You are supposed to slow down in the summer right?? Maybe soon.
I am "chewing" on what to post right now. I am completely frantic over Eric Schmidt. My heart of hearts wants to get on a plane and make things better. I am praying over him and for his wife. My stomach is just in knots knowing the path that is in front of them. I keep thinking, has anyone filed for Disability for him yet? Did you know you can still be on Active Duty and receive disability? My minds just rolls over and over everything we went through, but I would probably over-whelmed them with the details and all they need to worry about is fighting cancer and holding on to Jesus!
I had the joy of going to Youth Camp last weekend. I haven't laughed that much in a very long time. I didn't get enough sleep, but what a retreat! We went to Camp WOW in Oklahoma. It is a great camp with lakes, water extreme events, land extreme events, open sky, trees, and no cell phone reception. We woke up and worshiped. We went to seminars. We had extreme games, free time and then another time of worship. We ended the night with "Late Night" which was the funniest thing ever. They video taped everything and we got to see Gorilla's waking up 7th grade girls, a leaf blower waking up the 6th grade boys, wipes out on the tube behind the jet ski, and so much more. The greatest accomplishments were:
1. 30 kids accepted Christ!!!!!!!!
2. Elizabeth took a major step forward with Christ when she decided to be baptized again. God loves her so much, that He place her with another adult sponsor who lost her Dad to cancer when she was a teenager. Elizabeth spent a lot of time talking with her and she understood everything Elizabeth was saying. Elizabeth decided to go into the water as a symbol. She was stating, "I don't like that Daddy is gone, but I trust YOU, Lord." I cried and cried at the edge of the lake. I am so proud of her and will never forget that moment.
3. In the middle of my prayers on Sunday night, I told God that I was excited for the tomorrow. The day was great and filled with laughter and special time with a few campers. I was so excited to see what the next day held. I stopped praying and cried in my corner of the cabin. When was the last time I was excited about tomorrow? I always pray for "strength for tomorrow" or "one more day" or "that I get up tomorrow" but it has been a long time since I was excited for tomorrow. I am tearing up typing this, because it was a priceless gift.
So as you can tell, I will never forget those 4 days. I am so grateful that I have a Savior who is still intimately involved in this new life that I am living now. I miss Mike every day... almost every moment. But when I look around, I see how He is walking me through this place I don't want to be. Do you know what Elizabeth is doing? I once told Elizabeth how I missed Mike in the little things one day in the car. She asked what I meant by that. I told her that one thing Mike always did was take my change in the change holder and stack it by coin in order. He just did it. I told her I missed glancing down and see my change in order. The other day, I got in the car and my change was in order. She did it for me. What a sweet, sweet daughter Mike and I have.
Other than that, we are full swing into summer. Elizabeth is at Softball camp at University of North Texas over the next three days. We are looking forward to visitors and trips to Seattle, Myrtle Beach, and Germany. I had to push Tucson into the fall!
I am asking for prayer coverage over the weekend for Elizabeth and I. Father's Day is on Sunday and this is the one holiday that is going to be extremely difficult. We have bowed out of the family event, because Elizabeth was quick to point out that she will be the only one there without her Dad. Our wedding anniversary follows soon after. I need to celebrate that I had such an amazing marriage and husband, because I am grateful. I just want more. Actually, Elizabeth does too.
Prayer Needs:
Paperwork to wrap up.... Long story.
Eric and Buzz as they both fight an incredible battle with cancer
Elizabeth and I as we try to figure out what is next
Praise:
People that continue to watch over me
Camp
That God is bigger than any battle
5 comments:
Deanna,
Do you know the Schmidts? Maybe you could let them know you are ready/willing if they need such advice??? Wouldn't that have been helpful to you as you were going through it to "have a Deanna"? Just a thought!
Reading about yours and Elizabeth's camp experience was wonderful!
Eileen is in Fiji right now and Heidi is in Tucson!
Love and prayers, Gini
I am so glad you and Elizabeth went to camp. It's wonderful for you to have a taste of life that you really look forward to living, days you are excited to see come. You needed a reminder that life could be like that. And to hear that Elizabeth has it set in her heart to follow Jesus even through the valley of pain...well, that is a mature decision for such a young lady, but it can be done and she is choosing the Best over her "right" to sulk that life hasn't treated her fairly. I have an enormous amount of respect for that. Many adults fail to have such clear-eyed, pure-hearted vision and devotion.
What you have to offer the Schmidts right now is of incredible value. This journey will become more difficult for them in coming days simply because of the logistics of adding a baby to the household. You have information and support that gives them answers to questions they don't even know to ask. That makes you a treasure for them. However...their journey is their journey and you can't save them from having to make it, and your heart needs to be at peace about that. You are simply a fellow sojourner who has been down this path, and you've passed a fork in the road that they haven't yet had to face (and we pray that they don't). You've learned a lot about the path along the way. You are uniquely equipped to walk with them.
I sure do love you!
-Lisa
It is so good to hear from you and see how you and Elisabeth are holding up, and how God is holding you up through these days!
I am sorry to hear Tucson will be pushed back to the fall, but am looking forward to meeting you and Elizabeth just the same, if time allows when you do come.
Please know that I continue in prayer for you both!
Love in Christ!
Kelly
Praying for you as always and we'll put in special prayers this weekend. We are thankful that you are making plans. Germany!? Wow! Now THAT'S making PLANS! xo Kathleen
Really? Germany? You wouldn't by chance making it to the Ramstein area would you??????? I am sure you will have a full schedule, but would LOVE some time if you can spare it!!
Dawn
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