"For the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Hab 2:14

Interesting how definite this verse is...is does not say maybe, possibly, might...it says will. This verse brings back good memories of good times, good places, and good people.

Speaking of good times, places, and people, we have had a very good few weeks. I have been bad about blogging so I will see if I can catch up.

Jon and I went to Vancouver last weekend. It was interesting to be around SO many international people again. It brought back a lot of memories and stirred up a lot inside my heart. I have no other way to describe the feeling other than feeling uncomfortable. Not in a bad way but I can't figure out how else to explain it.
There is so much to do there and we are looking forward to going back and exploring more.

 When we got here the movers told us there was NO WAY to get the big piece of our couch into our home. So, we have been doing without it to my dismay for the past 3 months. Then on Sunday Jon decided it was going to happen! So, he took out the window in our bedroom and we fit it right in. My husband rocks and now my house seems like HOME. :)

Whidbey continues to grow and change.

Then this past Monday some ladies that I got to know through Navy for Mom's came to the Island for a visit. It was good to actually hang out in person with a few of the ladies that made Jon's time in bootcamp a LOT easier for me.

Jon's command had a picnic on Friday so we went out yesterday morning and had burgers and chips at 10:30 AM. A little early for a burger but I am thankful his command would make such an effort for the men and women working there. I think sometimes the Navy life can be tough but I am thankful for a command that thinks of their Airman/Sailors and makes an effort to do things for them. Jon there for got pretty much a 3 day weekend! Wooowhoo!

SOOO...since this weekend in Seattle is what they call Seafair we decided to head down to Seattle for the day. I had hopes of getting aboard the USS Kidd which was docked at Pier 66 while we were there and also to see the Blue Angels fly. We got to at least see the USS Kidd and got to see the Blue Angles doing maneuvers overhead on the way down and a little bit while we were walking along the water front.

Seattle is interesting and fun and I look forward to going to back as there is SO much there that we did not even get close to on our short visit. We did get to Public Market/Pike's Place and it was awesome. :) Thrown fish, flowers, and doughnuts!

Hmmm. Well, it looks like I have not exactly blogged every day for the past few weeks...And there has been so much that has happened that I do not think there is anyway to catch up...

I have not been running for the past 2 weeks because I have a ridiculous shin splint that will not go away...I have heard those can turn into stress fractures if you keep pushing it...that is an idea I am NOT excited about...So, while I have not been running I have been playing tennis...but I have even stopped doing that this past week because it should not hurt just to exist and that is the way my shins have been feeling...

Our puppy, whom we named Whidbey, has been taking up a lot of my time. Even though it is not even close to being a parent I now understand why parents often do not get all of their to do lists taken care of...I am constantly having to look out for my adorable fluff ball as I am trying to potty train him, teach him what is OK to bark at, and teach him what is OK to chew on...Sigh...one day this will all be over and I won't even remember these days of cleaning up puppy pee frustration...All in all I am totally thankful for my little guy and am excited for the day when he "gets it."

Jon is working nights these next two weeks so we have time during the day to hang out. It is a nice change but a little hard on the mind as Jon says. He has started leaving the toilet seat up the past few days, which he has never done before, and tonight I fell in!! GROSS!

Jon and I went on a Deception Pass Boat tour today. I actually bought the tickets for over half off using Groupon a few months back and it was an awesome deal. We got to learn some history of the area and see some cool wildlife.

I ran out to get a pizza for dinner because the meat for the meat loaf just would not thaw out the way it needed to be in order for the meal to be done at a decent hour. All I can say is that while the sign SAYS hot and fresh NOW it has not been hot and fresh NOW the past few times I have been there to get a pizza...more like hot and fresh in TEN minutes...ha ha. Oh well. At least it is only 5 bucks!

