Need to write something......

just not really sure what I can write about.

Life has just been humming along lately. We've been able to talk to DH several times a week, which has been very nice; though I know once he gets to his "forward location" that will change some (he's heading out of the states this weekend, I believe).

The other night a friend and I were discussing Proverbs 31, specifically verses 28-30.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

My friend was saying how wonderful it would be to hear your husband say that about you. Wow! Do I ever agree! What confidence this man must have in his wife's ability to get things done. I so hope that my sweet man is hearing the things I have done, nodding his head and smiling, knowing that I've got the "home front" covered while he's out there fighting for freedom. I have seen women who, sadly, are clueless about tending the home front while their men are away. And I am grieved for the husband....not only is he out there in the world fighting for his friends and family; but he's also got to be concerning himself with the home front because the wife is ill-prepared to tend to it. His mind, then, isn't able to fully concentrate on the task set before him because he also has to be wondering and worrying about what's happening at home.

When I got my license, my Dad made sure I knew how to change a tire, check the oil, and add water to the radiator. I dated a guy who taught me how to change my own oil in my car as well. Now, granted, I LOVE being a woman, I like feminine things; BUT, should the need arise, I am capable. And yes, there are things I have not ever had to deal with before, like our in-ground sprinklers, but before he left, hubby showed me some things to watch for, showed me how to make minor repairs, and you better believe I paid attention. I've actually gotten pretty good at changing out broken heads! :) I know that there are people I can call on and they will help me, and for that I am very thankful, but I also know that I can at least try to get the job done.....my hubby's trusting me to stand strong here so that he can stand strong there.

So see, I did have something to say afterall!! Then again, I'm never really one to be left speechless! Ha!!

My heart

I'm missing my sweet hubby right now. I know you're probably thinking, "Well yeah, of course!" But I am SO glad that I miss him....I take that as a sign that my heart is his. Sometimes in the day to day grind, it gets so easy to take each other for granted, or worse, think that you do a LOT (I wanted to say 'most' but that's obnoxious, right?....'course I do fight that attitude at times). As we were approaching this time apart, I figured, "The kids and I'll be fine, I can take care of us." Well, I can.....however "doing things" isn't everything. DH is my mate, we understand each other better than anyone else; he is a big, solid guy; he smells great (wellllll, he does!); he truly is my other half! I see that now. No matter who does what around here, I need that guy! He completes me!

I once heard (sorry, don't remember where) that a marriage relationship is the closest thing to God's character. A husband and wife can compliment/complete one another. Where I am weak or lacking, DH fills in, and vice versa.

Maybe it sounds silly that I'm so happy to be missing him....I think I'm beginning to really understand that saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder". I truly believe God has given us this space to grow while there is this huge space between us. A good pastor friend of ours once said that the marriage relationship should resemble a triangle with the husband and wife being the bottom two corners and God being the top corner, and as they grow together, they also grow closer to God. I see that happening. Pretty cool really.

So don't feel sad that I'm missing my guy; it's a good thing!

Thank You Abba for the special man you have blessed me with. Thank You that You are near to both of us now while we are physically apart. Father, have Your way in us, may You be glorified in and through us.

"Sourdough-like Beer Bread"

I snagged this recipe from my friend F...it was in her family cookbook, and looked very interesting. Turns out it's quite easy and tasty too....nothing like easy sourdough, eh?

5-51/2 cups flour
2 pkgs (or 2 Tbs) yeast
1/4 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c water
12 oz warm beer
3 Tbs oil
cornmeal

In large mixer bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. In saucepan (or microwave...which I did), heat water, beer and oil until warm. Add to flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed.
Gradually add in remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover, let rise until double; about 1 hour.
Punch down dough. Divide in half. On floured surface, roll to a 7x11-inch rectangle. Starting with longer side, roll up tightly, pressing dough into roll with each turn. Pinch edges and ends to seal. Place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. With a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal slashes across top. Cover and let rise until double, about 30 minutes. Or do as I did and just shape into loaves and plop into 2 greased loaf pans....I needed sandwich bread.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Enjoy! I figured one loaf will be for sandwiches and one for french toast!

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.

Last week I was studying Deborah in my Women of the Bible devotions. Friday I was struck with a powerful message that truly carried me through that hectic time before hubby's departure.

Psalm 50:14 says, "Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High."
The New Living Translation makes it even sharper an image: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice..."

