A Grandmother's Love

We were always close. You can tell by the way we look at each other. A grandma/grandson bond formed at his birth and sealed with memories created over the years.

When he was two, he inspired me to write the following:

"Placed on the chair for a "time out" the weepy two year old wonders why he misbehaves as he whimpers, 'I be a good boy.' In his heart, he is persevering at being good while we are certain he is mastering being bad. All the while, his defiant heart is crying out, Don't stop loving me! Don't give up on me! Who can understand a two year old? God can." ~  Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms:

I never did stop loving him. I never gave up on him. Isn't that what grandmothers do? We grandma's have hearts to love unconditionally and forever. And we have faith. Faith to know and believe that

 "Love never stops being patient, 

never stops believing, 

never stops hoping, 

never gives up." 

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

A warrior from birth, Connor's passion for all of life —the good and the bad—kept this grandma's prayer life vibrant. Yet within him I saw the tenderest of hearts.

When he was ten he stayed with us for a week of grandparent/grandboy time. Our grass needed mowing. Cutting the grass is my job because I love to mow. With Connor settled inside playing, I set about my task. Before long, Connor appeared at my side saying, "This isn't right. I can't bear watching you mow. I'm going to mow the lawn for you." Two hours later he finished with a smile and a joy in his heart.

When his Pop Pop arrived at his house for a birthday party, 17 year old Connor was the first to see the car. He jumped up and ran outside to help Pop Pop (who has difficulty walking) out of the car and into the house. In Connor I see compassion and love.

Connor and I have loved taking walks together since he was a baby. I'd point out the lion statues on the road and his one-year-old voice would "ROAR!" And then there were the snakes. Oh, the time he   entered his Aunt Joanna's house carrying a black snake longer than he was tall. We gasped. Well, actually, we screamed. Connor was delighted with the snake, but quickly respected our wishes for the snake to return to the woods. Big or small, if there was a snake, Connor found it.

My heart rejoices remembering the best walk I ever took. My neck swollen with leukemia and my body weak, I wasn't walking far or long. Connor picked up on what I needed to boost my spirits and my health. "Hey Grandma, let's take a walk!" To everyone's delight and surprise, Connor and I walked four miles that day! My leukemia took a turn, in fact it walked right out of me. Today I walk daily, my neck is not swollen, and my blood counts are normal. Thanks, Connor, and thanks, God!

In a few weeks Connor's passion to be a Marine, serve his country, and rid the world of the bad guys will come true. He'll walk many roads, see snakes and lions along the way, and meet people in need of his tender heart. God has prepared him for such a task as this. He leaves with a piece of my heart and all of my love and a promise of  my daily prayers on his behalf.

Semper Fi! means "always faithful." 

As a Marine, Connor will be always faithful.

 Better yet, our God will be more faithful still. 

God's got your back, Connor. 

Afterall, Grandma is praying!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

 plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"being confident of this, 

that he who began a good work in you

 will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV).

 Semper Fi! my Marine grandson! I'm so proud and I love you. Looking forward to walking this adventure with you down the roads of life.

Pray for our military, please!

Our Military Love With a Great Love. Thank YOU!!!

I watch and remember the endless stress of military life.

Packing, unpacking, moving every two years.

Praying the house you loved, decorated, and created memories in will sell and a new home in a strange town will somehow fit your family, your furniture, and your curtains.

Leaving a church where your children run into the nursery to join friends and known child care, where you've grown closer to God through treasured Bible study friends and the teachings of a loved pastor.

Endless goodbyes to kindred spirit friends who walked and talked you through troubled days and joyous celebrations.

Collecting medical records from the doctors you trust who held your hand and your heart during uncertain days.

Moving to the unknown place, searching for the perfect church, trusting your child to strangers, finding competent doctors, and the grocery store. And please God, I need a friend. Please send a friend.

The fear and dread that never goes away. Settled in your heart and residing in your brain is the fact that any day may be the one your spouse comes home with orders to deploy.

Military life is hard.  So why do they serve? A friend gave me the answer many years ago when my Dan served in the Navy.

We lived in Navy housing with our lawn joining the backyards of several Navy families forming a massive playground. We all had young children and our afternoons were lived together with our littles running delighted in the grass expanse.

The Navy family living behind us had five children including a newborn. The husband was a computer guy serving on a submarine. He was gone six months every year. Plunged into the ocean, he left his family and sacrificed six months of never-to-be-had good night kisses, first steps, and love.

Yet, I never heard a complaint. His wife served her man and her family with joy. This day, the day we met her new-born daughter, (whose nursery was in a closet, because Navy housing was too small for five children) was a cold, windy November.

"When is your husband leaving again?" we asked.

"He'll be gone before Christmas." she answered with resolve and not a twinge of regret.

I couldn't help myself. The questions, doubts, and concern tumbled from my tongue.

"Why does he do it? Your husband could get a job in the secular world that pays a lot of money. He wouldn't have to leave you, you wouldn't have to move again. Why don't you get out of the Navy?"

"Because we love our country. 

That's why. 

We love our country."

Her answer pierced my soul and changed the way I felt about the USA and those who sacrifice their lives and their families in military service.

Thank you Veterans and your families for loving our country and its citizens with the greatest of love. Thank you for loving our freedoms enough to sacrifice and die for the United States of America. I salute you today! You are the best of the best and I thank God for you.

