~My Husband Rocks!~ prayer

My husband rocks because he prays for me, he prays for our marriage, he prays for our ministry, and he prays with me! It doesn't get much better than that!

Acts Chapter 1

I have been studying the book of Acts for the last few weeks, and I was reviewing my notes from chapter 1 this morning. These are just my thoughts. I don't claim to be a great scholar or teacher, so please take this for what it's worth :)

Acts 1:12-24

v. 14 - "They all joined together constantly in prayer..."

This had to be such an incredible, but confusing time...in the past month and a half, the disciples have had the most extreme highs and lows. They went from Jesus's triumphal entry (probably thinking that NOW was the time for their Messiah to take His rightful place as King), to the last supper - intense teaching and relational time with Jesus - to having one of their own, the most-trusted treasurer no less, utterly betray their Rabbi. Christ's trial, Peter's denial, the agony of the crucifixion, three days of the most crushing despair and confusion (how could this man, their Messiah, have come to his end so violently and abruptly?) and fear (if this is how the leaders of the day had dealt with their leader, what was planned for the rest of them?) Then, miracle of miracles - literally - He's ALIVE!!!!!

Now they're more convinced than ever that the time has come for the Kingdom! They go through 40 INTENSE days of teaching and simply being with their Lord. In verse six they come right out and ask, "Is it time? Will you now restore the kingdom?" Christ informs them of the massive task they have in front of the (v. 7 "...to the ends of the earth.") No sooner has He said this than He's gone. Again. Except this time His departure is spectacular and mind-boggling. So stupefying that they're all standing around staring up at the sky until two angels literally have to stand "beside them" (v. 10) and say, "Why are you still looking up? Don't you remember? There's still so much to do down here! But don't worry, Jesus will come back just the same way you saw Him go!" paraphrase ( I don't know about you, but at that point I'd be pretty tempted to set up shop right there on the top of that mountain and keep an eye on the sky for the rest of my days!) They obediently go back to Jerusalem and "join together constantly in prayer."

I'm consistently amazed and encouraged by the incredible catalytic power the commonality of Christ provides for building relationships between believers all over the world, and what a blessing that has been for me and Austin throughout our travels. But this had to be so cosmically intense! After everything that had transpired over the previous three years, and especially the last 40 days - WOW!

God is good! Have a great Wednesday!

Motivate Me Monday ~ Speech

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4: 29-32 (Msg.)

This is such a big one for me! Sometimes I feel like the filter I'm supposed to have between my brains and my mouth is defective, and I say the most cutting, unkind things. This week I have especially noticed that in relation to my poor hubby. It is so easy for me to snap back at him with the slightest (and sometimes no) provocation. Why is it that the people who we're supposed to love more than any other human in the entire world often end up taking the brunt of our ugly side while strangers and acquaintances only get to see our pretty side?

That's where I'm at this morning.

And I hate to brag, but as I write this post, I'm sitting in Aviano, Italy, looking out the kitchen window at a killer view of the Dolomites as the church bells ring throughout the city :) God loves me :)

Be the kind of person that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil looks up and says, "Oh, my, they're up!"

Worship and Praise Sunday - The Wonderful Cross

Good morning! Today is Sunday, and I am so excited because we are attending an Italian church today! The entire service will be in Italian (so we will not understand everything), but it is going to be so amazing to fellowship with believers halfway around the world! The commonality of Christ is the most incredible bond, and it has been so wonderful to build friendships and relationships with brothers and sisters of all different languages and nationalities and colors and shapes and sizes!

Today I'm participating in Worship and Praise Sunday, hosted by Jen at Following the Footsteps!

I chose The Wonderful Cross. The lyrics to the original hymn are by Katherine Scott, and I'm not sure whether Michael W. Smith or Matt Redman added the contemporary chorus, but I know both have performed it. The video is Matt Redman's version.

Before we left Colorado, my Aunt Geri encouraged us to "bask in God's love for us," so when I heard the verse that I emphasized below I was totally blown away! God's love for us is so extravagant and inconceivable and outrageous - how could I do anything but give him "my heart, my life, my all!"



When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My Richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
Bids me come and die and find
that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
All who gather here by grace
draw near and bless your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an off'ring far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
Bids me come and die and find
that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
All who gather here by grace
draw near and bless your name

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

and the beauty and the shame
in the glory of His name
Oh the wonderful cross

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
Bids me come and die and find
that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
All who gather here by grace
draw near and bless your name

My prayer for you all today is that you would just rest in God's love for you!

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Friday - Adventurous

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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One of the things I love the most about Austin is how adventurous he is, and how willing he is to try new things! In our new life, that's something that has, and will continue to, serve him very well!


