Wednesday 2 April 2014

leap of faith!



This is a blog I began years ago because I felt called to do so.  this is a place to record ALL of the awesome things that God has done, but also a place to share the growing pains myself and my family goes through.  I, as I am sure you have gathered if you have followed my blog for ANY amount of time, am a very VERY open person.   I feel as though being open and transparent is something that is unique about me. we all have unique qualities and this is one about myself that I embrace.  

This blog today is unique in that it is unlike any other I have written thus far.  I am letting you all in on something that's been brewing for quite some time.  so, lets begin.  

For about 3 years Eddie and I have tossed around the Idea of getting out of the military.  I was too scared before our last PCS.   and its was just something talked about.  We didn't pray over it at that time, it was all talk...  well early in 2014 The topic came back to light again and this time we were both pricked by the spirit about this and we began to pray...  we prayed for some time until we felt certain that this is what God has called us to.  we were both 100% at peace with the decision to voluntarily separate from the Air Force.  This kind of peace can only come  from God himself.  Eddie went in and applied for voluntary separation from the AF in February.  I had a small group of ladies praying with me over this decision, as its a HUGE thing to leave a career you have been working toward for 11 years...  ESPECIALLY because we have 3 littles to think about.  This Choice has been something that we have put 100% in Gods hands.  Already God has lined so many things up...  The most precious private school, support, a restored and LOVING family to go home to,  School for Eddie to FINALLY be able to do something he LOVES, friends waiting with open arms.  I know God has a plan for this transition, and while we cant see quite how ALL the pieces fit together, We have complete and unwavering faith that God is in control of this.  Our faith has grown with each passing year and circumstance.  God has yet to fail us and I know he wont start now!  

I know some of you wont understand this decision, and that's OK.  We believe that this is what we have been called to do, and God has never called us to anything that he hasn't guided us through.   while we are so sad that this chapter of our lives is coming to a close, we can not WAIT to see what God has planned for us.  Its going to be a wild ride, but here we are holding on tight standing firm on our decision.  Jeremiah 29:11 says "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."   we are holding tight to the God of David and Abraham and Noah...    

With all this said we got our final notice today saying that we have been approved and if all goes as planned we will be leaving Italy mid summer 2014.  My heart is full of excitement and joy as I write these words.  We can not wait to be close to Eddies family again, and to be close to my family for the first time in 11 years!   

Thank you for reading, if you would like to follow our journey into civilian life and beyond, you are welcome to follow this blog.  

Tuesday 1 April 2014

God is Faithful


So, its been 2 years since I re vamped our food situation to help out with A's hyperactivity.  (read about it  HERE and HERE)  To be honest, I have forgotten how difficult life used to be.  It been 2 years with a completely NEW child.  Dye still effects her, but we are VERY diligent about not giving her Dye.  She is even reading her own labels now!  WOO HOO!  I guess my point in writing today is because of one morning this week where I had a meeting with my old A....  IT. WAS. UGLY.  This morning was like any other, get her up for school, hand her the clothes for the day and she trotts off to the bathroom to get dressed...  well, for 30 minutes I had a crying child who 100% REFUSED to put on a pair of tights...  she has no issues with tights.  she wears them all the time.  but this was SUCH a huge reminder of where we have come from.  this kind of heel digging was EVERY DAY!  paired with intense hyper activity, and emotional ups and downs ALL. DAY. LONG....  I dont encounter this A very often.  The diet, I have learned, is great for the hyperactivity Tantrums, and the over emotional outbursts.  so I rarely deal with this side of her anymore.  Anyhow,  I was struck later in the day by this thought...  Just as I am NOT the person I was when I first became a Christian, A is no longer the same little girl she was.  Dont get me wrong, there are things she will never loose, her goofiness, her spunk, her kind servants heart.  but so much has melted away over the years...  I forget all the tears, I forget all the stress and anger.  I can say 1 thing for certain,  this is all a HUGE testament to Gods faithfulness.   I can remember the moment I felt the prick on my heart in Paris like it was yesterday.  This whole time I have pressed into God SOOO many times.  this was a huge leap for Eddie and I to try this diet for her and we have ALL benefited from it!   God has been with us every step of the way.  We are all such a work in progress, its really a treat to be able to look back at our lives just even 2 years ago and see all the transformation that has happened in us, and esp in our A!  I am so proud of that girl.  She is such a blessing to us.  I am so thankful for the reminder of where we came from and the reminder of how much she has changed...  We are blessed.  I LOVE every moment of this adventure we are on.

I encourage you to take a look at your life for the last few years.  how have you changed?  how has your family, your children, your spouse changed?  bring up these changes as an encouraging word to them!  

Happy reminiscing :)