just a .........Quick Update

Time is going by fast for both Jay and I. He has been getting some letters and cards and appreciates them very much.. so thank you to those that are sending him letters. One thing that Jay does like is “Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey”. So if you want to bless him this would be a great way to do it. By sending him just a little taste of home. They don’t sell it on the base…

I have had a few opportunities to talk to Jay, usually around midnight. He is still very busy and does not get anytime to just sit and relax. (at least not for very long). Jay has had no reactions to the immunizations.. PRAISE GOD, several soldiers have been ill. Pray for their health and stamina. We are praying for God’s favor… and believing for Jay to have some leave time. I would love to be able to go out there to see him before he leaves for Iraq. We hope it works out!

51 ~ weeks

One week down and approximately 51 weeks to go!
My plan is to update the blog once a week. Being diligent is the key.

Jay has been very busy. We have not talked much at all and when we have talked it has been him talking very fast about what just happened and then a quick “I got to go! We were warned to expect this. It seems as though he has been going since he got off the plane. We are praying and believing for peaceful rest and that God will multiply Jay’s hours of sleep. ”supernaturally”

We have sent him a few cards, and his first package of goodies will be mailed today. Last week when I got the boxes from the post office, the lady there showed a genuine concern for “my soldier” I got out of the Post Office just before the tears started and as I got into the van Tyler gave me a weird look.. I told him to get used to it! :-) the tears came... I guess it became my reality!

We have been working on getting into a routine. I expect this to take a couple of weeks. I’m cool with taking our time with this transition.

The boys are amazing… doing so much more than I had ever expected. I pray they keep it up! And trust that they will. Reign is talking and saying a new word or words each day. She kind of freaked out when she first saw Jay on the computer. She WANTED her DADDY NOW! She was kissing the screen, blowing kisses, playing peek-a-boo, waving bye-bye. She was nose to nose to the computer almost the entire time. It was a little over-whelming to say the least and emotional for all of us. whew-wee!

As a stated earlier that one of the way I hear God’s voice is through dreams and visions…
A few weeks ago I had a dream. This is the shortened version for the blog:
I dreamt that a friend of mine Noelle and I purchased an old, very large abandoned farm house together.. Jay was in Iraq during this time and I knew that he would be fine with this decision. (during this dream the kitchen constantly becomes my focus and main concern) The kitchen was huge. I want to get it remodeled so we can have people over to do ministry. It had stainless steel appliances, like an industrial kitchen. It was not useable, the entire house had no electricity or running water, peeling paint and dirty. I wanted to fix up the kitchen first. As we walked into Noelle’s bedroom the Lord said, that “her bedroom needed to take priority”. Her room was unfinished with very little drywall on it, insulation hanging from the ceiling and walls.. In the center of her bedroom was a huge white pillar. It was very evident that this pillar was holding up the ceiling and that it could not be removed.
The kitchen represents:
Ministry, helping people, feeding the babes, new people in Christ, discipling people. Something I love to do.
Noelle represents:
A mighty woman of God, an intercessor, one that has an intimate relationship with Christ.
The bedroom represents:
Intimacy with God, spending time alone with Him, worshipping, reading his word, and praying.

As he led me through the different rooms, He revealed to me that He indeed wants to spend time alone with me and I am NOT to get busy with ministry. The intimacy with him was a priority over the ministry or busy-ness.

I have also been lead to read and study the book of Daniel.
Daniel 5:15; talks about Daniel’s insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. God used him to interpret the king’s dream. However what I got out of this verse is that Daniel received insight, intelligence, and outstanding wisdom as he spent time with God. Through out scripture God reveals all the blessings given to us as we SEEK HIM! … “Life is so much easier with the Lord!”

Another thing that God has shown Jay, and I is that this tour is a mission field for Jay. A few weeks ago; one of the guys Jay works with complemented him on his integrity and character. He told Jay, that He has been watching him and can see different things in Jay, like peace and strength ect.. This guy told him that he realized that he cannot do this on his own. He needed God and he wants what Jay has! Praise God! How exciting to share our HOPE, comfort, SALVATION, deliverer, GRACE, peace, FORGIVNESS, strength, LOVE, assurance, MERCY, joy, LIFE and so much more…. Of who Jesus Christ! Is….With those that need HIM!

We have a busy weekend planned… 2 baby showers, JBQ meet in Willmar, Skiing trip in Mankato, a wedding in Belle Plaine, and a family readiness meeting in Inver Grove Heights. I cannot do it all, some things will just have to give. :-)

Praying for healthy kids as Tyler has been ill all week!

