Half-way Home...

That's right, folks! We are on the down-hill slide of this deployment. Your prayers and support have been incredible. We sense them and KNOW God has heard the prayers of saints of our behalf.
Ministry is going well over there. He's preaching three times each Sunday. He's beginning his series on Jonah. Pretty neat, considering he's pretty much sitting where Nineveh once stood.
Operation Popsicle continues to be a hit. He tells me, "Ironically, the ice pops break the ice." Something so small means so much! It has opened many doors. These folks are coming to services, attending Bible studies and seeking godly counsel. Praise the Lord, the whole earth is full of His glory!
Keep praying...56 days and counting!
Blessings,
LT

A Tale of Two Birds...

Sarah and her friends had been watching a robin's nest this week. They were thrilled to watch the hatchlings be born. They couldn't wait everyday to go see the baby birds and watch their Mom care for them. Sadly, what they found on Friday sent them into action. They walk up to find the Mom Robin drowned and the nest broken in half floating in the creek. There are two babies hanging onto that half nest literally, for dear life. Sarah, without even blinking scooped them up and raced home with them. She built them a nest and began to feed them water with a dropper. She kept them safe and warm. Then she decided to tell me we had guests in the house. She wrote me this precious letter telling me what had happened and how she couldn't just stand there and watch those baby birds drown. She knew we couldn't keep them but we had to keep them alive until we found a home for them. Of course by now, Dr. Rachel is now involved in the feeding and constant "bird watching." I tell you, those two love God's creatures.
Anyway, our internet search began trying to find information about caring for them and where we could take them on Monday morning. And we began praying for these baby birds.
By Sunday afternoon, Sarah had been feeding them every hour (Pedialyte in a dropper). She was quite sleepy but she happened to look out of her bedroom window and saw a robin's nest with a Mom & Dad robin taking care of two baby birds. She is ecstatic! We think God has prepared a home for them. We get out Daddy's big ladder and Sarah takes a peek inside the nest. She knows this is the place for them. So she gets the hatchlings and gently places them inside the nest and we pray. We pray that the Mom & Dad robin will take care of them. And guess what? They are. They are feeding them, keeping them warm, protecting them. They are loving them like their own.

My neighbor saw us outside and knew all about the baby birds and said, "This is just like your family..." We both wiped a tear.
Look at what God has done. I told Sarah how proud I was of her and all her efforts to save these baby birds. She was relieved that they had been adopted. God had provided even for the smallest of His creatures. What a story! The teachable moments from the weekend are endless...
* loving someone enough to die for them to save them
* loving God's creatures
* how much we need our family
* how God created us to take care of our babies
* how that tiny, little hatching is a LIFE
* how God chooses our families
* how God takes the hard things and brings about good
* how adoption is so beautiful, even with baby birds
* how God cares for the birds of the field, how much more does He care for us?

I could go on and on, but I wanted to share this incredible story.

Blessings for our little nest to yours,
LT

God Bless America!

Happy Independence Day! We are thankful for this great country and the patriots who keep us free. God has surely shed His grace on us.

God Bless America,
Our home, sweet home!

Blessings from DC,
LT (for all of us)

A Pool "Ministry"...

Is there such a thing? Andy is teasing me that I have a "pool ministry" going on since we hang out at the base pool almost every day. Well, I laugh, but maybe I do. I'm finding it's a wonderful way to recruit Vacation Bible School volunteers, grow ladies' Bible studies and fill the pews at the chapel. So, yes, I think it is possible to have a "pool ministry." He-he...
See, I have three mermaid helpers with me...




We've also done what every family with a loved one serving in the war does...we've put a yellow ribbon round the old, oak tree in our front yard. Thought you might like to see our base house.


















