A Year in Enid!

One of the things I love about moving around with the Air Force is the chance to start over.  A chance to reflect over your time in one location and take a long, thoughtful look at who you were when you first got there and everything that happened in between to make you the person you are when you leave.  The perfect time is driving in the car on the way to somewhere new when suddenly it all becomes real that a chapter is closing.  Of course you may be headed up the road to a new adventure but your leaving behind a shadow of yourself.  How will your friends remember you?  In ten years what will you remember about your time at town #3?  What would you take back?  How can I grow?  Most people don't get the chance to have a fresh start every couple of years so I try to take full advantage of it.
Here are some goals I set for myself upon arriving at Vance.

• After three years of white walls I will paint, paint, paint!
• I would gossip less.
• All my pictures would be organized and put into albums.
• I would grow in my walk with the Lord and host a bible study
• Find a meaningful place to volunteer.
• Organize our finances and pay off debt.

Well I can hardly believe it but we have been in Enid for a year this month!  As we get closer to assignment night and graduation I have been busy reflecting and preparing for a move.  So honestly how have I done?

• Did some major painting! Fireplace, kitchen, living room but still need to paint two blah bedrooms.  
• Huge improvement! But as a woman always a struggle.  
• HA! I did one book this year, Chase's 1st birthday. Ordered pictures newborn pictures today to start a big book.  
• Sometimes the Lord leads us into the desert aka UPT.  Yet the more we learn about Him the more we realize we know so little.  In the fall I had the class spouses over once a week to read through Power of a Praying Wife but after Christmas I never started it back up again. 
• Realized my time with Chase was so precious and I am busier that I thought I would be, postponed till Chase is in school.  
• Made a budget, paid off three credit cards, bought a house, savings boosted, saving more for retirement, realized clothes weren't that important. 

But what's really the best way to evaluate ourselves?

"The best mirror is an old friend."
George Herbert

Thinking about all the friends that have changed my life I am completely humbled.  Friends that have shown me how to be a supportive wife and selfless mother. Friends that have become family.

One of the things I hate about moving around with the Air Force is the pain of saying farewell to friends.  (Never goodbye but see you later) But thank goodness for facebook!  Keeping in contact with special people is easier than ever but many of those special people hold a daily or weekly presence in your life and they are truly missed.  Those dear friends hold a great part in defining each station and its memories.

I don't know when I'll be en route to our next assignment but I know I don't have to wait until then to have a fresh start.  Sometimes I need a new start before breakfast.  Sometimes multiple times a day.  (Like yesterday when Chase said I WANT TO DO IT ALL BY MYSELF twenty three times).  We can get a fresh start anytime.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...

And you can always make some brownies to feel better.