As I watched the lines of cars heading onto base to drop their kids off, I began to think about homework. School started this last Monday and I admit I was a little jealous of all the kids loaded up with their backpacks and new little outfits headed into their classroom to learn. There's just something about school that I love. I love learning new things, being close to other people while we figure out the subject material and the planner in me adores my new calendar that I have to meticulously write all my new assignments in. :) During the majority of my growing up years, I planned on going to college to become an Elementary school teacher. I used to play school and all of my stuffed animals (and two brothers) were my students. Even now, I love to look at all the bulletin board ideas and how I would arrange my classroom. Who knows? Someday I may have the opportunity to be a classroom teacher, but for now my homework consists of home work.
Kyle and I recently completed a class on how to lead a Precepts Bible study. We spent our Saturday reading, studying and digesting the book of Titus. In Titus 2:5, it talks about how women should be "workers at home". This literally means to take care of and protect the home. Right now, God has allowed me to be in a position where I am to guard and protect my home. This does not just mean doing the dishes and laundry, but to care for and protect those who take shelter in my home. Oh, that I would have a heart for home work!
God continues to challenge and refine me, and I continue to learn new lessons on a daily basis. I may not have a syllabus of what is required of me this semester, but He has shown me what is good and what the Lord requires of me- but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. [paraphrase of Micah 6:8]
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The Most Exciting Restaurant in the World!
I don't remember how old I was, but one of my all-time favorite memories is with my Dad. He took me on a date and I felt like a princess! We went to Casa Bonita, the self-proclaimed "Most exciting restaurant in the world!" I believed them. We stood in line with a bazillion people, sat within view of the diver who jumped in the waterfall while we ate our fantastic sopapillas (really, what food isn't great doused in honey?!?), were serenaded by a Mariachi band and after that I got to play ski-ball, watch a puppet show and go exploring in Black Bart's cave while wearing a glow-in-the-dark necklace! It was one night I'll never forget!
Well, this last week while we were in Colorado, I wanted to share this "experience" with my new husband. We arrived at the pink tower and I was delighted to see the smile on Kyle's face! He gleefully participated in the silly skits where a gorilla pushed his sidekick into the waterfall and the sheriff and Black Bart dueled in front of our eyes. After we ate our sopapillas, we wandered through Black Bart's Hideout and laughed at the puppet show.
Then we won ourselves a ridiculous amount of tickets playing ski-ball! It brought sweet joy to my heart to share this evening with Kyle and for him to soak up all the silly memories with me and create another wonderful memory.
Today as I think back on those evenings, I am reminded that special memories can be created anytime/anywhere if we only have open eyes and hearts to the people and experiences around us. That is one of my favorite things about Kyle! He is so full of life and always wanting to pounce on the adventure at hand. I hope I can live today to the fullest and soak up the life God has lavished on me.
Well, this last week while we were in Colorado, I wanted to share this "experience" with my new husband. We arrived at the pink tower and I was delighted to see the smile on Kyle's face! He gleefully participated in the silly skits where a gorilla pushed his sidekick into the waterfall and the sheriff and Black Bart dueled in front of our eyes. After we ate our sopapillas, we wandered through Black Bart's Hideout and laughed at the puppet show.
Then we won ourselves a ridiculous amount of tickets playing ski-ball! It brought sweet joy to my heart to share this evening with Kyle and for him to soak up all the silly memories with me and create another wonderful memory.
Today as I think back on those evenings, I am reminded that special memories can be created anytime/anywhere if we only have open eyes and hearts to the people and experiences around us. That is one of my favorite things about Kyle! He is so full of life and always wanting to pounce on the adventure at hand. I hope I can live today to the fullest and soak up the life God has lavished on me.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Joining the Ranks
Everyone who has been part of a community knows that you develop your own sense of identity, that your group looks at the world through a slightly different lens and that is part of what brings you together. Last night I was brusquely reminded of one of the lenses that a military community looks through, allow me to start from the beginning...