We are proud of "OUR SOLDIER"
One Famliy Under God ~ Undivided!

Jay's Departure

Our wake up call was about 5:30 a.m. Caleb and I brought Jay down to the armory as Tyler stayed at the hotel with Reign. It was busy with t.v. reporters and family member showing up with their soldiers. We were not quite sure if we should go in or not. Jay gave us a goodbye hug and kiss and into the armory he went. Caleb and I sat in the van for about a half hour and Jay decided to come out for another good-bye hug. After that we decided to join him inside. Jay quickly got into formation and after role call the Patriot Guard did a short presentation... I felt so proud to be there watching the soldiers (my soldier) as I was looking around at different people and their reactions I noticed a young mom holding a little girl smaller than Reign and rocking a newborn in the car seat next to her. My heart just ached for her, I wanted to take her home with me. Caleb and I left about 7:30 a.m. and Jay was on the bus by 8 a.m. and on the plane by 10 a.m.

God is faithful and is using Jay exactly how it has been spoken over him through prayer... yesterday was a testimony to that. details later! WE ARE SO EXCITED!
Be praying ~ believing for NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE IMMUNIZATIONS.. anthrax, typhoid and small pox. We are sad and are going to miss each other something terrible, however we know that God has amazing plans for all of us this next year!

The Departure Ceremony

The Departure Ceremony was last night at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. It was good, yet especially long with a one year old on our laps. Two of Jay’s sisters: Jan and Judy, sister-in-law Julie and niece Angie came up to see Jay off along with my two sisters Julie and Jodie, Bob and Lois “grandpa and grandpa”, The Langworthy Family, Joanna, and Hannah… close friends of ours. It was nice to have all of you there with us. We chose to skip out of the free dinner, after sitting so long with Reign I was ready to leave! My sister Julie took Reign home with her so we could have a quiet dinner out with the boys.. Yeah for aunties! THANKYOU. We ended the night with dessert at my sister’s house in Bloomington.

Tonight….. Is just not enough time to say good-bye. This is the hard part… :(
Next Sunday begins our count down to Jay’s return… only 52 weeks!

Bless the Lord, O' my soul!

For years I have prayed that God would keep Jay home from this war. God has been so faithful. 3 times when Jay, could have been deployed with a certain unit God, would move him to a different unit. I trusted that God also knew the day and the time he was going to be deployed, and that we knew God’s plan is perfect. I trusted that when the time came, I would have total peace. I don’t remember the exact date…However it was a Friday (a weekend that Jay had guards) I was praying and spending time with the Lord, I had this overwhelming feeling to pray for and release any anxiety I had about Jay being deployed. I knew that it was going to be okay. The next afternoon Jay calls and tells me he has been told he will be deploying. Of course I was shocked! I didn’t think it was going to be the NEXT DAY good grief!
God is amazing and He PROTECTS our HEARTS and MINDS!

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The tears began about midnight last night, after one of the boys had some tension explode. All I could do was cry. Thank you for to those that were praying. This morning I woke up with the song “Bless the Lord” on my heart and Yes, I cried when Jay left this morning. However as soon as I started to sing... The sadness lifted.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The last few days we have been having a blast with close friends.. "family" starting with the Electric night, praying with the veterans at church, Red Lobster, The youth group... we have had so much fun with everyone! We love each of you so much! thanks to all of you that have offered your help and unconditional love and support while Jay is gone. I was truly blessed when a certain someone came up to me with his numbers and said, "if you need anything call me or my wife. If I cannot help or fix it we will make sure someone can". THANK YOU!

Andrew's birthday

Each year when Andrew's birthday comes around we reflect on our many years we have been together and each year we are amazed at God's faithfulness. Andrew will be 20 years old tomorrow February 4th at 2:24 p.m. Tonight we are all going out to eat at BW's. to celebrate Andrew!

Sunday February 8, 2009

We are going to have a little send off for Jay at church on Sunday Feb. 8th. @ 10:30 a.m. We would love to have as many of you there that can be there. I know it would mean a lot for Jay and our family to see you all! :0)
We have been able to spend some quality time together these past few days. It has been very good. Jay goes back to work this week on Monday and Tuesday and then he will hopefully be home the rest of the week. I will post his snail mail address once He is landed in Washington. Things have a tendancy to change with the military so I will wait until then... so many soldiers have said even though technology is wonderful with e-mail and such... letters and cards still mean more!

The picture of Andrew and Jay wrestling is in night vision... pretty cool huh?

Thinking about ...how to use this sight?!

