As I write I am sitting at home on my government issued couch that sinks in the middle watching Annabelle play with colorful cups while she boisterously babbles ba’s. Last year at this time I wrote while I sat on a government issued couch that sunk in the middle, pregnant, at the WestPac Motel after we had just arrived in Okinawa. Today we had a pre-deployment briefing to inform spouses what to expect as their loved one goes on deployment for three months in Asia. Barrett gave his chaplain spiel relaxed, without notes, and with a seasoned sense of humor. Last year Barrett and I entered this same briefing wide-eyed and clueless with no idea what to expect but glad to have a buffet laid before us with recognizable food. Last year I worried about having no friends, no church, and the fear of the unknown of labor and parenting. Today my friends are scattered throughout the island and world, our church knows our names and I sing in the choir, but I still have a fear of parenting.
It is amazing how much can happen in a year. I just went through photos to add to a project I am working on and saw faces from Louisville to Rhode Island to Colorado and my heart is filled with thankfulness of friends and family. I smile and laugh at loud when I see laser tag gurus, murder mysteries, our fantastic small group, beloved Betsy, all of our family, Clifton and work friends, and my belly growing in size. I even wore tan pants and a black shirt today subconsciously honoring my work days at Starbucks. We have gone from the newbie’s that everyone takes around, to picking up the newbie’s and introducing them to other side driving, soba, the weather trends, and which commissary to frequent. We know where to get the best coffee, sushi, and Turkish food and I can now operate our Japanese labeled climate control in our apartment but I still can’t figure out the drier. The climax for me this year though, is that we have the ability to watch the playoff games in the comfort of our own home! Im not awkwardly waddling around in food courts looking for a TV that is playing the game at 6am.
The Lord has been kind to us. All we have we owe to him and are so grateful for his provision of more than we need. How often I take my meals, coffee, and computer for granted? How often I think of my iphone as a necessity rather than a tool gifted to me from the Lord for a season? How often do I forget how blessed I am to have a husband that loves his work, is faithful to me, who serves me, and who loves being with his daughter? How often do I forget how amazing it is to worship with other believers in my own language with a bible I can read? How many people have families on both sides love them unconditionally (even when they disagree on sports teams)? I am so humbled when I sit and count my blessings. I don’t deserve them. Please know how honored Barrett, Annabelle, and I to know each of you. Thank you for being our friends and loving family. We are who we are by knowing each of you and are better off because of it. We praise the Lord for you as he has gifted us with each of you.
Now once again, as you watch the game this weekend know that Barrett and I will be sittin on our sagging couch donning our respective jersey’s cheering from the comforts of our humble yet divided home. May the Lord be honored as Tebow models how to be a humble Christian in the face of defeat from a better team.