A couple weeks ago I came across this quote; time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. At the time it caused me to stop and think a little bit and pass it on. Well today it has taken on a totally different meaning!

These past 14 hours for our fire fighting family, have been difficult and has challenged The Williams' family to stop, slow down, and talk about enjoying the life we have!! Last night our evening started out like any other Tuesday night! School, eat, then off to get things moving for the evening! After dropping off Rebekah to cheer, MiKayla and I went in to Sioux Falls to pick up a friend for youth group, Kristen was heading to softball practice, and Nate and Jake were meeting with a couple about softball for next summer.

As MiKalya and I were in Target, I got a call from Nate that the pager was going crazy, more help was needed as another fire fighter was down and not responding. Whenever the pager goes off it is an immediate reaction, but add to it the fact that it was another firefighter. This meant it would hit even closer to home. Nate went on the call, started preparing to land the helicopter and was stopped because they couldn't revive him.

It still amazes me how a group of strong fire service men and women can go into firefighter mode to save the life of another individual! This is truly a gift from God! How would our communities survive without them! The events of last night really didn't hit home with me until this morning. On our way to school we drove by the fire station, we came upon the flags at ½ mass and black draped over the fire truck's lights and hood. WOW if that isn't enough to get one thinking! I'm sure our arm forces feel the same way when tragedy hits their extended family!

The firefighter was a strong willed individual who liked things his way! As are most individuals, if we are truly honest with ourselves! He had a way of keeping others on their toes, and again if they were honest with themselves, it probably caused them to think a little also! Maybe re-evaluate the situation and adjust things a little! In the BIG picture of life do the differences we pick apart really matter? Are our differences going to stand in the way of showing love to one another? Because if your God is the same as My God I know he has called us to be better examples than picking each other apart!!!

As I try to work through the emotions of a fire fighters wife, I just can't get the thoughts of this gentleman and his family out of my mind. I am seeing him drive his supped up fire golf cart in the last Tea Pot days, a great friend sitting next to him, and the stuffed Dalmatian dog on the back. Running into him at Pizza Ranch, talking with their family for a bit. Those days are behind us now and will not happen anymore! As Jake put it, "Who is going to drive the golf cart in the next parade?"

What does this mean for those that are still here on earth? I can only pray that since the Lord put Nate on the fire department, our family would have the opportunity to draw strength from our heavenly Father to pass on to a family that is hurting. And to an extended family that will be touched forever by this moment! It is my prayer that individuals in our fire fighting family will renew their relationship with our Heavenly Father, and if they have no idea how to do that or what it means they will feel comfortable enough to stop and ask! May the Lord show His grace on the TFD!!

Psalm 23 states:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want,

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup over flows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

For those of you that have checked back weekly/monthly to see if I have posted anything on our blog, I am sorry! Our summer got away from us quickly and I am still trying to figure out where it went! J Now that we are back in some sort of routine I thought I would take a couple minutes and share what has happened this summer!

First since the last time I blogged, we have a new sister-in law that is keeping my brother so busy that we hardly even see him anymore, I know hard to believe that Scotty is preoccupied with a family!! It is only going get busier for the new Friesen family as they are adding a little one in February. Wait not time and replenish the earth!

For the Williams' family we have added a new little niece, who is very lovable and cuddly, or at least she was when we met her! And a new nephew, who is going to need to grow up fast for Jake to play with!! He is extremely tired of playing house and watching Hannah Montana with the girls!!

MiKayla turned 11, where has the time gone? And Nate well he is just 36! The older we get the more our birthday's become just another day!

Our summer stayed busy with softball and t-ball for 3 of the kids and MiKayla learned quickly how to become my assistant coach as she helped me out with Jake's t-ball team. This year was a first for us as we were caught in the scheduling trap I remember Aunt Kathy being in with the boys and their hockey schedules! I remember talking with her wondering how in the world she did it! Well this year we found out, as Nate coached Kristen's team, Nate & Amy coached Jake's team (which ended up being Amy & MiKayla or Kristen if she was off) and Rebekah being left in the dust! No not really we called in back up and Stephanie Hofer came to the rescue and help out! Thanks Steph for being willing to become part of the Williams family!

As we move into the school year, we now have a calendar that is full of competitive cheer, volleyball, fall softball, and flag football. Yes, flag football is for both of my boys!! Big and Little! J No Nate hasn't needed oxygen or been carried off of the field with broken bones.

Oh, and sometime in there we study! Kristen is an 8^th grader, MiKayla is a 5^th grader, Rebekah is a 3^rd grader, and Jake is a 1^st grader. Nate and I also decided it was time for me to finish my schooling! Found an online early childhood education program that would accept a number of my credits I have already earned which is a huge blessing, but even more so with it being online everything I do is via internet!! I read, do assignments, and discuss issues affecting our children all online. Which is another huge blessing! Many nights all the kids and I are sitting around the house doing homework! It has even prompted a couple healthy wagers between mom and older girls!