My Favorite Quotes...on Hope

Hope is one of my favorite words. It is the proof that we should never give up, that God's promises are true, and there is always something to look forward to. How many times do you find yourself burdened with life? Do you look at your circumstances and feel overwhelmed and tired? Do you sometimes wish you could transport to some other life or time? I write a lot about being positive and one way I am able to achieve that is by the power of hoping. Hoping is like dreaming to me. It's looking beyond my situation with so much positive thought that I create a goal or a dream in my mind and I focus on it. Mix that hope with prayer and you have a powerful recipe for God's work in your life. Hope is putting the power in God's hands. It's declaring that things will get better, and you refuse to see life with the shade of negativity. Hope is the ignition key to get us through hardships, it is our light, and our assurance. 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 Jeremiah 29:11 

 You may be in a difficult time in your life, your husband might be away at academy, your son may have just told you he wants to be an LEO and you're scared, maybe someone dear to you has been diagnosed with an illness, or you're starting to question parts of your life. We can accept a negative fate, or we can hope (dream and give power to God). There is always a reason to hope because the reason for something better is you. You are worth believing that things can get better, you will get through, something hard will end. The Bible talks often of the hope we have in God. Hope is our fuel and our rock. It is sometimes the only thing we can cling to. I hope because I am promised God's love and I know I can trust His promises. If His love never ends, and His promises are true, so too is His hope.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Below are several quotes on hope that I pray encourage you. Enjoy and hope for tomorrow!

 

Love is the sweetest gift in life. Send him off with a kiss, knowing within that smooch is a whole lot of love, support, prayer, and courage.

Always kiss him good-bye

The Silver Lining

Alright people, we need to stop for just a second. Insert screeching tires here...

I think we need a change of pace and a little pick me up. So often we talk about all the struggles and heartbreak and burdens of this life. And then we give advice how to get through it, usually prefaced with, there will be more challenges to come. Sounds sort of depressing right? "Hey person, you're gonna get through this but just so you know, you're going to fall right back in it again." Wow, I'm so excited! Not!

So let's put aside the drama and the intensity and focus on the awesome, super, wonderful, one-of-a-kind aspects of our Law Enforcement life. There are many! I am thankful for the great parts because the good is what holds it all together. It's what makes everything doable. I choose to look at the positives that come with this life...I've seriously had enough of the downers.

 Ok, so, my all time FAVORITE part of being a LEOW. The love between my husband and I is unlike anything! The risk of losing him makes us cling closer. I have a natural ability to nag and control, I always ask myself, if I lost him tonight, would I regret making that an issue? Like the other day, he backed up to sit on the tub while he was getting ready and smashed into the vanity drawer that I had left out (my fault), resulting in a lot of noise, a sore bum, and a bent up drawer that now doesn't close all the way. I failed to see the unimportance of it and instead got upset and worried over my ability to close the stupid drawer. About halfway through the day I realized if he didn't come home, screw the stupid drawer. I would miss his bum (heehee) and every broken thing and most importantly...HIM. So I appreciate him more because of the job. I prioritize in the relationship more because of the job. We make an effort to have more FUN because of the job. We make the effort to have better days, and deeper convos, snuggle longer, laugh harder, appreciate more. Law Enforcement has bonded us deeply. And that's my favorite part.

We have more appreciation for life. This one hopefully is a given for everyone too. We only have today, so make it awesome. Don't waste a moment, don't overlook anything that is wonderful.We even have learned to appreciate the bad stuff...or at least see it with humor. Like some of the dysfunction that comes with the job. Holidays, delayed date nights, weird dinner table convos, all of it.

My kid gets a real life super hero for a dad. And I'm totally going to help fuel her super hero belief. Her dad is out there for her and that makes me freakin' proud! This job makes me double check that I am helping build her relationship with her daddy. I'm making sure I take lots of photos and give them lots of one on one time. I also see a love between them in a special light...because we only have today.

I have a lot of fun seeing my husband out working. I am honored to be strong enough to be his wife. Since we moved to a new town, when it's safe to tell people, I love sharing that we moved here because he works for the patrol. I literally beam when people get excited or say thank you.

Not everyone hates cops. There really is nothing more special than getting a hand shake or seeing other men look up to my husband when they find out he is a LEO. A lot of times we focus on dealing with the bad situations with people, but there are many folks out there that love our LEO's. They know what a value they are to our country. And I love the feeling of watching my husband honored by someone. It does happen!

We have some awesome opportunities to build our character. That may leave you saying, yeah yeah. But really, all the struggles, all the good times, everything, we learn from and grow. I have learned to trust God more and my anxious personality has quieted...I love that. I have learned to be more patient and take the time to listen to my spouse because we don't have guaranteed time together. We have learned to lean on each other as a couple because our family is the safest safe zone ever! We have learned honest communication because bottling up things will destroy us. We have learned faith, strength, and responsibility.

