well, here goes my first "blog" post....I'm not even sure of what I'm doing but hopefully I'll get better as I go along. Since the name of my blog is "Perspectives", I suppose I'll share mine concerning all of the recent events in the lives of my kids.

From a mother's perspective, we always want to protect our little ones. As they start to walk we want to walk alongside of them letting them hold on to our hand in case they start to fall. Time rocks along and with practice you realize that all of a sudden, your little bundle of joy is only holding a finger to steady themselves. Once they let go and walk on their own you realize nothing will ever be the same again. They can now explore a world that was once previously off limits and boy do they explore! As a mother, you are so proud of your little ones accomplishments and milestones each step of the way. Before you can blink your eyes they are in school, still running full steam ahead and becoming their own person. We pray that their choices in friends are wise and that they remember moms have a never ending network of "eyes". We listen to their laughter, their broken hearts, their dreams, their ponderings and throughout the process, we pray for them each and every day. We watch their personalities develop and we watch their passions and talents evolve into their lifes direction.

Over these last 25 years God has blessed me with the three most incredible gifts I have ever known, Matt, Katie and Andrew. He blessed me again last year when I gained a wonderful son-in-law (Nate) and a beautiful daughter-in-law (Jenny). I have prayed for my kids every day of their lives and one prayer in particular is that they would find the things in their lives that would enable them to not only be happy but to make a difference in the lives of those they touched. God has answered those prayers in the most incredible ways.

As I write this blog, my youngest, Andrew, is preparing to leave in June for Marine boot camp. His call to serve in our military was one that did not surprise me. Andrew is one of few words but has the heart of a lion. He has never been afraid to stand on his own against adversity. It has never mattered to Andrew what the crowd was doing, he is his own man and I could not be more proud of the Godly man he has become. He leads without saying a word but when he does, he means business. He is fiercely loyal and his smile melts my heart.

Katie, my middle child, never ceases to amaze me. Her gentle spirit and tender heart draws people of all ages to her. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She has a passion to share Christ with everyone she comes in contact with and her strength is unwavering. Her and Nate's courage to step out in faith and follow God's call on their lives is truly an inspiring. They will board a plane in July to travel to Israal (yes, the country) for four years for Nate to attend medical school. If you're wondering what happened to all of the med schools here in the states, they're still open, it just happens that God has a special plan for their lives and that plan is via medical school in Israel. Remember the reference at the beginning of the blog about us moms and how we want to protect our kids....I can feel those little hands letting go of my finger again.

My oldest, Matt, has always been quick with a laugh and been a brother to not only his siblings but to many, many others throughout his life. He leads by example and has a strong, grounded faith. Matt never meets a stranger and is never without a look, a phrase (one of my favs- even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then) or a wink that causes me to smile. He and Jenny both compliment one another in their personalities which make for a wonderful combination. Whatever life has in store for them, they will attack it with humor, humility and faithfulness and without a doubt, will be successful in whatever direction God leads them.

So, what is my perspective on all of this. All of my little ones, letting go of my finger, walking and running their own paths. I must admit that my arm span is going to come up a little short of being able to protect them. Am I somewhat anxious, yes. Am I proud of what these next few weeks, months and years have in store for them, yes. Will I continue to pray daily for them, yes. Will I miss them, YES. Am I sad, NO. Now, I realize that may sound a bit weird but I am excited for what God has in store for them. I realize that my arms can no longer reach them every day but I know WHO can wrap them in HIS arms every moment of every day. I trust God to protect my kids and that His plan for them is better than any plan I could suggest. Why you may ask? Because they were HIS before they were mine and as much as I love my kids, HE loves them more.