I'm not sure to what capacity to use this site. updates, journal, how much is too much, do I bear my heart and soul?!

Today begins with a whirl wind of emotions 16 days left?! how do we spend the time?! There are so many things to be done around here, like fixing the toilet for an example. Yet I don't care about it right now; we just want to be with each other.
The calendar has been filled to capacity, and at times I feel overwhelmed.

Most of you that know me; know that God speaks to me in dreams and visions.. partly because "I SO DESIRE IT" He has an amazing ability to give those that love him their desires! how awesome is that?! He has been faithful in revealing things ahead for Jay and I. warnings that we prayed through and broke through.. tender things that reveal God's love for us in ways that are simply indescribable. So much to type.. perhaps we can visit sometime and I will share them with you... I have an entire year to do so!

So for today the boys and I are finishing up school for the week. So we can have the rest of the week for Jay...

Nahum 7:1 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

New Deployment Date

Jay has been told that he will be leaving a day earlier than planned. The ceremony will be in the cities on Feb 10th from 5-6 p.m. with a dinner to follow for family.

Our Church Family and Friends..

WE ARE BLESSED... need I say more!
Neither Jay or I have our parents around to support us during this time. Jay's parents have both passed away along with my dad. My Mom is struggling with several health issues and is not in her right mind to offer any kind of support. However God has given us this amazing Church family to fill this void in our lives and we could never thank them enough! Bob and Lois Hutton have adopted our children as their own Grand-children. They have been there so much to offer support and to baby-sit the baby cakes. Just like Jay's family they sent out letters and made phone calls to our church family. Our Church family and friends gave us the rest of the money to purchase Jay's computer. Praise the Lord!

Jay got his computer... it is now loaded with all kinds of worship music, We joked about Jay becoming the worship leader in Iraq if no one else steps up to the plate.

Family...

On December 28, 2008 Jay, myself and the boys got together with Jay's family. We had dinner at the Hide-a-Way restaurant, played some games and had a good night just hanging out. The neat thing about this place is .. This is where Jay and I first met and had our first kiss! he took my phone number and the rest is history!

Several of Jay's family members gave us a gift of money to put towards a new laptop for Jay. What a blessing!

(this picture is of Jay and six of his eight siblings)

Our First Update.

Most of you know that Jay was scheduled to deploy for Iraq in January 19, 2009
He was just told Wednesday that his “new” deployment date will be February 13, 2009.
He will come home sometime in 2010 anywhere from next Feb. - April. Jay will be going to Fort Lewis, Washington for training and then straight to Iraq. Yesterday it was officially announced, and made it another step closer to our reality.
The news reported the following: 1,037 soldiers are members of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and are based in Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, Faribault and Stillwater. Soldiers will provide the leadership, command, control and in-depth staff analysis for a 16,000-person multinational task force in Iraq. They will be in charge of eight of Iraq's eighteen provinces.

I have been reading and listening to a lot of pre-deployment information one of the things that they recommend is to RALLY your FAMILY and FRIENDS. I’m not the rallying type so here goes!!! The Lord has been faithful in revealing so many things to us these past few months. The good, bad and the ugly.. Yes, the ugly!

- During the last few months; one thing Jay and I have realized is how much we depend upon each other. For the most part it is a good thing. For us it was a wake up call with the fact that we depend on each other more than we do God. Yes, most of us know that God comes before your spouse. This is an area we need to grow in. Jay and I feel that this is the season that we will walk in… putting Christ before each other!

- Asking for help from family and friends is extremely difficult for me. Gut wrenching does not even describe it. To ask someone for help means you have to trust them. Trusting people is one area the Lord is healing me in. I am very independent so I do not have to risk being hurt by trusting others.

- The Lord is healing Jay in so many ways … I am not at liberty to share. I can say that he is excited about getting rid of the old to make room for the new… The man that God created him to be, before Satan stepped in with his lies. So many of you ask me how we are doing. Or ask if there is anything you can do to help just let you know. I do appreciate it very much. However there is one thing that I have learned and that is some people will ask those questions because it is simply a nice gesture. I know cuz I have done it myself! We need you to ask those questions if you really want to hear how we are doing or if you truly want to help us. One of my favorite quotes is “In a world of FAKES dare to be REAL"

Many of you have asked if we are going to have a going away party. We are NOT! First of all I emotionally cannot handle that type of thing and second if there are those of you that want to get together on a more personal level before Jay leaves just give us a call and we can set something up. We are thinking of getting Jay’s siblings and their spouses together. I will be sending something out soon.