"When the cops come all I hear is...

...whoop-whoop-whoop." Need for Speed, Petey Pablo.

Hey lovelies,

This is national police week, and I wanted to share a few thoughts my husband, a former State Trooper (still currently working in law enforcement) put together.

People.
Are you ready to be shocked? Police are people. Police are even sinners in need of a Savior. There are bad, selfish, prideful, deceitful, arrogant, alcoholic, thieving, etc. police. But, in my opinion, these are the exceptions to the once-great profession (though it should be thought of as great now, I think).

Have you ever been rude to a customer service representative, waitress, spouse, etc.? Have you ever lied to get your way (with the best intentions or not)? Have you ever been having some personal issues that just put you in a sour mood and made you less effective at work or when dealing with other people? It's justified when it's you, right? 

Everyone has "bad days." However, I think most peoples' bad days don't compare to a cop's bad day. Most people probably don't see a dead body, do a death notification, go to a fatality accident with brains on the concrete, go to a domestic to that one couples' house again, get cussed out by a speeder upset about getting a deserved ticket, see his work ignored in court, and listen to a child describe terrible acts that occurred to him/her (all while knowing the "justice system" will do close to nothing to the perp). And most people don't do this while working some nights, some days, most holidays, etc. while seeing the worst of society at their worst.  

All professions have these bad, selfish, prideful, deceitful, arrogant, alcoholic, thieving, etc. people.  

Unfortunately for law enforcement, our failures are proclaimed louder than most, our mistakes are pointed out more and are too-oftentimes deadly (killing someone wrongfully can both be a mistake and it can be malicious and criminal), and while hating and disrespecting law enforcement in their minds, people also hold law enforcement to a higher standard (which is fair considering the authority we have). Oh, and by the way, if someone dies fleeing from police in a car chase, that's not the police's fault. If someone has a heart attack after being justifiably tased because of their unlawful actions, that's not the police's fault. It's like if a child disobeys his parents and then gets hurt don't many parents say, "If you had listened to what I said this wouldn't have happened..." Also, a quick search online reveals that anywhere from 500 - 1500 people are shot by law enforcement each year (some justified, some not). At the same time, drunk drivers kill 9000 - 15000 people a year so... maybe don't gripe about cops being out stopping cars?  

All that to say, please try to have a little understanding when a cop is rude to you (which most often seems to go along with getting a ticket that... honestly, you deserved, right?). Please try to have a little understanding when a cop makes a split second decision that you can then disagree with using all the time you want in an environment that doesn't threaten your life. Please try to understand that when it gets down to it, you don't want to live in a society where police don't enforce the law, patrol your neighborhoods, chase down law breakers, keep you and others safe by slowing you down, and rescue you when you dial 911. Please remember that cops are doing what most people can't, won't, or don't
want to do. Lastly, remember that the good done by cops day in and day out for the most undeserving, ungrateful public is completely unreported. 

So, if you can this week, pray for law enforcement. Heck, maybe even thank an officer for what he does (it probably won't happen again for a few years if that officer is lucky enough to be thanked again). Don't thank me -- my wife respects what I do and that's enough for me.

I am so proud of my husband for how hard he works to serve and protect. Thank you honey, and all law enforcement out there, for working at a tough job to keep us safe!

"From Atlantic to Pacific...

...Gee, the traffic is terrific." There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays by Perry Como

Hello lovelies!

Baby-boo and his Great-Grampa

Apologies for the extended absence! We have had a full and delightful autumn season with birthdays, anniversaries, family visits, morning sickness, job interviews (everything went well; still waiting to hear a decision!), the holidays beginning, and my sweet offspring getting two new teeth this week and on the verge of walking! He is getting to be such a big little boy, and such a clever child, if I do say so myself. I fear that he will outsmart me before too long.

I have a whole slew of posts I can't WAIT to share with you, among them my DIY advent calendar ESPECIALLY for Mamas with little ones! Naturally it's not completely done yet (um, I got the first two finished so I have two more days to complete the set, right?) and it will only take one more trip to the dollar store plus my sweet husband doing a tiny little spray paint project for me.

On a more personal note, regarding jobs, my husband has had two interviews back in my homeland, and both of them went well, and pending final tests/background checks/supervisor approval we have been told that we might move as soon as Christmas, and definitely (if accepted) by mid-January. Naturally this is thrilling news since we've been apply for jobs and pounding the pavement for over a year, now! Back on the east coast, he also has one definite job lead, with similar holdups pending, and they would be ready for us in April! There's a lot of uncertainties about all of these options, so any prayers you could spare for wisdom and the right job to work out in God's good time would be such a blessing! We would love to move as soon as possible, because the longer we wait, the bigger I get with our new baby...and the harder it will be for me to do anything with the move! (Oh yeah, I did mention that we're expecting again, right? Yup. Due in May. Woohoo!)

With all this indecision and possibilities in then next few weeks or months, it begs the question, to decorate, or not to decorate?

