Getting back in the grove

This past December, my wonderful husband came home from Iraq after serving a year long deployment. We were estatic! After two weeks of reverse deployment processing, he was given 30 days of leave. This was exciting because it meant that he didn't need to go in the office or worry about phone calls. We spent the time reintegrating back as a family and working on the girls recognizing daddy's leadership in the home. For one of the girls, we are still working on this. Everytime daddy goes to discipline her, she runs to me crying that daddy put me in trouble.

After enjoying time together in Houston and taking a week long Caribbean cruise, we came home and tried to get into a groove again. Having taken a month off of homeshooling, I was worried that the girls would have trouble getting back into a routine. I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised. We've had a few bumps in the road, but we seem to be doing well.

As we are getting into our routine of family as it used to be, we have been thrown a curve ball. We knew that we were ready for a PCS (move to a new duty station) this summer but things are moving faster than we have anticipated. We will be leaving behind the great state of Texas and Fort Hood, which is know as The Great Place to venture into the great unknown. We will be moving to South Korea.

I must be honest, this was the last place I wanted to go, but I have been praying that God would place our family where he wanted us. As I have encouraged others, the Army may be the one who cuts the orders but it's God who ordains your steps. This move is definitely going to test my faith. A new culture, language, etc. I have a missions heart...but it's been for short term missions trips, not for two years of my life. I have decided to embrace this upcoming move and to look at the positives. Besides, if I don't do that, my kids won't either.

I need to be the one leading the girls with a positive attitude and anticipation of great things we can do....on the other side of the world. Little by little, I am trying to encourage them that not all kids in life get to live in another country, experience a new culture, and learn a new language.

Yes there will be things that we will miss, but oh, the things that you will see.
So as we prepare for this upcoming move, I pray that we look at the positive things in this journey of life we are on and continue to trust God in all things.

Cry for Haiti

Last week as I was enjoying a family vacation on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, the captain of the ship came on the loud speaker to let us know that Haiti suffered an earthquake. He said initally there was a Sunami warning put out but that it had now been lifted. I was glad that we weren't in danger but my thoughts drifted to the Safehome. The safehome is a ministry that was started by a friend from our old church in Pennsylvania, Jacques Merine. It was opened to provide a home for some of the many abandoned, uncared children, that roam the streets of Haiti's capital. On February 9. 2009 they received our first 10 children into the home, which is located west of Port au Prince in Carrefour. The Haiti ministry ( www.source-of-life-ministries.org ) is a part of my dad's non-profit ministry ThirstySouls.

If you visit their website, you can view some before and after pictures of some of the children that are part of the safehome. It is amazing to see the change in their countenance.

Since we were on the cruise, I didn't have a chance to call my parents to check the status of the children and thier caregivers. As we pull into port on Sunday morning, I called my parents. There was good and bad news. The children were safe but the home was unlivable. The group was now on the street and they hadn't had food or water in over three days. The safehome had also picked up an additional 18 chldren. I just sat there and cried. By the time we got off the ship, went through customs and drove home the over five hour trip, it was late in the evening and there was nothing we could do.

The next morning we began calling anyone and everyone we might know that was in Haiti or going to Haiti. Since the airport was closed to commercial flights, there was no way to get in and take supplies to the safehome. As we began calling, we realized it was a holiday and many business or offices were closed. We had a few possible leads and hoped it would result in getting some food and water to them. By Tuesday morning we found that they were able to get some food...how much we don't know. Our contact with the founder's brother, who lives in Haiti is not alway consistant or reliable due to the instablility in Haiti.

I would ask that you continue to pray for Haiti as a nation and specifically for Source of Life's Safehome. The children and caregivers have to be moved because where they had been living on the street was just doors away from the morgue. My dad and a group were ready to head to Haiti this morning, but the trip has been delayed.

I have attached photos of the Safehome children that we taken last year and one of the children after they were displaced from their home. If you are looking for a reliable organization to give to in support of reaching out to Haiti, Source of Life Ministries is a great place to give. All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to ThirstySouls Ministry (Source of Life), PO Box 96, Hanover, PA 17331.

