and The Thomas Troops.

Love in Christ...my Immanuel,
Dinah for The Troops

What treasure have you found?

Dear family and friends,

I've been so sick this week, which is no fun, it has brought me to a dead halt.

I feel so much better today, but am exhausted. A combination of sinus infection accompanied by migraines has been a great opportunity to trust God.

I am so grateful, this is the first day since Tuesday that I'm really feeling better. I feel like I'm recovering from surgery and certainly haven't been in bed this much since I recovered from surgery three years ago this month.

The first week of Bible study I found a treasure in Isaiah 1:24. Yesterday I found a treasure in John 15:16. Bible reading can vary so vastly for me. There are many days I really enjoy it and have sweet fellowship with Jesus, there are days I do it out of obedience which I know He honors, and there are days where it's just habit. It's amazing God wants me back after days as such. If you were to go the Queen and present yourself the way I present myself to God sometimes, well, another invitation would not come.

Then there are the days you find treasure.

The verse that you read that you know God put there just for you, just for that moment. A verse that is sometimes an answer, a promise, or just the encouragement you need.

I've really struggled with portions of this move, yet I know I am exactly where He wants me. It's nothing to do with Alaska, it has served as a beautiful backdrop. It doesn't really matter where we are right now, I would still be doing the same thing. I'm trying to find a new "normal" for everyone while sorting out the fabric of our lives.

My list continues to be long and I have to look backwards to see the progress in order to even think about looking forward as it has been so overwhelming.

We are ready for winter and that makes me cheerful. The studded tires are on, the Christmas lights are up, the new rakes we needed are purchased, and the happy light is working. Did you ever hear of a happy light? It's really helpful for the short days that are coming and heaven only knows these children need a "happy" mother.

The weeks are starting to blend together as I've pressed through on organizing and orchestrating school. For the first time in Thomas Troops history we are receiving state funds for educating our children. What a project that has been; creating four educational learning plans, preparing lots of paperwork, thinking through how I'm going to collect a sample of everyone's work for each subject quarterly.

We are starting our third week of online classes which means the first round of tests have arrived. I'm now on someone else's timetable which adds another whole element. I don't think Wyatt will mind me telling on him. He wrote his first lab report like a creative writing assignment, catchy lead and all. It was funny, and through the laughter I had to explain that lab reports aren't usually funny. Always something new to learn...learning to learn.

Music lessons are in place and going strong although I'm still looking for a used piano. I need one with stronger action and when I ask most people they have no idea what I'm talking about. I am so grateful for both of our new teachers. I could have searched the world over and not have found a teacher more perfect for Caroline than Kevin Barnett. I look forward to having the music that is in our London shipment.

God has provided an opportunity for Wyatt to be in Boy Scouts here and he's beyond pumped about hockey. He wrote this sentence in a memoir this week, " The thought of flying across the ice with a puck, and smashing into people at bursting forces, sounds fun, and thrilling." What more could a fifteen year old boy want?

So how does this all tie into my treasure?

John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last."

Fruit that will last, those words were like fresh water to a thirsty soul.

There are so many things that a mother does that are exhausting and sometimes it feels so fruitless. I so dearly want good things for our children. Not good "things" like the "things" we are waiting on. The things that count...the things that will last.

I'm working hard to teach our children to run our household without me. This is one of my goals for the year. This next year Ed and I will travel at least once together and it's something they are very capable of. They've always helped for many reasons. Although their helping does free up more time for me to accomplish other things, it's really about the deeper lessons. The lessons of perseverance, diligence, hard work, and attention to detail. The lessons of trustworthiness, caring for others more than yourself, self control, and reliability. The lessons of kindness, graciousness, and love. The fruit that will last.

This past week has been good practice. I now know some areas where they need more training, new information, and accountability. I have also seen them excel and can grab the victory and revel in how much I love them.

We aren't schooling, parenting, and loving these children so they'll be highly educated, make great money, and have off the chart SAT scores. These can be fine things, but in and of themselves they would leave you pretty empty. They are not the goal. We're are desiring to help them grow the fruit that lasts.

So I venture into a new week knowing God is doing a work that I cannot do.

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Troops

Who is He?