Here's a couple of examples from the past couple of weeks. Last weekend, on our way between Pisa and Aviano, we stopped overnight in the Cinque Terre (which is absolutely incredible, btw). We got dinner at this adorable little restaurant, and Austin ordered the pesto lasagna, because we had been told that we had to try the pesto in Vernazza, and he had been dying to have lasagna in Italy. He thought that what he ordered was a piece of meaty, red-sauced lasagna with a side of pasta au pesto. Much to his surprise, the waiter brought him green lasagna.


He kind of laughed at the situation, then dug right in. As we were leaving the restaurant, I asked him if he enjoyed his Italian eating experience and he said, "It was pretty good, but I think I prefer the penne with the pesto." We both looked at each other and then burst out laughing because that was a sentence I never thought I'd hear my husband say, lol!

The other instance occurred earlier this week. Working with military contractors on bases definitely has its perks. One of which is the use of the on base gym and fitness center. Monday after work we joined one of the MCYM staff members at the gym for a "Turn & Burn" class. Forty five minutes of spinning followed by 45 minutes of power yoga. It's quite the workout, and the trainer was really fun, but I was most impressed with my adorable hubby who participated in both spinning and yoga and gave every position a try! He even did his breathing right!!! :) There was another spinning class on Wednesday evening, so we took our gym clothes with us to work that day. As we were leaving the house, Austin said, "I'm glad it's just spinning tonight, not spinning followed by yoga." Another one of those sentences I never expected to come out of his mouth!

He would tell you that he's not a very adventurous eater and that he's pretty picky, but as you can tell, he'll try just about anything once! I LOVE that about him! My husband so totally rocks! :)

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

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If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful week!

Awesome Message from Beth Moore

I just love this video from Beth Moore's blog :) I just love Beth Moore's blog in general, heck I just love Beth Moore! If you have never done one of her Bible studies, or visited her blog, you are truly missing out. She is definitely one of my heroes in the faith and one of the people that I cannot wait to meet (here, there, or in the air as Austin likes to say, lol)!

This video has been such an encouragement to me, I watch it over and over again because I think it is just such a great reminder, so I thought I'd share it with you all :) She actually posted it on her blog in November, and I've been meaning to repost since then, but this got lost in my "Drafts" folder! Hope you enjoy it!

Siesta Video Message from LPV on Vimeo.

To see the original post on her blog, click here!

Love y'all! Have a great Tuesday!

what do YOU think?

I found this over at Definitely Debilyn, and I thought it would be fun :)


Instructions:
type your name, followed by thinks into Google search and see what comes up...

Katy thinks it's so funny that she didn't get the ditzy sash and Sarah R. did.

idk, sometimes it's just fun to be silly :)

~ My Husband Rocks! ***Sunday*** ~ Mr. Fix-It

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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Because of our new, ever mobile, ever unpredictable lifestyle, I am posting on a Sunday. It's my meme, get off my back :)

This week, Austin rocks because he's awesome. That's all.

Just kidding.

We arrived in Belgium on Sunday, February 7th. Our bags were not here to meet us. In fact, they did not arrive until almost 30 hours later. When they did arrive, the airline brought them all the way to Tim's house so we didn't have to go and pick them up, which was great, but mine was busted open and missing several items (including my MHR shirt!!!) - which was NOT great!

My amazing husband took care of contacting the airlines multiple times, and is still taking care of dealing with them to get some compensation, even though he's been sick all week.

And not only that, but he fixed my bag so it is totally functional, and we don't have to buy a new one!

He totally rocks, even though I no longer have the shirt to prove it!

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you have a spectacular Sunday, and a great week!

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ my rock . . .

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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As you may have guessed from my nearly complete lack of presence in the blog world recently, we are off on our incredible missions adventure, so i'm going to be sporadic at best, but I do still get to read most of your posts - even if I'm unable to comment!

This week, and most of the time, Austin rocks because he's my rock! Of course, God is my true rock, but I love that he allows Austin to be my physically present rock :) - We leave tomorrow for a long stint overseas, and I'm honestly a little bit scattered, and somewhat nervous. Austin is always so good about calming me down and helping me see what is really important, and what I don't really need to mess with!

He's pretty stinking amazing :)

Why did your spouse rock this week?

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

God Loveth Adverbs

Hello My Lovelies!

(My sweet British friend Maddy says that, and I like it, so I borrowed it!)

