Support our troops and their families...and remember all that they are doing for you. They are in the desert so you can--talk on your iphone, run your marathon, grill your burgers, get a new mattress for half-off, watch your basketball game...live freely and happily and not in fear.
The following is about my little brother. A blog writer friend of his wrote this, and I am so proud of it. To see it in its original form (with pictures and all) you can link to the original version here http://www.spiritualhorseman.com/2009/05/truth/.
Truth
Happy Memorial Day!
Please remember the veterans and active military in your prayers. We are truly blessed to have soldiers such as these protecting our freedom. Special thanks to:
Dr. Allen Lasiter
Louis Balas
Joe Biancalana
Morgan O’Brien
Stoney Portis
Several days ago a great message was shared with me in the same time it took you to read this sentence. Sermons can run short, long or in between. Sometimes they’re gripping, deep and even funny. Sometimes they’re boring. You may rather be watching the big game. Guess what. . . the padre may also.
Well, this particular day was running slightly on the long side when the gem fell forth like a star in the night sky.
“What is truth?” he asked rhetorically. Then he answered, “When you let the spirit guide you. . . The result, is truth.”
I spent the rest of the mass thinking about that statement. That statement, and a couple of friends of mine. Stoney and Alison Portis. They take Christ by the hand and walk through life. The spirit guides them and the result is Truth. True dedication. True faith. True friendship and True love.
Stoney is a Captain in the United States Army. Alison is a serial entrepreneur. The nature of her passion coupled with military travel arrangements creates the need for her to launch her career in intervals. See, she’s a photographer - an extremely talented photographer. And with the assistance of her business minded husband, she’s usually grabbing market share before her new neighboring photographers even know she’s there.
OK, so he’s military and she’s a photographer. How does that make them so special. It doesn’t. Christ does.
As the supplanter at the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority the summer of 2002, it seems that Stoney’s military training at West Point was already paying off. When Alison met her field replacement, the whirlwind started. She got the bad end of a summer gig and loved every minute of it. Time would see her to New York City as often as she could get there as she traveled from College Station and her home in Seguin to see Stoney at West Point.
Stoney graduated from West Point in May 2004 with a degree in international relations. He has been trained as a cavalry reconnaissance scout and has been a platoon leader, executive officer (second in command of a company) and staff officer. He proposed to Alison in February of 2006. She graduated from Texas A & M University in May of 2006. The couple were married in July of 2006 and Stoney deployed to Iraq October of 2006. He was gone until January of 2008.
I could try to explain their marrital success despite their lifestyle, but I couldn’t do it justice. I recently contacted them to get permission to write this post and to get a little info from them. This is what Stoney had to say about Alison:
Alison makes the sacrifices for our family and our country… not me.
I deploy away to Iraq or Afghanistan to do my part as a soldier for a year at a time. She accepts the fact that I’m gone, not always necessarily understanding what I’m doing or why I’m doing it.
I feel called to serve the military, she never asks why or tries to talk me out of it; instead, she is patient, supportive, and prayerful.
I’m given orders to move every couple of years to a new military base to fill a new position or receive training for progression. While I’m consumed with the new job, she’s busy making a house a home, finding a new network of professionals and friends, and restarting her photography business.
Alison is more of a friend than I could ever ask for, an angel of a wife and a gifted photographer. I define a photographer as someone who captures a moment of significant importance. Alison is certainly that by trade, but she is also that as my wife and best friend. She’s captured my heart and filled my life with memories covered with smiles.
Not a word about his military activity, nothing about his rank. Not even one sentence discussing the heritage of West Point. Stoney will deploy again soon. Details won’t be shared here, but please pray for him and his lovely bride. Nothing in his return email mentioned that either. His love for the Lord, Alison, and Country. That’s it. This is a man with his priorites in order. A man lead by the Spirit.
His bride is no different. Here’s what Alison had to say about Stoney:
Stoney has always been so supportive of my passion for photography, and I am truly thankful for that.
Looking back at how Stoney and I met, our time spent courting and the engagement, every single day we are blessed with as husband and wife, I realize that I fall more and more in love with him every single day. He has a huge heart. He cares so much for me, for his family, friends, and soldiers. Stoney is such a hard worker. He puts countless hours toward his work…a job he truly feels called to do. I know he’s the best at what he does. There is no doubt in my mind that he can’t accomplish anything he put his mind to… I love that he puts the Lord first. I love that he is an amazing, loving, Christian husband. He is my spiritual leader. That’s more than I could ever ask for.
