Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Farewell Nathan!


Yesterday we were able to witness Nathan vow to protect our Country as he officially joined the Air Force. It was a bittersweet moment as I am incredibly thankful to have a son with such strong character and a love for the Only True Living God. I am blessed by his walk with the Lord and his love for others. He will do well in the Air Force...he grew up in a military home and has a healthy respect for those in authority over him.
But, the bitter part of this was that his dad was not here to witness such a wonderful event. Eric stood in a room similar to this almost twenty-five years ago as he vowed to serve his Country in the Navy. He would have been proud to see his son do the same. He had so much to do with how this young man had turned out. What a blessing it was for Nate to have Eric in his life for so many years. I just wish Eric could have been there to see it all.

Today I was looking at some photos and though how fun it would be to share some of those photos with you all. Sad to say, I am limited on the photos I can share with you because I have not digitized all my photos yet. But, all the same I thought it would be fun to share what I did have.
The above picture was taken eight years ago when we were adding a swimming pool to our backyard. The kids are ready for the first dig.

And here they are a almost six weeks later getting ready to fill the pool with water. Nate did much of the construction around here at the side of his dad. Everywhere I look I see their handywork. We put a pool in our backyard but then did a major remodel where we added 1,500 square feet and a cinderblock wall around our yard. Nate learned much about construction that year. He even tiled my bathroom!


He also learned how to work hard. He is a diligent man now with quite the work ethic. He also leanred how to push himself which has developed a self-determination that is well liked in young men.


Eric took Nate on many hiking trips. Their first trip up Half Dome was when Nate was 10. By his fifteenth birthday they had climbed Mt. Whitney with some other men and their sons. This is where Nate learned perseverance. He continued on even when it was not easy. But, most of the time he was way ahead of everyone else on the trail setting his own pace.


Nate is a loving brother. Probably the hardest good-bye yesterday was with his sisters. All four of his sisters adore him.


For Nate's sixteenth birthday Eric gathered quite a few men and young men to celebrate. They encouraged him...what a time that was. In fact, now that I think about it, a few of the men that were there that evening were at our home Sunday evening to say farewell to Nate.


Nate was a good Confederate. He really enjoyed the many Civil War Re-enactments that he fought in. The best was the awareness of history that he gained from these weekends.


This was taken right before the Eric Davis Memorial Hike that quite a few families put together in honor of the many hikes that he put together every year.


On Nate's 18th birthday we had a small group of families that came over for Karaoke. Nate can not hold a tune but he can hear lyrics or movie lines just once and then goes around making us all laugh as he sings or quotes at just the right time.


What a character! This picture is not upside down...Nate is. We have our bikes hanging upside down so he thought it would be a great pic to have him riding the bike while it was hanging from the rafters! Just like his dad!


Mmmmm.....love this one!


Again, another picture of his daring ways. He crawled up the walls to change the lightbulb. This is the stairwell up to the loft where he made his residence for quite a while.


When we went to Washington DC , it just seemed appropriate to get a picture in front of the
Iwo Jima Memorial.


Serious Nate


He and his dad won the pie eating constest quite a few times.


Love this one of him and his best friend, Becca.


The next time I see Nate I will see many changes. He will have been molded into a military man. We pray that his faith will grow stronger and that the Lord would surround him with godly men to help him as he starts this new phase of his life.
~Heather

9 comments:

Unknown said...

My eyes are full of tears as I read this tribute to Nate and his dad. You've given me a glimpse into your family's history that makes me love and respect all of you even more than I already do. I love the pictures of the little boy growing into godly manhood. He's a tribute to you and Eric.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this part of your history. It is wonderful to see a young Nate growing up and now a responsible young man. Great encouragement for us with boys heading into the teen years.

Cindy

Anonymous said...

I have only followed your blog since right before Eric passed away, so it is so neat to see your children much younger! I have an almost 19 year old son, and I can imagine what you are feeling right now. Time seems to just fly by and seems so bittersweet? Thanks for sharing this with us!
Rebecca in Canada :)

Anonymous said...

I can not say anything more then what has already been said above...only to say please thank Nate for his service to our country and thanks to you all, his family for the sacrifice of not having him near so that he CAN serve our country!

Gods blessings and peace to you all!
Kelly

Unknown said...

Dear Heather,
I will be praying for Nate as he goes through boot camp. I know that is hard on us Mom's too! What an honor that he is following in his father's footsteps of National service..our grand Country needs good men! My prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Jeannie

Sue Rasmussen said...

Heather,
I love reading your blog. You and your family have been such a blessing to me over the years. I am so thankful that our Father has given you a new soulmate to share life with and to provide a shoulder for you to cry on. I know a two year anniversary on top of your son leaving for bootcamp is a lot to handle all at once, but of course our Father will (& I know has) provide all you need at this time. Wayne and I have retired and moved to Texas; two weeks ago I was crying for days over leaving my kids and grandkids in California. Different reasons for the tears but my heart aches just the same. I will continue to pray for you and will pray God's blessing on Nate as he continues to serve our Lord in the Air Force.
God bless,
Sue

Skye said...

I just found your Blog recently and it touched me deeply! You have an absolutely beautiful family! I will pray for your eldest son on his new journey. :) Anywho..again you have a lovely family~!

Ingrid's Organic Body Care said...

great to continue to see all that the Lord has done in your life. All that looking to Jesus and walking with him makes the song, "Just a closer walk with thee," seem like such a beautiful theme song for our lives. always walking closer to our sweet savior. fun to learn the childrens (grown-ups) names. I read this post thinking, nathan? who is nathan? oh yes, goose is nathan! funny. congrats!

motherofblessings said...

My hubby and I were engaged before he went off to Boot Camp. He left a young man and came back a United State Marine. Quite a change but for the better.

May the Lord be with your son each day. Just a note: The importance of letters can not be over-emphasized. Write to him as often as you can.