Deployment Log: How We #America (Week #4)

November 5, 2018 by
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It’s no secret that some of the hardest parts of deployment are the missed special occasions. Today, my dear friend (and our company FRG leader) celebrated her birthday AND her first wedding anniversary, sans her husband (because he is deployed with my Beloved). BUT… Friends don’t let friends face special days alone! I took her out to a “romantic” lunch at Cici’s Pizza Buffet, complete with flowers, balloons, tablecloth, and a handmade “Reserved” sign. Flat Daddy made it a bit awkward because he insisted on being the third wheel.

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Deployment Log: How We #America (Week #3)

October 29, 2018 by
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Goodness! Flat Daddy is such a good sport! He agreed to watch Cars 3 with the Tiny Humans for the 13th time (not exaggerating) since deployment see-ya-later day so that I could run the Twitter feed for Army Wife Network during Army Wife Talk Radio’s live broadcast tonight. PS: Notice Malick is not looking at the camera… he’s looking beyond me at the TV because #BeepBeepTrucks!

Deployment Log, Day 15: Brought to you by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Jason’s Deli and incredible Jesus-multiplying minutes.

1. It’s been a good day, Tater. (Not sure why I’m calling people “Tater” at the moment…) [Read more…]

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Deployment Log: How We #America (Week #2)

October 21, 2018 by

Deployment Log, Day 7: Brought to you by Costco Pizza, the Blessing Box and, as usual, Jesus.

1. Today was probably my “twitchiest” day since see-ya-later day. I was just wound up all day, trying to deal with what Billy Ray Cyrus refers to as my “achy breaky heart.” I’ve still only gotten like 3 text messages and one 5 minute Facetime convo in the last week with my man. His sched is super busy, but I sure miss his face!

2. I think today got off to a wonky start because the kindergartener decided to rebel, starting at 0554 this morning. I was trying to get my quiet time in with Jesus and she had found the skimpiest pair of shorts left in her collection (I thought I had done a recent modesty sweep, but apparently she was hoarding them). The windchill factor this morning was 38 degrees, so I told her she had to wear pants under the shorts.

3. Epic 45 meltdown ensues. #ParentingIsHard [Read more…]

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Deployment Log: How We #America (Week #1)

October 15, 2018 by

What a crazy last month it has been. Yes, we are still alive. And sorry to confusing being all like, “Hey-o, I’m back!” then disappearing again (briefly). Apparently, deployment prep, parenting two kids and working on a PhD is no joke.

But here we are. And for the next 9-ish months, I will be documenting our deployment journey one time per week (I could probably break them up into separate blog, but this really isn’t a deployment-only kind of blog. I will still be writing about other things too).

These posts will probably be a bit long, but hey, I confess I’m doing this for selfish reasons too– it’s nice to have all of our adventures in one place! (Plus, it is a joy to share the journey with you– it forces me to find the good in the tough seasons!)

So grab your ruck sack (optional) and strap on your army boots. Here we go, ready to #America.

***

Welp. Yesterday was “See-ya-later” day for this deployment, hence why I was quiet in the social media world… OPSEC (operational security), folks.

Yesterday was rather lame (of course– it is expected!) But good news, the kids and I are doing well, moving forward and beginning the transition. Thanks to EVERYONE who reached out, called, texted and cheered us on in person and from a distance! It really helped to lessen the sting as we finally “ripped off the band-aid” after talking about it for what feels like 17 years. (It’s only been a few months, but sheesh).

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My “Brother” Peter

August 17, 2018 by

Oh Peter.

Whenever I read about Apostle Peter’s escapades in the Bible, I can’t help but smile. Mainly because I identify so much with him. In contemporary speak, he would totes be my homeboy. Bro, even.

Why, you ask? Well, one minute he is on fire for the Lord, pledging his allegiance and swearing he will follow him no matter what, even to death… Then a few hours later Peter has denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. [Read more…]

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Impossibly Possible

August 8, 2018 by

I don’t like to “fail.” But really, who does? And after 3+ years of trying, yesterday I FINALLY accomplished something I envisioned as impossible.

I confess I lived a good chunk of my life trying to play it safe. If I couldn’t do something perfectly, I would find a way to skip it all together and seek to excel in an area where I knew I could achieve near perfection (in my own strength.)

