Chef B'oyardee's on the Way!

Just talked to my brother, Tim, in Iraq, and he sounded fine, but is frustrated because the boxes that my mom sent him haven't gotten there yet. His DVD player is in there, and he said he's going nuts without anything to do. It made me sad because he said he goes by the mail place every day, and there's boxes and boxes- walls of them, he said, and somehow, his haven't gotten there yet.

He said he was just worried because he knew mom had put a lot of stuff in them, and he didn't want it to get lost, but really, I think he's just ready for a little taste of home.

I hung up feeling really guilty because the box of stuff that I have to send him, has been sitting there for about 2 weeks, because I had to go to 3 post offices to get the right boxes, and now I found out I have the wrong forms, too. Anyway, that box is going out TODAY. I put cans of pop-top Chef B'oyardee (per his request), a soup mug, plastic spoons, Lance Crackers, Pumpkin Peeps, and lollipops in there along with a Halloween card, and a picture Mason colored. Hopefully, it'll get there before Halloween. I told him about the Chef B'oyardee on the phone, but I said, "I guess I shouldn't tell you about it- your mouth will be watering". He said, "It already is." He said the PX over there has lots of canned microwavable stuff, but there are some things they don't sell- Chef B'oyardee being one of them.

I joked about sending him a freeze-dried pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. But he said they are eating really well. He said he had bacon and eggs for breakfast, and stir fry for lunch. Last time I had talked to him, he'd had steak and lobster. Good thing they keep those guys moving!

Anyhow, I think he would appreciate a card or note- or a picture your kid colored, whatever. I know you're all busy, but if you have a second, and want to send him a card or note, contact me for his address- postage should be the same as US.If you do send a card, put on there how you know me or our family, so he knows who you are. :)

Also, I know alot of you are involved with youth groups, school groups, and such. Maybe some of your kids would be interested in doing Care Packages. Not just to Tim, but to some of the guys over there. I'm just thinking that he's probably not the only one over there not getting mail, you know?

If you decide to pursue any of that, and want to do a package- get the flat rate boxes. They're $8.95 to ship- no matter what you put in them. It just has to fit in the box. However, if you do that, then make sure you go to the counter and get the big white customs form and fill it out if it's over 3 lbs. I'm just telling you because I got the little green customs form, and now, I get to wait in line.... Again. If you want to do this, and need ideas, let me know.

Must read list from influential women in my life

Lately, it seems like a lot of conversations with my girlfriends all start out with this: "You have GOT to read this book- it's changing my life!" I have my life-long high school girlfriends, my Fort Mill/CTK home group girlfriends, my neighbor girlfriends, my Bible Study girlfriends, my book club girlfriends, and the list goes on. I am VERY blessed that way... all the girlfriends. And all the recommendations.

Yesterday, in our Beth Moore Bible Study- Living Beyond Yourself- Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit, she addressed the importance and influence of women. I am very blessed to be influenced to read the following by the most important women in my life (have read some, some are on the list, still to go):

Fort Mill/CTK home group girlfriends-
The List, by Robert Whitlow- thanks, Melissa T.- AMAZING! Tore through it in four days reading it in carpool line, and after the kids were in bed. They made a movie out of it. Nuff said.
The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes

Life-long girlfriends-
"The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian
Captivating, Unveiling the Mysteries of a Woman's Soul- by John and Stasi Eldredge- This one was recommended by several girls- accross all the circles. Read it, but read all the way through. Some of the best insights are at the middle to the end.
Boundaries, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend- again from several girls.

Neighborhood girlfriends-
anything by Francine Rivers, recommended by Julia

Girl's Book Club-
"The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman. Okay, so this is an older one, but the girls book club, and Brandi lit the fire under me to finally read it. This book changed the way I love my family, my husband and my kids. A MUST HAVE tool for every relationship in your life!

Enjoy, and happy reading!

All we need is love.

First of all, I seek your prayers for my brother Tim- he has left for 7 months-excited, and nervous, eager to find his purpose.

But, the purpose of this blog is a little deep today. I've been thinking a lot lately about love. There are so many ways of loving someone, so many kinds.

Funny how we aren't born with love. Think about it. When we're babies, we don't "love" anyone at first. It's all about us. What we need, and who's going to meet that need. Take care of us. Love us before we love them back. And slowly, you come to love the person in return. It is nurtured, cultivated, learned.

And then, in my life, came along the "puppy love". I remember hating that term- usually applied by adults who didn't understand that my latest crush was the sun, moon, and stars, and I would NEVER love another. How DARE they take it so lightly?!?

And then, God let me fall in love with my Martin, and I had real stars in my eyes. Martin loved me with all my warts, and I could tell him everything. His loving me, makes me love him even more. There are bumpy days, where we don't feel like loving each other, but we do. It is nurtured, cultivated, learned, and held onto.

And just when I thought I couldn't love anymore than I already had, God gave me a son. And then, for the first time in my life, I knew the meaning of unconditional love. And now another son. And more unconditional love.

I once naively compared my love of my siblings to that of a mother's love. How wrong I was. My love for my younger siblings is so deep, and I do long to protect them, like a mother would. But, even a sibling's love is nurtured, cultivated, learned. A sibling love can be deeply wounded, and even broken over time. Not in my case, Thank God, but I've seen it happen. It's a tragic thing.

But the mother's love I'm experiencing is like no other I've experienced. You don't have to be a biological mother to know what I mean. A mother is the one who loves you from minute one, and recognizes all the potential you have, and the gift that you are, and all that God wants you to be. The one who has to let go one day, but never really does.

I look at my little boys, and I think, how will I be, one day, when a woman comes along to become the number one in their lives? Will I be able to let go, but still hold a place? How long will it be until she understands the depth of my love for the one she loves? Maybe not until she brings her own into the world. I remember being offended once because Martin's mom and I were in a power-struggle over who would treat his cold. I thought she could not understand how I loved him.

So many different kinds, I've learned, and so many more I will, I'm sure.

I John 4:19 (KJV)- "We love Him, because He first loved us."