Dear family and friends,

Just wanted to let you know we've not perished up here in Alaska. What a beautiful place to be. You should see my backyard. I mean literally. This is the view from our backyard. Now doesn't that call you to worship?

It's been a little over seven weeks which is hard to believe. We had prepared for Ed's new job, set expectations. It always takes a while to really settle in to a new job. What I seemed to have missed was setting expectations that it would take a while for me to settle in also. Not just our household goods, but school. Every year we've schooled I diligently prepare in the spring for our upcoming year. I was a little busy this year and now am having to pump for time well spent.

When we move it's usually about a 10 day affair from truck to pictures and hung curtains. We push hard, and then it is done. I usually have a few projects, of course the normal settling in routine as I locate new music lessons, orthodontist, ect.

So here we are past week seven, and I do not feel settled in, at all. The ironic thing is in London we received our four crates on a Tueday and Friday night I felt settled in. God was so good to let me feel that settled so quickly. I didn't have the resources that I do here. It was simply His grace.

It's really been a challenge for me, a spiritual exercise you might call it. Last Friday we thought we would receive all of our London things which meant for the first time in almost three years we would have all of our earthly belongings in one place. Well, except the things we have at Mother's and Daddy's in my room in Texas. That's a whole other story.

Seven crates is what we took, only two arrived on Friday. SIGH...they were split at the port heading out of London. This happened on the way too London also. We received four crates on the 4th of January and three more crates three weeks later.

It's such a vivid reminder that they are things. Stuff, granted, our stuff, but stuff none the less.

I don't struggle with thinking we'll never see it again. I think it will come, I just think it's coming in God's timing rather than mine.

My struggle has been the time I waste. Looking for something for twenty minutes only to realize it's in the London shipment part II. In all of our years of the Air Force I've never heard of a family receiving their household goods in FIVE deliveries. I'd been wanting several photos thinking they were on our laptop that had been sent to the lower 48 to fix. When I got it back my excitement turned into another opportunity to choose contentment realizing they were on the hard drive, that we don't have yet.

My struggle is the organized chaos. I have school books lined up neatly across the wall of the basement as neatly as possible that is. Of course little feet, or big feet, come crashing by. I brought 70 pounds of school books and supplies, but everything else is on it's way.

My struggle is there are things I can't cook and I forget. I jumped up Sunday morning to quickly whip Wyatt's birthday cake together only to quickly realize I didn't have my mixer or my vanilla. I've not purchased things for our kitchen that I know are coming. I hate wasting money and I really don't mind waiting. I just get bothered by forgetting.

My struggle is I'm tired of base furniture in my house. I know this is a very ungrateful attitude, I should just be so grateful. I've really chewed on this. Why does that big red couch bother me so? It's in the basement where people don't really even see it. I've decided it makes me feel out of control. Isn't that silly, but it's true. It's made me realize I like to control things much more than I think. The challenge is to share this with the Lord, and let Him change me.

He is...little by little. I am so grateful for these little opportunities in life to grow. I want to embrace them. I want to change.

This year the children and I are studying the Book of Isaiah. On Saturday I was at the gym running, and praying. As I was asking for peace for the things that remain unsettled in my life God quickly called Isaiah 1:24 to my heart, "The Lord, The Lord Almighty, the Mighty one of Israel". I said it about three times in my mind, and then I was completely overwhelmed. The tears came, my smile dawned broadly, and I even realized despite the music in my ears at one point I was quietly laughing. I can only imagine the sight I was.

"The Lord, The Lord Almighty, the Mighty one of Israel," is in control of my life. He is so much bigger than I can fathom. My picture is only a miniscule glimpse. I know my mind doesn't really even begin to wrap around that, but I know it's true. Why in the world He wants an intimate relationship with me? I struggle wrapping my mind around that even more, but I know it's true.

He orchestrates my days, listens to my frustration, loves our children more deeply than we do, knows exactly where my hard drive is, and the time our footboard is going to arrive. He provides for all my needs, interrupts my thoughts, guides me in our schooling, gives me His wisdom...and strength...and grace...the Mighty one of Israel. Whom shall I fear?

So for those moments, I had complete peace. Then I looked up at the ceiling to see this pipe that was marked "air supply". At this point I laughed again, even louder. He is the only reason I breathe and His supply is vastly immeasurable.

