Parties and Partings

After a flurry of trips and travels we landed back home for a few days. We had a Superbowl, or

as Natalie and Adam called it, "Football Party!", and an early Valentine's party complete with

heart shaped pancakes, personal mailboxes complete with treats and more than a little dancing

and giggling.

Then it was back to business and unfortunately sometimes, the busyness of life. Then Tim

headed out for a short cycle of trainings which will hopefully give me a taste of what the Big D

(deployment to Iraq) will be like. Although it was hard to swallow at first I find each time he

heads out we are able to live joyfully, sleep peacefully and play earnestly. We talk of Daddy

often, and though it seems hardest on Natalie she knows very clearly that he is telling other

soldiers about Jesus. They seem proud of him in their own little way, looking up at each plane in

the sky and thinking Daddy is on it...

Of course sometimes on a tough day or in the quiet of night we ask ourselves and God if this life

with its rigors and separations is best for them. I know for certain I can manage the three

squares a day, a bath and bedtime with no problem, but what about making sure they are

thriving? I used to be afraid to sit with questions, with being not absolutely certain, I wanted to

be able to say definitely for sure I knew...But then there was no room for the vital faith to teach

me to trust...

So yes, we have a lot of questions, but we also have one Great Answer. I like to think that all of

life with its twists and turns and decisions big and small is pretty much a question, but at the end

of the road and the end of each day one thing is for sure. He's here.