Wonderfully Deserved Glory

I am refusing to post a countdown because I am afraid I may be learning the hard way that nothing is ever certain in the Army. Nothing's definite yet...no freak-outs allowed (tell that to my brain). This issue to be continued in the near future.

In other news, I'm afraid my sweet girl is getting sick. She sounds a bit raspy and is quite the fuss box as of late.

I am two grades away from finishing my first class. So far, I have a 98.5. Here's to hoping the prof rounds up!

I'm finishing up Billy Graham's "Angels" book. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is extremely informative concerning a topic on which I have had limited instruction. I especially enjoy reading Bible stories in Billy's words and reading the same stories from the great book itself.

On a surprising note, I watched Glen Beck today and actually enjoyed it. Nobody pass out! It was his opinion on the issue of what is possibly being built near ground zero. I find that he is much more enjoyable when I don't watch his program with a defensive attitude. That, however, is tough because a defensive attitude is one of my specialties. I'm a work in progress.

I think about our sweet baby Bailey often. I think of how much I love (her) and what a wonderful big sister Emily would have been. I imagine how I would be growing and changing and teaching Emily about precious Bailey. I wish I could know this baby. But I never will. Not in this life anyway. As I learned from a dear friend, my Bailey is pure forever. (She) never sinned and never felt the pain of heartache. She went straight from my womb to the arms of our Father. I also happen to believe that she is getting to know some very special people there. I miss her, but I believe that she is happy and okay. I am beginning to craft a letter to her that I will let Emily read someday. Although people may be pretending it didn't happen, avoiding the subject altogether, or just have honestly forgotten...I haven't and I never will. There are reminders everywhere--some painful and some sweet. Two special verses come to mind. They are both commonly used and very familiar to most of us. I invite you to read these carefully and allow the spirit of the Lord to fall fresh upon you through His familiar word.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
Psalm 23

And finally:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
-Isaiah 61:1-3

It's all about Him. I pray that we may be oaks of righteousness planted by the Lord so that we may bring Him alone wonderfully deserved glory.