I also want to thank you for your continued prayers and support for Andy (and us). We sense your prayers and your acts of kindness have served to encourage a chaplain on a dangerous mission field. The cards, the boxes, the phone cards for troops, the popsicles, the candy... all these tangible things show your love for Christ and us. THANK you from the bottom of our hearts. We are down to 10 Mondays! The halfway mark is next week! Yipee!! He received a medal from his commander last week for his service there. Here they are together.
soli Deo gloria,
LT

Only in the South...

We've had a wonderful time visiting family and friends. We really enjoyed our time at the beach. Our girls love the water. They love it too much and ended up with ear infections. We went through all the hoops to find an Urgent Care who accepts Tricare. We get directions and head to Calabash, NC. As we're driving up the coast on Hwy 17, I'm starting to wonder where we're headed. We follow the directions from the nurse and end up in the driveway of an old house turned doctor's office. We go in and I just had to chuckle...

You know you're in the south when you walk in an old house turned doctor's office and the waiting room is filled with lawn furniture. That's right, folding chairs in the waiting area. The girls looked at me and I said, "Go ahead on in." The staff was extremely kind and helpful and we were seen right away. The doctor was wonderful with the girls and gave us all the medication we needed. We were on our way. We were thankful for the care we received and all I could think of is "only in the south, only in the south."

The girls are feeling better and we are looking forward to getting back home. Thanks for your prayers. We can ALL feel them.

Blessings,

LT

Operation Popsicle...

It's wonderful when you "get" to do something you love. When you have a passion for your job, it shows . That's exactly what Andy has. His passion for his job is fueled by his passion for his Christ. Even though circumstances are hard, he finds great joy and fulfillment in doing what God's called him to do.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Brothers, pray for us also..." I Thes. 5:24

Andy has been able to DO all kinds of ministry in the last month. He's doing a Bible Study with 30+ in attendance. He's preaching in two Sunday services. The morning service is growing each week. He takes communion to the troops who can't come to the "chapel". He does lots of visitation around the base. One thing the girls think is neat is called "Operation Popsicle". He (and his compadres) take cool treats to those who are baking in the heat and dust. They carry a cooler filled with freeze pops as a small way to lift their spirits and say thank you.

Thanks for your many prayers. They are making a difference.

Blessings,

LT

Santa in Overalls...

I had an interesting day...interesting, but good. Let me tell you what the Lord did. I decided to go to Wades and get something yummy. I stood in the express lane, thinking I was getting it to go. Turns out, I was in the wrong line. I was actually in line with Santa in overalls. This dear, old strawberry farmer was in front of me in line and we struck up a conversation. He liked the t-shirt I was wearing that reads "My husband rocks". I told him about Andy and what he is doing. He said, "God bless you ma'am and God bless your husband." We continued talking. It was a VERY long line. Turns out I was in the line to dine in. So I went down the line and choose some AWESOME turkey and dressing and green beans. He was in line to pay in front of me and he said, "I'm buying her lunch today too." I kept saying, "Thank you, sir, but you don't have to do that." He said, "I know, but I want to." Well, we get into the dining room and there is literally ONE table for two in the whole place. I sit down and he stands there. I say "Please, sir, join me for lunch." He sat down and I asked him if I could pray for lunch and big tears welled up in his eyes. He took off his old farmer's hat and bowed his head. I prayed for Andy and this farmer's ailing wife. We just sat and talked at lunch about what Andy is doing and the strawberry business. He had a truck filled with baskets...enough for 1000's of my famous strawberry shakes. :)

This is what struck me...God sent this old fella to minister to me...why me? God's grace is so sweet, just like strawberries. The Lord knew (and was the only One who knew) that I needed a lift today. But, in some way, I pray I ministered to him by just listening and praying and smiling across the table. When I left he said again that he would pray for Andy and me and the girls. He offered me some strawberries, but I was already so humbled by his kindness, that I declined. So "Big O", the strawberry farmer sends his regards to a certain chaplain and was delighted to treat me to lunch today. Doesn't this always happen? God sends unexpected people into my life to encourage me? Sometimes the most unlikely people...in the most unlikely of places. And now, Santa in overalls...the strawberry farmer from Chesney who thinks what we're doing is important. He found a kind way to say, "Thank you." I won't ever forget this day...Thank you, Lord.