Today I had to borrow a blender and a pan to cook my rolls in. We're having lentil soup, rolls, and salad which is good thing as I need a little comfort food.

I've been sad today as a dear friend has a precious girl at their church who died on Saturday at 17. For a moment I could hardly take in a breath. Don't we all have that moment where we apply our own families to a tragic situation? I've prayed for this family today. I've really had a hard time keeping my mind on school. I know she is with the Lord and wouldn't want to come back, but her sweet family.

There are so many things I don't understand.

Today I'm just concentrating on what I do understand. The Lord, The Lord Almighty, the Mighty one of Israel is true. I thank Him for perspective, and reassurance, and patience. I thank Him for hope, and peace, and life.

Today is a day I'm just having to keep my eyes directly on Him, where they should always be. He is faithful though, and His air supply never ceases.

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Troops

What else do I need to leave at the altar?

Dear family and friends,

It's so hard to choose what to tell you! So much continues to happen so quickly. I could choose to share about the last few weeks in London, all that we saw and did, it was fantastic. I could choose to share about people that God continues to put in our lives, it humbles me. I could choose to share about our travels from London to Alaska, God always gets us there right on time. Would you guess our first thing to do on American soil is eat chips and hot sauce at Chili's?

I could choose to share how God provided, how as always, He went ahead. I could choose to share how the Smith family has blessed us again and again and how Nana and Major came with loving hands and hearts. I could choose to share about Ed's change of command, new beginnings. Of course I can always share about these children, a constant resource of love and learning in my life.

The list goes on and on, and I'm telling you it's hard to choose as I want to share it all.

I choose church. Can you think of any better subject?

God has always been so faithful to put us exactly where He wants us. Sometimes we find a church quickly, but most often we pray and search. I don't know that this one church we've visited is where God will have us, but I do know we were deeply touched and our children will never forget it.

The pastor is apparently not afraid to discuss the hard things. They spent the month of June on Sex, out of the pulpit.

Now he's doing a series called lip service. Lip service, now there's food for thought. I can list the things in my life that I've thought would be good to do, but didn't take the time or effort to make them happen.

One week they had a reverse offering, everyone took $5 from the plate to see how the Lord would use it. Another week they came in to no services rendered on Sunday morning including the band, coffee, and childcare. So often the same people do most of the work in church...not that Sunday. I hear he made quite the point.

Last week, well I guess I should start with Doug and Sharla. Bless their hearts, anytime we bring people to church we want them to love what we love. They have been so blessed at this church and were so excited to share it. We walk in and the pastor has no shoes on. I honestly didn't think a thing about it. I'd met him the week before out at the air show and he didn't have shoes on that day either.

They are a casual family and we love to dress up. Certainly nothing a matter with either as long as our hearts are looking to honor God and not ourselves. They'd warned it was a casual church, which does not bother us. We're who we are and who we feel the Lord is calling us to be and we expect others to do the same. It's all about hearts...

We sang two songs and then the pastor spoke. His title was World Changers. Everything matters to God and we need to focus on the Kingdom. Do we love God more than comfort? We need to be seeking His agenda. We get caught up in things that do not really matter. As believers we have the ability to change the world as the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Just that morning while we were getting ready Ed and I had the same discussion and we were tickled to hear it again in church. The same Holy Spirit that made Paul so mighty and gave Solomon such wisdom indwells in all believers. We've got the resource, do we use it?

Changing the world starts with me, continues with the Holy Spirit, and ends with God. God loves us just the way we are, but He refuses to leave us that way. Now isn't that good news!

We all laughed as the pastor called himself the sheep dog. I cracked up as I've never heard a pastor call himself a sheep dog. It's so biblical though. So often pastors speak of shepherding their flock, certainly true. He claimed in this church, Jesus is the shepherd and he's just the sheep dog working hard to keep the Lords sheep heading in the right direction...to the shepherd.

He spoke of big ways people change the world and he also talked about practical ways. He had a woman at the church come up and talk about a ministry called Souls for Soles. I'd heard of it this spring. A practical way this church can minister to people in their community and around the world. Alaska didn't have a drop off site or contact, now they do.

After the sermon was over they sang again. I loved this. Song for preparation and praise before and song for response and praise for after. I love going to new churches to see how they do things differently by the way.

