"All I have is what God gives and that's all the life that I was meant to live." -John Reuben

Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Christmas Sweater

I just finished reading Glenn Beck's new book, The Christmas Sweater, today and it was very inspirational! So many emotions poured through me as I read it... I even cried. This story is based on certain points in Glenn Beck's life and what made him into the person he is today. It reminded me not to take the people in my life for granted. But most importantly it reminded me that I need to "wear" my faith so everyone can see it and not keep it hidden away. What Christ did for me on the cross was the best gift I have been given and I need to share that gift with others instead of hiding it. I encourage you to read it if you get a chance!

Here is a summary of the book:

If You Could Change Your Life by Reversing Your Biggest Regrets, Sorrows and Mistakes...Would You?

#1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned radio and television host Glenn Beck delivers an instant holiday classic about boyhood memories, wrenching life lessons, and the true meaning of the gifts we give to one another in love.

We weren't wealthy, we weren't poor—we just were. We never wanted for anything, except maybe more time together....

When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder—and money tighter—since his father died and the family bakery closed...Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning.

What he got from her instead was a sweater. "A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie left in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room.

Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family—and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell—to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart.

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives—while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! We wish we could be back home to spend it with y'all. I went over the my friends house and had Thanksgiving with them. Matt still had to work and he said he ate some turkey in the chow hall. Hopefully next year we can be together for the holidays. I'm so thankful for my friends and family that help me get through these deployments. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Prayer Request

My mom had surgery the other day on her foot to help correct the structure of it. Her foot has been giving her problems for awhile and she was finally able to get it fixed. If I understand it correctly, the doctor's had to cut her foot in half and put screws in it in order to fix the structure. Please keep her in your prayers because this may be a long recovery for her. As of right now, she has to stay in bed for two weeks and I know that is going to drive her nuts! :) Just pray that she will have a speedy recovery and that God will give her the strength she needs to get through it. Take care mom... I love you!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

God Provides...

My good friend Jessica Kinney and her son Aiden came to visit me this past weekend. Her and her husband Brian used to live out here in Ga with us, but they were one of the lucky ones to get orders and now they are living in Ohio. She decided to come visit with me since her husband is deployed right now as well. We had a great time trick or treating, carving pumpkins, shopping, watching movies, and just catching up with each other. It was also a good thing that Jessica came out during this time because the doctor had scheduled me to get the D&C done on Monday and Jessica was here to drive me home and comfort me during this emotional time. The surgery went very well and my recovery so far has gone better than I expected. I just think it is so awesome how God works in our lives. He knows what we need and provides for us at just the right times.