LT

Carolina Girls...

Thank you for your prayers in the past few weeks. We are grateful for you remembering our family. We headed to SC for a few weeks of R & R with grandparents. (Really, that's code language, for getting spoiled). We are looking forward to seeing everyone. It's a wonderful distraction for us.

Andy is adjusting to his new "home" away from home. Ministry is demanding, but rewarding. He is preaching 3 times a week and you know he'd rather preach than eat. Speaking of eating, the dining facility is by far, the nicest building on base. He's enjoying that, too. He's also meeting new brothers & sisters in arms. He's encouraged to see the leadership in the worship services. Please continue to pray for his safety and that Christ would be lifted high in his ministry there.


We're almost down to 15 Mondays...but who's counting, right?

Blessings,
LT

18 Mondays...

This has probably been the toughest week of my 39 years. We have had emotions we didn't even know we had. We have felt God's presence. We experienced a strength that was not our own. We have peace that only comes from the Prince of Peace. It is true what the psalmist said, "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." With each new day, more smiles emerge and the time has begun to tick away. In an effort to explain how long a deployment is, we determined that "18 Mondays" didn't sound as long to us. And the good news is, it's almost down to 17 Mondays. We have felt the prayers of many saints on our behalf and I know you'll keep ringing the bells of heaven for our family. Thank you for remembering us. God is answering your prayers. I will try to let you know how his ministry is going and give you specifics to praise and pray for in the coming weeks.

Since we moved on base four days before he left, we are slowly unpacking, hanging curtains, placing pictures on the wall and setting up house. At last count, this is our 7th house in 7 years. I ought to be great at it by now. We love being on base and the girls are over the moon to be near so many friends. We are so thankful for all the Lord has done for our family.

I'm also thankful that God choose me to be the mother of our three girls. They are gifts from His hands. They bring so much joy, so much fulfillment and so much dirty laundry to my life. Just kidding... But I'm very thankful to have a Mom, Mom-in-Law and a Grandmom who all love Jesus. What a legacy they have given to me and our girls.

soli Deo gloria!
LT

Daddy & Daughters

The girls are savoring every second with their Daddy. And I know a Daddy enjoying every minute with his girls.





















We appreciate your prayers in the coming week.
LT

Broken bone, birthday, boxes, bags...

You know I learned alliteration early from my dad's sermons. Old habits are hard to break.

It's been quite a week around our house...

Rachel broke her right arm riding her scooter...or should I say falling off her scooter. She is going to keep up her big sisters no matter what. She was a tough little trooper and is sad to not be riding her bike for 6 weeks.

Andy celebrated a birthday this past weekend. He's getting his A-bags packed and jumping through many wickets getting ready to leave.

Movers have invaded the house because we're packing up and heading to a base house. It's such a blessing and the timing has definitely been God's working. We are praying for peace, patience and protection (there I go again)...

Andy heads out on our 18th anniversary...so it will surely be one we remember. We appreciate your prayers, love and support.

LT

March...in like a lion...out like a lamb...

Well, we celebrated the 7th birthday of our baby girl. She is toothless, opinionated, riding her big bike, taking care of Elvis, reading books, having a conversation with whomever will listen and learning AWANA verses to beat the band. This is Rachel. She's such a big girl. We thank God for her life.

We're also staying busy with school and chapel activities. The Lord is blessing the ministry and raising up many folks to reach the families at Andrews AFB. We will appreciate your prayers in the coming weeks...for peace, protection and rest. Our theology will be tested as we strive to be faithful to do what He's called us to do. And not because we are able, but because He alone is able to do it in us.