There is an element of humor only cop families get. Like jokes about perps or drunks that only we would think are funny. If you ask veteran cops how they get through the job, many will say with a sense of humor. Even icky things somehow get tweeked into something funny so they can cope. A lot of times that same sense of humor is brought home. Both my parents are in medicine so I grew up with blood and gut convos at the dinner table. Our LE dinner table consists of drunk stories, success stories, funny coworker stories etc. We have our own special code that no one else gets. It's like the cool person LE club.

The friendships with LE families are awesome. We get the risks so we cleave to each other. We have fun bonding with people we can trust and people who get us on a real level. Our LE friends share the same worries, the same successes, and the same feelings. It's a brotherhood and a solid support system. Not many people can say they have sisters and brothers all over the country who pray for each other and support each other. We LE families can say that and that is pretty special!

I have grown in confidence when it comes to fixing disasters around our house. Like when our sewer line got plugged and my husband was working. Thanks to a phone call to my dad I now know how to plunge a toilet, run the sewer pump, and figure out where the plug is in the line. I can caulk tubs, shut off water when the dishwasher backs up, I can install stuff, hang pictures, etc all by myself...and with a baby on my hip to boot. I'll toot my own horn till the day I die that I definitely helped keep the house from blowing up while my husband worked. Oh yeah!

We can adapt to pretty much anything. Strange schedules, changed plans, odd holidays, making new traditions, night shifts, you name it. LEO families do it all the time and it's a trademark of the life, which I choose to love because it's the thing that makes us awesome.

Another awesome part of the job is the blessings it gives us. Like money. Money is always good so we can eat and live somewhere. And my husband has a job, I'm grateful for that because many Americans don't. Keep life simple. And appreciate even the simple things like a paycheck. A paycheck from a dangerous, hard job is still a paycheck, and I'm grateful for the one my husband brings home.

We have a lot of normal time too. Movie nights, lazy days, dates, project days, you name it. We plan ahead so birthdays are work free. We still get time for great convos and long road trips. Life goes pretty normal...to us at least! 

Finally, I asked my husband what his favorite part of having an LE life was and he answered, it's the things that aren't tangible. He has grown in confidence. He loves providing for his family while protecting others. We think of each other all the time when we are apart and it makes the welcome home kisses sweeter. It's about the bond we have developed as a family and the way we make everything count. It's the way we have grown in our faith and the peace we experience everyday. We love this life and would never trade it for anything!

Be encouraged that there are wonderful parts of this life. Lots and lots and lots of LE families have lived this life, still live it, and will live it in the future. Whether you are just facing this life, new to it, been in it for a while but are burdened, any situation, I want to say, it is doable! It is a wonderful life, but only if you see the wonderful in it! Strive to make your own wonderful parts. I would rather live this life looking at the awesome parts of it, than focusing on the bad. Creating great memories, growing, laughing, loving...those are all things we can control. We can't control the bad so give it to God and have peace that it will work out. We don't know the future but we are guaranteed God is in it.

I love, love, love my life. It has been filled with friendships, love, laughter, perspective, and growth. And I think that's a pretty good start to a pretty awesome path!

This is my prayer for you:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

What are some of your favorite parts of this life? Share by commenting so others may be encouraged. We are in this together!

You Are Not Forgotten...

Worth More Than Birds

This scripture was literally what got me through the hardest time in my life while my husband was away at academy and I had a new baby. The unknown of life can weigh us down, it can control us and damage our spirits and our bodies. If you are feeling burdened with worry today, may I remind you, God's faithfulness extends to us because of His love. He sent His son to die for our sins, do we really need to question our worth? His love did not stop the day Jesus rose from the dead.

 He loved us then, He loves us now, and He will love us tomorrow. 

We are valuable and loved, even through our struggles and hardships. We need not worry for tomorrow. As we tend our own children, in the same way, the Lord tends us. Have faith today! Believe in your value and celebrate the things you have been given!


I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Phil 4:13 NIV

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31 NIV

 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 NIV

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.. Psalm16:8 NIV

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:6-7 NIV

I am a Police Wife

 I am a Police wife. Just like my officer, I am brave. With courage, I watch him walk out the door, not knowing if he will come home. I know the risks but I'm still strong. I am still proud, and I still have faith. I am the support behind the badge, the counselor, the encourager, the friend. I am the helper in tough times, and the first person to celebrate in the good. I stand alone at times, but our family is strong and our determination firm. I am in the shadow of the badge but I don't care, I love the heart behind it. I will stand behind him forever, I am his first line of defense. I am his link to normality. I am his shoulder to lean on through trials. With honor, I keep his secrets, with love I tend his heart. I am strong enough to do this job. I am brave enough to survive. I am hopeful enough to endure. I will never quit.