As far as my Bible reading I have come to realize that I have some how matured over the last few years...it was probably my time in Seminary that did it...but I realized while reading in Isaiah this week that often times in the past I would just take any verse I read in the Bible and claim that verse for my life...now I realize that we must make sure we take all verses in context and realize that in some points God was talking to a specific people when he was promising things...I did realize for the first time in my Christian life, because I am very poor in OT knowledge, that God did say in Isaiah that the gentiles would also be saved. It is pretty amazing to see how the books of the Bible foretold the future. Reading about how God promised salvation not only to the Hebrews/Jews but to the gentiles in the OT really hit home with me. Gentile salvation was not a new concept in NT times...it was a concept from the beginning of time and I have lived in ignorance of this scripture my whole walk...

"REALLY?!" This is the term Jon picked up in boot camp and it has now become a part of our express yourself vocabulary.

It comes in pretty handy.

You are running 30 minutes late to pick up your spouse...."REALLY?!"

Interesting conversation with someone you do not agree with..."REALLY?!"

Puppy pees in house right after you have him outside..."REALLY?!"

Child acting REdonkulous in the store...and the mom responds..."REALLY?!"

It is the perfect all in one word statement that says it all...

Jon and I had an awesome 4th of July. We went to a new Church and loved the people there. We had great fellowship which we are SO thankful for!

Visiting said new Church brought us to a big 4th of July gathering at the pastor's house. We got to spend our first 4th of July in Washington with great company and an awesome view of the fireworks.

While at said Pastor's house we met a white little ball of fluff which Jon fell in love with straight away.

The next day we became the owners of said ball of fluff. 

Owning said ball of fluff is like having a baby...except when he potties...it is not in a diaper but in my house :( Work, work work does puppy take...but he is worth it. I can not believe I love this little puppy..I never thought I would be one of those people...

We named said ball of fluff Whidbey. He is a good addition to the family because he causes me to get up early and get outside. I have met a really awesome neighbor that I love because of him and we let our puppies play together...which makes for long puppy naps...which make me happy.

 Blue skies and Ferris Wheels....

                          

Jon and I played tennis again today. I am still hurting so I am not running for a few days to see if I can get my shin to heal up. I am very thankful for a husband who likes to do a lot of the things I like to do. We started playing tennis together when we first got married but have not played too much for various reasons in the past. He used to get so frustrated playing me and I don't like to play with people who get frustrated. I was always trying to help him learn how to play the game and while he was a good listener he still did not like losing..ha ha. So we ended up taking a break from playing for a while.  Then the other day when we walked on the court he was like a new man. His skill has grown so much. I think the break from playing has helped a lot and these days he has me running all over the court, which I really like! He is getting better at playing tennis day by day and one day I think he might just be able to beat me. :) He is so talented he even sweats in the shape of a heart:

After our early afternoon game we came back home to get ready for the day. Jon made an awesome lunch of shrimp, zucchini,onions, and mushrooms. It was really good! I found myself thankful for a day that Jon made lunch as it gave me a break.

We finished off our first night of Jon's 4 days off for 4th of July by venturing to the Drive-In Theater here on the Island.  

It was pretty awesome. We got to see two first run movies for $6.50 a person. They even had a free fireworks display before the movie played as they played the Star Spangled Banner.

 We saw Toy Story which was OK and we saw Eclipse...which was the real reason I wanted to go to the Drive In. :)

We lucked out and got to park in the front row. It was a really enjoyable way to watch movies actually and I am very thankful we went. Next time I will have to remember a blanket to snuggle under as I forgot the nights in Washington still get kind of chilly! Gone are the days of bench seats in cars so you can snuggle with your honey for warmth!

Jon and I played tennis today. I was reminded of how much I love the sport and I wish I could play more often. I am thankful for my parents who had me in tennis camp and tennis lessons as a kid as am I am able to play now because of my training back then. There is actually a tennis court in our front yard so we can walk over to play any time we want. It is nice to be able to do the things we want to do all so close to home.

