Day Thirteen:We are waiting patiently! Your plane from New York has been delayed so you won't land in DFW until 11:16. Technically, it will be tomorrow before I see you!
HURRY, Baby!!! We love and miss you so much!
Forever and always,
Susie-Q
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Waiting....
Day Thirteen:We are waiting patiently! Your plane from New York has been delayed so you won't land in DFW until 11:16. Technically, it will be tomorrow before I see you!
HURRY, Baby!!! We love and miss you so much!
Forever and always,
Susie-Q
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Happy and Sad
Day Twelve:
Are you really coming home, TOMORROW!?!?!?
I can't wait to look into your gorgeous eyes and see into your heart as you tell all of your amazing stories! I can't wait to hold you close! But I keep thinking of Jimmy, the little boy that became your new best friend in Uganda and how hard it must have been for him to say goodbye to you and I keep thinking about how hard it must be for you to leave this country where you met these amazing people and precious children....I wonder what Jimmy is doing now? I pray with all my heart that he is ok and that we will all be able to meet him someday.
Happy and Sad...
See you soon!
Q
Are you really coming home, TOMORROW!?!?!?
I can't wait to look into your gorgeous eyes and see into your heart as you tell all of your amazing stories! I can't wait to hold you close! But I keep thinking of Jimmy, the little boy that became your new best friend in Uganda and how hard it must have been for him to say goodbye to you and I keep thinking about how hard it must be for you to leave this country where you met these amazing people and precious children....I wonder what Jimmy is doing now? I pray with all my heart that he is ok and that we will all be able to meet him someday.
Happy and Sad...
See you soon!
Q
Monday, July 25, 2011
This is Just the Beginning!
Day Eleven:
You will be on a plane to come home this time tomorrow....I can't believe that the adventure for now is coming to an end but I know that this is all just the beginning! The beginning of a new perspective for us and for a new outlook for those around us who have been touched by it all. It truly is just beginning of more than we could possibly imagine!
I had dinner with the "Big Girls" (Amy, Carol, Jamie and Stace) for my bday and had the best time. We laughed a ton and I was able to hear about their vaca's and I shared a few stories about you. We have decided to have "breakfast for dinner" sometime after you get home and prepare a PowerPoint slide show of your stories~ They will be waiting, oh and you and Michael will be nurses to your bro, BJ and Jason after they get "snip-snipped"-during the Master's of course!! (We figured that a hotel room would be in order. )Yes, we had some laughs! I love you, precious girls! Thank you....
Maddie has had quite the day being an entrepreneur in her own jewelry making company. She has been making her jewelry on the stairs, which is funny but works for her and she is obsessed but does that really surprise you? She is so excited and she has me hook, line and sinker, because Hobby Lobby is our fav store right now! She is so persuasive....I wonder where she got that characteristic from....
Oh, and Ally lost her tooth today while eating cereal. (no pulling necessary!) She was beyond excited...which reminds me that the tooth fairy better get her rear in gear before she forgets!
I took a pic with my phone but I don't know how to put it on here, but you will see it soon!Oh, baby~ I am so ready for you to be home but I feel like these days have gone by fast, considering. The girls and I have had great support....our friends and fam have been out of this world and Heaven sent and we are SO very blessed to have all of them in our lives.
Thank you, Lord for keeping the girls and me distracted! Thank you for the peace you have given in friends and families emails, calls and dinners! It has all been such a HUGE blessing and really just opens my eyes to this love that is all around us and that is so easy to take for granted. Thank you for keeping Brian safe and for all that you have done in Kampala, Africa and around. Wow, there are just no words! It is just the beginning, isn't it, Lord?!!?!
Amen!
Susie
Sunday, July 24, 2011
FEAR
Day Ten:
Day ten sounds so official! We can't wait to see you in a few days!! It won't be long now~
We went to Steven and Michelle's church this morn, there was an associate pastor who spoke and the title of the sermon was FEAR. Hmmmm, this could be interesting, I thought! He talked about how we view God. Is He big enough to handle any situation? Or do we worship a god that is small? I know that God is amazing and I know that His hands are on us.
Do I have a small fear of you being so far away in an unknown land....yes, but I know that you are in God's will and that IS the most perfect place to dwell and there is no need to worry, but sometimes it still happens. Do I wonder where you are and what you are doing? yes. Do I get scared when I don't hear from you at the usual time (like yesterday)? yes. Do I fear another bedtime with all the girls, when I am emotionally exhausted, without you? yes. But it doesn't last long...I remember that I am not in this alone, even though you are not here. I have my moments but I'm working on them!
Have I been fearful? A little, but only for a second! Now where is my Bible?!?!? ;)
See you soon, baby!
Always and forever,
Q
Day ten sounds so official! We can't wait to see you in a few days!! It won't be long now~
We went to Steven and Michelle's church this morn, there was an associate pastor who spoke and the title of the sermon was FEAR. Hmmmm, this could be interesting, I thought! He talked about how we view God. Is He big enough to handle any situation? Or do we worship a god that is small? I know that God is amazing and I know that His hands are on us.
