MN STATE FAIR

Our 31st year at the fair!! 

Patrick asked me out to the fair for one of our first dates!!

Prayers

From a friend's fridge.
So many people are praying right now for our Sarah Bearah!

SAS at Work

 
This is my girl.  
Doing what she does.
Loving others.
armystrong

I AM HIS

 

How To Comfort

Just sit with me. Hold me tight. Let me cry. Keep your mouth shut.  Listen when I speak.  Really listen. Unsolicited advice is not allowed.  Do not SHOULD ON ME or question my past decisions and past sins. The way I sinned and the ways I was sinned against.  I will interpret my own life. Thank you very much. Do not say HANG IN THERE! Sit with me as I struggle. Sit with me as I suffer. Pray over me. Read His Word to me. Lead me to The One that restores my soul and loves me more than anyone on this earth. My Healer, My Redeemer, My Father!

DEAR FELLOW BELIEVERS,
WE HAVE TO GET BETTER AT SOUL CARE! WE HAVE TO!

The RAC

 I joined the Riverfront Athletic Club with my family.  This is my view as I run on the treadmill. So beautiful.

This Man

Two weeks before my wedding day my dad called to say, "I can't walk you down the aisle. My wife would never speak to me again if I did." I called Stuart and asked him if he would walk me down the aisle. He replied, "I would be honored." I had been a nanny for Stuart, his wife and daughter(before they had twin boys!) At the age of 23 I saw for the first time in my life a loving father and husband. I got a glimpse of what family really means and a longing grew to have that for myself. Stuart passed away 16 years ago today. I was pregnant with my youngest boy, Tim. We named him Timothy Stuart. He once asked me, "Mom why did you name me after a mouse?" "We didn't buddy. We named you after one of the sweetest men that mommy has ever known." I love you and I miss you, Stuart. I thank God for your impact on my life. 💓

Hi Drew!

 This is Sarah's boyfriend Drew and his dog Tucker.  They met at UMD and now they maintain a long distance relationship while the girlybug is deployed. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!

  

We facetimed with Sarah on her 21st Birthday! She opened her birthday box of presents from us and celebrated with her battle buddies in Kuwait! We love you SAS!! 
PS The girl loves cows.

Happy 27th Anniversary to Us!!

 

I thank God for the years and years of you, Patrick!! I love you so much!! Thank you for surprising me with a trip to Red Wing, MN to stay at the St. James Hotel.  Lovely. 
 

Love, Patrick

 I spoke to my wife on this glorious morning of our 27th anniversary: "Babe, it's our 27th. I'm excited. I'm just really looking forward to getting away from you. (I was shocked trying to interpret the look of horror and confusion on her face) "Uh, Babe...I mean getting away WITH you. WITH you. I love you so much babe! I wanna be WITH you."

I Bought This

 

for me.  But it's really for my husband, Patrick.

Missing Her

I miss Sarah so much it physically hurts.  My arms ache to hold her and I want to kiss her sweet face off.  And I will. The other day. In 2022. When she gets home!! I have tough days. On one of them I sat in her room, wearing one of her sweatshirts and wrapped up in one of her 17 fuzzy blankets. I let the sobs out and the tears fall.  I allow myself the freedom to feel what I am feeling.  God knows me. God sees me. He catches every tear.  I found this shirt online later in the day and ordered it immediately.  I wore it for at least 9 days straight before washing it. freals.  Wearing it helps and the comments from others who read it have been heart warming. 

A Week at the Cabin

 is good for the soul.

Happy Birthday Patrick!!

 

This is Tim

The Lit teacher at Journey Homeschool Co Op used this photo of Tim on her first day of class. He was obviously loving the ride at Nickelodeon Universe. Christine Hunt, the Lit teacher retired this year.  Thank you Christine for your years and years of expertise. I am sorry that Nathan missed having you by 1 year.  

