Goodmorning America How Are You...

Well I am back home! It only took about 16+ hours to get here but I am back. The hardest leg of the trip was the 5 hour plane ride where I ended up sitting by a couple who had 5 beers, smelled like smoke and perfume, kept putting her blanketed arm INSIDE MY $900 pathetic seat and kept opening MY window each time I almost fell asleep. But besides that, it went by in a rush.
This will be my 14th Hawaii trip and you would think I would be a pro at the HNL airport by now. Well, after I 'de-boarded' the plane, I headed to my gate which the flight attendant said was 16 and that would lead me to my baggage claim. SO, I headed for gate 24 because that is where she said to turn toward and then make a left down the long corrider to the escalators that would take me down to baggage claims E D and F. I made the left to the gates and ended up at baggage claim H. I should have known better than to trust that woman. If you have ever been to HNL airport, you will know that baggage claim H is on the complete opposite side of the airport from baggage claim D where I had to be. My husband texted me to tell me he was still on the H3 and not even there yet so I pretty much just had myself a good cry and started the trek to D. I then looked everywhere for Jake OUTSIDE where I thought he would be and stood there preparing a good "why weren't you here on time" spat when I see this amazingly goodlooking man walk up beside me. It happened to be my "on-time" husband and in front of everyone (which included two man/woman security guards) kissed me for what seemed like a good 3 minutes :) I was so happy to be home again.
Of course the Marine Corps schedualed Jake for a duty the day I get back so I was to wait one more day till I got to spend time with him. But you know, I was ok with that because I woke up at 3:30 and went to bed at 7.

Yesterday, I had planned to go do my major grocery shopping and was just cringing with the fact of how much money it was going to cost and how upset Dave Ramsey would be when Jake tells me he had already done the major shopping! So I then decide that I should do some cleaning; however, I then see that my husband had already cleaned EVERYTHING! I am so blessed America! So I go into town to do a little grocery shopping and then run over to the base greenhouse for some flowers. My flowers decided to die and turn into what Jake called "Texas Tumbleweeds" while we were away and it was pretty depressing. However, the greenhouse was having a 15% sale on their outdoor/indoor plants so I was pretty content with that purchase. I spent the afternoon weeding and planting and cleaning the yard.

I have been learning about Moses, Aaron, and Caleb while reading the books of Numbers and Joshua and LOVE what I am learning. First off, I did NOT know Miriam was Moses' sister. I love the fact that God is so forgiving to the Israelites. Tens of thousands of Hebrews from the 12 tribes of Jacob all saw the miraculous signs of God. They were guided by Him in a Pillar of Fire at night and during the day He comforted His chosen nation by a cloud so that they would not have to endure the sun's heat. He gave them water from a rock, quail, manna from Heaven, parted the RED SEA, destroyed Egypt with plagues, and SPOKE to them when the Shofar Blew. However, these people were so easily distracted by the Midianites idols, fears, worries, and doubt AFTER the fact that they witnessed God's miracles. God even gave them a stick with a snakes head on it so that if any of them were bitten all they had to do was look upon the stick and they would live! Moses cried out for his people, Aaron was forgiven from constructing the golden calf, and Miriam was healed of leprosy but the 12 tribes of Jacob kept doubting God. It just blows my mind how merciful God is. He is the same God today as He was then but the veil was torn and now we have Jesus, the most perfect lamb. We no longer need high priests like Aaron or Eleazor to go to and make sacrifices. We simply ask for forgiveness and we are cleansed. I wish I had the strength of Caleb or the courage of Miriam in today's society but I keep to myself way too often. I am uncompassionate to people that have heard the good news yet still want to 'wait'. The Amorites in the bible were told yet their hearts were hardened, they knew of the miracles God did in Egypt and they still wanted to worship their handmade tent gods. So God led Joshua and the Hebrews into war and killed them. Why do people not realize what has been given to them! How can they see the sun rise and not know of our Creator!! The people of Jericho were obliterated because of their hardened hearts toward God, and the Anak tribe who were considered giants were slaughtered because of their unfaithfullness. God is so merciful to us today!!!! People to need to wake up and be ready.

