separated but united

SEPARATED: disconnected, parted, disunited, detached, scattered, cut apart, marked, disassociated, removed, severed, distinct.

My husband and I were just "separated" for a month and a half... six weeks... 42 days, however you want to look at it, it was a    l  o  n  g     time. On many levels we were separated, but as a committed married Christian couple we were never disunited, disassociated, or severed. We both went through tough moments and feelings. Although those moments hit we didn't let them have a lasting impact. 

Through Christ we are one body, one soul.  Mark 10: 7-9 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

UNITED: cooperative, linked, in agreement, collective, banded, unanimous, incorporated, unified, collective, one.

Yesterday we got to see each other for the first time in 42 days. It was amazing to be with my partner, team mate, best friend, associate, companion and spouse again. It has really been so fun just being around each other, we've both stopped several times and said "Is this real? Are we really with each other right now!?" We are both just in awe of the other one and so appreciative to have the other and be together. I've heard that there is an adjustment period and sometimes an awkwardness about being reunited after that long but honestly there's been none of that. I know that even if there is that awkwardness or a relearning phase, which would be totally normal, we can handle it.

So although we may have been "separated" physically we will always be "united" in our marriage.

I'll probably have to come back to this blog post in a couple weeks when my husband deploys. For now I am going to enjoy the time that we actually get to spend together!

Our Life

Ty and I were so lucky this past month, he had to go to a short 2 week course in California and it just happened to be only 1 mile from where my grandparents live. Also, last minute I bought my ticket and by calling Hawaiian Airlines I got the ticket for half the online price! Then, my wonderful mother-in-law was able to make arrangements to be in San Diego for part of the time with us and my mom and sister were able to make it out too. It all worked out so well, it was no coincidence that it all fell in place like that. I know that God had a hand in making it all work out and it was just what we needed. 

It was so nice having my husband around for dinners and able to spend time with me. Lately (as in the past year) work has been crazy and even when he is home, he is working. The time in California was a much needed breather from the crazy and hectic Marine Corps life we've been living. 

There are so many times when I wonder if this military life is really worth it, the endless sacrifices made make me want to pack up our house and move back to Minnesota and have a "normal' life. At times I get jealous of friends who seem to have it so "easy" (although no one has an "easy" life). But then it is times like these that I remember that the sacrifice IS worth it. This where we are called to be at this time and there are so many wonderful things that we get to experience that we would not get to if we lived in Minnesota with a "normal" life. I've always thought I wanted a normal life but I am starting to realize a normal life just won't do. I want OUR life and to fulfill the purpose we were created for. It might not always be a walk in the park but I truly wouldn't want any other life or to do that life with any person other than my wonderful husband.

P.S. He comes home tomorrow night after being on the Big Island for the past ten days! Can't wait to see him!! 

Crock pots & Paradise

We've been living in Hawaii at the Lodge at Kaneohe Bay for the past month. Basically our room is a normal hotel room with a medium sized refrigerator and freezer, a sink, and a microwave. It is pretty nice (no five-star hotel, but it isn't bad) and it's right on base which is super convenient with us sharing a car! They have a decent breakfast in the mornings which has been really nice and again convenient, especially because they have coffee 24 hours a day and my husband is somewhat of an addict- people call him Starbucks.

Since we don't have an oven or even a hot plate (flat heated surface, typically portable, used for cooking food or keeping it hot- silly enough, didn't know what it was until I came here) we've been eating out a lot, cooking on the grills at the courtyard at the lodge, eating Panera's frozen soups and sadly a few nights have been the classic microwave dinners.

Last week I decided to buy a crock pot. We already have a crock pot, but it is in storage somewhere in Honolulu until we get a house on base. It was hard for me to convince myself to buy something that I already had and didn't really "need," but I am so glad that I got it. We've had a couple meals in it so far, pot roast, Mexican chicken, and chicken tortilla soup. Walking into our room smelling cooking food has been a nice way to feel at home. This week I am going to try some new recipes in the and I am excited to see how they turn out! I am trying Italian chicken tonight and crock pot meatloaf tomorrow. Sounds way better than anything that comes out of a cardboard box and it is much more budget friendly than going out to eat.

What are your favorite go-to crock-pot meals?

It's official: We are moving to Hawaii!!

Kaneohe bay

Okay... so it has been official for several months but it feels "for real" official to me now because we just got our tickets from Minneapolis to Honolulu! With the Marine Corps (and I am sure the other branches too) things are subject to change at any time and things aren't really official until you are actually there and doing it. 

My husband got orders for Hawaii back in July and we had a "plan" but of course the Marine Corps had something else in mind, so we had to deviate from our perfect little plan and just go with the flow for a while. Honestly, life usually ends up working out way better than my puny little "plans," but it can be hard giving up control and not doing things the way I want to.

These past two months I got to be in Minnesota with family and friends to catch up and get lots of quality time in before I live a daunting 4,000 miles from "home." While being here I was reminded of just how blessed Ty and I are with so many amazing people who love and support us. So in reality this other way of things being done by the Marine Corps ended up being a blessing in disguise. 

At this point I am sad to say goodbye to loved ones here in Minnesota, but I am also so ready for the turquoise waters, palm trees and island vibes! I am ready for the next chapter of our lives and just feel so grateful to be able to have this great adventure with my best friend in paradise.

Kaneohe

Beautiful wave

Can't wait until the pics I am posting of Hawaii are my own!

Aloha!!