"There is no greater love 

than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13 (NLT)

Because of our military, we are splashed every day with serenity, and we don't even realize it. Realize it today, and thank a veteran!

Strengthening Military Marriages

Congratulations to Lt. Col. Tony and Penny Monetti on today's release of  their new book, Honored to Serve: Guidance and Encouragement for Military Families in Transition.

http://www.amazon.com/Honored-Serve-Guidance-Encouragement-Transition/dp/1572937572/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370030114&sr=1-1&keywords=Honored+to+serve

Lt. Col. Tony and Penny Monetti know the difficulties and transitions of military life. I can say this, because I watched them. The Monetti's attended our church during the Gulf War when Tony was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. My husband had the honor of baptizing both Tony and Penny.

The day Tony left for Desert Storm is etched in my mind. I could not imagine my husband going to war and leaving me alone to raise our family. For Tony and Penny, this was their life.

My review: "Powerful! Practical! Personal! Tony and Penny Monetti know the difficulties and transitions of military life, and point you to the God Who goes before you and stays with you in the battle for your marriage, your children, and your country. Learn from their experiences how to be a person of honor, integrity, and valor maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual balance. Every couple needs to arm themselves with Honored to Serve as their survival guide for military families in transition." ~ Elaine W. Miller, Author and Speaker

From the back cover:

"IT IS A RARE SORT OF VALOR THAT CAUSES SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO SACRIFICE FOR THEIR COUNTRY. THEY LIVE LIVES PUNCTUATED WITH UNCERTAINTY TO DEFEND THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.

Tony and Penny Monetti have known this uncertainty. "In 24 years of military service we deployed for war. We experienced the fear of combat against an enemy and mustered the courage to fight. We refit the family puzzle pieces when their shapes changed with each mission, deployment, and reassignment."

Military families are constantly in transition, but transition does not have to be unmanageable. Honored to Serve provides tools to deal with issues such as combat-related stress, financial hardship, wounded relationships, reentry into civilian life, and more. Written from the perspectives of a military service person and a spouse, this insightful book not only encourages military families but also provides a wealth of resources for soldiers and their loved ones."
__________________

Lieutenant Colonel Tony Monetti (USAF, Ret.) is a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient and a former B-2 bomber, B-1, and B-52 pilot who has written numerous articles for military publications. Penny Monetti is an inspirational author who speaks nationwide and is certified to help military families with post-traumatic stress. The Monettis have shared the message of their first book, Called to Serve, on various television and radio programs.
__________________

Honored to Serve is available today online and at bookstores everywhere.

Thank you, Tony and Penny, for opening the doors of your heart and your marriage so other military marriages are strengthened.

Hey, and thank you for loving We All Married Idiots and recommending my book in your Marriage Resources list.

Splash! That's what I call serenity!!!

A Book Made Me a Grandma! Hallelujah!!!

Writing a book is not about ego or praise of man. It's hard work and an act of obedience to God's call to write in Psalm 102:18 "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created will praise the Lord."

My heart rejoices this morning at the new-birth of a spiritual grandchild. Authors Penny and Tony Monetti received a phone call from a man telling them he was baptized with a copy of their book, Called to Serve: Encouragement, Support, and Inspiration for Military Families, tucked in his pocket near to his heart. Our words do matter. Books change lives.

I rejoice in this baptism and remember well the baptism of the authors, Penny and Tony Monetti, in the Rome Alliance Church where my husband served as Pastor. We sat with Penny and many other wives as their men left Griffiss Air Force Base to fight in Desert Storm. Upon Tony's return, Penny and Tony were baptized by my husband.

Over 20 years ago, I had no thoughts of writing a book, nor did Penny. We are now reconnected as authors and co-laborers in the work of the Lord. What joy to see the fruit of God's ministry.

Thrilled to see grandchildren born into the family of God today!

Check out Called to Serve and the Monetti's new book Honored to Serve releasing on June 1, 2013.

 

 



Support the military families you know with a book that will change their lives. Click the book covers above for an instant link to their Amazon page.

Praying for many more splashes of serenity in baptismal waters.



Changing Zip Codes a Must Read for Anyone Moving

Moving must be one of the biggest stressers for a marriage and a family. Carol Stratton's book Changing Zip Codes is a must read for anyone in transition. I was blessed reading Changing Zip Codes and wrote the following review on www.Amazon.com:

Wow! I loved this book. Wish I had it 41 years ago when my husband and I embarked on the first of twelve pain-filled moves. I like digging my heels into my house, my community, my church, and especially my friends; and I don't like letting go. Change of any kind threatens me and changing zip codes is the worst threat of all.

Carol Stratton holds your hand and places it in the hands of God as she walks you through the moving process. She encourages the reader to see God's plan for the move and she gives practical helps to ease the pain of transition for the entire family.

With at least one more change of zip codes ahead of me before I reach the place of no zip codes, I gleaned much from Carol's advice. My attitude has changed as I look at another move as an exciting adventure on my life's journey, not as dreaded days of packing and unpacking every ounce of my emotions.

Thank you for this wonderful book, Carol. Please anyone about to move, read it. If you have a dear friend about to move, this would make a great going-away present. She'll love you for it.

Happy Packing! I can say that now that I've read, "Changing Zip Codes." Please visit Carol's website, www.ChangingZipCodes.com helping families relocating.

May your move be a Splash of Serenity for your entire family!