This one is for you honey....

Today was....

a pretty hard day. Its was the first day of my new normal, the first day back to school and work without Tom here. I tried to put on a brave face but it was hard. I talked to him on Face Book a couple of times and on the phone but it was not the same.

Spring Break was fun but I wonder if it was the best idea. Tom and I said our good-byes on the Wednesday before he had to be at work and that was tough but then I had to tell him good-bye again and this time it felt even worse. I know I will get through this and that it is just for a season but it is tough.

Now I have to get in the frame of mind of packing and going through things and getting rid of things. Ashlee and Britney started yesterday, they cleaned out their closet and got 2 big boxes of things to give away (I am just happy that they cleaned their closet out, I don't think they have ever done that before...lol).

When I am afraid, I will trust in you

Psalm 56:3

I know....

change is never easy…if it was it would not be a big deal…right.

This is probably one of the hardest weeks of my life yet one of the most exciting…does that makes sense. Me and the kids are in Tennessee on Spring Break and we are having so much fun, driving around taking pictures and just having a good time but this is also my last week with Tom for 2 ½ months.

For those of you who may not know yet let me explain…we are moving to Tennessee in June. Tom got a job and started working last Thursday so he has already moved, he is staying with his mom until June which is when the kids and I are moving. Why June you may be wondering….we want Kirsti to graduate from Chamberlain and we want the other two to finish this school year so that is why we are waiting until then.

I am not looking forward to leaving this Saturday, this will be only the second time we have been apart for a long period of time. The first time of course was when Tom was in the Marines and he was sent overseas for 6 months, thank God this time will only be for 2 ½ months but that is still a long time. The 12 hour drive home is going to be hell but I am going to have to try and keep it together for the kids. They are taking it hard too but I don’t think it is really going to hit them until we start heading back to Florida and Tom has to stay.

We both really feel that this is the next step that God has for our family but we never realized how hard it was going to be. So I am asking for you to pray for me and my family…this couple of months is going to be hard but it will all be worth it in the end.

Help me to remember...

I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

*Lord give me the faith to TRUST you....no matter what*

Another one of my favorite songs....

Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace

*Thank you God for seeing the true me... no matter what*

What Faith Can Do......

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

I love love love this song....it speaks so loudly to me right now

Saying good-bye.....

is never easy but I have learned that it is a part of life.

We had a farewell reception for our Children's Pastor and his family yesterday but they were so much more then just our Children's Pastor.

I remember the first time I meet his wife (Misty), it was at our Princess Luncheon. She looked so nervous but I knew after talking to her just once that we were going to be good friends. Little did I know at the time that I would end up babysitting their daughter, Cece. It was all God, I was quiting my job and they were having a problem with the childcare so I stepped in to help. During that time I really got close to not only the kids but to Misty and Trinity and we had a blast. I loved spending time with them and our families got very close. We watched each others kids grow, Pastor T saw Ashlee and Britney move from children's church to youth and he and Misty both invested so much in their lives, and I truly believe that they are the young ladies of God today because of the things they learned in children's church.

Misty and Trinity you both will be GREATLY missed!!!!!!!! We love you and you will always have a special place in our hearts.

And T thanks for all the awesome staff lunches....they won't be the same without you!!!!!!