heart issues that sting

Being out of your comfort zone makes you realize your weaknesses. I have seen selfishness in me. I thought I knew this before, but I like things just so. God is completely doing REAL work in my life right now. He is dealing with some heart issues that sting a little. 

God put a "routine, don't mess up my schedule" gal in this crazy, chaotic military life. It's a little comical now. Military means hurrying up to wait. It means plans change at the drop of a hat. I do not know where we will live or what week I will be moving to San Diego. When I run into my hometown friends, they ask me what I'm doing, where I'm living...you know the routine. I tell them I'm floating until Nick gives me the go ahead on hopping in the car and driving my little Nissan across America. 

Yes, I guess I could have just moved on out to California when I moved out of my house on Bay Drive, but I don't think I am ready for California JUST yet. I am so thankful that I get to go see San Diego before I move. It'll be like a mini vacation that I say, "It would be so neat to live here!"...and then 2 weeks later....I do live there.

So for now, I keep my focus on what God has for me each day. I want to wake up in the morning ready to serve Him. I'm working on putting ME aside and putting others first. I want to love God with all of my heart, soul, and mind. My actions should reflect that. That's my October goal. Picking a pumpkin and drinking fall lattes, though fun and I will be doing them..don't get me wrong, seem so small this morning. I need to serve more. I've gotten selfish. Who knows, my next post might be about my favorite fall fashion or my cozy cup of coffee, but today I want to remind myself what's important and get on track. 

"Teacher , which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" And he said to him," You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22: 36-40

Visit to Gulfport

What a sweet time the last few days have been. I've gotten to refuel on being with my husband. I've gotten to spend time with a sweet bunch of kiddos that I get to see maybe once a year. Rosie has proven to be a dream with children. And my mom and I are on the road to hopefully being back in MS by Friday!  Oh, my heart is full!

I have blogged about the Dukes before but I'll say it again. They are family to me. Coach Dukes has been like a dad to me the past 6 years and I just love this family so much. Their daughter and her husband, Bethany and Matt, are in Peru preparing for their move as missionaries. Diana (or as her grandchildren call her, Dede- hope I spelled that right!) and I are here helping out with Bethany and Matt's five children while the are gone. These babies are BEAUTIFUL. We have had the best time the past few days. This house is full of love and is centered around Christ. It's so encouraging as I think about our future.

My husband is going to be the best daddy ever. He will make my job as a mom easy when he is home from deployments. He never gets tired of playing, kids LOVE him, and he has a voice that kids have no choice but the listen to him. I love seeing him interact with kids. I can just picture it now and I love it.

During the day, we worked on school work and took Rosie on a walk. We all took turns holding the leash of course!

All eyes on Mr. Nick! He is always a hit. I'm the boring, nurturing one ;)

Our nights were filled with watching Ann of Green Gables and snuggling on the futon. I pray my future babies have tender hearts that love Jesus like these kids. We had a busy, busy week. I hope I get to see them one more time before their move to Peru. You can visit the Murphy's Facebook page HERE to see how God is moving in their lives. Please pray for this sweet family as they make this big change. They are such an example of true obedience. Life will be absolutely different, but they will find so many blessings in serving where God is placing them. 

This is Nick and me with Ava, Emmaline, Samuel, Lydia, and John Mark (and Rosie!)...Can babies get any prettier??

Hope your Thursday goes by quickly! Friday is almost here and that means I might be home! Lots of things have been thrown in the mix the past month but I'll be home soon and it will be sweet.

Victoria

just a couple of drifters

Well, we have now made our status as drifters. The ones that don't know whose couch they will sleep on that night. Just kidding.. It's totally opposite. Though we don't have our own place yet, since we have to GET to California first, we will be staying with family for the next month. Right now, we are staying in a cozy hotel ready to see Nick! Our timing was perfect. I turned in my key yesterday and headed straight to Gulfport to meet my husband for the weekend. I will be back in our hometown sometime next week. There are a few things to hammer out before then. But for now, I'm enjoying not having a house to clean and a yummy breakfast waiting for me at 6 am downstairs. Aren't hotels the best??

Rosie and I are going on a mission to find a park this morning. In between the movers and staying at friends houses, we haven't gotten to take our normal walks. She is the best travel buddy. I can tell she just can't get comfortable in the front seat but she does try to sleep the whole time. Ugh, she is just so cute.