Do I have a small fear of you being so far away in an unknown land....yes, but I know that you are in God's will and that IS the most perfect place to dwell and there is no need to worry, but sometimes it still happens. Do I wonder where you are and what you are doing? yes. Do I get scared when I don't hear from you at the usual time (like yesterday)? yes. Do I fear another bedtime with all the girls, when I am emotionally exhausted, without you? yes. But it doesn't last long...I remember that I am not in this alone, even though you are not here. I have my moments but I'm working on them!
Have I been fearful? A little, but only for a second! Now where is my Bible?!?!? ;)
See you soon, baby!
Always and forever,
Q
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Countdown
Day Nine:
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel~ It is time for the countdown!
Only a few more days until you will be home and I am SO excited. It has been hard for me to put into words, while I talk to you, how I am feeling. I think it is my defense mechanism, though. ..the less I let you see into my heart, while you are in Africa, the less I will cry. (That sounds so bad, when I say it out loud.) I just don't want you worry about us, and if you hear me cry, you will worry, won't you?!?!? You need to focus on being there and knowing that we are here waiting for you and missing you and loving and PRAYING for you. So, when I sound distracted, I am, because we have three crazy and beautiful girls BUT I can see now that being distracted is also a good thing. I think that God has planned these distractions for me on purpose, the more I think about it. The distractions keep me from really letting loose all these emotions on you, while you are so far away. ;) You can thank God for keeping my emotions on this blog and not in your ear...I am ready for the countdown!
When I talked to you yesterday, you had just finished with your "unexpected speech" at a graduation party of the niece of the Minister of Health of Uganda and you were so excited, you even made some jokes! With your notes still in the hotel and not with you, you witnessed to 300+ people with the words that God gave you and I am so proud of your faithfulness and your courage to do this. This trip will change our lives, won't it?!?! You keep calling and Skyping me when you can and it is SO sweet to be able to hear from you a few times a day....I think you are ready for the countdown!
The girls and I went with Uncle T and Aunt Shell to the lake with their friends today and we had a great time. We stayed the whole day and were worn out at the end but we all had a fun time. Ally's tooth is loose and it was really bothering her while we were there. I wish you were here to pull it, she wouldn't let T or me do it...she is ready for the countdown!
Hunter has been having a hard time going to bed, both at the house and at Uncle T's. I think she misses you and is "out of whack" ~ she was SO tired last night but still didn't go to sleep (after a ton of crying) until 10, poor thing. There was nothing that I could do to help her. She would cry and I would rock, then she would cry and I would go back in and rock/love her....over and over. She is usually so easy but she is in a funk...she is ready for the countdown!
Maddie got in trouble today on the way home and I sent her to her room for a while. She was upset and crying and when I went back up a while later, she was crying, "I miss Daddy!"....she is ready for the countdown!
Ah, the countdown.....Sunday, Monday, Tues, and Wed night, your home!
We miss you!
Love,
Your girls!
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel~ It is time for the countdown!
Only a few more days until you will be home and I am SO excited. It has been hard for me to put into words, while I talk to you, how I am feeling. I think it is my defense mechanism, though. ..the less I let you see into my heart, while you are in Africa, the less I will cry. (That sounds so bad, when I say it out loud.) I just don't want you worry about us, and if you hear me cry, you will worry, won't you?!?!? You need to focus on being there and knowing that we are here waiting for you and missing you and loving and PRAYING for you. So, when I sound distracted, I am, because we have three crazy and beautiful girls BUT I can see now that being distracted is also a good thing. I think that God has planned these distractions for me on purpose, the more I think about it. The distractions keep me from really letting loose all these emotions on you, while you are so far away. ;) You can thank God for keeping my emotions on this blog and not in your ear...I am ready for the countdown!
When I talked to you yesterday, you had just finished with your "unexpected speech" at a graduation party of the niece of the Minister of Health of Uganda and you were so excited, you even made some jokes! With your notes still in the hotel and not with you, you witnessed to 300+ people with the words that God gave you and I am so proud of your faithfulness and your courage to do this. This trip will change our lives, won't it?!?! You keep calling and Skyping me when you can and it is SO sweet to be able to hear from you a few times a day....I think you are ready for the countdown!
The girls and I went with Uncle T and Aunt Shell to the lake with their friends today and we had a great time. We stayed the whole day and were worn out at the end but we all had a fun time. Ally's tooth is loose and it was really bothering her while we were there. I wish you were here to pull it, she wouldn't let T or me do it...she is ready for the countdown!
Hunter has been having a hard time going to bed, both at the house and at Uncle T's. I think she misses you and is "out of whack" ~ she was SO tired last night but still didn't go to sleep (after a ton of crying) until 10, poor thing. There was nothing that I could do to help her. She would cry and I would rock, then she would cry and I would go back in and rock/love her....over and over. She is usually so easy but she is in a funk...she is ready for the countdown!
