Exercise and retreat

Our base is in exercise this week.  Translation:  Husbands are working 12-16 hour shifts, every play area in Anchorage is packed because the Mom's are needing some time away from the kids. :)

Actually, Emma is for the most part a sweet kid to be around.  She has her moments as all kids do.  The only thing that is hard is the fact she gets sick of me dragging her around everywhere. Today, she did not want to go anywhere.  That makes it hard when I am wanting to go and do stuff.   Kyle is working a 12-12 today.  So, Emma pretty much saw him a couple of hours this morning and then he had to start getting ready for work.  It isn't like this all the time, thank God. I couldn't handle that.  I still like being with my spouse. ha.  I miss him, but this exercise is actually coming at good time for me because I need to be working on ladies retreat stuff. 

I was able to get some stuff done today for the retreat that is next weekend.  Tomorrow, I am practicing some worship songs with a friend.  I know it will all come together.  It has already went smoothly.  I think because I am not the main one responsible for everything.  I am more stressed when I am the one responsible for the event.  I am much better at assisting someone else.  I am really looking forward to the spiritual boost and also time with the girls.  It should be fun.  

My job is organizing the pampering part this year.  We had a lot of stuff left from the spa night so we are to use the leftovers to create your own bath salts, and sugar scrub.  We are going to do a chocolate mask for your face and a mint mask for your feet.  Everyone loves pampering so we should all enjoy ourselves.   I am like a child when I start getting ready for things like this.  I was getting so excited when everyone was turning in their registration forms. I couldn't stop smiling.   We have a nice size group this year.  We are actually at the max.  Me and five other girls are going to have to sleep in a big room with mattresses on the ground.  I don't care. It's probably just as good as the other beds and plus I can be with more people.  See how I am? I told you for me this is just like a youth camp for 30 somethings.  :) 

Emma's first day to wear pigtails

I finished my homework

I just finished my last day of homework that completed the Believing God study I have been doing for the past 9 weeks.  I feel somewhat sad. Very great material.   Tomorrow we are watching the last DVD and then having a time of testimony about what God has been doing in our hearts throughout this study.  

I have been working on my faith journal and now I had to create a timeline of all the main events that occurred during my 30 years of life.  The funny thing was how many times I had to draw a little house as a sign of relocating or moving. ha!  I needed a stamp for that sign! 

One thing I have discovered from doing the faith journal is how incredibly blessed I have been.  I guess discovered isn't the best word, because I think I have always felt blessed.  I just realize it more at this moment in life.  This study has been faith challenging.  I know I won't remember everything I heard.  My heart is stirred for God to do some great things this year.  This verse was in my homework and it's my prayer today.  "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2    God,  I have heard of the great things You have done in the past. I stand in awe of that, but I am not completely satisfied with just hearing stories.  I want to see these miracles and workings in my lifetime. I want You to renew them in my day.  

Here is the five statement pledge of faith that I think I will always remember:

1. God is who He says He is.

2. God can do what He says He can do

3. I am who God says I am

4. I can do all things through Christ

5. God's word is alive and active in me

 Even though the homework is over, I am just getting started with a life of believing God. 

more pics

Happy Easter!!!

March in Alaska requires sunglasses

it's a good day

It is a beautiful day in Alaska.  The sun is shining brightly over the tops of the mountains that overlook our home.  It is still cold, (29 degrees) but with the sun shining brightly it gives the illusion that spring is just around the corner. :)  I want so badly to wear short sleeves and a cute pair of sandals.  For now, I am settling for a three quarter length sleeve in a spring color. 

I was able to get a lot accomplished today despite the fact that I only had less than five hours of sleep last night. I really don't know why I couldn't sleep, I know better than to drink caffeine past 4 pm.  It's weird.  Emma woke up at her normal time.  I wasn't ready to get up but Kyle's day off isn't until Friday so I had to.  

This beautiful weather makes me so happy.  It also makes me want to clean.  I am  in the mood to do some serious spring cleaning.  I am finished with keeping weird things that you only use once a year.  If you haven't worn the item or used the item in a year, then you need to get rid of it.  I am talking to myself again. ha

There is something so peaceful about having a neat space with no clutter.   I am constantly getting rid of stuff.  I seriously go to Salvation Army twice a month sometimes more.  But for some reason, we always have more to get rid of.  It never ends!

My friend is moving this summer.  She is feeling so overwhelmed with all the stuff that they need to get rid of too.  I am motivated by all the cleaning out she is doing.  My big project the next couple of weeks is the guest bedroom.   My goal is to organize closet and get rid of all unused and unwanted items. Maybe some new curtains in that room would give me some motivation.  We will be having quite a few quests this summer. My father-in-law is coming to visit for three weeks in June.  We are already trying to line up stuff to do.  You can take salmon and halibut  fishing trips.  I am really wanting Kyle to go, because I'd like to have our freezer stocked with  halibut and salmon. yummo!    I have a good recipe for pecan crusted salmon I found off my favorite foodnetwork.com.   It's really good. 

