Memorial Weekend

This Memorial Day weekend I am honored to have my own veteran here with me. I thought about the many spouses who do not have their loved ones whether they are deployed or casualties of war. Knowing what freedom costs, I hold my husband that much closer.

I read an article recently that explained that the military is making it more and more possible for active duty couples to deploy not only together but to share quarters. I think that is awesome.

For our weekend, Dan and I kicked it off going kayaking with friends from church. We experienced minor rapids and mostly a smooth ride. I absolutely love kayaking. The fellowship mixed with a little adventure was a recipe not to be missed. I think I hit every rock in the river so good thing for a sturdy kayak. I got a bit of a tan which was necessary since my poor legs haven't seen sun in a couple of years. A new friend of mine who shares a love for gardening, C, and I went to see the Virginia House, a house basically imported from Europe. The gardens are pretty awesome I think. Anyhow, my point was, I got sun then too. My legs were also a bit sore from the sloped back yard trek around the house. My arms and upper body got sore kayaking and if that wasn't enough soreness, Dan and I shoveled five truck loads of mulch out of the back yard. The first one went Sunday night to our friends, J and K from church and the other four went to church on Monday. By the time we were done Monday with the fifth load I almost couldn't lift my burger from Sonic for lunch. Dan didn't believe that I could polish off my burger, corn dog, tator tots and root beer. I did...easily.

Sunday's sermon was very awesome as well. Pastor Todd talked about the first chapter of Joshua. After Moses died, God told Joshua to lead the people into the promise land. After forty years of wondering the people did not really want to settle down. They liked being nomadic. God had a land for them though, a great land. If they would take it, God would deliver it. Considering where Dan and I are right now with a possible move to NC, you can see why Joshua 1 is a good chapter for us. Its a good chapter for any one really. God has something for all of us, its already ours we just have to claim it, grace. At first glance, my mind took this chapter to mean go to NC, but I looked again and realized a deeper meaning. I looked at it from the point of staying in VA. Those Israelites hovered around the promise land for forty years without going in. It was theres if they would just claim it. I see that if we stay in Va, I have a part of God's will I have struggled to step into. I like moving because I don't have to settle in anywhere, things don't get deep that way, life remains a shallow pool, easier to wade through. I realized from this first chapter of Joshua some things I have been avoiding and some areas in my life I struggle in. If we go or stay, it will be for the purpose of serving God. As I told a dear lady in church who asked how to pray for us, VA or NC, I say pray that we go where we can glorify God the most. At this point, I see fertile fields in either place. Its just a matter of which one is the one God intends for Dan and me.