Exceedingly Abundantly Beyond

I miss Derick today.   This week I miss different things than I have in the past.   I have always missed him when it's time to go someplace.  It's stressful for one person to get 4 kids ready to go.  My kids are fairly self-sufficient, but they need a little extra motivation sometimes, like most kids do.  On Sunday mornings I miss being able to ask him to load my bike for the Sunday afternoon ride at church.  Or to get the kids in the car while I finish up my makeup.  I miss riding in the passenger seat instead of the driver's seat EVERY TIME I get in the car!   I miss him at night.  Sometimes at night I start to feel numb.  I know in my head I need to get the kids in bed but I can't force myself to move in that direction.  Sometimes, it's 10:00 before everyone makes it to bed.  (I think I'm more anxious for summer than the kids are!)  I miss him after the kids are in bed.  Night time is lonely sometimes.  It suc...

My lights are going out.  I'm a little sad.  I came home a few nights ago to find this: My Christmas lights are comforting and soothing to me.  When Derick was deployed in 2009, I put lights on my house for Christmas. And then I decided I would leave them up (and on) until he returned.  It was so welcoming. When coming home to an empty house in the winter!  And it still is!  Seeing a section of them out is no longer soothing or welcoming!  I guess maybe I should either get new or see if I can fix them.  It's a set of LED lights. I think it's 300 lights... Or maybe just 100... Now, suddenly, I'm not sure.  Anyway, I should give an update on my life.  Mostly for Derick's benefit.   I haven't had guests in my house in a long time!  But, I love company!  And I love to cook!  I would love to cook for anyone that wants to visit me.  However, at this point in my life, might wanna call (or message) ahead, just to make su...

I am so exhausted!  But I want to take a moment to show you all what I did yesterday.  I'm pretty excited about it!  Derick is equally excited about it!   Hebrews 6:19-20 says:  "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." I love those verses.  I am constantly thinking about when I get to see Derick next.  But, let's face it, he's in Afghanistan!  The thought of him not coming home at all has crossed my mind.  I'm sure it's crossed the mind of every military wife that has had to send their loved one off to war.   But that's what is so encouraging here.  I have a hope in Jesus Christ, that transcends the hope I have in Derick's return.  I WILL see Derick again. No matter what!  And it is because of this hope in Jesus, that is a sure ...

I lost my wedding ring. Does that make me a bad wife?  I'm really hard on my ring.  I have bent it three different times.  After the third time, I took it off.  In order to keep it safe I put it in a cup.  Maybe that doesn't sound safe.  But I knew where it was and my kids couldn't reach the cup. Or so I thought... I came in the living room one day, several months ago to find the cup sitting on an end table in the living room... empty. I'm not sure there was an appropriate expletive for how I was feeling at that moment.   I was sick.  I basically had to turn my back and walk away.  If I didn't, someone was going to get hurt.  And I didn't figured it mattered too much who it was.  In my mind, everyone in that house was responsible for the missing ring.   It still has not been found and today I really missed having it.  It made me miss Derick!  He picked out the ring all by himself, before he was even sure I would say y...

Today I did something I swore I would never do... and I'm so excited about it! Eight years ago, I watched Derick mount his bike, wearing a type of shoe that I had never seen before.  I remember looking at his bike and asking, "What shoes are you wearing to ride your bike?"  He, very matter-of-fact-ly, replied with, "My bike shoes."  Duh... Oh... Well, of course.  My bad... And then he straddled the bike and took off, and his feet were actually ATTACHED to the pedals.  As in, stuck.  As in, when he lifts his foot, the pedal comes too!  Wwwhhhaaaaa!? I laughed and laughed and laughed.   I told him I would surely break my knees with pedals like that!   Well, today I took my bike to Russell's Cycling & Fitness and prepared to do just that.   These are my pedals: And these are the shoes that attach to my new pedals: I rode one big mile today.  And so far my knees are still in tact!  Maybe I'll get someone to shoot some pictures...

Do you ever just know that God is calling you to something really big? And then you turn around and really blow it?  Or is that just me? My church is implementing a new ministry for single mothers.  Since I was a single mother at one time, I believe The Lord has asked me to get involved.  I can't consider myself a single mother now, because... well, I'm not.  My husband doesn't live here right now, but he still takes care of us.   Anyway, back to the point.  I have had people come to my house to help me clean recently.  Parts of my house have stayed clean.  Parts have suffered since the cleaning.  I get stressed and anxious when my house is messy.  I feel overwhelmed and paralyzed.  I take it out on the people around me.   But, I suppose those are just unimportant details. I yelled at my kids today.  Am I allowed to admit that?  I yelled.  Sunday, The Lord calls me.  Monday I yell at my kids.   *Lord, t...