 I am a Police wife.

We are awesome. YOU are awesome. Today, I want to remind you of what YOU do. Our Officers are great, but don't forget the vital job we do. You are important. You are made for this. Look at the words in bold...

Brave, Courage, Strong, Proud, Faith, Counselor, Encourager, Friend, Helper, Good, Determination, Love, Defense, Honor, Tend, Survive, Hopeful. 

All these traits are within YOU!

There are days when we feel overdone and burned out. We are tired of the routine. We are tired of the struggle. Don't give up! Don't listen to the lies that you can't do it, that this is too hard, that it's not worth it. You are GREAT! You have purpose! You were meant to do this job and you will.

We spend nights alone, we raise kids on our own, we have figured out how to repair things and build things. We are the mom & the dad sometimes. We have overcome fear and heartbreak. We have loved despite the risk of losing. We have been the defenders, the lovers, the counselors, and the friend. We are the support, we are the safe place. We are the glue that holds our family together. 

Read it again and take a second. Did you let it sink in? Did you really read those lists. YOU DO THIS. You as a Police wife contain the gumption and the strength to do the hardest job. Sometimes we let the momentum of life just push us along without really taking a moment to pat ourselves on the back. It's ok to recognize what WE do. We are some pretty freakin' amazing, caring women to support and love the way we do. We are important. YOU are important.

Be encouraged today that, though you struggle sometimes, what you do is important and it makes you GREAT. I'm going to write it again because I want you to GET IT! You are GREAT! You have purpose! You were meant to do this job and you will!

I made this to go along with this post in hopes that you will save it. Print it out and put it on your bathroom mirror, add it to your desktop, Pin it, keep it as a bookmark, pass it along to someone else who needs it. I hope you can use it as a reminder that we are great women and awesome wives and we have a wonderful life! 

Police Jokes!

I just had to add the last joke...since my husband is a MHP Trooper. :) 

Remember to see things with a positive perspective, 

keep looking forward, and laugh!

 Have a blessed, joyful day LE families!

Free Floral Scripture Printable. Don't forget to Pin it or Share it if you love it! Get it here!

10 Tips for Surviving this LE Life

Whenever the baby is napping I take some me time and peruse Facebook and Pinterest. One thing I see ALL THE TIME, are questions from people (especially wives) on how to deal with the negative PR that's out there. Do you wonder that too? I definetly have struggled with this, and I want to share how I have overcome the painful, and sometimes angering situation of seeing people hate on cops.

Minding my own business one day, I decided to make a Facebook cover photo for my personal page. It happened to be National Law Enforcement Day so I knew I wanted to make it LE themed. Not having any photos or support ribbons on my computer I opened my Google search and searched "police". Stupid idea. There was a fair share of great photos and links, but all my eyes went to were the hate photos, the negative articles, the really hurtful comments. My blood was literally boiling I was so mad and frustrated. I eventually sifted through the crap and made my cover photo, but during the process I was inundated with so much negative associated with Police that I became really burdened.

This situation will happen to us ALL! Whether you're a wife, a parent, or, sadly, the child of a LE Officer, you will come in contact with people who hate your Officer, and by association, hate you. I've already experienced it. Several people I thought were friends ended up saying to my face, "My boyfriend doesn't want to do anything as couples anymore because your husband is a Cop." or "I'm uncomfortable with your husband's job so it's making it hard for us to be friends." What the heck, right? Man that was hurtful! (I have sense gotten over that because I know we are worth having as friends, and if you can't figure that out...too bad for you. Back to the story...)

When I see my husband parked in his patrol car on the side of the highway I want to blare my horn, flash my lights, yell out the window, "THAT'S MY SEXY HUSBAND! I'M SO PROUD!" When I go to the store and buy the fixings for a yummy dinner I know my hubby needs because of a bad day, I want to tell the cashier all about it. I want to wear my MHP sweater around town, I want to have a car bumper sticker that says, "Proud Trooper's Wife." I want to shout to the world because I am so proud of my husband. But I can't. I have to be careful of who I share with because of the hurtful things they may say, our family's safety, my husband's safety, professionalism...all of it. And it sucks!

It feels like every time I watch a video online of an Officer doing something great I have to endure the comments of ignorant people that can't seem to figure out that, though there may be a bad apple once in a while, not all Cops are rotten. When I check my Facebook I sometimes see people commenting on news posts about how cops accidentally shot a young kid, or ran a red light, or whatever. I want SO BAD to comment on those posts and say,  "YOU ALL HAVE IT WRONG!" But, again, I can't.

