Monday? Again?

WOW!!! What a fast weekend!!!! We've had a great one, though a little bittersweet! Last night we went to a BBQ/Aloha Show for our Pastor, Rick, and his wife Sue. They are retiring after 46 years in the ministry! What an amazing thing! Today we got to hear Pastor Rick's last sermon, and I have to say, it brought us to tears. For so many reasons....

I know that anytime we have to part ways with someone dear to us it is bound to hurt a little. Last night, after watching a slideshow of Pastor Rick and Sue's time here at Island Family Christian Church, we went up to hug them and tell them how much we would miss them. I thanked them for all they had done for our church, and Pastor Rick turned to me and said, "No, thank YOU for your family's willingness to serve in this church!". Doc and I love being involved in ministries, but I was overwhelmed with emotion when Pastor Rick said that. I wanted so badly (but for the sake of time, couldn't) to tell him that we wouldn't BE serving if it weren't for him! We wouldn't have grown as much as we have in the last 2 years if it weren't for him, and our lives wouldn't have been changed forever for Christ, if it weren't for Pastor Rick. I'm sure it will be hard to part with any Pastor that we have, but I'm not sure that I'll ever be as personally attatched to anyone as I am to Pastor Rick. After all, he did baptize both my husband and I, right here in the beautiful Pacific ocean, and He and his wife were big parts of our wedding here. His sermons taught, developed and encouraged me throughout both of Doc's deployment here, and did the same for Doc as well!! I was able to get a recording of every sermon during both deployments and send them to Doc in his care packages. Those sermons changed his life while he was 10,000 miles away. We're forever grateful to these two, and wish them nothing but the best!

And now it's back to Monday! Ugh. Grocery shopping. laundry, errands, all the fun stuff. Whoohoo! I'll update more early this week! Have a wonderful week peeps!

Weekend Humor

A Buddhist walks up to a hotdog cart and says...

"Make me one with everything!!!!!"

Happy Weekend Peeps!!!!

:)

Question...What are your thoughts?

Aloha peeps! THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!!!!! Anyone else feeling that way today? This weekend is sure to please! Ours will be filled with lots of cooking!! I've really started to love cooking on the weekends! I cook completely different food than I do during the week. Typically on weeknights it's quick, 30 minute meals. On the weekend, we spend at least on hour just on Saturday morning brunch. Doc and I cook together, blaring some worship music, and letting Jordan go back and forth from Saturday-Morning Cartoons to dancing like a crazy person for Jesus. And it doesn't stop there....on the menu this weekend we have a Honey-Glazed Ham, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Garlic-Sugar Green Beans, lots of fruits and veggies for snacks, and plenty of Crystal Light Pink Lemonade! (Ok ok....as well as Caffeine Free Diet Coke....if I close my eyes for a second it almost tastes as good as regular Diet Coke!) I hope you all have a blessed weekend!



So.....I have a question for you all. I am so lucky to have such a plethora of wise, wonderful people in my life to give me their opinions about things like this. I've already made my decision, but I'm still curious as to how other people view this. Here goes...



While at my Dr.'s appointment last week, the Nurse Practicioner brought up the testing for Down's Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, etc. At Tripler Army Medical Center, these tests are optional. They were mandatory at the hospital where I delivered Jordan, but they are optional here. When she asked if I would like to have the tests, my question to her was this: "Do the results of this test change, in anyway, the delivery process, or provide information for things that need to be done in the delivery room or immediatley after the birth?" Her answer was "No." That was all I needed to know, and I declined the tests. She went on to tell me that she would not take such a hasty answer, and insisted that I think about it more. I asked her what the benefit to these tests would be, and her answer was "Well, for you to knowingly bring a child into this world with something like Cystic Fibrosis you need to KNOW what that means....a child that won't live past 30, that will be in a constant struggle, with mucus filled lungs, and special costly care, etc." Now...this may be my crazy pregnancy hormones, but I took this as her saying that I need to know before I DECIDE to have this baby. I told her again, with gusto, that I would like to decline the testing, and she again refused to write down my answer. She said that technically she doesn't need an answer until my next appointment, and that she insists that I think about this a little more. I don't know if she truly wants me to think about it more, or if she truly just doesn't like my answer.



In my household, abortion is not an option. It's never discussed, because it's simply not an option. It is our sincere belief that God creates babies, and we don't, regardless of the circumstances. We would have this baby regardless of anything that could be wrong with it, because it's God's will. Not because we think it would be easy to raise a child that required special needs, but rather because it is asked of us by our Lord.



