Category Archives: Life

Our Answered Prayer

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I think this post is overdue.

For those who have been reading our blog for a while, you know about all the doctor’s visits and tests and procedures I went through to determine if I had PCOS.  And if it wasn’t PCOS, what was it?  (If you’re new, you can see those posts here.  )

The last update was that everything was fine health wise.  Praise God!

I need to just talk about answered prayer.

Before the Pilot and I were together…when I was still trying to sort out my feelings for him….I prayed many times that God would bring the right woman into his life to help him raise his children.  I knew that he wanted children.

It was hard.  During all the doctor visits, not knowing if I would actually be the answer to that prayer I prayed.  It was hard even after we got the all-clear when we had several negative pregnancy tests.  Maybe something was wrong with my body after all?  Maybe God just didn’t intend for us to be parents.

But I prayed.  I prayed that my body would be able to conceive.  I prayed that we would be able to have children.  At least three close friends were praying with me.

Fast forward to last November.  The Pilot and I had both noticed that things were odd with me.  For one thing, I was getting out of breath after hardly any exertion.  We were getting slightly concerned and were making plans to go to the doctor if it didn’t get better.  Neither of us ever dreamed I was pregnant.

We went to the commissary and just picked up a .99 cent test so that I could know for sure I wasn’t pregnant and move on with my life. When we got home I waited a few minutes and prayed about the test results  Rather, I prayed for my heart.  Unlike some of the previous times of testing for pregnancy, I wasn’t all caught up in the moment (I honestly thought I wasn’t pregnant) but I still was just praying that when it came out negative I would praise His plan.  I wanted to honor God regardless of the result..

So I took the test and IMMEDIATELY it came out a super clear positive. What?? I waited the full two minutes in the hallway, went back in and it was still positive. I took the test in to my husband, held it up and said, “I think I’m pregnant.”  He took it and began to examine the test. That’s when I started crying and we just hugged. We went straight back to the store for a more expensive test and I took two more….both immediately a clear positive. We were so giddy!!

This baby is an answer to prayer.

I am just praising God.  Praising Him that my body is in fact able to conceive.  Praising Him for His perfect timing.  (We wouldn’t have been able to do half the amazing things we did before our move if we had been pregnant sooner.)  Praising Him for that wonderful day we got the positive.  Praising Him for this baby.  Our son.  Our son!!

During those months of waiting to get pregnant…those months where I was looking down at another negative test…God grew me so much.  And I am so thankful for that!

I’ve wondered what people would think after reading our blog.  After seeing the stories about the doctor’s tests….then I’m pregnant.  Would people judge me?  “See, there was no reason to be upset before!”  “Silly girl.”  “You should have just given it more time.”  I know, I know…what people think doesn’t matter.  (Amazing book about people-pleasing “When People are Big and God is Small” by Edward Welch…on my “To Be Read Again” list.)  Honestly…I don’t feel ashamed at all.  That is precisely the path God took us down.  For a reason.  And it is never easy to be facing facts that you might have difficulty conceiving or be unable to completely.  I don’t apologize for what I went through.  I proclaim it to show off the goodness of God and His amazing hand!

This has been quite a journey.  And we are so thankful!

-Bonnie

When Your Husband is Gone

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Well….my sweet husband and I are two weeks into our time apart.  We probably have at least two more weeks to go…possibly longer.

I’ve been enjoying my visit in California.  It’s been so great visiting family, and of course spending time with my sweet nephews and nieces.  🙂  But honestly it is nowhere near as much fun as if my love were here, too.  Not quite as much sparkle in the world.

Being away from your spouse is never fun or easy, regardless of the length of time apart.  (Seriously, I still cry sometimes when he leaves just for a day at work!)

A post came up on my google reader shortly after arriving here.  It was really good timing.  It’s called How to Maintain Your Marriage When Your Husband Travels.  SO good.

One of my favorite parts was her fifth point.  “Turn to God for all your needs.”  It was such a great reminder that even the Pilot can not and should not be the ultimate one in my life.  He can’t fulfill my everything.  Only One Person can…and that is God.  Sure, the Pilot is the sparkle in my world….but God is the ultimate sustainer and encourager.  That thought gives so much strength to keep going when I don’t feel like it!  He will give the strength to make it through the next few weeks!

-Bonnie

Any Pet in the World…

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If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

For me, it would definitely be a llama….

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Seriously…..look at that little face!!  They’re adorable.
You can also get guard llamas.  For real.  But mine would just
be a pet.  We’d be friends.

Squirrels would also be fun, though…

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They just look so cute and cuddly and fuzzy.  (I know, I know…people say
they are actually mean.  But my pet squirrel wouldn’t be.)

Someday.  Someday…..

Happy Anniversary

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One year ago today we said “I do.”  We said our vows, exchanged our rings, and were pronounced husband and wife.  What a wonderful, wonderful year this has been!  So much more in love than we were a year ago.  So blessed to be each other’s best friends.

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-The Pilot and Bonnie-

Gotta Love Autocorrect

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Sometimes autocorrect makes me laugh.

Me: (texting the Pilot on laundry day) Do you want me to wash the puke on the couch?  (supposed to be “pile” on the couch)

(Texting the Pilot while we were in California Adventure) You heading over to Dubai?  (Disneyland)

Or the time when I was telling the Pilot a friend was over but instead of saying “Mrs. (so and so)” I typed “Ma (so and so).”

Yeah.  Autocorrect is fun.  😉

-Bonnie

Niece

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I may or may not have gone on a little shopping spree today.  Why you may ask?  Because of this.  Isn’t she beautiful??  I can’t wait to meet my sweet little niece.  She’s going to look so cute in the clothes I bought her.  😉

-Bonnie

 

On Choosing Who to Vote for

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We have had many discussions with each other and with friends in trying to figure out not just who to vote for….but the way in which to approach evaluating candidates.

