Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy 2012

HAPPY 2012 TO Y'ALL!

What are your new year's resolutions? Do you even make resolutions each year?

I am one who does not [usually] make resolutions each year. I think this has to do with mainly not wanting to let myself and/or others down when those goals are not achieved.

However, this year I am making a couple goals a.k.a. resolutions:

1. To be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:19-20).

2. Learn to RESPOND; rather than to REACT. Yes, there is a difference. Here is an article I read about responding and reacting. I love how the gal who wrote the article says: "Now, how can we learn to respond instead of react? Well, you can't learn it on the spur of the moment; it has to be built into your character and into your mind. The more you get into God's Word, the more you spend time with the Lord each day in fellowship and prayer, the more prepared you will be to respond. You have to build in those spiritual muscles, which are there for you when you need them." The basis of this article/website is on Christian Working Women. However, I do believe this article and much that the author speaks about on the posts can pertain to anyone (by simply replacing the words with man, daughter, wife, mother, father, son, friend, cousin, etc).

See how goal number 1 and goal number 2 go hand-in-hand? If I am in God's Word daily, meditating on His scripture, I will learn to respond, being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Will this all happen overnight? No. Because of the characteristic I already have that is in my heart and mind, it will take some time to learn to be this way; on more of a normal, everyday basis. Please be gracious to me if you happen to be on the receiving end. Know that I will feel horrible and will apologize.

With all this being said, I have one more goal:

3. To be the best mama, wife, and homeschool teacher that the LORD will have me to be in 2012. I have approached our kiddos with setting a goal or two for 2012 (afterall, setting goals is a good thing to do). I told them what my goals are and when I came to number 3, all three of them said "But you already are!" Forcing the tears back, but with watery eyes, I looked beside me and behind me and said "Do you see someone else here that is?" and laughed. They laughed and said "You already are a great mom and the best homeschool teacher in the world!" Even with my shortcomings, these kiddos surely know how to make a mama feel ultra blessed!!

Setting realistic goals will keep things in perspective and give you priority to what is most important. For me, this priority leans heavily on making Jesus the center of my life!

Have an amazing 2012 -- no matter the circumstances you are in or what may come!!!

Google Image Search

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Almost Wordless Wednesday

How often have you been smiled at by an egg?

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

Last night's Christmas jammies gift opening left me a little less happy that today would be another Christmas without my husband and the father to our kiddos with us. Deployments do that. They kind of like taking those you love away from the family during those special holidays.

What turned everything around?

The Christmas Eve service we went to at 11:30 p.m. It touched my heart and removed those negative contents and replaced it with WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT: the peace, love, and joy that comes from having a relationship with Jesus. Christmas came upon us "all of a sudden" -- I remember Thanksgiving was literally just here a few days ago, wasnt' it? With Christmas only hours away, I felt emotionally drained, just trying to keep it together, and all the while growing more impatient with waiting for William to come home, Christmas gifts to be opened and past us, and trying to maintain some sort of genuine smile across my face.
Christmas Eve service @ Canyon Ridge Christian Church 2011.
Photo taken by a dear friend over here. 
I finally went to bed around 4:30 a.m. and had to get back up before 9:00 a.m. because that's when William was going to call on video to open gifts with the kiddos. Just so you know, I function a WHOLE LOT better when I have had at least 6-7 hours, but function perfectly when I've had 8 hours of sleep.

Anyway, the kids and William really touched my heart this year. I am a very blessed mother of three amazing children and a very blessed wife to one amazing husband whom I could never imagine anyone more amazing than he!!

After the kids opened their gifts, it was my turn. William said I had to open the gifts from the kids first and his last. They got me a handsfree ear piece, caramel syrup for lattes, sewing storage box (but they said it's for crochet stuff), and a card. I could completely tell they really thought out ALL of their gifts to me, which was really touching.

