Are The Thomas Troops really going to be settled?

Dear family and friends,

So here I sit on a Sunday afternoon. We had a wonderful morning of worship at All Soul's with a trip on the way home to our "favorite" Irish pub (Mc-Donald's). The children announced they had not eaten at McDonald's since Alaska...depravity at its finest.

I want to get these pictures up and running. I've been working on them for days (a moment here, a moment there) and still don't feel like I'm doing this justice. Either way, here they come.

We are going to read aloud this afternoon as we are back on top of reading Les Miserables. Only four hundred pages left to go. Marius and Cosette finally spoke and declared what had been embedded in their hearts just yesterday afternoon.

We're also packing up our family for the 21st time since the 15th of October. Tomorrow is the big day! Early in the morning a van that Edward has hired will be coming to pick up all of our suitcases and odd's and ends. I will travel over with the girls and Jefferson by tube. Walking to church a child and I mused at the fact that we've never moved by subway!

Tomorrow night I will dreamily sleep in our own bed...in the meantime I am so grateful for all that God has done in our lives and hearts during this leg of our journey in life. So, until August, we are settled. It's such a great reminder to me that this is a quick moment, our time here on this side of heaven. The only place where we will permanently reside...

We had 13 bags heading to London along with carryons. It was a crazy moment as we did this with my sweet parents at the Denver airport 21 months ago. I was so grateful to be traveling WITH my sweet Ed this time that the luggage didn't phase me. Relieved to get it all in the bags after mailing two large boxes in order to get everything to London.




We spent four nights in London before we headed to Rome. We didn't arrive til almost sunset and then spent the next five hours roaming through Rome. It was majestic. This picture is in front of the Pantheon. This was about fifteen minutes after Jefferson announced he wanted to be an archaeologist and he thinks we should retire in Rome.


An Aggie took our picture here in front of the Trevi fountain. It's always amazing when you travel who God puts in your path. We even had a mutual college friend.




We loved the Egyptian section. The highlight for the boys being the 4000 year old mummies...his and hers to be exact. Wyatt did such a fantastic job on this trip making sure no one got lost, always counting us and being the caboose. It's exciting to see how he's maturing and learning to be a protector is one way we are watching.


The Vatican museum not only has an amazing collection, but the building and grounds are fantastic in and of themselves. The only time I'd been there was by myself 10 years ago. In that moment of having three young ones I was grateful to have an adventure by myself. This time I was so grateful to have them with me!



We thought the little guy looked like a commercial, although he is certainly not for sale. We were eating pizza right in front of the Coliseum. We had lengthy conversations over at least a weeks time about this historical site.



This is up on Palestine Hill above the forum. Rome is known for many things including history, architect, food, ambiance, and gelato...but being with our children was hands down the best!



The Shaw's were so sweet to jump into this Thomas adventure! We met the Shaw's over 13 years ago when Ed and John were Air Force Interns at the Pentagon. We've lived in the same town THREE times which is a God thing considering Ed is PA and John is Space. We are so grateful for iron in our lives...




We had two nights on the ship that were formal. This night Ed evacuated our room and let the girls take over. It was so much fun! I can hardly believe that these children are so grown. When we first met the Shaw's Caroline was still sleeping in diapers, Wyatt was not walking, Rachel had that binky going double time, Melanee Kate was growing inside, and Tim and Jefferson were distant dreams.

Caroline and Rachel in Tunisia walking through amazing old and winding streets. These girls also had a great time bartering. Caroline had had her first bartering experience last year in Thailand. Rachel jumped right in there.

Caroline in Carthage...the ruins were breathtaking. The thing that was mind boggling is the ruins we experienced were 2000 years old Roman ruins. When the Romans showed up they obliterated Carthage and their 2000 year old civilization and then built up. I wonder if those Eygptian mummies, that we saw in Rome, had ever travelled to Carthage in Africa....same time period. Just wondering...


Do you think heaven will be filled with column's and arches? Maybe?


We did a little rug shopping in Tunisia. This was particularly fun to watch Tonia as she'd done quite a bit of rug shopping for the two of us several years ago. I was so grateful to all be together this time! Please notice Miss Melanee Kate...oh how she has always loved Col (Lt.Col/Maj./Capt.) Shaw.

This is my sweet husband buying me jewelry! At this point I think Ed would have bought me jewelry just to get this man to leave him alone. It would have been worth the money to end this man's pursuit.