I can't believe this is Holy week.  Wow!  Easter is Sunday.  Crazy.  It crept up on us. I barely have Emma an Easter dress.  The only shoes I could find to match the dress did not have Velcro for the straps.  Totally dumb.  She absolutely loves them though.  I had to hid them because as soon as she wakes up in the morning she immediately wanted to put them on.  I don't know where she got her love for shoes.  :)  Kyle actually really likes shoes too.  I won't mention how many he has to protect his privacy. ha.   

Emma is really into Cinderella dress up mode right now.   She wants a fancy church dress on everyday.  Today I let her wear the most horrible outfit ever to Walmart.  She loved it and I hated it.  She had a pink dress with white fur on the hem and cuffs that someone gave to her, jeans under, and black patent dress shoes.  It looked like I didn't love her.  I never thought I would turn into a mother that didn't care about that. But, honestly, I don't care.  If she wants to wear that strange outfit and she really thinks she is a princess, then that is fine with me.  I won't let her go that way to church or anywhere important. But, to Walmart... who cares anyway?  I don't.  

What I am listening to today: Desperation Band, Pleasing to You

I bought a CD on amazon about a month ago, and haven't seen it since.  Kyle swiped it and has been listening to it on his way to work.  Since he is a musician he usually listens to the music more than the lyrics. I was really impressed when he brought this CD home and says listen to the lyrics of this song.  It was my missing Desperation band CD  the song he played for me was Pleasing to You.   I haven't even listened to the lyrics until he said that.   I am especially a huge fan of Jared Anderson.    We were introduced to these guys at YA conference spring of 05, I think.  We've never really fully recovered. :)    Kyle liked the group more than I at first.  Now I am hooked on phonics too.  I like their style that is sort of like Coldplay or U2.  Which I enjoy both, but I am glad to hear some lyrics that really build my spirit. 

The lyrics of this song are where I find my heart crying out most days.  I want to be pleasing to God, but there is a struggle of self that I think every Christian will all battle until the day we die.  I am going to die trying. 

Sanctify me

Clean out my closet

Take away anything 

That is not pleasing to You

Purify me

Destroy all my anger

Wash away everything

That is not pleasing to You

I will be white as snow

I will be pure as gold

Jesus my heart must know

I'm pleasing to You

I give my life my all

Taking the cross I will follow

Jesus my heart must know

I'm pleasing to You

Awesome weather

We are experiencing beautiful weather in Alaska this week.  It has been 49 degrees the past couple of days and sunny.  I love this time of year when daylight starts last longer and the days are filled with warm sunshine.  It was light outside until about 9 pm last night.  Thank you, GOd.  I have survived another winter in Alaska! :)   It is supposed to be 0 next week so I am going to enjoy this weather while it lasts. 

what are you committed to?

We are in the middle of doing "The Purpose Driven Life" sermon series at church.  This week is all about discipleship.  I was reading a part of the book that really spoke into my life today. Rick Warren said, "Tell me what you are committed to, and I will tell you what you will be in 20 years. We become what we are committed to."   I kept thinking about this all day pretty much.  

It sent me on a soul searching journey.  What am I committed to?  Because I really want to know what I will be doing in 20 years!  Is what I am doing now going to be beneficial to my future?

Here are the things that I feel I am committed to right now:

1.  I am honestly 100%  committed to my relationship with Jesus Christ.  I am at a place in my life where I am very comfortable sharing my faith journey.  I am committed to growing my faith.  I am not satisfied with status quo or "only on Sunday" religion.  For me it's all or nothing! (to quote a song from the Oklahoma musical) :)

2.  I am committed to our marriage.  I need to work more on date nights and getting babysitters.  I love Kyle.  I have no doubt that we will still be married 20 years from now.  We have our share of "disagreements", :) but I love him and thank God for the gift Kyle has been in my life. 

3.  I am committed to putting our family first above ministry, work and volunteer opportunities. Even though this a work in progress sometimes.  (We really need a family vacation right now.)  I am committed to Emma and taking care of her little needs.  You know the usual demands, "juice, milk, dinner, snack"

4.  I am committed to blooming where I am planted.  God has planted me in the women's ministry at Elmendorf and I committed to see women grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  It's one of my greatest passions right now.   I want to do whatever I can to help military wives grow in their relationship with Christ.  Spa nights, ladies night out, retreats, Bible studies, meeting for coffee, or praying for my friends.  Whatever it takes to reach people I am committed to doing that...within reason. ha.  I am committed to the chapel service that God has planted us in for this season.  I love the congregation.  I want to see us reach people for Christ. Whatever it takes to meet people where they are at, that is what I am up for.  

