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

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.

The Prodigal Son Has Come Home!

My afternoon was spent enjoying a phone call with my beautiful son, Dude. I cry almost every time I talk to either of my kids, but today it was like the floodgates were opened, and they were the tears of one VERY happy mama!

I got the most wonderful news - my "boy" got to the place in his life to where he realized that he couldn't do it on his own anymore - he knew that he needed a Savior to lead him, and has given his heart back to Jesus!

I quote from Luke 1:46- 48 - it was Mary giving her thanks to the Lord for what he had done in her life,
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant".

Thank you Jesus, for hearing the prayer of this mama's heart and bringing me the answer in such an unexpected way today!

Thank you Father, that you are always there with open arms to welcome us back "home". Thank you for the blessing of this son that you spoke of to me while I was carrying him and said to me, "he will be more of a blessing than you can ever imagine", for he is - and I give all the glory to YOU, Jesus.

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

Children of the Most High

Today's passage is from Jeremiah 3: 19 - 22
"I myself said, ' How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me "Father" and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel', declares the Lord. A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the Lord their God. 'Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.' Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God."
As a parent, I wanted my children to know my unconditional love for them, and because I do love them so much, there were times when I had to discipline them when they chose to disobey the guidelines their father and I had set for them. It wasn't a pleasure to give correction to them, but it was for their own good.
This is what the Lord wants from us - as his children, he wants us to listen to him and follow his direction in our daily lives. There are times when we go down a path that is of our own choosing, and we end up in situations that aren't in his plan, and we suffer consequences of trying to do things "our" way.
The Bible is very clear in saying to us that the Lord disciplines those he loves. Proverbs 3:11 says, " My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, for the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in".
He says in today's passage that he will cure us of backsliding, which we all have done at one time or another since becoming believers. He tells us in Isaiah 57: 16, " I have seen his ways, but I will heal him and restore comfort to him." This is one of those that can be on a personal level, as well as a nation, as it was referred to in today's passage about the Israelites.
I feel that our country needs desperately to return to the Lord for his healing of our land. Not everyone in our country are children of the Most High, but for those of us who are, he is calling us to intercede on behalf of our nation and its leaders. We have to "stand in the gap" for those who don't know him, and pray that our nation will get back to its roots of Judeo-Christian principles.

Thank You My Beautiful Children

Just when you think your children can't amaze you anymore than just being the most awesome adults you know, they go and do things that totally blow you out of the water!

Yesterday, I got a letter from my son Dude, who is in boot camp. Now I know that his first few weeks are VERY strenuous and he's probably far beyond worn out, but he took the time to make sure he let his mama know that he was thinking about her, and to tell her Happy 50th Birthday. It will be treasured and saved in my Bible forever.

Then today - I go check the mail, which is something Bill usually does when he gets home, and there along with all my other junk mail, was a small box that said caiman.com. Now I'm not thinking too clearly, because I'm thinking somebody's sending me junk mail to go to the Cayman Islands, which is spelled competely different, and is also not in my budget anytime in the near future!

I open this box, and inside are two cds - not junk cds - no.....there were two special cds that were from my Sarah and Jon. My "little girl" sent her mom two Bob Dylan cds that I didn't even know existed anymore, because they came out in about 83 - 84; Sarah was 4 and Dude 2 at the time. These cds were titled, "SAVED", and "SLOW TRAIN COMIN". Why are these so invaluable to me? Because when my kids were little, these were cassette tapes we'd taped off albums, and played CONTINUALLY in our home, our car....they were what helped get me through the death of my daddy.

It's no surprise to me that Sarah would think to send me something THAT special for my 50th birthday - remember, she lives in Spain, so just to get a Skype call from her would be special enough, but she reached WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY down into her mama's heart and brought back some of the most precious memories I have of hers and Dude's childhood.

To those of you with young children still at home - it's those little things that you never think they'll remember that come back to you later in life, JUST when you need it the most! Cherish EVERY minute with your children, because it's really true what you hear all of us who have grown children say - in the blink of an eye, they are grown and gone - but they are never far, they are always so close in our hearts...

THANK YOU MY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN FOR MAKING YOUR MAMA FEEL SOOOOOO VERY LOVED AND SO SPECIAL! I love you both so very much, and miss you terribly, but I feel you both in my heart so strong right now, that all I can do is cry that I was chosen by the Lord to be your mom - it's so humbling to have children grow up to be the kind of adults you are, and I pray that he gives you each a child as wonderful as beautiful as each of you are to me.

xoxoxoxo Mom

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 :)