Well, there are only a little over two more months in this year. It seems like this year has just flown by. I graduated from the tech school with 2 diplomas, and I have been working for the adult education program through the tech school since graduation. It has been a temporary job, but I fell in love with it none the less. Today was my last day, or at least it may have been. The lady that was out that I was covering for is coming back Monday, so unless they find another position for me then I will be out looking for another job. I won't know until my supervisor calls me or I go in Monday morning whichever comes first. I am praying for them to find me a position, but it will be up to the Good Lord to make the call. He is in control. I have realized while going through all the things during John's treatment and since his death that no matter how much we think we are in control, or try to convince ourselves that we are in control, we are not. God is in control. We control our actions, and have free will, but he is in control of the results of our actions and the results of other's actions in our lives. I am so comforted to know that He is always there for me, and that if I let him guide me and I follow His laws, in the end I will live with Him in the glory of heaven. I feel sorry for those that haven't learned that yet, and I pray that they will realize it before it is to late.

May He bless you all as He has me!

Judy

In honor of John's Birthday.

This, Too, Shall Pass Away

By: Lanta Wilson Smith

When some great sorrow, like a mighty river,

Flows through your life with peace-destroying power,

And dearest things are swept from sight forever,

Say to your heart each trying hour:

"This, too, shall pass away."

When ceaseless toil has hushed your song of gladness,

And you have grown almost too tired to pray,

Let this truth banish from your heart its sadness,

And ease the burdens of each trying day:

"This, too, shall pass away."

When fortune smiles, and, full of mirth and pleasure,

The days are flitting by without a care,

Lest you should rest with only earthly treasure,

Let these few words their fullest import bear:

"This, too, shall pass away."

When earnest labor brings you fame and glory,

And all earth's noblest ones upon you smile,

Remember that life's longest, grandest story

Fills but a moment in earth's little while:

"This, too, shall pass away."

Today would have been my son, John's, sixteenth birthday.  I miss him still, just like the day he passed away. I try not to let it get me down, but I still have those days that really get to me.  But I was at my new job, I started about 5 weeks ago, and I was getting some things ready for my supervisor when I came upon the poem that is above, and a peace came over me. I thought in honor of my precious son, I would post it here so that maybe someone else's pain might be eased as well.

I love and miss you son!

May God bless us all!

Judy

September 6, 2011

Well, it has been a while, but I am still around. I graduated from Tennessee Technology Center with 2 diplomas on August 23, and took a temporary job with Adult Education through the Tech school on August 22. I am enjoying being in the labor force. It is work that I went to school for and a good work experience, and I plan on keeping it until they don't need me any more.

B.J. started her senior year, man does that make me feel old. She will be 18 in a few more months.
John would have been 16 on the 25th of this month had he not went to be with the Lord in Heaven.
Becky is still working and doing well, and Brad may be deploying soon.  He would have already deployed had he not broke his foot a few days before deployment. But it is healing and he may be going overseas real soon.

Well, that is about all I have to say for now. May God Bless You All!
Judy

Another day of class

Well, another day of class is nearing its end, and I am so glad. I only have about 4 and 1/2 more weeks, and I will graduate. I need to be working on my cover letter, thank you letter, and thank you card. I also need to be printing examples of my work, but oh well, I can do all that this weekend. I am glad for the weekend to be here, I need a break from this stuff for a day or two. I hope to find a job pretty soon, but I have faith that I will get one when the Good Lord is ready for me to have one.

It is hard for me to believe that it has been 4 1/2 years since John passed away. Sometimes I feel like it just happened. That I just came home without him from Vanderbilt, but it isn't so. My heart still aches for his smile, loving arms, and sense of humor. I know he is in a better place, but that just leaves me here without him.

B.J. and I are at each other's throats at least every 3 days. I will be glad when we get through this difficult time and can be closer again. I miss when she was little. She and I were as close as could be until I had to go to Vanderbilt with John and had to leave her at home so that she could continue her schooling and such. I sometimes wonder that if I had taken her with me how things would be now. I know that we did things the right way, but there is always that doubt in my mind.

Brad will be deployed soon. It seems unreal that he will be so very far away. I feel almost like I am loosing another child. I know he will be okay, if that is God's will, but my fears still get the better of me sometimes. I guess I still need to work on my faith more, huh.

Becky is still doing well. Working hard, that is for sure, I just wish her husband would take a notion to find a job and help pay the bills. I hate to say it, but he is starting to really remind me of my ex-husband, and that is not a good thing. He buys her things to make her feel good, but at the turn of a dime, he will say things to make her doubt herself and feel bad about herself. Just like Charles always did me. I just pray that he will grow up, and treat my daughter the way she deserves to be treated.

Joe and I are doing well, just trying to make ends meet until I can graduate and get a good job. I worry about him, as he doesn't really take good care of himself. He takes care of all of us as best he can, but he doesn't take care of himself. I guess life insurance is the first thing I need to start after getting a job.

Well that about wraps it up here. I need to get ready to go home.

May God bless and keep you safe, happy and loved.
Judy