The grass is greener where you water it.

Hello, there--

Maybe you're going through a difficult period in life right now. Maybe someone else's life seems so much better, so much easier, than the hand you've been dealt right now. Maybe you'd just like to go to bed tonight and wake up when everything's better because the pain is too much to bear every day.

That can be hard to admit.

I pray and hope that while you're here in this season of you're [Yes, I seriously wrote that and immortalized it with a photo. My bachelor's degree is a waste.] life, you never lose the ability to find something positive in your day. Never forget how strong you are (because you are even stronger than you know!). And when the clouds finally part--because they always do--you will be even stronger. You can do this.

me

to you, with love [03]

take time to do

what makes your

soul happy

hello

Sometimes, we have to stop and remember that it's ok to do things for ourselves. It's ok to do what makes you happy, what makes your life more enjoyable, and it's ok if that doesn't necessarily seem productive.

Taking care of your soul is always productive. If you aren't taking care of you, then who is? Take a moment to relax today and do something fun. You will be thankful (and so will everyone who runs into a happier you!).

Keep being amazing.

me

to you, with love [02]

Hello!

I hope this letter finds you in the midst--or perhaps in the beginning or end--of a wonderful day. If you need a reason for why today is such a fantastic day, look no further than the hands that are holding this letter; today is made brighter and the world is made better because you are a part of it.

There may be days (maybe many days) when you don't believe that statement is true. Just remember that someone believes that statement is true. Someone believes it is true about you.

I may not know you and I may never meet you, but I wish you all of the joy, peace, love, and hope that you can receive--for you are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are loved beyond measure.

a friend loves at all times

 Check out the movement: More Love Letters.

love letters

Words--whether I'm reading them or writing them--have always been a major part of my identity. From teaching myself to read through Hooked on Phonics to starting a diary in fourth grade (thanks to the Dear America series in the Scholastic Book Fair fliers) to earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, the written word has a special place in my heart.

Enter More Love Letters. I discovered this movement shortly after Alan left and fell in love with the idea of writing encouraging letters to strangers; it has now become a staple in my daily routine. The intentional act of penning a letter to someone I will never meet--praying, seeking inspiration, and writing brightens my mornings and has caused the gathering of an assortment of writing implements across our kitchen table.

• First of all, writing notes to soldiers on the bags/boxes that we hand out each month through the Baking Brigade is one of my favorite things ever. So, if I enjoy writing short notes to strangers, wouldn't I enjoy writing long notes to strangers?

• Second of all, taking four grad school classes--more like the reading for four grad school classes--has a way of sapping my creativity. Putting pen (or marker or washi tape) to paper has a way of grounding me.

• Third of all, postal mail is slowww when it comes to sending written love across the world, so I'd like to have something to do writing-wise in the mean time.

So, semi-daily posts over the next 31-ish days (because I don't want to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, but let's be realistic) will be totally devoted to letters and words of encouragement. While I will be leaving the hard copies around the Ft. Hood/Killeen/Harker Heights/Belton area for people to find, I will also post photos of the letters with a prayer that you can find encouragement if you need it, too!

Also, I don't even have a title for this series yet, but if you'd like to find other 31 Days series, check out 31 Days 2013!

[EDIT] The series is now: to you, with love.

 

the d-word: deployment thoughts [part 5]

This is part five in a series of posts that I began drafting at the beginning of this year. Each post--and the mini posts within each--contains my thoughts on the deployment process as or soon after various events occurred. For OPSEC purposes, I will not include specific dates, locations, etc. Alan has read each one and his thoughts are included at the bottom of certain posts. I hope that these posts will shed some light on our experiences; thank you for reading and God bless!

Read previous pre-deployment thoughts: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Summer II 2013

 
He pulled out the packing list last night. We talked about our feelings regarding the separation; I told him that I thought it might be helpful for me to help him pack. And by, "help him pack," I mean that I put on his cold weather pants and zipped myself in his sleeping bag and waddled around the house in my cocoon of cozy softness. (But I also actually packed his A-bag, even though I have no idea what the "A" in "A-bag" means.)

It's weird to think that I'll have the house and he'll have a bag and a crate.

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When we lie together at night and he's asleep and he pulls me close, I try to memorize how he feels against me because I know his side of the bed will be empty soon.

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This is the second Independence Day that we've celebrated together. This is the second year that I've wanted to host a party, but totally forgot until I realize that it's already July and I am too overwhelmed to come up with a cute menu and decorations. And next year, I'll be celebrating it without my husband.

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Alan had staff duty (meaning that he works for 24 hours consecutively) yesterday. I kept thinking that this is what it's like when he's in the field (meaning that he works for a week or two or more consecutively). And then I realized that at some point in the future, I'll stop relating the late nights of working and meaningless Netflix television to the field and it'll just start being the way things are.

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Because Alan had to handle a work issue in the morning, I sat alone in church. I started thinking of how this is going to be our weekly reality pretty soon, and started crying. I'm sad about being separated, because all of the Skype chats, emails, care packages, and letters in the world can't measure up to actually being physically together.