Melanee Kate so desired to ride this camel. She loves to care for horses out at her grandparents and she was very excited to see the differences in riding a horse and a camel. Please notice the gentleman who was leading her on his cell phone. Whoever he was talking to had this mans attention which bought MKate a longer ride.

Parenting in Malta...

Most of my pictures of Caroline involve her camera. We had more fun taking pictures and she does such a great job. Tim and Jefferson were having the greatest time riding artillery shells. These boys can play war just about anywhere, and they did. You should have seen the creations they made one day in Italy out of straws, toothpicks, and empty sugar packets.

What a fine crew we have here...God is so good to give me a friend like Tonia Shaw. We are so alike in many ways and yet so different in others. Our similarities bind us, and our differences broaden and stretch us both. Thank you Tonia for being my friend. May we always love, serve, and ponder our creator!

Now is that an awesome picture or what! Ed's training in photography from the USAF does come in handy...of course willing subjects help.

Again...being with these children was hands down the best part of our trip. Music lessons, tennis, work, and school are daily and worthy pursuits. On the other hand, being together, every once in a while without these responsibilities is a treat.

This is one in a series of hysterical pictures. The guys had surprised us with an afternoon away in the spa, on the ship. In this picture we are reenacting, for the children, the two of us trying to get settled into the ever moving waters of the enormous whirlpool, trying not to touch the Italian men around us. The boat was rocking and rolling at this point and everyone seemed to be quite stable, except us. Unfortunately, at this point, to add to the scenario, we got tickled. We were clinging to each other and the rails and looked more like Lucy and Ethel than anyone on the ship at that particular moment. By the time we were settled we had the whole room in laughter...some with us and some at us. A great highlight that money could never buy. Just one of those fun moments in life that could never be ordered.

The day we spent in Olympia Jefferson picked many wildflowers for me. I still haven't seen our pictures from our small camera which was the main camera I was using that day. At some point I just may have to upload the video of the mothers and children running across the original Olympic field! I need to explain this whole running thing God has had me experiencing anyway.

Christmas Eve...and the only picture that we have of the ten of us. Having just one picture of the ten of us was not my choice by the way. The men looked so handsome! We talked a lot about how we should celebrate Jesus in our nontraditional setting. The most important goal being that we honor, worship, and celebrate Him. Christmas day was a treat...including a great brunch, a four hour walk in Corfu, reading His Word, and Colonel Shaw ending the day reading The Gift of the Magi. He read this to the children on New Years Eve in Alabama five years before and it was requested specifically by the Thomas children.

Another series of pictures that are really funny, but I just choose a great one at the end. When I see this picture it quickly brings me back to a little binky baby who used to LOVE to run in circles in the circular baby bed that we had. Rachel's the only baby who ran so many laps that I finally had to pull her out and pop her in the rectangular pack and play to end her exercise. I giggle every time I think of a roaring four year old or a second grader who only seemed to stop her motion when sleeping or nestling with her Daddy. Rachel, you are doing such a lovely job, by the grace of our God, growing up. I am so pleased with you love. It delights my heart to be with you and you still make me laugh in the strangest of places. Keep loving Him love...

Tim has been taking dancing classes and I have to say he is getting his parents money's worth! Can this baby who sat on my hip for three days straight while his parents had a few nights away really be swinging Mkate around the dance floor? What a great sense of humor he has. It's so much fun to watch his sharp mind in action! I have no doubt Master Timothy, that you are going to be a fine man who loves and serves Jesus with the talents you have been given...

Christmas morning...started off with prayers and Bible reading in our jammies. One present to be shared. You couldn't open your eyes until it was your turn. We had Wyatt go last...

My favorite picture of Kate...this is such a Kate moment! This was taken up on a fortress in Corfu.

John Shaw is the man that Ed has had the most opportunity to run with all these years. The running thing is one of the items God used to catapult us into this relationship. This is their first running picture that I'm aware of...well, except the one we took the day before in Olympia, but it was really only a saunter for these two. Many miles have been pounded out between these four legs and all the while discussing much Air Force doctrine, fiesty wives, precious children, and deep theology. They love to run together while pontificating. What a great receipe...exercising the body, mind, and soul. Thank you John Shaw for being a dear friend to my sweet husband. I thank the Lord for your friendship and know that you are both better husbands, fathers, officers, and followers of Christ because of it.

