Family Matters

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but in my defense I have been super busy. I was kind of freaking out the past week when I didn't get a letter from Jon. He has been writing me pretty consistently so I thought it was strange I hadn't heard from him. Then one day after a week had past I got a letter. He's been really busy with everything down there (which I forget sometimes, hence me freaking out) and hadn't had anytime to write. He has just entered Phase Two and now we have gotten to the point where we are counting down the days instead of counting the days that he's been gone. It was at this time I am so glad to not only have one family, but three amazing families praying for me and Landon. My immediate family has been awesome during this time. My Mom is forever doing things to help and just making the burden seem lighter. I couldn't ask for a better Dad he has moved furniture for me, I've consulted him on more than one home improvement project and just been there to give me the sound advice I know Jon would be giving me if he was here. Then there are all my siblings, I have 6 of them. Three sisters (one of whom we've "adopted" from Las Vegas) and 3 brothers (Two of which had the pleasure of marrying into our wonderful family). My sisters have talked, laughed, and prayed me through these past 7 weeks. Then my brothers, they have watched out for Landon, picked him up from school, and even went with me to pick up furniture. They are awesome in so many ways and I don't know where I would be without them. Then there is my in-law family, which I hate to use because they feel to me just as much as a part of my family as anyone else. They are always supportive just calling to check on me and I love to spend time with them. Landon loves his cousins and it's nice to be with them knowing they know Jon just as well as I do. Last night we celebrated my sister in law's birthday and it was great to be in a house where kids were screaming and playing. The silence is sometimes deafening. I know that with Jon gone our house noise level has decreased considerably. It was great to feel a part of something. Not just a wife missing her husband and a son who can't wait till daddy comes home. Then last but not least is my church family. In Hebrews 10:25 the Bible says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." I can't begin to tell you the kind of support that a good church family brings. There isn't a day that goes by that someone hasn't told me that they were praying for me or Landon or Jon or all three of us! I have some great friends at my church and quite literally they keep me sane. I would probably be crying every night if it wasn't for their texts. I actually have even gained an even stronger relationship with one of the other military spouses in our church. Her husband is about to be deployed so we are both going to be without our spouses for a while. She has been a great support for me and it's great to have some one to talk to. All I'm saying is that God knew what he was doing when he created families. It doesn't matter how they came about or what you might have in common on the surface. You will always have your families back and I am so glad that I have three in my corner. It's amazing what it takes for you to be reminded, but I am so thankful that I now truly know how much family truly matters.