All Other Ground is Sinking Sand

Tonight the hymn "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" popped into my head.

As i sang and read the lyrics i was on the edge of tears...

"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

His Oath, His Covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When every earthly prop gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay

When he shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may i then in Him be found
Clothed in his righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

-On Christ the solid rock i stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

I had an overwhelming Sunday night at work. I was faced with many responsibilities that i've never had to deal with before and i was so overwhelmed by the end of my shift i couldn't go home and go to sleep (even though it was past 1am)
I was so overwhelmed by everything that had happened...So after dropping Aaron off at work, early the next morning, i pulled in the driveway, turned off the car and just sat in the silence and cried a little.

With everything that had happened i felt like i needed someone to talk to...to let everything out and "debrief." i just needed to lay everything out on the table of what had gone on and figure out if i was still the right person for this job or if i was too young and under qualified to actually handle it. (And God listened)

I got a call from my supervisor Monday afternoon, she said i handled everything really well, she was proud of me and i did a good job. She laughed that i went through such a dramatic evening, but was glad, in a way, that things happened because it gave me some good experiences. Im really glad she thought i did good because i was on the verge of quitting. I honestly didn't think i did a good job because i had to call her over and over that whole night as things kept getting crazier and crazier.

I was very thankful to know that i have a whole week off before going back to work this weekend. I definitely think i needed it. All day, Monday, and a bit of today i've continued to go over the events of my Sunday night and i continue to find more and more glimpses of God being right in the midst of each moment that night. (I love it when that happens)


SO, TONIGHT this song came to mind. And it's so touching and it's truly the song of my heart, and the theme song of my life right now!

"I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but WHOLLY lean on JESUS' NAME"
"In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil"
"His Oath, His Covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood, When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay"

Looking back on Sunday night at work, i barely had time to stop for a moment and think about all the things going on at the time, but i can see how God was there for me. He kept me calm, He gave me the strength i needed to get through the bombardment of issues that happened and He gave me a peace throughout everything. I didn't even realize it at the time, but looking back i can see that the only way i made it through all that happened was through Him!

I have a heavy heart for a client right now, and although i can't say what's going on with her because of the confidentiality rules, all i can ask is that people pray for her. I never had a desire to go out of my way to talk to this one girl i only was there when she came to me first and needed something i never went out of my way to talk to her. But when she needed something Sunday night and her world seemed to be crashing down, i was the one that had to help her. I was the one that God made sure was on that shift to deal with what happened.

I don't know how, or why, but i do know that right now, this new job of mine is my mission field. And i definitely need to get prayed up because i can already see the obstacles that will be in my way if i don't have the full armor of God on each time i walk into that building. Please pray for that client. And for me to have the words to say, the actions to reflect God and the strength to do this work.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever." -1 Chronicles 16:34

September: New And Fun

First of all i wanted to show a picture of our new couches. Aaron and i have been looking around Oklahoma City, Whitchita Falls and Lawton trying to find some couches to make our house feel a little more "homey" It was fun going and seeing how different our decorating styles were haha...but in the end we both agreed on these, and i think finally we came up with "our style"





FUN
Friday (Sept 2) Aaron got a 4 day weekend (labor day) So friday we went to the science museum in Oklahoma City. It was fun walking around and exploring, and playing and even learning some things at the place. We went through a crime scene and got to see how investigators gather evidence and come up with a verdict. We also went to our favorite part that messed with our minds....a mirror maze (my favorite), and crazy pictures and things that make you say "WOAH" Afterwards we went to the mall and then headed home. I love little adventures with him. :)









This past weekend (Sept 10th) my mom, Amber and i went to CELEBRATE, which was an all day, 11 hour, Creative Memories scrapbooking day. It was fun just hanging out just us "big girls" :) We didn't get much accomplished on our albums because we were too busy having fun with going to different classes, and seeing the example pages...it was all good fun. I especially enjoyed the times i got to spend with mom and Amber even outside of the Celebrate. Amber became a new consultant!!! WOO HOO!!! And then i am thinking about becoming a CM consultant, but for now im just waiting to see if i can get some parties lined up before i fully commit. It was a great weekend!!! :)

Rushing's Visit Us in Oklahoma

August 9-14

My little sisters McKayla and Arianna were able to come visit me and Aaron in Oklahoma on one of their last weeks of summer before school started. I was excited to get to spend some time with them one on one since I had been in NY for so long. We had a pretty good time. Aaron was gone during the days so the girls and I were able to enjoy our time together, we colored, chalked up the sidewalk with pictures and writings, played school together, watched movies….
And when Aaron got home from work we had dinner and were able to take them to the park a few times.