So how do you survive all the negativety around you? This is MY strategy:

1. Most important!!! Find other LE people to surround yourself with. Find a support group, fellow Officer's wives. Auxiliaries. Online support groups. Positive Facebook pages (or blogs! whoot!). Whatever means you find your LE family, find them quick and cling close. You will always have a safe place within this group. They will understand your struggles, they will know where you are coming from, and they will be able to help you. I personally have been embraced by several LE wives (Hi Karen and Rhonda!) and they have helped me chill the heck out!

2. Crazy doesn't win the argument. Don't be the crazy wife, parent, sibling etc who argues with people in attempt to defend your Officer. It won't work and it just steals your peace. You can't educate ignorance. Period. Move on from people like that and don't engage. (Harder said than done, I know, but sometimes our defensive posture harms more than helps.)

3. DON"T READ THE COMMENTS!!! Seriously. Don't! Resist the urge to scroll down on a news page and read comments. Again, it steals your peace and shreds at your strength. If people have nothing better to do than sit on the internet and hate on Officers from the protection of their desk...you're better than them anyway and you don't need to associate.

4. Pray. A lot. Our resources go beyond our fellow man. We have a supporter who is kind, perfect, and patient. When times get tough and you feel like you have no one, remember, you are NOT forgotten. You are NOT alone.

5. Talk about it. If you are struggling in any way with your LEO's job, find someone to talk with. Find a good friend to chat with over coffee. Find a pastor, or a counselor. Sometimes it does get that bad. But it's not the end and it's never hopeless. Getting our feelings out helps so much. Think of it as sloughing off a dirty layer of skin...it's gone, done, and dried up, and you can walk away.

6. Laugh. Operate with a sense of humor. Operate with a God given joy. Haters are dumb and they don't even know it. One of my favorite ways to remind myself to laugh about a negative situation is to recite the quote, "Don't like Cops? Try calling a crack addict." Gets me every time...cause it's true.

7. Know what you know. You know your LEO is AWESOME! You know he/she has a heart of a sheep dog protecting its flock. You know why your LEO does what he/she does and you know they are doing something GOOD, despite what people think. Cling to that and learn to be ok with being an island at times in your life. As LEO supporters, we have a duty to our Officers. We have a duty to cover them with prayer, to be strong when they can't be, to be encouraging, to be positive. All of these traits start within ourselves. Have confidence in your belief and love of Law Enforcement...they need you. I finally learned how to and now I'm writing this blog! 

8. Take a break. Do you ever wonder why I sometimes post recipes or links that have nothing to do with Law Enforcement, even though this is a LE themed blog? Because we all need a break. We understand our Officers need a break from the job. They need a place where they can shut off the TV's and just be. As supporters, we do too. Don't forget that life goes on. Don't focus on the negativity, it will suck you dry. You have a great life to live and when it comes down to it, Law Enforcement is just a job. Shut the news off, stop clicking on the video/article links for a while, don't talk about their job, and just take a breather.

9. Stay in the positive zone. Let those of us who are willing to sift through the crap do it. I mean, find positive blogs, forums, and Facebook pages and stay there. When you find a positive place, enjoy it. I heard the Lord's whisper to write this blog. That means I see all the good and bad everyday, all day long. He is giving me the strength to weed out the bad and present you with the good. So let people like me do the dirty work and just enjoy the benefits that positive encouragement brings. My mission is to be the buffer between the painful negativity and the truth, so more people hear about the awesome job our Officers are doing. Sit back with your coffee and enjoy the many safe, positive places that are LE themed. (my resource page has several great places...check it out!)

10. Finally, let it go. One of my readers emailed me the other day with some advice. She has been a LEOW for 20+ years. Her awesome words were this, "One thing I have learned after all these years is that my husband is safer doing Law Enforcement IN God's will than he is doing anything else OUT of God's will!" Wow! Right? How simply but beautifully put. So I encourage you to cling to that reminder when you feel burdened. When you see the negativity online or in the news remember our men and women in uniform were BORN for this. The Bible says this, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5 Our Officers were set apart for their calling. They can do it and they will do it, no matter how negative the world is, no matter how many evil people work against them. God ordained them in the womb to do this job. And He set YOU apart to be their wife, parent, sibling, or friend. You can do this too...and that includes surviving and thriving!
  

I thought I would bring this baby out of the archives since it was my very first post. Do you love it?...don't forget to Pin it and share on Facebook! Get the free printable here!

Why Marriage Isn't for You...

“Marriage is a total commitment and a total sharing of the total person with another person until death.”  ~ Wayne Mack 

 Ever wonder what marriage is really about? Even those of us who have been married a while can wonder sometimes. Everyone has days when they question elements of their marriage, sometimes seriously, sometimes just because it turned out different than they expected.