Maddie got in trouble today on the way home and I sent her to her room for a while. She was upset and crying and when I went back up a while later, she was crying, "I miss Daddy!"....she is ready for the countdown!
Ah, the countdown.....Sunday, Monday, Tues, and Wed night, your home!
We miss you!
Love,
Your girls!
Friday, July 22, 2011
No words
Day Eight:
Words escape me tonight...i am missing you... and the girls are too. My brain is "all over the place" and my thoughts are...with you. I haven't talked to you as much today, connection has been bad. We are still in Temple and getting away from the house has been a good distraction for the girls and me. Thank you, T and Shell! (And the new puppy, Hadley is so funny! We love her!)
Words escape me tonight...i am missing you... and the girls are too. My brain is "all over the place" and my thoughts are...with you. I haven't talked to you as much today, connection has been bad. We are still in Temple and getting away from the house has been a good distraction for the girls and me. Thank you, T and Shell! (And the new puppy, Hadley is so funny! We love her!)
You are going to the Nile tom morn and then back to Kampala for your speech. Everyone is praying, and i know that God will use you for His glory! Be strong and be courageous! You are in...AFRICA...and we are being blessed by all that you experience! Keep going....
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.
Forever and always, Baby!
Q
A Few Birthday Tears
Day Seven:
My precious love of my life....I have talked to you a lot today and it has been amazing but it has also been emotional. I turned 35 today and that in itself makes me a little on edge, especially without you. :) ...But then you, my sweet man call and tell me about the orphans that you met today and it all went downhill from there because it all came into perspective. I am emotional about MY situation this morn, while you are so far away but there is something so much bigger than me happening right now. All these children know are sadness, death and a loveless world and how perfect that you were there to tell them of the most perfect love of Jesus. This is what you were called to do in to Africa and I am so thankful because even if you come home today, God is already smiling down on you now. I can feel your heart breaking as you tell me the stories and that does NOTHING for my emotional state. :) (God, you are breaking our hearts as one, aren't you? ...even though I am not there in person...)
At 6:30 this morn, maddie woke her sisters up, she had big plans! The girls made me strawberries with candy thi morn, which of course they shared ;) they put up streamers in the kitchen, it was so sweetAfter receiving the gorgeous flowers that you sent- THANK YOU! The girls and I drove to Temple to see Steven and Michelle. We are having a great time celebrating t's bday too. It has been a perfect day.
You are speaking in front of a ton of people sat morn and i know that you are nervous but know that we are all praying very hard for you! Remember these are God's words, sweet man! I love you!
It has been a roller coaster of emotions today and I love that I can feel what you are feeling even if it costs me a few birthday tears!
Love,
The birthday girl (you called me that all day!)
My precious love of my life....I have talked to you a lot today and it has been amazing but it has also been emotional. I turned 35 today and that in itself makes me a little on edge, especially without you. :) ...But then you, my sweet man call and tell me about the orphans that you met today and it all went downhill from there because it all came into perspective. I am emotional about MY situation this morn, while you are so far away but there is something so much bigger than me happening right now. All these children know are sadness, death and a loveless world and how perfect that you were there to tell them of the most perfect love of Jesus. This is what you were called to do in to Africa and I am so thankful because even if you come home today, God is already smiling down on you now. I can feel your heart breaking as you tell me the stories and that does NOTHING for my emotional state. :) (God, you are breaking our hearts as one, aren't you? ...even though I am not there in person...)
At 6:30 this morn, maddie woke her sisters up, she had big plans! The girls made me strawberries with candy thi morn, which of course they shared ;) they put up streamers in the kitchen, it was so sweetAfter receiving the gorgeous flowers that you sent- THANK YOU! The girls and I drove to Temple to see Steven and Michelle. We are having a great time celebrating t's bday too. It has been a perfect day.
You are speaking in front of a ton of people sat morn and i know that you are nervous but know that we are all praying very hard for you! Remember these are God's words, sweet man! I love you!
It has been a roller coaster of emotions today and I love that I can feel what you are feeling even if it costs me a few birthday tears!
Love,
The birthday girl (you called me that all day!)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Girl Thing!
Day Six:
AMERICAN GIRL day, which sounds funny since YOU are NOT in America!
We had an amazing day at American Girl store. What a treat for the girls! They needed about 1 million dollars to get all that their hearts desired! ;) They all left the store happy and with a new outfit for their doll. We wish that you were there, although it may have been a blessing for you that you were not! It was a girlie, waiting in line, eye rolling store~ but our sweet girls loved every minute and so did I...must be a girl thing!
I just got off "skype" and phone with you. Your day is just beginning and you said you will call in 10 minutes. So I will try to finish this so that you have my total attention, no kids, no worries, just you! You are traveling to villages today and I pray that you are safe and that you touch many lives, with the words that God has given you. I know that you are cherishing this time, what an adventure that you are on!
