"The Squishing...."

It's a nice, and quiet , (the comma after nice means that nice and quiet aren't linked together, right? Okay, good.) easy-goin', lazy kind of day here today. Hmmm....did I mention that Chubb isn't here? Oh, yeah, that's right, I told you all about his new job, down the path, across the field, and up and over the hill, there with Jonathan, at the farm! And well, James, now makes his home down the road and up the hill with Aslaug, and, Joseph, spends his days working, over with, and for, Wesley (who flew the nest, now, long ago). Mmmmm, things just keep getting quieter and quieter and quieter around here, changing all the time! 

The present picture looks like this from where I'm sitting and what I'm seeing: the younger ones, Nicholai, Sophia, Aimaija, and Celeisa, are kind of sprawled and spread over and around the big dining room table engrossed in (to the point of silence--which in the end seems will be somewhat the theme of my day!) making egg carton creations (and they've been at it for over an hour). Rosie, is clicking and clacking in knitting away on a dish cloth, before the fire and near to me (we're in twin chairs), and Julia, is reading aloud to Celeisa, who has just--at long last grown weary of making egg carton creations and long-leggedly crawled up into and onto Julia's friendly receiving arms and lap. They're reading a simple, fine, and one of my favorite children's picture books, "Mrs. Wishy Washy". 

The shine is shining, shining, shining so bright and warm (in stark contrast to the usual snowing, snowing, snowing, and more snowing with little-to-no sun really to be seen), which is making me giddy while at the same time nearly putting me to sleep!. So nice. A gift, as (as I just said, but have to say again--the giddy side of me), the majority of days are more-ly and mostly gray, plain, silent and somber gray, throughout the months of winter here in our world. 

The David Nevue station is playing along nicely on the Pandora Radio (a very thoughtful and enjoyed every day--bright sun or gray--gift from Wesley and Claire). Supper is cooking and making the house smell delicious--as does Chicken Pot Pie. And, it's a big pie, filling up a roasting pan, later amply and warmly, filling all our bellies!

I am so comfortably situated here in my cushy-comfy chair (too comfortably, really, in that twin chair to Rosie's) that's positioned right smack dab in front of the wood stove, with the sun (our enthusiastically  welcomed foreign visitor) streaming in the windows wrapping 'round me and seeping in through my pores and to my core that, honestly, it seems if I never, ever had reason to move or do another thing ever again, I'd be ten times more than okay with that!

Which brings me (well nearly, long-winded, and just tryin' to be honest) to the conclusion of today's weather report and serene sayings of silence and solitude, and sadly, up and out of this chair I've melted-to-melding into, as I have to go and pick up "you know who", at the "you know what", "you know where" (a kindly hint) just down the path, across the field, and up over the hill (though I'll be driving and taking the long road-way around, because I don't have any snowshoes, though I do truly wish that I did, but that's another story for another time's telling! ;o)

So, "the end" (grinning~~ yeah right, then why are you getting this uncomfortable feeling that I've only just begun, and starting to get squirmy in your seat?) what began with Chubb, ends with Chubb, (clicking my tongue) but not really, as this is what I've really been, I think, coming 'round to sayin', cause, it's what I've been thinkin' about a whole lot about lately.

We "squished him out", to be sure (which isn't exactly true, but I'll explain that later, in the end of the end ;o)--though only for a little bit and not completely, for now, which is a mercy-- those number of hours each day, that are good, but at the same time have felt so strange, foreign--like today's long-stayed visit of the sun, during which time I kept again and again finding myself lulled by the quiet, nodding off when I wanted and needed to be on, and too hot and thus figeting-in-uncomfortable, happy for him to be growing and changing, becoming, and making his way, yet continually looking and listening for him for (that no-one-like-him loud-noise-maker) and the way things were, just a week ago, only to remember with a quick-catch that took hold in my stomach and then aggressively moved straight-on to my heart (or was it the other way around?), that he wasn't here, he was off and away (for now, everyday), not here, but over there, elsewhere.

And, though, he's makin' a comeback, as each day he does (and will in about half an hour), sad part is, for me as the mama (that loves them, each one, far more than they may ever know), just as with all the older ones that have and are, ventured and venturing out and off and away, eventually ending up (just where their meant to be, in His time, not mine) settled in elsewhere and on their own, things are changing, organically evolving, becoming what they will and were meant all along to be, and won't ever be just the same. Truth is, that tomorrow won't be today, just as today wasn't yesterday, yesterday was gone, having already been. Today, and all the many moments within it, will never again come my way.