Those of you who know me, know that my year is divided into the usual four seasons: Christmas, post-Christmas, un-Christmas, and pre-Christmas. ;) The possibility of living a year of my life where I don't decorate never even entered my mind! At least we have to go get some mistletoe...and put up one of the little trees...and maybe a garland or two...candles...centerpieces...

And speaking of finding out NEWS, on Friday we will have an ultrasound and find out if this baby is a boy or a girl! Too exciting!!!

I hope your holidays are less in limbo than mine, and you get to slow waaaaaaay down and enjoy the season! But even if you feel as hectic about all the details as I do at present, don't miss all the joy coming your way as we celebrate the birth of the King!

"We praise you Lord for the love that you give...

...and the time that you spent on this world for our sins." Praise Song by Third Day

25 Things I'm Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

1. Salvation in Jesus Christ
2. My wonderful husband
3. My wonderful family
4. Meggles (new favorite phrase: "No Way!")
5. Coffee and a coffeeshop close by
6. A house big enough for family to stay in.
7. A good job
8. My husband's good job
9. Awesome neighbors
10. Candlelight
11. Good friends
12. God providing for friends
13. Good ministry opportunities
14. God providing for ministry opportunities
15. A good pastor and church
16. Christmas coming!
17. The fun adventure Ryan and I just had
18. Twinkly Christmas lights
19. Pretty things
20. Yummy Thanksgiving leftovers
21. A working dishwasher, washer, and dryer.
22. Wonderful grandparents
23. My amazing new camera
24. Living in the USA
25. Irony

"I'm climbin' up the mountain, children...

...gonna reach my heavenly home." Climbin' Up The Mountain by Unknown.

This is a post about prayer.

I was having my quiet time today, and the book I'm currently using is Jennifer Kennedy Dean's Live a Praying Life, which I highly recommend. I started it in August, a few weeks before Ryan finished Academy and I've been doing it on and off ever since (it's supposed to be a 13 week study, obviously I've stretched it out a little longer than that).

It isn't anything new, really, but it really leads you through Scripture and reminds you what prayer really is, and how to listen to God through prayer instead of simply giving a grocery list of needs and never seeing Him answer, which was, I'll admit, my previous modus operandi in prayer. Instead it reminds you to pray according to God's will, pray persistently, and trust his timing while intentionally set big issues in God's hands, and watch him answer in ways we wouldn't even imagine.

I had so many prayers at first, what with Ryan gone and our future so uncertain as to where we'd live and what I would do. As we got our post assignment and moved here with no housing, no church, no friends, and a new, complicated job Ryan had to start, I again had much to give to the Lord.

It is interesting. I would have loved if we had known where we'd be posted when they told us we would--in July, so we would have almost two full months to explore our future home, line up housing, and perhaps even take a few loads of stuff down to get ready. Even if we hadn't got an early notice like that, I would have liked to have got here in September and seen rows upon rows of houses with "for rent" signs in the yards, but instead there were none--not a one!

In fact, as we house-hunted and explored, we came to realize that while the houses for sale were abundant, houses for rent were somewhat rarer, and though there were a few options we finally stumbled upon, none of them were anywhere near ideal, and a few of them were barely tolerable. And I prayed.

Beyond this, I needed internet for my job, and the only places with free wireless were a McDonald's and a coffeeshop/cafe. So I spent many hours at each.

And about a week before our month in the motel was up, we started going to a church where a man who owned several rental properties also attended. He told us to go look at a few addresses and see which ones we liked. One of them, the one we particularly liked, was only just about to become available. If we'd connected with the landlord any earlier, this house wouldn't have been an option.

That church has turned out to be full of opportunities for us to minister, and the people have truly ministered to us. That house is perfect, and now that we've moved in and settled down, it really feels like home. The people I met while spending hours in that coffee shop have become my friends and Bible-study buddies, and I even discovered a family originally from New Mexico, who has already promised a green-chile feast night soon!

And so it seemed that the waiting period was necessary for God's full blessing in answering my prayers. It was better than I could've hoped, and much better than we deserve. And we thanked God and prayed for His continued blessing.

And He continued to bless us--in fact, this morning, I've realize we're quite on a plateau of blessing. We had to climb up that steep edge, but now that we're here, all I can see ahead is miles and miles of wonderful things the Lord has done, and a bright blue sky smiling down on us. After we were in this house, it turned out Ryan's time off worked out so we could see his family, including his Aunt and cousins who he hadn't seen for four years, for Thanksgiving; we got to go visit another cousin in Nashville and see the Trans Siberian Orchestra; my grandmother's health began to significantly improve so that my parents are able to come out for Christmas, my sister's holiday schedule was accidentally changed so she is able to come with her husband and baby, Ryan's brother is here for a visit...and my Christmas is just bursting at the seams with blessing!

And it makes me look forward to praying every day, and the questions that loom (because in life, there are always questions looming) are nothing more than an opportunity to trust God and watch Him make everything work together better than I could ever imagine.

Hopefully your praying-life is encouraged by this. :) Keep entrusting your troubles to God, because He works all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose!

Love!