Being in the military we have to both be committed to his service. We feel it’s a calling. Deployments suck (to put it bluntly), but we know that it’s what we are called to do. I think being apart ( while, of course, we would much rather be together) makes us that much stronger. Through the last deployment we learned that every moment we are able to spend together is so precious. We try not to ever take those moments for granted. Stoney always makes life interesting… I love that!
So, what is Truth. Christ is the Truth. He is the Way and the Life. These guys have it figured out. What’s number one in your life? Do you trust in the Spirit to guide you always?
Stoney’s response when asked about the importance of military service:
The most important thing to me about my military training is what I got inscribed on the inside of my ring when I graduated from West Point: Isaiah 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying ‘Who will go for us? Whom shall I send?’ and I said here am I Lord, send me!
That’s what this is all about to Ali and me (and always has)… the service. Service to country, soldiers, family and friends.
WORD.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
10 Year Plan
Tonight I began thinking about a 10 year plan. Have you ever done that? Began to make plans for what you would like to be doing in 10 years? Then, I began to think of my age in 10 years. Shockingly, I realized that I will be 42 years old. Exactly the age when my mother was diagnosed with the illness which stole her away less than 2 years later. I don't think her 10 year plan included leukemia. I believe, however, that she had an eternal plan. She reminded me often about the things that Jesus did and DOES for us. And she reminded me (and God reminded me again today) that My Savior Loves, and My Savior Lives...just like this amazing song tells.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jazyUn4LMgA
So, what about your 10 Year plan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jazyUn4LMgA
So, what about your 10 Year plan?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Opposite Day Confessions
If today was opposite day, i DID NOT:
return a shirt to a department store, just so I could re-buy it with a coupon I got in the mail.
take the undies off a 3 year-old who had an accident in the store, wash said 3 year-old's shoes in the sink, then allow her to go undie-less until we could purchase new ones so our day out would not be interrupted.
wet down multiple paper towels from the bathroom and put them in my purse in order to change 16 month-old's diaper since I ran out of wipes.
leave my 7 year-old in charge while in a different department store (that has no bathroom) while I ran with the 3 year-old (who had undies again at this point) to the (supposed non) bathroom (which I discovered exists) 5, yes FIVE different times in which I had 5, yes FIVE discussions about the giant steamers in the bathroom and random dinosaur fossils and were each unsuccessful attempts at the potty.
tell the cashier to, "NEVER shop with 3 children."
bathe my baby in a parking lot with random half-filled water bottles because she deciced to use her banana snack as a body cream and hair masque.
rub the chocolate milk into my daughter's hair so it would blend in better and people wouldn't be able to tell I had given her complete control of her Sonic drink only minutes before.
rescue my silly girl from the top rung of the ladder (that said "Please No Children on This Ladder") just before she lept into the "demo pool" in the pool/chemical store when I was busy asking about the benefits of a salt water pool instead of a chlorinated pool.
suck a lollipop (you know, the ones from the bank) out of my daughter's hair because it was stuck.
wipe a boogar (from 3 year-old's nose) on her own nightgown for fear that it was headed straight to my shirt.
tell 7 year-old to go to her own bed if she just "couldn't stop doing the Macarena" in bed.
Glad it wasn't opposite day. It wouldn't have been near the fun.
return a shirt to a department store, just so I could re-buy it with a coupon I got in the mail.
take the undies off a 3 year-old who had an accident in the store, wash said 3 year-old's shoes in the sink, then allow her to go undie-less until we could purchase new ones so our day out would not be interrupted.
wet down multiple paper towels from the bathroom and put them in my purse in order to change 16 month-old's diaper since I ran out of wipes.
leave my 7 year-old in charge while in a different department store (that has no bathroom) while I ran with the 3 year-old (who had undies again at this point) to the (supposed non) bathroom (which I discovered exists) 5, yes FIVE different times in which I had 5, yes FIVE discussions about the giant steamers in the bathroom and random dinosaur fossils and were each unsuccessful attempts at the potty.
tell the cashier to, "NEVER shop with 3 children."
bathe my baby in a parking lot with random half-filled water bottles because she deciced to use her banana snack as a body cream and hair masque.
rub the chocolate milk into my daughter's hair so it would blend in better and people wouldn't be able to tell I had given her complete control of her Sonic drink only minutes before.
rescue my silly girl from the top rung of the ladder (that said "Please No Children on This Ladder") just before she lept into the "demo pool" in the pool/chemical store when I was busy asking about the benefits of a salt water pool instead of a chlorinated pool.
suck a lollipop (you know, the ones from the bank) out of my daughter's hair because it was stuck.
wipe a boogar (from 3 year-old's nose) on her own nightgown for fear that it was headed straight to my shirt.
tell 7 year-old to go to her own bed if she just "couldn't stop doing the Macarena" in bed.