I also went for a run today. I only set out for 15 minutes though since I played tennis with Jon for over an hour. I can tell I am getting stronger and stronger every day as running is starting to come easier. I have a pretty bad shin splint in my left leg though and while I know rest will make it better I do not really want to stop running. I had to dodge dog poop during my whole run. I really don't understand why people let their dogs poop on the side walk when there is a rule on base that you must clean up after your dog. And since when do dogs prefer to go on the sidewalk instead of in the grass that is not even 2 feet away from where they went on the sidewalk? Seriously people clean up after your pet and stop being so irresponsible and inconsiderate.

"But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will be come a sanctuary..." Isaiah 8:13-14a

It is amazing how great I feel after a run. I am very proud of myself today because I was able to run back up the really big hill I sometimes run down on my runs. The other day I was able to run half way up but then had to walk to the top but today I made it the whole way. I was able to run a total of 30 minutes today which has been my goal. I was also able to push out 30 push ups today. It was tough but I am sure if I keep at it for the next few weeks I should be able to work my way up to 45.  I decided that I should aim toward a goal in my exercising so that I can feel a sense of accomplishment. I decided the Navy's standard of fitness for my age group would be what I am going to aim for.  Here is the list I am working off of:

FEMALES:  AGE 30 to 34 YEARS
PERFORMANCE          POINTS    CURL  PUSH  1.5-MILE   
CATEGORY                       UPS   UPS   RUN    

Outstanding High     100       98    44    10:46  
Outstanding Medium   95        97    43    11:45  
Outstanding Low      90        92    41    12:00  
Excellent High       85        88    39    12:45  
Excellent Medium     80        85    37    13:15  
Excellent Low        75        81    35    13:30  
Good High            70        73    28    14:30  
Good Medium          65        59    24    15:15  
Good Low             60        51    17    15:30  
Satisfactory High    55        47    15    15:45  
Satisfactory Medium  50        44    13    16:15  
Probationary         45        40    11    16:45  

Jon got a jury duty summons in the mail today. I am so jealous! I have ALWAYS wanted to serve jury duty. I have always wanted to experience this part of our judicial system. I suppose it goes along with my interest in justice and the law. He is not going to be able to do it because it is back in TN. I am really curious what case it would have been...

I have always wondered about God and signs...most of the time the Bible says you should not test God by asking for a sign...but today in Isaiah I read where it says, "Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, "Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test." Isaiah 7:1-12 Then God pretty much said I am going to give you a sign even though you did not ask me for one?? I am not sure I really understand this but maybe the purpose is the condition of our hearts?? I am not sure...

I think one of the hardest things about moving is having to find a new Church. When we lived in TN we were a part of a Church that we loved. We loved almost everything about our Church from the Pastor, to worship, to fellowship groups. We were finally finding our niche there and then we moved to Washington.

We have spent three Sunday's visiting Churches and have yet to find our place...I know it will take time but I hope soon we are able to find a place to plug in...We found a place online today that we are going to try next week. It seems to have doctrine we agree with...now to see how everything else goes...

We made crab legs on the grill today and they turned out awesome! :) I am very thankful for this because I am not about making crab legs inside because they make the whole house stink! We were able to make over two pounds of crab for only $12!

We had a good day yesterday hanging out with some new friends. Jon knew the husband from work and we went over to their house to watch USA lose to Ghana. It was an interesting time. Every time I hang out with other couples it always sends me into introspection mode.

Later on in the evening Jon and I went out to the Park down on the harbor to hang out. We skipped rocks, or at least made an attempt to skip rocks, and also played a little driftwood baseball. We even got to see a few harbor seals and caught a glimpse of Mt. Rainer in the distance as the sun was setting. I think one of the things I enjoy the most about our marriage is that we are able to do little things and really enjoy our time together.

 

Jon had the day off today so we went on a journey to find a Chick-fil-a. (Good thing we went for a run this morning!) We ended up driving to Bellingham, WA. I must say this Chick-fil-a probably has the best view of any Chick-fil-a in the country. This was the view from our table.