I am praying and thinking of you and I can't wait till you are home. Safe and sound~ Talk to you in a few minutes!
Love always and forever!
Susie
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
A Certain Regret
Day Five:
I feel like the days are wildly busy and that is good but today it made me sad...and I will tell you why.
At about 3:00, you called. It was right after Kitty and Angel (these two names together in a sentence make me laugh!) had left with Ella and Nat and our girls were getting a lecture on glue crafts on the table with no paper to protect the table. They were WILD from the antics of the day with their cousins and they were craving my attention. Add to that a call from Poppy, and the girls at the office with a prob...then you call and it was a light in my day but with all that was going on, it was hard to focus and enjoy just...YOU. It was a moment that I wanted to pause and leave the house and find a quiet hiding place and then press the play button so you would have my undivided attention. You had amazing stories and it made me want to jump through the phone and be there with you. After I got off with you, I was back to returning the calls that I missed while on the phone with you and then to get read to take dinner to Christina (whose baby is an absolute doll.)This was the first time that I felt so overwhelmed while you were gone and I had to take a moment to "collect myself." ;) A few tears were shed and a few prayers were said. It was not a major moment but I felt a certain regret that I couldn't figure out a way to make time stand still for your calls because your calls mean the world to me and I just want to make them last.
After I dropped dinner off, I met Kitty for my b-day dinner at Glorias, while Joshie watched all the girls and it was just what I needed after today. She became my "mate" for the night. ;) We talked and laughed till I almost cried and I am so thankful to have had this getaway, to brighten up my mood. (THANK YOU, KITTY AND JOSH!)
Today was challenging, but we made it through with a little help. ;) Today was frustrating but we made it through with a little prayer. Today was sad but we made it through with a little laughter. While my certain regret still lingers, my day was filled with help, prayer and laughter and that is what I will remember!
It is 6 o'clock A.M. (In Uganda)...Goodmorning, Baby!I love you!
Q
I feel like the days are wildly busy and that is good but today it made me sad...and I will tell you why.
At about 3:00, you called. It was right after Kitty and Angel (these two names together in a sentence make me laugh!) had left with Ella and Nat and our girls were getting a lecture on glue crafts on the table with no paper to protect the table. They were WILD from the antics of the day with their cousins and they were craving my attention. Add to that a call from Poppy, and the girls at the office with a prob...then you call and it was a light in my day but with all that was going on, it was hard to focus and enjoy just...YOU. It was a moment that I wanted to pause and leave the house and find a quiet hiding place and then press the play button so you would have my undivided attention. You had amazing stories and it made me want to jump through the phone and be there with you. After I got off with you, I was back to returning the calls that I missed while on the phone with you and then to get read to take dinner to Christina (whose baby is an absolute doll.)This was the first time that I felt so overwhelmed while you were gone and I had to take a moment to "collect myself." ;) A few tears were shed and a few prayers were said. It was not a major moment but I felt a certain regret that I couldn't figure out a way to make time stand still for your calls because your calls mean the world to me and I just want to make them last.
After I dropped dinner off, I met Kitty for my b-day dinner at Glorias, while Joshie watched all the girls and it was just what I needed after today. She became my "mate" for the night. ;) We talked and laughed till I almost cried and I am so thankful to have had this getaway, to brighten up my mood. (THANK YOU, KITTY AND JOSH!)
Today was challenging, but we made it through with a little help. ;) Today was frustrating but we made it through with a little prayer. Today was sad but we made it through with a little laughter. While my certain regret still lingers, my day was filled with help, prayer and laughter and that is what I will remember!
It is 6 o'clock A.M. (In Uganda)...Goodmorning, Baby!I love you!
Q
Monday, July 18, 2011
A Certain Peace
Day Four:
I was reading in Psalm 67 and the first few verses really touched my heart.
Psalm 67:1-5
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for your rule your people justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
How perfect for me to read this while you are so far away, Bri. I am praying that God will use you to do exactly this. "...that Your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations!" It gives me chills to think of how many people do not even know the name of Jesus. I thank God that He has called you to Africa to be this light for Him.
Day four has been fast. We met friends at the pool, which was when you called and it was so hard to hear you. (I hope that you are having the BEST nights sleep right now!) Then it was home to get things ready for Angel to come tom. Stacy brought dinner, which was SO sweet and SO yummy! (...I wonder what you are eating?) Tonight was busy with chores but easy with the girls. Maddie looked up magic tricks on the compt and then gave me a demonstration, which was really good! And Ally and Hunter played SO well tonight. It amazes me, the way Ally is with Hunter. She knows exactly what to do to make Hunter smile, to make her do what Mommy said, to make her stop crying...I just sit and watch them in action and smile.
