For Such a Time - A Book Review

One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of Esther.  One of the most fascinating times in history to me is during World War II as to how the Jewish people survived such a horrible holocaust.  So, when I saw this book that fictionally combined these two events, I couldn't resist the read.  I did really like it, but I must admit that I couldn't read too much in one sitting.  It's a lot to take in and what these people went through is quite thought provoking.  I know this was a fictional spin, but there are stories out there that may have seemed just as unlikely that were very, very true.  I really liked the character development that the author gave and how you were a front row witness to the heartaches and struggles to those on both sides of the war as they worked through their own personal faith and integrity.  Personally, I was distracted as to what parts of the story paralleled the story of Esther.  However, I think that was my own personal distraction with no fault to the author.

I received a complimentary copy of For Such a Time by Kate Breslin from Bethany House Publishers.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Thursday afternoon was the day of the annual and much anticipated first grade kite flying.  Unfortunately, the weather did not host the often pristine blue skies that we normally have.  Instead, we welcomed cool breezes and much, much needed rain.  However, we did get about a half hour of flying in before we got cold and wet.  They loved it and did a wonderful job of not tangling their kites like Luke's class did last year. The boys were generous in letting Hannah borrow one of their kites.  She was so excited to use it despite Lightening McQueen and Mater.  It worked great!  Yeah, for a successful time and another opportunity to spend with my girl and her class.

Spring Soccer Action

We've been spending part of spring at the local soccer fields.  All three are playing and it has worked out better than I thought.  I do think it's a huge help that Luke and Hannah are on the same team.  We requested that for our sanity.  They all play for the orange team.  However, Andrew is in the 4-6 year old age group and Luke and Hannah play with the 6-8 year olds.  Luke and Hannah's team makes me laugh.  There are four girls on the team.  Three of them are named:  Hannah, Hannah and Montana.  Unfortunately, we've had a few rather chilly games and the wind is always blowing even if it is still at our home less than 2 miles away.  There have been a few times where it was so windy that the ball wouldn't even stay put when they did kick-offs.  It would just blow across the field because there is very, very little, if any, "real" grass.  All that to say, I think they've had fun.  The boys particularly like it. I'm not sure Hannah will play again.  She hasn't made many goals, but she's been doing a fine job on defense.  She doesn't complain about it.  I'm pretty sure the boys want to continue to play, but the verdict is still out on Hannah. 

I know this is a lot of pictures, but I thought family would enjoy them.

Andrew

 Hannah

 Luke and Hannah

 Luke

Ticket to Ride Addiction

In late winter, we taught the kids how to play a board game that we enjoyed, Ticket to Ride.  If you're not familiar with it, here's how it goes.  Your object is to complete as many train routes across the United States as possible by collecting various train colors.  You get points for each section that you complete and each route that you complete.  That's the overly simplified version.  There is a bit more to it, but that's the basics.  Anyway, Andrew has become obsessed with playing it.  He can usually persuade at least one person to play with him, but there have been a few times, such as in the above picture, where he decides to just play himself.  It doesn't seem to bother him.  And unfortunately, for his sake, I don't think he's ever won.  However, he takes it all in stride and is more than willing to play whatever game you would like the next time around.

This is on a different note, but I thought I'd share with you something he said this past weekend.  Andrew is becoming quite the little reader even though he is just in kindergarten.  So, as we sat down to eat lunch, he informed me as he read the handle of his spoon that it was made in China.  Later, I reminded him to clear his stuff from the table and in doing so, he dropped that exact spoon and declared, "It's a good thing they make such strong spoons in China."

Musings on Moving

Changes are on the horizon.   We do have our new assignment and we are looking forward to it! I'm so very excited to be headed closer to home and the Midwest where we can enjoy four distinct seasons once again.  Despite how much we are looking forward to it, there is an onslaught of thoughts and emotions that run through my head.  I thought I'd share some of them here.

1.  Before we even knew where we were headed, I had started the pre-move purge.  I do this every once in awhile, but for a few days my life is busy just going through things getting rid of items that we don't use or have outgrown.  The organizational side of me loves this.  I even think it would be healthy for all to take up this habit whether you move every 3 years or not.

2.  Change.  Let's just say that I don't handle this well and I never have.  I may have improved, but there is still a lot of room for improvement!  There is just something about "knowing" what is expected and what to expect that I like.

3.  I think the kids will handle changing schools better that I will.  I love the elementary school they're currently attending.  Yes, it has it faults as they all do, but I love it and think it's high quality.  This has actually been one of my biggest issues to adjust to over anything else.  I have very high expectations as to what their next school should look like.  Those expectations are most likely unattainable.  Thankfully, I've been called on this and I'm praying and working through these.  It doesn't make it much easier, but I'm thankful that education isn't necessarily the most important thing in life.  Stay tuned...there just may be another blog post on this very topic...

4.  Housing.  There are really two aspects to this - finding someone to either rent or buy our current home and finding a new home.  Maybe I should be more concerned about someone taking over the two homes we have, but I just can't get out of my head how God completely provided for us the last time in such a short notice.  However, finding a home at our new assignment is becoming interesting.  All I have to say is that sometimes it's better not to have so many options.  This time we have a variety of options from size, location, price range, school district, etc.  All the while we want to be good stewards of what God has given us.  It's made Chris and me really consider our options from all angles.  We will definitely need to visit the area before we can come to any conclusion on most of these points.  Yeah! for a fun date week with my husband!

5.  A dose of reality.  We are looking forward to so many aspects of our new home.  However, I was given a good dose of reality yesterday.  Chris had spoken with someone from our gaining base.  I was reminded that we are headed back to a life of deployments and TDYs ("temporary duty" - short term trips).  We have been so blessed here with no deployments.  It has been a wonderful time of healing for our family after a constant schedule of deployments and TDYs from our last base.  Now, we are most likely headed back to some form of that.  Thankfully, God is with us.  Thankfully, I'm aware of this in advance.  Thankfully, God has blessed us with friends and a dear military family!

Dallas/Fort Worth in 24 Hours

 Coombs & Robeys

photo courtesy of Luke Robey

Last weekend, the kids had a 3 day weekend so we took advantage of it and headed to the Dallas area for just a few hours.  Our primary reason for going was to visit friends that Chris knew from college and then later worked with at the same company as software engineers.  It was a sweet time.  They were the first ones to visit our home after we entered the Air Force.  Since then, they have spent their time working for Wycliffe oversees.  So, it was nice to visit them as they are now back in the States and only a few hours away.  The kids loved meeting a real live missionary and the ones we had spotlighted in our missionary section for Awana.  However, I think they really enjoyed playing with their kids and didn't want to say good-bye.  

The next morning we had a few hours to spare before needing to be back for soccer.  So, we headed for a spontaneous stop at the stockyards in Fort Worth.  It was fun to learn a bit of history as well as see another cattle drive.  When, it was over, Andrew asked, " Is that all?".  I think we've gotten spoiled with the cattle drives they've seen here and here and here.  It was a fun way, though, to experience our last one.

As for Dallas/Fort Worth, it is fun to visit.  However, we've not gone down there tons.  I can't say it's my favorite place.  All the people and all the options for shopping/dining/entertainment are just a bit overwhelming for me.  Then, there is the traffic and never ending road construction.....

 The tiny cattle drive

The stockyards with the skyline of Fort Worth