We send you Easter blessings on the eve of the Passion,
LT

A Hidden Treasure

We have stumbled across a beautiful place on our little R & R trip this week. We are on the Outer Banks and visited the Currituck Sound Lighthouse yesterday. It is a beautiful place that didn't even have a road to it until 1980. It's also the place where the wild mustangs roam freely on the beach. It was fascinating. There's actually a stretch of the beach from the tip of the OBX, NC to Virginia, where the only road is the beach. So, here we were, driving down the beach. It was awesome! There are lots of beautiful houses on the beach and the only road leading there is, you guessed it, the beach. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before...a sand highway. I guess you don't get home during high tide...

It was a wonderful, family day in a picturesque setting...

Blessings,
LT

What a day...

One of the highlights of our time in the Air Force happened on Tuesday afternoon when a new friend was able to give us a tour of Air Force One. Once we were through security we enter this huge hanger and there it is...it is tremendous! Our friend began to tell us all sorts of neat things about the plane and then the six of us BOARD Air Force One.

Now, first of all you have to remove your shoes, or wear booties over your combat boots. So, the girls and I removed our shoes and stepped into "The Flying White House". We were able to see "his" bedroom, bathroom, office. We even took turns sitting in "his" chair. "His" jacket was still hanging on the back. The main level has over 4,000 sq. feet. It is truly huge. There is an operating room, conference room, two kitchens, a section for Secret Service, White House staff/aides, and the Press sit in the very back. Isn't that funny?

Well, one unexpected surprise is that "his" chef came on board to inventory the pantry, etc. We were able to talk to him and ask him all sorts of questions. (The chef was a southern guy- big surprise! :) W's favorite ice cream is Blue Bell's Vanilla Bean. You can't get it here, so they stock up when they land in TX. He loves hamburgers and quesadillas and always has his hot sauce handy. No fru-fru food for W. They showed us how they arrange the china on a tray to serve the meals on the plane. Everyone eats the same meal.

The dogs have free roam of the plane. The girls thought that was funny.

We were moved to see the place where Pres. Reagan's casket rested on his last ride to CA.

This was interesting... several great First Ladies actually chose the colors and design of AF1.
Jackie Kennedy came up with the design and colors for the outside of the plane. Nancy Reagan chose the colors and such for the interior. Laura Bush is also choosing some new things for updating.

The girls each sat in the pilot and co-pilot's seat. I was the engineer, Andy the navigator.
Somebody pinch me...

It was surreal...sorry no pics allowed. You'll just have to trust me...

LT

Happy 2008!

When you are young, it seems like the days, months and years just drag on. But the older I get, the more I realize the speed at which life travels. I look around and wonder where has all the time gone. Did I spend it wisely? Is the Lord pleased?

We had a wonderful Christmas. We enjoyed time with family and some much-needed rest. The girls have played and giggled (and fought, too :) and played some more. As I write this, Andy is vacuuming up the last bits of glitter and tree needles and we are putting things back in order. It is a little sad when all the decorations come down. The girls commented on how fast Christmas came and went. That's why we put our tree up so early (Oct 31- Reformation Day). I know that may seem goofy, but we sure do enjoy the festive decor and it's a nod to Mr. Christmas Tree himself, the great Martin Luther. And I'm sure Katie Luther helped inspire him in his Christmas tree decorating.

But, alas, it's time to think, plan, save, study, set goals, pray and concentrate on glorifying God and enjoying Him every day in 2008!
Blessings from our house to yours,
LT

It's A Wonderful Life...

In an effort to continue with thankful hearts, we pulled out an oldie, but goodie. We made kettle corn and made the girls watch the old black & white, It's a Wonderful Life. And it was wonderful to see them following the movie and learn from it. Of course, I cried at the end (as I've done for 17 years). Then, we begin to think of friends, family and the places the Lord has directed our steps and our hearts are full. I watched it for the first time during our first Christmas as husband and wife in 1990. I was moved by it. The life that touches other lives. The real value of "people" over "posessions." Oh, that our girls would learn what true "treasures" are...
On the very next family night (Fridays in our house), it was time to plug in "A Christmas Homecoming", the first Waltons movie. It was during the depression and we watched the children delight in one special gift...not even expecting that. It was moving...humbling.
And you guessed it, Our first Christmas in the Little House is next. We are hoping our little "daughters of Eve" are beginning to see a theme. :) Simple is nice. We are aiming for simple this year.
"A man is no failure who has friends."
-Clarence, the angel

Thank you for your friendship. It's a wonderful life...
STD,
LT

Thanks-living...

