One Day at a Time: The Life of a USMC Wife

Random Thoughts

2012-02-09T01:28:00.000-08:00

Ok so I know it's been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. I'm currently going through a very hard trial in my life.
I've been attending a life group the past few weeks that have helped me to open up to others and to also allow the Holy Spirit to really remold me. My plan is not his plan. Instead of being the leader over the holy spirit I need to be a follower. You see I tend to be like a nagging wife. Saying things like this: "But God your word says this....so you must do this..."

So everyweek I come home after group and it's all silence. Complete silence. My son is in bed so it's just me listening to the peaceful sounds of the fish tank.

A few days earlier God reminded me of a wish I asked for. I said, "God use me to do your will". Wow He sure has answered that prayer. Of course it's not been in the way I imagined it would be. Do you ever think God please help me. How many of us want the full glory of God to come upon us but they pull slightly back and say stop that's too much?

Fall Time

2011-09-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. Football has officially started, my son is in school, and all the beautiful things that happen in fall. Even though I currently live in a warm climate I still see a change in the air. There is something fall like about the clouds even if it's still 87 degrees out. The breeze is a little different and I'll be excited when next month we will be able to go to the pumpkin patch. I love the messy job of scraping out all the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkin and baking them. It's a fun project to do with any toddler just as long as your outside. :)

I really love putting up fall decor as well. There is something renewing about fall leaves to me. The beautiful transformation leaves make is just so dang pretty. I am a creature who loves and even craves change so maybe that is another reason why I really love fall. To me it's just another leg of the journey but change brings a new opportunity to be better for God.

Today I got a request to post my famous pumpkin bread recipe as well. I'm really looking forward to making it. I make it a lot during the fall months. Not only does it taste yummy but it makes your whole house smell so good. To me scents of fall like cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin are so very comforting.

Without further ado. I present the best pumpkin bread recipe ever!!

Bella Pumpkin Bread

3 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground saigon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 7 x 3 inch loaf pans.
Mix oil, sugar, and eggs together in a large bowl. Mix in pumpkin puree and water. Stir together flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Add to the pumpkin mixture, and mix until just combined. Divide batter into prepared pans.
Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool on wire racks.

Faith Like a Child

2011-08-14T00:26:00.000-07:00

Ever since I read the book "Heaven is for Real" I've been seriously thinking about what Jesus said about having "faith like a child".

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
-Luke 18:17

However, during dinner while my son was physically dissatisfied with what I made for him I realized something. I'm sure when God asks me to do something or directs me in a direction that I don't want to do, I act exactly like my son. I'm sure I throw temper tantrums screaming, "No, no I don't want to" or "but why do I have to". Sure we might be tired when God asks us to do something but He expects us to obey Him, after all, He first loved us.

I can't expect my son to obey me without first obeying my heavenly Father. I must be the example otherwise I'm just a dictator.

And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”
-Joshua 24:24

Another "family" member lost

2011-08-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a few days to even begin to write this post. I was deeply saddened (as I'm sure we all were) when the news reported the loss of 30 of our military members. I was getting ready for a meeting at church when I saw the breaking news. Then a friend of mine texted me to ask for prayers as a family member of hers was on that helicopter. My heart just broke and tears starting flowing. I ended up being late to the meeting because I wasn't sure I could even go on with my day.

Of course I realized I have no control over the situation so I just started praying for all the families. Then I asked for prayer at the meeting for all the families who lost someone.

I'm still not able to talk about it without crying but hearing how confident some of the men were in their lives, specifically their Christian walk, is just awesome.

The EOD tech that died was a local to where I live so his life and family is all over the news. He is apart of our military family and my heart just breaks for them.

It just makes you realize how precious life is and it makes me re-evaluate how I am spending my time. God Bless our Troops!!!

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
-John 15:12-14

Baggage

2011-08-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

I was just on Facebook and I noticed a friend of mine who posted a picture of a coach purse she wants. Now I'm not slamming Coach. They have pretty purses. I'm just one of those people who don't care a whole lot about my purse. I'm more into a purse that can fit what I need into it and something that is flopping around when I go to pick something up. I prefer long straps--something I can just put over my shoulder. However, when your purse is jam packed with "stuff" well that's a lot of baggage to carry around. If we are doing that in one area of our lives maybe we should check out the other areas of our life.

