From the Heart of a Soldier's Mom

In the spring of 2009, I got the news that my precious son Dude, was going to be deployed. Over the last 10 months or so, I dealt with so many emotions. I knew that my son had made the best decision of his adult life, by joining the 278th of the Tennessee National Guard, but knew that this was not only a test of strength and endurance for him, but a time for me to rely on the strength of the Lord's arms to hold me.

I spent a lot of time on my knees asking the Lord for His peace....that which "passes all understanding", and He was and is so faithful to lovingly grant that on me.

As time drew closer to prepare for the trip to Camp Shelby, Mississippi - just outside Hattiesburg, I contemplated calling my doctor to get a prescription for a tranquilizer, for that moment when I would have to say that last good-bye before his deployment.
The Spirit of God spoke to my heart and said, "I can handle that". Being the sometimes stubborn child, I said, "OK Lord - I'll just ask for a couple in case I need them". Again He said, "Trust me....I can handle that for you". Well let me tell you - He was faithful to his promise!

Of COURSE I cried!

And yes, I sobbed as I saw my son walking back to his barracks as we were leaving, but by the time we got to the back gate of the Camp, I was once again flooded with that sense of peace, and the tears were no more.

To totally trust God with your only son.....

Scary.....YES, but I'm also reaping the blessings of His Peace, in just trusting Him.

As Mary said in Luke 2: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. The Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His Name.”

My son, along with over 3000 other troops were given four "Family Days" and then honored at a send off ceremony on Friday, February 5.
Below are photos of my time with him....memories I'll cherish every day of my life!

Fun times at the Hard Rock in Biloxi

Cutting up together - trying to pull out the wrinkles, like they did to Robin Williams as Peter Pan in "Hook"....lol

Hanging out at our hotel, after getting back from The Hard Rock

Enjoying steak at Outback on our last night together, thanks to my endodontist Dr. Sinopoli, who gave me $100 to take Dude out

One Nation Under God

The Army Band - who even played "Rocky Top" for all the people of TN!

Over 3000 troops in the 278th, and over 9000 family and friends to honor them at the send off ceremony

The barracks where Dude lived for 6 weeks at Camp Shelby

Kissing my soldier after the send off ceremony

As a dear friend said..."This looks like Mommy Heaven".....yes indeed!

My sweatshirt says it all.....

Ok......just one more hug before I have to go....

My last goodbye - laying hands on my precious son as I said a prayer for him

U.S. Army MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected)- what Dude will be driving in Iraq. I am so thankful that these were the last thing I saw as we were leaving the back gate - I needed to see for myself, the size of them, and how well armored and protected my son will be.

I LOVE YOU "ALL THE NUMBERS" DUDE....see you when you get home!

The Order of the Spurs

So this son of mine continues to make me more proud with each day.
He keeps me updated on Facebook, as to what he's going through at Camp Shelby, MS, and today when I got up, I read this:
"David White is 1 of 5 guys who qualified to take the silver spurs challenge."

So I go do a search to read what all this Silver Spurs challenge is about. Here's what I found:

"In order for a trooper to be inducted in the Order of the Spur, and earn the privilege of wearing silver spurs, he must survive a demanding test of tactical and technical knowledge.
Known as a "Spur Ride", the twenty four hour plus event is considered one of the most physically and mentally grueling Army traditions that dates back to the beginning of the United States Cavalry.
During the event, candidates are pushed to their physical limits during a ten mile road march. The experience is conducted by the troopers' peers, superiors and subordinates, all of whom earned their silver spurs during a previous spur ride.
Some examples of minimum criteria are:

• Score a minimum of 250 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
• Meet height and weight requirements of AR 600-9.
• Qualify "Expert" with primary weapon (M9 or M16/M4).
• Be recommended by Troop First Sergeant and Commander."

The 278th is a huge unit, so for my boy to be 1 of 5 chosen really makes me ONE PROUD Mama!!!!!

A Very Tearful Good-bye

I am not good with good-byes, and especially when it comes to my kids - I fall apart every single time, no matter how hard I try not to.
Today Dude packed up Sarah and Jon's things and drove them down to the airport in Orlando, for them to head back to L.A. before going home to Spain, and he was making the long trek back to Nashville.
Some pics of our good-byes in the driveway....and one of my poor Luk Luk, who is the saddest doggie in the world right now.

I've got a lot of pics from our party the other night, but just haven't gone through all of them yet, and will post them when I get them edited.

Dude and me

Me and my Princess

Jon, me and Sarah

Dude, Jon and Sarah

My poor, sad Luk Luk up on the bed where Sarah and Jon slept

They're Coming Home Today!

