The Simple Things

It is July 7...Joe has been gone since June 30th...and will be back on July 16th...let me just say it is the simple things you learn to appreciate and miss!

The simple things I am appreciating while Joe is gone:

- Callie getting up too early in the morning, crawling in bed with me and rubbing my arm until she falls back to sleep.
- Felicity coming up to me at a random moment, hugs my leg and says "love ya".
- Callie, sometimes when she senses my frustration or irritability, looking at me and saying "mommy, I still wuv you"
- Rocking out as loud as we can to Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" and Justin Beiber's "Baby" in the car
- Praying every night with the girls for daddy, aimee & the team in Papua New Guinea
- Just hearing Callie being so proud of herself when she says "my daddy is in Papua New Guinea" - literally, she is beaming when she tells people, all kinds of random people ;)
- Looking at the girls in the rearview mirror as they are peacefully asleep in their carseats as we're driving home later than we should be...again (trying to keep ourselves busy these days)
- Falling asleep every night after reading a great devotion and praying for Joe.
- Feeling connected to the other wives who have husbands in PNG thru Facebook...and knowing they are feeling the same emotions I am.
- Listening to the girls play barbies in their room, happily, together
- Listening to the girls play barbies in their room, unhappily, slamming doors at each other, not together

The simple things I am missing while Joe is gone:

- Hearing "I love you" over and over throughout the day.
- Listening to him snore wile I, SLOWLY, fall asleep next to him.
- Watching, or listening, to him play with the girls in the front room.
- Getting a hug & kiss when he walks in the door.
- Seeing the girls' faces light up when their daddy walks in the door.
- standing outside the girls' doors listening to Joe pray with them before bed, or telling them a "hurt story"
- Going to church together.
- Driving together.
- Snuggling on the couch while watching a bad movie with popcorn & wine.
- Snuggling...period!


I am so proud of Joe for what he is doing! I know it is not easy, it is extremely hard work! But, it is what God has called of him. I get so excited for him thinking of the opportunities God is presenting before him. This is something I have experienced and Joe always wished he could have. Now is his time. I know God is using him in mighty ways to further His kingdom and that is priceless! I miss him more than I thought I would, more than words can express. However, in that sadness and lonliness, I feel God's sense of peace and reassurance that His plan is best, that His ways should be our ways, that following His path is not always easy BUT it is always rewarding!