What really pulled on my heart strings and made me cry happy tears was the card:
MOM: Hope you know how
much you mean to me...
Even though I may never find the right
words or the perfect ways to show it,
I hope somehow you still know what I
feel in my heart. You're loved and appreciated
more than I can say.
Merry Christmas
William got me Timeless: The Selah Collection. I absolutely love Selah and the music they sing. It's more of a worship (slower) style than a praise (more uptempo) style. The music is very calming and when I really started listening to them a couple months ago, calm is exactly what I needed!
Timeless: The Selah Collection. William's gift to me.
No gift is as special and as precious as the gift of Jesus Christ. Earthly treasures may bring a happiness for a short time, but the joy that Jesus gives lasts for all eternity. The treasures I received from the kiddos and William will be forever ingrained in my heart because of the season in life that I am in. 

But, the greatest gift that I will always treasure the most is salvation that has comes through knowing Jesus as my personal LORD and Savior.

"6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this" Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV).

"10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" 1 John 5:10-12 (NIV).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

I'm Thankful For ...

7. Children who make me laugh, even on days when the laughter seems to have left me.

6. For a countdown calendar that seems to have fast forwarded all on its own. I actually LOVE this one!

5. Days to relax.

4. A husband that is a Godly man and WANTS to love me, even during my unlovable moments.

3. Wisdom.

2. Jesus' perfect example of love! His LOVE is aaaaMAZING! Why would anyone want to deny His presence in their life?

1. Gift of being able to cook and bake. One day I'll have a bakers/cooks kitchen (double or triple ovens, BIG countertop spaces, lower cabinets -- because I'm short, walk in pantry ... You get the idea).

Remember, being thankful isn't just for Thanksgiving. What are you going to be thankful for each day of this week? These were some of the things I was thankful for last week. Come back next week and I'll tell you what I'm thankful for this week.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Sorry this is one day late. I totally spaced that yesterday was Wednesday.
"L" is for LOVE. One of God's gifts He gives us
is LOVE -- TRUE LOVE.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Almost Wordless Wednesday

He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice ....

For giggles. This reminds me of my dad. I miss him so much!
And when I think of Santa Claus, my dad is who I think of.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas Blog Carnival: Day 5

Wow! We are finishing the Christmas Blog Carnival from Wives of Faith today. I feel a bit sad because I have enjoyed writing these short blog posts!

Today's topic is military related: You might be a military spouse at Christmas if ....

You postpone Christmas dinner and opening gifts until January or February, or March, or, or, or.... Christmas is a SEASON, after all, right? ha ha.

This is our second deployment through these holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.). Our first Christmas apart was 2007. We had the kids open up what they received from the squadron on Christmas Eve and then they opened up a couple gifts on Christmas morning.

For this Christmas, we have given the kids two options:

1. Open up their gifts on Christmas, with the exception of Christmas Eve pajamas; which they are so excited about because they can't wait to see what ones they get this year. Who would have thought that pajamas could be so exciting?! And waiting to open up the big gift when dad comes home.

OR

2. Open up the Christmas Eve pj's, all clothing items on Christmas morning and one toy, and wait to open the rest until dad comes home.

All three of the kiddos answered simultaneously: "The second one!" One of them said: "We want dad here when we open up presents even if we have to wait a couple months."I absolutely LOVE where their hearts are!

Sure, we could do the whole video thing on Christmas morning, but honestly, the video thing is a bit sketchy a lot of the times. Plus, it's just not the real deal.

Anyway ... you might be a military spouse at Christmas time if you wait to do the whole Christmas gift opening and dinner eating until your military man comes home!
Google image search.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Blog Carnival: Day 4

Wow! Today is already Day 4 of the Christmas Blog Carnival from Wives of Faith. I have truly enjoyed blogging these last few days on topics that I have not blogged about, yet. So thank you, Wives of Faith, for hosting the 3rd Annual CBC. :)

Without further ado, today's topic is: The Best Non-Material Christmas Gift Ever. I literally thought ... and thought ... and thought some more about this topic a few days ago. Then it dawned on me. Actually, I think it was the LORD showing me what He gave us, that we did not want to have any more of.

It was Christmas Eve 2002 when we found out about our little blessing.