Glad it wasn't opposite day. It wouldn't have been near the fun.
Kids say the cutest things.
Below is a compilation of some (rather funny) things that some people I know sent me as per my request. They will be published (yes, in print) in a (teensy weensy)magazine I write for called Rio Kids Magazine in June. If your quote made the cut, I will be happy to send you a copy. Toodles.
Michael, 3-“I’m going to bite you, and you’re going to like it.”
T.C., 3- “Look at the Murder-Cycle.”
Aubrey, 3, a child of DVR -At the circus and needing a bathroom break, “Can we pause it?”
Callie, 3- After a night of fireworks, “Please, Jesus, just one more!”
Noah, 6- “Keep it positive, Mom. That’s what Dr. Phil says to do.”
Jordon, 6- “Are we poor? All we have for dinner is frozen cheese pizza.”
Bo, 8- “It really stinks being so cute. The girls are constantly fighting over me at recess.”
Mikayla, 3- While showering with her aunt, “My mom has some of those, but they aren’t that big.”
Micah, 2- When asked where she would like to have her birthday party, she replied, “On some tables, Mommy.”
Abby, 2-“B-I-N-G-O, and Pongo was his name-O.”
Rivers 6-Excited about her trip to Disneyworld, she wrote her friend a letter about it, “Dear T, Tower of Terror. Love, Rivers.”
Adam,-After grandma asked how he liked the pie, “I like it, but it does something to the back of my throat that makes me want to throw up.”
Bryson, 3-After being asked who the president is, he replied, “Barack O-MAMA.”
Trinity, 6-After a long lecture from her dad about being in charge and knowing what he was talking about, Trinity asked (and her dad couldn’t answer), “Oh yeah, well who was the 27th president of the USA?”
The End-
But, OH, Wait...This post wouldn't be complete without the adorable photo of Micah getting ready to kiss her little sister...Though it does resemble an "I'm gonna wring your neck" incident, it was all meant in good, sweet fun.
Michael, 3-“I’m going to bite you, and you’re going to like it.”
T.C., 3- “Look at the Murder-Cycle.”
Aubrey, 3, a child of DVR -At the circus and needing a bathroom break, “Can we pause it?”
Callie, 3- After a night of fireworks, “Please, Jesus, just one more!”
Noah, 6- “Keep it positive, Mom. That’s what Dr. Phil says to do.”
Jordon, 6- “Are we poor? All we have for dinner is frozen cheese pizza.”
Bo, 8- “It really stinks being so cute. The girls are constantly fighting over me at recess.”
Mikayla, 3- While showering with her aunt, “My mom has some of those, but they aren’t that big.”
Micah, 2- When asked where she would like to have her birthday party, she replied, “On some tables, Mommy.”
Abby, 2-“B-I-N-G-O, and Pongo was his name-O.”
Rivers 6-Excited about her trip to Disneyworld, she wrote her friend a letter about it, “Dear T, Tower of Terror. Love, Rivers.”
Adam,-After grandma asked how he liked the pie, “I like it, but it does something to the back of my throat that makes me want to throw up.”
Bryson, 3-After being asked who the president is, he replied, “Barack O-MAMA.”
Trinity, 6-After a long lecture from her dad about being in charge and knowing what he was talking about, Trinity asked (and her dad couldn’t answer), “Oh yeah, well who was the 27th president of the USA?”
The End-
But, OH, Wait...This post wouldn't be complete without the adorable photo of Micah getting ready to kiss her little sister...Though it does resemble an "I'm gonna wring your neck" incident, it was all meant in good, sweet fun.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Praying for Peace
Both my brothers are amazing people. They have chosen lives that serve others, not themselves which was something instilled in us by our parents...who ALWAYS gave of themselves to others. I am so proud of my brothers. They have accomplished so much and are such amazing and humble people.
In a short time, my youngest brother will leave for Afghanistan. He has been many places in his young life.
Some places close,
some far,
some for pleasure,
some for war.