Ok so getting to the point and my disinterest in many purses. It got me thinking. Why do I feel I need the purse I have. Mine had to be big enough to told a few things and to be comfortable. Then it dawned on me all this is, is unnecessary baggage I'm carrying around which I know I don't NEED. It's just something I want or things I feel I should have as a woman.

Lately I've been getting rid of a lot of things in our house that serve no purpose other than to attrack dust. I think the less you have the better you feel. Interesting feelings don't you think.

The Anxiety of a EOD Wife

2011-07-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Our job never ends. I laugh when people tell me I'm lucky that my hubby isn't going to Afghanistan. Apparently I shouldn't have any worry because he's not going to a combat zone. Seriously, he deals with detecting and clearing UXO including land mines. Land mines are safe right?? Not to mention his ONLY "tool" is a metal detector. He doesn't have a team. It's just him making the decision based on what he knows if it's safe or not. I know many people don't understand what he does but they just assume he isn't in harms way because he's not on a combat deployment. They just assume he is out sightseeing.

I know God tells me I don't need to have fear. Sometimes I forget and it's hard to remind myself to just sit down and pray or to read my bible instead of having a panic attack. Thanks to another Marine Wife... I read Psalm 69 last night which really is how I've been feeling. I need to always remember to praise God in all that is going on. He hears my cries for help even if I don't think He is moving as fast as I would like to change certain situations. Like a loving father He protects me from things I can't see and guides me to where I need to be.

¹ Save me, O God,
   for the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in the miry depths,
   where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
   the floods engulf me.
³ I am worn out calling for help;
   my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
   looking for my God.
⁴ Those who hate me without reason
   outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
   those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
   what I did not steal.

⁵ You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

⁶ Lord, the LORD Almighty,
   may those who hope in you
   not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
   may those who seek you
   not be put to shame because of me.
⁷ For I endure scorn for your sake,
   and shame covers my face.
⁸ I am a foreigner to my own family,
   a stranger to my own mother’s children;
⁹ for zeal for your house consumes me,
   and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
¹⁰ When I weep and fast,
   I must endure scorn;
¹¹ when I put on sackcloth,
   people make sport of me.
¹² Those who sit at the gate mock me,
   and I am the song of the drunkards.

¹³ But I pray to you, LORD,
   in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
   answer me with your sure salvation.
¹⁴ Rescue me from the mire,
   do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
   from the deep waters.
¹⁵ Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
   or the depths swallow me up
   or the pit close its mouth over me.

¹⁶ Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
   in your great mercy turn to me.
¹⁷ Do not hide your face from your servant;
   answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
¹⁸ Come near and rescue me;
   deliver me because of my foes.

¹⁹ You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
   all my enemies are before you.
²⁰ Scorn has broken my heart
   and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
   for comforters, but I found none.
²¹ They put gall in my food
   and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

²² May the table set before them become a snare;
   may it become retribution and^[b] a trap.
²³ May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
   and their backs be bent forever.
²⁴ Pour out your wrath on them;
   let your fierce anger overtake them.
²⁵ May their place be deserted;
   let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
²⁶ For they persecute those you wound
   and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
²⁷ Charge them with crime upon crime;
   do not let them share in your salvation.
²⁸ May they be blotted out of the book of life
   and not be listed with the righteous.

²⁹ But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.

³⁰ I will praise God’s name in song
   and glorify him with thanksgiving.
³¹ This will please the LORD more than an ox,
   more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
³² The poor will see and be glad—
   you who seek God, may your hearts live!
³³ The LORD hears the needy
   and does not despise his captive people.

³⁴ Let heaven and earth praise him,
   the seas and all that move in them,
³⁵ for God will save Zion
   and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
³⁶ the children of his servants will inherit it,
   and those who love his name will dwell there.

What Makes You Laugh??

2011-07-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

Lately I've realized over the years my idea of comedy or just all things funny has really changed for me. In my younger years I loved watching comedy stand up. I could watch it for hours at a time. My brother and I use to spend hours watching all the Saturday Night Lives (the old ones were the best). We also would watch comedy people like Dave Chappelle. Sad looking back at the things I allowed into my mind. Not all shows I watched were "bad" but I wish I would of asked myself this same question back then.

