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!!!!!

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........

The Soldier I Carried

I don't even know where to begin about what I experienced over the last few days, in seeing my son graduate from his Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA.

I guess I'll start by posting The Infantryman's Creed - as I saw my son recite this creed at his Turning Blue Ceremony on Thursday, I saw that it was more than just something he'd memorized - it was coming straight from his heart. My heart was so overwhelmed with pride not only as a citizen of this great United States of America, but moreso as the BLESSED Mom of this soldier, that I once carried in my womb.

"The Infantryman's Creed"

I am the Infantry.

I am my country's strength in war, her deterrent in peace.

I am the heart of the fight - wherever, whenever.

I carry America's faith and honor against her enemies.

I am the Queen of Battle.

I am what my country expects me to be -

the best trained Soldier in the world.

In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous,

armed with a fierce will to win.

Never will I fail my country's trust.

Always I fight on - through the foe, to the objective,

to triumph over all.

If necessary, I fight to my death.

By my steadfast courage, I have won 200 years of freedom.

I yield not - to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue,

to superior odds, for I am mentally tough, physically strong,

and morally straight.

I forsake not - my country, my mission, my comrades,

my sacred duty.

I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever.

I AM THE INFANTRY!

FOLLOW ME!

When I was carrying this baby, I heard the Lord speak to me saying, "He will be more of a blessing to you than you can ever imagine or hope for". All throughout my son's life, I have seen this promise fulfilled over and over again; this past week, I saw it fulfilled in ways that I cannot express in words.

My emotions right now are at an all time high. I keep reliving these moments of seeing my little boy become a strong man of integrity, honor and courage - ready and willing to serve this great country in whatever call is given to him. I have shed many tears over the past few days; tears that only a mama can understand.

Here are a few photos of our time at Ft. Benning - some are a little blurry, but are clear as a bell in my mind.

This is at the Turning Blue Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. This was the first time I'd seen my son or held him in almost a year.

This is his father pinning on his blue cord - a sign that he is now qualified to be an infantryman in the U.S. Army. As I touched his face, it took me back to the moment they brought him to me after his birth, and the first thing I did was to touch his face.

Dude's father, Dude, Bill(my hubby) and Gina, his stepmom, as they were bringing out all his gear, to go home.
Dude's little brother, Harry - we were at Red Lobster, and he was posing "like a soldier".

Gina, Dude, David and Harry

"The Guys" - Bill, Dude, David and Harry

Me, Dude, Gina and Harry

Dude and his little brother Harry, who wasn't real fond of getting his picture taken.

Kennel Field, Fort Benning, GA. This is the emblem of the Infantry, and all the flags represent where the soliders have come from to train here.

Dude's unit, as they marched past us at Graduation - December 12, 2008. I of course, had to be front row, and yelled out "I LOVE YOU DUDE" as he marched past me. After the ceremony, I asked him if he'd heard me, and he said, "Yes Mama, I heard you".

Bill, Dude and me after the Graduation Ceremony. I look like the Michelin Man! :) We had on about 3 layers of clothes, and wrapped an Army blanket around our legs and were STILL freezing!

This is the Soldier I carried - David Thomas White, Jr. - a promise fulfilled by God.

The Lord is faithful, and He has been so very good to me!

Be Back in a Few Days

In about 12 hours, I'll be finishing "puttin on my face", and heading out the door for my 6 hour drive up to Ft. Benning.
I've been in shorts and a tank top today, and am going to where it's in the 20s in the night and early morning, and only warming up to the 50s w/ rain in the day....
Ya know what though? They could have a full blown blizzard, storm, or anything else, and I'd sit through it, just to see my boy graduate from Basic!
In talking to him Saturday night, he just sounded SO grown up - he has a sense of pride in his voice that I've never heard before.
And it was just yesterday that he was my little boy who was asking Santa to bring him a bike...
Yes girls, they grow up ALL to quickly, so my advice to you who still have little ones at home: ENJOY the loudness, ENJOY the messes they make, ENJOY EVERY MINUTE you have with them....you'll blink, and they will be grown and gone.
I look forward to reading your blogs when I get back, to see what memories you've been making with your children in the next few days.
Be blessed in every way................
Janelle

The Countdown is On!

Good Monday Morning!
I'm anxiously awaiting for Wednesday morning to get here, so we can head up to Fort Benning, GA, to see Dude graduate from Army Basic Training. He called me Saturday night, and sounded excited in getting to see his family come up for the momentous time in his life.
Today will be spent packing up some WARM clothes, as the ceremonies will be held outside, and it's been rather cold there lately.
I pray that the next 6 years or so that he's contracted to be in the Army National Guard Reserves, that he'll not have to call me one day to tell me that he's being sent overseas. He's ready to go if they do call him, but as his mama, that horrifies me.
I told him Saturday when we were discussing this possibility, that I have to keep remembering back to Mother's Day 1981, when his father and I took him and Sarah to the platform of First Baptist Church - Orlando, and dedicated them to the Lord. I told him that I know the Lord has him in His hands, and that is what I have to hold onto in order to have peace.
Please pray not only for my son, but for all the other sons and daughters who serve our country. Also, don't forget to pray for their families - husbands and wives, children, and parents!
Have a blessed Monday....

Janelle

An ARMY Mom's Pride

Brrrrrr! It was only in the 40's here this morning, and hasn't warmed up much since getting up earlier. The house smells so wonderful - I have a big pot of vegetable beef soup going, and will let it slow cook all day, and have it for supper tonight.
Yesterday, I got the most wonderful package from the U.S. Army. It contained bumper stickers, lapel pins that have a star and say, "ARMY" and "PARENT". Bill and I will both proudly wear our pins daily, to show our pride in Dude. Also included were a letter to me as the mom of an American soldier, and a certificate, honoring me for my pride and support of my son, as he trains to be one of America's finest.
I was opening the package as Bill and I were driving to the library to do early voting, and I was trying to read the letter and the certificate out loud to Bill, and I just couldn't hold back the tears. The pride in my son continues to grow daily, and has done so since I gave birth to him 26 years ago.
In my letter to him today, I told him that when I was pregnant with him, the Lord spoke to me and said, "He will be more of a blessing than you can ever imagine". The Lord has continually proved that to me over and over again throughout Dude's life. He was such a loving child - I used to call him, "Sweet Thing", and we had a little game we'd play where I'd say, "Where's my Sweet Thing"?, and he'd been right there at my side pulling on my leg saying, " Here I am Mommy, here I am"....and I'd pretend I didn't hear or see him and repeat my question. He would jump up and down and keep telling me he was right there, and then I would act surprized and say, "OH THERE YOU ARE!!! I WAS SO WORRIED I COULDN'T FIND YOU AND NOW I'M SO HAPPY"! It seems like that was just yesterday......
As a teenager, he never went through the phase of being embarassed to be seen with his mom, or to have his mom hug and kiss him when his friends were around. He has proudly told his friends his whole life, that he loves his mom, and you know as a mother, what that did/does to me!
I am counting the days until Family Day and Graduation at Fort Benning arrive. I haven't seen my boy since last Christmas, and I'm sure I'll need plenty of kleenex to get me through the ceremonies!
Have I mentioned that my children are my life, and how proud I am of each one of them? :)
Have a great day - enjoy your children, no matter what age they are; no matter what challenges you may have with them throughout their years - they are God's most precious gifts to us, and as a woman, I couldn't think of a higher honor to be given, than that of being a mom.
Spoil them with love.....the blessings you'll reap are limitless...

Janelle