A few of my favorite things....BOOKS

This past year I have purchased so many different books it's been crazy. I think I need to get another bookshelf just to hold my recent additions. I have not had the time to read everything I have bought, but I hope to soon. Even today, my dad recommended two more books that I should read.

I have bought books on sibling rivalry, dealing with anger and emotions, and making your children best friends. I have books by Terri Blackstock, Barbara & Dennis Rainey, Sally Clarkson, and the Kendrick brothers....just to name a few.

I have purchased books to strengthen and encouraged marriages (mine and other military families), help with homeschooling and some of them just for the fun of reading (I lean toward murder mystery series).

Today my dad recommended two books he is currently reading...
"No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-You-Are Culture in the Church" by John Burke
"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns

So my question to you is....What book did you come across or read this year that has inpsired you to do something different or to make a change in your life? I'd love for you to share the book and why it has changed your life. And maybe it's not just one book, but even two of three of them.

He's Home

Some of you may have know this, while others of you have not. This past year, our family went through our first Army deployment. My husband left for Iraq just after the beginning of 2009. Deployment for us was unchartered territory. I grew up in a home where even though my dad worked shift work as a police officer, I don't ever remember him being away for weeks at a time let alone months. I guess we went into this deployment with a few things on our side....age and maturity. We are not the typical new Army family...that is usually young. By the time Angel joined the military, he was almost 40 years old. I look around at the other women in PWOC (Protestant Women's Ministry) and some of them are 24 years old and on their second deployment and just starting their families. We have been married for just over 15 years and most of that was spent in ministry as my husband pastored a church in South Central Pennsylvania.

Maturity is another positive we had going for us as we entered this deployment. As I became a part of the leadership of our unit's FRG (Family Readiness Group) I saw more than enough of women who acted like they were in high school with fights, partying and the sort.

I am excited to say that this deployment has now come to an end and we are working on reintegrating our family back together after an eleven month plus separation. I think my husband and I had very good communication before and during this deployment and if we stay along that path, should do fine as we blend back into our family.

At the beginning of this year, I was nervous, anxious and not sure about the deployment but as I look back, I think...wow, has it really almost been a year. I know that God gives us the grace to get through whatever comes our way. He does not say that He will remove hardship and suffering but that He will be there with us through it.

As this year comes to a close and the new year is around the corner, I want to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of our God. There were many days when I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, but it was during those times that I received encouragement from a friend or God's Word.

During this past year we had an abundance of finances.
I was blessed with friends who supported me and even took my kids for a few hours so that I could get a break.
I had a wonderful dad who gave up three weeks to fly down here and spend with the girls and I.
I had a great 15 days with my husband on vacation during his leave.
I was and am surrounded by those of likeminded faith who encouraged me in my walk with the Lord.
We were able to purchase a brand new van before the deployment and I did not have to worry about which light was going to come on this time and who I was going to find to fix it.
Through my part time job, the girls and I were able to fly to my parents house and spend three weeks with them...and I didn't have to pay for the airfare.
My oldest daughter is growing up and has been able to help watch her younger sisters so that I could go to the Commissary alone.

Above is just a sampling of the positive things that have taken place in my life this past year. I know that this coming year is full of change. Next year sometime, our family should be PCSing (moving to another post) though I don't know where. Each day we need to continually TRUST GOD for what we know and even for what we do not know or can not see. We need to walk by FAITH!

This holiday season, wherever you may be in your journey of faith with the Lord, allow yourself to trust Him more today than yesterday and see what He does with your hopes and dreams!

I love fall

This is my favorite season...FALL.
I love to watch the leaves change but I really don't enjoy being the one to rake them.
I enjoy cool nights where you need a jacket to go out but don't like the fact that I am missing my husband with whom I'd rather snuggle.
I love smores and popcorn by the fire but don't like smelling like smoke.
I like to sip hot chocolate on a cold morning but I wish I could make the calories disappear.
I enjoy eating a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup but it always tastes better when I don't have to make it myself.
I love doing fun things with my girls but miss having my entire family together.