I was saved 7 years ago but I still find myself fine tuning what I want to seep into my mind. My husband and I have a different idea of who God is, so we tend to bump heads when it comes to picking funny movies. I was just looking at a bunch of new movies, what netflix calls "comedies". I must say I was offended at most of these movies. I know some people just think I'm a prude but really I just don't agree with going out to get drunk and sleep with other men. Why would I watch something like that on tv. It really makes me feel sick. On another side of comedy all I find is people making fun of others. Seriously that is called being a bully. I use to think that was funny but lately God has been putting this on my heart to write about all of this.

So this is my question to you.....what makes you laugh?? Movies?? TV??

A Leap of Faith

2011-06-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't that what life really is. Even with God. Wasn't it a giant leap of faith creating us. I mean look at us we constantly sin and yet he continues to forgive us. And the big kicker, He already knows what we are going to do before we even do it.

Lately this has been on my mind. To be perfectly honest I think way too much about my desires of the flesh. I have a lot of moments of prayer that goes something like, "God what about me, me, ME. When do I get a break. But, what about ME."

Being a military wife I think you get use to getting pushed to the back burner (by other people) because you are so busy trying to take care of everyone else. Then the insanity hits you. Holding down the homefront is a BIG job. I often get mad at other people because they are living in the same town they grew up in and have a husband home every night. They complain that they need a break because just a few hours alone with their kids push them to the edge. I sometimes just want to laugh because I go months without a break. If you are a military wife I know you "get it". Even when our husbands are home they aren't. It's frustrating a lot of times. I know full well how important my husbands job is and I'm grateful he has such a deep passion for it.

For me it's a leap of faith to trust other people and to "leap" from one circumstance to another trusting God. Yes I said it. I know we all like to think we totally trust God 100% but we don't. Otherwise we wouldn't have health issues like stress or anxiety. I have intentions of totally trusting God but then there is this nasty thing called Satan. He likes to trip us up and feed us lies.

The past few weeks my Pastor has been speaking about the Psalms. If I could sum up the Psalms in one word it would be beauty. I think it's beautiful how we can look at the Psalms in times of want, trouble, or praise and come away feeling more connected to God. Maybe it's because Psalm 139 literally saved my life. I was so unhappy with who I was years ago that I just wanted to end my life. That was until I took the leap of faith and asked God to guide me to a passage to let me know He was there. My life was forever changed from that moment on.

So yes I can choose to have a pity party or I can choose to open my Bible and see what God wants me to know today. Our faith can't grow if we don't study the bible.

Psalm 139

¹ You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

BIG Announcement

2011-06-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

The day is finally here for my announcement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God has blessed me with a wonderful passion for military wives. Over the past year HE has put some ideas on my heart and with the earthquake and tsunami in Japan along with all the other natural disasters it's helped to see His will more clearly.

We can experience some tough storms in our life but we can choose to think "how is God molding me" through this process. We focus so much on the end game but God enjoys the process.

The storms I see in the world have helped me to know I MUST start this website. I know I need help from other military wives as well. God has given me the idea but I need YOUR help too. Allow God to mold you into who you are meant to be. This site is all about encouraging other military wives.

Lots of great info is already up and we will continue to have more resources and articles.

www.thehh6life.com
The link to our Facebook page is also on there!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

Looking for a writing opportunity??

2011-05-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well I'm looking for volunteer writers on topics like:
-Gardening
-Composting
-Canning
-Sewing
-Crafts
-Survival Preparedness

It can be a simple how-to article or something more specific depending on your passions. Please send me a message or comment below with questions or if you are interested.

The Day Jesus Returns

2011-05-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit under the weather this week. So I guess I was caught off guard and really surprised when the CDC released a memo warning of something about a Zombie day on May 21st. A few felt it was the day Jesus was coming back. I really didn't take it too seriously honestly.

Ok I was more angered than surprised. Maybe I'm the only one but I felt this way but I thought why would you put out some fake 'gag' memo warning people about zombie's or the day of rapture. Seriously that is not something to joke about in my opinion. It may be my extreme Italian side of me showing but I take offense when someone makes fun of my Jesus or about the day He WILL return.

The Bible teaches us we do not know the exact day of His return. It could be tomorrow or much later down the road. The only thing we know of for sure is that He WILL return.

