Update: Community Church Garden

Admittedly, this is not the best photo I have ever taken, but I wanted to give a quick glimpse of the plants for our church community garden! They’re strong and getting bigger every day.

I’m really excited to see our garden grow and eventually see it benefit people who need fresh, healthy, delicious produce right in our own community.

When I think about gardening and harvest, one of the first Biblical images that comes to mind is that of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians. I have pasted the passage below so you don’t even have to dig out your Bible!

Just as we need to prepare the land at our church for a garden, we must allow the Holy Spirit to work on our hearts, digging it up, turning it over, and softening it to allow the plants to grow and fruit.

When we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to work through our hearts, weeds take over (do you recognize any of the “weeds” below in your heart? I know I have some weeds that need to be pulled in my own.). It’s often difficult to pull weeds, their roots grow webs under the dirt, strong, powerful and hidden to us. Some weeds have seeds that seem to be able to grow anywhere they land. Ridding your land of weeds is painstaking, tedious and you must stay vigilant or the weeds will be back. One way to prevent weeds from growing is to have your desired plants taking up space.

I doubt that the church land will feel pain or struggle when we dig it up and plant it, however, it will be quite a task. Fortunately we have access to the proper tools to allow us to remove the grass and soften the dirt. We will lay ground cover to block out new weeds from growing and allow our desired plants to flourish. We will water and care for the small plants as they grow deeper roots allowing the plants to grow taller, stronger and eventually, fruit.

We, too, have tools to prepare and protect our heart garden. The Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and our church family are just a few of the tools we have at our fingertips. Often, I forget to use the tools in my shed, or fail to use them properly or in a timely manner. And it makes sense, I’m a human with flaws and a pretty black thumb when it comes to matters of the heart. When we allow the Holy Spirit to take full control of our gardens we allow a master gardener with a very green thumb to help the fruit of the spirit flourish in our own hearts.

Galatians 5:17-26
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us (emphasis mine): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

Just Breathe.

I feel like I fell off the blog-earth the past two weeks. Last week, The Man returned from school in Utah. He spent the week, a very busy week, at home. We had the normal routine, plus I had my four-year-old nephew over for a few days. We, well actually, The Man, prepared and planted our garden. We had a party for The Boy's first birthday. And to top it off, one of my sisters was in town for Memorial Day weekend - so I didn't spend a minute in waste!

I am exhausted.

After blogging every day during the Wives of Faith Blog Carnival, I had to be blogged out for a few days or risk not getting a thing done before The Man got home! Now, it's back to business as usual. The Man is back to work and I'm back to crazy land with The Boy, The Dog, and occasionally, my nephew around for added fun. I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm crazy.

One of the four neighbor dogs has also been over to play frequently which just adds to the madness.

I'm pretty sure Odin and Tucker share a brain...

In all of this chaos, I was struggling to find some rest and some peace, when in one of my daily devotions spoke to my soul.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8

I can't imagine living life without my mighty rock, and my refuge. Oh to have a heart for God like David did. I'm embarrassed that I don't turn to Him first in every test and every trial. When I fall short time after time, God meets me at that place no matter how far away I've fallen from him. Not only is He willing to meet me at any place that I call out to Him, He will give me rest, He will give me strength and He will give me hope. It's what I'm looking for this week, at the feet of my Father first.

Surprise Baseball Party

We had a fantastic time at my nephew's fourth birthday party. We kicked off the celebration with a big "Surprise" for the birthday boy. He reaction was pretty cute!

My sister asked me to run with a baseball theme - we had ballpark and easy to eat foods delivered by our very own concessions workers! Brats, hot dogs, fruit skewers, popcorn and peanuts were the highlights. I also made cupcakes with pennants and a baseball banner to add to the decor. Enjoy a few of the snapshots below!

Life is good.

Today's Blog Carnival Topic - It’s been said that a picture’s worth a thousand words. Post a photograph you’ve taken. (And yes, you can describe it or tell the story behind it if you want to!)

