I've been sitting here reading and re-reading, praying about what to say. Afraid that anything I say will push you further away. (I have no idea how long I've been on here, but I'm sure you can tell me now )

I know the source of hope and help. I know how to fill your life with meaning and love. With happiness. You know it's true. It's the same thing that's filled so many other holes in so many other hearts. The same thing that fills our lives with the things you see in us. What you've called our perfect life. It's the only thing that will work. All you have to do is want it bad enough to seek it. Even if your friends are not likely to think it's cool. Let down that shield you hold so tightly. Trust. It is so much easier than you think.

Matt 11:28......28 "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. 30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."

Thank you for telling us when you leave. I have been dreading you going again. I've been dreading you re-enlisting, too.

I love you, Ethan. And I am always, always praying for you, no matter where you are or what you are doing. You have no idea how much.

I wish I could hug you. I want the best for you.

You can feel free to delete if you want. But if you do, I'll know that you have at least read it.

I don't guess anybody threw you an open house party at your new apartment, complete with silly string, huh?

Love you.

We had prayer for you this morning in Sunday School.

(P.S....You are not allowed to go to Iraq without special prayer.)

I haven't been over here in quite awhile, but then ~ as you stated yourself, you haven't updated in ages! I am adding you to my prayer list, Ethan. My younger son re-enlisted, & then his new unit was deployed. They will be leaving early next year. Your words in this post remind me of the wisest man in the world, Solomon, & what he wrote in Ecclesiastes. A Meaningless Life. I don't know how interested you are, but if you click on that link, & continue to go for all 12 chapters, you'll see what I mean. With loving prayers... Carolyn

I can't for the life of me, figure out why I still want to hug the stuffing out of you. But I'll settle for you finally finding what really makes you happy. You're a little far away for the hug anyway. Praying so much that it will happen for you. Praying you look in the right places. Love you.

will be leaving on the 8th of November... think there's a song about that

I suuuuure hope you don't try to sing it.....  

I truly hope you wait for something "good and decent" to come along, before you decide to make anything permanent. I wish I could hand it to you all neatly tucked into a box, with no strings attached, and say, "Here's good and decent....go for it!" I love you, Sweetie.