Memorial Day...

We thank and remember those that died
for our freedom and the freedom of others.

We praise and thank the Lord of all for Him Who died
for our ultimate freedom from sin and Hell.


"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
~ John 15:13

Setting Forth...

Setting Forth..., originally uploaded by hskubes.

Today we begin our journey...

We've shared tender good-byes...
many tear-filled eyes...

We leave pieces of our hearts behind...
carrying pieces of other's with us.

So glad we'll never say goodbye in Glory.
Praising God for precious friends in Christ.

Change... and peace in the midst

A chapter closes as a new one begins...

The place we called home for 3+ years
has been packed, emptied, and cleaned...
Keys have been returned
and HOME has a new face.
HOME will have many faces in the days to come.

But, then again... HOME is many faces.
Home is not the building (or camper) in which we reside...
It is found in the faces of those I love...
in memories... in moments...
it's a bond of the heart that exists
and rests in that union of love.

HOME doesn't change... it goes with me...

The LORD is faithful in helping me to remember
that the house, the yard, the neighborhood,
the situations, the circumstances...
they're all temporary...
and change is inevitable...
Life here is only temporary...
and HE compelled me to reflect
on how I spent my years here... for HIM.
What was the eternal value of my life here?

While life here is temporal,
there is an eternal...

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past...
Only what's done for Christ will last"

I wonder have I done my best for Jesus...
when HE has done so much for me.

Time to Move

Time to Move, originally uploaded by hskubes.

Blogging will be sporatic
as we begin our journey westward.

We look forward to the new adventure
the LORD has for us.

Psalm 121

His Ways Are Not Our Ways...

It is a lesson that I have been learning in life...
particularly this past year.
My faith has been stretched,
my dreams... have been revealed as such... only dreams,
my ideas have been questioned, my convictions challenged,
my way of thinking altered, my plans changed...
But His grace abounds.
In His goodness, He teaches me and grows me.
And I am thankful.




One of those things that He has been working
has come to fruition...
as we have received official orders from the Marine Corps,
and undoubtedly according to His perfect will and timing.
And it's because of how miraculously He has worked,
that He has blessed me with being able to accept it more easily.

Whether, in the eyes of others, it be right or wrong,
I had not really anticipated our children going to college.
I believed they would prepare to serve God from home
or, perhaps, in an apprenticeship or some other way He would lead.
When we graduated our eldest last June,
she looked forward to preparing for the mission field
in various ways from home.
We began making contacts with missionaries,
planning possible trips and attending a missions camp.

God was working, though, something in our eldest's heart.
And certain doors where not being opened for our plans.
Then she shared with us how she felt the Lord
may actually want her to go to college
(even though she didn't really want to).
But she felt that the only one He would want her to go to
was across the continent in the state of California.
We, prayerfully, concluded that it was just too far away,
particularly at this time in her life.



She took it to the Lord in prayer,
resolving that if her parents did not want her to go there,
that meant the Lord did not want her to go.
And further prayed that if He did want her to go,
He would need to move the whole family to California
(knowing this was highly unlikely because there was no job
that Dad could do in California and we anticipated local orders.
And if those fell through, he had a request by name,
for orders an hour away).
She left it at His feet and determined to proceed
with other plans of going to missions camp.

A few weeks later, my beloved and I received word
that we were, indeed, getting orders.
And this week, those orders became "official".
And they are NOT local, as we had expected...

We are going to California.
And we firmly believe, it is the Lord that is doing the sending.
It was such a surprise... we were stunned.
But Ally... she was amazed.
Amazed of His will for her.
Amazed that the Creator of all heard her prayer,
which was given in an almost jesting manner,
and that He would answer it in such an obvious way.
He showed her how He loves us in such a personal way...
That He cares and that HE can.

We shared tears and laughter.
We are blessed how He has shown Himself real to Ally...
to ALL of us.


He is love. He is good.
He IS real.


We look forward to seeing more of how He works His will.
We thank Him and give Him all the praise!
Rejoice with us!