I tend to like so much about things just as they are. The changes don't come easy for me, they never have, and as the Lord knows, maybe they never completely will (but then, maybe that's the way it's suppose to be, a big and critical part of the keep-us-looking-towards-and-longings, for Him the only one who never changes, and for heaven, our hearts only true and everlasting home, a should-be, need-be, part of the way of things). Even far back as when I was a little girl, seems I never too much liked change, yet it always pushed as He pulled, serving to draw me, closer and nearer, ever-towards Him.

I love deep and wide when I love (and I know I'm not alone in this) and not by halves--seems it's not in my nature, and never has been.Trouble is ("red hot"--means well--passionate for life to a fault at times girl, here) I can be prone to loving on my own, in my own, at times, which might seem, because it can feel so good (to my displaced heart, so "made to crave", love, intimacy, validation, security, comfort ) right and okay for a time, until in time the warning signs begin to come and to show, without fail. And....

By His merciful grace--given life and breath through His loving allowance, through circumstance, in relationship, all of my life, every single bit of it--my eyes open wider (childlike wide, even), my vision becomes clearer (and so often those eyes, seeing in some ways like what seems for the very first time, begin to weep at the wonder of it all) and I come to realize (too many times with sorrows, shame, and regrets--but He knows this too, loves me still, and has given me so many brand new tomorrows) that however worthy that sweetest object of my affection might be--and usually is, to me, it's never, ever really right or best, for me or for them, for me to be looking, hoping, longing, desiring to find that which simply cannot be found in any thing or one otherwise, which can only ever be found in Him alone. We can never truly freely love until we are free to love, because our deepest foundational needs for love (and all the much that encompasses) are met in Him.

Resisting change, pushing--at times struggling not to fight, other times giving in and wrestling within--against that which the God who made me, knows and understands me, cares for me more than any other could ever hope to, who is the Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Never-Changing One who is LOVE, lovingly, for my good and for the good of all those that I care most for, ALLOWS. His allowings in circumstance and in relationship, things I wouldn't choose for myself, some things I wouldn't have, couldn't have, ever even thought of, because in my humanness and finite understanding they would be so off-putting to me, and seem the antithesis of getting me any where that I might be desiring to go. The things that I might choose, that He says no to, for my good, for the good of all, that He tells me to let go off, put down, and be on my way, and in the letting go and leaving entrust it to Him (with whom we could and should go 'round and 'round in describing and thinking upon in all His incomprehensible to our finite minds wonderfulness, is every single thing that I just throughout this paragraph said that He was!) He loves me. He loves them. He loves you. He loves yours. We will (it's been said before, and I'll say it again) never know another love like His.

"When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." ~~C.S. Lewis (Letters of C. S. Lewis)

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself

~~ Luke 10:27 And, well, the whole chapter is so beautiful. 

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch sa ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

~~Matthew 25: Verse 40

If only we knew what He knows--which is everything, all the time, backwards, forwards, inside out and upside down, we would wholeheartedly and without reservation do as He tenderly says in His precious word:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." ~~Philippians:4:6-13 and verse 4

 All to say, mostly and once again to myself, sometimes things that are good, not just good, but so right and best, in the process, and in the one day outcome (that we can't always feel or therefore see it for just what it is and will be, because we're not God) come about by hard, wearying, uncertain, confusing, even pain-filled means, disappointments, loss. When they that are do, I'm learning again and again and again, to an always greater degree and sometimes by error and regret, to press into Him, leaning my head upon His breast, because He is love and He loves me.

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved.

~~John 13:23

Whoso leaneth on the Lord, happy is he.

~~Proverbs 16:20

Cause me to hear....for on Thee do I lean.

~~Psalms 143:8

What time I am afraid, I will lean on Thee.

~~Psalms 56:3

Trust, according to "Young's Analytical Concordance", means: to lean on, to place the weight of my confidence upon....

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace.....because he leans on thee.....Lean on the Lord forever: for the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

~~Isaiah 26:3, and 4

And, in the end, which may really be the end (though not really, 'cause none of this kind of stuff ever really ends, not when we belong to Him), I have to say, it's not really true, we've not "squished Chubb out", no, not us. Not me. Not Rosie, nor Julia.

