HI.

                   Strong Faith



    I was just coming out of English class when my dad came up to me and said we had to go home. I didn’t understand at that moment but then he said Jamie was leaving for San Diego for basic training. I felt my heart drop into a million pieces in an instance.
    I went by the office to sign-out and I saw my mom crying. She came to school to pick Kristi and me up to bring us home to see Jamie before he left. I remember being in the car starting to tear up. I didn’t want to believe that it was true. I was excited for Jamie because this is what he always wanted, but I wasn’t ready for it and when I got home, I knew he wasn’t either.
    I walked in the house, grabbed something to eat, and sat at the computer. I saw Jamie come up from downstairs and I burst into tears. He came up to me and hugged me. I really didn’t want him to see me crying because I wanted him to see me strong. Jamie was even holding in the tears, he wanted to be as strong as anyone and then my dad said to just let it go. It is ok to cry, it is healthy. So, Jamie did. He burst into tears at that moment. I remember sitting at the table, holding in the rest of the tears, just watching my dad and Jamie hugging and crying. I have never seen my dad cry before, I knew this was going to be a huge change for our family. Zach wasn’t home, so he wasn’t able to see Jamie before he left.
    “Why did it have to happen now?” I asked myself over and over again. He was supposed to be home for Christmas, now he wasn’t going to be. I wasn’t ready for it to happen so soon. All the plans that we were going to do were just crushed in the dirt. I have never felt so alone in my life. I knew this was a big change and that it was going to be ok. But, I felt alone, even with all my family around me.
    Then, Pastor Bob came over to read us some verses before Jamie left. Pastor Bob read Joshua 1:9. “Which says, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” After that, Jamie mentioned that he read that verse the night before, just about 24 hours before that moment. That gave me comfort that this was meant to be. It was in God’s plan and everything was going to be all right if I just trust God and be strong and courageous.
    Then I got back to school because Jamie and my parents had to go into Willmar to say their last goodbyes before Jamie went with his Marines officer who took him to the cities to fly off to San Diego, California to start basic training. But, when I got to school, I had to go to a yearbook meeting and then after that I had to go to a basketball game. During the yearbook meeting I couldn’t handle it anymore. I left for the bathroom. When I got there, I let all those bottled up tears go. I balled my eyes out. Angela Broten came in and comforted me until I could be ready to face the rest of that day and the rest of my life.
    I learned later, that in March, Jamie would have a graduation from the Marines, and there was a big possibility that my family would be able to fly out to see him graduate. That possibility became a reality.  On March 21, my whole family flew out to see Jamie graduate from the Marines. It was the best thing that I had ever been to. Jamie told us also that if he had never left when he did, he would have not gotten the job of guarding the White House.
    I know now that God had everything in His amazing plan. I had courage and I was strong. Whatever happens with the rest of Jamie’s life and mine, I know I can go to God and trust Him because He has everything planned out for my life. Joshua 1:9 is my new favorite Bible verse of all time. All I need is strong faith that God gives me.






                                Lillie Hankel