Day 322

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It’s the beginning of the harvest season. The cooler temperatures, the breezy days, and the slight change in the color of the leaves all testify to it. I have been watching the various stages of harvest. Fields are still green, some are ripe, some are being cut, some have just been cut, and still others have already been turned under. I have needed the reminder.

The first waves of Soldiers are just starting to arrive. And I am so thrilled for them! They have served well, and their families have waited patiently for them to come home. My head knows that their proper time is now. My heart is longing for it to be my turn!

Honestly, my desire is to put my head down and plow through the next few weeks. The temptation is so strong! But I would miss so much. I know that I need to slow down and look around me. We are back in the swing of things with school and activities. I could easily just get the stuff on the list checked off. I’m trying to remind myself to be present with my kids.

These boys are a wonder to me: Gator’s sweet nature, Bull’s sense of humor, Monkey’s explosion of personality. Gator has grown taller, stronger, and more coordinated. I’m curious to see how that translates onto the soccer field. He’s also in third grade and things just seem to “click” for him in an exciting way. Those a-ha moments are one of the best perks of home schooling.  

Bull is playing his first team sport ever and doing a great job! He’s in the proverbial dustball surrounding the soccer ball with his teammates, kicking toward the correct goal! He is making incredible progress in general, showing improvement in speech self-correction, strength and muscle tone, coordination, longer attention span, and improved fine motor control. His first attempts at reading are music to my ears.

Monkey has a deepening desire to communicate with us, and is starting to exert an independent spirit. While this causes some frustrating moments, he is right on track developmentally! His facial expressions rival those of Bull (which is quite an accomplishment). He’s such a wonderful, busy, happy toddler.

To think that I could miss all of this “stuff” mourns my soul. I am praying to have ears to hear and eyes to see all that is going on around me. I can’t afford to rush through these last few weeks, because I have so much to miss. So, here I am, slowing down, asking for the presence of mind to take in every moment and tuck it away. Because really, it will be over sooner than I think. 

Happy Easter!

 Because He lives!

Christie with Gator, Monkey, and Bull

Hubs leading worship at the Sunrise Service in Iraq

A New Tradition

Fat Tuesday.

If we were still in New Orleans, this would not have snuck up on me like it has this year! We have been so very busy (as evidenced by my absence from this space).

However, when I saw that Ann's son, Caleb, would be offering his wreaths again, I jumped at the chance to own one. And look what came today! It is truly a beautiful work of art!

I am looking forward to adding the celebrations of Lent and Advent to our family traditions. I have mentioned before that these celebrations were new to me. I am hopeful that we will be able to slow down and recognize the steady rhythm and careful reflection that such celebrations offer.

Now to prayerfully consider my personal sacrifice...

One Thousand Gifts

You have to order this book! Ann Voskamp - farmer's wife, homeschooling mother of 6, and my favorite blogger - shares her story of learning to live a life of gratitude. You will laugh and cry and marvel at the poetic beauty of her words. There's even a book club that you can join! Angie and Jessica discuss each chapter of the book with Ann, and you can join the discussion too (intro video, chapter one video). What a wonderful new habit to embrace for 2011! What are you waiting for?

Hello again!

The keyboard has been quiet for a little while. We have spent our days savoring and squeezing every sweet drop of time together before Hubs left.

And now begins our long separation.

It is surreal to me. I can't wrap my mind around this length of time. From what I've been told, that's normal. Take it day by day. Break things into bite-size chunks. Make plans. Set goals. Remember that mercies are new.

Taking it day by day...I know this will be hard for me. I am a planner so looking at the first day of deployment and not seeing the long line of days attached to it is nearly impossible. I hope that our daily rhythm of life will help me. Home schooling has forced me to be more present with my kids than ever before. What blessings these children are to me! Bull will be my secret weapon in this. The night that Hubs left, he said, "So Daddy's not coming home from work tonight?"

Break things into bite-size chunks...I've already done this a little bit, reminding myself that there are only five weeks until we leave for Christmas vacation. I haven't gotten much past that though: part of that "being present" thing. Actually, this proved useful tonight with Gator. He was lamenting how long it would be before we could see (meaning touch) Daddy again. I was able to share some of our "chunks" with him and the length of time didn't loom so large anymore.

