Friday, December 11, 2009

To Most, He is a United States Marine...

...to us, he is FAMILY!
Need your prayers. My Cousin, Justin, has been deployed to Afghanistan and leaves next week. This is what his training was for, but it is still so hard to see him go there. I know many will have to go, but one of them is OURS!

He is such a wonderful young man. He LOVES his Family.

Justin and Autumn


Alex, Justin and Autumn
Jeff (Dad) and Justin

Justin watching Monk (his fave)

Justin wrestling with Bradley (brother)

Avery jumping in

Then Alex jumping in

Cousins (Autumn, Britani (sister), Avery, Justin, Alex, Bradley (brother) and Austin

Siblings

Justin with Ganky (my Mom)

Loves his Church. Here he is with Preacher Tommy.

Justin with his Dad



The Family

Cousins

All of us with Justin






Forgive our tears
We were not trained to be strong.
But we have been so proud of you
all along.
Your Parents have raised
Such a fine young man.
I know you will take that with you
To that far away land.
Your Faith and courage
Amaze me so.
So many will be praying for you
Wherever you go!

So, go be the Marine
You were trained to be.
Protecting this Country
So we ALL can be FREE!!
We love you so much!!

Please add this Marine and his Family to your prayer list! Thank you ALL!

18 comments:

Theresa said...

Well now, looky here what a sweet post! Love all the pictures and the poem, who knew? Prayers will be going up all over for our Justin and he is OUR Justin! Cindylou does such a good job making sure we all get our time with him when he is home! He will be back with us before we know it. Time flies by and I hope his time over there will go by EXTRA fast! Love you and thanks for warming my heart this morning!

Cindy Lou said...

What a wonderful post and the poem was GREAT!! Tears...We all do love him and we are not trained for all this but he also spoiled us cause he came home so often!! I can't wait to see him and squeeze him tight!! Thank you so much for sharing your family with me and allowing me to share my family with you!! I love you more than you will ever know!! See you in a bit!!

Anonymous said...

Love this post hun! I'm so glad to hear from you, was missing you and thinking about how you were doing! Hope you are having the happiest of holidays!

Kelly said...

Such a sweet post with so many good pictures.

Karen said...

Good morning.
FIrst I am so sorry for probably scaring the heck out of you by posting Alex's picture on my blog. Good grief - I don't know what I was thinking. She just had the most adorable look of excitement on her face! I should've asked first, but I was so excited about my prize from your Mom about my Mom, that I didn't have time to think. Please know - I am not a LUNATIC! LOL. (Because they are out there - the weirdos are leaving some just lovely comments on some of my older posts . . .) ugh!
So again, sorry about that!
Second! Great pictures! What a loving family. It's so nice to just "be" with loved ones.
Have a great day - and by the way - I just adore your Mom. I am going to Savannah in April and am hoping to somehow meet up with her - she doesn't know this yet. LOL. Well, she probably will now!
:) Karen @ Some Days Are DIamonds

Joyce said...

That was a beautiful post, Tracy! My nephew, Justin, is there. I know how you feel. He just got on facebook so we're all hearing from him more! I posted your Justin with my Justin already on my blog. Praying for them both! And the families! xoxo

Michele said...

I will definetly keep Justin and all of you in my prayers. I will also put his name in our prayer room at Church!! I have a grateful heart for his commitment to our country and for his family for their sacrifices also!! God's love and blessings on all of you!!

billypandnikkysmom said...

Well now, that was such a sweet post! I'm glad Cindy has such a great supportive bunch to bless her with love & hugs during this time! Justin has been in my prayers since Boot & I'll be praying for him & all of his Brothers for a successful mission and for a safe return!

Domestic Goddess..Diva sometimes said...

I understand when they have to go, they have to go but just before Christmas? :( I hope he comes back safe and sound.

Its So Very Cheri said...

Oh Tracy-I will be praying for him and your family. I had a lady from church tell a story several years ago and I have always remembered it. This lady's son was in the serivce and she was concerned, as we were at war then as well. She was talking with another lady about how she just wished her son was home because she wanted him safe athome and out of fears way. The other lady asked her if her son was in God's will when He left to go into the service, was he rebellious and joined tog et away from you? She replied "No, he felt called into the service". The lady looked at her and said "you have nothing to fear, He is safer in the middle of a war zone if he is in God's perfect will, than if he is at home and out of God's will". She was telling all of us how it changed her perspective.

Thanks so much for the e-book sale. I bet your hubby will LOVE the Hungarian Butterhorns, they ae so good and just melt in your mouth. They are like nothing I have ever had before. We have so many special cookies, pastries and treats I really had a hard time deciding which ones to put in.
Cheri

Kelli said...

I WILL Pray for Justin!!! My little brother is over there now and we can't wait until he comes home. Have a great weekend. Hugs:))

cindy said...

I"ll be keeping Justin in my prayers, as well as your family. A bittersweet holiday for you all! Give him our thanks for serving all of us!

Roeshel said...

Thank you Justin! :) Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

~Roeshel

Dawn said...

i will certainly add him to my prayer list... adn all of you who will be missing him. it is another world away... i'm so glad God can be everywhere at the same time.

thanks for taking a tour of my little town the other day :) your comment made me smile!

Wanda said...

My, I can't say I know how you feel - I've never experienced having someone I love go off to serve - but I will pray that he will remain safe to return to his loving family.

What a beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

pk @ Room Remix
I'm so thankful for those who fight for us, and thankful for their families too who sacrifice so much. Thanks for introducing us to Justin! He will be in our thoughts and prayers.

raveninthewolfden said...

It is so wonderful to meet you. thanks for all the great comments on my blog! I am having a good ol time checking out all your sweet recipes! Thanks for sharing!

billypandnikkysmom said...

I was waiting for you to blog about your b-day but since you didn't ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! Glad you all got to see Justin, I kno wit;s hard but I look at it this way we get to see them from time to time and they can call when they have time ~ I try to imagine how my nana felt when my dad was away and I know that I am blessed with technology it's a great thing!

Prayers for Justin and all of you! Enjoy your day!!! God Bless!