Mike got home recently from being gone for 4 months overseas. I steered clear of sharing anything online; we try to be super careful about sharing too much information. Most nights of the deployment Olivia prayed, "Dear Jesus, thank you Daddy come home, us, hurry hurry." And we are SO thankful God answered our daily prayers for a safe return! It is good to finally get back to being a whole family again. We took time to go camping, had lots of fun waffle mornings, and enjoyed just being together for the couple week before Mike had to go back to work. Then we got back into the swing of things and we are happy to be back to learning our new normal as a family of 4.

This morning at church we sang How Firm a Foundation and the fourth and fifth verses made me think back to the deployment...

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

 
we went through a lot while Mike was away; a broken leg, a torn meniscus, a move into a new house, a minor surgery...and it was AWESOME to see God provide through it all! Our lovely family members sacrificed and stayed for over half the time Mike was gone and were present for each of the big events - God's protection. Our church body also loved us SO much through it all, especially during the move which they organized and carried out themselves as I laid on the couch icing my knee. Friends here served us so well by watching the kids often, letting me go to doctors appointments and giving me breaks. All the while poor Mikey had to sit there overseas wishing he could be here to protect his family...

Right now I'm remembering walking into the orthopedic office for her broken leg check-up; I carried her in my left arm with her hot pink cast sticking out and used a crutch with my right arm because I still couldn't walk myself. It makes me laugh now - it felt like it would never end! But here we are, and I look back now smiling because I see how God used it for our good. God used it all to bring us closer together as a family and to grow our trust in Him. He humbled me and MADE me have to ask for help frequently. He used our church to encourage us which encouraged them in return. The kids' relationships with family members grew. Mike lead us in amazing ways from 1000s of miles away and came home an even better leader than before. And I know I don't know the half of what He has done here...

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

And that is what this life is all about; letting Him refine me and pull me closer through the heat! I'm thankful.