Blue Star

 This flag went up on March 21st, 2021.  The day Sarah was deployed to Kuwait.  I cannot wait to take it down in 2022!! This blue star family is very proud of SAS!!  Do your job, girl and COME HOME!!
armystrongyes??

Standing

  in the pouring rain today. Praising God for sending it.

Yes They Do

Based on the chastisement I just heard by my wife, our cats have middle names. "Lola Ann Stream, stay away from those flowers!"

Ruth Ann Carla Ann Sarah Ann Lola Ann Lucy Ann It's a family name.

Carla in the ER by Patrick Stream

Here's a few of the more humorous episodes from the morning ER visit with Carla. She is really good at using humor to cope:

1. The lab tech comes in in teal scrubs and says his name is Josh. My wife says "I have a son named Josh! Oh, I'd look really good in that color wouldn't I Patrick?

2. The ER Doc leaves and my wife says "What's his name? Dr. Tight Shirt? Dr. Muscles? He's nice."

3. Her heart rate monitor would send a loud alert every 5 minutes or so. The first time she said "Pat, get the paddles. This is a code red. Clear. I've watched House I know what's going on here."

4. When I returned after she took a nap I asked how she slept and she said, "You ever sleep with your shoes on before? It's weird."

5. As they're discharging her the machine turns off. She asks "Am I dead? Is this heaven?"

6. When the discharge nurse came in she introduced herself and then Carla said "This is my face, for now."

7. The discharge nurse told Carla that she was ready to go and she could leave. Carla said "Don't I get to take a baby? Every time I've left the hospital I got to take a baby."

OUCH!!

 I fainted due to dehydration on Sunday, June 13th.  My face hit the shower frame and scraped the door on the way down. My side hit our little wooden stand. Patrick called 911 after I was convulsing, bleeding from my nose and peeing myself.  Nate held my hands and calmed me down as I cried out, "I'm so sorry!" The EMT's came to check my vitals and advised that I be taken to the ER.  I refused a ride with them to save $1500. I had ALLTHETESTS at the ER.  And they all came back to rule everything out.  No heart issues, no seizures, not low blood pressure.  Nothing but dehydration.  Which is 100% curable!! I had to stay the night and I lay there praising God! I could have lost my teeth, broken my neck or jaw, lost an eye....any number of horrible things.  BUT GOD...I had no broken bones nor was I concussed! Thank you Lord! I was sore and had 3 goose eggs and boy did those black eyes come in nicely!! I rested up and iced and used Arnicare for the bruising.  If I do say so myself...I looked totally badass. So many friends that are family prayed for me and brought flowers and food and cards and chocolate! 

Natedog Goes to Prom!

 

TX!

 

 

We hit the road in March and drove down to San Antonio for spring break!  The Alamo, RiverWalk and Six Flags. Then onto Corpus Christi and the Gulf of Mexico! So much fun!

SEE YOU SOON SARAH!!!

 

SarahBeara

We have known since October 1st that our favorite and only daughter will be deployed.  For a year. To Kuwait.
There has been much processing and many tears and prayers. There are brothers who are wondering what this looks like. So many conversations.
The Streams will get through it. By getting through it.
Those who know me understand that babygirl is God's blessing to me to have the mother daughter relationship I never had. And the thought of not hugging or kissing her for a year? comeonnnn
Of course there will be letters and facetime and texting...not exactly the same is it?
As I have been crying out to God He has heard and answered. Very clearly He has impressed upon my heart, "I will be going with her."

Babygirl

 

This is Mary who was contemplating abortion and found an abortionist even though it is illegal in Kenya. She found my abortion story of regret online and messaged me when she was 14 weeks along. AND HERE IS HER PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL!! Thank you Lord!! Baby girl is named Jasmine to go along with siblings Jeremy, Jude and Joy and daddy Justus. Thank you for praying!!

And thank you to those who gave yesterday!! Mary said to thank you too!!

I will never shut up about the death and destruction abortion brings. becauseTHIS