Today I'm frantically trying to get the house ready coz MY BABY GIRL AND PRECIOUS SON IN LAW ARE COMING HOME TONIGHT!!!
It's been two LONG, LONG years since I've seen them - last time was at the airport in Orlando, when they were flying off to live in Lugo, Spain, where Sarah landed the most awesome job teaching.
They will be here through this Friday, August 7, then will be heading up to SC to see Jon's sister Jenny and her family, then off to Atlanta to visit more friends before coming back the last week of August for a few more days before they once again head back to Spain.
I'm really hoping and praying that when they come back later on this month, that my precious Dude will be able to take a few days off and drive down from Nashville. The last time I had my two kids together was at Sarah's wedding back in March of 07 - wayyyyyyyyyy too long for a Mama to go without seeing her kids!
I'll definitely be posting pics of our time together - LOTS of pics I hope :)

Janelle

Perfect Peace

I am so thankful and so grateful to all those friends and family who since hearing the news of Dude's upcoming deployment in December, have prayed and will continue to pray for Dude, as well as for me.
The Lord gave me this scripture this morning, as I continue to go to him more frequently about having complete peace about this.
He says in 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 heart be troubled, and do not be afraid".
I also read in Isaiah 26:3 - 4, another familiar passage, that has a whole new and fresh message for me - "You Lord, will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal". The Hebrew word for the peace mentioned here, translates into " a full, genuine well-being".
You might be in a place in your life when you too, need to know the peace that passes all human understanding. We all face different trials and tests of faith throughout our walk here on earth, and I pray that these passages will speak peace into your heart as they have done for me.

Blessings,
Janelle

Seasons of Life

After a phone call with my son a few minutes ago, I needed to turn to the Word of God for peace and comfort, as I got the news that he is going to be deployed to Afghanistan in December.
Fear hasn't gotten a grip on me, but it's just something in a mother's heart that I can't fully explain, that once again has me running to my Heavenly Father to reassurance and the peace that passes all understanding.
As soon as I picked up my Bible, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to go to Ecclesiastes 3, where it speaks of "A Time for Everything". I'm sure many of you are familiar with the song The Byrds did in the late 60's, which was based on this very scripture.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

This is a time for my son to accept and fulfill his responsbilities and duties he has sworn to do for his country.
To say that I'm proud of him is a huge understatement.....this was a decision he made as a MAN, and an honorable decision it is.
This is also a time for me as his mama, to spend more and more time with my Father and my Lord, for His peace, His strength, and His comfort.
I ask that you remember us as well........

I Waited

This Psalm is special to me, because it takes me back to when Sarah and Dude were toddlers - about 4 yrs. and 2 yrs. old.
I had checked out an album (remember those?) from the library at First Baptist, Orlando, and it was called, "Psalms Alive", done by the choir at Chuck Smith's church out in California. Being raised in a Baptist church where mostly old hymns were sung, I'd never heard any of the Psalms put to music, and I fell in love with them!
I was making Christmas presents for my extended family; the kids playing in the living room beside me. I can't recall how many times I played this album over and over again, and I didn't realize how much of it my kids had memorized until I was putting them to bed one night.
After saying prayers, Dude says, "Mommy, sing 'I Waited'". I wasn't sure what song he was talking about and asked him how did the song go.
That precious little 2 year old boy starting singing this Psalm 40, and even did the sounds of the guitars and drum beats. My heart lit up and it was hard to fight back the tears as I started singing the "I Waited" song with my child.
Today I'd like to share this special Psalm with you.
Psalm 40, written by David (which happens to be my son's given name too)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me up out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us, no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come - it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know O Lord.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord come quickly to help me.
May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, ' Aha! aha!' be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!"
Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer; O my God do not delay.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!

Twenty six years ago today, Heaven opened its doors and blessed me with my son, David Thomas White, Jr., aka "Dude". Every mother should be so blessed to have a son like mine - he's compassionate, loving, tender hearted, and a peace maker.

This picture was taken this past Christmas, when I received a call on Christmas Eve from my son, saying he was in the neighborhood to bring my dog his Christmas present. Now that might seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but in this case, my son had driven all night from Nashville down to central Florida to surprise his mom! Never have I gotten such a wonderful Christmas present - I miss him so badly with him living so far away, and he knew what joy that would bring to me to show up like that.

That leads me to a verse in Proverbs 29:17

"Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul".

Discipline is vital in raising our children - they don't have the ability at a young age to make certain choices, and it's up to the parents to apply proper discipline and correction to ensure that they are spared physical and emotional harm.

My son had to learn his lesson a few times in growing up, but now as a 26 year old man, he has made me very proud by enlisting in the Army National Guard. Am I scared? Heck yeah - but I gave him to the Lord when he was a baby, and I know that God is watching over him and will keep me at peace about the situation.

He has truly been a source of supreme joy in my life, and I pray that one day, I'll get a grandson just like him!

I LOVE you Dude! Happy Birthday my beautiful boy!

Mom aka Janelle :)