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you."

Wedding Dress Shopping :)

This past Tuesday Sarah, Aubree, momma, and I went wedding dress shopping for Sarah and made a day out of it! We went to Red Lobster because of there new promotions but none of us ended up getting the $15 dollar meal! haha

Afterwards we headed over to Always and Forever and began the search for Sarah's perfect dress!! We all looked through the multitude of dresses and picked out the ones we all liked. Aubree's and my favorite 'picked' one looked almost exactly like our own which is kinda funny. But we all have our own tastes and Sarah definetly has hers!



Isn't she BEAUTIFUL! So unfair that she looked amazing in EVERY dress!

 So after the first dress, which we loved, she went in to try the second one. We were devoting the entire day for her to find the "perfect one" because we are all in and wanted to be apart of her special day. So here she comes out of that dressing room and is just glowing! The dress she had on had to have been designed for her. It was the right size and design that she was just talking about earlier that morning! We ooed and awed over it but I couldn't believe she could have found 'the one' after just two tries. So after taking a multitude of pictures she went back in and tried on some more. They of course all looked spectacular on her but we knew the one was already picked! So after she tried on the second dress again she just went ahead and picked out her veil and shoes; as well as, all her bridesmaids dresses! We were on a role!
Because we had only been in the shop for 1 hour we decided to go antiqueing :)
Aubree found a beautiful vanity and bargained a great price for it. She is re-doing her room now and is making it a guest room.
So we decided we would have a slumber party with all four of us in the new room! It kinda felt like we were back in a hotel and just enjoying ourselves....but with four dogs.



Watching Auntie Maime..I fell asleep after the first 5 minutes, woke up at 12:30 and it was STILL ON




All 8 of us!

 

This of course is that night of that terrible wind storm. No one got any sleep..except for the dogs



This is happening 24/7



Bear Bear



What a great finish to a great day!

Mrs. Christina Ledbetter!!!

I am so happy I was able to attend Jacob and Christina's wedding last Saturday! I was able to hang out with my friends Friday and Saturday. It felt so refreshing to spend time with them. I have known most of them since the 7th grade. We have grown up making movies together, projects for school, laughing at whatever (such as a little pig running down the street with us on a four wheeler), and have made such amazing memories. I have been across the nation with some of them on mission trips and have been to other countries with them for vacations. I have witnessed them grow stronger in their relationships with Christ over the years, watched them fall in love, marry, and even expect children! I am so fortunate to have the memories and past that I have with them. We didn't party or fall into the world and had a great time being 'who we are'.
Watching Christina stand up there with Jacob brought so many memories to my mind and I seriously just cried like a baby!! I loved sitting downstairs at Jessica's house and listen to everyone's thoughts and dreams. Leslie has just moved back from Chicago and Jessica is soon moving to Alabama while Rachel just got a job in Conway. We have been very blessed to be able to see one another the amount we have considering the fact we live in so many places and do so many things. Next time I hope to see them will be for meeting little Brooks :)


Jessica Caster, Rachel Griffith, Sarah, Leslie "Ware" Wolfe




Love this one of Rachel...




My friends are beautiful!

 I also wanted to share the fact that Jessica has caught Leslie's, Christina's, AND my bouquet! WOW

Omaha Nebraska

So I know its about a week late...but I have been so buys I am just now getting a chance to update the blog.
Last week we went on a road trip to go pick up Aubree in Omaha. Aubree was driving down from Minot and we didn't want her to have to drive the entire way by herself. The way there was so tiring as you can tell in this picture. I thought it would a snap of the fingers but it seemed just as long as a trip to Oahu!

