Blink....Another weekend come and gone.

Oh how sweet and sacred the memories of precious moments in our life are. Each one is added in to the gallery of running video in our hearts and minds. We can reach deep within and grab one from this wonderful processing command center God gave us...our brain, with all its little memory wrinkles. And with that video playing in our cerebral theaters, our hearts begin to play the music and the voices of love and joy and celebration of oh-so-special moments.

This weekend, I added more video footage to my memory bank.

As Justin departs this Thursday to another step in his journey in the United States Marine Corps, I know he is ready and anticipating the arrival over there and the getting oriented to his surroundings and duties and knowing the routine. Everything he and his fellow Marine brothers in the 1/2 have been preparing for is about to become real. They are ready to join the others already there and give them back-up and support and fresh energy and motivation. They will also learn to dig their heels in and get ready to weather a 7 month stay.

I have decided to go out to Camp LeJeune Thursday. I could tell Justin desired it and he and some others have a few things they want to turn over to the Smith household for safekeeping while they are away, and it is our pleasure to be the storage facility for such honorable men. Kameron, and hopefully Kat will be able to go too. Kurt and Jonny will not be able to get away, and da Man wants me to have an extra driver just in case...( since there is no rhyme or reason as to why the Vertigo hit me out of the blue.) But they got their goodbyes in. We surrounded our dear son with prayer and love. He is carrying a little guardian angel pin with him per the request of his mama. My angel will hang on the wall overlooking his shoulder in his Marine photo in the living room. And Jesus Christ, his ultimate commander in chief and warrior will watch his back.... and all those who tread with him.

God bless our military. God give them success. God grant them wisdom and a keen sense of the justice they fight for, and the freedom and peace they deliver to a people who long for it. God keep their hearts righteous, and their consciences clear in doing what they have been called to do. It is honorable and right and just. War is hell, but justice and freedom can only prevail where honorable souls are willing to fight to keep what is ours, that it might not be taken away from the future of our children who are growing up today. God, protect them in their highest calling to do such.

These are my whispered prayers to the God who loves and cares for His own.


These boys ran out and climbed the mountain of mulch by our drive, so that ended up being where today's photos took place. Doggies joined in too! My Kit-Kat had to go to work this afternoon, so we missed having her in them.









And here's pale-faced mama with her much-loved Marine.



Keep praying. HE IS LISTENING....always.
God is good. All the time. God is good.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)