The beginning is coming to an ending .....

MONTICELLO, Minn. (WCCO) – For 124 Minnesota soldiers, the war in Afghanistan isn’t over — it’s just beginning.
Three weeks after President Barack Obama said all troops would be out by 2014, friends and family said goodbye to members of the 257th Military Police Company as they left Wednesday, just days before Memorial Day.
“I don’t have any insight on [the war] ending, because mine’s just starting,” said Spc. Zach Haugen.
Soldiers and their spouses find Obama’s anticipated ending date hard to believe.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Andrea Stai, a soldier’s wife. “I think they’ll have to stay there until it’s safe and then hopefully they can move out and go to the next stage for everyone.”
The 257th will be responsible for teaching and coaching members of the Afghan National Army.
It was the first departure ceremony and deployment for a majority of the soldiers, including Haugen.
Haugen has 1-month-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. He says that missing his kids early years will be the most challenging thing for him and his wife.
“She’s holding up strong for now,” Haugen said. “Next week, it’ll be a whole different story.”
The soldiers will leave for training in Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday before going to Afghanistan in the spring. They’re expected to return in the summer of 2013

See the video by following the link ....
.http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/23/more-than-100-minn-soldiers-leave-for-afghanistan/#.T73DOY2uyTQ.facebook

 

 

 

AdChoices

Counting Gifts

941. Spring Break

942. friends who sit at hospital beds

943. a father who loves his girls well

944. a strong Spirit when the body is weak

945. the littlest home from Afghanistan

946. a hot apple blast and "talk time" with the oldest

947. a son and a daughter-in-law bringing the gifts of supper, a movie and themselves

948. "We haven't broken down, so I'd say pretty good!" said Kelley (my so very positive daughter)

949. Texas Girls

 

 

950, His grace, His love, His mercy and His protection over this family of mine

 

 

loving you all so much more as I remain In His Arms today! B.

Stateside

 

just a bit tired

 

yep stateside

 

So very grateful to have received a phone call last night at 9:35 pm from Ashley .... "Guess where I am she asked on the other side of the phone?" Thrilled to hear her voice she said, "Fort Bliss TX"!

End of conversation until I woke up this morning and thought it had been a dream. I texted her and she reassured me that indeed she was stateside. I have a happy, happy heart to know that my littlest is safe and sound with her feet planted for now in TX .... soon to be in Minnesota!

a burger without the bun please

 

 

 

 

Sure wish I were there for the last supper.

Aren't they the cutest grandchildren ever?

 

 

in my in box

I love that I have signed up for the verse of the day to come automatically to my in box. It usually comes first on my e-mail list of messages in the morning unless family and friends e-mail  during the night hours.

It is a reminder to me when the computer may be calling me, desiring me, sucking me in as technology can do (my flesh) that I must go to His word for the meat and not just be content with the milk from a verse.

Today I found this verse in my in box after spending time during the night watch praying for family and friends and on the couch with my open Bible finishing the end of Matthew.

I do enjoy computers, don't get me wrong, but the feel of my fingers turning the pages of a Bible that was given to me by Fern Arne, my Stephen's Minister, in December 1991 and the pen and paper of my journal can not be replaced by technology.

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us (you, Beth)  and called us (you) to a holy life—not because of anything we (you) have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us (to you Beth) in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time ....   Forgive me for inserting my name in His word but this is how He speaks to me, feel free to insert your name and be blessed today! In His Arms, B.

Dear Ashley,

I remember you asking for me to write you letters just telling you what's happening in my life so .....

I have missed writing and sending packages to you. I miss the fact that I can't just pick up the phone and call you. I had a "snow" day  on Tuesday (would have loved to just met you for coffee).  Much to my surprise they closed the schools in most districts except for the bigger districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I have been sick with bronchitis, sinus infection and an ear infection so .... I was very grateful to have no school on Tuesday. I went back to school on Wednesday but the cough and breathing has gotten worse so I will return to the doctor today.

Last Sunday night I saw all the women from the 257 MP Co at the FRG meeting. It was a good meeting but a hard meeting as there was much to be talked about in the way of what to expect when you get home. I really want to be aware of what you may want to do and not want to do. Commander Hyland's wife spoke and she was very honest and transparent which I was grateful for. They also had a Chaplian there and I was able to sit next to and talk with some parents who's son had been deployed twice. Andera and Jenna planned the meeting and it was by far much more helpful then our full day at Anoka Tech. I wished that dad had been there but I took good notes.