Make plans...No problem! We have plans made until this time next year. I need to confirm them and add a few more to make time a bit more bite-size. There's a good chunk of time between January and Spring Break - time that is ripe with potential for the blues because of the weather. After Spring Break, we'll be trying to get re-settled after a long winter and looking forward to R&R. Summer will fly by as usual with a trip to Spring Canyon, and trips to see family sprinkled in there. Then, we'll hit the new school year. And soon after that Hubs will be home!

Set goals...I'm a great planner, but a terrible goal-setter. I have a love-hate relationship with that type of accountability. Using this list as a starting point, I've managed to set some goals!

• I want our family to be physically resilient and fit, to adapt the "culture of fitness" that is prevalent in the military. I want to be back to "pre-pre-pregnancy" weight by the time Hubs comes home. So, I will exercise for at least 20 minutes every day, whether that is by myself, by doing PE with my kids, or by working out with friends. I will also strive to be in bed by 10:00 every night, allowing myself at least 7 hours of sleep. By using Once a Month cooking, I will be intentional about our menu so that I don't resort to cereal, macaroni and cheese, pizza, and fast food every night of the week.



• I will develop a good, working routine/schedule for our lives, to include new responsibilities for everyone, as well as some changes in the earning department for the kiddos. This will lighten my load considerably AND eventually score me some points in the daughter-in-law department! :)



• I will be using this space as a journal of sorts for me, a place to process my thoughts, documenting our life while Hubs is gone, and maybe getting his point of view every once in a while. I will also be hiring a sitter and/or using my free childcare hours as an added sanity maintainer. Most importantly, I will stay connected to my energy source by studying the Word.

Remember that mercies are new...every day in fact! Some days will be harder than others. I know that I will fail by allowing my exhaustion and sorrow to overtake me. And every day that I wake to new mercies is one day closer to Hubs being home.

It is my prayer that I will look back on this deployment and say, "Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far?" We are looking forward to what He will complete in us during our time apart.

Here we go!

Books, books, books

I've been reading a lot lately - much more than normal. It's so nice to have my nose in a book again (even if it's not fiction!).

Here's what I've been reading:

1. Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka - What a great book! I've recognized the spiritedness of each one of us by reading this one. Bull is most assuredly spirited - he's the reason I picked up the book in the first place. But I've learned that my compliant Gator has some serious spunk in him too. Kurcinka offers wonderful explanations and suggestions throughout. I know I will come back to this book over and over again as I raise this brood of boys.

2. SuperImmunity for Kids by Leo Galland - Chock-full of information, this book is a challenge to read and absorb all it offers. I only got 1/3 of the way through it before I had to return it to the Library. So, I ordered it! We have implemented a couple of the suggestions that I got to, including Flaxseed Oil for Bull, Monkey, and me, Probiotics for Bull and Monkey, and Grapefruit Seed Extract for Bull. I can say for sure that the Flaxseed Oil has completely cleared up Bull and Monkey's eczema! I'm looking forward to learning more!

3. The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz - Absolutely fascinating. Kranowitz explains SPD with skill and offers advice on everything from getting a diagnosis and finding a good therapist to creating a good Sensory Diet at home. I ended up ordering this one too because two weeks was not long enough!

4. Marriage Without Regrets by Kay Arthur - So, this isn't really a book, but I've been spending a lot of time reading it! This is the Bible Study I will be teaching in the fall at PWOC. It's quite challenging, but then again, Truth usually is! I look forward to learning and teaching from this study.

What have you been reading lately?

Circumstances

While Hubs was away, I shared this devotional with ladies from our Brigade who met to pray for our Soldiers. Today, I am circling back to it, applying truth once again.

The past month has been trying for our family. Circumstances have continually tried to get the best of me – things like deployment changes, preparation and departure for training, professional uncertainties, and potential reorganization. Dealing with those stressors on top of all the regular stuff like kids getting ear infections or pink-eye, relationship issues with friends and relatives, or the car needing repair can really tax a person’s ability to rebound after a hard day.

