Catch-Up

So Its been too long, I'll blame it on the really slow internet at my parents house, and well a much needed break from everyday life lol... hopefully when I get back to ND (the middle of March-ish) I can be more diligent... but anyways! I thought I would post just a little bit of whats been going on during our adventure out west... I guess I can start with the journey out here....

We left very very early in the AM like O dark thirty as my father would say or as us kids would call it the butt-crack of dawn... and I should say... should have listened to the parents on that one... Montana roads at 6 am during winter= Jesus Take the Wheel even at 30 mph... but we made it through in one piece (not only in body but in spirit) to SLC on the first day 18 hrs of driving later! I can tell you the kiddos were amazing... Denny was just so sweet, and Layla and I had a fabulous time singing all the songs on our road-trip playlist! We Checked in to TLF at Hill AFB in UT and got to sleep at around 2am, and left the later that morning 9ish maybe... My BFF Jackie, kept me lots of company on the phone... thank goodness, its always wonderful to have someones ear to take your mind off the tingly feeling in your bum from driving for the vast majority of two days... I was bummed when we hit California though... what state only allows you to drive 65! Oh how I longed to be back on the road going 80 like the rest of the states allow... but we all know CA doesn't get much right... We got in at around 7pm that evening, and got all the oohs and ahhs, and Gamma and Gampas out of the way! Layla was so happy to be here, and well Denny was content as always, and melted Grandpas heart with big smiles... We spent the next few days resting, and adjusting to West Coast time... 

We had lots of play dates planned, meeting with friends who we hadn't seen since our wedding, and during V-day my parents treated me to a trip to the desert, which was wonderful! I got to play 18 holes of golf with my dad... and I will for certain be purchasing my all access playing card to the course on/off base this spring... its such a relaxing sport... We got back home, and my mom treated us to passes to Sea World... and boy have we been using them... I can say its not the same without Chris... Layla loves and misses her papa... but she loves the sharks, and Shamu, and OMG we fed the Bat Rays... one of which is quite feisty and enjoys flapping his wings, and splashing everyone around... We've been to Nati's numerous times and while sitting on the patio you can count on the flyby of the planes from the airport... and Layla without fail: "Hi daddy... my daddy flyin... bye bye daddy, I miss you" its heart breaking, but he'll be  home soon... 

Last weekend was the Auction for SCI and that was a blast... My dad always does such an amazing job! I'm sure they are sad to see him go... but I think my mom strategically planned her b-day trip to Tahiti so that dad could be relieved of the stress! I think they were on track to raise at least 200k... which is just amazing... Denny went dressed as a baby reindeer, and helped me sell a few thousand dollars in BINGO cards for this gorgeous Kimber handgun...! I was one of the final five people too for the drawing... but... no new handgun for mama!  

We're wrapping up our trip here... next Thursday my sister will escort me up to Sacramento, and then I think I'll head down to Merced, and then Chris' mom has offered to help with the drive back... I'm hoping were back sometime around the 15th, but we'll see how the weather pans out... 

This trip overall has been remarkably wonderful... but a few friend have been through some just terribly trying times, I've been praying a lot, and thinking a lot about the things that are truly important, and about how fragile and fleeting life is... I have always loved this reflection, and have been contemplating a time to share it, but here is something that I've been trying to read and live every day :) Love you all and goodnight:

The Choice 

by Max Lucado

IT’S QUIET. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love . . .

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy . . .

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace . . .

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience . . .

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness . . .

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness . . .

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness . . .

 Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness . . .

 Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control . . .

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

From When God Whispers Your Name
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado