We found a church home

One of my least favorite things about moving to a new town is church "shopping."  Especially since I had was leaving a church that had been such a blessing to me and my family, Yorktown Baptist. I had made great friends and watched my children grow exponentially in God's Word through AWANA.  So Zach and I began the search and seemed to find every extreme, but not quite what we were looking for, except for one church. 

This particular church was the first one we tried, but my Lutheran husband was hesitant because Baptist was in it's name, :). We tried a Methodist church, it was a United Methodist church gone rogue! Then we tried a Lutheran church and there weren't many under AARP age. So, Zach and I agreed that maybe this Baptist church should get another look. I was excited because this particular church had a a string of "signs" (for lack of a better word) that led us there.
1. A dear friend of mine from high school, Rachel, whom I have not had a close relationship with since I was married and a mother by 19, lived in Abilene, so I reached out to her so I would have a friend in my new hometown. She told me about her church and I was eager to try it on her recommendation.

2. After I left BAF I began going to Yorktown and was plugged in, and through that church God grew me during a tough year away from Zach. During my last Sunday School class before I left for Abilene, another couple said I must try a particular church with a pastor who had a heart for speaking God's truth and not necessarily speaking popular messages and filling seats. He had also been their college pastor. This church in Abilene was the church Rachel called her church home.

3. A friend from Yorktown, had made friends with an Air Force wife who had gone to Yorktown while in training at NAS-CC. Leah had e-mailed her friend telling her I was coming to Abilene and would she pray for a swift and easy transition because of our turbulent year. She had been praying, when Rachel asked her bible study group to pray for us, turns out Leah's friend was a part of Rachel's bible study, so I had another connection to this church.


Zach and I visited the church earlier in the summer, but the pastor was on vacation so the college pastor was guest speaking. It was not as traditional as Zach is used to, but he was willing to try it again once the pastor was back and make his final decision.
Well, we went back this Sunday, and all of the eggs for this church were in this sermon basket. Without knowledge to us, the pastor spoke a message directed by God, to us, to our hearts, to our life. It was on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and he spoke on the command for forgiveness. I cannot tell you the last time I felt God speaking so directly to my heart. Zach and I have found ourselves in a place of bitterness and resentment towards the kids' dad, unwilling to offer forgiveness (even if he hasn't asked for it). The truth this pastor spoke was amazing. Before we left the sanctuary, Zach affirmed what I knew, we had found our church home.

We are excited to start finding ways to get connected and minster through this church, especially starting with AWANA again this fall with the kids. A number of guys in our Sunday School group also work in Zach's squadron, so it will be a great group we will be getting to know!

Getting back to normal... what is that?

So, last night I started thinking up ways to ensure we could easily get back to our "normal life," and I realized we've never had one.  Zach and I didn't do things traditionally, or by-the-book, so even our courtship wasn't normal, per say. Now we are faced with creating normalcy from an out of the ordinary situation.

Our main focus is first and foremost, making the kids feel, safe, secure, loved, and happy.  We are doing that through being actively involved in their daily activities. Zach has been going to football practice everyday with Bubba, and Kristyn beamed at me when she saw me watching her on the uneven bars.  School starts in two weeks and I have the advantage of being able to take them and hopefully volunteer with their classrooms.  This is a great start, but my question is a big one... Do they see us, collectively, as a family?

Kristyn has memories of her biological parents being married, but accepted early after the divorce we were all much happier apart. So her happy memories are on Brushy Creek Rd, with Bubba, her and Mommy.  Bubba on the other hand has few (if any) memories other than the "Three Musketeers."  Unfortunately, although Zach and I have been married for over a year, the kids spent the last year on Brushy Creek and it was just the three of us. I worry that they see "them and me" and then "me and Zach," when in actuality it is "us."

We are constantly looking for ways to make us a cohesive unit. I know I can't rush it, or force it. Zach and I are just out of our expertise. We have both been blessed with non-divorced parents.

Our prayer is God would guide us and give us wisdom on how to be great parents.  I also wouldn't mind reading a good book on blended families. I think right now the important part is that Sissy and Bubba feel safe and know they are loved here in Abilene. The rest may just have to fall in to place.... I just would like it to in a more timely fashion ;)

Home Sweet Home

If home is really where the heart is, then as corny as it sounds.... We're finally home!!!  Zach, the kids, and I have basically been nomads according to the above cliche, since we have had to live apart. We have moved into our home in Abilene, Texas!  Zach will be flying C-130Js at Dyess AFB with the 40th ALS. I am excited to be settled and start getting involved. And we have started full speed ahead.

Branden started football this week (more on that later), Kristyn's first gymnastics class is this afternoon, I am finding places to get plugged in while church shopping and with the squadron wives, and of course Zach got assigned to the shop that has a ton to do. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The summer has been jam packed with moving, honeymoons, and a few "staycays" as we have been making up for lost memories!  We can't wait to share them with you all. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. God is good, and has blessed our family!

Light at the end of the tunnel

Yesterday we finally had our final hearing.... We received the outcome we have been praying for. God is an amazing and faithful God.
To recap, Zach and I got married last May and bought a house in Arkansas. I applied, interviewed for and received a job at Cabot High School. The day before the kids were returning from spending their summertime with their dad I was served with a restraining order restricting us from allowing the kids to change residence out of Nueces County. Zach and I have since been through three different hearings, The second one was held in August and the judge ruled temporarily in favor of the children's father, but left the door open for Zach to try and get stationed in Texas. If he was to be stationed in Texas the judge was willing to consider letting us move with him.
During this time Zach has been living in our home in Cabot, AR while the kids and I have held residence at my parents' house in Petronila, TX. During the holiday season Zach received a letter of intent from the USAF informing us that Zach would be given orders to Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas as long as the judge would allow his family to move with him. Once we receieved that letter we had a final hearing date set.
The judge ruled that once Zach receieved orders to Texas and had secured a residence for the children then they would be allowed to move with him and I. Praise God!!! Our family has been living apart for nearly nine months, and by the time a move takes place it will be a year or more. This has not been an easy road, and I cannot thank God enough for carrying me so much of the way.
Soon, Zach and I will no longer have to be a commuter couple, the kids will have their own rooms, a backyard that is "their's"... I cannot contain my joy with this decision. For the first time in a very long time I slept the entire night. The uncerntainty was lifted from the air and through it all God stayed true to his Word, He never left my side!

