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So much to post! It has been crazy busy here. First of all, I am absolutely thrilled that the garage sale is over. It was so hot! But fun to have my first garage sale in the civilian community. It was so different. I had to get a permit from the city!! But in the end, I sold everything and all together the four of us made over $1,300. Well worth the effort and most of all, we will be grateful for the clean out when it comes time to move.

Yesterday was both Father's Day and our anniversary - 17 years! It sounds so long, but it doesn't feel that long. God's had an amazing plan for both Mike and I the night we met at Jock Night at Mather AFB. (Yes.. I am a Jock Night bride and proud of it). I took a job with AAFES out of college and my first assignment was Mather AFB. It was an awesome place to be single. There were 5 Sales Area Managers like myself. In our 20's, out of college and on our own. We became fast friends. I remember that Natalie took me under her wing and explained Jock Night to me. Her Dad was a Colonel at the time in the Pacific somewhere. She explained that guys fly in from all over for Jock Night. She explained that just because their patch had a name on it didn't mean that was their name. She also said to look for tan lines on ring figures (sad but true). Mike and I met because his friend, Martin (Marty) Johnson was after my friend, Denise Evans. They went out to dance and Mike came over to share a pitcher of beer. It all started from there and I won't bore you with the details. Once training was over for me, I got assigned to Beale AFB and Mike and I continued dating. It wasn't until he went to Survival School that I realized that I really did love him and finally got the nerve up to tell him. He had proclaimed his love for me LONG before that (at least that is the version I remember!). Mike then went to Dyess for training and we had to decide whether to call it quits or take the next step. We got married here in McKinney on a Sunday afternoon, took a one night honeymoon in Dallas, and had to go back to Dyess AFB for Mike to finish up training. By July 4th of that year, we were rolling into Ellsworth and the rest is history.

Speaking of Marty Johnson, once he left Mather AFB, we never saw or heard from him again. He has no idea how God used him to impact our lives. Not only was he the reason we met, but he did something far greater than pointing us to each other. He gave Mike a bible. That bible sat on a shelf for five (?) years, but Mike never got rid of it. He never read it either. But it was there. One day, because of many circumstances, Mike picked it up and read it cover to cover. That is Mike. That was it. Life changed. Marriage changed. Future changed. We still have that bible and will never let it go.

We also got to celebrate Father's Day. Mike is the best Dad. He was made to be Elizabeth's Father. Since day one he has been there. He plays with her, laughs with her, teaches her, talks to her, listens to her, and inspires her. He was just supposed to be a father. He is so patient, kind, tough when necessary. Here is a story that I think illustrates what I am trying to say. This weekend we have had the privilege of having many kids over to swim. We live in a triangle with 3 girls across the street and 2 boys and 1 girl next door. They range in age from 1st grade to 5th grade. We open the pool as much as possible. We were talking about what joy it brings us to see Elizabeth playing and having fun with everyone. (Like when we were on Washington Ave in Tucson). Mike said he loves to sit in the recliner and hear the games and laughter. He said he is sure that is what Heaven will sound like.

What a day. We got to celebrate our Father at church, our marriage, and remember that special gift that God created out of that marriage - Elizabeth and the chance to be a father. Doesn't get much better than that.

We are heading off today to see the GI doctor. Mike's platelets are down in the toilet again. So we are going, but they can't do any procedures until Mike's numbers come up. (Thanks Dr. Monhollon for the suggestions!) Mike looks so good right now. He is gaining weight and if he just had hair, I doubt anyone off the street would know what we are going through. God's hand is here. That is for sure.

This week is filled with both great things and some dreaded things (my point of view). Great things... House closing, Carol Beene, Kiviojia's! Dreaded things... GI Doctor's appointment and Mandatory VA appointment on Friday. We finally have no choice. We have to find our way to the VA in Dallas for more Doctor's appointments. UGH!

Prayer Needs:
Our house to close
Mike's platelets and blood count to stabilize and climb
Wisdom over medical decisions
Financial Wisdom
Vacation Wisdom.. making Godly decision of what to do
Mike to be able to go on Vacation with us
The concurrent receipt to go through. It was tabled because of the lack of funds and they need to find the money somewhere before it will. I can not tell you what a difference it would make for us and I am sure many others in our situation. (Whatever you do.. Make it to the 20 year mark before you retire!)

Praise:
Fathers, laughter, VBS, friends, family, summer, love, marriage, insurance, retirement pay and benefits