You see, we were not walking with the LORD in our early years of marriage (that in itself could be many blogs in length). It was November 2002 when we met with a doctor to discuss having the IUD put in late December of the same year. Talking with my best friend about the IUD just yesterday makes my stomach turn for what doctors do not tell you. A lot of docs are all about being politically correct as a medical physician. <---- this is a different topic.

I truly did not think I was pregnant, but had to have a pregnancy test done before they would be able to proceed with another appointment. Christmas Eve 2002, I got the phone call from the Family Practice clinic at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming (our 2nd duty station). The nurse said to me, "I have the results of your pregnancy test. The results show that you are pregnant. I hope this is good news." At that point in our life, being very selfish and only wanting two kids -- it was NOT the greatest news. I accepted it and was scared to death at how I would be able to care for three children when I could barely care for two.
Corey. August 2003.
Corey. November 2005.

I COULD NOT IMAGINE life without our youngest, Corey. He is our little comedian. He is the ball of fire out of our three children. He is also the greatest little helper that God has given us. I think he makes a point to make us smile every single day. And as I write this, I smile, complete with a twinkle in my eye.

October 2010.

I have spent the last two days recalling how God has blessed us with the perfect package that consists of our three children. They have always been close, and any of our close friends and family can attest to that. They are pretty inseparable. God has entrusted these three to our care, to bring them in the ways of the LORD, to teach them, to nurture them, and to prepare them for life. I cannot describe how incredibly grateful I am that GOD DID NOT give up on us.
July 2011.


The best non-material Christmas gift I have ever received was finding out that we were pregnant with our third child!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Blog Carnival: Day 3

Today's topic on the Christmas Blog Carnival is: Your Favorite Childhood Christmas Memory -- brought to you by Wives of Faith.

My dad as Santa Claus -- this is my favorite Christmas memory. Each year he would dress up as Santa Claus, and while we were all at my grandma's house (my mom's mom), Santa would come for a visit. My dad was the perfect Santa: beard, cheeks, and belly .... and the he did the special Santa jingle just right:

"HO-HO-HO! Merry Christmas!"
Me (6'ish yrs. old) and Santa Dad.

**My dad passed away June 1999. I was 19 years old and we were stationed in England; less than a month being due with our first child. I wish he was still around ... there is no doubt that our children and my sister's kids would LOVE seeing Santa walk through the door. He will remain, to me, the perfect Santa!**

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Fresh snow on Mount Charleston: 2 Dec 2011.


Sunset: 2 Dec 2011.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Almost Wednesday -- Almost Wordless


October 5, 2011. Stormy day in Las Vegas

Christmas Blog Carnival: Day 2

Today's topic for the Christmas Blog Carnival  from Wives of Faith is about Your Favorite Christmas Dessert (with recipe).
 
At Christmas time, I do not think I actually make an actual dessert; just an assortment of goodies from candies to cookies, etc. Christmas time baking is a favorite in our home with the whole family getting involved. Making memories is a great thing!!
 
One of my all time favorite goodies has to be the chocolate dipped peanut butter crackers that were at every Christmas gathering when I was a kid. You seriously cannot eat just one!
 
Ingredients:
*Creamy peanut butter 
*Ritz Crackers; sometimes the Honey Ritz, even. *Almond bark and a little vanilla; actually, I have this thing with vanilla so it kind of ALMOST goes in everything I bake.
*Sprinkles, nuts, etc for topping -- if you want (which that's what I'm doing this year).

Directions:
*Melt chocolate in a double broiler. We do not have a double broiler, so we do the whole, glass bowl over a boiling pot of water thing.
*Spread Peanut Butter on one cracker; then top with another cracker -- like a sandwich.
*Dip into chocolate and be sure to coat both sides. You have to work somewhat quickly because of the hot chocolate and the peanut butter -- it kind of makes the peanut butter extra creamy which will make your cracker slide around.
*Place on waxed paper to dry; and top with sprinkles, nuts, etc - if you like.

ENJOY!


Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Blog Carnival: Day 1

This is my first go at partaking in a Christmas Blog Carnival  hosted by Wives of Faith. The topic for today is: Your favorite Christmas movie.

My favorite Christmas movie? I thought about this and the only movie that truly pops in mind, amongst the plethora of Christmas movies out there is: Elf.

Buddy is my favorite elf of all elves!!! 

This movie is the only movie, that when it is mentioned and talked about, I can actually recall the different scenes.



Here are some of my favorite quotes from the movie Elf:

*there's a few conversation exchanges that I like that happen between Buddy and the Gimbel's store manager and between the "fake" Santa at Gimbel's, too -- but I only included quotes from Buddy, himself.*

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite."

"What's a Christmas Gram? I want one!"

"Have you seen these toilets? They're GINORMOUS!"

"SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!"

"I am a cotton-headed ninnymoggins!"
Okay ... so I could list many more ... Now ... go watch the movie! It truly is a good laugh!

Happy watching! 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Care Package from the beginning of October 2011.
Sending care packages is one of my favorite things to do while my love is away.
Many say my husband is a bit spoiled: at least one box goes out every week. :-)

Monday, November 28, 2011

A Girl and Her Horse

One of our favorite weekly outings consist of taking Mariah to her horse riding lesson. She rides through the Horses 4 Heroes program. Her instructor, Carol, is absolutely amazing!! Her and Mariah work so great together.

The below picture is of Mariah on her horse, Pepper -- a.k.a. Peppy or Pep. Mariah adores Pepper. She even brings him a couple apples or an apple and a carrot every week. I am absolutely positive that Pepper knows Mariah because he is looking for those treats before Mariah has the chance to brush him out before she rides. They have a beautiful relationship! :-)

Two things that I love about the below photo: 1. Mariah is beaming with an ear-to-ear smile! 2. Pepper is sticking his tongue out! HAHA. I did not notice that until looking at this image a week ago.
Mariah and Pepper -- September 2011
I think the halter was left on Pep on purpose because he was having an attitude this day.
Hmm. Maybe he purposefully stuck out his tongue. ;-)

Mini Homecoming Preparation

Okay ... so I was thinking earlier, as I was talking with a dear friend, that we do some crazy things to get ready for the homecoming of our loved one. A LOT of crazy things. I get butterflies and the giggles really bad. But I can't help it. It's who I am. It's who God made me to be.

The other thing I was thinking about was the fact that when I have not seen my husband in a week (or even more), those butterflies and giggles come back. It is like a mini homecoming. Seriously. It gets so bad, that when I know he is back at his home base and/or the day is drawing near to when he could possibly be arriving at the home base, I cannot help but get ready. I do a workout, shower, and straighten my hair (either that night, or the following morning) and when I KNOW we will be on a video chat, I put a little makeup on, too. It plays out like a mini homecoming in my head, almost like a date.

I may not be able to wrap my arms around him or give him a kiss, but I still want to look my best when we see each other for the first time after a week being apart-apart. <--- if that makes sense.

Workout gets me fired up!
Part of the arsenal.


A shower makes me refreshed and hopefully makes me look not
so tired since good rest does not happen while he's out and about.
OH! And the cell phone is never far from me ... most of the time.
 Does any of you do anything that gets you ready to see your loved one on a video chat during a deployment? Look at it like a date. I am absolutely positive he WILL notice!

My husband does and  it makes my heart smile.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

Today has been a great day, overall; regardless of the emotional-polar express I feel like I am on the last few days. There are so many highs and lows -- ALL due to missing my dear husband and the holidays being here.

For instance: Thanksgiving. I LOVE to cook. My husband LOVES to eat. It is a win-win for both of us. What is on our Thanksgiving menu this year, you ask? Hen, homemade mac & cheese, green beans, rolls, pumpkin pie and Hershey pie. This is it. Sure, this menu is definitely a lot more than what some will be eating, but this is possibly a quarter, MAYBE close to half of what we usually cook up. OH and speaking of cooking ... my husband is usually in the kitchen with me being another set of hands baking and cooking Thanksgiving dinner, side-by-side. Him being in the kitchen with me is one of my favorites.