We were preparing to take communion and in this church you come to the front to receive the elements. The pastor asked at this point, if you felt led by the Lord, and only if you felt led. Would you please drop your shoes at the altar.

Dropping something at the alter, now there's a beautiful picture in and of itself. What do we have that the Lord needs, NOTHING. God needs nothing, He's just looking for hearts.

There were many bare feet that left that church last Sunday.

As if this weren't beneficial enough, to have something tangible to give to the Lord at the alter. Well, after the service the blessings that we reaped just kept rolling in. I think I'll give you a list of how I was blessed.

I was blessed when my father in law was the first of our crew to go. Not only were we visitors, but our parents were also with us. Don't think Doug and Sharla were comfortable with all eight visitors they'd brought. I'd just had a quick thought of what do our parents think when I looked up and my father in law was half way down the aisle with his shoes in hand.

I was blessed when Jefferson had his socks tucked in his shoes. I told him we were just giving our shoes and he whispered into my ear and directly into my heart, "No Mommy, I'm giving it all." We all laughed later that the church had better be grateful Jefferson wasn't up at the altar stripping down to his underpants. I think he would have stopped there...

I was blessed knowing my husband had on his favorite and most expensive pair of shoes. I was blessed as my sacrifice of shoes was so small compared to his. I was even more blessed when I offered to buy him more the next day and he sweetly replied with a smile, "I'm not sure if we go out and just buy more that it would be very sacrificial Dinah."

I was blessed knowing the shoes that I had on my feet were my mothers and I knew she would give two pairs with joy. Major only brought two pairs but Mother had a few to spare.

I was blessed knowing my mother's sacrifice was not even the shoes, but the possibility of getting sick. She gets sick so easily when she gets cold and it's been wet and chilly this summer in Alaska.

I was blessed when Doug gave his expensive outdoor shoes, also his favorite, not only because he wanted to give to the Lord, but because he wanted to be an example to his sons.

I was blessed when Austin followed his father. The boy has big feet and they are expensive to replace. He gave knowing that there would not be new ones this week and that he would need to be content with what he had.

I was blessed that Caroline didn't give hers away as God showed her not to. Her sacrifice was her pride as everyone would think she was not willing to give.

I was blessed that it touched eight children's hearts in many different ways. Eight children that I know at that church, four Thomas Troops, and four Smith children. We did hear of a 5th grade boy who'd been working all summer for a new pair of "cool" ones that he's just purchased days before. They were in the enormous pile representing the hearts of God's people.

I was blessed by a pastor, a fine sheep dog, who was overwhelmed by his flock. He had just thought it would be a great moment to kick off ministry and was hopeful for a few pairs of shoes. He was blessed by God's people. He admitted at the beginning that knowing what he was asking that morning he had to choose his very best, when tempted not to.

I was blessed by sweet Sharla and her tender heart, well, I'm always blessed by Sharla and her tender heart so I don't really know that last Sunday was any different.

I was blessed as young men named Austin and Wyatt carried me across the parking lot as my feet are so tender.

I was blessed that God helped me quickly put aside the cost, as I have to admit I quickly calculated. Far more than the cost of shoes, the sacrifice of time that it would take to replace them. Of course I didn't know that my dear husband was going to take care of that problem as we aren't going to replace any time soon. I think it would somehow take away from our experience, cheapen it.

In the long run, we didn't give shoes, we gave our hearts. It was a beautiful act of worship and we were all so grateful to be a part of it. We all agreed over taco's in the park, that we wouldn't have missed it for the world. We did not bless, we were blessed.

So all week it's had me thinking...what else do I need to leave at the altar?

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Thomas Troops

P.S.-We can hardly wait to go to church in the morning!

Why am I ever surprised to see how God provides?

Dear family and friends,

Last night Miss Maggie fed us dinner, which of course doesn't surprise any of us. The truck left yesterday with about half of our things and will be back at any moment for the second load today. I've got to go and take pictures today of our belongings being loaded on the streets of London. I didn't even see them coming in and apparently it's quite the sight.

So as we were leaving I was grabbing my little red collection out of her washing machine as it doesn't surprise any of us that she was helping me with laundry yesterday now does it? I found an enormous discovery.