Doesn't he look European? Edward could have really blended right in if wasn't for the five of us following him. In two days we celebrate our nineteenth anniversay. I can hardly believe it. Twenty years ago this week God made if very clear to me that I would travel around the world to share Jesus. Little did I know...

Lord, may we honor you no matter where we go or what we do. Thank you for this experience of seeing people you love, places you created, and for being together. Being a family is a precious thing...something I pray we always treasure. It sure does take a lot of hard work living with five other sinners, who have to live with a sinner like me. It also makes me see everyday how I need you Lord, how I will always miss the mark on this side of heaven. Thank you for the growth you have brought, the grace you continually give, and the love you bestow. Help us to always share this love with others...

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Thomas Troops

Are you preparing for the New Year?

Dear family and friends,

I will certainly be sharing about our latest adventure in the next few days. Caroline did a great job in her blog so you can certainly get a heads up there with her Twelve Days of Christmas. All of The Thomas Troops will be blogging while we are in London as a fun school project. Even Jefferson is excited. Caroline will be a little busy getting us all going. It's fun to watch her create.

This week we are in a temporary flat in Marlylebone. The week will be filled with work and pleasure as we finish up getting ready for our move next week and other transition items like orthodontist. In a couple of minutes we're running to what we hope to be a larger grocery store...I'll keep you posted. This afternoon we are going to head to the National Museum for our first traveling opportunity in London. I saw a man,s comments somewhere that he likes to be a traveller rather than a tourist so I'm opting for this title for our family over the next seven months.

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. I've decided to celebrate it all year long this year. I think the "9th" year of any decade should be special all the way around don't you? There is so much to be thankful to the Lord for! I spent the day doing laundry British style. I have a washer/dryer combo here so I'm not really using the dryer as I don't have time. I literally ran the washer for 15 hours yesterday without a break. The whites take 151 minutes so they are the last ones I put in before we head out anywhere or go to bed. The radiators dry pants quite splendidly. We're up and going again today and hopefully by tomorrow night I will finish up from the trip laundry. In our new apartment I will have an actual washer and vented dryer which is not the norm. On the other hand, I won't have radiators.

It was a good day taking care of our sweet family. They did take me to dinner and Ed and I were alone for 20 minutes running to Tesco Express to buy fruit and milk while the children headed back to the flat. Melanee Kate made me the sweetest card ever and Wyatt ran out to grab me a birthday Coke from McDonalds which is right down the street.

Since we are going to be here for only seven more months AND it's the New Year, I'm praying for goals for our time here. I want to be intentional and God lead in what we do, who we spend time with, how we grow in His Word, and how we treat each other. It's going to be a GREAT year...

I hope each and everyone of you have had a worshipful Christmas! I will be sharing our trip in pictures in the next day or so with full commentary. Love to all...

In Christ Alone,
Dinah

December 14, 2009

Dear family and friends,

The last two days have been a whirlwind.

Church was a tremendous blessing. We were able to attend All Souls. It's always a privilege to be in the Lord's house. It always amazes me that no matter how far away from "home" I am, I feel so in place in my Father's house. This may be the first time that we go to one church and just quickly plant. It was a great morning of worship and as much as I'm excited about the next few weeks, I'm looking very forward to going back again.

Today we were able to actually plant our own eyes on the flat that we've already signed and given a great deal of money for. It's going to be fantastic, and no doubt, where God has brought us. The location is amazing! We are in "theatre land" in the west end. The theatre's for "Wicked" and "Billy Elliot" are right around the corner. We are right across from Victoria station for anyone who knows the area or wants to get out their London map. We knew that The Chantrey House was located on top of "Earth Spa" but we didn't know that we'd also be residing on top of a "Starbucks". Ed's open to any and all gift cards for his upcoming birthday on March 1^st.

We also took a walk to Ed's school which was a little less than 10 minutes. One of our prayers was that God would put us in a location that we could afford and yet the children could walk to Ed's school. We've been told through several resources that the school is very welcoming to families. I do wonder if that really means a family with four children who are homeschooled. Our children are very capable of attending adult situations with success and love the opportunity. We've made sure that they'll have the appropriate clothing and we plan on easing in slowly before we show up full force. It was really important that they be able to be able to walk home in order to be able to participate on a normal basis. Ed's studies will be in international relations and we are all looking forward to learning! We just found out yesterday that there will only be about 80 students, half of which will be internationals.