Especially in a Law Enforcement marriage, times can get hard. Your spouse may begin to cope with the strains of the job differently, resulting in the picture you created of your happily-ever-after becoming skewed.You may think, "This isn't what I thought it would be like." "Were the plans I had just a fantasy?"

When spouses get busy (overtime, children, responsibilities) we can grow apart. The routine of everyday can creep between our bonds. We become passive and neglectful of the commitment we made. We get tired, complacent, and bitter.

It's so easy to become resentful of our spouse's job. He's late again. He doesn't care that I slaved over dinner. I'm lonely. I'm bored. He's neglecting the kids. He's neglecting me. Why can't I get a break? Why do I have to be understanding? The job always ruins my plans. Does this sound familiar? All of these things I have felt and battle with too.

When I begin "stinkin' thinkin'" I have to remember these wise words "...a true marriage (and true love) is never about you. It’s about the person you love—their wants, their needs, their hopes, and their dreams. Selfishness demands, “What’s in it for me?”, while Love asks, “What can I give?”- Seth Adam Smith "Marriage Isn't for You"

Love flows through a marriage that lives up to mutual responsibility. “Love is not self seeking, it’s not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.” (1 Corinthians 13:5 ) marriagemissions.com
  

There have been several couples in the past who have come to us asking how we do it. Specially because we married young. We tell them, from the beginning we committed to putting 100% in each other. Not 100% total...we don't mean 50/50. We each put 100% into the other. When I am caring 100% for my husband's needs, and he in return does the same for me, we are both completed. We both receive full care and our marriage grows. When hard times come that steal from one of us, there is always support and love left over. I have the energy to pick up the slack for my husband when he is worn down from work, too tired to do a project, or emotionally exhausted. In the same way, he can step in and fill the void when the household responsibilities are too much, when I need a break from the kiddo, or I need an ear to listen. 

 ^"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

  

A marriage is made of two individuals with individual needs. When each spouse is contributing 100% percent to their half of the marriage, it thrives. It remains intact in the hard times. Giving 100% can be hard, but it demands that each spouse focuses on respect and empathy. We look to the others needs and they in return, care for ours. Caring for the other grows intimacy, respect, compassion, and communication. It keeps both partners on the same path.

Below is a wonderful article written by Seth Adam Smith about how marriage isn't for anyone...and it's not what you expect! Please take time to read it! "Marriage Isn't for You" http://sethadamsmith.com

For the hard days, and we all have too many, take a moment to notice something good. Even if it's small, like the color of the sky, or the yummy smell of dinner. Keep looking for things. Before you know it, your hard day will feel a little better. One bad day does not mean a bad life...stay positive today!

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

I receive daily emails from Focus on the Family. I thought I would share today's with you as I have asked the same question, especially as my husband shares the things he experiences daily. Though this email from FotF is short, I hope it gives some incite or at the least, gets you thinking about the question. I think this is a lovely explanation. Read more great articles at...Focus on the Family

"Having a genuine relationship with God

At some point, many of us will struggle with the question, "Why does God allow suffering?" This can be an especially difficult obstacle for someone who is wavering on becoming a Christian—and it's something that we as believers should be willing to face openly.

The answer, of course, is that the world as we see it today is not how God intended it to be. Mankind's choice to turn away from Him (Genesis Chapter 3) brought disease, disasters, hatred, brokenness and all the other problems that plague the human race. But it's also why God sent His Son into the world to save and redeem it (John 3:16-17). He has a better plan, and is working it out.

God is love, and love craves relationship. That guides all of His dealings with us. Genuine relationship is impossible unless both parties enter into it freely and willingly; "compulsory love" isn't really love at all. We have the privilege of sharing the Good News—that anyone who responds to God's love can have that relationship in full for eternity (John 10:10b).

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4)."

Credit: Focus on the Family

...Taking Baby Steps

My husband was supposed to come home at 6 for dinner. He called and said it would be more like 7. That was 5 hours ago and he still isn't home. His shift should end at midnight but I have a feeling it's an overtime kind of night. So...I have time to write. And I want to share something cool with you, something I hope touches your day tomorrow (as I'm sure most of you are sleeping right now and won't read this until tomorrow anyway).

My daughter is one. She just had her birthday at the end of October. Miss La La (it's a nickname, email me if you want the story) is full of sass and sweetness. She thinks she is already grown up, and as soon as she can talk, I know we are going to hear, "No, Mamma. I can do it." She already tells us that in her own way.

Though La La may be confident and self aware, one thing she is not is a risk taker. She is cautious and observant. If something makes her uncomfortable, she stops and assesses it. In the last two days Miss La La has started to walk. Only a few steps, but the fact she has gotten the confidence to let go of our hand and risk falling is wonderful to see! She is deciding to try and take a risk.