I don't understand the interest in zombies or vampires. What I do know is that we were created to worship and we have to be careful what exactly we are worshipping. I find a lot of young people are worshipping people like Lady Gaga instead of our heavenly Father. We need to show them that worshipping our heavenly Father will fill that emptiness...nothing else can fill that void.

June

2011-05-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited for a big announcement I will be telling everyone about. I will probably be making the announcement near the end of June. No I'm not pregnant unfortunately. However, I will be "giving birth" to a project I've been thinking about for a while.

It involves some of my greatest passions God has given me and I'm excited to share it with everyone else. :)

Taking a Step Forward

2011-05-11T13:03:00.002-07:00

Those were the words my pastor said Sunday. I felt compelled that I need to be taking a step forward in my life. God wants us to live with the JOY He has given us.

It's sometimes hard not to think about the wrong in the world or what is not going right. Honestly I am happier thinking about what is going right or the good news of the world. I like to surround myself with positive people because it is infectious. Not to deny that there aren't bad people and bad things in the world but we don't have to hold that on our shoulders. It's not our burden to carry. That's the wonderful news about Jesus is that HE wants us to 'cast our cares' on Him.

The hard lesson I've learned is that it doesn't make you a stronger person to hold on or to carry those burdens all by yourself. The weight will only bring you down and create anger and bitterness.

So why are you carrying all those burdens on your shoulders???

²² Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
-Psalm 55:22

Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
-Luke 11:46

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
-Psalm 68:19

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
-1 Peter 5:7

Do you see Joy in your own Life??

2011-05-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

‎"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me"." - Erma Bombeck

Saw this on a Facebook status. I thought there are times like today where I feel like I've used everything I have. The strength, the love, the forgiveness. Lately I have these days every few weeks. I feel so unappreciated sometimes by people close to me but people I volunteer or minister with are very appreciative. I think that is so backwards. I want to have and show God's love not only to other people but most of all to the people in my own house. I feel the people closest to me know I love God but don't want to hear any more than that. I want to spend time reading to get closer to God and also watch God centered TV. Don't get me wrong I never pass up the opportunity to watch my favorite show NCIS. I just think filling your mind with good things help you to be more positive and to live with the joy God has given us.

If you fill your mind with things like war or violence 100% of the time that's exactly what you will face in your own life. Some people will say oh how can you say that being a Marine Wife. Well I grew up in what I call a "war zone". I faced constant attacks on me physically and personally. I was always being attacked for what I was doing because someone felt it was wrong or a mistake. It took until I was sick of being attacked and knew I needed God's help. Over the years I have learned what unconditional love is thanks to Jesus. I've learned there is good in the world and it starts with your own life.

If you are friends with me on Facebook you know my motto is, "Don't let anyone steal your joy". I also find the more I say that phrase the more attacks I face from Satan. It's no coincidence that I have a close friend named Joy and yesterday I had to say goodbye to her because of Satan's attacks on her life. Again I had to repeat that phrase to myself. It felt like a cold day both physically and weather wise. I wanted to crawl into bed and not deal with my sad feelings.

Speaking of joy..what kind of joy do you see in your life??? It's so easy for us to say I don't have joy because this is going on or you don't know what heartache I have. Because of obstacles people allow the negative things/attacks to become a stronghold over their WHOLE life. We need to retrain our thinking and say "Yes this heartache is happening but I have joy because I have God on my side. As the saying goes, don't tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big Your GOD is!!! Maybe you're saying I need more proof to be able to trust my problem to God. Well look at your own life or your spouses life and you will see the evidence you are seeking. Not convinced?? Look up Joyce Meyer's childhood and where she is today. Want to know my story?? I have a post here named, "Why God". Evidence of God's goodness and love for us is everywhere. We just have to open our eyes.

So I guess I really need to listen to my own advice and not think about these difficult days and asking God why, why, why. I need to be telling my problem, my God is bigger and stronger than anything you can put in my path. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves God loves us just where we are but He doesn't plan to leave us there.

“but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."
-John 9:3

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
-Psalm 139: 23-24

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
-1 Peter 2: 11-12

Can Anyone Hear Me

2011-04-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

Some days I feel like I'm screaming but nobody can hear me. I've been having those days more frequently in the past couple of months. I sometimes get so overwhelmed with everything that I have some major panic attacks. The sad part is that my Dr. would rather give me a pill instead of giving me a referral to talk to someone. Thank goodness for www.giveanhour.org.

