Weekend Six ~ First Full Paycheck!

WOW!!! We went to PF Changs last night on our gift money...SO FULL..I don't think Drew has had anything so flavorful in a month! :D

This morning we took a drive up to Auburn and had breakfast at Katrina's...MMMM...that's my dad's FAVORITE breakfast place, Drew ate like a horse...to the point of the waitress laughing at us! :) We then walked through downtown and oldtown Auburn, walked through a few cute shops. It was nice to just stroll around and spend time together.

We then went and visited my parents for a little while...it was nice to see how happy both of them were to see him, and he was ecstatic to not be either at the Academy or at home. Afterwards, we went shopping at Sam's! It's weird having ONE paycheck a month to budget on and then have to SHOP for a month...but we did some damage, and we have more to do tomorrow...but it is SO nice to have our refridgerator be full.

CHP ~ Day 29

Today was a rough day for me mentally! I've been re-working our budget since Drew gets his first full sized paycheck on tomorrow! FINALLY!...Oye, I'm really stressed. So, that has put me into a 'delightful' mood -- and this has pretty much consumed my day. It's rough when we have been "holding on" for 2 months just BARELY skimming the surface of the bills, and hardly being able to buy food or gas...So, hopefully (and I'm praying) that this check is a decent size and it goes through immediately and there are no holds.

I'm just happy Drew comes home tomorrow and we can spend some time together. We received anniversary cards from my mom, Sherri, and Grandma Mac today, and we got $150 between them! So, that's helpful with being able to do something fun for our anniversary this weekend.

Drew had an eventful day! He was in his PMA (Physical Methods of Arrest) class and they were practicing using your batton. Well, they tell you that you are supposed to fight for your life and think properly (even pretend to pull a gun) as if you were in a fight with a suspect on the road. HA! Well, Drew heard that advice...the instructor punched Drew in the jaw as soon as he came at him...so Drew was trying to wrestle with him, and eventually decided he couldn't with his batton. So, while protecting his gun side, he tossed his batton away and got the instructor into a headlock!!! AND HE TAPPED OUT!!! Awesome! And he got props for it...talk about your confidence booster!

CHP ~ Day 28: Two Year Anniversary!

Well, today is our anniversary...TWO YEARS...I just stayed home and stayed to myself today...OK! So I moped a little. I watched some movies, and worked on my blog. Drew didn't get his liberties tonight :( The EVOC test they took last week was SO bad, more than half of his class failed it and had to stay tonight. I guess they didn't have to re-take it...but they had to clean the EVOC course...the cars and move tires...etc But, most of the guys said they'd rather do that than be writing a memo or doing PT. It has been a rough day...I talked to him for about 15 minutes a little bit ago...but we'll hopefully go out to dinner this weekend.

CHP ~ Day 27

I went to RHOP again this morning...but today I went to the "STAFF Set", so I kinda felt out of place like I was intruding on a staff meeting! but it is the House of Prayer, and people are free to come and go as led, so I just tried to mentally move past it :D
Pastor Francis was there and was describing three situations of Christian leaders falling into sin, and causing major termoil in their communities.

• A missionary who was traveling into the country and speaking: accused of molesting a thirteen year old girl on the plane!
• A Pastor: in (I believe) an unfaithful marriage and going through a split...
• An inspirational music artist, with a powerful song: admits that the cancer he's been battling (which led him to writing the song, and has led people to donating money to him) is a farse...he made the whole thing up! Separate bank account, going on stage with a breathing tube...all of it a lie!

Rightly so, Pastor Francis is greatly troubled by this...as was everyone in the room he was telling. And the time became a time of intercession and prayer for the leaders; for these men and their families, for our church leaders, for the spiritual leaders in our country who are battling against evil. And we then moved into a time of reconciliation, that everyone is struggling with SOMETHING, and that those items (especially for the leaders) need to be brought to the table, there need to be NO skeletons in the closet and other believers need to strengthen and encourage eachother.