Tuesday was the snow day and I was not feeling well so I missed my Blue Star Mom's meeting. They did a spring packing for the troops. (they knew not to send anything your way)

Tonight I have Real Women we will be having the women from MNTC (Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge) next Thursday as our guests. We are planning an evening of Polish (manicures) Praise and Prayer. It will be fun to serve in this way as we did this last year and it was such a blessing. I just signed up for the women's retreat and am excited to go ....I am also super excited for Adam and Renee and the  birth of our new grandson! I hope all is well with you!

 Today I am  praying: "Lord, make Ashley strong and filled with courage for every task. Equip her with everything she needs to fulfill your plans for her, but teach her to rely on You, not on her own abilities. Make her a soul-seeker. (Joshua 1) Lord, protect Ashley from scars, caused by the trials and struggles of this life. I thank you that Ashley does not have to become negative or pessimistic as a result of circumstances around her, because she has hope and abundant life in You. Help her to fix her eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. for it is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:8-9,16-18)

I love you way more, mom

joy, grace, love ... counting 935-940

935. joy in the trials

 

936. His grace, His amazing grace

 

937. His abundant love

 

938. Ashley coming home soon

 

939. warm blankets on a cold winter night

 

940. girlfriends sharing with and caring for one another

 

A Year In Review 2012

At the end of 2011 I decided I would write a year in review in an attempt to remember some of the Joys and Concerns of past year. So here again I will record what I can remember from 2012 ...

December
Joy: the joy of technology ... not only celebrating Christmas in person with VanAhn's Pederson's and Larson's but the ability to skype with Davis' in TX and Ashley in Afghanistan
Concern: would I get some much needed rest during my Christmas break.(I did)

November
Joy: 60 years of life and over have of those years with Jesus!
Concern: what would Christmas be like with Ashley in Afghanistan

October
Joy: returning to work after being required to take time off
Concern: turning the pacemaker back on and how it would work

September
Joy: new principal, new assistant principal, new teacher and new classroom
Concern: injury at surgery site

August
Joy: 39 years of marriage .... a stay at Nature's Nest B & B
Concern: surgery to place a pacemaker in and would this work (it has for the most part, still having discomfort from the injury ... bummer)

July
Joy: summer, time off, time with grand kids, extra time to read,
Concern: would Terry and I have the time I wanted together this summer

June
Joy: coffee with my Bible on the pack patio and vacation in Dallas with my granddaughter's
Concern: would I be able to get all the summer projects done

May
Joy: the birds in the back feeder and the warmer weather
Concern: sending my youngest daughter off to Afghanistan for a year deployment

April
Joy: Women's Retreat with Ashley
Concern: will I be able to finish the school year strong

March
Joy: Easter and all that this Holiday means to me
Concern: physical and emotional struggles

February
Joy: celebrating Valentine's day for 39 years with Terry
Concern: will Carrie get the "heart present" for her birthday

January
Joy: new vision for a new year
Concern: still struggling with recovery from a surgery November 2011

full

gratitude and full of faith

928. family, extended family, friends and food

929. the next generation of Pederson’s giving thanks at the Wednesday night service

930. that You are the God who acts on my behalf as I put my hope in You

931. the full moon and knowing the Creator

 

932. requirements for my marriage

• love
• respect
• forgiveness
• humor
• fun
• commitment
• prayer

933. Emanuel. God with me.

934. indeed. God is here.

These are words I can sit with—words that will sustain me in the darkest moments. At times, I will struggle to believe them, and other moments they will be for me my surest salvation. All the while I know that God is with me.

My cry is one filled with faith, for I know the story of Jesus does not end in agony, but in glory.

60 years of life!

A very delayed post but also a very wanted to be documented post was my 60th birthday celebration.

This year I had great plans in how I wanted to celebrate but just physically not feeling quite myself I was grateful to have it be a somewhat quiet celebration and a complete surprise.

It began with a birthday hug from the golfer
Then a birthday lunch at Edinbrook with almost 6 balloons, representing 6 decades(1 did not make it in the building) from my 3rd daughter
Next dinner out to Pizza Luce' with my good friend Ginny and her husband

 

After dinner we were off to the Timberwolves game (it was military appreciation night so the golfer had sent away for surprise tickets. As a bonus we were able to sign the welcome home card for the MP257 that was at the game)

My final gift from the golfer. the kids and grand kids came a few days later .... it was a book!

And considering I am a book lover this was a wonderful gift but what made it wonderful is that it was written by the golfer, the kids and grand kids ... the title ....

 

60 Things we love about you

from the ones who love you more