Guest Post: Janet from Made for This

Hello from Louisville! Wedding week is in full swing here but fortunately, I have another guest post today and I’m so, so excited to share it with you!

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I’m pretty biased about this particular guest blogger. You know, being that she gave birth to me and all…

That being said, I think I can objectively say that this woman has had quite a few incredible adventures. She’s definitely had an undeniable influence on my own attitudes towards love, marriage, and life experience. I asked Mom to share a little bit about meeting my dad and this is what she sent along…I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did…

And when you’re done, be sure to stop Made for This and say hi! She loves visitors!

Choice, Chance, and the Sovereignty of God

When I graduated from high school (oh, some time ago) I was headed to college in my hometown with no idea what I wanted to do. One day, I opened a letter from the Army ROTC recruiter on campus. I read ‘Army’, thought ‘Navy’, and the next day found myself in the Navy recruiter’s office. After much consideration and cajoling, I went ahead to college for the year but could never shake the Navy bug so in October 1974, I headed to boot camp. Now there’s a story for a different time. [Editor’s note: I’m holding you to that, Mom.] 

I wanted to be a Hospital Corpsman but the wait was too long (good thing since I get close to passing out just hearing about illness much less seeing it!) and ended up as a Cryptologic Technician, which, by the way, I hated. BUT at my first duty station, set in Acadia National Park in Maine, I met the man who changed everything for me. My beloved husband Eric.

We took a direction I never could have foreseen – the mission field (after Navy, and school, and much more). Then there are my two precious children (see Love is the adventure for Exhibit A). The travel, the adventure, the challenges – all because I “read ‘Army’ and thought ‘Navy’.”

So when you are tempted to think that THIS choice or THAT choice won’t make much of a difference, think again. When you are tempted to think things happen by CHANCE, think again. A sovereign God has planned an adventure for each of us. What a ride!

- Janet

So show of hands, who wants Mom to come back at some point and tell us about boot camp? I love having an excuse to make her tell me all her Navy stories. (And what she didn’t tell you was that she not only joined the Navy, she was also named Sailor of the Year and worked as a Company Commander training Navy recruits.)

What about YOU? What adventure are you having this week, month, or year?

love, elizabeth

PS: Tomorrow, Sarah from Sarahcastically will be back for another round of Stranded with Sarah. She’ll be talking about her feelings for Captain America and more. Be sure to check in and share your thoughts!