Breaking News!

(For those of you not on Facebook), I can hardly believe I get to share this overwhelmingly exciting news with you, but here goes- through a VERY long story, much prayer, and some kindness on an officer's part, I am relieved to say that my husband is NOT deploying this fall. (He did not try to "get out" of the deployment...but God has a different plan for us it seems!) No complaints from this happy wife! :)

Choosing Joy

In the recent days and weeks, it has been increasingly tempting to be upset at the change of events with my husbands job. So many things can seem unfair and even unreasonable for one person to accomplish in such a short amount of time. In an especially emotional heart-to-heart talk that Andy & I were blessed to have yesterday, (as someone offered to watch our kids in the afternoon as we spent some along time together,) Andy told me that when it seems he just can't take on one more negative aspect to this particular deployment situation, he hears this song. Now, I can't stop listening to it, knowing how much it means to him.
Many times we can almost forget how much we ARE blessed and how much of God's goodness we take for granted. We look at the short-term issues and how they affect us rather than the long-term vision of our life's purpose and calling. Keeping our eyes on Jesus has always been the answer to every challenge we have met.
We do not like the circumstances we find ourselves in at times, but we know there is much to be learned in the journey of walking out what God has set before us. I never despair AT God or question HIM as holy, just, true, kind. I have to realize He is altogether OTHER, and His ways are not mine, and maybe I couldn't comprehend His plan if he did decide to reveal it to me, so my job is to trust and submit and choose joy.

Here We Go Again...

Andy found out yesterday that he will be deploying in a few shorts weeks. He will be gone a year.

In a way, this feels like Déjà vu of 2007, leading up to Andy's first deployment. 

At first, the news hardly sinks it. It feels like you are talking about another family or something. Then the emotions hit, and you start realizing how all the plans that were made for next year, have to be put on hold...there will be special holidays, birthdays and events that seem unbearable to miss. After the first waves of emotions hit, the realization sets in, and there is a deep-settled peace that all will be fine. 

God is in control. None of this news surprised Him, and He has a beautiful plan for it all. This is what will help us survive the next long year. This will fuel us on with strength and wisdom to make the decisions necessary to do what we need to do in the short time before Andy leaves. 

We certainly appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement we have received already. We are not alone, and we will grow stronger through the next 14 months, I'm sure!

Veteran's Day~ 11/11/11

Thank a veteran today! I know I will! ;)

Coming Home

Andy's been away the last 3 weeks, and although he was not overseas, this particular training we had limited communication. I don't know what time, but he is supposed to get home sometime tonight, and I can tell you, there are 3 people who cannot wait to see our soldier walk in the front door!!! Being a military family makes us cherish the times we do have together. The times we have to be apart, remind us to lean hard on Jesus for our joy and strength, and realize that no human was ever meant to complete us or fulfill the void that only the Lord can fill. Our knowledge of this is put to the test many times, and will be especially next year.
Clayton just told me out of the blue that, "God always keeps His promises, and He's Jesus' Dad!" :)