Tonight I noticed she was thinking about scaling the gap between a toy and a basket. She looked thoughtful, and hesitant. So I blocked her path to the basket and began cheering her on. She stood for a little while and I cheered "Yes!". Then she took a step and hesitated. "Yes! You can do it!" Another step. "Yes!" I cheered yes until she had suddenly taken five steps on her own, right into my arms. Her big blue eyes were bright and excited. She did it!

In that very moment I heard a sweet voice whisper, "I cheer for you too." How cool is that? My God cheers for me! And in the moment, as my little girl wandered off to play with other toys, and Winnie the Pooh blared on the TV in the background, I pondered what that could mean. How the heck did I get that message from God. Then it dawned on me.

How many times in our lives does the Lord cheer us through our baby steps? How many times do we go in a direction and He cheers, "Yes!"? How many times do we ignore His encouragement, and how many times do we not see it at all?

This last year has been really hard for me. If you've read the My Story section of the blog you already know. And I realized tonight, that in the same way I cheered for my daughter to concur her fears and take another step, He cheered us on through that whole horrible year.

I may not have heard an actual booming voice from above yelling "Yes!" (I'm kind of glad I didn't because in my emotional state, my heart would have seriously exploded from the shock) but I should have seen the things He was doing as a sign that He was cheering for us. We were taking baby steps to get us through the job hiring, through academy, through a new baby, new town, new house...all the while He was cheering us through each hard, difficult step.

We were financially having difficulties before my husband got his Trooper job. The Lord finally got us out of our own way and cheered "Yes!" as my husband got the job. In faith we continued through the process and each day that I took a breath, each day my baby lived, He cheered "Yes!". When I checked our banking and expected to be overdrawn, there was always a little left. He provided our finances and in that way He was cheering for us. When our baby came into the world and my husband left to go back to academy, through every ounce of leftover energy in my body, God cheered for us. We were stationed in the western part of Montana, He cheered "Yes!". We found the perfect house at the perfect time and He cheered "Yes!" All these little blessings were encouragements to keep trying, to keep stepping forward, keep moving until we were finally where He wanted us.

I don't believe in any way God owes us a perfect life. I don't believe we deserve to get through life without hardships and trials. I absolutely don't believe we should be shielded from every difficulty and I definitely don't believe it's God's fault that we do go through difficulties. I don't believe this because I know He is faithful and now I know that through all of our difficulties, He cheers us on to keep taking those steps forward. He has a plan. He will get us through.

As a parent, my heart soars when I see my little girl try at something and succeed. Can you imagine God does the same when we try and succeed? Can you picture me sitting on the floor, cheering for my baby girl as she stumbles along? Now can you picture our God doing the same?

Photo Credit: anissat/stock.xchng

In the last year, through all my struggles, I was so dumb not to see His encouragement. I knew we were on the right path, but when I doubted it, I never thought to look at the things He was providing as evidence of the right direction. We were stumbling along, unsure, insecure, and fearful. And the whole time, the Lord stood in front of us, in the direction He had set up, cheering, coaxing, and encouraging us forward. I wish I could have seen it then.

I want to encourage you in your baby steps, whatever they may be, that HE IS CHEERING FOR YOU! He is coaxing you forward as a parent teaches a child to walk. He is excited to see you succeed. Keep trying! Keep stumbling along! But find a renewed spirit knowing He has gone before you, cheers for you, and revels in your success! You are His child...and He is your exuberant, expectant, hopeful Father.

It's 12:12 and my husband is home. It wasn't an overtime night after all. Tonight I am thankful, humbled, and happy. I'm glad I have this blog to share with you. I pray you find encouragement in this post. Please never doubt your purpose or your ability to succeed. You will get through your difficulties, and you have an amazing Lord cheering for you through it all. Be blessed as you take your baby steps through life!

The Time I Love Clutter

Look familiar? I saw this on Pinterest the other day and thought I would share. Every family member of an LEO knows the wonderful sight this is...your LEO is HOME! When I hear my husband take his vest off each morning, the sound of the Velcro is music to my ears. As an LE wife the clutter of his gear around our room is reassuring, the click of his gun as he empties it after shift is comforting, the mud caked on his boots that's now on my floor is calming. There is usually a pile of uniforms to wash, a computer on the counter as I try to cook dinner, and random piles of mail or paperwork around the house. Remember to take a moment to appreciate the little things and what they really mean! Never will I look at these things with irritation for they mean he is HOME!

I Expect Peace

"I love you Lord, and I lift my voice. To worship You. Oh, my soul. Rejoice. Take joy my King, in what You hear.

 Let it be a sweet, sweet song, in Your ear." 