When we finally got there we were blessed because we were expecting to have to pay for a cab to take us to our hotel; however, Hilton had a shuttle that came by the airport every 30 minutes for FREE to pick up their guests. Also, they would take you anywhere within 3 miles from the hotel for free. Aubree finally arrived and we just hanged around the room and watched some American Pickers and Ice Road Wars.

The next morning we left bright and early. I drove for the first 2 hours until we found this AMAZING antique store called St. Josephines.

The outside store was amazing! However, we were about 7 hours away from home and with a dog cage in the back of Aubree's car. It was pretty depressing. BUT, if we are ever in north Nebraska we are going back!


This is Linus sleeping on my back while I was trying to rest



Traveling with Linus was fun... he was always in everyones business!

All in all, it was a fun trip. Nobody got carsick or anything! Aubree got us lost somewhere in Kansas City but we found our way out :)

Children are a Blessing...

This morning I was able to babysit two of the most beautiful kids in the entire world! I have fallen in love over the year-s- and while in Hawaii have missed them both so much! Last summer I purchased their little Hawaiin outfits for their birthdays. The store did not have any newborn outfits for little boys so I bought Brock a 12 month one figuring it would look just as cute next year. Now he can finally wear it! Addi wore hers last year and it still looks so precious on her!




Sarah thought it would be fun to add Brock onto the 'horse ride' Don't think he enjoyed it as much




Brock and Bear. I LOVE this picture




Most precious little boy in the entire world




She's a litte stinker sometimes but she sure is cute




So I'm pretty sure she knows how to use my phone better than me...and she's 3




Don't you just love that little outfit?!




They are precious



Tomorrow I leave to go to Omaha to pick up my sister Aubree. We are meeting her there via air travel and then will proceed to drive the many miles from Nebraska back to Greenwood. I have made this trip...hmmm...about 300 times with mission trips and this drive is so BORING! I am glad that I will see Aubree. I guess I will need to pull a Polyanna and make sure I play the "Glad Game" throughout this two day road trip. We will get back in time for Christina's wedding rehearsal and 'shower/party' I am so excited to finally be with all of my friends again all at the same time! I can't remember when we were all together in the same place? But I miss them and can't wait to see Christina get married!

I'm working on a project right now that I am pretty excited about. I can't post pictures just yet because I am wanting to give it as a gift but hopefully it will turn out great.
Has any one read the Sons of Encouragment by Francine Rivers? I am reading the Priest about Aaron, Moses, and the Hebrews and it is such an eye opener. I haven't really ever studied that particular book in the bible because growing up I would always hear about Moses and the Isrealites; however, I love how Francine brings her books to life and am encouraged so much by what a merciful and soverign God I serve. I can't ever believe that He is a different God that he was then and never should take my sins lightly. I may not bow down to a golden calf but I do bow down to idols of emotions and materialistic items. Miriam in the book is so intrigueing. Her guiding her baby brother throught the Nile, dancing and singing with her tamberine after crossing the Red Sea and sin experience with leprosy and healing after sinning against God and hurting Moses. I love this woman because she is strong and zealous. Her sin made her unclean in the eyes of man and God; however, she was still used as a vessel. What an encouragment!

So maybe i'll take some pictures of the corn fields....or maybe not!
Have a great day!