I often jokingly say when folks marvel at the number of children that I have and then begin to pepper me with questions of the details of who's who, and how old, and where and what, that "we've managed to "boot out" thus and such many, so far".

Truth is, it's been hard for me, the leavings, even the leavings leading up to the leavings in some ways at times. When Wesley left he was 19, and he seemed so young, because he was my oldest I suppose, and well, he'd always been home educated and we'd spent far more than a little time together every single day of his life. He was dear to me beyond any imaginings. No words could say just how so. He left for a year. A whole year, and was 4 hours away. The first day--a shopping day--I cried, and cried, and cried, not just for the leaving, no. I cried from the deepest place inside of me for the knowing, for the knowing that things were changing forever, and would never be the same. It wasn't, and isn't the leavings, especially the by-degree-leavings such as Chubb is making his way through just now, that are the coming change clothed in His tenderness, His mercy, His love, making the being led up to "grand crescendo" something easier to play, something of beauty beyond description. It's the knowing that it's forever change, and that "today" (maybe even more so the long succession of todays) drawing to a close and will never come again.

And, the hardest truth is, it's also the sometimes wishing with all my heart 'til it feels like it's going to burst and hemorrhage all over the place if it wasn't for the running to and "burying of my face in His breast",

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved.

~~John 13:23

Whoso leaneth on the Lord, happy is he.

~~Proverbs 16:20

Cause me to hear....for on Thee do I lean.

~~Psalms 143:8

What time I am afraid, I will lean on Thee.

~~Psalms 56:3

that it wouldn't have gone by so fast--faster, it seems, than should have been possible, and that I would have said or done more of this and wouldn't have said or done any of that. It's life and relationship overall, not just with children, but wherever, with whomever, or whatever that might be, that I'm at the time found to be, and through it all the holding loosely-s, the letting be-s and letting go-s, the getting met of my deepest needs and longings in Him as only He is able to meet them, so that my givings will in fact be givings able to be freely given (and not just takings), conditional upon and expecting, nothing, in return. It's the moment by moment, day by day, way of John 15:5:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The way of, in the precious few words of Amy Carmichael:

"In acceptance lieth peace", peace, and a host of other life-changing, generation-affecting, eternally significant, good things, that can really come about by no other means.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

~~Romans 8:28

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

~~Romans 8:38 and 39

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

~~Isaiah 40:11

For the Lord God will help me: therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed......let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.  

~~Isaiah 50:7 and ...10

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy: and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who are thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and the son of man which shall be made as grass:

And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth.....

~~Isaiah 51:11-13...

 

These two photos came from an old and well worn children's storybook that Julia made many years ago. 

Beneath each photo are her little writings.

Written beneath the first photo are the words: "Rosie, is so strong, and we're squishing Chubb! :o)"

Beneath the other, the words, "He never looked the same after we squished him!! ;o)"

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.

~~Philippians 1:6

"The squishing" (I pray to be continuously reminded, and by grace believe by faith), is always and ever only allowed by the One whose self defining character trait is love (I love that and could say it over, and over and over again, never tiring of hearing it), the One who loved me enough to die for me, who lives for me, and who cares for me (and mine--despite whatever circumstances might in their veiling and limited revealings be trying to say and convince me otherwise)throughout ever single moment of every single day, for the rest of my life--for eternity. Nothing, can ever touch my life (or yours) without first being sifted through His hands of love. Nothing ever passes His notice, nor does He lose sight of me (or you) ever, ever, ever, for even for a second. 

Thinking of you and praying for you, wherever you are and wherever life is taking, and on the way holding, for you. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you, more than anyone you've ever known or will know, and He loves you, just as you are, and too much to leave you that way. 

Loving you too. Thanks for thinking of and praying for me and mine, tenderly, a one leaning on His everlasting arms, her head on His bosom, Jewels

And, it's really nice being able to spend time together in the "village-like community" of Facebook, there on that Eyes of Wonder page. Thanks, so much for taking the time to come by, it's been great to see your sweet, beautiful faces, and get to visit there. Thanks, most of all, for taking the time to share your own thoughts, your lives, your families with me--I really appreciate and enjoy, am so blessed by the two-way communication that can take place there. Again, your sharings, are a always a gift to me in the receiving. So, thank-you for them, each and every one. 