So, how do we deal with these circumstances? Consider the lives of Esther and Paul.

Esther was a Jewish girl who was born into slavery in Babylon. She was orphaned early in life, and subsequently raised by her elder cousin Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7). Esther was added to the King’s harem, and chosen to be Queen. Risking her own life, she approached the King in court without a summons and foiled Haman’s plan to assassinate all of the Jewish people.

That is quite an emotional roller coaster ride! Yet, she understood the truth that each of those circumstances had been woven together by God to accomplish His purpose, as Esther 4:14 so clearly states, “perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” She was able to rise above her earthly circumstances to see the bigger picture.

Paul had quite an exciting life as well. He chronicled some of his circumstances in his second letter to the Corinthians:
“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
2 Cor 11:24-28

Then, a few years later, Paul wrote these words:
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Phil 4:11-13

How do we achieve this mindset?

In chapter 12 of A Mother's Heart, Jean Fleming challenges mothers to let God be our only circumstance. In other words, don't be distracted by the little things. Instead, focus on the One who is bigger than and above any circumstance that life may throw at us.

Although circumstances are ever-changing, they don’t change the absolutes – that God loves us and has our best interests at heart, that Jesus desires a relationship with every single person on earth, that there are people hurting who need His touch, and that our purpose is to know God and to make Him known. Like Esther and Paul, we can endeavor to make God our only circumstance. In so doing, the chaos that swirls around us will fade and we will find rest in Him.

6 months!

My little monkey is 6 months old!


You weigh almost 19 pounds now. You've got cute chunky thighs and roll around all over the place. You're trying to get up on your hands and knees, but I'm in no hurry for that to happen! You've started sitting up on your own now, though you're still a bit unsteady. I'm waiting to switch out your carseat until you're really steady.


We moved you into your crib in your room a couple of weeks ago. You had been sleeping in a bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room (Mommy liked having you close). You promptly started waking up in the middle of the night. Finally, last night you slept through the night again! I think that it might be too quiet in your room. You're used to a lot of noise while you sleep! Maybe I should get a noise maker for your room?

We've tried solid food with limited success. You like sweet potatoes, kinda' like peas, and don't really like cereal at all. You will NOT take a bottle. I'm not sure if it is the taste of the formula or the type of bottle that we have, but you won't have it. We're going to have to work on this. Mommy needs to be able to leave you every once in awhile for longer than 2 hours!

I am wondering when your eyes will decide what color they will be. When you look closely, they are blue with a khaki-colored sunburst around the iris. That combination makes them look green on some days, especially if you're wearing brown, khaki, or green. I suppose time will tell! Your hair is curly! And blonde! I guess it's finally long enough for it to look more than wavy. It's made for some fun hairdos over the last few days!


Your new favorite toy is a set of stacking cups that I picked up the other day. You really enjoy the exersaucer too. Your brothers are still your most favorite playmates. They can make you laugh like no one else can!


You've had your first dip in the pool, and are generally soaking up the summer sun.

I think you like the change in the weather, my sweet winter baby. My most favorite time of the day is right after you wake up in the morning. Before you even open your eyes, you're cooing, just waiting for someone to notice that you're awake.


We had your dedication a couple of weeks ago.

You were so enthralled with the candles on the altar behind us that you wouldn't look at the congregation. I had to turn you around so people could see you! You did a great job though and smiled at the Chaplain while he spoke to Daddy and me. It is our prayer that you will follow hard after God and love Him with "all your heart."


We love you!

Praising Him...

for He is Risen!

Remembering His sacrifice today...

waiting

waiting, longing, anticipating

skin stretched taut over growing womb, itching

riding a donkey, walking, at least three days

hilly terrain, rocks, desert sand, dusty trails well-worn by others

approaching the City of David from Nazareth

singing, aching, breathing, contracting

stopping, stretching, resting

swelling, contracting, breathing, pushing

He comes in the night

stench of animals, voices of shepherds, songs of angels

the Gift

nursing, swaddling, cuddling

God with flesh

pondering, rejoicing, praising

small babe sent to save the world

for now crying, suckling, sleeping

waiting, longing, anticipating

labor pains, signs, rumors

twinkling, a thief, rapture

in the clouds

witnesses, Antithesis, remnant

alert, sober, searching, preparing

His return

sons of light, of the day

faith, love, hope

set all things right, Faithful, True

establishing, justice, wrath

saved, redeemed, alive

praising, worshiping, eternity

King of Kings, Prince of Peace

Christmas Tour of Homes

The Christmas Tour of Homes (formerly at BooMama) is now hosted by The Nester.
Welcome to my home!