Before we moved here I was very aware that laundry would be more ardous. I knew that from previous experience living overseas as well as full warning from the Americans who had just attended the school. I prepared as much as I could. I bought an extra drying rack not knowing my dryer situation, but more importantly I tried to adjust my expectations. Do you remember that the decision was made inbetween the two flats because this one had a dryer?

I have a sweet friend here who has a strapping husband. She can only put one pair of his pants in at a time.

So last night as I was leaning into the washing machine I discovered my washer must be twice as big as Maggies. Isn't God so good?

Don't get me wrong, I've been grateful for our smooth laundry routine since we've been here and what I thought was going to be so difficult has been relatively normal. Of course, when God gives you a washer twice as big, it really helps.

It had me thinking last night. How does He provide that I just don't even know about? His abundance abounds....Lord help me to always be grateful!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

What preparations are you making?

Signing medical clearance documents. This was actually a momentous occasion as I was allowed to sign our own children's education forms which is not normally allowed. Don't get me started on how I feel about taking papers to a school and having them sign for our children whom they've never met! Don't get me started...
The first bag to be packed filled with school books! We start school before we get our hold baggage. In the past year I've hauled our school over five to six oceans depending on how you want to count it.
Traipsing through London enjoying the last days and checking off the final things Mama wanted to see. LOVED the Transportation Museum! Yesterday the boys took off to the Imperial War Museum and enjoyed an evening in the theatre to see Stomp. The girls and I stayed home to pack, clean, and organize.
Five children for two weeks plus...Steven Dahl has been a wonderful guest and has really just jumped into the swing of whatever. Thank you Steven for just being a part of our family.
So I get these little things in my mind that somehow become important to me. This may sound silly, but McDonalds is one of those consistent things in our crazy lives. It's a treat and although it's certainly not nutritious, it's a taste we know filled with memories of our lives. I also feel this way about Chili's but we don't see them as often as McDonalds. I should not publically say it was my favorite meal in Morocco so I won't. Every time I walked by this particular window in London I've thought it would make a great picture. We got up at 5:15 AM on Wednesday to go and take pictures in London without a million people in our pictures. The children get the gold star for their sweet sweet attitudes!



Dear family and friends,

I feel so torn this morning.

On one hand I'm filled with sadness as I can't believe it's really over. The packers start today.

On the other hand I'm filled with joy and excitement as my heart is bursting with gratefulness at all that God's done and all that God's provided. I could spend an afternoon with you over tea talking double time, and you know I would. I wouldn't begin to really do it justice. I would share about the people we've met from all over the world, how we've seen God's goodness in new and exciting ways, and how I've seen the Lord working in the hearts of our children. The last could take a day in and of itself. I'd only be able to hit the tip of the iceberg.

The last of our time is filled to the brim with goodness. Tomorrow we are spending time with a sweet family from Hawaii. On Sunday our friends from Colorado are having lunch with the adults. They live in England and are coming in for the day. Next Thursday and Friday we will be immersed in time with my library friend from long ago. We lived together in DC, spent time together while we lived in different countries in Europe, and lived together in DC once again. The consistency that God continues to provide for our family amidst this crazy lifestyle we lead boggles my mind.

We also have a party tonight, a BBQ next Wednesday, a luncheon next Friday, and my dear Maggie will be taking care of dinner Monday night. We have three days of packers. Did I mention we had company this past week for a night and we have a house guest? Well, he's really been more like one of the family. One more to love and care for which is always worthy of my time.

In the middle of all that is going on my emotions are full to the brim. I'm not ready. I think I feel somewhat like you might when a child leaves for college or gets married. I'm not quite certain but I'd be glad to confirm it for you in a few years.

It's made me realize that in the past, no matter what or who I'm leaving, I've always been ready. Not that I don't have sad moments and not that I don't always miss the people who are left behind. Walking away from my precious sister in DC two and half years ago was a very difficult thing to do. Please don't get me wrong...I always miss people. I think it's God's grace in my life though as I am always ready.

Maybe in eight days I'll be ready as either way, we're going. I'm continuing to claim in my heart and out loud in our home that God's timing is good and perfect. I can't tell you how much I believe this and I know it's true. An opportunity to live out my faith, to believe what is true, and to let my actions and heart follow the Lord's best plan.

