Among Angels



Christmas '07
3 months before deployment
Alex-9, Nicholas-8, Jackson-6, Cooper-4



I couldn't allow myself to be broken hearted when Jason was deployed. I needed to be strong in front of the kids. So on the way to the airport I became increasingly upset that I couldn't send Jason with an extra twenty dollars for travel money. We had filled the fridge with food to last until the next pay check, maintained both cars, filled them with gas, bought Jason an extra three month supply of clothes and hygiene products. We had spent every penny we had that month. All I wanted was for him to travel in comfort and not worry about our finances. I felt like I had failed him in our budgeting. As we rounded the corner and the airport came into view I began to cry. Jason comforted me and told me that we had everything that we needed, anything else was just not necessary and that he was going to be fine. I pulled myself together and we held hands as we pulled the van into the parking space. Jason pulled his packs out of the car. Alex strapped Jason's carry-on to his back and Jason gathered his other two packs and lead his family toward the front door. I watched as cars stopped for my uniformed husband so he could cross the road. Each one of the boys like little ducks followed him in a line with myself at the end. My heart ached with each step. We went inside and got checked in with a boarding pass for Jason and a pass for all of us to go to the gate with him. We followed in silence to the security check point. I had to be strong. The boys couldn't see me loose it but all I could think of is that this could be the last time we all see him. We all emptied out pockets and took off our shoes. I sent Alex through the metal detector first so that he could be there to catch the younger boys as they went through. Jason had already gone through but had gotten stuck with security because his bag had to be searched. We passed him one by one. I gathered the boys and we carried our shoes to a bench at the other end of the large room. As I was tying the shoes of the younger two boys Jason joined us on the bench carrying his bag and his combat boots. Without a word we all continued to prepare for our inevitable good-bye. I heard a man's voice say to Jason, "Are you heading for combat?" I glanced up as I was knelt down tying the last shoe to see a large man with a very average looking face. Jason replied, "Yes sir." The man reached down to Jason where he sat on the bench with his hand extended. As Jason stood he shook his hand and the man said to him, "Stay safe over there." He walked over to me and I stood up. He shook my hand and said, "Thanks for supporting your husband in his efforts. Take your family for a snack and enjoy these last few minutes together." He was already turning from me to walk away as he released my hand. I looked into my hand and there was a bill. He had already walked into the crowd and disappeared before I could say thank you. I unfolded the bill and when I saw that it was one hundred dollars I was overcome with the feeling that the good Lord over fills my cup. I told Jason what he had given us. We finished getting our shoes on and walked over to the Starbucks on the concord. We sat as a family for the next forty-five minutes and talked about how God has provided. The kids all got a snack and Jason and I got a coffee. There was plenty of money left for Jason to have twenty dollars in his pocket as he traveled and for me to have cash in case of an emergency. God knew what was on my heart and he gave me peace. It was never about the money. It was about knowing that God was there. That he has provided more than we needed and that he was with Jason as he left us. It left me feeling like no matter what the outcome we would be okay. We weren't alone. God has provided angels to show himself to us.

^{Hebrews 1: 7} Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”...¹⁴ Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.


Fall '08
3 months after deployment
Alex- 10, Nicholas-9, Jackson-7 and Cooper-5