That got me thinking, how can thankfulness be a sacrifice worthy to God?? And then God showed me:

• Thankfulness is the antithesis to worry, fear, and anxiety. You cannot be thankful and anxious!
• Thankfulness acknowledges the sovreignity of God!
• Thankfulness refers all glory to God alone!
• Thankfulness cannot be faked.

I have to tell you, that carried me through a LOT of junk over the next several days. When I felt worry, fear, distress....whatever, steal over me, I was reminded that God asks for me to "make thankfulness my sacrifice"...and do you know, in every situation God came through in a wonderful way, and to Him alone can the glory be ascribed! It is amazing!

For a long time I have loved Philippians 4:4-7, 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; I will sing to the Lord. I will sing praises to the Lord, the God of Israel. ~Judges 5:3

Thanks K!

My friend posted this on her blog. Thank you dear friend!! I look at my children, when the sadness of Daddy being gone overtakes them, and I am reminded of the sacrifice that these little children are making. I am not saying we deserve a pity party, I'm just praying that people truly realize the sacrifice we're making, whether they agree with the reason or not.

Check this out!

Okay, I know this has nothing to do with encouraging women, but look what my pretty pink princess learned to do today!
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Whew!

Hello! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I thought that we had the internet thing worked out, but we're still having some issues. Keep checking back though, hoping to have it resolved soon!

We saw hubby off yesterday. It was rough (not necessarily the sadness, but just the trials....I'll post on that when my computer is up) but God again was SO faithful to us!! We got to go to the gate to be with him until his plane took off. I think that really helped the kids.

So far, it's going okay, but I keep thinking of things that I'll need to take care of. But, of course, God is good all the time!

Sorry this post is short, but I'm at the library for storytime and just left my kids in there. :)

Count your blessings!

Lesson learned

Wisdom! I was not praying for wisdom for this dear husband of mine! I just expected him to get it all done...he knew what had to be done, so just do it! What was I thinking?? This man is not only getting his home/family in order, but also his job here, AND his deployment. Now I'm thinking, how did he keep it straight for as long as he has??

A day or so after that last post, rather than things getting better, they seemed to me that they were getting worse! I was in a near state of panic. I went to the library to email some dear friends to pray! I didn't even, then, know exactly what to pray for, but I knew we were in a battle. Shortly after that is when I realized what my prayer needed to be...my man needed God's wisdom in all of this. Now, from someone outside looking in, things may still seem to be pretty chaotic...but here inside...God has settled His peace on our home. Philippians 4:13:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I am about a week overdue on grocery shopping, but we're making it! I've been able to get very creative with our meals (you can include Master Chef in God's resume, I believe!) and though the larder looks bare, we're doing okay! It is actually rather amazing to me!

Which reminds me....and fits in perfectly with this....did you check out last Sunday's sermon by Pastor Steve? Here's the link, because you REALLY need to hear it! A Living Hope

Count your blessings!

"Testing, 1, 2, 3...Testing..."

Hoo boy! Not even sure what this post will turn out like. I feel like I'm in the middle of testing, you know, "Put your money where your mouth is." *sigh* I haven't been on the computer as we are changing ISP's (going to cable, yay!) But so much has been happening in the last few days, I feel like I'm kinda treading water. My dear (and yes, I truly think he's dear) hubby made a couple of not-so-wise decisions that came to light Friday afternoon. I don't want to say that they're not "biggies", because really, they are. However, to put your mind at ease, I know it was unintentional, it is not a sin issue and that he's under a LOT of stress. That said, I also have to say it took nearly all I had in me to bite my tongue and not voice my frustrations. At the end of the day, I confess, I did have one comment that I let fly, but then said that was all I would throw at him for it. *sigh* I'm trying to think of the good in this, trying to see the lesson, but I confess, right now, in the midst of dealing with these situations, I'm not able to make this "nice and shiney". Except, of course, it is not a lost cause, I know that. This will work out, we will have learned something from it, and no matter what we will walk in faith through it. I will follow the man God has given me, through thick and thin, knowing that "following" him is God's will for me!

That does remind me though....here's something good for you (and kind of along these lines). Yesterday's sermon was about hope. I will post a link to it as soon as it comes up. Actually, as we have no internet at home, I'll post it either when it comes up or when I'm next on the computer. In the meantime, you can watch for it too...the link for Alpine Community Church is listed in the menu on the right.

Blessings!