Oh my

Oh my.

Where to start?

It seems like I should begin with the FRG. That is, the Family Readiness Group that I am now leading. Oh my! The FRG consists of the Army family members in our Company and functions to provide them with information, resources, and support. I monitor rosters, organize fundraisers, plan events, attend meetings…and also have 150+ family members carrying my phone number as their “go to” person in case they need anything.

The phone number thing was, and has been, the scariest part. At a moments notice, I have to be prepared to answer questions, give directions, offer referrals, know resources, and calm anxious spirits. It’s nerve wracking, but I’ll be honest with you and say that I love it. Well… I hate it. But… I love it. It’s a great opportunity to serve others, and even better, a great chance to share the Light of the World with unbelievers. When will I ever have the opportunity again to be able to witness to such a large group of people who look to me personally for information and support?? Probably never. So I’m taking that thought and running with it. Especially on days when I hate it.

The other thing that gets me through is that I’m working for the best Company Commander in the Army. No joke. This guy is so good. Honest. Upright. Hardworking. Sensitive. Organized. God-fearing. Not to mention he’s Tall. Dark. And Handsome. Haha. It’s been a wonderful and enlightening experience to work for my man. I’ve come to admire him, and the work he does, to a whole new level. I’m glad to come along side him and to serve and support our soldiers—even if I get a few gray hairs as a result.

Speaking of gray hairs (no I don’t have any yet… I think!), I should probably mention that the week after I became FRG leader, I started homeschooling Isaiah. Isaiah is about to turn 5 and is in Kindergarten this year.  And since Joshua is just a year and a half behind Isaiah, and loves doing what Isaiah is doing… I guess I would pretty much say that Joshua started Kindergarten too. And Noah also for that matter. It’s been a week and a half of school, and WOW! It’s been amazing. Amazingly busy. But amazingly fun.

I didn’t anticipate it to be so much work, but I also didn’t anticipate enjoying it quite so much. For all those who say homeschooling Kindergarten is easy… I take my hat off to you. I’ve found that the Kindergarten year is very labor intensive. We move from subject to subject quickly to avoid meltdowns and distractions. I have to be alert and attentive every minute to keep Isaiah (and the other boys) on task and out of trouble. There is no putting out a work book page and leaving the area. If there is, it ends in re-sorting the school supply box and finding scissor marks on lots of different books. NOT COOL.

But it is fun. And Isaiah is learning so much. I haven’t quite figured out what to do with Noah, who wanders around pulling on my pant leg and begging for attention. But we are sailing merrily along.

Along the school vein, we just started a homeschool co-op group for 3-5 year olds at our church. I am co-leading/co-organizing the group and have loved the experience so far. We just had our first session this week, and the kids had an art, science, speech and music classes taught by various moms in the co-op. I’m teaching the music class and learning A LOT. Not just how to teach music to little ones, but also how amazing music really is. Anyone ever read up on the Mozart Effect? I’ve read about it in several different books now and am completely fascinated by it. That and the Suzuki method. Rediscovering my love for music, has brought me to play the piano again every day. I think the boys love it as much as I do. The other day, we were listening to a CD in the car, and they said, “MOM!! You play that one on the piano!!!” SCORE!

I suppose the last thing to mention is that we’re gearing up for another deployment. Obviously I can’t give details about where or when over the internet, but it’s coming up and it’s coming up fast… and I am treading water as best I can. And trusting God with my whole heart.

I’ve been taught and retaught that truly trusting God means relying on Him in all things, and also being thankful in all things. Accepting and trusting His providences, whether good or bad… and accepting and trusting them with a thankful heart. While it is not always easy to be thankful, it is good. There is so much joy in thankfulness, in finding thankfulness, in being able to say that the joy of the Lord is my strength. So here I am, when life overwhelms, when trials arise, when FRG’s are overwhelming, and homeschooling has me drinking a coffee again, when husbands follow their calling and bravely serve in the line of fire, still thankful. Still trusting. Still waiting. Still relying on our wonderful and powerful God who holds me under the shadow of his wings.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.