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
~ Isaiah 55:8

Happy Veteran's Day!

Be sure to go out of your way to thank a veteran.
Please don't forget to pray for our military.

Regency Gown and Jacket ...

The past few weeks, I have been working on sewing my gown
for the Marine Corps Ball that my beloved & I were to attend.

I chose the regency gown pattern with modifications.
I used the regency sleeve and skirt with a square neck bodice.
I widened the bodice for gathering, gathered it, & attached it
to a waistband then added a ribbon and a rose.

Here is the final project...




I was thankful for the elegant look
without the compromise of modesty.


In addition to the gown,
I opted to make a long regency jacket




This was my first time making this & it was quite a challenge
(since I didn't have time to practice on it).
I was glad that it turned out as well as it did
(& that I had gotten extra material for mess ups).


I, also, whipped up a little drawstring purse/bag
to go along with the gown...


No pattern was used.
I simply used a large bowl to draw a circle
on two pieces of fabric then sewed them together,
turned them right side out, slip stitched the opening,
made a casing, and a 'drawstring.
Very simple and practical for the evening.



Here are my beloved and I together...



lol


Here we are on a more 'serious' note...








We sat through the ceremony and the dinner
then left as the "social hour" commenced.
We had a lovely time and enjoyed our evening together.


"My beloved is mine, and I am his..."
~ Song of Solomon 2:16

Thursday's Things...

Today was a beautiful day,
much of which the children spent outdoors.
We continued our study in Genesis 3.
During our Bible study, we were comparing
spiritual warfare vs physical warfare.
We sure enjoyed digging into God's Word,
learning the Truths about our spiritual warfare!
Later, the children did miscellaneous things,
mostly played outside on the trampoline
(amazing how they can do that for so long!).

Will spent some time working on the R*ubick's Cube.
Daddy has been teaching him a few "tricks"
and he has spent a lot of time practicing...


Ally spent most of the day working in her
Advanced Chemistry and was excited about an experiment.
She got to make slime...

It's funny how homemade slime can entertain so many!

Daddy came home for lunch today
and he had the afternoon off
(since he has a "mandatory function" this evening).
We enjoyed spending the afternoon with him.
It was precious to see him playing on the floor
with the younger ones...


Later in the afternoon, he had to return to work
but it was worth seeing him in his "pickle suit"
(Marine Corps terminology)...

This uniform comes out on rare occasions
and I'm always glad to see it. ;o)


Ah, one of the perks of being a Marine wife...


I love it!!


Hope y'all have enjoyed your day! ;o)


"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD,
and the praises of the LORD,
according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us,
and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies,
and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses."
~ Isaiah 63:7

Overwhelming Joy...

It happened! Praise the Lord, it happened!
After 12 months, 3 weeks,
misunderstandings, unexpected delays,
and a couple of hours in the hanger,
Daddy and family were reunited
around 4:30/5:00 am Thursday morning!


Opening the hanger doors...
Marines, arrived from Iraq, in the background
standing in formation...


Prayer was said and Marines were "let loose"
to be reunited with their families and friends.
We were overjoyed to greet our special Marine, our hero...
our daddy and beloved...








After savoring those precious moments,
we were eager to bring him home...


...picking up his bags...




heading home,
ready for breakfast, sleep,
and to begin our year right... with Daddy...







"But I will hope continually,
and will yet praise thee more and more."
~ Psalm 71:14

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
and his greatness is unsearchable."
~ Psalm 145:3

"Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and for evermore."
~ Psalm 113:2

Delays...

Continuing with a wee bloggie break
but wanted to post an update...
My beloved (along with a couple of hundred other Marines)
has encountered some unexpected delays
as he is making his journey home.
We continue in prayer and anticipation
as we await his wonderful arrival
and, truly, appreciate your continued prayers.


"My brethren, count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
~ James 1:2-3

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH
is everlasting strength:"
~ Isaiah 26:3-4


graphic from Snapshots of Joy

Breaking for Reunion...