Ever since the government "almost" shutdown I've been getting a lot of ideas for a new business. I don't want to give any details yet but it's not a small idea. This thing has fueled me to put my energy into something really good. I wake up some mornings thinking about it and having lots of ideas that I just need to write them down.

I hope to write more from here on out. God has the most perfect timing. Tonight is my first meeting with some other people at my church. We are reading "The Me I Want to Be" by John Ortberg. I'm really excited for this next transformation and a renewing of the mind.

Creative Malfunction

2011-04-10T00:33:00.000-07:00

That would describe how I've been feeling lately. Maybe it's the depressing news about the government shutdown that has had me preoccupied. I've been wanting to write more but as all us moms get...we are tired at the end of the day. My brain has been on overload and I've been doing some brainstorming for a new business especially geared towards military wives.

I think a lot of us wives have forgotten or don't know what military wives faced during Vietnam. Maybe it's because I hear more about our KIA military members from that era. I feel they had a lot of strength at a time that our country was even less supportive than they are now. I think we can learn a lot from those wives. I always feel so honored to meet older wives who lived through those tough times.

One really good thing is that God has given me clarity when it comes to a business idea I've had. In fact I again I woke up this morning thinking of more ideas for my business. The shutdown talk really made me think and has fueled me into what I should do.

Praise God for keeping us financially safe. I know the shutdown talk has changed a lot of people for the good.

21 Days of Fasting

2011-03-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Recently our Pastor announced he is going to do a 21 day fast and he asked for others to join him. I thought how perfect is God's timing. I was thinking a few weeks ago of doing another fast. The last fast was a 3 day only water with light fruit juice fast. It was very challenging yet it was one of the best things I've done. I was able to meet God on a much deeper level, especially on day 3. He revealed an image to me that I had to draw that instant. It's one of those feelings where you know you have to get on paper now. I'm no artist so it's plain but I keep it in my bible to remind me of how awesome God is and that He DOES speak to us.

However, for this fast our Pastor has encouraged us to follow the Daniel Fast. Which pretty much is no artificial flavors, things in general, no butters, no sugar (or any sweetners, even honey), no white flour products, no yeast, and no meat. So that pretty much leaves fruits, vegetables, nuts, tofu, beans, and rice.

After praying I felt I should spent the first 3 days with just water. Then after that follow the Daniel Fast for the remaining 21 days. I will try to blog every day with how the day is going on what God is revealing to me.

Let the Waters Rise

2011-03-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

I was just listening to one of my current favorite songs. "Let the Waters Rise" by Mike's Chair. I think that song is so appropriate yet harsh for some. Do you welcome the waters or do you run away??

In less than 3 weeks we've gone through an earthquake, a huge thunderstorm followed by a few days of a huge power outage, followed by our electric company workers going on strike, and now a Tsunami. This is the 2nd tsunami I've experienced and feel we've been really lucky both times. Times like this make you really have island fever. All the what ifs.

However, all these things make me realize how powerful God is. He has His hand in everything!!! He is always protecting us. Even though in the midst of the storm it sometimes feels like He places me in the desert, He is ALWAYS there. With that I take great comfort.

We can choose to let fear become unbelief or we can set it aside and decide to trust God in everything.

I'm so thankful all our military members and families are safe tonight but we must not forget our brothers and sisters we lost and those that so desperately need our prayers right now.

Crazy Love

2011-03-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading another post and realized how selfish am I if I refuse to allow my love of Christ to witness to others. I find that sometimes we get so excited about God but we are still worried about what others think of us. When we should be more concerned of what God thinks. I know I might seem "extreme" but I don't care anymore. I'd rather be an extreme christian who gets excited about God's love when I talk to others or even when I think of it when I'm by myself.

I don't want to hold back because I'm worried of what others think of me. This goes for other issues in my life too. I don't exactly want to spill my life story at this point on my blog but God knows. I'm not going to hold back my emotions anymore. I want to not be afraid of my pride of showing emotion. As a Marine Wife I think we take on the characteristics of our husbands. The no emotion thing definitely has gone too far.

I wanted to close with a quote I have on my Facebook page.