The girls and I think about you all the time and I remind them to pray for you for a specific thing every day, today of course was that you are able to sleep. We MISS you and can't wait for you to be HERE but we are actually doing pretty well, no major meltdowns, no big probs....just a certain peace as we wait for you to come home.
I can't wait for you to call again; I love hearing your voice.As always, missing you and loving you...forever and always.
Q
I was reading in Psalm 67 and the first few verses really touched my heart.
Psalm 67:1-5
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for your rule your people justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
How perfect for me to read this while you are so far away, Bri. I am praying that God will use you to do exactly this. "...that Your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations!" It gives me chills to think of how many people do not even know the name of Jesus. I thank God that He has called you to Africa to be this light for Him.
Day four has been fast. We met friends at the pool, which was when you called and it was so hard to hear you. (I hope that you are having the BEST nights sleep right now!) Then it was home to get things ready for Angel to come tom. Stacy brought dinner, which was SO sweet and SO yummy! (...I wonder what you are eating?) Tonight was busy with chores but easy with the girls. Maddie looked up magic tricks on the compt and then gave me a demonstration, which was really good! And Ally and Hunter played SO well tonight. It amazes me, the way Ally is with Hunter. She knows exactly what to do to make Hunter smile, to make her do what Mommy said, to make her stop crying...I just sit and watch them in action and smile.
The girls and I think about you all the time and I remind them to pray for you for a specific thing every day, today of course was that you are able to sleep. We MISS you and can't wait for you to be HERE but we are actually doing pretty well, no major meltdowns, no big probs....just a certain peace as we wait for you to come home.
I can't wait for you to call again; I love hearing your voice.As always, missing you and loving you...forever and always.
Q
I Love Skype!
Day Three:
Yea!!!!! I was so excited to be able to talk to you and see your gorgeous face today! What a surprise! Skype rocks! Meeting Jimmy from next door was amazing! It felt so real to see you and yet SO far away...
Today was National Ice Cream Day, so I took our girls to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream fun! They thought that I was kidding....Mommy, how do YOU know that it is National Ice Cream Day?? Are you kidding??- When we arrived at Baskin Robbins, they asked, "Why isn't it crowded? Do people know it is National Ice Cream Day???" They were so worried! I told them that we must have just missed the crowd! :)
We all miss you more than you know. The girls always include you in their prayers and I love that they are thinking of you always, we all are!
You are amazing, Brian Aubrey Cheek!
I love you and I love Skype! (Call me soon!) ;)
Yea!!!!! I was so excited to be able to talk to you and see your gorgeous face today! What a surprise! Skype rocks! Meeting Jimmy from next door was amazing! It felt so real to see you and yet SO far away...
Today was National Ice Cream Day, so I took our girls to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream fun! They thought that I was kidding....Mommy, how do YOU know that it is National Ice Cream Day?? Are you kidding??- When we arrived at Baskin Robbins, they asked, "Why isn't it crowded? Do people know it is National Ice Cream Day???" They were so worried! I told them that we must have just missed the crowd! :)
We all miss you more than you know. The girls always include you in their prayers and I love that they are thinking of you always, we all are!
You are amazing, Brian Aubrey Cheek!
I love you and I love Skype! (Call me soon!) ;)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
"Where is Daddy?"
I have been trying to call you today, knowing that I will probably not get you. You arrived in Uganda today...and I am so excited for your adventure!
Hunter has been asking about you today. "Where is Daddy?" she asks. "Remember, he is on a trip to Africa?" I reply. "Yea, Africa!" she says. Two minutes later, she says, "Where is Daddy?" This will be a long 12 days!
I miss you, precious man! And I am so blessed to be able to pray for you while you are away.
I LOVE you, always and forever!
Q
Hunter has been asking about you today. "Where is Daddy?" she asks. "Remember, he is on a trip to Africa?" I reply. "Yea, Africa!" she says. Two minutes later, she says, "Where is Daddy?" This will be a long 12 days!
I miss you, precious man! And I am so blessed to be able to pray for you while you are away.
I LOVE you, always and forever!
Q
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Little Push
I know that is has been a long while since my last post and a few things have been encouraging me to start again...a little push... in the right direction. I won't start with where we have been but with where God is taking us.
The love of my life left this morning, on a "non traditional" mission trip to Africa for 12 days....I want to write down my thoughts, for him and for me, during these days while he is away spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Day One:
I think that that this day may be the easiest. It hasn't hit us that you are really gone and that we really don't know where you are. That may come tomorrow...the girls are happy and Maddie and Ally are spending the night at a friends house, so it is just Hunter and me tonight. Nice and easy. (Are you already looking out for me, Lord???) I have been praying for you and this trip constantly and forever, it seems, although it has only been a month since it all began. And today, I found myself just saying the name of "Jesus" and "Lord, Your will", over and over, because He knows my prayers more than I do. Brian, I have been praying that the Lord will do amazing things through you and that His Will will be done in Africa and the Glory of it all will be His. I pray also for your safety and that you will come back to us. I pray that we will be able to communicate and that our precious girls will not drive me crazy! :) I am amazed at your willingness to GO....you are my hero and I love you more than ever. Thank you for being a Godly example to our beautiful girls and to me. You amaze me, Brian Aubrey Cheek and I am yours forever and always.
