UPDATE on "A special bond"

Praise God! Today my twins came home both having received Commended Performance on their taks tests!!!! If you read the first story you'll know why it means so much to us!

Praying for my oldest son

My oldest son has decided to go in to the Air Force. He would really like to be a Pararescueman, and is taking it very seriously. He has already begun to train even though it may be months away from testing. I've never seen him so determined and excited, and, because of that, I will support him 100%.

Sure, it's never easy to let our children go, but knowing this is what he really feels he's supposed to do with his life makes me feel good. In fact, I'm completely at peace about it...something I never imagined I would be. I'm very close to my kids and though I hate the day is coming soon where we will live far apart, I'm so happy they are happy.

Because he will have to perform so many difficult tasks that have to do with swimming, I've made it my goal to get up early in the morning before work and go swim and pray for him as I'm swimming. I love the fact that we can communicate with the Lord even while exercising. It really makes me pray very specifically for him and his endurance as I'm struggling to swim harder and faster than my body wants to go.

I'm so proud of you, son. Keep up the good work and the tough training!

It's a little after 1:00 in the morning and I'm sitting outside by the fire at my parent's house on the lake. I'm here because my mom is having a ladies retreat this weekend. Tonight was really good and I've been very blessed by being here. It feels good. I was so worn out that I almost didn't come, but I'm so glad I did.

After everyone went to bed I felt drawn out here to sit and pray and think, and later on went in to get my computer to sit and write out my thoughts.

This is a very different time in my life. It's exciting, scary, emotional, tiring...all sorts of things...but one thing I keep hearing over and over is "Do you have faith in me even in the tough things...are you going to trust me?" And I respond, "yes, Lord!" I truly do trust him - I just wonder what it is all going to look like! In 6 months what is my life going to look like? What's it going to be like for our children that we are leaving behind in college? We are so close and I just can't imagine not having them close by! Lord, this is going to be tough. I know it! But, I TRUST YOU.

Over and over again I think about these things.

Tonight we talked about laying down idols; anything that could take the place of God in our lives. I don't want anything to do that. I want to be in the center of God's will and following His plans for my life. I want to trust him and allow him to be in control of my life. More than anything I want God to be number one...to hold that special place in my heart, and to love Him like nothing else. Sometimes that's hard!

It's hard when I feel like I might be abandoning my kids...
It's hard when I don't know what it's going to look like...
It's hard when I feel scared...
It's hard when I feel sad that I am moving so far away...

BUT...

I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength! He is my God, my King, my Savior, my everything, and, even though I don't know where this path is going to take us and what the future holds. I am going to trust Him and not make any idols for myself...not my husband or kids or anything. I want the Lord to have first place in my life and I will let Him lead.

You two make me...

Smile!Proud to be your mom!

Laugh!

Miss you!

And wish I would have been on this crazy road trip with you!

Will you respond like the soldier?

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:33-39)

My prayer today is that anyone who has not believed in Jesus, who doesn't understand that He is the Son of God, would realize that he truly is and place their faith in Him.

Jesus, thank you for dieing on the cross for our sins, for giving your life so that I can experience eternal life. I look forward to the day when I will see you face to face. My life is forever changed because of your love - the love that took you to the cross when you didn't deserve it.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believe in Him is not condemned...
(John 3:16-18a)

Chaplain Burton's Wife

Today Kevin was officially sworn in to the United States Army. (On May 20th there will also be a commissioning service and swearing in at our church.) I thought it was so sweet when he called to ask me if I was certain I was willing to do this. He said he just wanted to be sure I hadn't changed my mind because there was no turning back once he was sworn in. How could I change my mind? It wasn't my will to change! I will follow you to the ends of the earth, my love! You follow the Father wherever He leads and I'll be there right by your side!

Last night we were watching a war movie, and I've gotten to the point where it's a little difficult to watch them because I know one day he very likely will be in a similar situation and I just can't wrap my mind around it. Then I think about all the soldiers who need to know Jesus, or need encouragement as they walk this path of faith, and I allow my own feelings to take a back seat. This new journey is so NOT about ME, or even Kevin for that matter...it IS so about GOD and what HE wants for our lives.

Almost every day I wonder what this new life will look like...what will it be like to be a Chaplain's wife. I pray God fills my heart and mind with dreams and plans that bring glory to His name. I pray for wisdom and strength to be the wife and mother He called me to be. I know it will look a bit different then it does right now. I work a full-time job, apart from my ministries at the church, and my husband has taken on a lot of responsibilities here at home for the last three years, but I know being there for my boys will be very important in the months and years to come so I am asking God to show me more of His will and prepare me for what lies ahead. I have visions of ministering to other women and children who are in the same boat. I pray for opportunities to continue to use the gifts God has given me or for Him to replace those passions with others. Whatever He desires for my life...

God, whatever you desire for my life I'm willing to do. You are my Rock and my Provider and I trust You with my husband, children and my own life. Thank you for leading us in a new direction. Thank you for filling our hearts with new dreams and the opportunity to serve You!

A special bond

Two little twin boys - one worried about his TAKS test tomorrow, the other wanting to see his twin brother succeed...

We were driving back from the store tonight when Darby and Dillon began to talk about the TAKS test being tomorrow. Darby shared his concerns, and Dillon talked about what a mess it would make of the summer for him if he didn't pass - thinking that would motivate him!

We got the groceries put away and I began to straighten up the house when I heard Dillon giving Darby tips and helping him to prepare for the TAKS. It was one of the sweetest expressions of love I've ever seen between the two of them! I was so proud of Dillon for wanting to help Darby succeed. They are more than brothers, they are friends! They have a special bond and I feel blessed to be their mom and watch them grow and mature.

God gives us so much more than we ever deserve, and I thank Him for the blessing of raising four beautiful, loving children. I couldn't go to sleep tonight without telling this story of these two special boys.

Bless them as they take their tests tomorrow, Lord. You are our strength and we give you all the glory!