he was after me

I absolutely love VBS. Today at Calvary we started our Big Apple Adventure.

My day didn't start out as a great adventure though.

As I was finishing up getting the boys ready, hurrying to get out the door, Colin's friend that was going with us called to make sure I knew I was supposed to pick him up. If you aren't sure which friend, click here. So then on our way to get our friend, Colin lied to me about his Poptart, yes, his Poptart. When we got to church, I had found that some things in my room had been messed with. I spent a couple of hours Friday getting that room ready, so having things out of place added to my frustration. Then Hilarie comes in and said "they," whoever that was, moved furniture out of her room so she needed the cushions I was using from the couch she wasn't planning to use. Several little people found their way to my room and started getting wild so I had to kick them out.

Finally, I began to take deep breaths before I lost my temper. Yes, in church, on the first day of VBS.

I started feeling better until my 5 year old decided to suffer from ODD. For those of you non teachers, that means oppositional defiant disorder. Usually it is diagnosed by a doctor, but I have had lots of experience with it, so I know it when I see it. Said child was miraculously cured when I threatened a spanking, yes, a spanking in church.

Whew! Breathing deeply again.

Morning Bible study goes well. My 11 kiddies are well behaved and much smarter than me! So after rotation of extra classes we head back for closing Bible study.

There are youth in my room setting up a ping pong table! Yes, a ping pong table, in my room, at church, on the first day of VBS. I informed said youth we were having Bible study. Their response, "Oh."

Oh.

Breathe.

All in all it was a great day. I stayed as calm as possible and didn't let things discourage me to the point of forgetting the POINT of the day. I know Satan was after me. He knows my weakness and knew it was a prime time to attack me. But God is stronger. He kept me calm. He allowed me to keep my mind on teaching my 3rd and 4th graders today.

I love VBS. Not only do I get to teach children about Jesus, but He reaches my heart too and draws me closer. I am thankful he stood by me this morning so I would be my best for my kids.

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Style

Tour of Duty Week 1

Last week was the beginning of our Tour of Duty Bible study.  We spent the week over at Wives of Faith introducing ourselves and read chapter one.  This week we are discussing chapter 1 and reading chapter two.  After responding at Wives of Faith, I'd like to post each week's questions here along with my response.  Feel free to comment whether you are doing this study or not. 


Chapter 1
1. What were your initial thoughts about this chapter/this topic this week? What’s one thing that stuck out to you?

As I began reading, I was thinking of how you can't truly receive the blessings of God unless you have a relationship with Him. 


Last summer when my husband was at Ft. Jackson, I felt like a married-single mom of 3.  Our home, our finances, our everything was my responsibility. During those 3 months apart, my grandmother passed away, I got a flat tire 30 miles from home with our new baby, and our electricity in the front of our house went out, not including the normal everyday stuff of coaching soccer and going back to work and school.  Everyone asked me how I did it, how I got through those months without Jeff. My answer was, "God took care of me." He provided me with a strong support system of family (blood and church). He placed people in my path that helped me, not took advantage of me.  Needless to say, I was kind of freaked out when those 3 burley men approached me at Target about my flat tire! But they helped me out and offered all kinds of advice.  


You see, I see those things as blessings, those that God placed there for me, the strength, comfort, and wisdom He provided, even the timing of our time apart. It was all God. I don't think someone who doesn't have a relationship with Him would recognize that.  


Because of my relationship with Him, I know he will take care of me whatever the circumstance.  To me, that was the overall "theme" of the first chapter.


2. On pg. 11, what were your early expectations when you were first married or you first became a military wife?


I have to say that I had always dreamed of the whole white picket fence thing, 3 kids (2boys and 1 girl), dayshift jobs, lots of fun and love!  Never in a million years did I expect to be a military wife.


God definitely has His own plans!


My husband and I started dating early; I was 13 and he was 15.  We married my senior year of college and moved in with his parents for a few months.  We moved back in with them when we were remodeling our first home. I was VERY pregnant at the time. Jeff travels alot for work (he missed Thanksgiving one year because he was in Japan, almost missed Christmas due to an ice storm). We opened our hearts to Jesus just days apart and were baptized together.  Needless to say our lives are not ordinary. We did have those 3 kids, just not the girl! 


Jeff has surrendered to the ministry. He is a deacon at our church where we both teach Sunday school. Our children are active in the children's programs as well.


Our lives are far from perfect. We disagree and we get behind on our bills like most people.  I think though that we are an example of what God can do if you let Him.  HE is the center of our home and that has made all the difference in the world.  Being equal, the comfortable lifestyle, the picket fence...none of that matters.  We have learned that following God's will is what matters most.

3. What are some of the things you’ve done to prepare for deployment?


This study is what I am doing to prepare for deployment so far.  At this time, my husband is non deployable as a Chaplain candidate, but we know that a deployment could be possible within the next year or so.


When time comes, I hope to use what I learn from this study and all of you as well to help prepare.


4. In this chapter, we describe deployment as hills, valleys, sharp turns, U-turns, thick fog, desert heat and stormy wet roads. Have you experienced some of these conditions? Which ones? What are you experiencing now?

Losing my grandmother while my husband was at Ft. Jackson last summer was definitely a low point.  I never thought I would have to go through anything like that "alone." I don't think I grieved the way I would have if my husband would have been home. I felt like I had to "stay strong," especially for my two oldest boys and my dad.  


5. In the section, “God has His best in mind for us” (p. 13), we talk about the big picture and “God’s best” versus “our best.” What is the difference? How have you seen this played out in your own life?

I think knowing that God has a plan for us, that He has HIS best in mind for us in comforting.  