A little push...and here we go....
The love of my life left this morning, on a "non traditional" mission trip to Africa for 12 days....I want to write down my thoughts, for him and for me, during these days while he is away spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Day One:
I think that that this day may be the easiest. It hasn't hit us that you are really gone and that we really don't know where you are. That may come tomorrow...the girls are happy and Maddie and Ally are spending the night at a friends house, so it is just Hunter and me tonight. Nice and easy. (Are you already looking out for me, Lord???) I have been praying for you and this trip constantly and forever, it seems, although it has only been a month since it all began. And today, I found myself just saying the name of "Jesus" and "Lord, Your will", over and over, because He knows my prayers more than I do. Brian, I have been praying that the Lord will do amazing things through you and that His Will will be done in Africa and the Glory of it all will be His. I pray also for your safety and that you will come back to us. I pray that we will be able to communicate and that our precious girls will not drive me crazy! :) I am amazed at your willingness to GO....you are my hero and I love you more than ever. Thank you for being a Godly example to our beautiful girls and to me. You amaze me, Brian Aubrey Cheek and I am yours forever and always.
A little push...and here we go....
Monday, November 16, 2009
God's Whisper
Have you ever just known when someone needs you? A tug on your heart, a feeling? Some say a mother's intuition.... I don't think so, rather, God's sweet whisper that you must stop what you are doing and listen.
Where does this come from, you wonder? Well, I was taking my nightly relaxing, "let no one bother me bath" and I just literally stopped reading to listen. And then I realized that I forgot to turn on the monitor in our bathroom. But I try to always keep a second monitor on in the other room, just in case and when I felt the need to stop and really listen I heard a funny sound. I didn't recognize it as crying but just different. Because I had this funny feeling, I got out of the bath and turned on the monitor in our bathroom and on came the sounds of Hunter screaming.
God whispered in my ear that I was needed and it was so amazing to FEEL it!
Where does this come from, you wonder? Well, I was taking my nightly relaxing, "let no one bother me bath" and I just literally stopped reading to listen. And then I realized that I forgot to turn on the monitor in our bathroom. But I try to always keep a second monitor on in the other room, just in case and when I felt the need to stop and really listen I heard a funny sound. I didn't recognize it as crying but just different. Because I had this funny feeling, I got out of the bath and turned on the monitor in our bathroom and on came the sounds of Hunter screaming.
God whispered in my ear that I was needed and it was so amazing to FEEL it!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Mom
Today is my precious mom's birthday! I am so thankful to have her as a mom, she has been everything that I need and the perfect mom for me. From picking me up when I fell, to wiping away my tears, to knowing at the exact moment that I needed a hug, she has always been there for me, in the good and bad. How do you show someone just how very much they mean to you...I found a poem that fit her perfectly.
A Mother's Love
A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.
~Helen Steiner Rice
Mom, it is funny to think about being a teenager and wondering why I couldn't stay out as late as some of my friends or go to a certain concert or watch a certain movie or date a certain boy. I had a "It's so not fair" attitude....but I can see now all that you were doing, moving Heavan and Earth to protect me from a selfish and evil world. Even at the cost of your teenage daughter's diapproval. :) I know that I would do anything to protect my precious girls and you were doing the same for me. I didn't understand then, but I understand now.
Thank you for being my angel on earth, for loving and protecting, forgiving and sacrificing. There are no true words to explain all that you mean to me. You have given me so much....you have made me feel safe when I was scared, loved when I was heart broken, beautiful when I felt ugly and you showed me what it was like to be a Godly woman in an ungodly world. Thank you for you constant prayers and for your never-ending love. You are amazing and I love you more than you can imagine!
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
A Mother's Love
A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.
~Helen Steiner Rice
Mom, it is funny to think about being a teenager and wondering why I couldn't stay out as late as some of my friends or go to a certain concert or watch a certain movie or date a certain boy. I had a "It's so not fair" attitude....but I can see now all that you were doing, moving Heavan and Earth to protect me from a selfish and evil world. Even at the cost of your teenage daughter's diapproval. :) I know that I would do anything to protect my precious girls and you were doing the same for me. I didn't understand then, but I understand now.
Thank you for being my angel on earth, for loving and protecting, forgiving and sacrificing. There are no true words to explain all that you mean to me. You have given me so much....you have made me feel safe when I was scared, loved when I was heart broken, beautiful when I felt ugly and you showed me what it was like to be a Godly woman in an ungodly world. Thank you for you constant prayers and for your never-ending love. You are amazing and I love you more than you can imagine!
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
My Constants
I should have posted this long ago.