Comments

[Tracy]

And so, when I recently cried to you that I was feeling ever so sad about my eldest heading back to college three hours away, and how things just aren't the same at home without him, you knew. ( I knew you did!) You knew my mother's heart, and just how fragile it is, and just how big I loved, and you felt it right along with me, I'm sure. Much love to you this sunny (where you are) afternoon!

[Elaine/MuddlingThrough]

I know! There's something in a mother's heart that doesn't want to let go. but we must. If we continue to hold them, they are not who they are intended to be, but a crippled something instead. So very beautifully put in words straight from the Father's heart! Thank you for sharing.

[Katy]

Truly, Jewels, your words are like the most beautiful book I have ever read. Warm, detailed, down-to-earth, loving...all straight from your heart.

I, often, cry because I see my children, growing, seemingly too quickly. It's completely bitter-sweet. Knowing God's in charge of each of their beautiful lives is comforting...but still, my babies aren't *babies* anymore...each time I tell my mom how I can't believe that my Madelyn will be *10* this summer, she always comes back with the fact that her eldest (me) will be *30* this summer! (I thought I would be excited to be that age...older, wiser...but truthfully, I am shocked that it has snuck up on me so fast!)

Anyhoo...thank you, again, for your beautiful words. I enjoy each and every one of them. You are a gift, as is your blog. My smile widens when I see a new post from you! :)

**And** before I go, you mentioned about how people ask about your large family and such...I love your large family and although *very* thankful for my three, wish that I had even more children! Blessed you are, indeed!

Love and smiles,
Katy :)

[amy]

yay! another post. and this, so beautiful and something i desperately needed to hear. you speak such truth dear jewels, and encourage me so deeply in life. thank you. and i love communicating with you on fb. it has been an absolute joy.

[Jayne]

So excited about another post, I'm going to go over it carefully and savour every word. And thank you for sending me a comment on Facebook! I couldn't have been more thrilled if I'd received a letter from the Queen. Isn't it wonderful how we can communicate via the Internet with kindred spirits around the world, it constantly amazes me. I love to read about your life. I do so hope and pray that you will find good friends in that church you went to, especially the smiley lady! xxx

[Mrs. Trixi]

Oh, Jewel, I am so glad to see a post from you today!!! We too, are in a different season of life, as my oldest daughter has now graduated from homeschooling and now awaits what the Lord has for her. Her hearts desire is for a husband and family but we know that that may not be the Lord's desire for her. In the meantime she is growing ever so much closer to the Lord through His Word. It's a neat thing to watch and I am almost envious of the time and great relationship that she is building with our Father. It's a neat season to be in.
I love to see how you are so graciously dealing with all of the changes that are going on in your own home. I would love to come and sit by your fire and glean your wisdom. Have a wonderful weekend with your beautiful family.

[Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme]

I can't tell you how it warms my heart to read your writing again. Although I do love to read Rosie's, too. :)

Your family lives a life most only dream of but few have the courage to create.

[Kelley]

This post made me cry~ just so beautiful and touching!
This was something I really needed and I loved all the verses they were so perfect!
Thank you Jewels for sharing with us and reminding us of the One who knows and loves us best!

[Rosemary]

Changes and leavings are the very hardest times for me, too. Our hearts are overflowing with love for our children. So quickly the time of being with them every minute of every hour changes to their time of leaving. We place our trust in Him, to watch over us all and to bring us His peace and serenity. Yours in Christ, Rosemary

[Pom Pom]

Oh, I know that "leaving" feeling. Ouch. We felt so fragile as we adjusted and now I am ever so thankful that all my ducks are close by again. Leaving holds such spiritual significance. When we got married and it was time to say good bye to my childhood home, I sobbed and sobbed saying good bye to my dad especially. He was quite shaken that I reacted this way. I REALLY felt the transfer of my complete and sole devotion to him, from him, to my husband. It was beyond me, but so holy. Oh, bless you, good mama.

[Carl Gray]

Two blog entries in the same week - wow, that must set some kind of record! I'm glad you are feeling up to blogging again as well as keeping up on Facebook.

Change is very hard for me as well. I cling so strongly to the good things and never want to let them go. Also, for me, stability is very important so things that don't change are a great comfort, while the new and unknown brings apprehension.