Tomorrow is filled with business, packing, and a lunch date with my man. The children are excited to all get 5 pounds to go and buy their lunch. We are staying in a flat that is right across from Tesco (small grocery), McDonalds (Wyatt's favorite Irish pub…he was so funny with his little accent yesterday saying that MIC-Donalds was a great local option), Starbucks, and many other businesses. I like standing at the kitchen sink watching the people walking by. We won't have this kind of view in our new flat which will be better for keeping our eyes on our schoolwork.

On Wednesday we are leaving for a trip that almost seems unfathomable to my little dreamy mind. God knows how much I love to travel and this year He has been so gracious to delight me. It reminds me of God loves to delight His children…don't we love to do the same? When we were in Italy Ed and I both went to Rome but this is one of the few places that we did not take our children. After our trip there we both agreed that we were hopeful that a trip to Rome would be a part of our children's education. We are going to be spending three nights in Rome this week and then meet longtime Air Force friends, John, Tonia, Rachel, and Tim Shaw, to spend 8 nights on the Mediterranean! Last summer we saw a deal for British residents only (we qualify) for a child to go free with each adult. I'm still amazed it's going to happen! This is the 17^th pack up we've done since the 15^th of October…God is good!

Love to all,

Dinah for The Troops
P.S.~ See last post for Texas pictures~ enjoy y'all!

After all this time, are you really there?

PA folks really know how to throw a party! What fine folks they are. Anytime you are with PA you can always count on great music and fun professional photos! Just few a the PA perks.

The children on the day of Ed's going away.

Saying goodbye is just out and out hard. Mrs. Waters (orange shirt) was so precious to host a little sushi party that night. "So let's get together and make sushi...oh and by they way, since you have a house can we do it there?" Emily was a fantastic neighbor and an amazing woman. Sushi making, frog disection, what does this woman not do? We are so grateful for dear friends on base and church. Nikki (black sweater) is Melanee Kate's violin teacher...and more importantly a dear part of our family!

Major had all the children out riding on Thanksgiving morning. Never a dull minute on the ranch!

For anyone who doesn't know another unique quality about are family is we have uniforms galore! Major has a collection that will knock your socks off. I felt a little queasy about my children running around the front yard in authentic uniforms that I could not replace, well, if we're going to send them to college anyway. Caroline had asked if they could take pictures and the dressing up began! We have tons of them, but this is my favorite. The Taylor children were more than happy to jump right in...

Major also built us our very own Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire the night we played t.u.! Now is that service or what?

Ed has been friends with Paul and Ginny Baker since his Belton days. When the four of us became friends in Colorado we had three they had one. Since then we've added one and they've added three. Neil, Rachel, Ryan, and Luke will just about steal your heart. God has been good to let us see one another over the years despite the distance. This is the second time we've been able to see them in Belton since we've left Colorado. We've also seen them in Colorado and when we lived in Montana they were precious to meet us in the thriving metropolis of Thermapolis, Wyoming...now there's friendship!

The infamous picture of Ginny and I is on it's way to London. The babies were days away from coming...we look SO MUCH livlier here. Paul and Ginny came into my heart right after I announced to Ed as we were leaving Italy, that I was done making friends.

Deanna Castello and Amy Allert met me for one of sweetest brunches I've ever had. These two woman are so special. They are willing to go with me deep, quickly...what precious encouragement!

If you know me, you understand this picture clearly.

This could be a very long blog in and of itself. This picture here is a small miracle. Long story short...I am not a runner. God has had me running. The furthest I'd ever gone on the ground (instead of a treadmill) was two miles with my mentoring runner friend Beth the night before we left Hawaii. This day I ran with Susan (who has done two half marathon's in the past two years) for 3.3 miles~what victory. God is teaching me that it's good to do hard things! This was the first annual Dunn Thomas run.

When we first met Susan and Jeff we'd only been married 8 months. Shaw was 20 months old and could say Mama, Dada, and bus. He's the enormous one in the back. Morgan is 6 months older than Caroline and is as precious as can be. What a GREAT time to reunite, fellowship, and worship. Thank you for walking through life with us...

These are eleven great great grandchildren of my great grandfathers. We had gone to church with the Permann's (my sweet sister's family) and in walks our cousins. Isn't God good to let us worship in His house together! I'd love to think that my great great grandchildren would be in church together while actively growing in the Lord!

We're only missing Royal and his family. These moments are such treasures! The children were STARVING and after this shot we ran out for great mexican food.

