Sunday, October 21, 2012

Mission Impossible


Hi Favored One ... this is Ken,



My assignment from Jesse, as I understand it, is to hack into Tobi’s account and write a post about the positive affect Allume and her blogging community have had on her.  I’ve watched her blog long enough to know that for me this is an assignment straight out of Mission Impossible! (cue the music...)  
I’ve chosen to accept this assignment; not because I’m looking for my opportunity to break into the blogging business, but because this is the best chance I’ll have to say thank you for the incredible gift this community has given my wife.

If you read Favored One you know I’m an officer in the United States Air Force.  Tobi and I love our life, but we never stay in one place very long.  The cumulative effect of this constant moving for Tobi has been loneliness.  Not a passing loneliness, but a deep, abiding loneliness she feels at her core. Of course, the Air Force has left us in a few places long enough for us to make friends.  Amazing, wonderful friends.  Friends who are closer than our own family.  Friends who share our love of Jesus Christ and, like us strive to make Him the center of their lives.  These are the kind of friends you want to spend your life with ... then you receive orders for your next assignment.  You have to learn to mourn those you leave behind when you make the military your life.  Tobi and I have a beautiful marriage and we both know how wonderful it is to be married to your best friend, but she’s told me on more than one occasion, “Ken, I love you and you do a great job filling in as a girlfriend except...you’re not a girl!”  I think blogging has helped fill the girlfriend void.

Suddenly, I’m aware Tobi and I haven’t talked about this and I’m not sure she would say blogging has helped fill the girlfriend void, but hey this is my post isn’t it?  On with the mission!

In the beginning, I watched Tobi struggle over a post for hours.  Writing and rewriting as the words in her heart flowed out onto the page.  Pleased with the results when she was done, but feeling guilty about the time she spent away from the family to complete it.  Knowing she was called to this, but not knowing how to balance it with His other callings in her life ... wife, mother, homeschool teacher and blogger?  I’ve also watched as the number of people following her blog grew.  I read the comments and reminded her she was fulfilling her calling by touching the lives of others.  Some days she provides a laugh and some encouragement and other days she’s sharing life’s pain and disappointment, but everything is shared through the joy of a Christ centered heart.  She has moments when she knows blogging is what she wants to do and moments when she wants to quit!  (Don’t worry Favored One followers I always encourage her to stay!)

I remember when she first read about the Allume conference and told me she wanted to attend.  I told her I thought it was a great idea and soon she was registered.  She began jumping into the blogging challenges and she’s written some awesome blogs for Compassion children and even cranks out beautiful 5-minute messages that never fail to touch my heart.  These Allume challenges are great, but the most positive thing I’ve seen happen to Tobi in the last six months is Mosaics for Him, the mastermind group she is part of.  This group of ladies have truly filled a girlfriend void!  They’re there everyday, they understand the highs and lows of blogging, they offer encouragement and they share rooms at the conference.  I know my wife, I know her heart and I know how big it is.  I love her heart and I’m so happy she’s found a place and a community.  I hope this encourages every blogger who reads it, because what you’re doing is impacting someone’s life.  I know because for my wife suddenly, friends don’t seem quite so far away and life doesn’t seem quite so lonely.  Mission Complete! (this message will self-destruct in 5 seconds...)

10 comments:

  1. Way to go, Ken! Mission accomplished. Very impressive. I'm glad you will keep Tobi in the blogging world because I would really miss her! She, and your post, have touched me. Blessings to you both.

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    1. Thanks Mandy! It was fun, but I don't know how you guys do it all the time! Thanks so much for your friendship ... I hope you guys have a blast at Allume. (Ken)

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  2. Excellent, but please turn off the self-destruct. That's almost as bad a captcha or word verification.

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    1. He said not a chance! : ) See you soon, friend!

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  3. I love this! Tobi, you need to let Ken hijack your blog once in a while or help him start his own! I love his beautiful tribute to your heart! He's a keeper!

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    1. I agree, Nancy! He said not a chance. But I'll keep working on him. He is beautiful to me. See you soon, friend.

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  4. I am forever thankful the Air Force brought you to Cheyenne where God orchestrated our paths to cross. Although the Air Force ushered you away far to soon, I am thankful for the moments we've share via Skpe, Facebook, your blog and the far-too-seldom-face-to-face encounters. Thanks Ken for sharing Tobi with the world (and me!)

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    1. I am forever grateful too, my forever sister friend! Love you much!

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  5. Loved the music (so did my husband, by the way). What a beautiful post. I would frame it or at least put it in the family scrap book. I think this is my first time visiting and Tobi, I think your husband just convinced me I need to stick around:) See you in a few days!

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    1. Ken is the one who taught me how to be funny and not take myself too seriously. He's such a wonderful man! I'm so excited that I'll get to meet you day after tomorrow! Off to check out your webspace! Blessings friend!

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