It was beautiful to reunite with the girls from College! Oh what a wonderful 4 days we shared together. Some highlights from our days:
Meeting Baby Kennedy for the first time!
Watching Tirzah and Jaedalyn play together
Dressing Tirzah, Jaedalyn, and Kennedy in matching outfits and then having a photo shoot
Just being together and doing life together! We went for walks, went out to dinner (my second Mom Kathleen was the BEST babysitter!!), watched chic flics... we soaked up every minute together
Last we had a little shower to celebrate Hillary and baby Kennedy
The time was too short, but we left filled with thankfulness for the treasured moments and days. And we already have a date on the calendar for next year's reunion!
Other memories from Colorado were with Daniel: a letter received and 2 absolutely amazing phone calls!
He called early Friday evening. We only had about 5 minutes to talk, but he passed! He said he passed not only 1 of his missions, but he passed both missions! He sounded SO good and so hopeful. He said his body was feeling great and he was mentally ready for Florida. He said he had seen the Lord work in incredibly ways and felt His blessings abounding. Thank you so very much for covering him in prayer! I was so thankful for those 5 minutes, although they ended too quickly. But my heart and disposition went from sad to blissful during those moments. While we were at dinner, he called again! And this time we were able to talk for about 20 minutes! He said they were released to bed, but there was no line for the phone and he just had to call again! Goodness that was just a little slice of heaven. He told a few stories about climbing those mountains, said he felt even sicker after eating his care package than after the 8 hour pass, and said he was excited to touch a baby alligator the following day. Something else he was thankful for: they canceled the airborne jumps into Florida, so he was to get a 7 hour bus ride or in other words... a 7 hour nap!
From his letter he writes:
"We came out of the field yesterday from our first 5 day FTX. Whew! This was mor what I expected in Ranger School... moving all day for 20-22 hours and then 1 to 1 1/2 hrs of sleep... I cannot tell you how abundantly God has answered your prayers. the 4th day of patrols was yesterday and my number '157!' was called very loudly at 4 am. I was named the Planing Platoon Leader, the position I really wanted. Basically, the planing PL creates and briefs the OPORD< the mission order for the day. Rmember the one in IBOLC? Just like that. The Instructor at the end said 'Good job Ranger!' I couldn't believe it. We took big helicopters to the mission! This is something I planned for and I felt very powerful when my Platoon was loading the helicopters... It has seemed much more difficult to get a GO here than in Darby. 27 guys have recycled already...
There are only a few things that keep me motivated to be here: my next meal, graduation, you and Tirzah, and my next piece of gum. I plan out the time I eat gum and chew it for a specific amount of time...
Returning to what I talked about earlier, one verse has really helped me. 1 Sam 12:24 'But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart: consider what great things he has done for you.' This has been a constant reminder for me..."
Also in the letter, he wrote a list of what he wanted in his care package. It took him 3 hours and 10 minutes to create the perfect list!!
In just 2 weeks Daniel, Tirzah, and I will be together! If Daniel does indeed pass this last phase of Ranger School, he will receive a pass on Wednesday, another one on Thursday, and then he will graduate Friday the 23rd of September. If indeed the Lord does have him pass, 2 weeks we will be reunited. O JOY! It is amazing how the Lord has grown us and changed us during our time down here in Georgia. When we first arrived here in February, 2 weeks away from my husband would have nearly broken me. But now, the thought of 2 weeks is like Heaven!! After 7 weeks away from one another, two weeks will fly by. What a miracle. Indeed they will fly by for Marlene flies in tomorrow to Georgia so she is able to help us drive to Virginia for a week long visit with the Shear family. By the time we get back to Columbus, Daniel's pass will just be a day away!!
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