Sorry that posting has been so sporadic lately! My husband and I have been preparing for our massive missions expidition and life at home has been absolutely insane! Not only that, but once we got here (we are currently surving aboard OM's Logos Hope docked in Aruba) the Internet has been pretty dodgy (another British word I like :) ), so everything is going to be very "flexible" from now on, I think :)

I was reading Our Daily Bread earlier this week, and the message really spoke to me for where we are, and I thought you might really enjoy it as well

God Loveth Adverbs

The Puritans wisely sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two worlds together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular. They had a saying, "God loveth adverbs; and careth not how good, but how well." Adverbs describe verbs - our words of action and activity. The proverb implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results.

Pleasing God doesn't mean that we must busy ourselves with a new set of "spiritual" activities. As the Puritans said, whether cleaning house or preaching sermons, shoeing horses or translating the Bible, any human activity may constitute an offering to God.

We spend much time immersed in the mundane. "But we have the mind of Christ," Paul reminds us (1 Cor. 2:16). That truth is to guide everything we do. Caring for an elderly parent. Cleaning up after a child. Sitting on a porch with a neighbor. Fielding a customer's complaint. Filling out patient charts at a nurses' station. Sitting in traffic. Sawing lumber. Reporting tips. Shopping for groceries.

We need faith and the mind of the Lord Jesus to recognize something of lasting value in even our most ordinary tasks. - Philip Yancey

In the common round of duty
Lift thy heart in praise;
For the Lord hath surely promised
Strength for all thy days. - Tovey

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!
Katy Lin

To sign up to get the Our Daily Bread delivered to your home, go to www.rbc.org

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ breaking the cycle . . .

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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If you've never read the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, I would highly recommend it. In the first couple of chapters, Dr. E describes what he calls the "crazy cycle" in which a husband and wife often find themselves. Basically it starts out with the wife being disrespectful to her husband, so he responds by being unloving, which only inspires her to be more disrespectful, and you see how it can all go downhill from there. Anyone who has ever been married can understand how easy it is to find oneself on this cycle, and it is not a fun ride!

Well, last night I got the cycle spinning but good. I was being a first-class brat, and at first, Austin spun right along with me. But then his whole demeanor changed. He made the concious decision to be the bigger person, and he loved me (in my own "language") in spite of my nasty, spiteful, disrespectful attitude.

It's heartbreakingly wonderful to be loved like that!

Why does your spouse rock this week?

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

How cute is this?

I love this song, too, so that helps :)



Happy Tuesday,

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Excited!!!

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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You remember a few weeks ago, I talked about how I love Austin's passion? This week's reason has a lot to do with that, it's basically the outward expression of his passion, and it is so much fun to live with and be around and love someone who is excited about the future, excited about what this next year will bring, but most of all excited about serving the Lord and seeing many people come to Christ!

I have always known that he loves the Lord (it would have been a "deal-breaker" for me if he didn't), but the newness in the excitement he has for this incredible adventure we're undertaking is absolutely thrilling! I'm pretty excited about it, too, just in case you couldn't tell :)

Why does your spouse rock this week?

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

A Priveledge to Suffer for Him

Ummm . . . wow! I just listened to this episode of Focus on the Family, and I am encouraged and blown away and challenged to live for Christ! If Ken Hutcherson can be such a bright light for Jesus with all that he is going through, how can I NOT be, as blessed as I am?

Definitely check it out, just click here, then click on the link that says "Listen Now" to hear this incredible story.

<3,

Don't worry . . . I'm still alive . . . I think . . .

Okay, so I know I have been M.I.A. for the past couple of weeks, and I am very sorry! I also know that I started this stellar idea of the 26 days of Thanksgiving, and only got about halfway through (if that), so I am sorry to those of you who were waiting with baited breath for "K" through "Z." I may finish those at some point, but with the crazy whirlwind of my life at this point, I'm not making any promises!

I have so much to tell you all, and so many incredible stories to share, so stay tuned, and I will post as much as I can as soon as possible. I also have the November newsletter up on the Burden Bearers International blog, so be sure to hop over and take a look at that!

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving, and that you're enjoying a wonderful Christmas season!

:),

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ You learn something new everyday :)

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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One thing I love about being married in general, and being married to Austin specifically, is how it seems to me that almost every day I learn something about his character or preferences or personality quirks that I was either unaware of, or that have recently developed.

I think it is so incredible to watch this wonderful man, closer to me than anyone else in the world, grow and change and reveal more and more to me. For example, I found out this week that he loves Christmas. This may seem very obvious, and I knew that he liked it well enough, but I never knew that he loved it! And that makes me excited because I love Christmas, too!