SIDE NOTE: This is something that I believe is SO important for our leaders. My pastor is an amazing man of God. God's love has poured over his cup, and overflows on EVERYONE around him. And he does the above action. He isn't just open about sharing his life when asked, because he is reconciled through Christ. NO! He brings up the things of his past almost EVERY Sunday, so that no one is unaware. He is honest, open, and broken about everything...and THAT is why everyone respects and loves him, and why I (though I'm shy and do not know him) would feel comfortable about talking to him about anything!

So! Anywho, one of the most widespread issues seemed to be depression. So, they asked anyone who had ever struggle with depression to stand...ALMOST THE ENTIRE ROOM WAS STANDING...well, if you don't know me that well, I do struggle with that from time to time. I am much better than I used to be, but for about three years (end of high school and through most of college) it was really bad. And it was so comforting that I am not alone! And that is usually how it feels when you're depressed...but now I know that I'm NOT the only one feeling the way I do -- and they are my CHURCH elders and staff feeling that way as well...well, we prayed over those around us and it was a Spirit filled blessed time.

I went over to the VanTassell's afterward, with Steph and Jill...we had Taco Bell and Jill and I hung out and watched a movie. (Amazing Grace! SO! good...) She gave me a pedicure...she is such a sweetheart with a servants heart. And we had dinner with the fam! Everyone but Steph was there...nice to be around people :D

Drew called me and his ankle is REALLY beginning to trouble him...and it's finally starting to swell, so he's icing it now. I'm praying that God would touch and heal it so that it no longer troubles him and he shows no weakness. He also had another issue today. They had a Cadet Enrichment seminar today, they were encouraging everyone to go out and do things on the weekends that would strengthen and encourage them, but would give them a break from being at the Academy. One of the things listed was to go to church. Well, heaven forbid anyone suggest doing such an appauling thing! Heh... His roommates were offended and angry that they said that, and began taking it out on Drew a little...they all help eachother in the evenings and Drew corrected a spelling word to one of them: "What the H#!!, was I talking to you?" WOW! Yikes...Thankfully, he did apologize later and say he was really tired. (Which they are all tired and hungry and HAVE to be grouchy). But, there's Drew's first signs of persecution...even there...

CHP ~ Day 26

Today, I went to RHOP for a few hours...I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere there is just full of prayer, worship, and reverence...no distractions, God's presence always feels there in a powerful way! Everytime I go I'm moved, and God always speaks to me through a verse or a song.

I've been praying for Drew alot this evening, he stepped in a gopher hole today on his run... :( he said his ankle and up his shin a bit is really sore but not swollen. BUT, he's supposed to report it right away, and he doesn't feel like it's that serious...so he didn't...SO! hopefully it will be healed by tomorrow's PT.

My mom called and said that she talked to grandpa and grandma from our visit on Friday...and they told her about how Drew had gotten encouragement from Officers last week. She was SO excited to hear that...she told me that Aunt Candy and grandma Mosburg had both last week been praying that he would receive unlikely encouragement at the Academy...what an incredible answer to PRAYER!!!

End of Weekend Five...

Tonight, Drew really didn't want to go back...it almost seems that it is harder to continue when you have a relaxing and "normal" weekend at home, as opposed to the stressful homework packed weekends. Most of the drive back to the Academy I was quizzing him on some terms for EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course), he is really nervous about knowing them word for word...but he knows them. He just needs to be confident enough that he doesn't freak himself out and forget them. It was hard leaving tonight...I watched him walk down the hallway and into his room. It's a weird feeling. Wanting him to come home so I don't have to go home alone...but knowing I have to ignore that and actually act like I WANT him to go back, so that he has NO inclination whatsoever that he needs to come home. It's sort of a lonely feeling.

SO! Once again, God is my company the WHOLE long drive home (ok, it's really not that long, but it feels like it when you're alone and it's dark). I was praying over Drew and his week ahead, and over our finances. We really haven't had much money since BEFORE the Academy started (mid-July!!!) and we have to hang on until the end of this week, Friday is payday. It will be our first full-sized paycheck...so hopefully Drew will feel more confident that his hard work is paying off once that comes.

CHP ~ Day 25

I went up to Auburn this morning, my haircut!!! :D I love it, it looks just like the picture. I'm going to have to get used to embracing the fullness of it, I've been straightening for so long now... :P

I headed over afterwards to my parents house and went to lunch with Rachel and mommy. We went to this salad shop in downtown Auburn, YUMMY! It's nice to be close enough to visit with them in the morning.

I headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Rosene's for a while and visited with them. I haven't seen them since before Drew left, I think. But we haven't seen very many people since Drew left at all...But that was nice to see them and share what God is doing.

Drew had a good day too! ANOTHER 100%! And the unthinkable happened, he got 2 compliments! One was because he was not repeating the greeting that everyone else was saying and looked at his watch first, when he said "good afternoon"...the Officer pointed him out, Drew was so happy. And in his extra PMA (Physical Methods of Arrest) class today, his instructor pulled him aside (which he was afraid he was getting in trouble!) and she told him good job, because she could see he was stepping it up! PRAISE GOD!!! That is just amazing!

CHP ~ Day 24

Today I wasn't feeling well, so I watched a bunch of TCM...shocker! And it was all Gene Kelly movies...makes me want to dance!

I cleaned the house a little (I like it to be clean when Drew comes home), and I looked online for a hairstyle (I'm getting my haircut, after OVER a year, tomorrow)! He should like it, it's a Mariska Hargitay (the actress on Law and Order: SVU), and he likes her. :)

I'm so worried about Drew...this week, he's been going to bed hungry! :( That scares me...I know he's on a diet but good grief! He is able to go into the Staff Office and get fruit if he's hungry, but that only does so much. I'll just have to make sure I feed him good this weekend...but 5 minutes there is not a lot of time to fill your tummy!!!

CHP ~ Day 23

Today I went to RHOP again. Today God was revealing more things to me and showing me verses that affirm this calling. The two very specific one would be:


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28

"Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persever in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
I Timothy 4:11-16


The reason these two seemed so inspirational is because the first is a verse from my Junior High. Calvary Chapel Christian School's mascot was the Conquerer, and this verse is from that passage used by that school. Random? Maybe to some...but to me it was God revealing another "puzzle piece" and where it fits in. I have heard that verse so many times and we memorized it...to the point where the meaning is gone and each time you read it you just read it like a memory verse. Today I READ that verse for the first time, and it took different meaning -- I feel that I am being called to His purpose for my life...and Drew and I are currently braving the storm of finances during this transition, and it is the first time I haven't worked since my first year of college!

The second verse had alot of the same meaning. The second sentance in verse eleven is another common verse that many people have memorized...but again, I READ this verse for the first time today...and God was truly reassuring me in this verse. That I may be young, what I am doing may seem silly or not make sense, and may not seem like the financially savvy thing to be doing at this stage of life. But to devote myself and not be discouraged. Also, the second portion is the reason for my starting this blog (and is at the bottom of every page of it)...To devote myself so that others can see what God is doing in my life! Not only to show people that I am growing in Him, but that He can do the same for anyone who trusts and seeks Him, and will reveal Himself to them as well.

I was so excited, I wrote Drew a letter and included the verses to encourage him in what God is doing in my life and for us.

I picked Drew up tonight and we headed to In-N-Out, he needed that apparently!!! The lack of flavor and substantial foods at the Academy makes him eat like a horse when he gets away! It was nice to visit for a little while though. After eating, he wasn't ready to go back so we wandered for a while through the massive IKEA that is across the freeway from the Academy...it's HUGE!!! It was nice to walk around the store and feel like a normal couple though for a little while :)

CHP ~ Day 22

I went to RHOP today. And I prayed for a while. It's weird...I feel so strange, I am still in the process of developing my prayer time, so I feel kinda scatter brained right now. But today, I was really trying to focus on praying for Drew and for my time I will be spending in the House of Prayer, and preparing my heart. I also started trying to decide how I wanted to separate my intercessorary topics throughout the week, and what days to focus on the different people that I pray for. As I was attempting to begin looking at verses (I bring my concordance with me)...God was really just revealing affirmation verses to me...about being called, etc...