The Man, The Boy, The Dog.

I don't have much of a story. I just like this photo because these three boys make me feel at home no matter where we are. We always have a lot of laughs, and, especially when we're all together, life is good.

Hooah!

Oh goodness. My best military wife Hooah! moment?

I don't know if I have one single Hooah! moment that stands above the rest. It's usually a bunch of small moments that get me through the particular situation I am in. Often it's doing something I didn't think I'd be able to do until I had no choice but to do it.

Like shoveling 16 inches of snow for three days straight and getting to work on time each day.

Or getting the lawn mower started for the first time this spring (and multiple times since!).

Or maybe getting on to Fort Riley with the wrong insurance card in our truck during our first year of marriage. It was my first time trying to get onto a military installation without The Man, I was already nervous, had driven 15+ hours to see him and then we had the wrong card in the truck. Not only did I get it straightened out and get onto post, I also found my way without getting lost. An added bonus? You can check out our vehicles now and I guarantee they have the correct insurance card!

Outside the gates of Ft. Riley.

Maybe it was getting home safely after sending The Man off on our first deployment. I'll never forget watching him get on that plane. I stared out the window as I watched the plane taxi down the runway and take off. At that moment, it seemed like an eternity before I'd see him again. If I saw him again. I didn't think I could even get back home. Or wanted to go home. So, I sat down in the airport and cried. After awhile, I picked myself up and drove home. And here we are, three years later already!

Perhaps, my best Hooah! moment is that I never forget the sting of letting him leave and the joy of when he returns. It makes me love The Man in ways I never would have without our time apart. We treasure our moments together because we don't know how long we'll have them. I don't think most civilian marriages have the privilege of loving fiercely like military marriages do.

God gives us the opportunities and it's our job to make the most of them with the confidence that He is by our side:
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Hebrews 11 is my rock in these times. Each success at the seemingly impossible moment makes me stronger and ready to tackle the next mission.

So, bring it on, Army.

Bring. It. On.

Hooah!

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Join us in the Wives of Faith Military Spouse Appreciation Blog Carnival! Find the topics HERE!

Dream Sheet.

Today's topic...We all know there’s a “dream sheet” for our service members to indicate where they’d choose to be sent if possible. But what about you? What duty stations or locations would be on YOUR dream sheet?

We don't have a "dream sheet" in the Army National Guard. We're lucky enough to be moved around our home state. Or not moving and The Man doing some unique commuting as is the current case.

However, that doesn't stop me from dreaming!

I'd jump at the opportunity to move with the military. I'd love to not only live in another place, but I think military life offers fantastic experiences that I want to pass onto The Boy. From learning to make life-long friends quickly to easily adapting to situations and cultures. The military has taught me how to be flexible, creative and to make the most out of any situation. The Man and I plan to teach him these skills as he grows, but the military would help speed up his learning process.

If we could go anywhere, here are my top picks, in no particular order:

Italy. I visited once when in high school and fell in love. Really, anywhere in Europe.

Japan. The Man has been to Japan twice for training related opportunities and he said the people are some of the nicest he's ever met. We also love sushi. Dream sheet, right?

North or South Carolina. I'm a pretty big fan of the South and I think the Carolinas could offer some of the things I enjoy the most about visiting the southern part of the CONUS including the people, heat and humidity, and charm.

Hawaii. I have heard mixed reviews from the people we've known stationed in Hawaii, however, we've been there a handful of times and I love the culture and I don't think I could get bored or get sick of eating fresh pineapple. I sure wouldn't cry over missing winter, either.

Guam or Puerto Rico. As long as we're talking about islands, why not talk one of these two? I think I would enjoy living on an island for a few years. I might not handle it my whole life, but for a few years? Why not!


The Blog Carnival is in full swing. Join in the fun!

You know you’re a military spouse when . . .

