God Is Bigger Than Any Disaster Zone

What a week. I found my emotions all over the board. My son's ship the USS Bataan arrived in Haiti waters over a week ago. Joshua said the days have been long. They are constantly flying helicopters on and off the ship. The USS Bataan is taking injured Haitians into their hospital.

Sailors are going ashore to help with the relief and clean up effort on shore. Joshua volunteered to be one to go and was denied because of his qualifications as an Air Traffic Controller. He was disappointed to say the least. It made sense to me him staying aboard the ship. (He was safe there!) They needed him there with all the air traffic going on. But as a mom I had to comfort him. I told him he needed to trust God. If he was supposed to be on shore it would work out. God was in control. "You just don't know why God does what He does." I told him. Two days later Joshua was calling me to tell me they had given him permission to go ashore. Suddenly it wasn't so easy to do what I had preached to my son. I liked him on the ship. It was safe! Him going ashore scared me to death. I didn't sleep well the next night. Sunday morning in Sunday School, our associate pastor asked, "Did you ever have an experience when you suddenly realized you weren't in control and only God was?" WOW! Talk about a slap in the face. I was as bad as the Pharisees. Do what I say not what I do. Well that was a real eye opener for me and I went home and did a lot of praying and seeking God. He gave me the peace I sought and needed. I knew no matter where Joshua was God could keep him safe.

Yesterday morning I got an email from Joshua. Apparently when he was ready to go ashore he was pulled again. They won't let him go, again, because of his qualifications. He's not happy about it. What did I tell him this time. "I'm sorry. And I will pray that if it is God's will the door will open for you to be able to go." And I have total peace about that. Because my God is bigger than any disaster zone. I don't know why things happen the way they do. Maybe sometimes it's to learn a thing or two about following Him. What I do know is He sees the big picture. He loves us with a love that is beyond comprehension. And He wants us to come to Him.

Day in the Life of a Sailor

The Men in my life

Do you ever ask yourself where in the world does the time go? I'm finally back after a rather long vacation from posting. I am happy to announce Joshua is home from his 7 month deployment.

Joe and the boys and I drove to Norfolk, Virgina on December 6th where we were loaded onto a bus and driven down to Camp Le.jeune, NC where we were put on LCAC's (take a peek at one) and taken out to the USS Bataan where we were unloaded and able to see our son, Joshua after 7 very long months. Here were are getting ready to board the LCAC. These are the same hovercrafts that bring our marines back and forth from land to ship.


Joshua took us to where we would be sleeping for the next 2 nights. I have a whole new respect for sailors! Their sleeping quarters are bunks four high and if you are a man with wide shoulders you may touch the top bunk when you roll over. You have storage under your bunk about 8 inches deep and the length and width of the bunk and that is where EVERYTHING you own has to fit. We were able to spend the three days with Josh and see what he does on a daily bases.



While we were out to sea they refueled the Bataan and we got to what this ship connect with ours and refuel. The ship also need supplies and we were able to watch the helicopter pilots, and flight deck personal move massive amounts of cargo from one ship to another. Some crates were moved by cables connected between the two ships. What a massive operation. We really take too much for granted with our military.



We each got to shoot a 50 cal machine gun. The guys loved that!




These last pictures are a sight to see from on the ship or on the shore for I have seen it from both views and it makes me proud of these men and women who are our military. When the ships come to port or leave port the sailors line the ship deck and upper deck and stand at attention. The pictures can never due this justice but here are few views.

I Love My Sailor!

As I get ready to post this blog, my heart goes out to Haiti and its people. Joshua has been called back to the ship and they are now headed to Haiti, if not already there. Please keep our military in your prayers as well as the Haitian people.