My twenty-two year old cousin, Drew, has been in Iraq since January. He wasn't here to celebrate his wife's birthday with her. He was overseas when Clayton, their first child, had his fourth birthday party. He was away when Carter, their other little boy, turned one and had his first piece of birthday cake. And, as it is with so many daddys in the armed forces, his family assured him of their love and appreciation by phone on Father's Day.

But Drew, who just got word last week that he did receive a scholarship from the army and will be going into the fall semester at Western as a sophomore, is on his way home.

From Iraq to Germany to Maine, Drew is finally back in the States. Soon he'll be in Fort Hood, Texas, where his wife is waiting expectantly for him. And by this time next week, God-willing, he'll be back here in Michigan surrounded by his loving wife, his precious children, and the rest of his absolutely thrilled family.

Praise our glorious King for His matchless mercy and unfailing provision!

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones ~Proverbs 2:7-8