Washington continues to amaze me with it's beauty. It is a beautiful place to live and we feel blessed that we are able to live here.

One funny sign that I saw all along the "freeway" (that is what the interstate is called here in Washington) was this:

I guess hitchhiking is a big NO NO in Washington...and I guess enough people do it anyway so they feel the need to post these signs to remind people that they should not be doing it.

We wandered around Bellingham and checked out their mall and then headed home so we could get to the store to pick up some things for a USA Soccer bar-b-que we are going to tomorrow. I ended up making a chocolate Oreo pie and am looking forward to sharing it with new friends and having it for dessert!

I arrived home to these, my beautiful Stargazers that Jon brought home for me last week...they are in full bloom and beautiful!

The Worlds Reaction to Landon Donovan's Game Winning Goal

I saw this video today and it made me tear up. I am so proud of the USA Men's World Cup team and so glad that America is getting behind them.

Drugs and catnip seem to have a weird effect on my cat. Jon and I have bought him catnip a few times hoping to see him play and have fun...Instead, he takes one sniff and becomes all lovey dovey, rubbing all over everything in sight and begging to be paid attention to. It is so weird actually. Right now, hours after been given drugs so that we could take him to the vet and make a 4th attempt at getting a mandatory microchip placed in his neck, he is snuggling as close to my leg as possible while snuggling with the couch as well.

You can read about our visit to the Vet at my husband's blog. He did a good job describing our redonkulous yet successful 4th visit to the Vet.

Isaiah has been telling it like it is the past two days. God doesn't want your empty words/actions. He was also a poet and I did not know it. For example in chapter one he says:

"Take your evil deeds out of my sight!

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!"

I had a terrible dream today while I was taking a nap. I had a dream Jon shot me with a gun at point blank range trying to kill me. It was so terrible. I hate bad dreams. They always seem to stick with me long after waking up even though I know they are not true. I have been dreaming a lot lately about killing and being killed. I really don't remember having dreams like this before and I don't really know why I am having so many lately. Hopefully all of this will pass because it really does not provide a restful night's sleep.

I went running again tonight. I was able to run for 28.33 minutes without stopping. At minute 7 I was not even sure I was going to make it to minute 10 but somehow it ended up working out. I flopped on the couch a sweaty mess and thankful God gave me the ability to exercise. I realized today while running that my back actually has not been hurting since I have been running. I think running is helping my abs to get back in shape which in turn helps take pressure off my back. My knees have also stopped hurting. So weird that pounding the pavement would help my knees to stop hurting but I will take it!

Sometimes Jon does something that makes me fall hysterically laughing into bed and that is one reason why I love him so...if he would not die of embarrassment and if I could figure out how to put what he was doing into words I would...but some things should be kept secret and left only to make me alone smile.

We woke up around 7am to watch the USA play Algeria in the World Cup. I love my husband for getting up on a day he could have slept in to watch the game with me. I am very thankful ESPN has been putting the games live on their website because we do not have cable and ABC sure was not airing the game...around minute 75 Jon was giving up hope...but as a former soccer player myself I encouraged him to not give up because in the game of futbol the game can be won in the very last minute. And then it came...minute 91, Donovan followed up and scored, and we were yelling and screaming in elation...but I could not celebrate forever...I sat right back down and waited for a call from the ref saying there was no goal, because really, that is what I have come to expect having seen 2 very good goals called back by poor refereeing...not until the final whistle was blown did I believe we had actually won the game! It was so freaking exciting! I loved it and am so glad Jon was there with me to sit in anticipation and then finally celebrate with me. Way to go USA! You rock and I am excited to follow you through into the next round...only the 5th time in World Cup history...

Isaiah entered my life today. He is not going to be very well liked I am sure. Not many people ever like to hear the hard truth, especially when it means acknowledging that there are a lot of things in life you need to address and change...