Another interesting thing that I am beginning to recognize in myself is the way that I perceive many of his characteristics now versus how I saw them earlier in our relationship. A very wise friend reminded me this week that every foible or quirk about your spouse that frustrates you or drives you crazy is just the flip-side of something that made you fall in love with him in the first place! This has really helped me this week when I have been tempted to give into my stressed-out-ness and just snap :) lol!

What are some of the things that you are learning about your spouse these days?

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ he loves the Lord

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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I think I may have used this reason sometime in the past, but it's one that I just keep coming back to. It's the one that would have been a deal breaker for whether or not we would have ever gotten together, and it's the one that keeps us together even when in our humanness we would just as soon rip each others' heads off!

What has impressed this upon my mind the most this week is in his zeal and passion for being who God wants him to be and doing what God wants him to do and going where God wants him to go. Always. No matter what it costs or who thinks he's crazy. I am convinced that this facet of his character is the one that is the most crucial for the health and happiness of our marriage. If you think I'm crazy, then I'll let someone with a lot more experience and wisdom than myself explain it her way:



Why does your hubby (or wifey :D) rock?

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

Honoring Those Who Serve & An Important Perspective

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces! Your sacrifices can never be understood by those who have not shared them, but we love you, and appreciate everything you do and have done for the sake of our freedom.

I also thought that today would be a good day to share the following poem. Everywhere you look you see a yellow ribbon, or a bumper sticker proclaiming "Support Our Troops," which are both great reminders and noble sentiments; however, I'm afraid that we've forgotten an important group of people - one that sacrifices just as much at home as our servicemen and women do overseas.

The following was written by one of them:
Do You Know Me?

walking through wal-mart, and around school...
we lock eyes for a moment...
and i smile like i'm supposed to...
but inside i'm begging you to care...
or at least try to understand why my eyes aren't mirroring my smile...

My husband is gone...
fighting for your freedom and security...
So that today... you can go on with your life
Without a thought of uncertainty... or a thought about the actual sacrifice...

You might be numb to that word, "Sacrifice"...
because it's so often linked to men like my husband...
but it echos through my very soul every minute of every day.



because i sacrifice too...
but to say so is needy and weak...
but i want to tell you...
i need to tell you what i sacrifice...

I'm sacrificing my personal sense of security... when i hear a bump in the night, i am left alone to face it...
i'm sacrificing the job i love... taking care of the man i adore with every part of my being...
I'm sacrificing a kiss and a hug at the end of a really long... really bad day...
i'm sacrificing feeling loved, cherished and beautiful when my husband touches me...
i'm sacrificing connecting with him on the level i need to...
i'm sacrificing a helping hand when my child wakes up at 4am...
and my son is sacrificing playtime with daddy...

i'm tired...
i'm overwhelmed...
i feel like a burden to my family...
i'm lonely beyond words...
my bed feels too big...
my home feels empty...
i feel lost...



and i can't make it go away...

no amount of sleep...
no matter how many hugs i get from my family...
no matter how many times i hear it... "The time will fly!"...

it still feels like every day is a lifetime...

all i can do is put on my face...
but it's like the longer i have that face plastered on,
the harder is is to take it off...
and i want to take it off... and just cry...
i ache to weep and get it all out... but i just can't seem to let myself go...

and i can't tell him...
and i can't tell you...
because i have to stay strong...
i have to keep things together...

but do you see me?
please see me...

this is what i sacrifice for you...
you and your damn freedom.

So today, when you thank a soldier, pray for a marine, or salute a sailor, remember the Army/Navy/Marine/Air Force/Coast Guard member's wife and children who live down the street - going through the motions of their day-to-day while aching every second to have their loved ones home - and do what you can to ease their burdens, too :)

Thank you,


P.S. ~ To the author of the poem: Thank you for sharing your heart with us, and thank you for letting me post it here! I love you, and I'm praying for you, and I'm always just a phone call away!

Giving Thanks . . . Alphabetically ~ "J"

Attributes of God
God is our Joy

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

God is Just

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
Job 34:12

People
Jesus - the Lover of my soul :)
Julie - my sweet friend
Juanita - another wonderful friend

Things
Juice :)
Jambalaya - yummm (have you noticed that most of my "things" are food items, lol)
Jam, Jelly, basically anything you can put on toast

What made your "J" list?


that my heart may sing to you and
not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you
thanks forever.
Psalm 30:12

Giving Thanks . . . Alphabetically ~ "I"

Attributes of God
God is Immortal and Invisible

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17

People
Ian & Ivy - dear, sweet, childhood friends :)

Things
Islands
iWork - it really does :)
Imagination

How many items made your "I" list?


Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
Psalm 107:8