Dusk till Dawn

Tonight (this morning) I had one of those nights that I always wish I could've had during college.

I so loved falling asleep watching my roommate Sadie stay up till wee hours of the night (morning) sipping tea finishing her homework by the small desk light as to not disturb my "precious slumber" (which would no doubt be interrupted by C's nightly calls).

I used to wish I could stay up late and be inspired by the still quiet of the night. Plug headphones in and just float away into a whole new world of focused work.

 

The blessed solitude that only really comes in the middle of the night. When the rest of the world has turned off , e-mails stop coming, phones stop ringing, and things just slow down.

I have never been good at staying up late, but tonight after such an exciting and yet anxious day I woke up at 3:00AM ready to go! My sweet mother drove the hour and a half to visited the University of Delaware with me. While I have loved my online program at Liberty, I feel so isolated from the world. I'm in a new place and when the work that consumes my day is for some person I don't know out in cyber space it's hard for this people person to feel connected to anything.

So I am seeking other options. While I'm simply terrified, anxious about the workload, financial woes, and the hour drive each way 3 days a week I felt inspired today in a whole new way.

Pastor Bob from our church in Texas talked about doubt in his Easter message this year. He talked about "Doubting Thomas" and shared that he was not around the other disciples while they were all hearing about the amazing resurrection. "Doubt develops in isolation". When Thomas was not being supported by his brothers in Christ he was susseptable to the devil's schemes of placing doubt in his mind . Thomas had followed Jesus through his entire time on Earth, why then would he doubt the God he trusted in and loved? Because he was alone.

While I have been diving into the Word each day, I have so missed the support and human interaction with other people to inspire me.

So at this wee hour of the night (morning) I'll take a leap, muster up the courage to fill out the application and dig in my pockets for the $75 application fee trusting and believing that God is who he says he is. That he can do what he says he can do. I am who God says I am. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God's word is alive and active in me. (Who knows what those 5 things are from?)

Hosea 6:3 "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."



Photos Courtesy of Sadie Smith

Five Minute Friday: Hard Love

Today I'm linking up with The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday. Her challenge is to just write for 5 minutes without editing or backspacing. It's really fun to see what flows, naturally, organically and deeply. The topic this week is Hard Love. Ready, Set, Go......



Today I read the part of the crucifixion story when Jesus is before Pilot. Pilot really does not understand why Jesus is up for trial but he listens to the people. Traditionally, Pilot will release one prisoner as a gift during Passover. He wanted to release Jesus but the crowd shouted Barabbas, Barabbas!

This man was a murder, but the people wanted him to be freed in order to kill Jesus. Barabbas got off free. He knew he was worthy of death, he killed, stole, caused riots and was generally a destructive person. But Jesus simply stood there quietly, in pain, knowing that He was going to die so that Barabbas (a sinner) could live.

We, (I) are Barabbas. Filthy, dirty, destructive, sinners who deserve to die. But Jesus simply bows His head and in love, hard love, takes our place on death row. Taking on the sins of Barabbas (and the rest of the world) He dies. That's it end of story.

Barabbas lives, I can live, we can live because Jesus died! This finally makes sense in a real way to me. But Barabbas was simply freed to go back to his earthly family, we are free to live with God in heaven FOREVER! For all eternity, we can live and breath with God. Because of the excruciatingly hard love He showed for us on the cross! Simply AMAZING!


That was fun! Try it! Head over to Gypsy Mama and join the party, what a great way to end the week.

Verse 08 and other things great!

Wow! When I look at the date of the last post I am embarrassed and ashamed! So much has happened and so many things to be greatful for!

C and I made it safely back to Dover, DE and we brought a little friend with us. (Remember that surprsie I was hinting at a few posts ago?) HERE HE IS!!! This is Harvey!

 

He has been just a ball of fun since we brought him back. A great companion for me while C is working during the day, and a pleasant distraction from my school work. 

This past weekend we invited my in-laws and grandparents to our tiny apartment for a birthday dinner! C and his dad's birthday are just today and tomorrow and it was fun to celebrate together and be the hostess for a change.  I made this delicious orzo pasta! Another great one from Rachael Ray

I would have loved to take step-by-step photos in our new kitchen but with all the people here I was a bit of a Martha, not a Mary do you get the Bible story reference) (also this is something I'm working on, don't hold it against me). Anyway, the link to Rachel's website give s a great easy to follow video for your viewing pleasure!

Also I owe you all a new verse. Verse 07 seemed to hit me right between the eyes so many times these last 2 weeks. I'm so glad to be doing this memory challenge and really amazed at how much my life can change simply by digging into the Scripture. For verse 08 I started thinking about all of the birthdays coming up of some very important people in my life! My husband, father-in-law, and sister Natalie will all have brithdays in the next two weeks and I am just so greatful for them and the Creator who brought them into this world. So here goes...

Revelation 4:11 Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." ESV

Bacon & Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken

You have GOT to try this recipe! I made it last week and forgot to snap any pictures but it was delicious!!!

Just 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Blue Cheese
Bacon (we used turkey bacon)
Chives
Butter

Bacon and Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Oh Heavens! Verse 07!

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 (that was from memory!)

Can you believe that today is April 1st?!?!?! I really just cannot believe how quickly time is flying by. It seems like just yesterday I was writing about our first memory verse from under the covers in a tiny hotel room mid-travels to Texas. Now we are just about ready to head home!

As always, with any transition time, I am getting a little bit anxious about moving home. While I feel so much stronger and wiser than I was when we got here, I'm still nervous about going to a strange place and starting over once again. I do not want to allow myself to fall under the weight of uncertainty, but stand strong in the truth. That's why I've picked this verse. It's a little longer, and may be more of a challenge but the words are so true and full of hope.

"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaish 54:10 ESV

The world as I know it may be caving in around me and everything that I count on may be changing but I have the unconditional love of Christ. What more do I need?

I have to tell you about my night last night. C has started a simulation course that helps them apply the loads of information they have been learning for the past few months. The simulation means intensity, stress, and long hours. We went for a long walk last night and I just listened as he told me all about the day.

I tried to understand it as much as possible and appreciated every time he had to interupt the story to explain something to me. As he shared the complexities of the job I felt so in awe of what he has accomplished. Not just him in particular, but what all these men have to keep in mind on a daily basis.

While I may have my own obligations and responsibilities for the day, he leaves and is responsible for more than I can even comprehend. So many times I only think of work in the hours he is away from me, and forget that there is so much more than that. Part of me wants so desperatly to be needed and have responsibilities at a job of such importance and influene, and the other part of me enjoys reveling in the stories C shares when he comes home.

I am confident that when God calls me to the job I will stand ready to handle whatever responsibilities He may throw at me. But in the meantime, I will stand in awe of the work of the military and praise God for men like C who lead my family with honor while caring for the country as well.