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Monday, May 21, 2007

The countdown begins

The oldest son is leaving for Air Force boot camp one week from today.

To answer your question…I’m doing good.

I am always asked, “how are YOU feeling about this?”
Well, we prayed about this before Matt signed up and God has given us all peace that he is doing the right thing.

It is tough knowing that I won’t see him for long periods of time, I will miss his face around here! He has the best sense of humor. He makes me laugh all the time.
It is going to be so hard!

God’s Word says:
Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
NIV

The thing I am focusing on right now is “go.” It does not say, “train up a child and then hope he/she never goes.”

The job I am so honored to have, is to train up my children to be prepared for God’s plan and purpose. I pray that I’ve done that. Many things have been flying through my mind as time come closer for him to leave- did I tell him this?…, or did we prepare him for that?…
At this point I find peace in the fact that he has a personal relationship with the Lord. He is God’s kid too!

The Amplified version of that verse is:
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
AMP

That’s been our prayer all these years, God help us to prepare them for what YOUR unique plan is for their lives.

I’ve made so many mistakes in the raising of my children these past 19 years. I’m so glad that God is merciful! In spite of his imperfect parents, Matt is a really great person.

I know that He has His hand on my son, no matter where this life takes him.
I want my children to be in the middle of God’s will for their lives. Even if it is scary to me, I know that is the best place for them.

I trust that the Lord loves him infinitely more than I could ever imagine and will be with him everywhere he goes.

He will be gone for 4 years (give or take a short leave here and there). I don’t know where the road of life will take him. He could come back with a wife and have a child by then! Or, he may never choose to move back here.
You always hear about how fast they grow up and how the time flies, now I believe it.

Life will never be the same around here after next Monday. I’m sad for myself because I will miss him, but I am so glad that he is excited to go and start this new chapter in his life.

Hug your babies girls, it really does go by too quickly!

24 comments:

eph2810 said...

Congratulations to your son. I think it awesome that he will follow His heart.
I know it is hard to let go. I too pray that I have trained our son in a Godly way. I am trusting the Lord that He has the perfect path for our son.
Blessings on your Monday and always.

Naomi Dalton said...

I know exactly how you feel about one of your babies leaving the nest. I get to see Courtney only a couple times a year!!! But God is so awesome, God placed this awesome Woman of God in Courtneys life to minister to her and guide her even though I cant physically be there. God will do that for Matt too!!! They do grow up fast and I have loved being able to spend alot more time with them and training them up in the ways of the Lord. Have a great day!

concerned parent said...

Ok now through the tears I will make my best attempt at this, Matt is one of the most wonderful men I have had the privilege to meet in my life Mark and Sue have done amazing parenting with their children I pray I can raise mine so well. I too know in my heart this is God’s plan for Matt although my flesh longs to keep him here and safe at home I know he has to go and all of us need to pray for strength and peace with all the Cramers now and all the while. My Forest love his big cousin and we will all miss him very much, I am proud to know he wants to serve his county and help protect this great nation we live in and I say thank you Matt for having the courage to do so.
Love, Auntie Ali

Anonymous said...

Sue,

Oooooh.....I just want to go get them out of school early and love on them because of this!!!

I'll be thinking of you in the days to come.

Blessings,
Dori

Unknown said...

Sue, I will be praying for you, your family & your son, as he embarks on this new adventure.

Remember, Acts 17:26 tells us that the Lord "made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation"

He knows exactly where Matt will end up, and when and how, and it will bring Him glory! Take heart and keep your comfort in our great God, friend!

PandaMom said...

I will be praying for great memories to be made this week with your family and that the transitions will be smooth. Sounds like your young man is prepared for what the Lord has in store for his life. Great job, mom! ; )

Jill said...

Sue, you have a wonderful attitude and perspective on this. Thanks for being an example to all.
Jill

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Ok, you have me teary. Congratulations to your son! It is so hard to let them go, and yet exciting to share the next chapter with them.

Your heart in this posts reveals you are a wise and Godly mom to recognize that your son is truly the Lord's.

Roo said...

oh wow.
i will be thinking/praying for you.
the path of a mama -- wearing your heart on the outside of your body.

shalom friend.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Sue. I was just thinking about you guys and wondering when he would be leaving. God will get you through...and like you said, you want them to be in the center of God's will, no matter where that may be!
Love you.

Kim said...