I think back to how He showed me He knew best when my husband and I were considering having another baby.  WE were trying to plan it around the military. We knew what the timeline would be with CHBOLC and felt WE couldn't get through that time with a new baby.  When we finally decided to let God take control, I was pregnant in no time and all of the Army "stuff" starting falling into place. God had plans to show how HE would get us through that time.


When we look back and honestly reflect on things that have happened, we can see how God worked in those circumstances. It makes it easier to trust and depend on Him.  

6. We talked about choosing bitterness versus trusting God. It’s easy to resent God for what He allows to happen to us. How can you trust Him despite your circumstances?

We can focus on ourselves and our circumstances which can easily make us bitter.  However, we must place God as our number one priority.  In doing that, we allow Him to use us in ways that will bless others and it allows us to work through our situation in a healthy way.


7. Which letter of the SET acronym do you struggle with the most? What steps can you take to struggle less with it?

I think that being SECURE, EQUIPPED, and TENACIOUS work hand in hand.  If we are not equipped, we won't be secure or persistent.  The best way to be SET is to keep God the focus of our lives.  To be honest, I'm sure I am weak in all those areas at times.  

8. What’s the hardest thing about deployment for you? What do you need to do to turn this fear/challenge/struggle over to God? (And how can the rest of us pray for you in this?)


Although we have not faced a deployment yet, the hardest thing for me to do when my husband is away for trainings or work is to let go of my independence.  I do not like to depend on others; I'd rather do things myself.  I have been learning that needing others is ok.  In fact, I have seen when I have denied someone's help and they have been disappointed. Some people receive a blessing when they are made useful and I am becoming more open to that.

Happy Birthday!

We were so thankful that Jeffrey was home for his 36th birthday this year! We enjoyed lunch, Colin's last baseball game, dinner, and a delicious Gigi's Cupcake.

The Boys of Summer

Baseball.

It is probably my favorite sport of all.

One of my favorite things to do....

Watch my boys play.....

Colin baseball from Natasha Grimes on Vimeo.

 BEWARE: There is some jarring of the video at the end because Carson said he saw a spider and I HATE SPIDERS!

Yes, I know Carter isn't technically playing baseball, but he still loves the game too!

And yes, I know Jacob isn't my personal child, but I still like watching him play.

The Graduate: PreSchool Edition

Last Thursday was Carson's PreSchool graduation.  The children were wonderful and I know Mrs. Terri will miss them.  She still gets to have one more our children in the future.

Why this study?

Monday starts the beginning of my new Bible Study: Tour of Duty: Preparing Our Hearts for Deployment.





You may be wondering why I'm doing this study. Are we facing deployment? Is there news I haven't shared with you?

No. 

When I saw this study, I felt drawn to it.  Being in my position (not the sharpest tool in the shed, deer in the headlights look), I felt that this study could do a few of things:

1. Bring me closer to God
2. Prepare my heart in case we are faced with deployment in the future
3. Connect me with others

One thing I have mentioned before about being a "Reserves" wife is that sometimes I feel left out.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I love my life. I love the way things are.  I don't wish a deployment on us ever.  I only want to make a connection with other military wives.  I want to be prepared for that JUST IN CASE.  I want to strengthen my relationship with my Father.  What better way to do those things than through this study. I want to learn.  I want to be a part of something bigger than me.

This blog has opened doors for me.  Not only have I been able to express myself and share my life, but I've met some wonderful "friends."  I told my husband the other day that there is something about the connection you have with others here.  When I heard the news of devastation in Tuscaloosa, I immediately thought of Kathleen.  I found joy in "celebrating" the birth of CrazyMum's baby.  I am encouraged by the sweetness of Cole.  I've felt privileged to "watch" Nicole grow in her relationship with God.  I am able to share my faith and my experiences with others in hopes of them knowing God better.  I found a way to get women involved in a Bible study when probably they (and me too) would never have done it themselves. I was given the opportunity to review an awesome book.

God is using this blog in so many ways.  Not me. Him.

What better way to honor Him, to grow in wisdom, to serve, to learn, than to do this study?  I am honored to be a part of it. 

When I first started this blog, I made this comment:
I pray that as I use this blog, that God may break off my weak branches to make me stronger in Him. I pray that my words would inspire each of you to allow God to do wonders in your lives.

I hope that that is what this blog is doing for you.  I feel I have changed in so many ways in the past couple of years. For those that know me personally, I hope you can attest to that change. We all make mistakes, I still do, always will, but all in all I hope I am on the path to becoming the woman God has planned for me.

Memorial Day Service

On Sunday, we attended a Memorial Day service at the cemetery.

 

 This is Milli McIntosh. She is our HR person for the school district and a Veteran.

After the service, the Veteran's were asked to line up.  Jimmy Madison, a friend of ours from church (on Jeff's right), asked us to attend the service and asked Jeff to line up with the Veterans.

Mmmm

Happy National Donut Day!

Some catching up

I know we have some catching up to do.

Yesterday was our last day of school (doing the happy dance). It was also preschool graduation (wiping away tears). I will have pics to post. Right now though I am sitting in a differentiation meeting. Can you tell I am TOTALLY not into it? My official last day is Tuesday.

The boys are with their daddy today. I think they are going to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. Should be a great day for them.

Although summer is starting, we will still be busy for a couple of weeks. Both big boys are still playing baseball. Carson has two more games. Colin has at least 2 -depends on how the tournament goes. Tonight is Relay for Life, not sure if we will go. Jeff has drill this weekend plus his cousin is graduating. VBS will be in a couple of weeks and soccer sign ups are starting. Life as we know it continues!