I have also been humbled by the outpouring of support, love and prayers that have been shown to me through my friends. I have learned a lot about myself and one thing is I have incredible friends. Old ones, new ones, intimate ones, and acquaintances have all been so kind and loving. I have thanked God numerous times for the support and friendship I have received.

Here we go...

It seems as though it has all been leading up to this...
As many of you know Zach, the kids, and I have been living in limbo due to a legal/custody dispute with the kids' father. This week, Thursday to be exact, we will have a final hearing. In all honesty I am terrified at what the results will be because I feel like I have no clue. Things went rather terribly for us in August at court and now I am on pins and needles until it is all over.
I know that this sounds terribly vague, especially if you don't know the details, but until everything is final, I don't know if it is in our best interest to "vent" just yet. Trust me no matter what the outcome is on Thursday I will be writing a novel I am sure over this ordeal.
Currently Zach is near Spokane,WA at survival training. So this means he will not be with me on the day of the hearing. My parents, however, have gracioiusly (and selflessly once again!) taken a pause in their interim lives in Kansas to be with the kids and I, and to continue to support us by being a constant presence.
As far as we know, the kids have no idea there is something coming up, and that is a blessing. Things have been so hectic in their lives with the confusion of moving, then not moving... I hope we can keep them shielded from this.
Our prayer for the hearing is that the judge will allow the kids and I to move with Zach in Abilene. This would allow our new family to live together and build our foundation and still allow there to be a close enough distance for them to maintain a close relationship with their dad. This situation makes me feel as if I am being torn in two. I am called upon to be a Godly wife and a Godly mother and not being able to be with my husband, hinders me from doing my best at both jobs. I need God's guidance and peace. I am very nervous with anticipation for Thursday. Please pray for Zach, the kids, myself, our lawyers, and the judge in our case.
I praise God in Heaven, for my amazing husband. Many men would've cut and run with so much tribulation, yet Zach stands firm as husband and father. He is a blessing and an amazing inspiration of the love God has provided to me through him. I praise God for the beautiful children He has blessed us with. They love fully with no reservations, we can all learn from that... My parents and sisters, mother and father-in-law, all of our family and friends continue to support us and I am thankful. Please pray for us diligently this week. Any words of encouragement are greatly welcomed. Thank you again...

Life in Limbo

So as most of you know Zach and I are not living together. Earlier this summer we were served with a restraining order forcing us to keep the kids' residence within Nueces County. This has left us living our "honeymoon" period as a commuter couple. We have invested much time (and money) making sure we see each other as often as possible. Regardless this has been a trying time on our new family.
The hardest time of day is definitely at night for me. I get the kids in bed, curl up on the couch with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and yearn to be curled up next to my husband watching whatever is on T.V. that night, or even lying in bed reading our books. I have cried many tears asking, "Why is this happening to us?"
To be honest back in May when I found my job in Cabot, AR, and we found our house and things sort of just fell into place, I couldn't imagine that things would come crumbling around us as they have. Zach and I however have been strong for each other. Our relationship continues to grow and strengthen in spite of the distance and stress thrust upon us.
We also have been blessed with a ton of moral support from friends. Prayers are greatly appreciated. God is teaching me through all of this that I am stronger than I imagined, but only because of Him. God is leading Zach and I to turn to Him more than we would've. I pray every night that God will lead us to the end, and allow our family to live together soon. And I will continue to pray for this. I also thank him daily (multiple times a day) for Zach and his strength. It is wonderful to have a partner that stands beside me and sometimes holds me up when I feel like lying down and drowning in self pity.
I don't have many answers, but I have faith that God does and He will reveal them in His time. And when He does I have to believe that it is going to be greater than anything I could have imagined or planned myself.
Please continue to pray for our family. And for continued strength and wisdom during this trial in our lives.

A Dream Come True

My goodness, limited access to the Internet and living in "limbo" have kept me from blogging. But I will fill everyone in as best as possible...
The wedding was beyond successful!!! We had a blast and I felt like a princess. We had many people tell us how much fun they had and how beautiful it was. I have to agree. The florist we chose did an outstanding job and really caught on to the "vision" I had. Not to mention the cakes were stunning and delicious. We had friends and family come to share in our joyous day from Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania!!! It was such a blessing to have each and everyone there.
The ceremony was beautiful with personal touches throughout. Zach's childhood violin teacher was a musician along with her friend accompanying her on the piano for the music. Zach's aunt sang a beautiful song and he Godmother read 1 Corinthians 13 during the ceremony. The best part for me was having the kids "give me away." Branden was so proud escorting his Mommy down the aisle, and they both boastfully announced "We do!" as the pastor asked who gives this woman to be married. God blessed our day making it beautiful and the wedding I'd always dreamed of since I was a little girl wearing a pillow case veil! I never could have guessed all those years ago however, that I would have been marrying my best friend. Zach is God sent and God made just for me and I for him. We believe God brought us together and now we are joined under Him.
Thank you to everyone that participated and joined us. And to all of our friends and family that weren't able to make it we appreciated all of the kind words and prayers during our special day. Thank you!