 I Love You Lord- Laurie Klein 

The last couple of days I have noticed a lot of Facebook posts about the fear associated with sending a loved one out on shift. Fear of the unknown, fear of injury or death, fear of painful experiences, and fear of the consequences of all these things. Let me remind you...

When I was a little girl I always struggled with nightmares. My earliest memory is of a nightmare when I was still young enough to be in a crib. I remember the dream of rats in my bed, and I remember overwhelming fear and the inability to get away. Crying for my mother, I remember waiting expectantly for her to come into my room and comfort me. She always did, and always sang me I Love You Lord in the sweetest voice. Throughout my childhood, and even as a young woman, she sang this song to me. There was something about the softness and words that brought overwhelming comfort to me. I always felt the presence of the Lord and I knew I could count on the peace the song brought me. How sweet it was to have a loving mother stand in protection against my fears. 

Today, I sing my baby girl this song and I still tear up at the connection I feel with it. It is the only song she falls asleep to when it's bedtime, and it's still the only song I sing when I feel fear as an adult. 

I want to share one point to overcoming fear with you and it is in the story above. We must wait expectantly. Let me explain...

What is waiting expectantly? We have two options for waiting, to wait passively and to wait expectantly. Those that wait passively are cynical. They hope for something, but don't count on it. They doubt and minimize. If a person waits passively they look at the situation, hope for an outcome, but don't count on it actually happening. To wait expectantly is exactly the opposite. Those that wait expectantly do more than hope for something. They expect it. The know it will happen. They never doubt but instead believe. Which way of waiting sounds better to you? If I am overcome with fear, I would rather be expectant than passive.  I expect to get through this fear crap and on to better things!

Joyce Meyer writes of waiting expectantly with this example. "It’s just like when a woman is pregnant; it's said that she is expecting a baby. She carries inside her the promise of a baby, and even though she can’t see it, she knows it's there. The moment she learns of her pregnancy, she begins to plan for her baby's arrival. She starts collecting items she'll need and busily gets the nursery ready. She actively prepares for the arrival of the baby because she knows the promise will be fulfilled—it's just a matter of time. She is expectant and she'll wait as long as it takes." What to Do When You're Waiting on God by Joyce Meyer Ministries

Waiting expectantly sounds all good, but what exactly are we waiting for? Remember in my story when I said I waited expectantly for my mother to comfort me? This would be an example of combating fear by waiting expectantly. We should wait expectantly on the Lord. By waiting expectantly on Him we are believing He will comfort us, we know it will happen, and we expect to receive the comfort. This applies also to waiting expectantly on Him for strength, peace, protection etc. 

So using Joyce Meyer's analogy of the pregnant mother, in my time of fear I will wait expectantly for the Lord's peace. I will expect to receive peace in my time of fear, and when I am not fearful, I will prepare, as a pregnant mother prepares for her baby, a heart that is receptive and a spirit that is not timid. (See 2 Timothy 1:7) I will wait expectantly for peace and comfort as a child waits for their mother. I will believe with confidence that this comfort I am waiting for will come. I will expect to receive this comfort and I will expect to concur my fear. 

Many of you have fear that your spouse (child, sibling, friend) will not come home from shift. If someone asked me my biggest fear in my life...it would be that my husband is killed. I fear that I will lose my best friend, and my daughter will lose her daddy. 

When my husband first decided to be a Law Enforcement Officer I was overwhelmed with fear. I became defensive when people talked of the job's dangers. I would get angry at the "bad guys" for being bad in the first place and risking my husbands life. I hated when I heard people talk nonchalantly about how they speed or drive drunk. I wanted to yell at them, "Don't you know when you do stupid things my husband has to do his job and it might kill him? You might take him from me!" I was going nuts inside and it was all from fear. 

Pain would result if I lost my husband and fear was my anticipation of the pain. 

I was not waiting expectantly on the Lord's protection and peace. I was passive. I doubted my husband's safety. I hoped but did not believe in his protection. And ultimately, I was doubting the Lord. 

Now that my husband works alone most nights, out in the wild woods, interacting with random people with no backup (because of our remote/rural situation this is honestly the case at times, believe it or not.), all my fears are in my face every time he walks out the door. My fear is my anticipation of the pain of losing him. How do I rid myself of the fear? By believing, knowing, and expecting my husband to walk back through our front door each night. I believe, know, and expect he will be safe. I believe, know and expect I WILL BE ALRIGHT if something happens. I prepare my heart daily by meditating on good things and on the promises of the Lord. 

 "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Instead of focusing on the unknown, I focus on what I do know. I know my husband is well trained. I know he is smart. I know his has common sense, and I know he is dedicated to making it back to this family. If...and it's a BIG if...he doesn't come home, I know I will be alright. I know I will be strong, and I know I will receive peace and comfort. Some nights I even say these things out loud...and I sing my song. :)

When I feel fear, I wait expectantly (believing, knowing, and expecting) for peace and comfort. I expect to receive it. 

