It's so hard to believe how fast time has flown by, how much has changed, and how much probably never will change. I've been at my first duty station for almost a month. Derek and I are one month away from our one year anniversary. One year of marriage. It's amazing because I still learn so much about him every single day. We have started doing daily devotionals at dinner and praying. I really enjoy our dinners. It is my favorite part of the day. I feel like we pause and take in each other and take in God. We found a church that we are going to try. I am pretty excited about it. I went to church all through basic and I loved it. I am astounded at how I crave God. I am astounded at how, even slightly, knowing God has started to change me. I hope who He is and how He loves shines through me. I absolutely love being married to Derek. I can't believe how blessed I am in him. He is literally my best friend as well as my husband. I was so afraid the time and distance would change us;I worried that it would pull us apart. Instead, it pushed us closer together, forced us to examine our love and our relationship, and made us stronger. I fall in love with him all over again every day.
I do miss Ian and Ryan incredibly. It's pretty tough to be away from them. I wonder who Ian will turn out to be;will he be compassionate and kind? Will he be strong, like his Dad? Will he be charismatic? Will he stand up for his beliefs and hold onto and cherish his integrity? These are all the things I hope for him. I've never been more in love with a child. I want him to be strong, and compassionate, and willing, and a friend of God. I want him to know love-God's love, the power of his own love. I can't wait to see who he will become.
I know that I am blessed. I have food in my kitchen, I have a bed to sleep on and a wonderful husband to wake up to, I have God. I have friends and family. I have more than I deserve. So I find myself singing praises to Him, knowing that it's through His love and grace that these things have found me.
