I lived on the computer, haunting the company facebook page for news of my son. Read the company journals – in fact, I haunted that page every Monday, anxiously waiting for news of what the recruits had done that week. I waited for the mailman, waiting on a hoped-for letter or postcard and mourned when one didn’t come.
I panicked every time the phone rang, especially when some mothers said, “I got the dreaded phone call… my recruit has been reverted.” And I prayed harder for my recruit, imagining my baby boy crying into his pillow at night and wondering what he’d gotten himself into. (By the way, he didn’t do that, he said.)
Then week five, the phone rang, and it was from the recruit training center. My heart was in my throat. I answered, so excited to hear my recruit’s voice, but scared senseless when he said, “I don’t know how to say this, but…”
What!? “Are you okay? Were you reverted?”
“Mom! No! Wow, that hurt!”
“Sorry, but when you start a phone call that way, I fear the worst. What’s going on?”
It was good news. He’d gotten his orders. Okay, his top choice was Alaska, and he didn’t get that, and his second choice was “Michigan” and he didn’t get that and his third choice was “anywhere near Arkansas” and he didn’t get that – but he did get his fourth choice “Anywhere on the Great Lakes.” I’m happy for him but sad for me since he’s going so far away. Much closer than Alaska, but I’m not going to be able to drive over and visit him on weekends.
My recruit has graduated from boot camp now, he’s home on five days leave, and then he’s leaving for his first post. And we survived a missed flight, lost luggage, and then a frantic all day search for a new-to-him vehicle because his old beater pickup (circa 1999) would never make a trip across the country. Not when it broke down and had convulsions after a three-hour-drive. Oh, and I LOVE his new vehicle! It has Bluetooth, a backup camera, GPS, heated leather seats, and a sunroof plus many other amenities too numerous to mention. Too small for my family of seven, but big enough for one single military man who needed a reliable workhorse vehicle.
I told my husband I am so proud of my son, but I’m scared to death for him. I’m excited at all the possibilities he’ll experience and worried sick that he’ll be out of my reach – not for eight long weeks of boot camp this time, but for an extended time. “At least I’ll still have my phone, Mom. They aren’t taking it away again and I can call you every night.” And maybe he will. For awhile.
I have cried so many tears this summer, and will continue crying so many more into the fall as I adjust, but now I have an excuse to go on vacation someplace I’ve only been to once (and then, during a blizzard!) I have an invite to stop by my Pittsburgh publisher’s office when I go to visit my son, and yes, I’m looking forward to it.
Live the adventure.
My verse God gave me this year is Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and very courageous…” And those who’ve read my posts know that I’ve struggled mightily through many things this year. Issues with my oldest son. A book that really ripped my heart out. Stolen money. A wrecked car. So much more.
As I was sitting at the loan officer’s desk this afternoon, discussing the terms of Michael’s loan and other Mom questions my son and I needed to know, I saw a sign on the desk. “Life is a journey. Not a destination.” It included a reference to a Bible verse. And as I looked around the bank office I saw so many Christian symbols of the faith. Such a blessing to have a banker, who is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. And one who gave me a topic for this blog post.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 31:8
Lord, thank you for going with me on this journey. Help me not to be afraid or discouraged. Amen.
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| About the Author |
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015. See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
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| The Amish Firefighter by Laura V. Hilton |
A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.
A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.
A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.
A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.
A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.
