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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Catching up!!

I have been really behind on keeping you all on what has been going on in our lives compared to how good I had been in in March.

Oh well.

There's still time!

Quick catch up: we spent Easter with the long-missed Brett, Michelle, and Elias Bell! They were so kind to let us come down like they did-- so last minute and Brett just got back from deployment, but they had us over nevertheless-- and we had a great time spending our Saturday night talking over coffee, packing full the plastic easter eggs for the kids, Sunday cooking together, yummy healthy food to die for and, as always, Brett had the black yumminess brewing and hot in the pot... All the time. How great! Easter service was incredible as well. Brought reality and eternity all into the same tangible realm for humanity as we face each everyday, all from different angles in our walks through life. Healthy or bacon-drenched (though I'd probably prefer the first), we are God's created and life really does have purpose, the way it was intended to be lived ( i have more to write about that, as I mentioned before, but until then, dwell in that thought of intentionality). It was a great reminder of life and rebirth and it was ended in loud sing (trust me, my healing eardrums are still singing praises to Jesus!) and symbolic rebirth by water dedications.

We left the next Adventure the following weekend: Dallas with our Uncle, Aunt and cousins then... Off to San Antonio with my mama!

We really enjoyed spending time with our dear friends and this past week, its been family (equably enjoyable!!). I look forward to posting these pictures/post so i can start editing the next posting for the latest adventure!

Until then... ;) xoxo

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

A Brief Snapshot of Life NOW as I Know it

In perfect timing of things, my good friend Lacy sent me a list of helpful books and readings she has either read or been introduced to. Picking one from the list, God met me right where I was. It's amazing what I have learned so far about Him, myself and living fully the life God has called me to. Very encouraging read: "A thousand Gifts". Highly recommended. I'll be sharing thoughts and revelations in a later post....

For NOW, how about some pictures? Being in Altus has Been ever sweet as I once again remember what the simple life looks like. Yes, I have a baby (so nothing is necessarily simple) but we are also living minimally and on necessities only. And I like it.

The pictures below are pictures of a peaceful, cool morning with our new obsession of a latte made by the magic bullet, family play time at the park (no, elyse is not too young to know what the park and "swing" means- she loves every minute of being outside!), hikes in a nearby state park with a very sleepy baby 45 mins away, little fingers grabbing her own mum mum treats off the table-- we need a high chair for some real fun!--morning runs, braums ice cream and tennis!

Oh, how I have missed the simple life of the West.

Blessings! Xoxo

Friday, March 30, 2012

Pondering Life As I Know It


Life.

You get up, you rush through your morning routine to meet the afternoon, wane through the early evening and look forward to dinner,only stopping a moment to eat the meal you spent all that day looking forward to, salivating at the thought of dessert mid way through your pasta dish, hoping that the sugar will bring enough energy to complete your evening routine with precise order so you can fall into the sheets and have the day stand completed in your book so the same things you did today can be repeated without setbacks tomorrow.

Yes, the fine details always keep it interesting and give each day an element of distinction, but in essence, this is what life looks like. For many of us anyways... Ordinary.

But if you're like me, you dare to think what lies for you beyond the lines of the ordinary. You long for more because you know you were made for more. Because there is more... Far more!

Following my husband into the military, I have realized how different life can be. Yes, it follows the standard order above, but the specific elements in MY day have given my heart a longing to seek more than just a life of fleshly existence. I have a greater purpose than the day-by-day monotony, i know that in my heart and by the words of jesus. Specifically, I don't know what that different might look like for me, and it may be as ordinary as the scenario above (where I worship and glorify God in my routine), but I don't think that's all the Lord destined my life for.

A verse that captures my attention is this: "Not that I have already obtained this or I am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own." -- Phil 3:12. When you open yourself up to the scriptures and what God is doing in the latter part of the story, the story being written with your life, you will be amazed at what he communicates through verses, capturing your heart's attention. This, being one example, is why I believe has something greater at stake for my life.

Another great plus in the military are TDYs. And to Andrew and I, they are more like short 'n sweet sabbaticals. A break from cleaning a larger space, cooking time consuming meals, having weekly responsibilities and more time to rehash where you have strayed from the main things in life.

For this TDY, we have landed in Altus AFB, Oklahoma for a good chunk of time (6 weeks to be exact). Already, I have met up with our beloved spiritual grandparents Carl and Jeanine, along with the Baker family, plus a few other familiar faces! I know God has his hand in our being here as we meet an in-depth study of Romans Carl and Jeanine happen to be going through right now. This also happens to be the same book of the bible I was just studying in Alaska before we left to come here. What providence indeed! I look forward to reaping wisdom from our adventures in the lower 48, following the spirit as he peels back the outer layers of life's kernel to reveal the true seed ( 1 Cor. 15:37-49).

For "what is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable... It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." -- 1 Corinthians 15: 42, 43b-44

With that said, you probably won't hear a whole lot from me, blogging wise, but I will be updating facebook with news here when it comes.

Oh, and I have some more pictures to share as well! The ones I took with my Nikon will have to wait until I make the time to download and edit them on the computer andrew and I are sharing. Until then, enjoy what I have:

(we had Easter baskets early here, and Elyse loves her singing keyboard and her furry rabbit! The last picture of her lying there is one of my favorites: just chilling at Uncle Jeff's house, watching some TV, which has just now been introduced to-- we don't have such thing at our house in Alaska!)

Blessings-- Xoxo

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Some Quick Highlights From Our Vacation

Currently, I am walking the San Diego Airport with a very sleepy (but light sleeping) baby at 2:00am... So, in order to stay awake, I will share some pictures of our trip from my phone: our room on the beach on Bellows AFB, elyse's introduction to ocean water, the Dole Pineapple farm, the beaches on the Ko Olina resort side, our hikes on base and near koko crater, my birthday luau, all you can sushi bar....

Ok, enough talk. On to the pictures. Enjoy!!

(I'm going to try to sit down now and get some shut eye ;) )