Ally has transitioned to Pre-k amazingly! She enters into the room everytime with her big girl attitude, a hug and a kiss and a wave goodbye. For those of you who remember, Ally never LOVED going to "school/MDO." There were tantrums and crying and only every now and then she was ok. It was hard to watch and to leave her crying for me to come back. But in the end, she has grown into herself and into her new world of Pre-K, of new friends, a new teacher, and a new room. To be honest, I didn't expect it to go so well but everyday it has been a blessing to see Ally's new attitude of "I can do this!"
In a world that pulls me up and down, this way and that, it is reassurring to have some CONSTANTS in my life. And writing about Ally's new attitude about school, I realize that it has amazingly become one of these constants. It is something that I can count on now to be OK. Here are some more of my constants~
1. The amazing grace of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
2. Answered prayers (Example: Ally's attitude toward school!)
3. My husband will always love me.
4. My children will always want to cuddle after bath and they will always ask for ice cream but not always get it! :)
5. My girls will always need me.
6. The sounds of Hunter's cries when I leave the room~ :)
7. The love of my family.
8. Good friends.
9. Laughter at the end of the day....as the girls run around to entertain Hunter as I put on her pj's.
10. Easy nights.
11. Sleepy mornings.
12. Shoes on the floor in every room, it seems.
13. I am ALWAYS out of SOMETHING.
14. Maddie and Ally's little voices singing in the house, in the car, in a Target near you!
15. Oh, and (drum roll....) LAUNDRY!
Just to name a few....
Thank you Lord for constants, each and everyone of them!
Monday, August 24, 2009
1st Grade and Pre-K, can you believe it?
Well, we survived Maddie's 1st day of 1st grade today...barely! Maddie didn't want to go. The night before, the school jitters got the best of her and she didn't want to go because she had to wake up early, her best friend wasn't in her class, she wasn't "sure" about her teacher, and the list goes on. I feared the morning but with lots of prayers on her part and mine (and I am sure others out there! :-)), she woke up ready to go! Yipee! I was nervous for her as Ally, Hunter and I walked away but she looked confident! Well, when we got home after school, all the stories told with a smile on her face for the most part and it was time to stop playing with friends and do HOMEWORK, yes, you heard me.....a test on Thursday AND Friday! YIKES! Well, let's just say that Maddie was less than enthused.....can you blame her? At that moment, her summer was officially over! "Why do I have to go to school?" "Why, why, why?!?!?!?!?" "You see, THIS is why I didn't want to go in the first place!"~ And this went on and on and on. ;-)
Again, I say we survived! And I say this again as a reminder because we still have Ally's first day to "tackle!" So look forward to another post that only my sweet Ally could inspire!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Which Way to Go...
It has taken me a week to get my thoughts together and even then I don't know that they are.... There is so much to feel and think and remember that is it almost overwhelming. And there are so many "shapes" that this story can take....which way to go, which way to go....
I will start at the end because that is where we all came together. Sunday night the 19th, one week after the incident we all came to watch Paul, Brian's father give his testimony of what had happened the week before. When I say "we all" I mean, Paul and Charlotte and all of the "kids", Brian and I, Josh and Amy and all the girls. It was in one word, amazing and the tears came; finally some release to all of this. As Paul recounted his memories, I was sitting besides my mother-in-love in her church and with my precious sleeping baby in my arms, crying these tears of, as Paul said in his testimony, "so many things"....tears of happiness that my dear "Baba" is still here in my life, tears of amazement at just hearing the story told by the one who holds Charlotte's heart, tears of joy that my Lord had made his presence known during all of this, tears of triumph that this was all for a reason, for His glory- Amen, tears of love for all of those that I adore and couldn't imagine losing....
On Sunday morning, July 12th, my sweet Charlotte, went in to cardiac arrest at her home in Tom Bean, Tx. My husband received the call from his dad that his mother was being taken to the hospital via the ambulance with chest pains. Oddly enough, there was no panic, no tears- just words and prayers... God was in control...we waited, can you believe it?!?!? Almost as though, we knew that it was OK, but even then we waited to hear some news. She was in surgery and that was when we headed up. The prayers were coming, the visitors were there to offer support as Charlotte battled her way "beautifully" through ICU. Paul took Charlotte home from the hospital on their 37th wedding anniversary, July 15th and she is doing great. Ultimately, Charlotte went through something that should have taken her life on so many levels. But the circumstances, the friends that were there to lend a hand, the timing of it all...EVERYTHING...the Lord our God had his hands on this family and I will continue to thank Him for that. There is a song by Casting Crowns that touches my heart every time I hear it and I wanted to share it. Read the word carefully, it will touch you- then buy the CD~ :-)
Praise you in this Storm
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
God wants to raise us up, God is real, He is here, He never leaves, He wants all of us to believe and be with Him in heaven.....the way to go is.....UP!