My parents came along to visit for the weekend. We went to a few museums, and took pictures around post, and my favorite place…the bluffs. It was a nice weekend full of fun and I loved having my parents visit and see where our new home

My World (venting) Being a Military Wife

Some people think “oh yes, it’s hard when your husband is deployed”
And yes, it’s true. Deployment is really tough, but when they come home it’s not over….

When the husband comes home people stop thinking your life is hard, and they start believing you’ve got the easiest life ever. Especially if you don’t work. “Oh, you’ve got such a rough life (sarcastic). “ “Im so jealous you get to just sit around all day and don’t have to work”
--yeah, I don’t just sit around all day, thank you--

It’s not so…life doesn’t just become “easy” when they get back from deployment…

And im frustrated with people saying so.
Honestly, I never thought much of military life until now that im a part of it.

So you think my life is easy because im a stay at home army wife with no kids…..

Well let me just let you in on a little secret. Yes, im looking for a job, but at the moment im just enjoying having my husband home (after a whole year of not seeing him since he was deployed). And I love being able to see him at lunch when he is able to come home and have dinner waiting for him when he comes home and have the house clean so he can just be relaxed after a long day at work.

My husband gets up at 5 every morning (or earlier) in order to make it to formation and do PT, Monday thru Friday. He comes home at 8 in order to change into his uniform but he’s always sweaty, hot and tired from the early morning AND exercise but still only has time for either a quick shower OR breakfast (only one or the other) and has to be changed and go back off to work.

He works all morning long, mostly outside in the heat and no ac and he comes home for lunch once again hot, sweaty and even more tired (You know how hot it is in Oklahoma? Yeah it’s at LEAST 105 every day if not hotter)…By lunch he’s definitely needing some motivation to get him through the rest of the day. In that case Aaron usually texts me to let me know he’s on his way home for lunch and im able to whip him up something in order for it to be ready for when he walks through the door so he can eat and have a few minutes to relax before going back to work.

Lunch is short for him (if he gets it or gets to come home at all) and he goes back to work.

I never really know when Aaron’s going to come home because they don’t just work 8-5...sometimes he doesn’t come home until 7:30pm….or just whenever….
For example: Today Aaron and I had to get up BEFORE 4 this morning to be able to make it to a freakishly EARLY formation this morning…
Then there are the 24 hour shifts they have….
The 10 days straight in the field without coming home…
Weekends are a “Priveledge”
And the list goes on….

Tell me my life is easy. My husband just got back from a year in Afghanistan and then he goes to another duty station and just a few weeks in he has to go to the field for ten days.

He works late hours and even though he’s now back in the states and home I still feel like I haven’t been able to see him much. He’s home, but yet…he’s always going…going going and then those days he’s in the field it’s like he’s deployed again except I don’t have to worry as much about him because he’s still at least in the same area…just can’t come home.

Anyways, im venting because im tired of the lack of respect from some people that I know and I just needed to vent. Just because I stay at home and have no kids does not mean that I just sit around watching t.v. and eating and being lazy all day. I’m a stay at home wife and im providing for my little “family” in ways that used to never been looked down upon in the past when women stayed at home. I stay at home, take care of our little kitten, I keep the house clean, cook the meals and soon im hoping to start back up in school so I can get my degree and then I’ll be able to work in the field I truly feel I’ll be happy to work in (social work).
Just because I stay at home doesn’t mean we’re filthy rich either….we have a lot of financial obligations and living on one VERY small income isn’t easy, but I do have a supportive husband that wants me to find a job that I’ll be happy with before I get my degree so yes, I am taking my time on that aspect of life.

Im blessed with an amazing husband that supports me as a stay at home wife and supports us with his job. I’m proud to be an army wife. Im proud to be a stay at home wife. And im tired of people thinking that just because I stay at home my life is easy.

P.s. like I said, this is just venting. But don’t get me wrong, I don’t think military is the hardest lifestyle…I just want to make it clear that it’s definitely not the easiest either.

Thanks :)

New Family Member

JAKE



After moving into our new two bedroom house, Aaron and i decided that we should get a pet to keep us company. However, we are both dog lovers, but our landlord won't allow us to have them...only cats. So hints why we got a baby kitten.

We went to the animal shelter on post and saw three kittens in one kennel. The first one we picked up was a girl and definitely did NOT want me to hold her, but when we picked up the cute grey, striped one he cuddled up so closeto my neck when i held him and he didn't want to let go. Aaron and i really liked him. But it still took us a weekend to ponder over it....

MONDAY we just HAD to get him. We had been talking all weekend about "Jake would love...Jake would do this...Jake would do that.." and so on and so forth. We were talking like he was already ours. So Monday afternoon after moving out of the hotel, we went back to the animal shelter and picked him up and took him home.
Here's Jake on his trip home...