Too Shy for the Pew

Today I was able to play the guitar again for FBC Greenwood. I was reminded how important it is to serve within your church family. I have been struggling so much with not having any personal friends at Kaneohe and spending each day alone. It has made me accustomed to being by myself other than being with Jacob. I love being with Jake each day and being with him as much as I can. However, it would be nice to have friends who don't curse every other word and believe a good time involves alcohol. Here, I can easily find a few couples who could provide accountability and fellowship.  But who I am to keep saying I don't have a purpose where we are at?
Jake and I became members of International Baptist Church in Oahu Hawaii a couple of months ago. We have been thinking about serving in the childrens area which would be a little out of my comfort zone because I am so used to serving with youth, music, or nursery. I also hardly know any one within our new church family besides the women I've grown to know from our Wednesday night study. I still feel a little uncomfortable during 'greeting' time because I am too shy to go out and meet others. Here in Greenwood, I already know so many. I guess, what I am trying to say is that maybe I should look within our new church family and see where I can serve instead of just being concerned about how I should be served.
Today I was able to sit down and enjoy some coffee with two beautiful and wonderful christian sisters. I just sat there and absorbed each moment, not having to worry about a curse word being thrown in my face or a moment where I felt persecurted for my 'silly' beliefs. The most wonderful thing about today was that I am just getting to know these women and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, I felt so at home and comfortable I didn't want to leave. How come I am not too shy around these women but I can't even move an inch within my pew at IBC? I just don't know...

We had a birthday dinner with my family last night. Its my uncle Shotgun and meme's birthday this week.  I then went and had a long conversation with my brother-in-law. I love our conversations because Heath is so different from Jake but then again kinda similar? He always knows what to say that is needing to be said without being completely arrogant. Have a ever  mentioned how wonderful my husband is? He is the most patient man I have ever met! Not to mention the love he shows me each day without having to put any effort into it. He simply has to smile and I know he was the man God made for me. I do not understand why such a magnificant Creator designed such a man for me...but I sure am thankful!

Sarah and I gave Bear his own personal grooming session and saved Sarah a bit of money. It was really fun! Her Bear is such a good puppy and just stood or sat the entire time.



Sarah and I with Tata



and the Shofar Blew

Over the past couple of days I have not had to worry about anything except when to go swimming or where to go out to eat with mom and Sarah. We are having our Praise Team over tonight for a cook-out/practice/skeet shoot and I am praying the weather cools off a bit.

I have read a book recently that has opened my eyes to sin, ignorance, pride, and humility. It is Francine Rivers "When the Shofar Blew". When I got to the middle of the book I literally through the kindle towards the end of the bed and decided I HATED this book! I called my husband crying over worries I had and was becoming bitter to any churches I could think of that wanted to just please its congregation instead of God. Forgetting about the people and only caring about the building. Jake told me to just stop reading. I tend to get emotionally involved with the books I read and let them characterize by behavior. This book kept me up at night! I wanted to scream and slap the man in the face, in the book, and pretend I hadn't ever picked this book up.
However,

After a day, I had to read it. I could not get the words out of my head. So today I finished it. I'm not going to say it was better than Redeeming Love, Mark of the Lions, or even the Lineage of Grace but I HIGHLY recommend this book now! I feel so transformed after reading the scripture involved and how it was intertwined in the lives of the characteris in these books. This book hit a little too close to me and I did not like how it made me feel so incredibly uncomfortable!

I also have had a serious issue with the 'comfortable' areas people allow in their lives today. Such as R rated movies. Just because you are over the permissive age, should people really be allowed to watch and hear such filth that is displayed before themselves; not to mention, their husbands, children, and friends? I was horrified to read a status that claimed they loved a movie that portrayed sin as a major influence in the ratings of this movie. It makes me so sad to realize people are accustomed to hearing bad language and it doesn't even affect them. I don't ever want to be in a movie theatre with my husband while a naked woman or man is on the screen or the F word is being yelled in my face and think "WOW, what a great movie this is!"

Philippians 4:8 states:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I don't care if I live in a bubble or am secluding myself from the outside world. I want to honor Christ in whatever I can.

Anywase I wanted to post a picture of my cow. Yes, I have two cows. A few years ago, I was told to make an investment of some kind whether it was stocks, guns, or something. So I bought a cow. That cow had another cow and I am hoping for a new baby this fall. I know this is really random but I wanted to share her with everyone.


Baby Emmy :)



 I also got to hold a baby blood hound puppy but I think he had just 'eaten something' and got it all over my face



Eaten some Olive Garden with my momma and Sarah. I have missed their Minestrone Soup!