Though I have no peace about him leaving to this place, I know this is the life he has chosen. Like many others, he is willing to live in discomfort so that we might live comfortably. He is willing to sacrifice sleeping in his bed each night with his spouse, so that I might snuggle up to the warmth of a loving body. He is ready to climb up mountains with thousands of pounds of gear and ammunition, so that I can walk the sidewalks of town pushing my stroller. He will soon trek halfway across the world to fight a mean and bloody battle, so that I am freely able to sit in the comfort of my home and read to my children at bedtime.
Thank you for what you do for me, Stoney. I hope my girls always know the world as a field of flowers with the ones they love. May the work you do not be in vain. May it be all you hope and desire. And may we all live to see the fruit of the trees you are planting.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
In a short time, my youngest brother will leave for Afghanistan. He has been many places in his young life.
Some places close,
some far,
some for pleasure,
some for war.
Though I have no peace about him leaving to this place, I know this is the life he has chosen. Like many others, he is willing to live in discomfort so that we might live comfortably. He is willing to sacrifice sleeping in his bed each night with his spouse, so that I might snuggle up to the warmth of a loving body. He is ready to climb up mountains with thousands of pounds of gear and ammunition, so that I can walk the sidewalks of town pushing my stroller. He will soon trek halfway across the world to fight a mean and bloody battle, so that I am freely able to sit in the comfort of my home and read to my children at bedtime.
Thank you for what you do for me, Stoney. I hope my girls always know the world as a field of flowers with the ones they love. May the work you do not be in vain. May it be all you hope and desire. And may we all live to see the fruit of the trees you are planting.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Are You My Baby?
Last night-
To Micah (age 3): "Are you my baby?"
Micah whispering: "No...I'm Micah, your big girl...who tt's in the potty."
To Trinity (age 7 1/2): "Are you my baby?"
Trinity whispering: "Yes."
To Micah (age 3): "Are you my baby?"
Micah whispering: "No...I'm Micah, your big girl...who tt's in the potty."
To Trinity (age 7 1/2): "Are you my baby?"
Trinity whispering: "Yes."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Enjoying the Ride
Where does time disappear to? I am convinced there is another dimension somewhere that sucks up the sweet moments we would like to stay in forever. Like the "It's a Small World" ride in Disneyworld...ok, I was stuck on that one a while (in the Utopia section no less) and still have the song in my head. Bad example. Let's think of something else.
Oh how I wish I could hear my little lispy Trinity again request some "Ith Cream." Even though it is still a daily request, the "Ith" has turned to "Ice" as quickly as she lost her first tooth. Now, eight teeth later (and sometimes still a lisp) I long to see the gummy grin that she once flashed so often.
And the post from yesterday announced (in not so many words) our successful potty training of child #2. Though I DO NOT miss changing diapers of an "older" baby, I am reminded daily of the fact that my little Micah is growing up as I cinch up the waist of her pants that don't need near as much space now that bulky diapers aren't hiding beneath her clothing.
And Emory. The baby. The end. Though her thumb has become a part of her smile and oh so gently hangs from her bottom lip as her other hand wanders to bellybuttons of anyone who will allow her to search them, I see evidence of her growing daily. She toddles over repeating "Oosh" as she brings shoes to put on her feet so she can venture outside with her big sisters. Just a short time ago, it seems, we were praying for her little lungs in the NICU.
One day, I will look around and my babies will be big. It will be bittersweet-like life is. I just want to be sure to remind myself daily to sit and soak it in. I may not be able to stay on this ride forever, but I definitely don't want the song to leave my head anytime soon.
Oh how I wish I could hear my little lispy Trinity again request some "Ith Cream." Even though it is still a daily request, the "Ith" has turned to "Ice" as quickly as she lost her first tooth. Now, eight teeth later (and sometimes still a lisp) I long to see the gummy grin that she once flashed so often.
And the post from yesterday announced (in not so many words) our successful potty training of child #2. Though I DO NOT miss changing diapers of an "older" baby, I am reminded daily of the fact that my little Micah is growing up as I cinch up the waist of her pants that don't need near as much space now that bulky diapers aren't hiding beneath her clothing.
And Emory. The baby. The end. Though her thumb has become a part of her smile and oh so gently hangs from her bottom lip as her other hand wanders to bellybuttons of anyone who will allow her to search them, I see evidence of her growing daily. She toddles over repeating "Oosh" as she brings shoes to put on her feet so she can venture outside with her big sisters. Just a short time ago, it seems, we were praying for her little lungs in the NICU.
One day, I will look around and my babies will be big. It will be bittersweet-like life is. I just want to be sure to remind myself daily to sit and soak it in. I may not be able to stay on this ride forever, but I definitely don't want the song to leave my head anytime soon.
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