I had seen Stephanie's car outside when I drove in and wanted to see if she was still there...so I went upstairs and she was in her office, I met the children's pastor Sarah (her office-mate), her husband is also in law-enforcement and she was just encouraging me to stick it out...Steph and I talked for a while about what God is stirring in my soul, and she was really excited and discussed with me and prayed for me. And she told me that these topics that I am focussing on are classified as JUSTICE intercession. Which is amazing that there is a classification...because that, for some reason, solidifies that this is an actual "topic" and an actual "issue"...and seemed to give me even more purpose having a title.

She asked me all sorts of questions about how life is while Drew's gone and whatnot. And really encouraged me to not feel alone, and to lean on her and Jill and the family I have nearby when I begin to feel like a recluse. We decided that we are going to visit and have lunch...her, Jill and I...every Tuesday after the Staff RHOP set. YAY!

CHP ~ Day 21

Today my mom came and took me to lunch...I told her about everything that God was revealing to me last night on the way home -- she's excited for me and thinks it's wonderful. We went to Home Depot and I helped her buy some pots and flowers for the backyard that she's relandscaping.

Drew called tonight, he received a 93% and a 100% on the two tests last week!!!...and that's NOT including his spelling tests (which he's been getting A's on)! He sounds tired...but I'm SO relieved! I told Ed and Sherri and they were ecstatic! It's been so wonderful to have such laid back in-laws that I can call and talk to and to vent to...and they have been so supportive...and they're SO proud of Drew!

Revelation

So, tonight, I dropped Drew off again. As usual, to calm myself and bless my husband as he starts his week...I prayed the WHOLE way home. I started praying (as usual) for peace and patience and endurance and wisdom for Drew. I then suddenly began reflecting on last nights sermon message which had really moved me, I was replaying alot of the main points in my head...my attention then began to focus on how the experience at RHOP last Wednesday was and how I really enjoyed that.

All of a sudden God began to reveal all sorts of things from throughout my life to me.

• how I have NEVER felt called to foreign missions (since Junior High I felt very strongly about that)
• how I am patriotic and feel that America is in JUST as bad of shape as anyone
• how my personality tends to turn inward and not gravitate toward other people
• how I have had a desire to be a prayer warrior since early High School
• how I feel about the abortion issue and how my worldview class in High School gave me ammunition to back my beliefs (and I have written a few reports on the issue of Pro-Life since)
• that since I heard about the issues of sex trade in Cambodia about 3 years ago, my heart has ached for those children
• how, as a girl, I feel the pressure of the media/entertainment/fashion industries of what "beauty" is
• that as a wife, who wants to be a mother, thinking about raising a Junior High or High Schooler in today's world, the burden of overcoming that is terrifying!...but I'm still young enough to relate and have my heart go out to them...
• how working in a secular environment has proven to me, the world has become so shockingly tolerant to issues such as pornography, prostitution, and masterbation...and how those issues are no longer taboo
• how the general issue of SEX has just become so common and bombards us at EVERY angle!

As I was going over all these points in my head and thinking about how through the course of my life a different issue has become something that I feel strongly about and now all of them are or were at one point: I had a revelation!!! Suddenly I realized, this is it! God has been gradually throuout my life revealing different issues to me to be passionate about and as I developed convictions about each one, and now hear a message involving ALL, and now feel I have a place to go and be silently in God's precense...OH! I am to be a prayer intercessor, at the Rock House of Prayer, for these issues and the value of life. And not until this point in my life could I have had the flexibility to do this. I am now unemployed, a stay at home wife here to be Drew's support...and an intercessor for the value of human life!!!

PRAISE GOD...I have never felt more sure of what my purpose is!

Weekend Four ~ Beginning of a Spiritual Journey!

