WIC

WIC graduation night

if you know anything about the military, you know that they have an acronym for everything. a lot of the acronyms don't make sense, but that's besides the point.

anyways, for the past six months, my husband has been completing a training (WIC-- Weapons Instructor Course) to become a weapons officer of his aircraft. in other words, he has been gone from home for six. long. months. ah, it feels so good to finally write that. i have alluded to his absence, but it is refreshing to actually be able to write it out, now that he is home.

did you catch that? he's home! bliss.

so, about these past six months. i think the words that come to mind as i reflect on the past half-of-a-year are provision and joy. to say that God provides doesn't always carry the effect that it should. i think many Christians believe this to be true, but to experience it is oh so sweet. God has provided in numerous ways for our family. i can think of particular instances over the past few months where i felt drained, frustrated, alone, or hopeless. God provided. it wasn't always instantaneous, but throughout the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, i was able to look back and see how God sustained me, gave me the energy i needed, surrounded me with the comfort only He can give, poured out a grace to be the mom/wife/friend/sister/neighbor/human i needed to be, and overall gave me a hope in Him that was beyond and independent of the present circumstances.

there were a few weeks to a month during this time that i felt desperate. my sweet husband was working so hard, but felt inadequate to meet the expectations laid before him. as his wife, i wanted to encourage him and make all the wrongs right. i couldn't. but what i could do was pray. it was an amazing experience to pray, with absolutely no clue what the outcome would be, and allow God's peace to flow through me, for His favor to be lavished on my husband, for circumstances to take a miraculous turn, and for God alone to get the glory. isn't that the whole point, after all? He wants and deserves the glory. and when He steps in and provides in ways that our human efforts cannot, then He will get the glory, because on our own, we are inadequate, helpless, and needy. oh, and that's a good thing!

so, what about this joy? well, personally i have learned a lot through this experience. in answer to more prayers, God has changed my heart and given me a sweet joy in what He has called me to do as a wife, a mom, and a homemaker. God has used His Word, people, books, etc to grow me and allow me to see things differently. i went from dwelling on the circumstances of being a single (and pregnant) mom, husband thousands of miles away, a pending move, and so many unknowns it was ridiculous to realizing God's sovereignty over my life, His interest in working things for my good and His glory, and how He has created me for good works. i can either embrace these "good works" and let them be good things in my life, or i can resist and be selfish and miss the blessings along the way. a lot had to do with my perspective. there is great joy in a new and Godly perspective.

we are now home celebrating this HUGE accomplishment for my husband, enjoying the most wonderful time of year together as a family, and celebrating a big God and a most gracious Savior!

graduating class 11B of the c-17 Weapons School. way to go, guys!

(my husband is the super-handsome one on the far right)