A new journey begins. . . .

Today dawned cool but sunny, progressing into a gorgeous fall day. Many of the leaves have started to turn with trees already in full color. Oh so Beautiful! So perfectly FALL! We were blessed to have Scottie spend the night last night. What a fun-loving-full-of-life kid he is. Last night as I was putting together music for my blog he was in the study with me playing guitar hero, Bryan sauntered in, helping me with music, all three of us laughing over crazy songs we found. My how I've missed this son of mine! Today I dropped him off at the Army Recruiters. He is doing his testing for job placement and enlistment. As we were driving to the office I asked him about his test, if he was nervous, etc. He said that he hoped to score higher than his practice test. He mentioned that the overall average was, I believe, less than 50%. We chatted about options, pulling into the parking lot, we said our goodbyes. As I drove off I just asked God, specifially, to allow Branden to score 20 points higher and confirming, to him, that this was the journey HE wanted him on.

Tonight as I was reading and tucking Colson into bed, Scottie called. He was excited and wanted me to know that he had scored an 82%. I congratulated him and then asked him, as I couldn't exactly remember just what his practice score was, what his previous score was. He then told me, "62%". I was floored. I almost cried. . .God answered a mom's prayer for her son. . . He allowed Branden to score exactly 20 points higher. What a confirmation. Of course Branden was excited, getting Army Special Forces, training for the next 2 years, with a sign-on of 5 years.

What an awesome boost, to my spirit, to see God answer my prayer; not just half-way but totally. I shouldn't be amazed or shocked yet I was and still am. Most days I wonder if He truly hears me, and some days I wonder why He even bothers. I know my failures, my faults, my lack-of-walk with Him, yet when I least expect it He does something so fantastic, not only for me but for my entire family to see. I stand in AWE of Him and am most grateful that He still pursues me even when I fail to pursue Him.

Tomorrow we will have another son stepping into the life of an Army soldier. I am so proud of him, his warrior spirit, his convictions, his boldness, in joining the military; and the love, encouragment and support he shows to his dad and I. We will definitely feel the "ginormous" (his favorite word) hole he will be leaving in our family, yet no matter the distance we know his heart is still with us and a part of us. Yesterday, as he was enjoying some hugs from Victoria, he made the comment, through tears, "its these very moments I will miss the most".

As I was about to end this post this scripture came to my mind,
"Be strong. Take courage. . .Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." Deuteronomy 31:6