Wow, how times flies when you are at War!
I must confess though for 29 days I was on leave in the States having the time of my life:
I spent 10 glorious days reuniting with Ty and Ray, and Benji! We did Disney World, stayed at Shades of Green Resort at Disney World, a military resort for Soldiers and their families...we blasted through 3 out of the 4 parks with Tyson boldly leading the way! It was fun to just go along for the ride with my now very adult children....
It is amazing to me...while it was 3 years ago Christmas that we were all together...it seems in their development much longer....oh my...as I watched I saw Pastor Tyson...minister, organize..oh my how well he is organized...(I wish i had more of that gene) and love on people...his church loves him and Ray.
I got to see Ray teach a class of students, and to revel in the transformation I have been privileged to witness in her own life from the camo kicking tom boy..to the beautiful and Godly gracious woman I saw teach jr high kids about the certainty of God! Talk about a blessing!
And then there is my youngest..the last time i saw him was 2 years ago in Biloxi at Keesler...still stuck between manhood and teen....but when I saw him this trip...there is no doubt in anyone's mind of the amazing man he has become! Oh my goodness..the same sweet kind spirit that has always touched my heart...but a new found confidence and drive...that I find myself so admiring in him!
My children are grown, their lives are full and glorious..God has answered the prayers of this Father...in many ways for me it was a passing of the torch, from each one of them insisting that they pay for our meal at different times, to the leadership displayed in certain arenas of life....I found myself silently slipping back to the back seat...and just enjoying this new position of friend and mentor rather than Father, provider..needed...it was a bitter sweet moment for sure..and yet so necessary, natural and healthy!
WOW talk about proud.
The latter part of my leave was spent in Palm Springs with my good friend Michelle. We toured the country side (thanks to my navigator patience, who seems to get me lost more than I do), we hiked Andreas Canyon and sat beside the pools of the oasis there in the middle of the desert..and laughed and talked and envisioned a new future...such a great time.
I now know what a village idiot is....and it is my favorite....although perhaps the guy singing on the guitar wasn't as appreciative of me joining in a stirring rendition of Brown Eyed Girl...lol oh well, it was my vacation!
A late night swim, more sunshine soaked up and a chance to catch up on my sleep and my own imagination....fireside talks, and dreams....
In 3.5 months Lord willing I will get to return to the island and after 2 years of my life being on hold, searching, waiting, praying..it is time to begin living it again with the things the Lord has in store for me..
Army News:
I love my mission here, I love ministering to Joes..I am told I am good at it, I am just glad that my past life has given me some tools that allow me to relate to their stories....I think too many of us believers have lost touch with "real people" and their real problems...
Perhaps all of us would do well to follow Jesus model and wander around touching, teaching, seeing the needs, trying to meet the needs, before standing in our houses, often times out of touch, telling people the answer without having ever lived or understood the question...of course the answer is Jesus...I get that...but to touch a leper while healing them is so much better than just saying be healed....just my thoughts...
To those of you who follow...the journey to authenticity, is a lot like the story of the Velveteen Rabbit...does it hurt, he asked....yes.....but in the end you will be real...
And after all...isn't that what we all long for?
In His Grace
Just Troy
No comments:
Post a Comment