This too Shall Pass...

Post from my favorite guest blogger follows:

My Husband is Leaving Me.
Abandonment Issues.
I Will Survive.

All are alternative titles that I tried out for this post. After I decided to stop throwing crazy amounts of guilt at my husband I came up with the current title. This too shall pass.

Sometimes that is the hardest concept to own. The idea that - yeah this isn't going to be fun, but it will be okay and in the end we will be together again. That might sound melodramatic from a woman who's husband has deployed twice to Iraq and has dealt with the raising of 3 and 4 kids all by her lonesome. I'm living with 3 other adults for pity sake! I know I am so blessed and I know it will be alright.

I just like my husband. I like to be with him. I'm pretty sure he likes to be with me. The kids seem to like him too. Who knew?

He is also leaving for a good reason. He is heading back to Tennessee to help his Dad and Mom out (hi guys!). Jon's parents are working on the Clarksville house, getting it up to snuff to put on the market. Kind of cool that Jon's summer of construction work is going to be of use (again!). We are glad to share him but we will miss him and are in no way jealous. Really.

So for those of you in Tennessee and Kentucky:

Jon will be flying in this Wednesday and returning to us on Monday. If you want to get together with him leave a comment, send him an email or give him a call on his cell.

Desert Christian graduate falls in Iraq

BRAVE MAN FALLS - Pvt. George Delgado, 21, of Palmdale, who was killed in an Easter Sunday bombing in Iraq, is shown on a patrol in December.

U.S. Army

Pvt. George Delgado, 21, three more die in IED attack

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, March 28, 2008.

By Valley Press staff and wire services

---

A Desert Christian High School graduate known for his sense of humor and zest for life was among four U.S. soldiers whose deaths in an Easter Sunday bombing pushed the American military death toll in Iraq to 4,000 men and women killed in action.

Pvt. George Delgado, 21, of Palmdale and three others died after a roadside bomb, known as an improvised explosive device, or IED, hit their vehicle about 10 p.m. Sunday as they patrolled in southern Baghdad, officials said.

At Desert Christian High, from which Delgado graduated in 2004 after spending his senior year there, Vice Principal Devin Thomas remembered him as a "friendly, outgoing young man who had zest for life - just a great personality and a great person."

Between graduation and going into the Army, Delgado returned several times to Desert Christian High to observe teachers at work in their classrooms because he was interested in becoming a teacher himself, Thomas said.

"He seemed to be so excited to go into the education field," the vice principal added.

High school friend Alysse Pernula said Delgado had an adventurous spirit and, overall, enjoyed Army life.

Delgado's family, who moved to Palmdale from San Diego in 2003, runs the Inka Kitchen restaurant in Palmdale.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Pvt. George Delgado, who gave his life to defend freedom and protect the people of the United States," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement issued by his office. "George served our country with honor, integrity and steadfast loyalty to his fellow soldiers. California has lost a true patriot. Maria and I send our sincerest condolences to his family during this difficult time."

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, and state Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, issued the following statement on the death of Delgado, a resident of Palmdale.

"Our prayers go out to the family of Pvt. Delgado during this difficult time," Sharon Runner said. "The Antelope Valley lost a great American - a true patriot and protector of our freedom."

"Pvt. Delgado's courage to defend our country and commitment to further the cause of freedom is truly remarkable," George Runner said. "His service to our country will always be honored and never forgotten."

Killed with Delgado were Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake, 26; Pfc. Andrew J. Habsieger, 22; and Spc. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez, 24. The four were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

A fifth soldier was injured in the attack, military officials said.

Three more American soldiers were killed Wednesday, bringing the total to 4,003, officials said.

I'm not sure why, but I've been dealing with memories and even what you might call flashbacks in the last month or so. This story hit me hard for some reason.

Pray for the Delgado family.

One of my favorite pics!

This is one of my favorite Army pics... in full "battle rattle" but not in uniform. That's what happens when you roll with the cool guys.

Chuck Norris Fact o' the Week

If you have $5 and Chuck Norris has $5, Chuck Norris has more money than you!

My Hero

My Dad is my hero-

We left mom & dad in Kentucky, and hope they will forgive us for it someday. ;)

I miss working on the house with my pops.

Scary Night

Liam kept us up literally all night... he woke up at midnight last night and couldn't breathe. I was pretty close to taking him to the emergency room, but he finally started responding to breathing treatments.

It was no fun.

He is very perky right now.

I'm going to work a tired man.

That is all.

Smoking

Got your attention, didn't we?!?

First, this has nothing to do with tobacco.

Second, Jon has found a new way to make deliciousness whilst cooking out of doors.