Ok, she does look comfortable there.

After the park, I might hop over to the outlet malls that are right behind us. Why not shop while I wait on Nick? I do get to see some good family friends while I am down here. My mom's best friend is here staying with her grandchildren, so I am going to spend some time with them! I'm telling you...perfect timing. Those girls are my favorite. I never get to see them, so I am very excited!

Until next time, Happy Friday!

Victoria

Moving Day Approaching

As we get closer and closer to the moving day, I can't help but feel a little sad. This was the best year of my life. Marriage wasn't as hard and scary as everyone said it would be (Note to self- Don't try to scare a bride to be! They will be getting married whether or not you tell them how much they will hate picking up dirty underwear). I got to wake up and not have to wait on a Good Morning message from Nick. We were able to do church together. Be lazy on Saturday afternoons. Plan for a date night then decide we didn't want to move off the couch. We bought our first puppy together. We fought about whether to put her in the kennel at night (They are a dream to deal with later on if they sleep in their own beds at night time! Nick finally agreed). We persevered through tough moments. Moments that made us so much stronger. We prayed together. We laughed and laughed and laughed together.

I know in the tough days ahead, I will look back and feel comfort knowing I was able to do real life with my husband. I had 11 months with him before training took him away for the first time. I love looking through pictures over the past year and already thinking, "We were so young!". Marriage makes you grow up fast. My thought process works completely different. I check in with Nick before decisions are made. Sometimes he even says, "You know my answer will be yes so why do you ask?" It's my way of being submissive. It's a habit being formed. It gets us using our little unseasoned brains together. That way when he is gone, I will feel confident in the decisions that I have to make.

Life is changing. Big things and small things. If I could break it down for you I would. It's just a big whirlwind right now though. It literally looks like a tornado has come through my house. I feel so sad seeing empty walls. When I hand over that key, I will see this page turn and end this chapter of our story. There is something exciting and exhausting seeing the new chapter coming our way.

This has definitely not been my most encouraging post. But it's the real chain of thoughts coming through my brain and straight onto this screen.

Any PCS tips are welcomed today. I just learned that if I don't take the lightbulbs out of my lamps, they won't pack them until I do. Geez Louise. Give me a break. I'm planning on having food for the packers and movers. We will see if that smooths the process!

Happy Wednesday!

Victoria

Thursday Ramblings

Good morning!

I've gotten my morning workout in and I am ready to take on the day. Fortunately, today is a slow one. I guess compared to my last 2 weeks. I've got a couple of Etsy orders to fill and then I get to organize my guest bedroom/ storage room for moving day. If you come visit, be prepared to sleep with cardboard boxes full of anything you can image.

September 18th. That's the day they will pack our house and take it to California. My things will be in California. 2,000 miles away. Is this real life?

We are almost to the top of the roller coaster. I can hear the ticking that comes before it rolls over that first big drop. Everything is moving so slowly, yet I am inching back into my seat trying to drag it out as much as I can because it is moving too fast.

Organzing. Packing. Road trips to see my husband for a day. Family time. Friend time. Searching the internet for the best plan tickets. What a whirlwind I am heading into. It's the calm before the storm right now. But through that storm, there will be praise. Thankfulness that I get to see family and friends. Joyfulness that I'll get to see the leaves change one more time before I move to a place where palm trees are the main source of shade. My heart will be so full because I will get to worship at our home church.

Our last "real" weekend here is going to be fun. Nick's uncle gave us 2 night stay at a bed and breakfast at Grayton Beach for a wedding present. You can check out Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse here! I am so excited to pretend we are on vacation for a couple of days. I plan on being on the beach as much as possible and visiting the cute surrounding towns. Rosie will be staying at her best friend Jessie's house. I am sure those two will have a ball and I am so thankful for Lauren and Andrew being so kind for keeping her.

I'm going to cut it short and tackle that crazy closet that I have been keeping out of sight, out of mind. I hope your Thursday is great! Just think, tomorrow is Friday!

P.S. Praying for all my teacher friends who are starting school today! I have quite a few who are first year teachers and I know those kiddos will be blessed by them this year! It's a scary day for teachers and students! I hope it goes smoothly and with only happy faces!

Victoria