Mark stops in Al Tequaddum on his way to Kuwait and spends some time with his brother-in-law, Chaplain Mark Brooks.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Remember, O LORD...
This morning I read Psalm 132:1-10. As part of a bible study I am working on, I had to re-write it, personalize it. I considered the first verse :"The LORD remembered David and all the hardships he endured", and I pondered what it means to endure hardship...It has always been difficult for me to grasp this one, at least personally. I don't consider myself as enduring hardship- not really. I don't think I have known suffering -not truly. Not as my Saviour has. Everything else seems so small compared to what He endured.
But this verse helped me to see that God knows our frailty. He knows our level of endurance...each one personally. He considered David's hardships like an offering.
And as I read, my mind turned to Mark.
His hardships are an offering, a sacrifice to the Master he loves.
He endures separation from his family, intense heat, long work days with no time off, dangerous travel, hearing constant bad language and ungodly talk, little fellowship with other believers, PT in 100 degree, dry weather, the constant threat of sniper fire or mortars...
He could probably write a book, but he won't, because he rarely mentions any of that.
Instead, he just makes a joke and goes about doing what must be done,what he went there to do...be the hands and feet of Christ...the voice of one calling in the wilderness.
We have often talked about this move and why we did it. Why did we leave a job we loved (and did together) to come back into the military? We talk about it to remind ourselves... There was one overwhelming reason (and then alot of small things that confirmed it to us). It was a promise we made to eachother and to God when we first were married. We agreed that when God called, we would listen. No matter how difficult the task, no matter what sacrifice involved. We would work our whole lives to take the gospel whereever He called us.
We were so solemn then, making this pact. It was a serious thing. Yet it was a decision we made with youthful vision and dreams of adventure. But our Lord has firmly held us to it... though the adventure long ago gave way to real pain and a sometimes grit-your-teeth endurance.
Knowing what I know now...
I would promise again.
So here's my version of Psalm 132:1-10
The LORD remembered Mark
and all the hardships he endured,
and how he promised the LORD
"I will follow whereever You lead.
I will take Your Word to the war-front
and to the homeport.
I will be all things to all men in order to win some to You,
O Lord.
I will be a soldier to win soldiers to You."
But this verse helped me to see that God knows our frailty. He knows our level of endurance...each one personally. He considered David's hardships like an offering.
And as I read, my mind turned to Mark.
His hardships are an offering, a sacrifice to the Master he loves.
He endures separation from his family, intense heat, long work days with no time off, dangerous travel, hearing constant bad language and ungodly talk, little fellowship with other believers, PT in 100 degree, dry weather, the constant threat of sniper fire or mortars...
He could probably write a book, but he won't, because he rarely mentions any of that.
Instead, he just makes a joke and goes about doing what must be done,what he went there to do...be the hands and feet of Christ...the voice of one calling in the wilderness.
We have often talked about this move and why we did it. Why did we leave a job we loved (and did together) to come back into the military? We talk about it to remind ourselves... There was one overwhelming reason (and then alot of small things that confirmed it to us). It was a promise we made to eachother and to God when we first were married. We agreed that when God called, we would listen. No matter how difficult the task, no matter what sacrifice involved. We would work our whole lives to take the gospel whereever He called us.
We were so solemn then, making this pact. It was a serious thing. Yet it was a decision we made with youthful vision and dreams of adventure. But our Lord has firmly held us to it... though the adventure long ago gave way to real pain and a sometimes grit-your-teeth endurance.
Knowing what I know now...
I would promise again.
So here's my version of Psalm 132:1-10
The LORD remembered Mark
and all the hardships he endured,
and how he promised the LORD
"I will follow whereever You lead.
I will take Your Word to the war-front
and to the homeport.
I will be all things to all men in order to win some to You,
O Lord.
I will be a soldier to win soldiers to You."
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Isaac's First Day of Preschool...
We can hardly believe it! Isaac is almost four, and he's going to preschool this year.These are the pics we took on his first day. Of course his sisters and brother had to tag along. I think they hated to see him go as much as I did!
But Isaac was so excited, and he hardly looked back after walking into the class.
He sure has come a long way from being that tiny little preemmie in the NICU...
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