At times like this it is such a huge source of peace and rest to remember the things that never change and will always be as they are. God never changes because he is already perfect! The promise of our salvation, that He will never leave us or forsake us, are things that won't change because they are already set in place by His sovereign will eons ago.

[Beverley Angier]

Jewels, I am so glad that you are posting again, we have missed you dearly.I have four children and the eldest is about 18 months away from leaving for University - your thoughts on Wesley's leaving have made me feel it is ok to be sad, but are such a comfort. Thankfully the Lord is beside us at each change! Blessings on your day, Beverley

[Kathie]

Dear Jewels - you write my mother's heart. I will spend time pondering these words and Scriptures. Such richness and comfort. A heartfelt thank you and love to you. Along with my prayers.

xo
Kathie

[Tina, the quiet homemaker]

I can so relate to this Jewels. My children are grown up and it happened too fast. But the Lord has us all in the palm of His hand and that's all that matters. Hugs, Tina xxx

[Elizabeth]

We are in the same part of life...well, actually at the end of the nesting days...soon. Our last plans to move out this spring. We would prefer she stay until married, but she feels she must make her own way and she is 27. At least for now, we are closeby. We only had 3 children and now realize that was not enough. But one must go through all the partings and no matter how many, I suspect it never gets easier. Though of course, we do want them to have a life of their own too. Were it not for the comfort of the FATHER, we would not make it through. Blessings on you and your dear family of which you seem to see a great deal...so fortunate you are...we see ours far too seldom, in part due to one being on the opposite coast.

Elizabeth in NC

[shelley p]

Dearest Jewels,

What a joy to find your writings. It is so strange when the dear children start to spread their wings, my oldest is at university in London, and now my 2nd dd is about to fly to Cyprus for some media experience with church friends of friends. I can only give them my blessings as they feel that this is where God is leading them. My shrinking home is now only got the two boys to look after...though with their health always roller coasting I guess God knows I'll be busy...though I do miss my girlies....definatly a new season...but one blessed with your gift of words and encouragement, definatly a blessing to bathe in.

God knows our needs and meets them daily.

It is so good to hear how the family is growing and glad to know that Chubb had no lasting damage from the squishing...

hugs to you and all
Shelley p
from over the pond

[Connie]

Oh Jewels, so glad you are posting again...missed you dearly. I totally understand this post and your "mothers heart"...I myself are not ready to have an empty nest. We have seven children. the three oldest are birthed from the womb and the youngest four are birthed from the heart.

I could not imagine my life without our adopted children. There are days were dh and I sit and the house is so very quiet. we reminisce about what it would be without our youngest four...it would be very sad indeed...we are humbly blessed and truly grateful to be parents...and I don't want this to end. Maybe we have to adopt a few more:-)

{{hugs}}

Connie

[barb]

Hi Jewels,

What a lovely post - I truly hang on every word you write, because I can tell that it is written straight from the heart...

My children have all left the nest, married, have beautiful babies, and are making their way through life and love. But, that does not mean that my heart does not break to have them with me again. I so fondly remember the days when they were small and each day brought so many smiles . . . and tears! Oh how I cherish those memories.

I often think of the Savior, and how he must miss having us home and in His presence each day. I guess that is why we need to live and love in such a way that we will be able to return home, to be with Him once more.

Thank you so much for enlightening me today. I love Isaiah 40:11, it's one of my favorite scriptures.

Hugs,
Barb

[Laura]

Jewels,
So happy to see you blogging again. And to be treated to two long, lovely ones was a treat to read and a treasure to carry into my busy day. We are truly blessed to be mamas to many with such a wide range in age. I can't even begin to imagine what an empty nest would feel like. My husband and I tease that we don't need to worry about that because we will be so old when our youngest leaves home. All of mine are still at home ranging in age from 24 down to 1 1/2. My eldest will be marrying in January of 2012.
I don't have a facebook so I will have to continue chatting with you here. Even though I know you don't have time to reply, I still always feel very connected to you via your writings. Thank You!
Blessings,
Laura

[Ronda]

Sweet & Gentle Jewels,

I read, soaked in, felt, and understand every word of your heart, I do truly, so understand, "The Leaving, and the beginning of the Leaving", these are such difficult things for a mother which deeply loves her babe's. Deep within your own heart, as does every mother, your love is so vast for each child, that even when distance is at hand, your ability for feeling their every heartbeat and their every breath is still as if they were ever so sweetly deep within your womb ever still.