This is so typical of my family growing up, well and the family I'm in today as well now that I think about it. Always ending up in the smallest of places. Our family usually conferenced in my parents small bathroom when I was a child. Poor Aunt Melly...just trying to do laundry. There's always room for more!

We celebrated Christmas early with Aunt Susan (my fathers aunt)...nothing like a good story and Starbucks!

Dear family and friends,

Since I've blogged we spent 12 crazy days on Oahu finishing up all that needed to be done in order to move, a great week out on Ed's parents ranch, three nights with our best friends in Louisiana, and a week with my parents in Dallas. Both of our sisters came to Texas with their entire families to spend time with us. I could spend a whole blog on that alone but I'm going to have to let pictures take care of that.

As of today a new chapter has begun. One that will unfold slowly before our eyes, but is already fully known to our Father. I thought I would share my thoughts today as I wrote in my travel journal on the airplane:

"Landing is not far away. We are moving to London today. After all of these months of preparation, toil, and excitement, it's really here. I'm all over the map at this moment. Certainly excited, tired, and a tiny bit overwhelmed. This fall God has been teaching me that when I feel overwhelmed in any way, shape, or form- I need to let Him help me refocus- on Him! My God is always so faithful. I am grateful to serve Him...

The preparation for this particular move has been mind boggling. I've always said you can multiply an overseas move times seven. With very little support on the ground in London, I'd say fourteen.

As of yesterday the van is no longer ours, so all of our loose ends in Hawaii are now tied. All that is left for us on that island in the Pacific are dear friends and sweet memories. Two things to surely be treasured.

Our time in TX and LA flew, as we knew it would. It was wonderful seeing so many people that we love. Our time in Dallas was packed with gathering clothing, shoes, and other items. My parents were so sweet about how hard we needed to work. I appreciate their, yet again, servant attitudes. Mother is coming in February and I'm already looking forward to her visit.

Being out of pocket this long can be a little unsettling at times. It's an incredible reminder that ultimately, this is not our home. When that feeling creeps up out of the pit of my stomach I have to stop and gain perspective. Do houses, cars, and belongings provide me comfort and a feeling of belonging? Is it wrong? Do we look for security in things that can never provide it? Of course we do. There are times God uses things/people to provide comfort, but ultimately the deep peace that passes understanding only comes from our Father.

Thank you Lord for peace, may it be ours as we serve you. Thank you for letting us go all over the world to proclaim your goodness and truth. Please help us to serve in a manner that will bring you glory. We love you deeply and look so forward for all that you have waiting around the corner. May it be all about you..."

I hope to post pictures from our Texas trip this week. Caroline already has some up on her facebook page. Off to bed. Tomorrow morning we'll have our first opportunity to be in the Lord's house in England!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Who flew you home?

Dear family and friends,

I need for this to be quick as sleep should be coming soon. I'm not quite over the jetlag, yet jetlag will be coming our way again next week.

After we spent three nights in California and realized the military's ride home would come very slowly I took my sweet sister up on her offer. Ken works for American Airlines, although he is on a military furlough. YEA KEN...I will forever be grateful for my brother in law getting us home. No complaints about our military travel, it was wonderful. With the move so close, it was time to get back to the island so we could prepare for what was ahead.

We quickly rearranged belongings, rental cars, and hotels and were on our way to Los angeles. It was a six hour drive and we didn't leave until five in the evening. The first hour I was really tired, but the rest flew. Nothing like a little drive across California in the dark.

After dinner Caroline announced we needed to go back through our trip, oldest to youngest, and talk about our favorite things. Two hours later we stopped and thanked the Lord for it all. To God be the glory!

It was such a wonderful opportunity, I can hardly believe we really did it. The best part of the trip for me was seeing God's plan unfold and just being alone with our children. I can clearly see that God just wanted me to be with these children without all the wonderful interruptions of life. What a gift...

I'm really having to trust Jesus with my time. Many things to be done and only so many hours in the day. School to be accomplished, people to spend time with, songs to prepare, list to made, phone calls to be made...I'll just stop there as I think you get the picture. A week full of life.

Selling the car and securing a flat are at the top of our list this week. Again, God knows and His plans are best. May we walk the process in a way that honors Him.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Does His creation call you to worship?

The Thomas/Smith children are eight amazing children. I can't wait to see what God does in each and everyone of their lives. They've been friends for five and a half years which is like forever for a miltary child.

Our four bags weight 199 lbs...okay, fair enough. Then in Yokota they said they needed to weight all carry ons including our coats...they weighed 200...opps.