On the other hand, I have three you know, most mothers do...I can hardly believe that we are moving to Alaska! ALASKA...there is literally no place in the world that we would rather be going. How's that for a swing of emotion?

The job is going to be hard, but a sheer privilege to serve our country and American families who work so hard to protect our freedoms. We've watched America take a beating on many days at Ed's college. We know she's not perfect and my man continues to be incredibly gracious. America is filled with things that I would love to change, but our freedoms are not one of them.

The Smith's are waiting for us! I can hardly believe God is allowing this. I've written about them before. We heard about them in Colorado, met them in Alabama, spent time with them in Montana, and learned to live life together in Hawaii. This will be our fourth assignment together and one of those precious treasures that the Air Force (via Jesus) has given us. They've already purchased our new van and will picking us up from the airport in it. This is literally the third move we've had where God has provided the Smith family for a smooth transition. They help us on the way in town and we serve them on the way out. It's a great little system we have!

Preparations surround me. Preparations for the move. What am I forgetting? Of course, I've learned over these years there is very little that you can't really do without. Actually, nothing that I can think of. I would love to have my white dress that I was planning on wearing to the change of command. I wore it on our last day in Hawaii and think it's in my closet at Mother and Daddy's.

Preparations for the future also abound. We land on Saturday and Internet will be up and running on Monday morning.

We also see that you can prepare properly and then still have to be flexible. The plan was: leave on Saturday, enjoy Sunday, receive both storage shipments Monday and Tuesday, Ed inprocess Wednesday and Thursday, change of command on Friday. This is a move where there is no time in between assignments and we will quickly be in the full swing.

The little bump has been that on two separate days this week we found out the ball has been dropped in VA and CA and we'll be receiving nothing the week that we'd planned on settling in. God's plans are different and Ed and I are quickly course correcting expectations. I was going to start school on the 16th but it sounds like I'll be unpacking.

This morning I woke up early as my mind is swimming violently. I've had a quite moment in God's Word, a cup of tea, and a little time on the computer.

As I was thinking about preparations for packing, moving, and transitioning it made me think deeper.

Lord, please help me amidst the busyness and demanding schedule to prepare for the real things of this world. Help me prepare to honor you today, to love my man, and to whisper into the hearts of these precious children. Prepare me to continue to love others... and while you are there please teach me to love them more deeply.

Help me be a better daughter, sister, and friend...please prepare me for that. Prepare me to serve you more faithfully, to open our home widely without grumbling of the things that must be accomplished, and to encourage the families we are about to meet.

Prepare us to serve our country with fantastic energy that you provide. Prepare us for the moments of sadness that I know will come. We know with an entire base population some
tragedy will happen. Prepare us to minister, to claim your goodness boldly, and to give hope to those who don't know you.

Prepare us for what we don't know is around the corner. The fact that you do know gives me such peace...thank you for that peace. Thank you for going before us Lord and thank you for never making us go alone. Thank you, that no matter what state I am in, you are perfectly ready!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for the Troops

Who are your neighbors?

Dear family and friends,

Not only is my washer running full time but my sweet neighbor is doing my towels and sheets. God's goodness and provision are always overflowing....

It's had me thinking this morning about all of the amazing neighbors that God has really provided for me over the years! It's hard living so far from family and yet He graciously always provides exactly what I need.

Neighbors...to serve and be served...what a blessing!

So here's my list of the servers. I'm certainly not deserving of such a list as this...

Lubbock, Texas: Susan and Jeff Dunn-They lived a street over. We were in a little apartment and Jeff, who was a Captain, lived in a HOUSE. This friendship is where the phrase "Captain's are rich" was born. The Dunn's loved us through a very hard time in our lives. Bless their hearts, they just can't get rid of us. This friendship continues to sustain us even though we usually don't live on the same continent. It has been a friendship of commitment, accountability, and joy. The Jefferson in Jefferson Allan...

McGuire AFB, New Jersey: Marcus and Debbie Vincent-Debbie was my constant source of Diet Coke's and conversation. Just loving me right where I was at. We had the delight of spending time with them last fall in California. When Caroline was born Debbie gave me a tin of her mothers that her mother always kept her ribbons in. Her mother passed in her preteen years. One of the most sacrificial gifts I've ever received.

