The last few weeks have gone past like a whirl-wind. From traveling to a conference, going away for a weekend, entertaining here at home, and visiting family down South, we've hardly unpacked.
There have been a lot of late nights, a lot of out of the norm for the kiddos, a lot of hugs, a lot of memories, a lot of fun in this Southern Autumn.
Autumn in the South is a crazy thing. One day we're sweating it out in tank tops and shorts, cooling off with an afternoon swim, the next we're huddled down in sweatshirts and scarves, turning on the heat in our house.
It's crazy, but I kind of like it.
I love that the grass stays green far into winter around here, that flowers and veggables still grow, yet the trees still have an Autumn hue to them. The Autumn colors are nothing like up North, but they still make me smile.
I love Autumn.
I'm finding a certain amount of peace in being here, at this time.
The military life can be so transient. There's so much upheaval involved, between deployments, cross-country moves, rental property changes.
It can be hard to feel settled. Hard to put down roots.
But then, there's the people who love us.
People who we seek out, travel to see, and who reciprocate.
They're family. Yes, they're imperfect, they may even annoy us from time to time, but memories with them are so sweet.
I try my best to capture the moments on camera. I soak up the early morning cups of coffee with my mom, the afternoon hardware store runs with my dad.
But most of the moments are stored up, deep in my heart.
Precious pictures are taken.
Taken when I'm not distracted by technology. When I'm doing little, everyday tasks with those I love.
Who knows how many more such memories I'll have with them.
Life goes by so quickly.
And so, I do my best to cherish the times.
I feel so blessed to have people we miss.
People we look forward to seeing on holidays, vacations to the beach, and random weekends in between.
Some of these people are blood relatives, others are family of the heart. People God has placed in our lives for just a time as this.
I'm blessed because I'm loved. Because I'm missed. Because I have family and friends to look forward to seeing.
I've been mulling over a certain verse lately. In Romans 8:28 Paul writes,
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28, HCSB).
This is a verse people like to throw at situations. It's so easy to say it, without truly believing it.
And so, my heart has been asking, do I?
Do I believe that God has good in store for my life?
Do I believe that we are in this military life for a reason?
That we have been asked to live this transient lifestyle, this deployment filled, sometimes lonely life?
Do I trust that these children are mine because God placed them here?
That things only happen in this life because He (God) wants them too?
Do I trust that He truly is in control?
That He truly has good things in store for me.
Deep questions, I know.
And so, there you have it.
It's a blessing to be missed.
It's a blessing to live this life God has given me to the utmost.
To love those that He's placed in my life.
To truly believe that He has good in store for me.
To believe that His plans are intentional.
That it's good.