It was an EXHAUSTING way to live! I felt like something was missing, but I was scared to go to church. What if the Pastor said “Turn to Galatians” but the people around me saw that I didn’t know where that was?!?

I believed that lie of needing to be perfect for waaaayyy too long.

So I decided to follow Jesus, stumbling in the right (ish-most-of-the-time) direction.

The physical health aspect of my life was similar. I ate as a form of control and semi-rebellion growing up. I was very overweight but getting healthy seemed way beyond me, so I always said, “Maybe later.” It seemed impossible so why even try?

Until 11 years ago. About the same time I started actively seeking Jesus, something shifted in my heart. I started to make some different choices in an effort to take care of my body.

I had to keep me eyes focused on what God was doing in me. Not how fit my best friend was or how easily someone else lost weight. Not how fast my now-husband runs or how much someone on Facebook can deadlift.

It was about my journey. Seeking to let God accomplish what I envisioned as completely impossible in my life.

I was still afraid of failing. I used the word “IF” as my perfection caveat. Now, I seek to find the balance of grace and obedience, because IF is no way to live. “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”” (Mark‬ ‭9:23‬)

So yes. After more than 3 years of trying, falling short, then pushing it to the back burner of my Fitness Bucket List, I was able to pass the Army PT test! (No, I’m not joining the army…)

The 2-mile run, from a girl who just a few short years ago couldn’t/wouldn’t run more than a quarter mile without wheezing or wanting to cry. The push-ups, which just a few months ago I couldn’t do a single one on my toes with proper form. Th sit-ups, when beforehand it made my entire body tired just trying.

God has and continues to accomplish the impossible in my life. I give Him all the glory and celebrate the daily victories, no matter how great or small. I invite you to do the same.

It’s not about perfection, my friends. It’s about progress. Here’s to living in the light of His grace and inviting Him to do “impossible” things in our everyday.

In Him we can,

 

 

“Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”” ~Luke 18:27

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The Struggle is Real (But So Is God)

July 30, 2018 by

Ah yes. Mondays.

I’ve written on numerous occasions about all things Mondays. Fortunately, in the almost seven (WHAT?!?) years that I’ve blogging and engaging in online ministry, I’ve come to loathe Mondays a whole lot less.

Aw. I think I’m growing up.  [Read more…]

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Because of Jesus: Photo Series #1

May 31, 2017 by

A few months ago, while I was up late one night pondering life feeding my newborn (see also: counting the minutes until I could go back to sleep) I had a revelation about this 7 Days Time stuff.

I wanted to do a photo series. And wanted our follower’s to contribute.

It would be called “Because of Jesus…”

So I went to work and asked our Facebook friends and followers to complete the sentence. Man oh man, did you all deliver!

I added a couple of my own and we were able to come up with 100 unique “Because of Jesus” statements. [Read more…]

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When Jesus Makes You Queasy

May 17, 2017 by

This “following Jesus” thing can make us have, well, #AllTheFeels.

Warm and fuzzy. Confident. Peaceful. Hopeful. Comforted. Reassured.

All great feelings. But ya know, sometimes Jesus makes us feel a little bit queasy.

Like when he asks us to take a leap of faith and puts an idea on our heart that feels a little bit like it’s out of the back 40. (That’s the country girl in me talking there.)

Those moments are what I have titled as the emotion called “Thrillified.” That’s thrilled and terrified combined. [Read more…]

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Whole30: Accountability & (Staying) Motivated

April 27, 2017 by

Ok, my friends. Just a few short days until my Whole60 (which likely will turn into Whole90… Or maybe Whole120-eeeek!) is about to begin.

And man, am I excited.

It feels like New Year’s Eve. You know the feeling– when things feel fresh, new, we have all the motivation in the world to do all the things.

The kicker is, much like New Years Resolutions, it is sometimes a lot of work to keep that enthusiasm and motivation going. Especially with something that requires the planning, energy and forethought as Whole30. (Want to know more about this Whole30 thing? Check out the Low-down here. Or tips for planning. Oh, and don’t miss Part 1 and Part 2 of What to expect.)

So today, I am sharing a few tips on how to find accountability in this process and stay motivated.  [Read more…]

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