I have a lot of decisions to make this spring that I am praying about.  Doors are opening up for me and I am just really not sure which to walk through.  I am praying about two ministry opportunities. One is continuing on with Protestant Women of the Chapel ministries and the other is possibly taking a board position for the Elmendorf Officer's Spouse Organization. Both are excellent volunteer positions.  PWOC is pretty much all Christian women.  I am praying about either continuing my board position of Programs Vice President or doing something else.  There are two other positions that may be opening up on the PWOC board.   One is president, and I personally don't want to that. I don't feel like I have enough experience to do lead in that capacity.  The other position is Spiritual life Vice President, and I am praying about it.  My flesh really doesn't want to do this job either, because I feel really inadequate and young in my faith. But, I am praying about it and I don't know.  Sometimes I feel like God might be leading me that way.  I really don't know.  I am so foggy on this right now.  I need God to give me clarity.  

The other position with EOSO would just give me a chance to reach people for Christ.  That's how I look at it.  I would be able to build relationships with people outside of the Chapel, mostly non-Christian's, and I know God has placed us at Elmendorf to reach the military community.  I want to do just that.    At the same time, I don't want to get myself over committed and my schedule so full that I become ineffective and unable to fulfill the things that I am most "committed" to....my personal relationship with Christ, and my family life.  

There are moments where I would so love the writing on the wall, because it would be clear which direction to go.  God allows free will though, and I could probably do either thing and it would be great with Him.  Maybe He is just wanting to build my prayer life. Dunno. I think I need more faith to trust.  When I finally figure out which direction God is wanting me to go, I will blog about it and let you know!  This could take awhile!

Sweet Charleston

This has been a lovely day.  I am excited for my friend.  She just found out she is moving to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.  Part of me wants to pack my suitcase and go with her!    Kyle and I visited Charleston about four  years ago and it was on my list of places I would like to live.  We loved it there.  The city is gorgeous.  The weather was WARM.  Palm tree, a beach within driving distance.  agh!  I can feel the sand on my feet just writing this. :)

Charleston has one of the coolest, yet oldest downtown areas I have ever been to.  So neat.  Cobblestone streets, some of the finest restaurants you could ever imagine.  I loved the south.  

I am so excited for my friend.   I think she will love it there. Here is the picture of Kyle and I in beautiful Charleston.  Back when I had a tan. 

faith journaling

I am having a brain overload from all the homework I am trying to catch up on.  I am taking a much needed break to take in all this information.  Writing has become my way of comprehending all I am reading.  If I just read the info, it goes in the brain and is stored in a place where I can never find it again. :) 

This week's DVD part of the study was actually kind of boring for me, but the homework was outstanding.  I think it was my fault last Tuesday though.  I was so tired because I only slept about five hours.  I don't do good on five hours of sleep.  I need a full 8+ to be a Godly woman. For real. :)  Less than that and I want to claw peoples eyeballs out over nothing! 

The study this week is talking about remembering the past.  I love the scripture she uses in Joshua 4:4-7.  It talks about how the Israelite's were to pick up stones and put them on their shoulder so their children would ask, "what do those stones mean?"  Kind of a weird thing to do when you think about it, but hey, there are a lot of weird things in the Bible.  It was to be a memorial or a way of remembering God's works.   I love how Duet. talks about how we are to talk about the law to our children everyday when we walk, sit, eat and stand.  I love this. Anything that is important to us, will be probably be important to our kids.  One of the cool things about being in the Chaplaincy community is getting to be around Jewish Rabbi's.   Have you ever seen how they bind the words on their arms?  It's pretty interesting.  Makes you see the verse Duet. in a new light. 

Beth Moore asked us to journal our faith journey from birth-now.  I love this!  She wants us to write it for our children and grandchildren.   I really do believe with every single ounce of who I am that God has always remembered me.   It is so cool to go back from birth and remember the moments of just playing outside looking up from a treetop and knowing that God was all around you.   Some people do not experience life as I did surrounded with a loving Christian environment.  Some do not even experience a loving environment.  

I cannot imagine what the must feel like, because I have never experienced that.  I have felt loved from the moment I was born.   A friend of mine says they really felt as a child their mother did not love them.  It is so hard for me to relate to that.  I cannot imagine not loving your own child. 

Writing my faith journal made me realize how incredibly blessed my life has been.  Even though I look out my window and see tons of cold snow, (And sometimes that makes me want to scream), my life is better than I deserve.