The leaves are already starting to change on a few trees, school supplies are out at the BX and I am thrilled for the chilly mornings as I sigh, "Ah, I love fall!" It's not quite fall yet, but the signs are everywhere and that is my favorite time of year. Along with fall comes the highly anticipated celebration of my 1st wedding anniversary and yet another birthday, both of which I unwittingly had high expectations. I don't know if it's because we waited so long to get married or because EVERY girl imagines how romantic her 1st anniversary will be, but somehow I had imagined this special evening with my husband that made me feel like a blushing bride again. Well, my fanciful daydreams were brought to a crushing halt when my husband informed me that the base would be having an exercise for two weeks over our anniversary. Now, for you non-military folks, this means 12+ hour shifts (usually with no days off) and lots of extra duties, as well as, being called at anytime to come back to base for a surprise inspection or some other interesting activity. A base exercise basically means I get to see my husband for some meals and watch him crawl into bed exhausted. The good news is that the exercise will be done before my birthday...oh wait, I'll be gone for a Cadence women's conference during that time.
Disappointment enveloped me and like any other woman, I sought solace from a group of friends. During our worship practice on Thursday nights, we gather for a time of prayer. As I shared my disappointment, the room was filled with chatter as everyone starts telling stories, "Oh that's nothing, we haven't been able to celebrate ______________(fill in the blank)." One woman told us she didn't get to celebrate her first seven anniversaries with her husband! Needless to say, I didn't feel a whole lot of comfort. ;)
I laughed when I got home and talked with Kyle about it. I have known this outlook on life to be true for military folks around the world. One of the most challenging and difficult aspects of serving our country across the seas or away from home is missing those monumental or important moments. It is just a different experience when it is ME in the front seat of this experience! As I begin to more fully understand the experiences of military spouses across the world, I am once again reminded that military families make many sacrifices too. Thank you to our military men, women and those who support them around the world! My respect for you only continues to grow.
Meanwhile, I am sure Kyle and I will find a special way to celebrate our 1st anniversary, and I will learn to let go of my expectations one day at a time.
The leaves are already starting to change on a few trees, school supplies are out at the BX and I am thrilled for the chilly mornings as I sigh, "Ah, I love fall!" It's not quite fall yet, but the signs are everywhere and that is my favorite time of year. Along with fall comes the highly anticipated celebration of my 1st wedding anniversary and yet another birthday, both of which I unwittingly had high expectations. I don't know if it's because we waited so long to get married or because EVERY girl imagines how romantic her 1st anniversary will be, but somehow I had imagined this special evening with my husband that made me feel like a blushing bride again. Well, my fanciful daydreams were brought to a crushing halt when my husband informed me that the base would be having an exercise for two weeks over our anniversary. Now, for you non-military folks, this means 12+ hour shifts (usually with no days off) and lots of extra duties, as well as, being called at anytime to come back to base for a surprise inspection or some other interesting activity. A base exercise basically means I get to see my husband for some meals and watch him crawl into bed exhausted. The good news is that the exercise will be done before my birthday...oh wait, I'll be gone for a Cadence women's conference during that time.
Disappointment enveloped me and like any other woman, I sought solace from a group of friends. During our worship practice on Thursday nights, we gather for a time of prayer. As I shared my disappointment, the room was filled with chatter as everyone starts telling stories, "Oh that's nothing, we haven't been able to celebrate ______________(fill in the blank)." One woman told us she didn't get to celebrate her first seven anniversaries with her husband! Needless to say, I didn't feel a whole lot of comfort. ;)
I laughed when I got home and talked with Kyle about it. I have known this outlook on life to be true for military folks around the world. One of the most challenging and difficult aspects of serving our country across the seas or away from home is missing those monumental or important moments. It is just a different experience when it is ME in the front seat of this experience! As I begin to more fully understand the experiences of military spouses across the world, I am once again reminded that military families make many sacrifices too. Thank you to our military men, women and those who support them around the world! My respect for you only continues to grow.
Meanwhile, I am sure Kyle and I will find a special way to celebrate our 1st anniversary, and I will learn to let go of my expectations one day at a time.
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