Treasuring the Moment...

This has been a most amazing Summer.   It has been full of emotion and adventure.   We have been blessed to be able to do the things we have done, to have seen all that we've seen.   Blessed to have time together as a family.   Blessed beyond measure.

We spent the first part of our Summer working at a camp.   The work was hard and long.   We were so exhausted some nights that we just fell into bed, but it was all worth it.   We were very thankful to be able to spend time with family and work together.   Having worked the same camp last year, all by myself, I was especially grateful to have Mike and the kids alongside me.

When camp was over for us, we set out on an adventure.   Off to our Nation's Capitol to see things I'd only read about in history books until now.   This trip would be an emotional one for Mike especially, since just last year he, Anne and Rebecca made an almost identical journey.   Neither of us understand why things happened the way they did, or why God put us together...but we are grateful for a second chance to live and love.    I think we both try very hard to cherish every moment.    Even those moments when we were driving through South Carolina and it seemed that the RV would come apart at the seams!   In SC, it appears they have chosen lower gas prices over road repair!   To my friends who live there...hope you have good shocks!

In Washington, we visited many of the memorials and museums, both of us very aware of the fact that this time last year, Anne was here.   I can't tell you how much I miss her.   She was that friend that I didn't have to say things to...she could read my mind...and I could hers.   And usually, just a look was enough to send us both into a fit of laughter.   When I met her, nearly 16 years ago, I had no  idea the profound impact she would have on my life.  Lord, I miss my friend.

And missing her, always makes me question how in the world Mike and I have ended up married and enjoying each other so much.   It's a question I can't answer...I just know that every day we miss Anne and Jeff, yet every day we love each other more and more.   It's just another area of my life where I have to trust God and know that His plan is perfect...even when we can't understand it.  

I have been so blessed to have two wonderful husbands.   Wonderful, yet completely different.   I used to think they were just alike...hard headed, strong willed, great leaders, strong personalities..but that's probably where the similarity ended.   Jeff loved to read but couldn't fix anything (he would tell you that!).   We often joked about how I fixed anything that broke around the house and the kids wouldn't even come tell him...they knew he would have to call for help!  Yet this man would've have given his very life for me and the kids.   He was stern  at times, but was always tender and loving with me and the kids.   He wouldn't mince words when it came to the Word of God.   He lived what he preached.  He taught me more than I can say about love, faith and life.    Life without him will never be the same, but I am thankful for this new life I have been given.

Mike, unlike Jeff, can fix anything!   I've never seen anyone like him.    We joke that if he can't fix it, it must not be broken!  While on this trip, I have been amazed by how gifted he is and how nothing stumps him.    He's not a big reader but there is a wealth of information in that head of his...the whole time we were in DC, he spurted facts like a trained museum curator.  We didn't need a tour guide, we had a Mike!   But more than that, I am amazed by the tender way he loves me.   He is a role model for young men on "how to treat your wife".   He's not perfect but in my book he is pretty close.
He drove hundreds of miles out of the way so I could see some dear friends that he knew I "needed" to spend a day with.   It would've been much easier to just come home, but he made plans to take us to Nashville and get there in time to do a little touring.    Some may not appreciate this, but I know the sacrifices he makes for me.   I am so thankful for him.

Our trip is now drawing close to an end and soon the Summer will be over.   I am so thankful for it.
I've learned to treasure every moment.   For me to say that and then not live it would be tragic.   I want to be more conscious of  what I am doing with my time.   How much do I give God?   How much do I give those I love?   How much do I give social media?   Lord, help me to unplug from the things that don't matter and plug into the things that do.   Remind me when I forget.   Help me treasure every moment.