Pride, Prejudice & Prayer

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Well y'all, here's my update on li'l Bubba, and it comes with a SHOCKING twist.

L'Bubba is scheduled to graduate from the Applied Welding Technology Program on December 6th of this year. We are planning his homeschool graduation ceremony for Saturday, December 2nd, and it will be a joint celebration with a friend that is also enrolled and graduating from the welding program. Plans are going well, and it's still a surprise ... we'll see how long that lasts, :smirky: .

The shocker came today, as we were eating lunch after church. My son announced to us that he is SERIOUSLY considering enlistment in the U.S. Navy! I felt like I had been punched and simultaeously just eaten the best dessert known to man. I couldn't help myself, and my eyes begin to well with tears. He laid out his plan, and it was rational, reasonable and well-thought out -- and scared the you-know-what out of me.

I am EXTREMELY proud of my son, and even more so that he would be interested in a service career. Both sides of our family have servicemen, some highly distinguished (my uncle -- Dad's brother -- retired a Lt. Colonel from the Army!). I KNOW he would thrive there, he would be a great asset and it would probably be the best thing that could happen for him. On the other hand, he is my baby, and just the thought of ... well, you know.

Anyway, I'm kind of sworn to secrecy at this point, he doesn't want anyone else to know until his final decision is made -- but I just had to share this with SOMEBODY. I'm to get together information for him so he can really study, meditate and consider if this is the right choice for him.

Here's where the prayer comes in ... y'all have been so good to me in past requests on his behalf, and I am asking you to extend the kindness once more. And if you could, throw one up for his Mom, who's heart is about to explode with pride in, as well as love and concern for, her son.

:soldier: :patriot:

[Timberwolf]

I, for one (and I KNOW there are others here), am very proud of L'Bubba, too. I am also filled with anxiety, knowing, well you already know.

You and yours are in my prayers...for your peace of mind and for HIM to make the right decision...and for God Almighty to be the guiding force in the matter.

Rest on the Lord, the Great Choreographer of our lives and know that NOTHING happens without His "say-so".

So, he's gonna be a Squid, is he? Cool. Let's just say, my lifestyle didn't suit the Navy (some 24 years ago), or I might still be cruisin' the world. Doubt I coulda kept my butt outta the brig long enough to have amounted to anything, so I likely wouldn't have lasted too long anyway. LOL

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Thank you, Timber,
From the bottom of my heart and soul. I do covet your prayers, good thoughts and wishes. I truly AM proud of him for such a mature outlook, but I am also so anxious for his future (and safety).

I don't know why the Navy ... my Dad was Navy for a short time, but did most of his time in the Army (the only service I knew about until his death). We've (Bubba & I) have always talked up the Air Force (in hopes), but Army runs in the family mainly. Of course, the Uncle he looks up to (the one that owns the Ironworks company in CA) was Navy, so perhaps that has a lot to do with it.

In any event, again, I do thank you for your thoughts, and as you so amply pointed out, He is in control, so I need to just learn to let go. Of all the things I've done in my life, faced in my life, endured in my life ... this is by far the hardest (especially on my heart).

[Timberwolf]

I know the attraction for me was the Pacific Fleet. I had fanciful dreams of seeing Australia, Japan, S. Korea, Indonesia, HAWAII, Guam, Guadalcanal, etal, not only for the scenery (being raised in the Midwest, go figure), but to see where some of our history 'was made' (so to speak).

I also had, what I now call, delusions of grandeur. My great plan was to be a SEAL. Looking back, I'm not so sure that could've become a reality (attitude and lack of discipline being the major factors)...but, it sure sounded good at the time.

I know that he'll make the right decision, if he leaves it in the Lord's hands.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I know that he'll make the right decision, if he leaves it in the Lord's hands.

Unfortunately his relationship with the Lord is ... strained, at best. He has been feeling the call of the world way too much (or is it the call of hormones and apron-string cutting? :smirky: )

Just when I think he's got his head on straight, the other shoe falls. After I posted (the original post), he came home from going up-town to get ice with a ticket for an improper turn (to the tune of $123.50!). :sad:

He's a good kid, though. I do believe what the Lord starts, He finishes, I just have to let go of it, :smirky: .