My theme for 2013

A New Start for 2013

It was so wonderful to spend time with Robert's family in California for Christmas. 

It was different being away from my own family during my favorite holiday, and hard at times, but the majority of the experience was really wonderful and special. 

Seeing as it was our first Christmas all together as 'the Bennett family' -- my mother in law wanted to make several new traditions to carry on for years to come.  

She had told me over the phone prior to our visit about an "activity" she was going to execute on Christmas Eve. 

We were to write down one "gift" or goal to give to Jesus for His birthday and wrap it up in this little box that she's going to keep until next year. 

Now it may be cheesy, but ever since she had mentioned it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. What was a goal or something I could work on in 2013 that I could give to Jesus Christ? 

I don't remember when I thought of it, but as soon as I did I knew it was the one. 

Less contention.

I wanted to strive for less contention in my life in every way, shape or form. 

Most of the time the word "contention" is used to describe fights or arguments with other individuals. But what about contention in my own heart without a literal fight or argument with someone else?

I recognized so many other ways I was letting contention slip into my heart...keeping me from feeling at peace. 

 

I truly desire to be a more peaceful person and I realized eliminating all sources of contention was going to be the way to do that. 

So I've decided to make it my theme for 2013.

Without letting contention arise in my heart, I can be at peace.

What things do you do to be more at peace?

Day Five

Day five

I've been husband-less for five days now. And for those of you who are sick of me writing about my husband's absence, I'm sorry just come back and read my blog in three weeks because I'm sure this isn't the last time I'll write about it!

I think the worst is over.

Sunday night was THEE worst. I had a meltdown and called my mama at like 1am to sob to her about how lonely I was and how Robert wasn't missing me and how he's going to love being away from me so much and not want to come home. All not true of course...but at 1am...your brain does weird things.

Mama made me feel more at ease. She said all the right things. She is a pro at this, seeing as my dad served in the military and is also pilot. She was alone at night many, many times throughout her marriage.

So I took her advice, knelt down and said a prayer...and waddya know. It worked. It really, really worked. I don't remember feeling so much peace during a prayer or having answers so quickly. What a tremendous blessing it is to be able to communicate with God through prayer. I know He hears and listens and cares and knows of my every struggle and heart ache. Aside from that, I know He will in fact answer your prayer(s) when it is right for you. I'm so grateful my mother invited me to do something, I already should've done, because it was exactly what I've needed.

Ever since then, my mood and spirit has been on the up and up!

Today I went to my female doc to try to have an IUD put in. Since my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer again, I felt impressed to look for non-hormonal birth control options while Robert and I await our childbirth years. Well, they say the percentage of women that can receive an IUD prior to childbirth is very small. There are very specific criteria that must be met and for most women, if you haven't given birth yet, it won't work. Lucky for me it worked!! It worked it worked it worked!! I'm now off hormones completely and will be able to relax and not have to worry about birth control each month (or the crazy tears and outbursts and emotional breakdowns). I feel so blessed because I haven't felt any pain discomfort at all. Also very rare. What a blessing. I feel so grateful.

I am getting busy on some super special surprises for Robert's return. I'll keep you posted. ;)

Man, I just wish I had all the money in the world so that I could do all these little decorating projects. They may be small and inexpensive DIY projects...but $30 projects add up over time!

I'm planning to write an update about Robert and his experiences so far in school. Stay tuned for that!

-jazara