Wyatt was in his element today serving people. He carried many a car seat, stroller, and maman's diaper bags. The game boy is for trips and weekends. They never have time on the weekend. Wyatt and Will were quite entertained.

Melanee Kate was so in her element today loving on this baby. A sweet Christian mother was very grateful for God's provision of our daughter.

Debbie and Marcus Vincent were our nieghbors at McGuire AFB in our very first house. They came out tonight and took care of all five of us! WHAT A TREAT to be together...

Dear family and friends,

So we are on our fifth flight and enjoying the ride, our second C-17. We left Alaska around 2:30 and are on our way to Travis Air Force Base in California. Yes, I realize it’s very east of Hawaii, but Travis is the gateway to the Pacific and at this point the best way home. Quite appropriate to go to the gateway of the Pacific on our little swing, don’t you think?

Alaska was beautiful! I was amazed at how different it looks than Colorado, equally breathtaking, but in a whole different way. We stayed with our dear friends Doug and Sharla Smith, it was the first place that was hard to leave. Hard because we don’t know when we’ll see the Smith family again. We heard about them in Colorado, met them in Alabama, spent time together in Montana, and started walking life together in Hawaii. The Smith family has loved us through good, bad, and ugly. They love us despite, not because, and we are very grateful.

This last spring we had a wonderful opportunity to spend a great amount of time together. First we had the infamous TDY while both of the guys were gone where we ate dinner five out of six nights. The children whined on the night we missed. We also had the privilege of helping them move, moving is a GREAT way to take any friendship to a new depth. Serving with one another does that though now doesn’t it! The week that seven of the eight children went to Awana’s camp together the four of us had a meaningful week (Dinah, Sharla, Doug, and Jefferson…Ed was TDY as normal) as Doug and Sharla agreed to be roomies with Jefferson and I. When they left, we were all so hopeful to be together in Alaska before we moved to London, so this was really an answer to prayer. God delighting His children!

Sharla had not been home for even 12 hours from being with her parents in Montana when she got the 5:30 wake up call. I didn’t step out of their house for over 28 hours and it was AWESOME. The Smith home always seems to be a haven for those who enter. Sharla’s gift of hospitality always blesses and amazes me. Doug had been TDY the week before Sharla went to Montana and they would have had every reason to say it wasn’t a good time but instead they welcomed us with open arms and hearts! God’s timing is perfect, although one could look from the outside and think it was a horrible time, He was right on time. He always is you know!

We also had the opportunity to spend Thursday morning with most of the Rosendahl family. We met Tami and Martin and their four children in Italy where we went to church together. Christian fellowship never ceases to amaze me…how you can pick right back up like it was yesterday. Caroline and Hannah, the only and darling daughter of their family, have become friends on facebook this summer. Hannah is such a neat girl who loves Jesus and has been a bright spot to our Caroline. Caroline was funny when she realized what a neat girl Hannah was, but it didn’t surprise me in the least knowing what a neat lady her mother is. Tami was very kind to me in Italy and her friendship has always been very appreciated!

So Alaska was really about people with a beautiful back drop from our creator. His creation, the people and the sights, they call me to worship.

Last stop…almost there. The most exciting part of this last stop is seeing Debbie and Marcus Vincent. I’ve had several wonderful neighbors over the years, Debbie being my first. She set the bar high! I haven’t seen her since the day we drove out of New Jersey 15 ½ years ago, but we’ve kept up all these years. I can hardly believe that my children are going to get to meet Mr. and Mrs. Vincent!

The day after Caroline was born Debbie came to visit me with gift in hand. One of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever received. Debbie’s mother passed away when she was a child. She brought me a little tin box that her mother always kept her ribbons in. I was decorating my nursery in “Cow Jumped Over the Moon” and this little tin box had the most precious “Cow Jumped Over the Moon” scene you’ve ever laid your eyes on. It was a gift of sacrifice and celebration. I will treasure it always. I can hardly wait to hug Debbie’s neck!

Love to all…I will “see” you on the way home. Ed said last night that it might take a week to get back, I have to admit that my first reaction was not with my eyes on the Father but on myself. We are moving in two weeks as my husband has reminded me. The past day or so have begun to feel the pressure of all that needs to be accomplished. It’s amazing how quickly you can feel stressed when you take your eyes off of God’s plan for each day. God’s timing is perfect so we’ll just see what He does. I’ll keep you posted…

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops