Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sending Ben off on a New Adventure

It's been a busy last couple of weeks for our family as we've been getting our son Ben ready for a new job and a new adventure.  Ben learned of the job a few months ago and has been filling out paperwork and jumping through hoops to get everything in order. Today we took him to the airport for his flight to Reno for a week of training and then he'll be off to Iraq. Again.
In case you are a new to my blog, here's a bit of background. Ben went into the Marine Corps when he was 18, right out of high school. After four years of deployments that took him around the world, he was honorably discharged last September. For the last year he has lived with Al and I while he decided what to do with himself.  With his new job working for a security contractor, Ben will be using the skills and leadership training he acquired while in the Marine Corps.
Ben and Al at John Wayne Airport

It was very difficult to say goodbye to Ben again but I have peace knowing this is something he has prayed about and he believes that God opened all the necessary doors for him. He could be in Iraq for up to a year and I would appreciate your prayers for him.

My two handsome sons, Ben and Andy

I did manage to make a few birthday cards recently. Lots of birthdays this month!
I made a couple of masculine cards, the one above for our friend Richard and the one below for my FIL.
I used the wonderful Cosmo Cricket Wanted 6x6 Mini Deck for both cards and the fun matching chipboard for my FIL's card. He is grew up in Colorado so the cowboy theme seemed to fit. I used Hero Arts Designer Wood Grain Design Block for the background on the kraft cardstock on both cards.

Here's a card using another Cosmo Cricket collection- Togetherness. It's a birthday card for a special friend.
I used the cloud and kite from the Hero Arts clear set Simple Things (CL445). Although it's hard to see in this photo, I stamped the flowers from this set in the clouds so they would tie in with the whimsical clouds on the paper. For all of the cards I used sentiments from the HA set Birthday Messages (CL139).

 

 Blessings,
nancy

11 comments:

  1. Your cards are gorgeous Nancy! I wish Ben the best of luck with his new job and I'm praying for his safety while over there. :) Hugs

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  2. Nancy, I've been thinking about you all day. You already know that you and Ben are in my prayers, even more so now that he's left. Wonderful cards today. . .especially love the kite one! Such pretty papers! Perfect thought for the day. . .keep remembering that. Lots of hugs to you, my friend.

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  3. sending you big big hugs, Nancy! best wishes to Ben with his new job. i believe that his professional training will help him greatly. hope you cheer up soon! =) love your beautiful cards today. very pretty designs!

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  4. Will be keeping you and your family (especially Ben) in my prayers. Hugs! :)

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  5. Keeping Ben in my prayers, Nancy, and you, too!
    All of these cards are special!

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  6. I'm so happy that Ben found his calling....and yes, I know you'll be all worried all over again since he will be far. I will keep Ben in my thoughts and prayers. I love all of your cards, especially the kite one! Sending big hugs!!

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  7. The card with the kite is gorgeous Nancy - really special! I especially prayed for Ben this morning that he would find a Christian community there to share his faith with! He is very brave to go back there, I think!
    Have a lovely day!
    Jacqueline

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  8. I will keep Ben in my thoughts and prayers. It must have been hard to see him off.
    Wonderful assortment of cards today Nancy. I really like all the woodgrain on the first card, I thought it was actually made from thin wood veneers!

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  9. i will definitely be thinking of ben and kepping him in my prayers. how hard it must be for you & hubby to send him off to his new venture.
    you have made some lovely cards here nancy! i love the card you made for your FIL!

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  10. Fabulous cards. Love the masculine cards and great kite card. Prayers for a safe journey for your son.

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  11. These all things are really very creative in all these there are so many things which is great to know about it. Wonderful assortment of cards today Nancy. I really like all the woodgrain on the first card.

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Thanks for your comments, I love hearing from you!