War songs

The days are flying by until Brandon leaves for boot camp (actually I leave first for Creative Escape and will only see him for a few hours when I get back), so when I came across this little booklet in my collection of old books, I thought it was sort of appropriate and kind of funny/sweet, too!

I'm not sure what year it's from; the latest date I can find in it is 1907. It talks about the Civil War as being the most current war. The songs are a mix of our traditional songs like "The Star-Spangled Banner", but also some sad, morbid, touching, and funny. Check out these titles...

Can you imagine singing, "Starved in Prison"?

I'm wondering whether I should share what I've been struggling with and what I've been doing about it. Maybe it will be an encouragement to someone... and it will be a reminder to me...

See the penny and the four words on it? Everytime I find a penny it's my little reminder to say to myself, "In God I trust." I secretly think God puts pennies in my way to give me a nudge to believe. As we get ready for this next stage in life, I'm needing this reminder more than ever. I told Brandon that I'm two people in one body: one that is so excited for him to do what he wants to do and have this adventure, and the other person is his mom that is worried and afraid and sad. Mostly I really am the excited person and am holding onto this penny as a reminder to be a mom who trusts God with the son He gave us and we gave back to Him twenty years ago. Everytime I feel the worry coming in, I hold the penny and tell God that I will trust Him. Little things like that help me keep my thoughts from going out of control.
I love the wording of Philippians 4:6 from the Message paraphrase of the Bible:
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns."
I don't want to "worry my prayers." Do you know what I mean? Are you needing to find a penny?

Comments

[Nancy Wethington]

Hi Debby,
As a Marine Mom, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. Beau completed 4 years of USMC in April. During that time he was sent to Iraq 2 times. Keep that penny close. Each day I didn't hear anything was a good day. Learned to live with the no news is good news adage. Each morning I would wake and ask the Blessed Virgin to keep my son safe - a Mom to Mom thing! I had everyone I know praying for him. I totally understand how you're feeling. Know that you have prayers coming your way from St. Louis. If you ever need to talk, you know how to reach me.

[Pam]

You need a support group of other Moms. Marine Parents worked for me. And lots of prayer. Don't let yourself sink into depression. Avoid people that are rabidly against the military. You need support, not rocks thrown at you. I had to ask to move my desk at work as I was between 2 people that made loud anti-military comments all day. There is lots of support for military wives, not so much for Moms, so create your own prayer group, exercise buddies, etc. I involved my scrap group to make cards, not only for my two sons, but for others too. We sent packages to Iraq every month to various soldiers and marines. Try to fill you days with positive, loving, cheerful things. But allow yourself time to worry a bit. We sat aside one day a week to express our fears and worries about everything. Melancholy Monday. We wallowed in whatever was bothering us that day. Then sat it aside and went on with life the next day. I am adding your son to my own prayer chain and you too for comfort and peace.
Pam...One of the Flat Stanley gals.

[Regina]

Hi Debby, It is such a trying and complex time for you right now. I believe in prayer and faith in God. Hold on to that penny tightly and talk to our Lord when you have a time when you miss your son so much. Then think of some silly times with him to make you smile. God will hold him in the palm of his hand. Hang in there. The advice from the other two ladies was spot on.

Regina

[Gloria L.]

Absolutely good advice. I know the feeling, too, as my son is a policeman. He tells me often that he can "feel" my prayers. Just ask for a couple of extra angels to wrap their arms around him and you, too! God is there, even when we doubt. Love ya!

[Donna]

Hi Debby, My son has been in the Army for about 17 years. Right now he is in Iraq for his second tour over there. As a mother it is one of the hardest things to go through! His first time over there for the first few months I drove myself crazy with worry, glued to the news stopped dead in my tracks whenever a person in uniform came into my place of work for fear they were bringing me bad news. I finally realized that you can't dweal on it. Cherish every moment you have with him and look forward to the next time you will see him. Pray a lot and have faith in God.

Donna

[Linda Richter]

I do understand..... just keep praying and remember that God loves your son even more than you do.

[Judy in Huntsville [al]]

I love that our Lord cares enough for us that He will place little reminders to us, yes, even in the form of a penny! I continue to lift you and your fammily up in my prayers, and i ask God to give you the peace [that passes ALL understanding] that only He can give...oh, and i've had friends who are 'military moms' and they found a support group on-line that helped them walk through these first weeks of basic and what to expect...

[Joey Feltz]

I will be praying for all of you...it's a real adjustment in every way to have your boy enlist and I can't imagine it. God has a plan and this is part of it, both for him and for you and Dave. Embrace it because it will be for good for all of you, even when it seems scary now.
I read a book 'The Penny' by Joyce Meyers and it talked about someone finding a penny one time and all the things that happened because of it...some parts were sad and others just made me laugh out loud!!
I am praying for you, dear friend, and sending you a big hug! Prov 3: 5,6...never more true!!
xoxo

[Catherine Aguilera]

Oh Debbie, my heart goes out to you. What a challenge to be a Mom and let you son go off to the military during these troublesome times. May God watch over you and your son.

Catherine
PS...I will be at CE, am looking forward to taking your class.

[SuZeQ]

I know exactly how you feel about your son leaving for Boot Camp. How do I know? Because my daughter left for Boot Camp one day, too. It's such an emotional time - you're happy, you're sad, you're scared, you're ovewhelmed ... yep, all those emotions. Well, if you think you have tons of emotions now, just wait until he RETIRES after 20 years. Yes, my daughter was in for 20 years and retired in November 2006 and the biggest emotion was PRIDE. You just cannot even imagine! I am still proud of her, too. She's now a 911 Dispatcher and still never ceases to amaze me. Be proud now and be proud 20 years down the road ... (yes, do encourage him to stay in - it certainly is a good thing!)
PS - tell Tim that Blue Shirt says "hi"

[Term Papers]

Very nice write up. Easy to understand and straight to the point.

[Term papers]

Wow... Excellent dear, great post!! there is so information on this blog, keep posting like this so that i can come back every day for some new topic...
Fantastic post, Lots of seasonal facts some new and interesting for me.

[Brenda Armstrong]

Debbie, You truly are a lady of faith, and in today's world we have to have our faith and trust in our Lord that he will carry us thru the difficult times. I have become so much stronger in my faith and in helping those in our church and community since i've been diagnosed with breast cancer last september. Your world is turned upside down when you hear that horrible word and you are helpless..but you must find yourself and you faith that the Lord gave you to go on. Everyday is different for me, and everyday when i wake up i take a picture,and i write something and I thank my Lord and I pray for our soldiers that i visit as well and those in combat for our family has some there as well. Igo to my doctors with my head held high even though i know i have no immune system and i stay sick alot but Nothing keeps me from the retreats or some of the classes scrapbooknsuch has in Wichita Falls, Tx..So I will get to meet you for i will be taking the class Pennies from Heaven and i thank you for bringing it to us...my Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family, brenda a.,ok

[Larell Strickland]

Just read this and love, Love, LOVE your In God I Trust.....so now I know why you said you have the penny in your blog today, January 3, 2012. GOD IS IN CONTROL....with love, Larell