Our outdoor decorations:

We didn't get all of the decorations up before it started snowing, so this, along with a wreath on the door, is all we've got outside. The reindeer were made for us by some dear friends of ours.

This is my console/sewing table just as you enter the door:

I was so excited to finally finish all of my sewing projects so that I could dress this table. That's our first Jesse Tree on the left. The small Nativity was a gift from Bull's preschool teachers last year.

Here is the kids' bookcase:

There used to be a whole lot of chocolate in that sleigh. Alas, it is right at eye level for the kiddos. We've been finding lots of empty candy wrappers around the house!

My dining room (with my olivewood Nativity given to me by my grandparents):

I also have a Precious Moments Nativity from my childhood (forgot to take a picture) on top of our TV armoire.

Our Christmas tree and stockings:

We don't have a mantle in this house, so the stockings are hung by the window with care. My mom is bringing Monkey's stocking when she comes. Do you see the blanket of snow still on the ground outside the window?

This nativity is in the boys' room. I let them set it up. When I saw it the first time, I was struck by the statement that my children had made in the way they did it. Look closely at all of the figures...each of them is looking at Baby Jesus, gathered as closely as possible.

What a poignant reminder of the reason for all of the celebration.

...but [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

Faith or Fear - Part 2

36 weeks with Monkey! (There's a contest at the end!)

Remember this post? I have once again been battling with a teeny tiny bit of fear regarding Monkey's delivery. First, a bit of background...

I went into labor with Gator at 35 weeks 5 days and delivered him at 35 weeks 6 days. I checked with my midwife earlier that week to be sure that I could still travel that weekend, and she gave me the green light. We went to my husband's hometown for a massive baby shower. On Friday night, my water broke. Just about the time I would have been opening presents at my shower on Saturday, I was having my baby. While Gator's delivery had the potential to be very harrowing, it really wasn't. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared though. However, he was healthy! His only complication was jaundice.

My pregnancy with Bull was hard on me physically. I was very sick, and Hubs was out to sea for the first part. I'm so glad that I was living with my parents and sister at the time. I don't know how I would have done it without their help. We moved to Louisiana and Hurricane Katrina took all of our possesions. Then, we moved to Tennessee 6 weeks prior to Bull's birth. It's not easy to move when you're that pregnant, especially considering the circumstances under which we made the transition. Medically speaking though, Bull's birth was very easy and very fast and only 5 days early.

This week last year, I found out I was pregnant with #3. Four days later, I miscarried.

Of course, this pregnancy has had its ups and downs. I was very sick again and we had to deal with the possibility of having a child with special needs. But we had the joy of finding out that Monkey is healthy and will make us a three-of-a-kind family (actually, this is the first time that we found out the sex of the baby before birth).

I had been anxious that Monkey would come while Hubs was gone to Fort Hood and Arlington. Because the hospital here on post doesn't have a NICU, if you go into labor before 36 weeks, you are automatically moved to the closest big city which is an hour away (or 18 minutes by helicopter - so I've heard). I am breathing easier now that I am 36 weeks. I am officially in the clear!

So, to celebrate...it's time for another contest!
Whoever can guess the birthday, birth weight and length of Monkey will win a fun prize! I'll allow anonymous comments on this one post only so that everyone can participate! You have until the 28th to enter. Happy guessing!

Fort Hood update

This is a picture from the day of the Memorial Service at Fort Hood on November 10th. Just before this picture was taken, Hubs spoke with the President and shook his hand.