Andy preached a sermon on Sunday from Luke 17 and the ten lepers. It's interesting because statistically speaking, only 10% (1 in 10) returned to say "thank you" to Jesus for making him clean. Now depending on your soteriology you could say the Lord physically healed them but only spiritually and physically healed one- the Samaritan who returned to praise God. This not only shows God's grace on the unjust, but also the depravity of our human heart. Even after being cleansed from the worst disease known (in those times) they were not willing to return to say thank you. We know ingratitude dishonors God.

Fast forward to 2007- how many thank you's do you hear in a given day? Maybe not particularly directed at you, but even overhear as you go about your day-to-day life. I asked the girls yesterday if they could say "thank you" with a frown on their face. We all tried. It is darn-near impossible to say those words without a smile creeping across your face. Isn't that incredibly ironic- God commands His children to live in a state of thanks- thus causing a smile and joy to overcome us and causing the world to look at us and wonder- why are they smiling?

Well, we're smiling today. Saying "thank you" as often as we can. Wanting for one to ask us for The reason for our hope... We're also smiling when we think of you and how the Lord has blessed us with your friendship. Blessings to you and yours, from our little pilgrim family.

LT

The White House

On Saturday, we had the rare privilege to tour the White House. We took the metro into the city and found our way to the southeast entrance. We had to be checked in, go through several security checks and then we walked in... I'm not sure what I was expecting... but it was so interesting. Of course we had our "own" personal tour guide (Daddy) with more little tidbits of trivia than I could ever remember- it was entertaining. Here are our thoughts:

Sarah says, " I liked the Red Room. It was so elegant. It's where the First Lady entertains."
(We asked if she "really" does use the room and they said after the tours end at 1:00, the ropes are taken down and the rubber mats rolled up and they use the rooms in the afternoons and evenings/weekends.)

Abigail says, "I liked the Blue Room because it looked like no one ever sat in it. It looked like old stuff."

Rachel says, "I liked the George Washington paintings. And there was a statue of Abraham Lincoln's head. And I saw a picture of Rondo Reagan."

I can't decide. There was a piano unlike any I've ever seen before. It was gigantic and had eagles carved on the legs. The curtains were also striking... they were so majestic. The material, the tassels, the length. We're walking through and all I could think was that this is the closest thing to "royalty" we would ever see in America. This is the most famous house in America. WOW!
We did ask if "they" were home and both the President and the First Lady were gone, but it was a moment to stop and thank God for His providence and His provision for America. God has truly blessed America.

Well, the downside is that no cameras are allowed. So, you'll have to take our word for it until you call or write a Congress member and request a tour for you and yours.

Blessings,
LT

Thankful Thoughts...

*Sarah is thrilled to have her cast off. God healed her arm beautifully and she's especially happy to fix her own hair again. Do you remember how awful it is to be a 12 year old girl and have your mother fixing your hair?

*We've completed our first quarter of home schooling. The girls are doing so well. They are studying hard and learning spiritual lessons along the way. We're thankful to God for the grace and strength to teach and learn at home.

*We are making new friends at Andrews AFB. What a blessing to make new friends. Of course, the military "blesses" us with this opportunity often! But it is such a joy to meet folks from all over who come together for a season and purpose. God is faithful...

*We're thankful for "old" friends too. We pray for you as the Lord brings you to mind and
we love hearing from you.

Just a few thankful thoughts. Until next time...

LT

Some pics...

He did it!! 4 hours, 7 minutes...





Even Elvis had some pumpkin seeds...