Fall reminds me of change. Trees lose their leaves, children start school, the weather gets cooler.... While change can be hard, challenging and even downright painful...it is good for us. It helps us to see what we are made of. If you asked me almost a year ago if I thought I could manage my home, children and additional responsiblities that were once my husband's for a whole year without him...I would have not really been sure what to say or how to respond. I would have hoped to say YES...but I know my weaknesses. We are at the very end of this deployment and I must say that the change I have gone through this year has made me a better person. I person who is more dependent on the Lord and knows where to turn when I feel like I just can't go on anymore. I am very excited though a little anxious for the upcoming change that will be taking place in a few weeks...my husband returning from his year long deployment. I am excited to have him back home but not quite sure how two people who have lived apart for almost a year will mesh back together. Even though I am a little apprehensive, I know that just as He has in the past, that God will see us through.

Are you in the midst of changes in your life right now? Have you allowed God to work in and through you? Having Christ in your life makes a difference. He doesn't make our worry or problems disappear but he gives us the strength and courage to face them as He is there for us...sometimes carrying us through. Embrace what this life offers you and meet it head on with God on your side. It not about just getting to the desintation but It's all about the Journey.

Tragedy at Fort Hood

I have been struggling with what to post...whether or not to post. We live on post here at Fort Hood. We were home last Thursday when the events unfolded at the SRP building, just over a mile away. Normally on Thursdays, we are usually off post for a homeschool co-op, but co-op had ended just the week before and we were home. Our plans for last Thursday included an afternoon playdate and dinner out with the girls. At approximately 2:20PM, as we were loading up the mini-van with meals for pregnant friends, returns to the department store and kids and their jackets, the emergency sirens here on post began to go off. I looked at my watch and thought...that's strange, they ususally test the system on Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon. The announcement that followed the sirens was " Seek shelter immediately, stay away from doors and windows". I looked up at the sky and thought, I don't know why they are saying that, it's a bright and sunny day, I don't see any storms let alone a possible tornado. A neighbor across the way yelled out her front door, "get inside and lock your doors." So I attempted to take my kids out of their car seats...as they kicked and screamed, wanting to get in the car and go to their friends house to play. As I reached the front door, my oldest handed me the phone. It was a friend who lived in a nearby town, asking if I had heard the news...there was a shooting on Fort Hood at the Readiness Center, seven people had been killed. We finished the phone call, got everyone into the house and closed and locked all the doors and shut the curtains and blinds. As I turned on the TV, it was all over the news. There was so much speculation going around, I didn't know what was truth and what was rumor. Was there another gunman out there?

As we tried to occupy ourselves in our quiet dark home, I prayed for the safety of my family. Phone calls, emails, text messages and facebook comments kept popping up and coming in. For the next five hours, until lockdown was lifted, I learned to trust in the protection of the Lord. People prayed with me on the phone and prayers were lifted up for us by friends far away. The days prior to and including Thursday, my quiet time with the Lord, included a devotional book titled, "Faith Deployed; Daily Encouragment for Military Wives". I had just read a devotion entitled, Already Written. A quote from that devotional says, "Whether they are home or abroad, God's plan for us is already written; we cannot do anything to change it!" The next day's devotional was on "The Sting of Death". How timely were these devotions in my quiet time last week. I had no idea for what the Lord was preparing me. I did not lose anyone in the attack that took place on Fort Hood on November 5th, but many people did or they knew someone who was there. I need to be ready to respond to those who are lost and hurting, with a meal, a hug, a kind word. We are called to bring hope to the hopeless. I want to always be ready to meet the need that I am confronted with, no matter what that need may be.

My husband's unit lost a soldier in the tragic shooting last week. I had never met her but Angel knew her. He described her as "a wonderful and delightful person." Please continue to pray for my husband's unit as they mourn the loss of one of their own here at home.

I need to remember that we live in a fallen and sinful world. Without Christ, people are lost. I pray that in the midst of this tragedy, that those who are hurting find comfort and hope...that they find healing for their hurts. That they find a relationship with the true God.

Remembering the Fallen and Wounded at Fort Hood