And His Blessings Continue

WE GOT AN APARTMENT! And a very nice one: brand new, 1st occupants, lots of storage space, huge kitchen, lower level, outdoor entry, and did I mention storage space?  Free hi-speed wireless, a garage, large master bedroom, and some more storage space.  God is so good!  

We weren't even going to look at this complex because the website said they were still under construction, and with the description on the website I figured they're be out of our budget.  But we looked up the address and went over there anyway.  I am glad we went, especially after the first complex only had 1 bedroom apartments available and that wasn't gonna cut it for us.  The manager is fantastic, he has seen the construction from day one, and is very personable.  He said it's mostly older people that live there, but there are a handful of families and younger couples as well.  It's right off the marina and the rent even includes a boat slip free for the first year.  When we got there the manager told us there were only 2 left, an upper and a lower.  We got to look at both and were immediately impressed.  And the best part?  I get to pick up the keys Monday (which is the day our HHG get dropped off by the moving company) morning once I sign the lease.  The owner of the complex was there when Steve dropped off the application, so there was our credit check.  He signed the lease right then and there.  God is so good!

I am in complete awe at his provisions and blessings.  This is just another in a long line of confirmations this is the path we are to follow.  Only a few more to go with an interview at WI ABA and maybe a few more job inquiries/apps for me.  I am no longer going to worry about tomorrow.  Each day I am going to start praying my life verse, for His help to only focus on the present worries and not about the future.  I am giving up complete control because the Lord is the only one who knows for certain what tomorrow holds.  And He has plans to prosper and not harm us, He cares even for the grass and flowers so how much more will He care for HIS CHILDREN?  SO MUCH MORE! 

Chris Tomlin's song just came to mind because I have no words of my own to share my praise:

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God

All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

We're Here!

What a crazy few weeks it has been, from deciding to leave KinderCare earlier than expected, to graduation, to moving, my life has been a whirlwind.  A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but through it all God was there.  God is good all the time.  We left a little later than we would've liked this morning, but we did make it safely to WI.  Chicago traffic was not bad, and I actually liked driving through Milwaukee.  It's wet and cold here, colder than MI, and Steve says the landscape is a mix between Ohio farmland and Michigan trees.  I completely agree.  I just hope that when spring comes and things start to green up, we will see some beautiful sights.  But like I said, God is good all the time.

We called last night to check on hotels because we wanted to bring Sherman with us, so we needed to find a pet friendly one, but everything online seemed to say "no pets."  So Steve got in touch with his sponsor and we ended up booking a room at our good old standby Choice Hotel.  The Comfort Inn.  Free internet is nice, and so is a big king size bed.  Hopefully we won't have to call this room home for very long though.  Tomorrow we'll go look at apartments and rental his sponsor mentioned last night too.  I'm praying this rental works out because it sounds fantastic.  3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, downtown.  God is good right?  I'm learning to trust his provisions and the verses about providing for the birds of the air and flowers of the field keep coming to mind.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

This goes along well with the advice my husband gave me upon returning from boot camp.  He said that I will notice a change in the way he handles things, that he won't be so uptight about the little things.  That he has learned to live life and not worry about something until a problem occurs.  There's no use worrying about what might happen.  I do that all too often, so now I am trying really hard (cause it's definitely not easy) to only worry about what problems come my way.  There is definitely no sense in worry about the what-if's. I did it today before we left about Chicago traffic, and things were FINE!

So as we embark on this new phase of life, this new adventure, my new life verse shall be "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matthew 6:34 I'm excited we're here in our new hometown.  I'm ready for this...it's been a long time coming, really.  We are now Steven and Ashley, our families are still supporting us with encouraging words and prayers, but we're cleaving and leaving.  They are no longer a short drive away (though I'm sure there will still be several visits in the near future from parents).  We're becoming independent in our career choices and building our marriage for a future family.  Many changes will come our way in the next few days, weeks, and months, but I'm ready.  Steve's ready.  And really that's all that matters.  God's got everything else under control, all we have to do is keep putting our trust in him.

