Poem Contributed by Kerry "Doc" Pardue

I AM NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET                                                                       by Kerry "Doc" Pardue, National Commander
Medics & Corpsmen 2012-2012 

I was there the day you were born
It was My breath that gave you and your sister life
All it took was one look I knew I had much in store for you

I was there when you got hurt
Each and every time
I wanted you to think of me when those things happened

When the car rolled over and tossed you out
I made sure My Angels guarded you all
I was beginning to mold your heart to fall in love with me

While you were in your training and came upon the accident scene
I gave you My breath to blow into the young man’s lungs
He lived and became a miracle to those in his life

The night of your 1st ambush patrol
My servant pushed you away
I was not finished with you

The day you were wounded I held you in My arms
Protecting you from further harm
I still had much for you to do

When you were a cop I watched over you
So many times you never knew how I directed your steps
Away from harm – I was that 6th sense you always felt

As you became a father with children of your own
So much to do so much to teach of My love
Your assignment was to raise them in a Christian home

You have eight grandchildren and they are counting on you
I need you to be their light to see me
To show them My love in example of you

Now that you are an old man and your journey is almost complete
We have traveled many roads together and touched lives along the way
So many lives are forever changed and many more will be too
Because I still am not finished with you yet.

©Copyright December 30, 2005 by Kerry “Doc” Pardue

 
National Commander, Medics & Corpsmen 2010-2012
http://www.medics-corpsmen.us/
http://www.kerrypardue247.com/Index.html

 

 "WE ARE ALL ADOPTED" By Charles P. Malone

 

Mothers Day had once again come and passed, leaving in its wake the all-to- familiar tears and emotions that had surfaced over the past ten (10) years of my daughter-in-laws marriage to my son.  Unable to bear children of her own, this compassionate and loving daughter-in-law courageously accepted well-meaning attempts at church to include “all” women in their praises for motherhood whether or not they had actually given birth.   Although she was helping to raise our son’s daughter from a previous marriage, and loved her dearly … those god-given instincts that only resonate with women were not totally satisfied.

 

They had bonded almost instantly, stepdaughter and stepmother; but not without the usual challenges that often come when a birth mother or father is absent from a family unit.  They were a very happy family, but deep down the feeling persisted that they were not complete.

“It was almost like waking from a dream,” my daughter-in-law said as she related the feelings of receiving a call from LDS Social Services to let her know of a 1 year old boy currently living in a foster home and soon to be available for adoption.

Of course they had pursued adoption, but after waiting almost 4 years without even so much of a nibble, it seemed very likely that dreams of more children would turn out to be just that … dreams!

Often, when reality strikes and removes you from a dream state, it is hard to focus, to comprehend what is being said.  You hear the words, but they don’t resonate.  It has been too long without even a glimmer of hope to hang onto; it was a dream that had not come true.   There would be no fairytale ending here. 

Yet, as the words grew louder, clearer, and their meaning began to sink in … there was almost a feeling of dread, that this too was only a dream; one that would end just like all the others.

“I said, there is the possibility of adopting a 1 year old boy, are you still interested?” persisted the caller on the other end of the line.

The events following that “dream shaking” phone call have become only too real and too wonderful.  Not only were they able to gain custody and then formally adopt this miracle gift, his birth mother was again pregnant and within two (2) months of gaining custody of one child, his new-born brother was placed into our daughter in laws arms, right from the womb of another.

Several months have passed since the arrival of these two precious boys into the heart of our family.  They will likely never know fully the love they have brought into our lives, or being an answer to prayers offered by so many for such a long time.   Unlike the legal aspects of adoption, a calculated process filled with roller-coaster emotional highs and lows, it took no time at all for these new additions to assume their stately role as the newest members of the “Malone Zone,” as we affectionately refer to our family unit, doted over by aunts and uncles, cousins, and close friends; each offering their support, love, and acceptance.

A hint of coolness in the morning air brought hope that fall was just around the corner, as my wife and I made our way up the steps to the entrance of the Mesa Arizona Temple.   As I gazed up at this beautiful building and reflected back many years ago as a member of another Christian faith, I recalled how my thoughts were confused about what happens when this life is over.  I found the concept that life and relationships and families “just end,” to be hard to swallow.  When I learned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that both the Bible and newly revealed scripture contained in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, taught of a life after death where families could be reunited for eternity, I was both relieved and excited. 

Now, as I sit as a witness to the sealing of a family unit, together for time and all eternity, I ponder even deeper the significance of those teachings learned so many years ago.  My two little grandsons and teenage granddaughter … all dressed in white, surrounded by those who love them, soon to become brother(s) and sister, mom and dad … forever; adopted into a family who will love and cherish and support.

The sealing ceremony is short … too short when one is filled with emotions of “the moment.” Yet, I contently drink in the radiance of a husband and wife kneeling together as they had done so many times before when pleading with the Lord for a miracle, but now giving new meaning to the words “happiness” and “forever.”

 

I began writing this blog during a very dark and discouraging time of my life ... and it is reflected in the content written at that time.  I am leaving it on the site to remind me once again that trial is not the enemy.  It is our reaction to trial that determines the eventual outcome, not the trial itself.   It also serves to remind me that the storm clouds of trial do pass on ... leaving the promise of better days ahead.

If this slant on trial interests you ... I invite you to read a condensed version of the results of that particular time of trial in my life, a soon to be published book entitled "The Sweetness of Trial."  It can be found at http://thesweetnessoftrial.wordpress.com/

Had I not been exposed to personal trial in the first place, I would never have taken that first step toward developing a writing style that has seen many of my articles published.  The possibility of writing a book had never crossed my mind, due mostly to my belief that I had nothing to offer.  So, enter trial ... and now you have something to write about.

Keeping up with today's social media blitz is frightening to most ... and to me included.  Yet, in trial, I found a real estate company who brought out the best in me via video production and taught (is teaching) me how to interact from one media to another.  It is an amazing journey and one that would never have started without trial.

If you would like to see a few of those videos, relating to our current events in real estate ... click over to http://chuckmalone.jkrealtyaz.com/ and scroll down to find recent blog posts and video content on real estate issues.

You don't need to read the earlier posts on this site ... They will depress you!  But please read the condensed book on trial ... and I promise you will be uplifted and encouraged.

The title of my blog reflects my attitude about life.  It is a quest!  And I am driven to explore who I am and where will life take me if I just add a little "thrust" to the formula?  That thrust is called "my reaction to trial."

So if you would like to follow my future posts to see where life takes me ... you will need to "like" or "follow" the site, and you will be automatically notified when a new post has been entered.  It would be my honor to have you along.

I hope to learn how to publish ALL my writings on this site, in a library of sorts, so keep checking in from time to time to see the progress.