FIRE!

A friend sent me this link tonight. It really got me thinking.

My favorite line from the movie is when Caleb's friend tells him that fireproof doesn't mean that fires won't come, it means that you can survive the fire when it does come. My marriage has survived some fires. I'd like to say that it is fireproof.

We are currently in a fire- A raging, all-encompasing, 3 alarm fire. Some moments I feel as though I will suffocate from the lack of oxygen.

We are not the only ones present at the house fire. Our friends and family are there. Those who are standing with us through this time. Those who go to the Fire Marshall on our behalf. They stand on the ladder truck and fight with us, for us. They are willing to speak the hard truth, even when we don't want to hear it. They encourage us and pray to our Father. They feel the heat. Their hair is singed by the heat of the flames. They saw the flames begin to flicker. And they were right there with their garden hoses. They are the firefighers to our house fire. They refuse to give up until the flames are out. They recognize the intent of those flames is to kill us and they wage battle against them on our behalf. And I am oh-so-grateful.

There are others as well. There are the neighbors. They did not see the fire until it was fully raging. And, they are concerned. They see the firefighters are there and they are comforted. They see the fire, make some precautions to ensure the safety of their own home and come out to stand a safe distance away and watch. They send out a prayer for our safety. They want to be sure that we make it out alive. They smell of smoke.

And there are the onlookers. They work in the cafe across the street. They were too busy to notice the flames when they first began to flicker. And now that it's fully raging, they can see that someone else has already called 911. They stop what they are doing. They whisper a prayer of thanks that their home is safe and sound.

I have been each of these- the firefighter, the neighbor and the onlooker at times. And when our fire is out and the damage is repaired, I hope that I remember these lessons. God wants us to fight for marriage. Our own and others. There is no fire too big for Him. No fire that he can't "proof" us against.

As the fire still rages, the damage remains to be seen. But I am hopeful. Hopeful that when the last flame is snuffed out, our house will stand. Strong and steady. Fireproof. We won't have avoided the fires, but withstood them all.

I'm Back!!

After being without internet service for a month, we are officially hooked back up.

I am sure I have much to catch you up on, but I won't bore you with the boringness.

I will just return to regularly scheduled randomness. (Actually not scheduled at all...but you get my drift.)

I leave you with this...The most important thing I have discovered this past month is that I find it incredibly beautiful watching my husband fall in love with his daughter.

Enough said.

Overdue

My Deadliest Catch and I have been in prayer and conversation for a long time over a big move. We have been debating, for what seems like forever, moving to Texas. There were many, many factors to consider, primarily where God wants us to be. Some of the secondary factors were him transferring through work, Dirty Job's placement into a new preschool and the services provided in a different state, family location, plugging into a new local body of Christ, building or buying a home, etc.

This journey of prayer and dialogue have done some rather awesome things in mine and hubs relationship. I just love how the Lord will use things like that to improve our communication and because of that, our overall relationship. I know when I feel like I'm being heard and I'm able to verbally communicate better, it make me feel more connected to my spouse. Such a sweet spot to be in!

Through these times, the Lord has also been so faithful to reveal some blind spots in our lives. I used to dread that, but this has been such a blessing for us individually and as a couple. Taking responsibility for some sin areas in my life has brought such freedom. And I gotta say, when I take responsibility instead of trying to defend bad behavior...well, that's just an honest place for my heart to be. For me, an honest heart is able to have joy even through the trials. I had heard of that, but I don't know if I had ever been able to live that out loud in my life. I am so appreciative for this season of growth in our lives. (I do not think it coincidental that we are doing the Believing God bible study during this time).

We have finally closed the door on this discussion...we are staying here for the time being. There is still much growth to be had here in this place, many miracles in our lives for Him to perform while we believe Him in this season. So while my heart still longs for a little more country and some wide open spaces, I also find great peace knowing we are exactly where our God wants us to be. And that trumps all.

Here come the BRIDES

Jenn hosted a wedding dress challenge of sorts. So, with our deep love of all things wedding, Cpt Mom and I were eager to join in the fun. We decided to wear our dresses doing something we sometimes get to do together - errands and such. It was fun.

Here we are before leaving. It was cold and rainy, but we took off our jackets and posed pretty.

Here I am stuffing all the material into the truck. Which reminded me of my wedding day when I had to do that in my husband's much smaller truck.

Here's Captain about to hop in. She had a hoop skirt!!!

It really freaks guys out for you to show up at Lowe's in wedding gowns. I think I saw a guy run out of the store screaming when he spotted us.

I was talking during the snapping of this picture (big surprise there), but I have to include it because it is where we spend many an afternoon...the play area of Chick-Fil-A.

Shopping for some barftastic shoes at Ross.

You knew we'd go somewhere for a sweet fix!!! This custard place is so yum, and the owner wants her mommies group to have a wedding dress party now. Way to go, Jenn, for inspiring women everywhere!

Cpt's "formal" picture.

My posed pic.

Three cheers for fitting in our dresses. These would not have fit us one year ago!!!

A very happy anniversary, indeed.

My husband does not read this blog. But, I feel compelled to write this post anyway.

Five years ago today, I stood in the church full of hope and optimism for our future. Just 5 days earlier, you came to my house and asked me to marry you on Friday. It was so unlike your planned and detailed personality. I didn't even know if you were serious. You were. Your unit had been activated and we had both agreed that we wanted to be married before you left. With this new development, if we got married now, we could spend some time together as husband and wife. If we waited for official orders, we could have as little as 48 hours before you would ship out. I said, "Let me think about it." Then I called you and said, "Yes...Let's do it!" Calls to our family and some friends, a rushed dress alteration and a cake were made and we were all set. I wasn't even nervous. I had stars in my eyes.

Year one brought trials and difficulties as we began to unpack all the emotional bags we brought with us from our previous years.

Year two brought much prayer and healing.

Year three came with a pregnancy and a new baby, with a renewed hope for the future. We believed God for a new job for you allowing me to resign from my position. And we received news of an impending deployment.

Year four came with many adjustments as we lived apart for 2/3 of it. This year made me appreciate you in ways I never had. We adjusted to parenthood in separate parts of the country.

And year five may have been the toughest one yet. Loving you from 8000 miles away all the while knowing you were in harm's way challenged me in ways I didn't expect. I quickly learned that I couldn't be your comfort in the difficult times. I had to trust God to do that.

But, each lesson has brought me closer to our God and closer to you. I love you more today than I did five years ago. I respect you in ways I never have before.

I look forward to what year six has to bring. What ever it is, I look forward to facing it together.

Thank you for being a loving man, husband and father.

I love you.

He is on American Soil...

I am going to try include a picture of some of the soldiers from my husband's unit getting off the plane at their reintegration station. I haven't seen him yet, that will come later this week. But, when he texted this picture to me, I had myself a big, fat cry.



My husband is home safely from war.

I think I just took my first breath since 2006.

A MUST Share

The LPM blog is a most excellent read today.

That's all I'm gonna say because she says it well.