The Time Has Come

THE TIME IS NOW! (Well, in about 15 hours anyway.) Steven graduates tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.  I am so excited.  His family and my parents are here in Cape May, all staying at the Blue Fish Inn.  It didn't even seem like it took all that long to get here (total about 11 hours and 15 min from Ohio).  I'm so excited! Did I mention that already?  Sorry, this post is not very coherent on my part.  Just trying to get some words down.  I wrote a post a few days ago that I accidentally deleted on my phone.  Major bummer, but I promise I will give a complete update soon.  God has worked in amazing ways over the past 8 weeks, and I can't wait to see what he does with the next 4 years.  Ah...I am so blessed, and really can't believe the time has come to be reunited with my husband.  Really, wow...I'm here in Cape May and don't actually believe it myself.  But I will get to wrap my arms around the most amazing man, a selfless, kind, giving man whom I have the privilege to call my husband...TOMORROW!  I might honestly jump into his arms, and I will for sure never let go of his hand all day tomorrow.  (Well, he may get to hug his mom, gram, aunt, sister, niece and mother-in-law...though I'm sure he can figure out a way to do that while still holding my hand.)

We're Heading To...

Sturgeon Bay, WI! Details later, sorry the update is so late. I've been researching and organizing in my spare time. We're excited though! God is definitely at work!

Unit Selection Update

I got a letter Thursday from Steve indicating the "dream sheet" selection process didn't go quite as planned.  Of course it didn't! Just another kink in our plans to remind us, that it's not really us in control of our future.  It is God's plan and we must walk in faith.  Anyway, before he left we discussed the districts he would put down on his dream sheet as well as the order.  We weren't certain what our 4th pick would be before he left, but I wrote him and told him it was his decision and that I would trust his choice.  The list looked like this before he left:

1. District 5 which includes NC, VA, Washington DC, MD, Southern NJ and Philadelphia
2. District 9 which is all units stationed along the coasts of each Great Lake
3. District 13 which includes WA and OR
4. District 1 which includes ME, NH, VT, RI, MA, CT, NY and Northern NJ

It looked great to me! But then his letter informed me some of the districts were full, including district 5.  So back to the drawing board he went.  In my letter I told him some other options for choice 4 since we weren't completely sure on that before he left.  I suggested D7 (FL, SC, GA) D14 (HI) and maybe D8 (which is all the states along the Mississippi River, NM & TX). So of course I was shocked and maybe a little upset when I found out he picked D11 (CA, NV, AZ) as our 4th choice.  I can only assume the other districts were full as well.  But of course it is all in the Lord's hands.  I know He has a great place prepared for us, not only to work, but to minister and enjoy life together as husband and wife.  So the new list was this:

1. D9
2. D1
3. D13
4. D11

Now I just need that phone call so my anxiety will subside a bit.  No news yet, but it's just after noon chow and hopefully calls will start soon!

This is the Stuff

I've had a new song stuck in my head for several days. I don't know who sings it or what the name is even, but it talks about how we can get so caught up in our own problems that we forget about our blessings.

Right now, the lyrics are so true. I'm anxious about Steve's call. Where we'll be moving and the kind of unit he'll be at. A cutter? That'd be fine but what kind? A high endurance one that can be gone for a few months on end? No thanks..maybe a buoy tender in RI or WA or an ice breaker in District 9 those would be nice. What if it's a small boat station, or even an air station? Those schedules aren't too bad either. Then there's sectors and MSU's, and I don't even know what kinds of things those units entail. This is rough! And I'm trying to lean on God's word, that he does answer prayer, that he will provide and has amazing plans for our future. I'm trying to be patient. That's why that song is stuck in my head, "in the middle of my little mess I forget how big I'm blessed..So break me of impatience, Conquer my frustrations, I've got a new appreciation, It's not the end of the world." Lord, may I never forget your blessings!

Test Run

So, I had to get a new phone yesterday because the old one's charging and data transfer port got damaged. Mostly due to the user (i.e. Me). Sprint rep said most likely charging problems are problems beyond normal repair so I'd have to pay my 100 dollar deductible to get it fixed. Or she said I could get the new BB curve for 50 bucks since I'm a premier customer. So knowing I had to have a phone for this weekend and not wanting to spend 100 dollars I chose the cheaper option and went with the new phone. Come to find out, probably the best option because now I can post from my phone. So here's my test run post from the new BB Curve :) (oh and if it all works ok be sure to come back and check Saturday or Sunday because I will have a CG update!!!)