The Season of Tears

Today was no different than the first six months of 2019- filled with laughter, tears, and prayer.   I woke early to exercise and spend time with the Lord.  He is all that holds me together.  Today he reminded me to not fear- through His Word, a testimony from a friend, and music on the way to work.  As I left the house for work, Tom was putting on his dress uniform to attend a funeral for a fallen deputy in the next county.  That started today’s tears as I reminded him, this better not ever be him.  I pulled it all together just in time for Trey to come bopping out in his ARMY shirt ready to get his morning run in.  This reminded me that we only have him for 10 more days and out came the tears. 

We are still in a hard season.  I find myself crying more and more.  I’ve never been a crier, something my kids have been annoyed by.  But this year my kids have finally gotten their wish.  Mom sheds tears!

We’ve sent one off to Italy for the summer.  We’ve sent one off to Air Force Basic Training and she’s now stuck in med hold due to an injured muscle.  One is starting his senior year of High School and the other about to leave for Army Boot Camp.

In addition to all of that, my mom, our Honey, passed away.  AND then, there’s been a major dental surgery, air-conditioning repairs, plumbing repairs, teen drama, and job stress. 

But through it all, God has been faithful.  He’s provided friends and strangers to support us and encourage us in each of these little fires.  He has given us a sense of peace amidst all the tears.  We know that He is with us.  We know that none of this caught Him by surprise.  He has collected our tears and heard our cries. 

At the very minimum, one could say we are having a hard year.  We hope one will say, “those Hagertys have walked right through their fires this year because their God has been right by their side.“  We hope you don’t smell the smoke of what we’ve been through but only see the hope of our Deliverer.   

Are you in a fire?  Do you know our Deliverer?  We’d love the opportunity to tell you about Him.

When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Psalm 61:2

Prayer Changes Things

The first part of 2019 was a bit rough for the Hagerty Clan.  It just seemed like a series of unfavorable events unfolded with no end in sight.  To be honest, we felt we were under attack.

As you can only imagine, there is no shortage of drama in a house full of upper teens.  Dreams were crashing, poor decisions were being made, and attitudes were tanking.

I reached out to my small groups and requested prayer from all my praying Facebook friends.

What happened?  Things turned around.  Other doors opened, attitudes improved, and one situation in particular did a 180 in a way that only God could have worked out.  Someone even commented, "Man, prayer really can change things!"  God didn’t need our help to fix these situations, but prayer is the means God has ordained for some things to happen.  Prayer is part of His plan for accomplishing His will in the world.

You see, Christians are not promised that everything will always be rosy.  Hard times will come and prayer is always the answer to any situation.  It may not be answered in the way we wanted, but He hears our prayers and answers according to His will. 

We are so thankful for everyone that joined us in prayer and ask that you continue to pray for our family.  Do you have a prayer request?  We’d love to pray for you!

Super Ambie is off to Basic Training in May.

Savanna is climbing every obstacle with graceful courage.

Tommy is finishing up his automotive certificate and will begin welding in the fall.

Trey is off to Boot Camp in July.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

It’s been a long, challenging yet rewarding journey raising our little Hagertys.  We have poured everything we have into raising them to keep first things first, to love God, and to live for Him.  The end of that chapter came rushing in without warning.  In December, we realized our lives were drastically changing sooner than we had planned.  

We are thrilled that each is confident in whom God made them to be and in going where God sends them.  Thankful that even though they don’t know all the details of their futures, they are brave enough to step out in obedience.  Even when doing so may same strange to others.

This past Christmas break was probably the last time we will have all four kids together for a while. 

Savanna is finishing up her junior year of college and is making plans for an exciting summer (away from home).  She’ll graduate next spring and then she’s off to where ever the Lord leads.  We’ll be trekking out to Minnesota for a spring and fall recital this year and graduation next year.

AmberLynn has sworn in to the United States Air Force and is anxiously awaiting her job assignment and date for basic training.  At last check, she’s looking to go at the end of March.  We look forward to going to her graduation later this year in Texas.

Tommy is a junior in High School, looking forward to his senior year to be followed up with doing something in the automotive field. 

Trey is super pumped to be on track to graduate High School this year- a year early!  That has completely thrown this mamma for a loop.  That was not in my plan for the year at all!  With his early graduation he is looking to enlist in the Army and be off to boot camp almost immediately.

 

Some tease us that we must have been terrible because our kids are all running off- far away.  I honestly know they are teasing.  Our kids are doing exactly what we have raised them to do.  Even still, I didn’t expect it to happen pretty much all at once!  But I have no doubt that God did.  I find comfort in knowing that where He has called them, He has already gone and will be with them. 

While this mamma is proud, I couldn’t help but want Christmas break to last forever.  So we made every day count with lots of laughter, reminiscing, family outings, and just hanging out together at home.

We acknowledged all the lasts (at least for awhile):

Last Birthday Together

Last Christmas Together 

Last Day to Attend Church Together

Last Sunday Lunch with Everyone at Honeys

And, we had lots of fun dreaming about how the future will be.  They even started teasing us with the most obnoxious grandparent names to be used one day.  We discussed how to remodel the house and heard concerns that Tommy will really be the favorite child next year when he’s the only one left at home.

So life was big and crazy for a short while (it only seemed long when we were in it) and it’s getting smaller by the day.  We are all excited about how our new normal will look and how God will use each of us individually and as a scattered family as we begin a new chapter.

“The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.” – Genesis 31:49