I was born on a farm in North Carolina. One of five siblings, (two oldest died at 6 years and 6 months). My father was a Christian when I was born. Mother was not a Christian, and Dad was the only one (besides God), that knew this. But we (the kids), did not know this until she was 45 years old! It was very emotional the day we learned.
My youngest sibling, and only brother, felt that God was "calling" him into the ministry (at a young age we thought), and he came to Dad's on a Saturday to share the good news.
My husband (a career soldier) and I just happened to be visiting that day when my brother shared about his "calling." I thought Mother was going to shout that day!! She got so emotionally charged, and it was during that time, she made a profession of faith...Believe me, I was very surprised when I learned Mother was not a Christian! Dad was the Christian leader in the home. He was religiously devoted to God, his church, and family (in that order). He never believed in sending us to church...He and Mother always went with us to church.
One of my fondest memories was the alter where we bowed and prayed every evening after Dad came in from work. He would clean up, eat dinner, and then call us in around his knees to share the Word and the importance of having a personal relationship with our Savior. Dad went home to be with Jesus at age 90 and Mother at 73. Only God knows how much I miss them...but I know they're in a better place now, and would not come back here, if given the opportunity.
I married a guy who always wanted to be a career soldier, and when he graduated from college, he was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. We have two sons, both are married with three kids each. Our oldest son lives in York, PA., and our youngest son lives in Lake Hiawatha, NJ. We have one great grandson who will be 1 year old in August 2002, and he lives in Florida. My husband retired after 23 years in the Army. We have lived in many places...Fort Sam Houston, TX., on two different assignments, Fort Jackson, SC., Schofield Barracks, Hawaiii, Fort Holabird, Maryland (now closed down), Fort Campbell, KY, Nurnberg, West Germany. We've been to Austria where Julie Andrews filmed "The Sound Of Music," and Berlin before the Wall came down.
I really miss being an Army wife...I loved the education we gleaned from just the traveling...It was great!!
I trust that you'll enjoy your visit to "JoDee's Garden" and I do hope you'll contribute something (poem, some humor, an inspirational)...or maybe a prayer request, should you have one before you leave! You are welcome to share your special thoughts and/or items.
And come back again soon, and we'll leave the light on for you!
In His Service,
JoDee |