It is always the simple things that you miss most when your loved one is not there to share in the time with you. I know I completely miss the little things, big things, and all the in between things about my amazing husband -- my best friend. We are counting down the days to his return. We all CANNOT WAIT for that special reunion day!! Which leads me to be so grateful that the time has gone by so quickly.

Here are a few of my counted blessings for this Thanksgiving:

1. Jesus. He is more than my Savior. He is my Best Friend. He feels every joy, pain, hurt, discomfort, and excitement I have. He knows me better than I know me -- and ALWAYS knows what I need, when I need it, before I know that I need it! He loves me, regardless of my short comings. I'm truly thankful that He WANTS me to be His child. Walking with Him in life is a pure adventure -- and that is truly an understatement!
2. My husband. My best friend. He's amazing in every way. Not perfect, but perfect for me. I miss him greatly and eagerly look forward to the day of him returning to our family. There is NOBODY else I could imagine spending the rest of my life with. I love him TO THE MOON AND BACK!
3. Our children. They are three of the greatest blessings God has given to my husband and I. They make us laugh (even to the point of tears), cry (literally), become frustrated, and even test our patience. They are definitely the best children we could have ever asked for!!
4. Best friends. I have two more -- besides my husband and Jesus; my mom and my best friend, Amber C. I love the fact that they understand me, don't judge me, can laugh and cry with me. I have learned so much from them. You know you have a best friend when you feel sad to miss their phone call -- that's how I feel when I miss either of their calls.
5. Home: for it's more than just a dwelling. Money: to pay our bills and put food in our cabinets and on our table. Reliable vehicles: to get us from point A to point B and back to point A.
6. Technology. Yes, even me who loathes electronics is truly thankful for technology. The computer/internet keeps me informed and in contact with so many that live MILES away. Skype/ooVoo have been absolutely one of the biggest blessings during this deployment. Smartphones: they're smart. Enough said.
Regardless of the emotions that may protrude from my being on a Thanksgiving day, there is one thing for certain: I am absolutely blessed and absolutely grateful the LORD's presence in my life. That alone gives me joy; EVEN if I feel sad <--- that's temporary. HE is my true joy <---- my Everlasting Peace! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Passing the time

It's been a while since I have blogged; and believe it or not, I do have several writings started -- I just need to finish them. Maybe I should write a little at a time? For those that know me, I'm an all or nothing kind of gal. Writing here and there is a hard thing for me to do -- which means I could never be a real writer of some book. When I do something, 98% of the time (because from time to time I do get lazy), I really do give it my all!


Okay, so what do you do to pass the time? When you're waiting to be seen at a medical appointment, do you read, play games on your phone, or watch whatever the office may have on the television? What about you military spouses: what do you do to pass the time while you wait for your military spouse to come home and/or even just to talk to them on the phone or computer? Here are a few quirky things I do to pass the time (and in no particular order):

1. Every now and then I'll make note of how much of the countdown sticker chart we have gone through. This is what the kids use to countdown the time. For example: We had about a 5 foot section of our kitchen island wall covered in unmarked days. Now we are well pass the halfway point of the island! YAY!! :-) 

2. Sporadically check the countdown clock on the laptop. I TRY NOT TO check it every day, even though it is in plain sight, I do TRY NOT TO look at it every day. Then I can say, "WOW! 3 days has gone by already?!" Silly. I know.

3. I check the 10 day forecast. Even though most of the time I really am checking the weather forecast, I am secretly wow'ing at the fact that in 10 days, we're that much closer to the end of the month. For instance: Can you believe that in 10 days it will be 28 November 2011?! Where has the time gone?! OH! And FYI: the forecast in 10 days is 64 as a high and 41 as a low.