I got hit on when I was out running today. I was enjoying the warmth and sunshine of the day, reminiscing about the summer 7 years ago when I last ran myself back into good shape in the hills of Virginia. Then as I was on my last leg of the run I heard a man yell out to me from the Navy Lodge parking lot. At first I thought it was innocent enough because he asked if there was a gym on base...that makes sense...you see someone out running...they probably would know if there was a gym around...He continued to ask more specifics about the gym...by this point I am thinking all of this he could find out from the NAVY hotel he is staying in...but I did not mind helping the guy out. It was not until he told me how good I was looking today that I was like "R I I I I I I G H T." It is hot...I have been running for almost 30 minutes...I am a sweaty nasty mess and I look good? Yeah...OK! I bid him adieu and literally ran away! Seriously fella..you do not have anything better to do with your time than hit on people from a hotel parking lot?? SERIOUSLY??!! Hope that works out for ya!

Bible Study: Check
Running: Check
Return item to store: Check
Get Groceries: Check
Tidy up house: Check
Do laundry: Check
Clean sheets and make bed: Check
Clean kitchen: Check
Mow lawn: Check
Pay bills: Check

That about sums up my day. It was amazingly beautiful today here in Washington. It was only in the 60's but it felt awesomely warm and comfortable. I am looking forward to a Washington summer...

Still reading in Amos today...I am very glad for this time in my Bible reading...I have always spent a lot of time in the New Testament and have done a study of the first 5 books of the Bible but have never really read the whole entire Bible...It has been a major weakness in my full understanding of the Gospel I think...not understanding the history and the prophecy from my own personal journey through them...not fully understanding how God has woven the story from the beginning of time...not seeing all of God's promises to His people and then seeing how He was faithful to them...I have a lot of stories that I know from studying them on their own but I have never gotten the whole entire picture that is laid out throughout the whole OT...So reading through the Bible, and not just through it but through it chronologically, has been really good for me.

Jon and I went running today and I am glad to say that I was able to run one minute longer today than I did on Friday...I think the consistancy will pay off and I am thankful that I am working on getting back in shape...it makes me feel better to flop down all sweaty on my couch after a good run...knowing that I am working slowly toward living a more healhly life.

I planted sunflowers in my flowerbed almost two weeks ago now...I have been anxious...wondering if they are going to grow...it was such a suprise when Jon called to me from outside and told me I needed to get out there...I could only smile as he got down on his hands and knees to point out where the first signs of my flowers were breaking through...I am really hopeful they are going to make it and grow tall and bloom...something (probably the bunnies) has been eating my other flowers and I hope they are not going to eat my sunflowers before they get the chance to grow...

I have been toying around with the idea of pursuing a Social Work degree...Sometimes when I think back on my college years I think how much more suiting pursuing a degree in this field would have been for my interests...but at the same time I can not second guess following the path I did because it has taken me where I have been through the years...very many blessed years. So, maybe a post graduate degree in the field will come next...I think international affairs mixed with social work would be awesome...

Well, it seems I am going to have to wait to find out what goes down with Uzziah...as my readings today were the prophecies of Amos...

We visited a Church today and we liked it well enough to go back next week. It was nice to have people actually talk to us and share with us about their lives. The people seemed real and genuine. And we were already approached about helping with VBS coming up..ha ha..talk about getting plugged in your very first Sunday...I guess we will see what happens...

Jon is on evenings for the next two weeks.  I am excited to get to spend the days with him the next few weeks. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can go exploring.
I "think" I might finally be starting to feel better...
Otherwise it has been a pretty lazy Sunday.

I am a little disappointed in myself that I went to bed last night and forgot to blog about my day...I guess it will happen...at least I went running yesterday and ran for 20 minutes without stopping and my shins didn't hurt! Woowhoo! Hopefully in 6 weeks time I will be up to half an hour and be able to stay there for the future...I am trying to reach a goal of 3 miles a day and hopefully some day soon be able to run in a 5K.

