I drank the Juice!

I'm so blessed to be me. :) Yes I truly feel this way. I like who I am, where I am, and where my life is going. I've seen the changes not only my life, but that of my kids,husband and all those around me. I have really exciting news. Never say Never...

I've had my husband home for 21 days on emergency leave. I was so very lucky to have Mr.Amazing home. I honestly thought that my Grandma was not going to make it out KMC. She was on full life support, and it was just not looking good. I was hesitant to call red cross to request Drew's presence. I knew that by calling them, it was accepting what i just knew was going to happen, my wonderful grandmother leaving this earth. I cried, prayed and finally called. I needed my husband, I knew he wanted to be here. God is good. No matter what the doctors said, they just did not know, that God said it was not my grandmother's time. I can't tell you how many wonderful moments my husband has had with my family, our family, and my grandma because he was allowed to come home. He bonded with them in ways he had never had the opportunity to do. It was so bittersweet sending him back to finish the fight.

Did you know that Mr.Amazing got saved in Iraq? He and I both were baptised while he was home for this emergency leave. It's a answer to prayer I never thought would happen. He is changed in so many ways. We both have changed in this time apart. I had to pinch him several times while he was home to be certain the Army sent the right man back home to me. He does still have that quirky sense of humor and quick wit. God definitely knew what he was doing when I questioned what good could come of sending my husband into what i thought was a hopeless cause 8000 miles away. I stand in awe of the stories he has to tell, of the projects, improvements, and families touched by America being in Iraq.

I am most amazed by the change Iraq has had on him. I admit that i was and am like many wives, concerned what kind of man will come home to me after experiencing the terrible things war has to offer. I am still worried about his safety, I worry everyday that he will be ok. I do not worry anymore about the turmoil i would imagine goes on inside while you are there 8000 miles away from those you love, putting your life in harm's way. I know that Mr.Amazing has a relationship with God, I know that he will continue to grow and struggle like all of those who have found that path. But I have peace in my heart that He has finally come to know the wonderful savior I grew up knowing and enjoy an even closer relationship with now.

Because of all the things in my life I strayed away from God. I used situations in my life to justify why i didn't need God or better yet why God could not love or need me. I am so thankful for the experience of being alone,confused about so many things including whether my marriage would survive this deployment. For in my weakest moments I finally allowed myself to hear Jesus calling out for me to just trust in him, believe in him, and assuring me that I was not alone.

I am so thankful that my husband who had shunned god and all forms of religion found the path that led him straight to a wonderful loving relationship with Jesus Christ. "God has a way of exploding in your life"- Drew Bartow


My wonderful Grandmother has a lot to do with the changes in my life. She has taught me by her loving example how to live life, how to love my kids, how to love myself, and most importantly without much words she has taught me how to let God be number one in my life.

. Everything got started in him and finds it's purpose in him Colossians 1:16