SunnyMostly SunnySunnyPartly CloudyMostly CloudyMostly CloudyMostly SunnySunnySunnyMostly Sunny
Sunny Mostly Sunny Sunny Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Mostly Sunny Sunny Sunny Mostly Sunny
63°62° 60° 64° 66° 59° 64° 64° 67° 64°
43° 42° 41° 43° 44° 41° 41° 44° 42° 41°

Lifestyle Modu

4. Each Thursday afternoon, except when a holiday falls on this day, Mariah has a horse lesson. Yes, even this once a week adventure helps me pass the time. I LOVE watching our girl ride her horse and learn new things. I also love that when Wednesday of the following week rolls around, somehow I always think to myself "WOW! It feels like we just had a lesson!"

5. Cleaning. Cleaning. And doing it all over again and cleaning some more. I know, how mundane, but to me cleaning is relaxing, helps pass the time, and it's also "quiet time".

These are just a few quirky things that I do to help pass the time. While I do still count each and every day as a blessing, and I look forward to the fun things and times and laughter the kids and I have together -- There is that part of me that lives in the future .... because that's when I can hug on my amazing man returning home from yet another deployment.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Seeking His Presence

**This is just a quick post on a couple songs that I listened to this morning...**

A friend of mine posted a song on Facebook that got my heart stirring and reaching for the awesomeness of God.

1. It is not just any song. 2. It is most definitely a song that brings true light to what it means to truly seek after Jesus.

He can only be found when sought after. I have lived a life for many years without Him. I know what it feels like to feel like there is no hope, no love, depression, a happiness that comes and goes. BUT, I have also lived and am living a life that knows what it is like to seek after God, who is absolutely REAL in every sense of that word! There's hope, peace, love, joy, friendship, promises, comfort, blessings, SALVATION, victory over your circumstances, and so much more...

                                                                Sung by Kari Jobe
Deuteronomy 4:29 -- "But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."

I truly desire to live a life that does not just call upon Jesus' Name in troubles, but to call upon Him ALL the time, every day!

Romans 3:21-25 -- "21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins."

I am human and make mistakes, every day ... this is why I KNOW I NEED HIM continuously to be present in my life! 

                                                           Sung By Kari Jobe

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Bless the LORD oh my soul ...

This past week has been extremely trying. From kids' bickering, to situations in my friends and families' lives, to missing my dear husband something fierce --- I'd LOVE to just rewrite this past week. But, I can't and so God has seen all of my fails, struggles, tears, pains, and even smiles. He knows exactly what I need and has been patient and here with me through it all. What better way to get the necessary goodness than through prayer and from reading God's Word!!

The scripture passage that I read today was from Psalm 103 (in English Standard Version). The whole passage is awesome, but here are a few of the Scriptures that stuck out to me and I'll note next to them why: 
 
Psalm 103:1 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" *I should be praising the LORD with EVERYTHING that is within my being -- no matter what is going on around me. Period. There is no middle.  It's black or it's white -- not grey.

Psalm 103:8 "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Soo thankful that I serve a God who is patient, though, because sometimes I fall into those grey areas ... *admittedly*
 

Psalm 103:11 "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him." Jesus' LOVE is unfailing. It's strong. Always there. Never gives up. Goes on forever!

Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." SUPER thankful that He does not hold my sins against me. Nor does He dig them up to hold them over me. In prayer I say I'm sorry, repent and ask for forgiveness. He forgives and casts my sins so far from me. I would be lost, literally, without God's Word. It is full of goodness and love and correction!

What is your  current favorite Scripture passage? Do you have an all time favorite that you wouldn't mind sharing?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

This.Too.Shall.Pass.

My heart rejoices at the fact that I serve a God who loves me. Who will never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 4:31). He is always here in my times of trial and need, and during those high roads, too. And through it all, I praise Him. How can I not?! Jesus has given me more than what any person has ever done. In Him, I have fullness of life, joy, love, peace, blessings, and most importantly -- SALVATION, and so much more!!
Song by Hillsong

Aside from my trials, it breaks my heart to see my very dear friends going through some major trials. At the same time, we know that the testing of our faith produces patiences (James 1:3). I rejoice with them because they know they can see that light at the end of the tunnel. How long is the tunnel, exactly? Only God knows.