I think the summer is almost here in Washington...they say that summer does not start here until July so we will have a good few weeks of spring left. It was so beautiful yesterday...in the 60s and warm...this girl loves some sunshine...someone said on my facebook that they think it is sad that it is still light sweater weather where I live...I have to disagree...while I love warmth I DO NOT miss swealtering heat and sweating just because I walk outside. I think I will trade my Tennessee summer for a Washington spring and summer anytime...the highs around here even during the summer are only supposed to be in the 70's...I think that is pretty awesome myself!

Jon's passport arrived yesterday and I am super excited about that! We now have the freedom to roam about the world and this makes me very happy.

Jon had an early day yesterday so he came home around noon. We took the opportunity to get off the island and see what is out there...and we realized that while yes, we live on an island where we are not 15-20 minutes away from "everything" we are quite happy on our island...where we can roam and explore and enjoy the beauty God has created...and not be stuck in mega traffic and have to inhale everyone else's pollution...maybe because we enjoy being together for now and exploring everything that we didn't have back home in Tennessee. Do not get me wrong...I am still excited to visit Seattle and go to games and shows and all but I wouldn't trade living there for living here...where I can look out my front windows and see the mountains and the sound and nature all around...

I love real life murder mystery shows...I think I am fascinated with the stories and the psycology. I had night mares last nite that I was killing people and people were trying to kill me...I think it was because Jon and I watched Law Abiding Citizen before bed time. I awoke startled and relieved wondering if I ever really could kill anyone...I serioulsy doubt I could considering that I grew up hunting and was never able to shoot at anything more than a bird...but I do often wonder what I would do in a self defense scenario...how would I handle the choice?

I met Uzziah today in my Bible reading...since I am on a reading plan I was left hanging...so far Uzziah followed God and he has prospered his people...but there was a word in the part I did read that led me to believe that this will not last his whole life...he did leave the high places after all and seemed to be relying upon himself as he was building his armies...(which is a total weakness of mine right now...relying upon myself and doing things in my own strength...I used to submit EVERYTHING before the Lord and now while I read a lot more and pray each day I don't pray like I used to...) Or maybe it is better to say I don't rely like I used to...I am working on it though and have faith that God will bring me along...

The weather was beautiful today and I thought we might take a journey some where...but as it turns out I was too sick to venture far from home. I have been feeling sick the past few days and thought it was just a result of a hormone change...but 2 days later I am still feeling sick so I have now realized I must have picked up something some where...I think I am going to have to fast it out...drink water until I beat this thing...because every time I eat I feel sick...ugh!

Tomorrow is Church and I am very excited! I hope we like the one we are going to visit...

Another really emotional day for me today...this is so unusual...but I am sure it will pass.

As I sit here I am serenaded by the fragrance of some of the most beautiful flowers that have ever stood in a vase in my house...and I am thankful for a husband who thought of me.

I was reading about Jonah today...and what I found the most interesting was that because of Jonah's mistake and his eventual owning up to it a lot of people worshiped God. It is good to know that even when we are total bone heads in life that God STILL brings goodness out of it. I tend to be REALLY hard on myself and pretty much try to toe the line in every instance...but it is good to know that even when I fall down that things are still redeemable...I am redeemable...others are redeemable...God can and does show Himself in many ways...

I also started reading in Hosea today...talk about a lesson from unfaithfulness...Hosea really helped me through some hard times in the past...and now he has come around again...to show me just how much God loves us and brings us back no matter what we have done...unfaithfulness, besides death, has to be one of the most heart wrenching things to deal with in life...yet there is so much that can be learned through it...so much that can change in a heart when one forgives one of the most unforgivable acts of another...it is amazing how redemptive forgiveness can be...not only for the receiver but for the extender as well...I sometimes wonder if it is actually not more of a miracle in the heart of the one who has done the forgiving than the one who has received it...it changes you forever...