As the wife to an Active Duty Army National Guardsman, I find myself split right down the middle on this military life thing.

In fact, I've decided that being a military spouse is a lot like being a translator.

Let me give you a little background - There nearest "large" military installation is over two hours from our home. If a person around here is in the military, it's often ANG (Army National Guard) or a Reserve unit. I've gotten used to the quizzical looks, the blank stares and the confusion that spreads across an unknowing person's face after learning my husband is in the military.

If often begins like this:
"What does your husband do?"
"My husband is a soldier, he works full time for the Army National Guard."
"Wait, your husband is in the Army or the National Guard? Isn't that just on the weekends?"
"Let me explain it to you..."

Have you ever used an online translator? I did. Once. It was for my French class in high school. I couldn't figure out how to write a sentence for my homework, so I went online and I tried using a free translator. It was a disaster. Fortunately it was just homework, but you can bet I didn't try it again.

A genuine translator understands how to communicate between languages and cultures. He will grasp what one is saying so that the other will understand it in his cultural context.

So much of language is found in the emotion and emphasis and in those underlying clues that help you understand if the person is making a joke or a threat.

As a military spouse, I find myself constantly translating one culture to the other.

Before The Man left for his latest adventure, he was trying to explain to someone in our church that he was waiting on approval to MOSQ.

Cue the "glazed over look".

So I quickly and quietly jumped in,

Me: "Ahem, acronym." 
The Man: "Oh, I mean, I'm going to be Military Occupational Specialty Qualified."
Me: "Really?! Did you just say that?" (okay, that part was in my head).
I really said, "He's going to training for his new job, it's similar to changing your job title or job specialty."

...or something like that, hopefully not so snotty sounding as it looks typed. Seriously, this is why translators are important!

You know you're a military spouse when being a translator works both ways...

The Man is used to working with people who (mostly) think like him, have been trained like him and who work like him. Get it? Like. Him.

My favorite discussions with The Man surround his life post-military. Especially when it comes to the way decisions are made in civilian organizations or even things as basic as vacation days. Sometimes I even poke the bear just because I find his reactions to civilian organizations hilarious. I know, it's kind of mean.

I once had a boss who made me stay late stay late because his boss stayed late. I thought it was only going to be for that particular week because there was a big event coming up. But it wasn't. We couldn't go home until the big guy went home (don't get me wrong, this same situation can happen in the military, I'm just using it as an example).

The Man was not impressed.

The Man: "When I'm working in the civilian world, I'm not putting up with that. If my work is done, then I'm going home. And you should too. If your work is done and your hours are in, just leave."
Me: "Corporations don't work like the Army."
The Man: "Well when I'm working in the civilian world, that's how it's going to work."
Me: "HAHAHAHAHA. You won't be working for long!"

That job, thankfully, did not last long.

There are so many cultural differences between military and civilian lifestyles, I'm still learning how to properly translate. Each experience helps to make me more aware of how to communicate between and even blend the two into one very special life for us.

Sometimes it feels like I live on two entirely separate planets, but I wouldn't change a thing.


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This entry was written because of a special event sponsored by Wives of Faith. The 2012 Military Spouse Appreciation Blog Carnival runs all week and is open to all military spouse bloggers. Join in the fun by clicking here for the rest of this week's topics!

Wives of Faith Blog Carnival

Twice each year Wives of Faith puts on a military spouse blog carnival. I don't know why I haven't participated recently, but I'm back in the game. It's a blast!

This year, I helped design their button. Take a look!

The 2012 Military Spouse Appreciation Blog Carnival begins Monday! Click here for the details!

I can't wait to write and read along with so many incredible women of faith who are sharing the same military adventure all across the world!

You're Invited!

I

Love.

Love.

Love.

Planning a party.

Right now, I'm planning two!

I thought I'd share a sneak peek of the invitations...I couldn't resist. Besides, what's a party without sending the invite first?

Enjoy!

I'll be sure to post photos when we've actually had the parties...