I will start at the end because that is where we all came together. Sunday night the 19th, one week after the incident we all came to watch Paul, Brian's father give his testimony of what had happened the week before. When I say "we all" I mean, Paul and Charlotte and all of the "kids", Brian and I, Josh and Amy and all the girls. It was in one word, amazing and the tears came; finally some release to all of this. As Paul recounted his memories, I was sitting besides my mother-in-love in her church and with my precious sleeping baby in my arms, crying these tears of, as Paul said in his testimony, "so many things"....tears of happiness that my dear "Baba" is still here in my life, tears of amazement at just hearing the story told by the one who holds Charlotte's heart, tears of joy that my Lord had made his presence known during all of this, tears of triumph that this was all for a reason, for His glory- Amen, tears of love for all of those that I adore and couldn't imagine losing....
On Sunday morning, July 12th, my sweet Charlotte, went in to cardiac arrest at her home in Tom Bean, Tx. My husband received the call from his dad that his mother was being taken to the hospital via the ambulance with chest pains. Oddly enough, there was no panic, no tears- just words and prayers... God was in control...we waited, can you believe it?!?!? Almost as though, we knew that it was OK, but even then we waited to hear some news. She was in surgery and that was when we headed up. The prayers were coming, the visitors were there to offer support as Charlotte battled her way "beautifully" through ICU. Paul took Charlotte home from the hospital on their 37th wedding anniversary, July 15th and she is doing great. Ultimately, Charlotte went through something that should have taken her life on so many levels. But the circumstances, the friends that were there to lend a hand, the timing of it all...EVERYTHING...the Lord our God had his hands on this family and I will continue to thank Him for that. There is a song by Casting Crowns that touches my heart every time I hear it and I wanted to share it. Read the word carefully, it will touch you- then buy the CD~ :-)
Praise you in this Storm
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
God wants to raise us up, God is real, He is here, He never leaves, He wants all of us to believe and be with Him in heaven.....the way to go is.....UP!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Summertime?
Is it only me or is Summertime stressful for others too?
I keep seeing and reading how happy other mothers are that summer has arrived and I absolutely LOVE that I can spend the time with my girls and I don't want to take that for granted but I was not warned that they would want to be entertained EVERY second of EVERY day of Summertime!!!!
Maddie even asked me tonight..."Mommy, what are we doing tomorrow???" I went from being a full time working mom, who had no idea of all the summer camps there are out there to a summertime mom of an almost 1st grader. 4 yr old and a 4 mo. old, who STILL has no idea of all the summer camps there are out there and I find that it is hard to keep up with the expectations of summertime. Can anyone relate?!?!? There needs to be a summer magazine of summer crafts, activities and summer fun for reference.
I am trying to take a deep breath and I will get on the computer and find some activities for my girls to make their summer as special as it can be... but for future stay at home moms....beware of the "activities addiction", there needs to be a PLAN in place and now I know through experience! (There is only so much swimming you can do before it becomes old news!)
I love my girls and I love that I can stay home with them part time and experience a Summertime through their eyes. I want them to remember summer like I remember summer...an incredibly exciting and fairytale time. I hope that after a few "google searches" and brainstorms that I can find what will make their summer as magical and as memorable as I hope!
I keep seeing and reading how happy other mothers are that summer has arrived and I absolutely LOVE that I can spend the time with my girls and I don't want to take that for granted but I was not warned that they would want to be entertained EVERY second of EVERY day of Summertime!!!!
Maddie even asked me tonight..."Mommy, what are we doing tomorrow???" I went from being a full time working mom, who had no idea of all the summer camps there are out there to a summertime mom of an almost 1st grader. 4 yr old and a 4 mo. old, who STILL has no idea of all the summer camps there are out there and I find that it is hard to keep up with the expectations of summertime. Can anyone relate?!?!? There needs to be a summer magazine of summer crafts, activities and summer fun for reference.
I am trying to take a deep breath and I will get on the computer and find some activities for my girls to make their summer as special as it can be... but for future stay at home moms....beware of the "activities addiction", there needs to be a PLAN in place and now I know through experience! (There is only so much swimming you can do before it becomes old news!)
I love my girls and I love that I can stay home with them part time and experience a Summertime through their eyes. I want them to remember summer like I remember summer...an incredibly exciting and fairytale time. I hope that after a few "google searches" and brainstorms that I can find what will make their summer as magical and as memorable as I hope!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Happy Anniversary, Baby!
It is amazing how the years have flown by and even more amazing to see where we have been and how far we have come in THIRTEEN years! We have had our ups and downs, there have been tears and laughter, we have been frustrated and in awe of each other, there have been sacrifices and compromises, we have been angry and we have been ecstatic. But as all of these emotions have come and gone, the one thing that has been steady is that we have always and will always be IN LOVE!
Thank you for these thirteen years and counting! I love you!
Always!
Q
Thank you for these thirteen years and counting! I love you!
Always!
Q
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