Bob & I were, and still are so blessed to have been able to keep (here on earth with us) "2" of our "8" babies. The Lord let us have and raise 2 here with us, and He is/has taken home with him, to love & care for our other 6 babe's till we return home. Yet, whether it be 1 child or 2 dozen, a parents loving heart is taken to new heights of joy & pain (simultaneously of course) and even to a place of sacrifice, when we get to that point of having to let go. Yet, we later learn, that our babe's truly never leave us, they just change the location where the greater majority of their time is spent. They always come, bursting through front doors, looking for hugs, kisses, a loving gentle mother’s hand caressing their sweet faces, followed by big, burly, man sized large hugs from fathers, combined with that manly way of uttering a few words which convey they were greatly missed by him equally as well. Then the next on the minds of our returning babe's...at least for mine anyway, is food. Only those things which a loving mother makes, is truly ever their favorite. As for my sweet "little redneck marine", (who is now fully a man, serving our country, and now deployed to the Persian gulf, please pray for him...Bobby), at every opportunity to come home, food...his favorite foods which can only truly be made and found, here, will he oh so sweetly beg for, and I will most assuredly oblige his every whim, wish and desire, thus making his memories and his belly both full with love and home cooking.

So my sweet friend, I have only been through it with my 2 only children, yet, I oh so completely understand, all those wondrous words which you wrote about.

Thank you once again, for sharing the depth of your heart and soul with us! You have a beautiful heart my sweet Jewels.

Just to let you know...
whenever I am so blessed to be able to come here to your blog, listen to the music, and read whatever it is that the Lord has had you to share, I ALWAYS find such encouragement, peace, and joy. You have absolutely NO idea at many different times over the past few years, how you’re words, and your gentle sharing’s of your heart, have blessed and helped me in ways I cannot fully describe. God Bless You!

Love & Prayers,
Ronda

[Shelley]

I too have faced many changes over the last two years...some I thought would be the end of me BUT GOD,had better plans for my life ...now,I see more clearly as to why so many things turned out as they did.....still I wonder what is to be in my life at this point or in this season of my life?....I want only his will...that is my only desire...my nest will truly be empty after many years of raising children to become adults,as my youngest is in a few short months going to be 19.. and he too will leave me to start a home of his own as did the others...as you said ..it is as it should be....I believe I am ready for this change. I ponder as to what is next....I am contend to follow him....as always! So good to hear from you! Blessings,Shelley

[Emily]

Oh, my heart. Seeing these new things from you...
Tears are in my eyes. Thank you for sharing, again. Thank you for taking the time. Thank you for the beautiful person you are. You are a gift to so many. So many, but to the one. Like me.
Now I'll make my way over to you at Facebook.

[Tina]

mine have not yet left the nest, but I do have a 19 yr old daughter, although she has not started dating, nor at this time has even the slightest desire to do so..I know that when the day comes for her to start wanting to "fly the nest" I will no doubt feel quite a bit like you do now. I must say that although we raise them to have wings I'm not really looking forward to the day when each of them learns to fly from it. Yet I know that they must do so.(they'll find lives and loves) I too pray that God give me the grace to handle it all and to have peace within when those days breeze through my life.
sending great big hugs your way.

[gail.firenze]

Dearest Jewels,
As always you give me so much to think about. I was just in wonder thinking this morning how our wonderful Lord could love me so much and that I am am so precious to Him and that He loves me like no other but He can also love others in that same precious way without it deminishing the love he has for me. How utterly amazing and unfathomable is that. I have no children and so will never know what it is like to let your young ones take wing on their own. However I do know that you have and will have more gorgeous grandbabies to love and cuddle and that is such a beautiful blessing from our Father. Such an incredible set up [for want of a better word] He has thought of everything. Thank you for taking the time to write what's in your heart and for giving us little snippets to ponder as we go about our day.

Blessings Gail (from Australia)

[Cathy]

Dearest Jewels,
You are such a treasure!!

Thank you for sharing your heart and life with all of us.

You will never know how much you bless so many.

Would you consider doing a post about how you all budget in your family with this economy like it is. I'm sure many of us could learn so much from your insight.

Thank you and much love,
Cathy