The empty chair at the supper table will be filled.
"Mommy, I miss Daddy" will cease.
Sleepless nights alone will end.
After 12 months 2 1/2 weeks apart,
our family will be complete once again.

The house is clean, laundry is finished,
fresh sheets are on the bed,
Daddy's favorite shampoo and soap
are awaiting his first shower home,
fresh bread has been made,
Daddy's favorite meals are on the menu
(along with a favorite desert),
our home is filled with giggles, smiles,
thanks, prayers, and great anticipation
as what we have longed for is coming to fruition.

A bloggie break is at hand
and, Lord willing, the next time I post,
sharing photos... Daddy will be in them! ;o)


"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live:
I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness;
and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:"
~ Psalm 63:3-5


Thank you so much for your prayers!

Iraqi Snowman...

I got an email from my beloved today
and just had to share what they woke up to...


SNOW... in the desert!
(notice the sand in the snowman?? LOL)

Hope y'all are enjoying your day!

"For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth;
likewise to the small rain,
and to the great rain of his strength."
~ Job 37:6

I Confess...

I was almost compelled to grab a paper bag
or some concealing item to do this
when I spoke to my beloved on the phone late last night...

It was gently revealed to me
(somewhere along the lines in our "code talking")
that my beloved and I somehow
had a 'minor' marital miscommunication.
(y'all have those, too... right?)

It seems that my beloved's unit was extended
for a "brief" time and he will, indeed, not be
returning to us just as soon as I had thought.
{{sheepish, slightly embarassed grin}}
Though we do expect him home somewhat soon,
it is not in the "immediate" future.
There remains a little bit of waiting time.
So we will continue on until that day arrives. ;o)

Though I cannot share when he will arrive,
I will be sure to drop a few "general" hints
around that special time. ;o)
(especially since I am 'on the same page'
as my beloved now... lol... Love you, Honey!)

Thank you, again, to all of you that were praying
and anticipating his arrival with us.
We continue to look forward to that day
and appreciate your continued prayers. ;o)


"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:"
~ Isaiah 26:3-4

It's Official...

.... WE ARE READY... ;o)

Today we finished the house and hung up our sign.
We are eagerly awaiting his arrival. ;o)






Have blessed Lord's Day tomorrow!

"Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and for evermore."
~ Psalm 113:2

Wednesday's Ways...

I hope y'all are enjoying the new year! ;o)
Yesterday the children and I worked in the house,
preparing for Daddy's homecoming.
We tackled Ally's and Will's bedrooms,
as we were switching them, downsizing, and cleaning.
The more I move furniture,
the older I realize I really am!

Today we worked on the living room and reading room.
The tree and Christmas decor was put away,
we picked up, organized, dusted,
and put everything in its place...
even the bookshelves are well presentable. ;o)

The children, also, enjoyed some free time...


The lil' girls enjoyed playing with the barn
and its barnyard friends.



Will enjoyed a book while relaxing on the couch.



Ally enjoyed practicing violin and was excited to learn
a special "tip" from Frédéric Chopin
(even though he's been dead over 150 years)! ;o)

This afternoon,
we began making a sign for Daddy's homecoming...





(hanging to dry)



The children will be coloring in the people more tomorrow
and then we will be hanging it up
on the side of the highway.
We are very excited and can't wait to see Daddy! ;o)

For supper, I was able to use my new Nicer Dicer
(which is a lot easier on my wrists)
to make a ham, zuchinni and rice skillet.
It was yummy!
When we all sat down at the table to pray and eat,
I noticed that Beth and Will looked sickly.
Sure enough... they had low fevers...
so we are beginning our new year
with giving our immune systems a little "practice". ;o)

I hope y'all are enjoying your week!


"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live:
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."
~ Psalm 104:33

Monday's Musings...