Now our house was still extremely empty since the movers were not coming till Tuesday (and actually now we know they didn't come until Wednesday...) so when we brought Jake home he was this tiny kitten in this huge house!! Compared to his little cage he had been in at the shelter it was no wonder our lil guy was scared to death. He hid behind me most of the time before he got the courage to go exploring...



Jake ended up jumping at every little creeek of the wood floors. And yeah, like i said, he was so tiny...Aaron ended up going and buying us a tv so while he was putting it together Jake was scared of all the noise and actually hid behind me only peeking his head out a little to see what was going on.



His first few nights he ended up sleeping with us on the air mattress and then later on our bed. (We quikcly ended up breaking that habit and closing him in his room at night so we can get a decent amount of sleep because he ends up biting and playing in the middle of the night)



He slept through the movers coming and bringing our furniture


We've had him for about 3 weeks now and he is growing up fast!! He went to his first vet check up Wednesday this week and they said he was doing great :) My lil trooper!!

He's the love of our life. Sometimes annoying but a good stand-in for a kid right now since we don't want any right now. I love how he keeps me company during they day. He comes and cuddles and sleeps next to me when im on the couch or he'll sleep at my feet while im cooking or washing dishes...i definitely love having him around when aaron's at work...

Anyways..here's a few mroe pics of my jakie wakie :) most of him sleeping :) cause i think that's when he's the cutest ;)

Home Sweet Home

PRAISE GOD!! We finally found a place.

Our last week at the hotel we decided to look for a place off post all week long from dawn until dusk if we had to. Thankfully, however, God had other plans. Yes, we spent all day Monday (7/18) looking for a place and we went from the lowest of low houses to the ones we wished we could afford but weren’t even for rent or sale. We went to a realtor’s office for a list of available rent houses and he was trying ever so hard to get us to BUY a house even after we told him no over and over. He said you can get a good house and could get us a payment that would be $600 a month. HAHA Thank goodness we are on the cash flow plan and according to Dave Ramsey, we need to be able to put 20% down when we get a house…so that’s what we will eventually end up saving for.

Anyways, back to the house. After a discouraging day of looking it was 3pm and we stopped and tried one more realtor. She gave us two houses in our exact price range. They were the last two we viewed that day. Well yep, after looking at both (twice, we went back to each house twice to make sure we were set on a decision) we went back to the realtor and told her we were interested in the first of the two she had given us.

She told us there was another lady interested in the house we liked and let us know that she takes the applications on first come first serve basis. So instead of leaving her office with the application and thinking it over for the night, we applied right then and there. We turned in the application at 4:45 and she called us as we got back to our hotel around 5ish saying that we had been APPROVED!!

So, Thursday we signed the papers….and got all of our electric and water set up, and also got an appointment to have our furniture and stuff brought to us the following Tuesday (7/26).

This is the outside of the house.



CAMPING OUT:
Our days at the hotel had expired, the army’s 10 days were up and we stayed longer on our dime…so Monday 7/25 we had to check out of the hotel and have a camp out that night at our new house with no furniture or anything. So we went out and bought an air mattress…




Let me tell you about the house…

It’s a beautiful two bedroom, one bath house with a big backyard, wood floors and a small, rocky driveway. A perfect house for the two of us just starting out. We’re so excited, this is our very first house together.
--There’s a park right in front of our house and it’s filled with prairie dogs or gopher things and they have huge holes and they’re always out walking around or sitting up and eating something. It’s way cute.
Before we went to bed last night) we took a walk around the park area. It’s very beautiful and a nice little walking/joggin/running area. Here’s some pictures of our sunset walk.





Moving Troubles:

We were supposed to get our furniture and stuff delivered on Tuesday, but when 3 o’clock rolled around we called to see when they might be heading over only to find out that our stuff was lost. They had no idea where it was in storage and they never contacted us until we called them. So the whole day was a waste. We ended up getting up before 7 just to be ready for them at 8am and I was so looking forward to our bed. One night on the air mattress was enough for me. But, you know what they say, “you wanna make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” We didn’t end up getting our stuff until late Wednesday afternoon. Once it was all moved in, Man our house went from being big and empty to feeling small and cramped.





As soon as the movers left we got to work. First and most importantly we wanted to put the bed together so we’d finally have our very own queen size comfortable bed to sleep on.




Then I started on the kitchen so we could finally get a home cooked meal. After three weeks of nothing but fast food or out to eat restaurants. It took me a while but now that it’s all set up im ready to start cooking…





Here's another picture of the progress we're making on the house and unloading....actually we only have a few more boxes to go so it's almost all done! :)






There's some more new to write about but ill have to post it later :) Right now im going to spend the rest of this evening sitting on the couch with my amazing husband watching some tv before church tomorrow.