Sometimes I think our vision gets a little blurred and it may seem like that tunnel is MANY miles long. Jesus has given us promise, after promise, after promise. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all" Psalm 34:19 (NKJV).
                         
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Believe me when I say that I have had too many tunnels that I have been in that seem to be too long. However, I can either 1. Sit in that tunnel and boo-hoo all day and night long; which will make the "tunnel time" even longer. 2. Look forward to what God has promised at the end of the tunnel. What happens when the sun comes out after a thunderstorm or a rain shower? A rainbow appears. It's beauty gives light (literally) to what just seemed like a dark and dreary moment. And that is exactly what it is ... a moment.

Regardless of my circumstances, I will praise Him! Regardless what my sweet friends are going through, I will praise Him. For our afflictions are but for a moment. We will come out of the fire looking like a beautiful diamond!

Much prayers (and tears) for you (they know who they are).

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Skype Hugs. Skype Kisses.

Last night, my honey opened two of his care packages while we were on Skype. The first care package was all mission minded; while the second care package was more like a box filled with birthday goodies! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing him smile ... and the birthday box was a complete surprise (even though he knew he was getting it, he did not know what was in it). By the smile on his face, I think we did good ... which makes me smile! :-)

Today, we inch one more day closer to him coming home. Today, my honey and I put another Skype chat under us ... to inch closer to the next Skype call. Oh how I  miss him sooo much!! Even saying those words does no justice to how my heart feels without my best friend, the love of my life being here with me. The greatest father (in my opinion) to wrestle with the kids and to play games with them and to kiss and hug them goodnight -- we miss those little things, that seem so monotonous to so some, so much!

Do not take for granted the simple things in life. Like having your husband wrap his arms around you for no reason. Like having him kiss you goodnight and good morning. Or whisper in your ear how much he loves you. There may come a day when you have to go without that ... even if it is just for one day. Try months at a time. It hurts.

Enough with the sad part of this post ... because in all actuality, this deployment has caused an enormous excitement build up for reunion. THAT is a sweet thing! Plus, JESUS has been the keeper of my heart and the uplifter of my spirit this whole time.

Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV)
8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

11You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


I love the conversations my honey and I are able to have. Extremely grateful for those times. In all seriousness, deployments really do make the heart grow fonder. NOT that I enjoy being separated from my husband, but the simple fact that there are times when we do take things for granted that one another does. We may say the 'thank yous' but not fully understand or realize how much the other person really does.

After this morning's Skype chat (before my honey went off to work), I cried a little. I really, REALLY miss my honey's kisses and hugs. You have NO. IDEA. how long I am going to wrap my arms around him and hug on him when we see each other for the first time in months! He has been forewarned. Haha. 

I miss his hugs and kisses greatly. I smile every time we are on Skype and we tell each other how much we love one another and put up those little emoticons to show our expression. I love that! It does not replace the real thing; but, for now at least, it will have to do.

**I LOVE YOU SO MUCH HONEY ~ TO THE MOON & BACK ALWAYS ~ XOXO**

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Marriage. AT&T commercial has it wrong.



Okay, so I had to post this commercial to let y'all know how I feel....

Every time I see this commercial - it makes me cringe. This wife doesn't even take the time to see the excitement on her husband's face; nor, does she take the time to listen to what he just did FOR the family!! If there is ever a commercial that has irritated me so bad, this is the one!! It's not even funny!

So, wives (and husbands) take the time to listen to each other. Sometimes it REALLY IS necessary to keep our mouths closed and listen and see how the other one feels and/or what she/he has to say!!

One more thing:

My favorite passage of scripture for marriage. Seriously, if you can work this through your marriage, with God's help, your marriage will certainly be blessed!! One day I'll post God's testimony on our marriage. He literally brought us up out of shambles ... and has blessed our marriage to what it is today!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

Ephesians 5:22-33 (NKJV)

Marriage—Christ and the Church
 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[a] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
 
33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.