That being said, I know plenty of people who feel the exact same way about abortion/creation, but DO think it would be a good idea to go ahead with the tests, just to have a "head's up" of what's to come. For me, I truly don't think I could go through the rest of my pregnancy with the same excitement and joyous wonder if I knew that after the delivery things would be completely different than usual. I feel ashamed for feeling that way. I would certainly not give my praying knees a break if I were to find out something like that, but I would have the advantage of being able to prepare. And that's another thing, how DO you prepare for something like that? We pray for a healthy baby, knowing that it may be God's will for us to have a child with Special Needs. We continue to tell Him our hope, and we continue to say "Your will be done" at the end of each prayer.



How do you feel about this? These tests? Do you think the advantage of knowing is something that everyone should have if they were about to have a child with special needs? Do you think it's crazy to not want to know? Do you think it's crazy to want to know? I don't really think anything of either choice, I just feel what I feel for my personal situation, and I know this is different for everyone. I see up's and down's with each choice. What do you all think?


Thank you for listening to me ramble about this! And thank you in advance for your feedback! I appreciate it! I hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

Confessions of a Happy Pregnant Lady

DELICIOUS Pink Lemonade!!!!!

Fuji Apples!!!!

LOVE This show :)

MMMM....fastest nausea cure.

Awesome Daily Devotional!!!! Very "Step by Step" and very refreshing!!!

August Mayhem!

DANG!!!!! It's been a busy few weeks!!!! I apologize for the delay in posts :( Here are some updates on life these last few weeks:

1. I had my first Dr.'s appt for this pregnancy last week!!! It went very well, ish. Every Dr. is different, and I have to keep telling myself that. It's AMAZING how much has changed since I was expecting Jordan. First, my Dr. told me that I would be considered "slightly high risk" this pregnancy because of my C-Section with Jord. I have NEVER heard this before in my life. Ever. But, that is this Dr.'s opinion. She also said that she had "concerns" over Jordan's low birth weight. Jordan weighed 6 lbs and 14 oz, and her pediatrician at birth felt as though her birthweight was healthy as a horse. NEVER did he think it was low, and my gosh, she was almost 7 pounds!!! This Dr. insists that she really could have used a few more ounces, and says "she'll be monitoring me closely". Whatever. We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time, and in the words of my husband it sounded like "a thundering baby boy" :) He's wishful thinking of course :) This "Dr." as I keep calling her was actually only a nurse practicioner, and I will not have to see her again at all. Due to my "semi-high riskness", I will have to see an actual Dr. from here on out. I certainly have no problems with that, and I'm actually a little relieved that I get to switch! The nurse practicioner and I had a little argument over some optional testing that I will go into more details about later......I'm glad that I won't have to deal with that any more!

2. We have been denied the orders that we were hoping for in Washington, and are back in re-negotiation for new ones! The last week around this house has been filled with 3 AM phone calls to Tennessee, praying for wisdom, praying for orders, searching of good civilian jobs just in case God leads us toward that avenue, and more prayer in general. Theses situations of transition make me feel like my neck is going to close up, but it also forces us to lean on God. That's something that we can rejoice in right now! We've turned to his Word, and at this point we feel that He is leading us to stay in. We've put in for orders in a few places in California, and we're waiting to hear back on those. We're still praying for God's direction in this matter. Will you pray with us?? Thank you peeps!!

3. We had a friend from Illinois come to visit this last week! We've been mini-vacationing and living like tourists for the last 9 days, and it has been incredible!! Doc has been on leave, and we've had such a great time together! I think it's safe to say that we're all kind of luau-ed out right now! LOL I'll post a few pics from our outings in another post soon!

4. Just to reiterate what I've already posted in other posts: I FEEL AMAZING!!!!! My morning sickness is completely gone!!!!! I did find out that I more than likely have pregnancy anemia, and that I may need an additional iron supplement in addition to my prenatal vitamin. That is great news, because I've really been wondering what the deal is with the wave of weakness that comes over me for no reason almost constantly all day long. I've been so active during the last week, and though it was pretty difficult at times, I have REALLY enjoyed myself!!!! Thank you for the prayer for these times!!!! God is good!!!! And he has humbled me throughout this entire experience. I will never again look at a barely-pregnant lady and think to myself "Oh please, she's like, 7 weeks along, she really needs to suck it up!!!" I'm ashamed of myself for ever thinking that way, and thankful that God changed my mind! He knew that He needed to!

How are you all doing?? I feel like I've been out of the loop lately! I hope you all are well!!! I'll be posting a little more this week, to include a question that I really want you alls opinion on. It's a bit of an ethical one, and I hope that it doesn't spark a massive brawl (not that I think any of you would do that, but it's an opinion question and you never know what could happen!!! ) Be on the look out for that!! Love you guys!!!!

The Story of Us: Part 2

Doc and I decided to attend church that Sunday at the First Church of the Nazarene in Forsyth, Illinois. Doc had been raised Catholic, but was a little confused about what he actually believed. We both had things about the Catholic religion that we didn't truly believe, so we chose to try a different route. God was guiding us to the best decision we've ever made. First Church became our Illinois church home, and though it was just for a few months, it made such a huge impression on us and set the pace for the rest of our spiritual journey.