We spent the weekend with Janelle's sister and family in Victorville.  We went to church last night, so Jon had all morning to create our Easter Dinner.  Smoked Tri Tip is the new favorite recipe.  We should have taken a picture, because the meat had that "pink smoke ring" that happens when you smoke meat at a low temp for a long period of time.

It was good.

We'll do it again... maybe at your house!

Liam's Quote o' the Week

In reference to his cousin:

"That Ellie-baby... she's a sweet one!"

Chuck Norris Fun Fact o' the Week

If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you.

If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from DEATH!

A few changes...

I'm making a few changes to The McIver Family Adventure.  

1- I am removing the requirement that you have a blogger account to make comments.  I can just delete your comment if I don't like it, but at least you don't have to sign in to make one.  

(This may or may not be a hint that I like comments)

2- I will be adding a few features, for example:

"Chuck Norris Fun Fact o' the Week"

"Liam's quote o' the Week"

"Fundraising Accomplishment o' the Week"

Happy Reading!

What makes Jon drool?

How about these three beauties?

The guys from MGS Custom Bikes were in Pick Up Stix, where we had dinner tonight. These three bikes were parked outside. The orange one is my favie.

So why weren't we in "church" this weekend?

Another post by my favorite guest blogger:

Jon and I were given a chance to get away for the weekend. For the cost of gas. How awesome is that? It was a couples retreat down in the O.C. We had a picnic on the beach, stayed at a very nice hotel and had some fabulous food.
We also got to sleep in a real bed in our very own room! I will repeat myself - how awesome is that?
We also got a chance to have a good time hanging out with my sister and her husband and the cutest baby niece you would ever set eyes on. I’m allowed to say that because the next youngest niece is 5 - very much not a baby!
Jeff and Eugenie Lilley from Hume Lake Christian Camps spoke to about 40 couples about becoming subversive romantics. Making our marriage a light in a dark world.
We also had music led by Timothy James Meaney. I wish I could come up with a better descriptive word but… awesome, amazing, wonderful, worshipful, just great. He and his wife are the genuine thing. They were fun to be around and I think Jon and I were blessed just getting to hang out around them.
It was definitely what we needed. We were encouraged and refreshed. We were reminded of how much we love each other and how great our marriage really is.
(I guess all those accusations of acting like teenagers weren’t that far off.)
Posted by Janelle on March 17th, 2008



For the record: we had church all weekend. It was awesome!
-Jon

Coming Clean

Ok, I get the hint: don't be so vague when it comes to "needs" or "prayer requests."

God has provided pretty incredibly for us since we've started this journey.

One of the needs was a bill that needed to be paid, and God provided the money to pay for it.

The other need was transportation. I really felt that it was important to have a more economical car for me to drive to work/appointments in. Last week I got a call to tell me that a car had been donated to Grace Chapel, and that they are willing to let me drive it for as long as we are here.

Also of note- we had a pretty substantial gift sent to our support account! It begins!

God Answers Prayer

I know it's easy to be trite about God answering prayer, but He has provided for us beyond belief.

I got a call yesterday... that second need I had mentioned is taken care of. God is so good!!!!

So what's the point?

Club Beyond(Youth for Christ Military Youth Ministry) exists to celebrate life with military teens, introduce them to the life giver, and help them become like Him.

One met, one to go.

God takes care of us. One of the needs was met over the weekend. The other one may take a little more time, but God is in control!

Trying to be like William Carey

We have two pretty significant needs, and no human way to meet them.

Walking by faith and not by sight isn't easy.

I know My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He's never let us down.

Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [d]
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

A day at DCHS

I was a substitute at DCHS today. I had already committed to sub for Mrs. Stewart before I started with the Maintenance crew, so I followed through. It was fun to be back on that campus.

Let me start by saying this: some things never change. Kids are still kids. DCHS is still "producing" some of the great future Christian leaders of their generation. It was fun to be around a great group of kids.

If you are a DCHS alum and reading this, check it out- no more dress code! They went to uniform polos, and can wear jeans and flip flops. I guess that is still technically a dress code, but it's not like the old days. I actually took off my tie halfway through the day.

Back to jeans & a t-shirt tomorrow- we paint the new gym!

Progress

First support letters actually went in the mail today. If you don't have one by the end of the week and you are reading this blog, it is because I don't have your address. Email it to me.

I also approached someone about being my accountability partner here in Lancaster. I am hoping and praying that he agrees.

On a personal note... we took Liam to the Dr. today as he has been wheezing, congested, and running a temp. He has a double ear infection. We got meds plus a new nebulizer to do breathing treatments. Insurance is awesome! It was a great feeling, even with the slightly higher copays.