I hope y'all had a blessed Lord's Day yesterday.
It was such a blessing being in the Lord's house,
hearing His Precious Word preached.
The Sunday school lesson and the a.m. sermon
were such a blessing.
In the evening service,
we had a visiting evangelist.
What the Lord laid on his heart
was a little tough to hear
but it was a wonderful admonition and blessing!
One of the things he mentioned
was serving God with our 'trinity'
(our body, soul, and spirit).
He spoke about how it can sometimes
be easy to be 'spiritual'
yet we tend to neglect giving our bodies to the Lord.
He mentioned how many times,
he'll hear of (believers) that take their lives (in su*cide)
and how they will answer to Christ...
how they prematurely shortened their time
to serve Christ here on Earth.
Then he proceeded to point out
that we ought not to be so harsh on them
because many of us are doing the same thing
by the way we live, eat, etc...
how through our eating habits, other habits, etc...
we are prematurely shortening our days
and that one day we, as well, will stand before Christ.
It was a powerful message! Praise God!

After the service, Ally was very eager
to enjoy our church's new grand piano!...


And, of course, we ladies were excited as well... ;o)

Oh, what beautiful music it makes! ;o)
And what a blessing it is that the Lord provided it
for our church... for free! God is so Good!


Today was cloudy and rainy...
one of those laid back kind of days.
Early this morning, Carolynne and I
went to her dentist appointment.
Poor thing had to get a filling
but she did so great. I was so proud of her
and thankful for the answer to prayers.
She (and Mommy) made it through. ;o)

This afternoon, the children and I
worked together to get a box ready
to ship to Daddy and his Marines.
Pastor had given me 20 New Testament,
marked edition, Bibles!
What a blessing that was.
I am so excited to be able to send them
and so are the children!
We prayed for the Marines that will receive them
as we prepared them to put in the box.
We are shipping these out
in the name of our church.
Here was our set up...


New Testament Bibles (marked edition),
personal prayer list booklets,
read the Bible in a year schedule
(though we decided not to ship this because
we were only sending New Testaments),
and our church's new Christmas tracts,
along with a favorite snack among Marines...
Rice Krispy Treats. ;o)

Ally and I wrote inscriptions
on the inside cover of the Bibles
while Will put the prayer list booklet inside,
along with a Christmas tract on the cover,
then secured it with two rubber bands...


After the Bibles were prepared, I put them in the box,
then Beth and Carolynne helped to put in the treats...


We topped it off with a little note and sealed the box...



We plan to ship it off tomorrow.
Also this week, we hope to get together another box
for Daddy and his Marines from us personally.
We are sending giant stockings with goodies. ;o)
We sure enjoyed preparing that box
and pray the Lord will use it to lead those Marines
to come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.


This evening, after supper, we were {finally} able
to completely finish our book
"Summer with the Moody's"
and we even read the first chapter of our next one,
"Autumn with the Moody's". ;o)
The children were enjoying it very much,
as was I.

Tomorrow we head to the post office, Lord willing,
and in the evening we plan to make a visit
to our "church grandpa".
He has cancer (deemed terminal)
and has been home, doing hospice, for a few weeks.
He has been unable to make it to church
and we miss him greatly,
so we look forward to seeing him.
He is such a loving and godly man,
and, wow, what a soul winner for Christ!


I, also, hope to work on Beth's dress
and Will's bowtie this week.
I was able to complete Carolynne's
Christmas dress over the weekend...

And Ally was able to finish her dress, too!
Only one dress and a bowtie to go
and then we can do our family pictures. ;o)

Before I go, I just wanted to share
Carolynne's 'family portrait'
that she drew on the chalk board today.
We aren't proportionally drawn
but that's okay, she's three. ;o)
I thought she did such a wonderful job, though.
I just love when they draw people!

(drawing from left to right)
Carolynne, Will, Daddy, Ally, Mommy, Beth


I hope y'all are enjoying your week. ;o)


"For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's."
1 Corinthians 6:20

Dealing With Deployments...

