Lauren’s home photo this week – a nice soft summer sunset taken from our front porch.
People always ask us what it is like for us to have a child in Iraq. I don’t blame them for being curious but it is a difficult question to answer. To begin with, we are very fortunate in that Lauren’s location is fairly safe. There are troops in far more danger and events, for the most part, are much calmer there than probably they have been since the start of the war.
She is there by choice – she and Steve decided that when her active enlistment ended she would join the Reserves, knowing full well that most reservists end up being activated these days. Lauren, like many troops, believes in what she is doing there. I know it is not easy for her. Not easy to be away from her husband. Not easy to be so far from home. Not easy to see some of what she will see.
Over all of that though is the belief she and Steve and our family has that she is in God’s hands. And believing as we do is a very “hands-on” God, that is not a bad place to be. There is no safe place in this physical world. Shocking and violent things happen to people and to their children every day. We aren’t immune from the effects of living in a fallen world, no matter what our location.
I do not dwell in my mind on where she is. I don’t mean that I pretend she is home in Georgia or living up the road in a rose covered cottage. I just mean that I don’t let the idea of her location become an overwhelming thing to me. I pray for her numerous times every day. She calls about once a week, we chat in IMs, email each other and if we can get it to work, we use the web cams to talk. I look forward to the updates on her blog. And every day I pray Psalm 91 over her. You can click here if you don’t already know why.
And every Sunday, she gets a photo of something I know she would love to see from here at home.
God bless your daughter and her husband and all of you at home. I love Psalm 91. The image of taking refuge under his wings is one that is very precious to me.
We are so proud of Lauren and so grateful for her willingness to serve. I think most of all her positive attitude impresses me most. It is that knowledge of resting in God’s hands that makes that shines on her face.
lovely picture and wonderful post… it is so heartening to feel the love and faith you have and I too love psalm 91!
hugs Laura
So now I’ve figured out where you came from and how you found me! :) My daughter (Amanda) was in the Army as well. She was inbetween the two Iraqs. She was when we worried about Kosovo… and fortunately she did Korea and Egypt instead! I never let myself worry about her circumstances. I trusted God to look after her, EVEN when she was jumping out of airplanes! He did. I love Him and I praise Him every day … and I pray He keeps your Lauren safe too! That’s really all He asks… that we love Him… and trust Him. You do your part to keep her “connected”… He’ll do His part to keep her safe!
Bless you BOTH! I dO look forward to seeing you in my blog again!
Beautiful! The colours are just gorgeous. Love the pink :)
I told you that I don’t like to cry at work while I’m eating lunch! …. but the thoughts do us all good.
Thanks mom I love the picture. I can hear their voices now, I thought New York was a city!