Normalcy - Comfort Food

We're entering this week a bit worn out.  Michael was out until 9:45  last night with a base incident...that would be an 11 hour work day on a day off. ::snort:: He's now been gone for 12 hours today....this is going to be a busy week.  The kids and I are trying to double up on school so we can go play next week. 

I was supposed to take Nolan to get labs drawn this a.m. but he woke with a headache and nauseated. I gave him water.....got some food in him and he felt fine the rest of the day. I do believe it was the lack of food which made him feel so crummy. He has an appointment tomorrow; we'll try the labs at 0730 tomorrow.

We took a giant step to normalcy when all this was hauled away from our home.  

We did a couple of hours of school and then raced across to base for a Homeschool Meet and Greet. The younger two knew many of the kids from PWOC  homeschool enrichment class. We all had an enjoyable time. We only stayed an hour as we "had" to be home for cardboard to be picked up and to receive delivery of our farm-fresh produce.  Our farm-fresh produce hasn't been delivered. I'm not sure this is going to work for us.  Missing fun to meet a driver who doesn't show is simply not cool. ::snort:: I have been given several other CSA farms to contact. I may do so. I'm still weighing if I want less ORGANIC/NON GMO produce or more produce.

Speaking of groceries...I found my marching orders for the week on the pantry door. What a hoot!  I was grateful for this after a couple more hours of schooling....I did indeed opt for number one on the list...Having the list saved brain cells.

Comfort food - Yakisoba. I wasn't the only one considering it to be comfort food. Stacia began to talk about the first time Akikosan showed us how to make Yakisoba with her first bite.

Arielle had the best comment of the night, "It's funny how one dish of food can take you back to so many places."  Yep - Akikosan, festivals, cold winter nights....love our yakisoba....and the 100 Yen store dishes too!

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Settled?

"Are you settled?"

Via Google Images

I'm not 100% sure what that means.

Our boxes are unpacked, the house is in order, we are buying vehicles, the cupboards are full and we are starting to walk out our fall schedule.  This seems to be what people are asking.

"Yes, we're settled."

I woke up at 0500 with dreams of the children and myself saying goodbye to dear friends. Many faces paraded through dream land. My eyes were leaking and my pillow wet. (No, all moves don't hit this hard).

I don't think our hearts have completely settled, yet.

It is GOOD to have had such dear friends.

We are choosing to look for such friends here.

We are choosing joy.

We are remembering to cherish memories, people and place -  without clinging to them.

We miss family-like friends for the kids to play with every afternoon.

I miss people who know my story. I miss those who know my passions for the kingdom. I miss those who KNOW when I'll be rolling my eyes and slyly check to see if I am.  I miss friends who  know where God has granted success and failure. I miss people who know what "I can do" and what I can't.  I miss people who know my struggles. I miss those who know the demons I fight and drop all to go for a walk when I want nothing more than to consume a pan of brownies.

It IS a glorious sorrow. It is good to have loved so many, so deeply.

Ps 63:8 "My soul clings to You {God}; Your right hand upholds me."

I will cling to Him; not to a face, an experience, a group, a season, a location. I will cherish these. I will hold them fondly in heart and memory. Ah, the memories.

"Even here!"  This morning I remind myself, "Even here, His hand will lead me, and His right hand will lay hold of me {settle me in the land}".

He is still our home - in all generations. He is our dwelling place. (Ps 91:1). He graced our lives with dear friends and experiences. He will do it again - in His timing. I'm content in the wait. I'm content to sit with Him and see where He will lead. I've learned it's best to wait for Him rather than rushing to create the "norm" - or so He whispers in this season. He is leading differently in this move - that's o.k. He leads, I follow...or so it should be.

I will give thanks for the previous season. I will pray for those we love. I know how to settle my soul. Jesus is near.

"Yes, we're nearly settled."

{Note: It may be normal for me to have dreamed of loved people this morning. I spent the weekend catching up with dear friends, I went to church on Sunday and missed our Misawa Church family, Joretta preached on loving God and loving our neighbor - which makes me smile big and sweetly  reminds me of PWOC Asia Region and a season of ministry in Misawa. 

Many seem to think military families are "shallow" and move with ease from place to place. You could never say goodbye to the people and places you know and love. Many seem to think they love deeper than military families - or missionary families. I share, so you see, it hurts, its hard, we love as deeply as you do. The Shepherd, however, has called us to serve Him in service to the country we love.  We put a good face on it. We make it look easy. Some moves ARE easier than others. I would guess we are not much different than you; we simply serve in a different part of the harvest. We all live to follow His lead.}

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...