Joy and Sorrow

Today I feel overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.

My heart hurts and breaks at the terrible loss of our incredible soldiers in Afghanistan. It's a hard day to have the love of your life called to serve in the military. I feel overwhelmed by sorrow, fear, and anger....along with peace, joy, and thanksgiving. While those families experience an unconscionable amount of loss, we celebrate the return of our neighbors, birthdays of innocent children, new births, and weddings...all of this in one day. It seems impossible that while some worlds seem to end, ours keep going.

I am drawn to the verses in John 6 where Peter asks: "Lord, to whom shall we go"...knowing that the breath of life and this flesh is given and guided not by our will, but by the Father's...and that He is the only place we can turn.

 "Abba Father, everything is possible for you,  take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done" Mark 14:36

Your Grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in my weakness: 2 Corinthians 12:9

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us" 1 John 4:16

Finding Joy in the Father, thankful for today...these are my heartcries of the hour.

Thank you for praying with me as we all walk in this broken world.
        "The joy of the Lord is our strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10)

Just a few photos from Italy and John Paul and Stacie's Wedding

Rehearsal Dinner

Spanish Steps

Roman Colosseum

 I think this is Zeus...

The Peita'

Shopping...yet again! They were good sports!

The Bride and Groom!

All the ladies

Getting ready...checking that hair piece

The gorgeous bride and her beautiful Momma

My beloved

Yes....our family poses.      all. the. time.

Married man!

Life moves quickly...

As we get settled here at Fort Bragg, our life moves quickly. We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors who bring friendship, laughter, and a quickly filling date-book.

North Carolina is gorgeous. I'm getting settled into our new home, the Fort Bragg Spouse's Club, our street, and North Carolina in general....as Garrett makes waves in the hospital. Many hours have already been spent in ER training, as well as specific rotations.

Our biggest Praise for today is the peace we both experience. Each day we see more and more why the Lord has us here. Please pray for the Lord to guide us each step, and use us as He wills....setting our hearts according to His.

Our prayers continue to be raised for healing of Taylor Pratt...
....and for the peace and presence of the Lord upon the family of the tragic death here this weekend. 

We love you all!
May you experience God's guidance, peace, and presence in all you do!

Time flies!

Wow! I can't believe we have already been here for over a year.

Garrett and I are getting ready to leave San Antonio....we have been SO blessed to be here. Our time here has given us deeper roots than I ever imagined, and friendships that have been incredible blessings...some that I am sure will last a lifetime. One amazing thing about the Army is the fact that everyone gets to know each other on a deeper level... much faster. I suppose it's because we all know we don't have time or energy to 'waste' on the 'niceties' so we just skip right down to the nitty-gritty of friendships. Pretty refreshing if you ask me!

Today I am sitting in a room full of decorated walls, furniture, and knick knacks....by tomorrow things should look quite a bit differently!