Welcome Home

"I don't care what government honors, financial security or far away happiness I sought to gain. I know now there is nothing that will replace the honor, security and happiness I felt today when I walked back into the memory filled door of my family's home. Dad, Mom, John, Pete, Ben, Amy, David, Sam and Molly. I love you more than I can describe"

                                                                                                                                       said Seth, our oldest son, who is officially out of the Marine Corp

Brother Says................

Seth & John

The other day a couple of kids were arguing (shocking I know) while I was on the phone with Seth.  I asked Seth if he could hear what was happening in the background and asked if he had anything to say to them as their eldest brother.

 "Do they have clothes?"  Seth asked.  I yell out to the boys his question.

"Yes," they said.

 "Do you have food?"  He asked.

Yes, again.

"Well then, you have nothing to argue about - be thankful!"

Well put Seth, thank you for the reminder. 

Pete, Seth, Ben

1st Timothy 6 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain.

   For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

   And having food and raiment let us be content."

David, Pete, Sam

Finally, Our Latest Family Picture

O'Briens 2011

So here is our lastest family photo.  We ( I ) never "got it together" enough to get a formal family photo while Seth was here, but a friend of mine was kind enough to come over and take one for us.  And here are other random pictures she took in the slide show below.  I have a new "therapeutic" activity to add to my list; there's gardening, puzzles, sewing & crafts and now playing with Movie Maker.  I am certainly an amateur, but this is addicting and fun. The pictures are not perfect or edited but neither are we : )  Enjoy.

Seth's Smallest Fan

This is one of my favorite pictures!  I seem to have a lot of pictures of Molly and Seth lately.  Molly thinks so highly of Seth and Seth just loves his little sister. By the time Seth is back home Molly will be quite a bit older, so it's fun to capture these two on camera now.

Seth is in Hawaii right now and will be deployed to Afghanistan in May.

My Oldest and My Youngest

Molly & Seth

Someone took a sweet picture of Seth and Molly. The first couple of days Seth was home Molly would hardly leave his side.  Even when Seth was catching up on sleep, she would sit on the bed and play or read a book by him.  Molly is sure enjoying Seth being home.

 
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!            Psalm 133:1

Home Again!

Seth is home!!!
It's 2:00 in the morning and we are all wide awake around here-all except for Molly.  Everyone waited for Dad, John & Pete to come home from the airport with Seth.

Obrien Sons

Seth is home on a twenty day leave before being stationed in Oahu, HI. for three years. 

Long Time, No Skype!

Seth finally has Skype!  We had been communicating via Face Book, but Skype will be much better. We will be able to see his face more often. We were finally able to talk to him by video phone last night.  That was very enjoyable.  Molly kept yelling, "WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME!!??"  Seth would tell her that he was right here in the living room and that he was stuck in the computer, but she wasn't going for it.  He says he's now climatized to the desert weather there in 29 Palms (also part of the Mojave Desert).  I must confess, I don't think I have fully climatized to Washington weather; I lived in San Berardino County where Seth is right now and I would love some of that heat up here.  He says he needs to study hard in his computer class, which he has compared to learning rocket science at times, but for the most part likes what he's learning.

 




We are hoping to see Seth in August.  He will also be turning 20 in August.   We miss Seth, but don't worry about him much.  I give glory to God for this.  After all, how can natural parents (especially a mother) not worry about their children!  Our word for Seth is that he gets into his vocation with his whole heart.  Why not!  He's gonna be doing this for a few more years at least.

"So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

                                                                                                          Isaiah 55:11

Graduation Day!

Steve and I took a short trip to San Diego to watch Seth graduate.  It's amazing when you see 470 young men all marching in uniform.  All of those young men have been, and are being prepared for war. They will be ready to fight and die for their country whether anyone is aware or appreciates it or not.  It reminds me
that Christ died for us, the ungrateful, indifferent, ungodly haters of Him. It also brings to mind that there are things to fight for, like sons, daughters, wives, husbands, neighbors.

We had a hard time finding Seth in the crowd of his platoon because everyone had the same uniforms and haircuts.  After all the marching was done and each platoon settled at attention, Seth ending up being right in front of us! My first thought was, "He's got a gut!"  One of the DI's was telling everyone that we will notice our children have slimmed down now that they are in shape - I should have known Seth would gain weight instead of lose it. I forgot how scrawny he was when he left.

Platoon 2115

Seth

Day one:  we spent the afternoon at the base with Seth and let him talk and talk some more.

Seth & Dad

Seth is excited to call home!

Day two: Graduation. The order of the procession was incredible!  The band played, many aspiring speeches were made by men who certainly know how to use words, and then...........dismissal!

Getting ready for the ceremony

On the parade deck!

Graduation of platoon 2115

We have been given so much! We have a rich godly heritage. We have God's word, the communion of the saints, forgiveness of sins, and family and neighbors to give to daily.

2 Minute Phone Call

We got a call from Seth today - that was a surprise!  It was good to hear from him.  He was allowed two minutes to talk so we talked about travel plans to get home.  He only has about two weeks of boot camp left, then he will come home for 10 days before he leaves again for basic training.  He said he has learned a lot, feels like a "different" person as far a physical abilities go, and appreciated the letters he has received from people.  Thank you.

If you want to see Seth and his platoon go to http://devildogs.info/Echo%20Company.htm. He is in platoon 2115. As the video scrolls through everyone, you will see Seth at 1:01 on the counter, on the very left.

Letters from Seth

So we have received couple of letters from Seth.  It was nice to hear from him.  Before he left he said we didn't need to write him and "please don't send any treats" because of stories he has heard about what happens when someone in boot camp gets a package sometimes.   I know things are intense for him not just because he says, but because he asked if we could send him letters. ; )  What he doesn't know yet is that we already have sent him a couple, but it takes about 7 to 10 days for him to get a letter.  We get his letters in  only two days.

Here is the address for Seth:

Recruit O'Brien, Seth A
2nd BN Echo CO, Platoon 2115
38001 Midway Ave
San Diego, CA  92140-2115

Reformation Day (Boot Camp Day)

Seth is off to Marine boot camp today on Reformation Day.  There were lots of mixed emotions to say the least.  But on the other hand things were very peaceful.  Thank God for the unconditional forgiveness of sins.  What a gift!  The forgiveness of sins is the solution to lifes problems.  There is no peace without the forgiveness of sins.  During the course of conversations Seth made some sort of comment to Steve apologizing for not turning out the way he (Steve) had hoped.  Steve's reply was "You turned out exactly the way I wanted - forgiven!"  What a great word for all of us.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  But God sent His Son to die, rise again, to forgive our sins, while we yet hated Him.  What an amazing God to give such a gift. So this is the gift we as parents have received and are able to give Seth as he is off to his new vocation.

The Marine

In case anyone hasn't heard, Seth has joined the Marines.  He is 19 now about ready to head out to boot camp any day.  But before he heads out he is going to Minnesota for a week to see the relatives out there.  They were kind enough to pay his ticket.  To be honest I wasn't thrilled to hear he was going because I want to spend as much time with him as I can before he is off for four years (and more).  I'm over it now though : )
A few of  us are already missing him. 

"Vocations differ from us:  farmer, fishers, and men of all order, who handle creation's wares, carry God's gifts to their neighbors.   He who engages in the lowliness of his work performs God's work, be he lad or king.  To give ones' office proper care is not selfishness.  Care for one's office is, in its very frame of reference on earth, participation in God's own care for human beings."     

 Luther on Vocation

by Gustaf Wingren