Washington D.C.: Claire and Allan Wright- Hence the Allan in Jefferson Allan. Their hospitality lessons continue to speak to my heart even after all these years. In New Jersey they lived a street over and in DC they lived directly across the culdesac. I'll never forget right after Caroline was born we were running some tables over for them to borrow. They were having a crowd of 40 plus that night. A neighbor who they'd really been loving on came over to ask if they could possibly watch the children that evening. We were waiting for Allan's gracious explanation of their massive party plans but instead heard Allan say with such joy and sincerity, "Oh we're having a couple of folks over tonight, but we'd just love to have them." Ed's jaw was on the ground. It was one of those convicting moments where God showed us we weren't as hospitable as we thought.

Budoia, Italy: Rich and Kat Seifert-We shared a yard and a wall for two and a half years. They were generous and gracious of our enormous collection of children's toys, noise, and general chaos. They were also bathed in hugs, love, and very loud cries of their names over and over. The welcome home wagon was often available with lots of jumping up and down followed by consistent chatter. I've never prayed more for a car than Rich's little red sports car as I was horrified it would be damaged by our children. In the meantime the Seifert's helped pull off ticks, Kat travelled with me, and Rich had his shorts cut with scissors WHILE they were on him.

Colorado Springs, Colorado: Rich and Kat Seifert- Apparently they had not had enough as God put them five doors down when we all moved to Colorado. They have thoroughly spoiled our children their entire lives. Our children are very grateful and highly encourage it. Sweet Rich even accepted an invitation in DC from Caroline to see Disney's Enchanted. This is a kill em, chew them up, spit them out kind of movie man. It was one of the dearest acts of love I've ever experienced towards our children.

Washington D.C.: Andy and Tricia Porth-The moment we left DC the first time, my sweet friend started praying for our return. When it happened she quickly secured the house across the street. It was a privilege to watch this family in action. You've never seen such an amazing network of neighbors living in each others lives as this neighborhood and it was catapulted by the Porth families desire to share the love of Jesus. They connect people like I've never seen. One of the best examples being the day she asked me if Wyatt had red soccer socks. Once I had answered yes her explanation went something like this, "Oh great, as Ethan (our neighbor) is also going to need some so would you be willing to share so they won't have to go out and buy any?" Her plan being that twice a week I would have to connect with my neighbor to trade the socks. Crazy, but it was a delight...twice a week...to return the socks, or have them returned...to live life together.

Hickam AFB, Hawaii: Brad and Emily Waters-When they were moving in we quickly found out that Brad would be gone to Wake island for the year. They have two young, and darling, girls. So there we were with an opportunity to serve...which was just not the case. Emily Waters took care of me providing extra sugar, new recipes, encouragement to our children, leftovers, dog advice, prayer, and friendship just to share the tip of the iceberg. Oh and did I mention that she is a Biology teacher by trade and did all of Caroline's Biology experiments side by side with our daughter and her friend.

Hickam AFB, Hawaii: The Purdham family-We lived in two houses in Hawaii as just staying put in one place would be no fun. We only lived next to the Purdham's for two months, but it was a delight. They were so dear in opening up their arms and hearts despite knowing we were leaving. I'm not sure how I would have gotten to London without Lauralyn...

London, England: Rick and Maggie Coleman-The only Americans in the building live directly above us. Their daughter is an Aggie! I know I've mentioned them recently but they are worth a second mention to say the least. They have just taken care of us here and are certainly a brilliant part of God's provision. I've had amazing neighbors in the past but one of the special things about the Coleman's that I've never experienced is they are ahead of us in life. Just by a little bit...we are all celebrating as number one grand baby is on the way! Maggie has cooked for me, washed my laundry, loved on our children, and been a precious sounding board of all that has been going on in our lives here in London and around the world. Rick makes me laugh no matter how long the day has been.

Neighbor's see you good, bad, and ugly...and to be loved anyway...that's where it's at. This list doesn't even mention the people who lived two doors down or out the back.

I'd love to have my Mother and Daddy living next door, but I don't. Instead we get to see God's grace in new and exciting ways...His provision is indescribable...may we always be grateful for it!

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Troops