We didn't do much today...Drew was able to relax alot, which he NEEDED!
Church tonight was great -- it really stirred me! It was on the value of human life, our series is "Christians Behaving Boldly". The topics discussed were sex, abortion, porn, prositution, false image, media/entertainment, STD's, and sex trade (specifically Cambodia). Very powerful...and ALL these things are issues that I have really had a heart for (or well, against I guess) when I've heard them discussed and hearing facts and information about them. So, everything I heard was something I'm pretty passionate about. And as I was listening to what the pastor was saying and how he believes that we all feel that these are all the "norm" but nothing will ever change if SOMEONE doesn't do SOMETHING. I really started praying that the people around the room who seemed to really be taking in what he was saying and really seemed motivated by what they were hearing, would NOT go home and watch a movie and become caloused. So often we hear messages like this, as Christians, and we feel powerfully moved to do something...but the second we leave the doors of the church, we have left that Spiritual passion and drive inside and seem to wak away from it. So, I was praying that God would reach into hearts and prevent that from happening, and that the listeners would be moved to DO something, not to just agree. I think part of me was so passionate because with the want to become a parent, the thought of raising a junior high or high schooler in today's society...where sex and everything that goes with it is no longer taboo...where girls dress in a way that devalues themselves to get the want for attention and affection satisfied, and men are driven by lust rather than love to get their own physical and emotional needs satisfied...it terrifies me!!!

When I got home we turned the TV on, and we saw an add on TV for the new "decadent" M&Ms...it's all about the sexy green girl M&M with high heels and eyelashes...it's all in slow motion...she's rubbing her finger through chocolate and then on her lips, she's seductively bouncing up and down on the bed...the music is sensual...and at the end she's in a weird pose and she asks if their done, and the other M&Ms are there with camera equipment and are just awestruck and staring...and a light bulb breaks and they all kinda snap out of it...EVEN CANDY!!! good greif...and it's not only selling the "sexy" image of the candy - but the M&M guys are selling sex! Drew and I think the commercial is kinda humorous, but at the same time we're appauled by the image that it is selling. I realized that the prayer I was praying in church meant NOTHING if I didn't act as well! If I allow myself to become numb to the media, I too will forget that stirring from the Holy Spirit.

SO!!! I just signed on to my Myspace page...and it's GONE!!! I had signed on and there was a puppy video that I watched, and when it was done it wanted me to watch clips of movie stars for bad movies, people getting drunk, and girls in underwear...and I was mad about it...So, no more Myspace!!! I feel liberated!!!

CHP ~ Day 19

OYE! Stayed up ALL night last night...I was working on typing out the verses for Drew. I really wanted to get them to him this week, and not just give them to him over the weekend. So, I finished early this morning and called the Academy to see if there was a place that was acceptable for me to drop them off. I drove to the Academy and dropped the letter and verses off at the front desk so that Drew would get some mail today.

So, I then headed up to Auburn and I spent most of the afternoon with grandpa and grandma Mosburg and my mom and Rachel, we had grandma's homemade tacos and homemade ice cream and hot fudge!!! mmmm...we visited and did a puzzle. And from lack of sleep I headed over to mom and dad's and PASSED OUT on the couch! :D So, I tried to regroup myself, and I ended up going out to dinner with daddy and mommy at the alehouse in Auburn.

PRAISE GOD...I had a great chat with my dad tonight...it was nice to visit with him! We were out sitting on the patio he just put in in the backyard, and the moon was almost full, so it was bright and in Auburn you can see the stars. It was nice...and it's really late so it looks like I'll be spending the night here...

Drew is doing well, another good test score today! 83% So, it looks like thanks to his third test, he gets to come home this weekend again!!! :D (so, I'll see him tomorrow!!!)

CHP ~ Day 18

Today I woke up late!...this whole late night thing is hard...I can't seem to get to bed at a decent hour...

I asked Steph and Jill what time the services at the Rock House of Prayer are at and what it's like...I decided to go and pray for Drew, so I could be undistracted and focus on the verses I'm putting together and focus on pleading with God for Drew. The whole experience was wonderful! I really enjoyed spending a few hours in such a worship/prayer focused atmosphere. I'd really like to go back. I worked on the verses and finalized them...God really led to many verses in the Psalms, which was very interesting because Drew has felt very intrigued by David and the verses were of him pleading with God and then praising Him for blessing him. So, now I'm typing them out...it's going to take FOREVER!!! I have SO many verses.

Unfortunately, Drew didn't have tonight off, but he sounded chipper on the phone, he was on the way to the classroom, his 'punishment'...he has to sit in there and write a memo...Hopefully he will keep his perkiness despite it...

CHP ~ Day 17

I had lunch with my mom today, and ran some errands with her. She's been buying plants and pots for the new patio in the backyard. It was nice to spend time with her.