After the Memorial Service, Hubs continued to minister at Fort Hood for another week. He did everything from write awards to counseling. Once it was confirmed that he would be officiating the funeral and interment of one of the victims (he escorted her family during the Memorial Service), the nice people at Fort Hood allowed him to come home for a few days in order to prepare for the service. So, we got him back on Tuesday night. He left yesterday for Arlington, VA, did the services today, and is on a plane coming home right now. Here's one of the pictures from the service today. Hubs is the one hugging the older blonde lady (one of the victim's sisters) in the middle of the photo.

The last three weeks have been very intense for our family. However, we have been honored to serve the families and loved ones of heroes in this way and at this time. We will continue to lift these that mourn in prayer.

Hubs' doings...

11/7/2009
Hubs met with a local Imam today (Hubs is on the left in the first picture, on the right in the second picture)...


visited the site of the shooting...

talked with the press a couple of times, quickly referring them to the Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel that he was with...
and is now watching the Florida - Vanderbilt game in his hotel room.
A very full and sobering day.

11/8/2009
Today, Hubs coordinated the Chaplain resources directly supporting the surge of Stress Response Teams at the Behavioral Health Operations Center. He was "in the zone," doing what he does best - admininstration. He said that he felt like he was the Duty Officer back on the submarine today - phone calls, spread sheets, and coordination.

11/9/2009
Hubs was assigned to the Spiritual Resiliency Center on Fort Hood today. He had the privilege of counseling and praying with a number of Soldiers, including some of the first responders at the scene of the shooting. We are thrilled that the Soldiers are seeking out the services available to them! The Families of those killed on Thursday will be arriving at some point today in advance of the Memorial Service taking place tomorrow. One of their stops will be the Center.
Hubs was also interviewed by our endorsing agent's news outlet.

Heartbroken

over the situation at Fort Hood. Hubs is on his way there for about two weeks to assist the Chaplains there. Please join me in praying for all those affected.

Unredeemed

This song is on the Selah CD that I won the other day. I hope it ministers to your heart like it has mine! The lyrics are below.


The cruelest word
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years
Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every life that gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the Father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Gator's Baptism

Since Gator decided to follow Christ back in January, we have been trying to figure out a time for him to be baptized. Hubs left the day after Gator's decision to attend Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course in SC. Then we moved here. Then I found out I was pregnant. Then I got really sick. Then we had to decide on a church home.
Finally, all of the details were worked out and Gator could get baptized. Sunday was the day! This was Hubs first baptism. I think it is pretty cool that he got to baptize his son! He also got to baptize a good friend of ours from LA whom Hubs has been discipling.
The water was very cold. Gator did really well though. I was very proud of him for following Christ's example and publicly acknowledging his decision to follow Christ.
What a blessing!
Buried with Christ in death, raised to walk in newness of life...

Air Assault School

My husband, who enjoys jumping out of (perfectly good) airplanes, can now dangle from a helicopter and wear this Air Assault badge:

Early this morning, while most were still asleep, Hubs finished the 12 mile ruck march, and passed the final ruck inspection. We just got home from his graduation.

I suppose that the only school left is the 10 week Ranger School. So, unless we get stationed at Fort Benning in the near future, I'm not sure that he will do that one.

I'm so proud of him though - at 33, able to hang with the 20 year olds. The real reason he does these (crazy) things is to build rapport with his soldiers (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). A few of his guys have even commented that Hubs is the most Hooah! Chaplain they've ever had. And that alone makes the pain worthwhile.

Hurricane Katrina

Today is the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's Gulf Coast landfall.
Please take time to pray for the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. There is still so much suffering there.
On this day 4 years ago, we were sitting in the Officer's Club at Fort Benning (we evacuated to Columbus, GA), trying to eat lunch while watching the news coverage. I was 7 months pregnant with Bull and Gator was almost 3.
So much of our lives changed as a result of this storm (I've blogged about it here, here, and here). I am still moved to tears by God's faithfulness all these years later.
On Tuesday at PWOC, we sang the song Blessed Be Your Name (written by Matt Redman and performed by Tree 63). We sang that song at my parent's church six days after the storm hit, not knowing what - if anything - was left of our belongings. It will forever be connected to that season of our lives. I had to make a conscious choice to praise Him in the midst of all that was happening. He was faithful, and continues to be!
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." Job 1:21