I am a disciple of the Messiah. I will not let up, look back or slow down. My past is redeemed, my future is secure. I am done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, mundane talking, chincy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised or rewarded. My face is set; my goal is sure. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My God is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, delayed or deluded. I will not flinch in the face of adversity, not negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I am a disciple of the Messiah. I must go until He comes, speak of all I know of Him and work until He stopsme. And when He comes for His own, by the grace of God, He will have no problem recognizing me, because my colors are clear

A New Season

2011-02-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

What's your season like? Today I feel like we are entering a new emotional season. Today I feel I've hit my breaking point. I'm no longer scared of saying something wrong. I'm just to the point where I want change. I'm sick of coming in last. The military has sucked the soul of my husband and he has let them. I don't think this is a bad statement. There just isn't a lot of people who will admit that. It has happened to so many military families. It takes some major guts to say "I want it back". Sometimes it starts with the wife having to stand up and intercede, so to speak, for her husband.

I'm to the point where I don't care how much work I'll have to do to help my husband. I'll do it and gladly. My problem is I don't know where to start. I've made some calls but no one seems to want to call me back to talk to me. I realize I can't do this on my own.

God's grace has gotten us this far and I know God will continue to guide us. I just want the process to move faster and I wish I could be more patient for God's will to be done.

When I come across situations or people that think I don't know what it's like to be depressed or hopeless or even what rejection feels like, I wish I could show them who I was before I was saved. I feel so lucky to be saved by God's beautiful grace and love. Before I was saved I was in so much emotional pain it was just sad.

I'm happy for the change in season because that means it's time for growth. I always am in awe how God can change people's ways or thoughts. It's a miracle all in itself!!

Updated My Website

2011-02-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

I finally updated my website. I'm not that creative when it comes to design. I created the website when I was pregnant in 2008 because I didn't find many sites for military wives who are moms. I also felt that a lot of wives didn't have many friends or knew what was going on at our base.

Since I have a big heart for military wives I started the site so wives could check out websites for any military base in the world. I'm working on a forum for women to ask questions or just post info. I'm also looking for group information for military wives wherever you may be. Feel free to email me with info or questions: info@military-mommas.com

Website Link:
www.military-mommas.com

Feeling Torn but Discovering Grace

2011-02-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

"A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish son grief to his mother."

-Proverbs 10:1

I was looking for scripture about love when I came across this verse. My eyes would wander to other verses but then right back to this one. As if a rope was pulling me closer and closer. Isn't awesome when that happens. I kept reading it over and over.

Recently I realized a true gift I've been given. Ever since then Satan has been throwing a lot of things at me. I feel like one of those guys in movies that are beaten and they say, "Thank you Sir, may I have another". I feel like a punching bag.

How often do we talk about praise and all the good things in our lives. Then we turn around and talk about negative things or even gossip. I guess when I read this verse I was thinking I love attending church and volunteering and talking about how awesome God is. Then I sometimes will come home and nag my hubby. Shame on me. That's not being a good witness or disciple. That's when I realized I'm so thankful for God's GRACE.

The word GRACE has been following me around. It's constantly popping up in my life whether it be in a song or scripture I hear. Clearly God wants me to understand this thing called GRACE. Where would we be without God's perfect Grace.

In many definitions of that word is the phrase, "God's favour for His children". Until this week I never knew what that really meant. How beautiful is that. In so many ways you can see God's love. Grace is yet another action reflected of God's beautiful and perfect LOVE.

Theology Class & Some Prayer: Week 3

2011-02-16T23:55:00.000-08:00

Another great week at class. We learned about Baptism, What Does It Mean to commit Blasphemy, and Gifts. To be honest it blew me away.

I don't before tonight I thought about all the different kinds of Baptisms there are, What does the Bible say about it, etc. I just knew I was baptised as a child and then again in August 2010. Of course I knew I needed to be baptised after giving my life to God but I don't think it was important to me until God convicted me of it. I didn't ever want to be one of those people who are just "going through the motions" of being a child of Christ. I wanted to know it was right to do it in my heart. Besides what good is it if it's not coming from your heart. God knows the truth and that's what mattered to me.

Blasphemy. That is a word that I thought I understood. What I really didn't understand is, is it really unforgivable. What if a person who committed blasphemy but then later in life became a Christian, would they be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. What if I committed blasphemy in my youth and never realized it. My pastor posed a great statement though. If you are thinking about what if I did that before I was saved you didn't do it. Blasphemy is a reference to people with hardened hearts who keep refusing to see God's goodness, God's miracles, His Son.