There are many military wives/families
that have experienced (or will) dealing with deployments.
Often times, it can be easy to become discouraged.
Not that I am more experienced
(there are plenty of wives that have done this more than I)
and not that I have a fast-acting,
"everything will be wonderful and easy" solution,
but the following are some things that the Lord
has shown me in dealing with deployments...



• Focus on HIM

Keep Jesus Christ the focus.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33

Be fervent in prayer.
"Pray without ceasing."
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Keep a prayer journal.
Instead of calling family and friends,
call on your Heavenly Father,
your Greatest Friend,
"...that sticketh closer than a brother."
(Proverbs 18:24)

Be committed to quiet time with Him.
"... early will I seek thee..." (Psalm 63:1)
"With my whole heart have I sought thee..."
(Psalm 119:10)
Seize the opportunity to draw near to Him,
to nurture a personal and intimate
relationship with Him,
to deepen your walk with Jesus Christ.

Take time to memorize Scripture,
allowing what He says to change
your heart and thinking,
allowing His Word to comfort
and encourage you, always.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart..."
(Psalm 119:11)
"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart."
(Psalm 119:2)



• Focus on Husband

Continue to be his helpmeet
"...I will make him an help meet for him."
(Genesis 2:18b)

Pray for him fervently.
"...The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much."
(James 5:16b)

When communicating,
be cheerful, sweet, and informative.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

"Let your speech be alway with grace,
seasoned with salt..." (Colossians 4:6)
Avoid complaining.
Be calm when announcing 'bad news'.
Write often, even if it's just a small note,
but be sure to write occasional love letters, too. ;o)
Send care packages.
It doesn't always have to be a lot,
just frequent, thoughtful packages,
letting him know you're thinking of him.

Submit to and honor him.
"Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands,
as it is fit in the Lord."
(Colossians 3:18)

"..and the wife see that
she reverence her husband."
(Ephesians 5:33b)

Help him by being frugal.
Avoid opposite gender friendships.
Ask if he has particular things
he desires for you to do or not to do,
or particular ways to do things.
Do what you can so that
his heart can safely trust in you.
"The heart of her husband
doth safely trust in her..."
(Proverbs 31:11a)



• Focus on Heritage

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD..."
(Psalm 127:3a)
Use this time to focus on the children.
Be diligent and consistent in training them up
in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

Work on character development,
spiritual growth, first time obedience,
habits, chores, life skills, etc...
With hubby's permission, go tv free.
Have special game nights, looking at photos, etc...
Begin or continue family Bible time and prayer time.
Focus on home educating.
"And thou shalt teach them diligently
unto thy children, and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up."
(Deuteronomy 6:7)



• Focus on Home

"To be ...keepers at home..." ~ Titus 2:5

"She looketh well to the ways
of her household..." ~ Proverbs 31:27a

Use this time to develop
better home keeping habits.
Read, research, and discover more ways
to make your home a sweet, peaceful haven.
Keep it clean and cozy.
With hubby's permission, downsize and simply.
Learn to make some new meals, desserts, etc...
that he may like when he returns.
Pick up a new hobby that can bless
the family and the home.
"She... worketh willingly with her hands."
(Proverbs 31:13)



• Focus on House of God

"Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together..."
(Hebrews 10:25a)
Become and stay faithful in church.
Aim to be in every service.
Be involved and serve the Lord
through the local church.
"...being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God."
(Colossians 1:10)

Get to know your church family more,
let them get to know you more,
and develop friendships with them.
"Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ."
(Galatians 6:2)

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they will be still praising thee."
(Psalm 84:4)


Deployments can be a time of blessings,
spiritual growth, and so much more.
If we just seize the opportunity,
while trusting Heavenly Father.


~ Christina K© November 2007

Veteran's Day...

Be sure to go out of your way to thank a veteran.
Please don't forget to pray for our military.





Thank you, Daddy (r) and Uncle Steven (l)!
We appreciate all that you do
and are proud of you!
We love and miss you!

~ Your family



"The LORD watch between me and thee,
when we are absent one from another."
~ Genesis 31:49