I did NOT sleep well last night! I am REALLY worried about Drew -- I realized last night that there is nothing I can say anymore...so I am working on compiling some verses for him, to encourage and motivate him. I have been working on that most of the day! When Drew called...he sounded MUCH better than yesterday, but I'm still worried. He stayed up into the WEE hours of the morning in the restroom so he would have light trying to get all his homework done.

Almost everyone is aware of what is going on and praying about it...he did try to reassure me that of course he was not going to quit...but as of last night and all day today I've been deathly afraid I was going to get a phone call asking me to come pick him up because he was done...heh, Sherri asked me what I would do if he did call like that, I said I would ask him if he had already signed out and if it was too late, because I wasn't going to come get him! I just hope he can push through it! I keep hoping he's not going to call...so nervous...

CHP ~ Day 16

OYE! What a day...Rachel came over to hang out, we watched an old Doris Day movie while she organized some photos for her friends album. We then went to Quiznos for dinner...my sister paid! She's so sweet...

Drew had a rough day...that would be an understatement. His PT went bad today...once again those pushups and "nose-in-rings", that seem to get him in trouble repeatedly. He just couldn't do any more...so he got pushed to sitting against the wall -- well, you can't do that terribly long either! Therefore, he was yelled at (of course), and his punishment became writing an outline for a large chapter in one of his books...those were the only instructions he got. So, he has to do that like a memo, along with his other studying and homework...and because he's on that training table diet thing, he has to a memo of his diet for the day as well...So, in his frustration and freaking out about it - I tried to remind him that all the officer's go through this...and his response was, NO! I am the ONLY one who has it this hard!!! :)

...oye!, I have been PRAYING -- called my mom and Sherri...I'm really worried about him...I realize that it's to the point where I can't come up with my own words that will be encouraging enough...

CHP ~ Day 13

Today I slept surprisingly well, and I'm feeling completely better.
Paige Nair sent me a message on Facebook today, saying the Kenny was able to re-apply yesterday for the Academy...oye, they have to start that long process over! But she said they are more comfortable with the idea of the process now, so that's a praise. I spent the afternoon visiting with mommy here and then we went out shopping.

PRAISE GOD, I was able to see Drew this evening. It's amazing what ONE hour in the middle of the week does to break up a week apart! We went to BJ's, it was nice to go out and relax for a while. He's so cute...I'm so excited for him! He actually refers to what is going on as FUN! HaHa! Well, that's wonderful, I'm glad he sees it as challenge. PRAISE GOD!!!

CHP ~ Day 12

Today I felt better, but just did some more laying around. I still feel very meloncholy and like a recluse. Alot of TCM :)

Drew told me he got another 93% on a test...PRAISE GOD!!! I called my mom and Sherri and let them know...it is WONDERFUL how much support we are receiving! PRAISE THE LORD!

CHP ~ Day 11

OYE!!! I've been very meloncholy today. I started feeling icky with stomache pains and I feel exhausted. It doesn't help that we were SO rushed again yesterday. The whole weekend again was packed with homework. He had to re-write his first memo, he had another one to write...hours of SLOW writing assignments.

So, I feel bad. I layed around all day and watched TCM, Turner Classic Movies I think is one of my favorite channels now. I am COMPLETELY intrigued by the old movies.

CHP ~ Day 10

Well, today Leah and I headed for the airport, but stopped and had lunch and did some shopping first. We went to Lenny's (Drew's favorite sub shop), and then we went to the LOFT, LOVE that store. It's been nice to have company here.

We headed toward the airport, and I dropped Leah off about 4 hours before I needed to pick Drew up. So, I headed to the Starbucks, and I had my magazines, some books and whatnot with me. It was a very nice relaxing few hours by myself in a corner :D I was sitting there, SO excited to see Drew, and happy that I was going to have him for a few days :)

Heh, well, tonight is shaping up alot like last week, we went to dinner at Cabos (ummm, Mexican food). And then Drew crashed when he got home, while I've been making sure the laundry gets done and hung up so that it's not wrinkled. But there is something very nice and soothing knowing he is home.