The Pastor also talked about receiving the fullness of the spirit. What Gifts do you have and how to receive empowerment for them. I think you can read things in the Bible about Fruit of the Spirit or reaping the rewards of fruit. For me I didn't really understand what that all meant. My Pastor really clarified it all through a simple drawing. Imagine a lush fruit tree. There are 3 elements which are needed for that tree to bare fruit. Sun, rain, and good soil. The tree by itself can't force fruit to grow from it's branches without help. With the help of these elements it has beautiful fruit. Similarly to our faith. Without God's word and the Holy Spirit we can't bare fruit. We can't experience empowerment with our spiritual gifts if we don't ask God to help us desire out gifts. We don't choose our own gifts.

That lead into a beautiful closing of the class. Another class next door to us at the church is on Prayer and Healing. If we wanted we could get prayer for empowerment of our gifts. My flesh wasn't really wanting to but I felt my heart said yes. So I went and 2 wonderful ladies layed their healing hands on me in prayer. It was awesome. I left with an intense warming feeling that I couldn't quite comprehend. On the drive home God really solidified my gift for helping other wives. He also revealed a huge gift he has blessed me with that I really didn't voice for prayer about. It was just something I was thinking about during the prayers. It was witnessing to my husband. I feel that is the biggest gift God has given me. Where before I felt there was a wall I now feel an intense confidence in my job as a helpmate.

I immediately came home and told my husband a little bit about the class. I always try to tell him about things I learn in church when I feel prompted to do so. It was just such a huge breakthrough for me I feel so blessed.

Theology Class: Week 2

2011-02-10T00:03:00.000-08:00

Where do I begin. It was another great class. I just wish it was longer. Tonight the class was on Repentance, What is Faith, and Who is Christ. It was a really abbreviated amount of info. This is just what was on my mind about these things.

I've realized I've never gone further than looking up the definition of repentance. Tonight's class really made me look at things I need to repent on. I use to think because I wasn't committing a major sin that I was a "good person". With some things I felt guilty or I just understood what I was doing was wrong. When really that is just the beginning of repentance. I really need to have an emotional connection (crying out to God) and finally a personal decision to renounce the sin. The main question I really need to keep asking myself is How is my sin offending God.

In retrospect I face a lot of temptations but to fight temptation, that's the true test of character. Even Jesus was tempted. I think you can get a better grasp on this idea by watching the beginning scene of the movie "The Passion of the Christ". Jesus is praying and being tempted by Satan. I think too often we think that Jesus didn't experience the same emotions as we do. So often we can miss temptation in our own lives because we give into feelings of resistance. For example I LOVE food. Especially at night I get this sweet craving and become tempted to eat or over eat. So many times I don't think of the temptation part...just the part of how "good" it will taste.

What is Faith?? To me it's more of a feeling, sometimes an action word. Since I was young I've always known God was near me. It wasn't until I was 24 did I really experience His love but I've always known God created me for a special purpose. So faith to me was knowing what is in my heart. I've always felt my heart was connected to God. Faith to me is also an action word. It's a confidence in knowing that God is in control.

Who is Christ?? What a loaded question. I'm sure I'll always be trying to wrap my little brain around who Christ is. Like I mentioned earlier Christ faced the same temptations we do everyday. One question that I'll be praying about is did Christ have a super strength when it came it temptation. Of course he was Jesus and as John 5:58 says, "before Abraham was, I am". He is the foundational belief of being fully man and fully God. How awesome is that!!
He had human weakness and limitation. When I think of this I think of all the rejection Jesus faced as a man. Yet He had enough strength to know He was the ultimate sacrifice. He didn't resist the temptation to flee from harm. He was the example of a perfectly obedient life.

I could probably write so much more but I'm emotionally and physically tired from everything going on.

Until next week...

I just want to go back to bed

2011-02-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

It was another night of restless, sleeplessness for both my hubby and I. Not even Ambien works. :(

I feel like I'm in the middle of a hurricane seeing the "eye" of the storm swirl around me in disarray and waiting for God to save me. In fact those words have been a cry of help, LORD SAVE ME.

Save my husband and I from war wounds not seen by the eye. Save my husband from everything he is going through.