Doc left for BUD/S in Coronado, CA, and soon after, we found out we were being transferred to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, for Doc to take over his old job as an Infantry Corpsman with a Battalion that was slated for a deployment just 2 months after our arrival. The comfort that God gave to me at that time is truly amazing. I had just moved 7,000 miles away from anything I was familiar with, to an island with a new culture, to a military base where everyone spoke in acronyms and everything seemed SO weird, and I was sending my husband off to war. This was Doc's 3rd deployment, but his 1st Combat Deployment, and anyone who's ever done both knows that there is a HUGE difference between the two. This was my first deployment to go through with him, and though I was devestated to be without him for 7 months, I was not afraid. I know that sounds crazy, and believe me I thought it was too, but I truly had a complete peace in the situation. I knew that we were where God wanted us to be. I knew my husband was following the calling on his life that God had given him. I knew my family and friends thought I was insane for moving here knowing that he was deploying. But as our Pastor just quoted yesterday, "Who cares who frowns, if God is smiling". The peace I felt with the situation was incredible.

My husband returned home from that deployment untouched by the war. Thank you Lord! During our first night together, his sleep schedule was so messed up that we ended up staying up all night talking. He told me about a book that a friend had given him in Iraq called "One God, One Message". He had told me about it before, but he had never had a chance to tell me what a profound effect it had on him. This book had brought him to the moment where he realized what salvation really is. How AMAZING it is, that though we still mess up and fall short daily of what God wants from us, we are still saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no more "not good enough". No more "Keep working at it, you'll get it right eventually". No more!!! We are SAVED!!! Regardless of anything we've done ourselves, and only by the amazing grace of our Lord! I'll never forget the words Doc said to me that night: "Tammy, as a Catholic I was taught that when you get to the Pearly Gates, your good deeds in life just have to outweigh your bad ones, and I've done so much bad stuff......when I read that all I had to do was believe in Jesus in order to go to heaven it was like an elephant was removed from my chest! I felt so relieved!" I cried and cried that night for joy, and praised the Lord for what he was doing in our lives. While Doc had been in Iraq, I had grown alot spiritually as well thanks to our new church in Hawaii: Island Family Christian Church. I had made the decision to be baptized a few months before, and just 3 weeks after he came home he made the same decision. God had used the deployment that neither of us wanted to happen to seperate us and work on our hearts individually so that together we would be ready to serve Him.

We grew so attatched to IFCC, and we still are to this day! Just 2 months after Doc returned from Iraq, he was already in the field training for another deployment. He left for Afghanistan a few months later. We knew going into this deployment that it would be much more difficult. God had a plan in our lives and we were ready to do His will. We both continued to grow closer to the Lord in the midst of our own seperate challenges. My challenges were the domestic type. Pay issues with the Navy, potty-training a 2 year-old, the balancing act of full-time work, volunteer work and child raising, and the stresses and fears of my husband being in a very active combat zone. The Lord taught me during this deployment that taking on everything WILL take a toll on you. He taught me to ask for help, and he taught me what happens when you refuse to do so and try to push through it on your own. He also taught me to say "No" when something comes up that is too much for your plate. Perseverance, patience and honesty to admit when things are more than you can handle on your own were my biggest lessons, though my biggest lesson of all was to rely on God during these times.

My husband had a spiritual journey of his own in Afghanistan, one that is the defining moment of his life thus far. God brought him to the place where he had absolutely nothing else he could rely on but God. He taught him so many lessons there, ones that will last with him the rest of his life. His stories from Afghanistan are incredible, and I could listen to him talk about it all night long.

Our God is an awesome God!! We have been so blessed on this journey together, and though it has been bumpy and full of twists and turns, it has brought us to a place of such sweet understanding of the Lord. I don't think anyone can fully grasp the grace we are shown, and the love that He has for us. It is SO amazing!!! Until we're with Him, we will praise Him and try our best to follow His will for our lives!!
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Thanks for reading about Doc and I's spiritual journey! We are still a work in progress, but looking back on all the things the Lord has done for us is so incredibly special and leads us to a deeper place of understanding. I hope that this encourages any of you who may be on your own journey in life, of any kind. God has a plan for everything, and if you seek to do the things that He has called you to do, He will take care of every single detail. That's a promise! Not that I made, but that He did!

In other news, we celebrated something special this weekend: Doc has officially been sober for 3 years!!! He made the decision to completely abstain from alcohol in July of 2007, and he has not had one drop since. Thank you for everything that you do for this family, Babe. I know this wasn't an easy decision for you to make, and I know that it hasn't always been easy for you to abstain from. You are so strong, and I admire you so much!