How sad that he is leaving...just the missing him part would be heart breaking...but how exciting that you can see God's plans unfold in his life as he leaves to pursue his dreams and goals.

From what I have read about your family, he has great Christian roots and a family that loves him...He will not forget.

Kim

Dionna said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. What a joy to know Tammy Trent's family.. :)

AbbyLane said...

Hey there! Just visiting from a number of mouse clicks and wanted you to know that I am praying for your family and son as he takes this next step in his journey to a new season of life! My cousin is leaving for army training as well this week...and his name is Matthew! So I just had to leave a comment to let you know I'll be thinking about you! God bless! :)

redmaryjanes said...

Thank you so much for the verses that you left on my blog today. I needed them to get through my day at work.
My son is at the end of his freshman year in high school and my just aches to think of when he leaves home. I can't imagine not having him in my day to day life. Notice I said my life..selfish I know. I want him to have everything God intends for him and he will. I know your son will too. You are a great mother. Very inspiring.

Jen said...

Sue

BLESS ALL OF YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!
You are a great mama, with such a great attitude.

My heart aches at the thought of my children coming to these stages, I am the kind of Mom who would really like them all to marry and live next door so I can see them and my grand babies all the time....not very realistic I know.
My second son has always had such a sense of justice and fighting for good....I have found myself pleading with God ...not the military, or the police. He's only 10 yet, I have had to say..."nevertheless Father, not my will, but yours be done".

As you said, I trust that my God loves them infinitely more than I, and has plans not to harm them, but to prosper them....
My mother's heart is with you this week, and my prayers are with your son. My brother in law is serving Canada in Afghanistan as I type....
Many blessings!

Praise and Coffee said...

Thank you all for your love and support!

I think one thing is so true of all of us as mother's - it NEVER get's easier!

I remember thinking, when they can crawl...then -when they can walk...and always thinking that there would be an "easy" stage around the corner.

Easier- no....more rewarding- EVERYDAY!

Grandma Cramer said...

I don't know if Matthew knows how proud his Grandpa Cramer is of him. His Grandpa was in the Army and some of his best memories are of his service days, even if they were many years ago. Matthew is wonderful, funny, like Sue said he is. He is a role model to his younger brother and sisters, and yes he does love the Lord.. We will miss him too, but we know that this is his adventure. I pray every day for all my Grandchildren, but Matthew will get a little extra each day, especially until he is through boot camp. God will give him the strength he needs. Mark and Sue are wonderful parents, and they know he is in Gods wonderful hands

Praise and Coffee said...

Awww, thanks Mom (in-law)!
That was so sweet.

It's so wonderful to know he has Grandma's praying for him!

Natalie Joy said...

God Bless you and your son. He is faithful.

Steffie B. said...

I hope you have a good week with your family. I will pray that God watches over your son while he is away and that you will have peace in your heart.

holy chaos said...

wow! i cannot even imagine! My son will be a senior in the fall, but he wants to stay here on go to the local tech school to get his general ed requirements...so far that is!

have you read "Giving Them Wings"
or it might be "Give Them Wings?"

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh mom your embarassing me lol. hmmm not sure what to say but anyone who knows me knows I don't just sit a listen for very long at all :) Thanks everyone it's good to have all your prayers to keep me safe from those scarey TI's (training instructors) Mom has her comments moderated so I'll have to watch my laguage just kiddin, But I'm excited and I can't wait to run constantly and get yelled at and run more and then wake up before the birds..... wait did I just say that? Lova ya Mom

Kimmie said...

Dearest Sue;

First you don't look old enough to have a son who is "off" next Monday...are you pulling our leg?

May God continue to bless your time together and pour his perfect peace, love and joy over your family. May your relationship continue to be close, though the miles stretch between you for the next few years (we could say days, though it is many days ;-)
God's wisdom is already in your heart, as your training and preparation for this day has been poured out over the past 19 years. I pray that everything you taught your son will rise up in him and guide him (along with the Holy Spirit and the very hand of God) on his journey into adulthood and whatever it is God has planned for his life.

I pray blessing over each in your family, protection (mind, body, soul and spirit)-may he give each of you opportunity to give him glory.

with love and a big (((((hug)))))
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted! (and one on the way from Guatemala)

Sandy said...

That last line makes me teary, and to hug all of my kids. My boys are turning 15 and 13 this week. I know it will go by too quickly. My baby girl is now almost 11.
Great post, thank you for sharing!
Sandy
For Reluctant Entertainers

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