We have gone back and forth in thinking things through.  We definitely want to be good stewards with the vote we’re allowed to have.  We’re thankful for the fact that it is a system that is (at least supposed to be) government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”  But do we vote only for the person who most agrees with our values?  Do we vote for anyone who is better than our least favorite candidate?  Do we write in someone if no one agrees with us?  Is it wasting a vote to vote for someone other than the Democrat or Republican nominees?

If you have wrestled with any of these questions…..we can’t tell you how to vote.  Or how to think.  But here is an article that shed some good light on the subject.  The author, Michael Farris, also doesn’t say who to vote for…but he tackles these issues from the viewpoint of an American Christian who really wants to be wise with their vote.

Voting 2012: A Personal Essay

-The Pilot and Bonnie –

Paranormal Activity

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What with tomorrow being Halloween and all, several posts have come up on the Laughlin Wives Facebook page regarding paranormal activity.  Apparently it is commonly understood that a couple of the buildings on base as well as some of the housing are haunted.

I thought perhaps they might just be joking because it’s Halloween, but as I read some of the comments, I realized that some of these women have indeed experienced strange things in their houses.

Normally I am inclined to say that there must be a logical, rational explanation.  You probably locked the door yourself and forgot.  Maybe a family member turned the stove knobs.  But I must say that reading some of their stories freaked me out a little.  Although, I admit that the night I was scared I was overly tired and my imagination was running freely.

It has given me cause to think, though.  What do I think about such things?

Do I think that people’s ghosts come back and haunt things?  No, I don’t.  The Bible is clear that when a person dies, their spirit is either in heaven or hell.  (In the Old Testament there are accounts of mediums and spiritists bringing back dead people…but I believe that is another thing entirely.  In those instances, dead people were not around many times or long term, nor did they “haunt” anyone or anything.)

Do I believe in evil spirits/powers?  Yes, I do.  Jesus cast out demons during His ministry.  In Ephesians, Christians are told to put on the armor of God “that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11)  And in verse 12 of the same chapter, it says that we wrestle against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  2 Corinthians 11 says that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  In Job, Satan is given power over Job.

Do I believe that Satan’s grip will remain?  No, I do not.  God is always greater than Satan….and not just in the final day, when God will once and for all crush Satan (Revelation 20:10).  God’s power over Satan is in this world as well.  1 John 4:4, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

It is clear that there is evil in the world.  It is clear that Satan is at work in the world attempting to destroy God’s work and God’s name.  It is clear that there are demons also seeking the same purpose.

Regardless of whether or not there are ghosts or demons or paranormal activity here on base, I know that God is the Victor.  I know that God reigns in the Pilot.  God reigns in me.  God reigns in this house.  Therefore, Satan has no power here.

Right when you walk in the door of our house, you can see the verse “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15).  This is God’s household.  Sometimes when I get scared or worried or guilt stricken, I will consciously remind myself of the truth.

Sometimes I pray out loud.

Sometimes I say a Bible verse out loud.

Sometimes I’ll remind myself of the gospel out loud.

I find that when I speak truth out loud, it helps to banish other thoughts from my mind.  It gets my heart back on track and reminds me of what’s really important.  It gives me peace as I rest in God.  I think that’s because when I speak, the words that come out are automatically louder than the thoughts in my head…and I have no choice but to listen and know that God’s word is true.

If you are truly a child of God, the Holy Spirit is in you.  God is with you.  The safest place to be is with God.

-Bonnie

Initial Observations

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In our two weeks here, I have made several observations about this new home of ours.  In many ways it’s different than I was expecting…but then again I don’t know that I really had that many expectations.  Here are a few things I’ve noticed about Del Rio and Laughlin Air Force Base…

1.  It’s small.  Very small.  Del Rio is basically one main street.  The biggest store is Walmart.  In the mall, there are some very small versions of JC Penneys, Ross, Marshalls, etc.  We do have a movie theater, though…and tickets are less than half the price of what we paid in So Cal!!  The base is also quite small.  Last week I walked to a someone’s house in the other housing tract and it was only a 9 minute walk.  (And that was me walking slowly when I realized I would be very early to the appointment!)  There is a nice library here…again, very small…but I have high hopes of reading quite a large selection of their books while here!

2.  There is greenery.  My limited experience of Texas has just been that it is flat, flat, flat….and brown.  While there aren’t mountains here, there is definitely more vegetation and variation of the land then I was expecting.

3.  This is the fly capital of the state.  Probably the country.  A few nights ago, the Pilot came into our bedroom and informed me that the reason he hadn’t come to bed yet was because he was battling flies.  He had gotten 16.  Yes….16.  Just in our bathroom.  There were more throughout the house.  This is probably largely due to the fact that we have had to leave the door/s open for extended periods of time over the past few days, what with movers bringing in furniture, and us traipsing in and out with boxes.  Hopefully this fly situation will be short lived!!

4.  I have never been in a place where people actually followed the speed limit.  People of Del Rio…I applaud you!  Even in the 30 mph zones, people are seriously going 30 mph.

5.  We are going to have lots of opportunities to hang out with people!  Because there isn’t much to do in town or on base, we have already spent quite a bit of time with a friend who commissioned with the Pilot at UCLA.  (The other night we had a game night until 1:00 am!  Fun times…)  I started babysitting for another family here on base, and I look forward to spending more time with them.  We’ve started visiting churches and it will be nice to get plugged in with people there and start attending a Bible study hopefully!

So there you have it.  A bit of what I have learned so far. 😉

-Bonnie