I hope and pray this post encourages you today as you face your fears. I hope you remember in your time of fear that you have the comfort of waiting expectantly for peace. I pray you expect to receive it.

Having a Thriving Thanksgiving!

November is finally here! I have always seen the passing of Halloween as a kick off to the holidays. But the holiday season doesn't always mean great things for Law Enforcement families. Sometimes the holidays bring pain, hardships, and a lot of lonely feelings. Spouses work weird hours, aren't home for the festivities, miss events and parties, and seem to never be there for the kids. Their responsibilities leave the rest of us alone...and that is the last thing you want to experience at the holidays. Are you feeling this way? You are NOT alone!

I am posting about Thanksgiving right of the bat this year because I can't bare to think of someone despairing over their circumstances all month long, only to get a little encouragement the day of and everything turns out fine. You can be excited for a messed up Thanksgiving all month long...I am!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all year! I have wonderful memories of family and feasting, games and relationship. We would usually have a bunch of people over, or travel to my aunt's for a big family shin-dig. There was mounds of delicious food, lots of loud talking and laughter. Always new people to meet and familiar folks to catch up with. As a kid I would run from tray to tray eating all day, jumping in people's laps for hugs and convo, and then take off to play or mingle. Thanksgiving gave me family, love, great food, and a whole lot of security.

This year is different, my husband works on Thanksgiving. 2pm to midnight. Add that we moved from all our family and friends and it looks like I will be spending turkey day with just my one year old. Feeling alone. So much for my favorite holiday. Or at least that was the first thing I felt. And then I thought, that's a crappy way to feel on my FAVORITE holiday of the year. How can I change my circumstance?

As Law Enforcement families we have to adapt. We have to be up for any change and thing that comes our way. If we don't like something, we have to be willing to make the effort to adjust something to make it work better. So we are having Thanksgiving a day early. Who says it HAS to be the same day as everyone else? How about thinking of it as having two days of Thanksgiving?

In order to stay positive I had to change the way I viewed this special day. I had to be willing to adapt. So, for the first time in my life...Thanksgiving will be on Wednesday...and Thursday! And I'm going to try to find as many LE families as I can that need to celebrate on that day too. Because as Law Enforcement we HAVE to support each other. There is a wonderful family here in our small town who's husband just got promoted and will be commuting to a different town an hour away. They may be alone on Thanksgiving. I know I am strong enough to reach out, so I will. We are going to make a new family this year...and grow because of it.  

Here is another point. I have no idea if anyone is going to come to my dinner. It may just be my husband and daughter after all. And I have to see that as equally wonderful as if I had a full house. Because it's family! I can't forget that despite my other family members being hours away, I have a special little threesome right here. I still will have family! Maybe not 20 people like some years, but the three of us are as valuable as a huge group. A little dinner, with a small turkey and a few sides matters just as much, and is just as special as a feast for a crowd. It matters because of the people around me, no matter how many.

So you may be the mom this year who's husband works as well. It may be just you because you don't have kids. You may have no one to come to dinner so it's tempting to just call for pizza. DON'T. Put the effort in for a special Thanksgiving dinner. Even if it's for you and your one year old, like me. Or find another family to crash their party.

You may ask, why bother? Because at the least, YOU are important. Your children are still important. The tradition is still important! If you can't bare to do Turkey Day without your spouse, celebrate it on a different day, like me, and figure out something special to do on the actual Thanksgiving day when your spouse is gone. We as the family of a Law Enforcement Officer have to be strong enough to keep going. To teach our children traditions, value, and family...even if daddy or mommy won't be there this year. We have to be over-comers in order to Thrive. Our attitudes and perspectives HAVE TO BE POSITIVE!

This blog is meant for more than just spouses, so let me say something directed at the parents, siblings, extended family and friends of an LEO. Remember to be adaptable too. To help your son or daughter (or brother/sister) have a holiday this year may mean changing your traditions too. You may have hosted Thanksgiving at your home for the last 25 years. Be awesome enough to change it up this year and host dinner when your LEO and family can come...even if it means the weekend before. It is important to be a family through this stressful life. And sometimes, extended family can be the support to help make that happen.

Let me encourage everyone with this tidbit too...every year is different! You may be hurting because, like me, your family is far away, your spouse is gone and no matter how you work it, this holida
y feels like a dud. Remember! Next year will be different! Find something positive in this year, and look forward to the next. You must lean on one bit of advice...take everything one day at a time. Cherish this year because you have it, no matter how messed up it is. See it with a sense of humor. 

So this is how we have adapted our holiday this year...Turkey dinner with my husband on his day off (Wed) and then on Thanksgiving I will make a wonderful breakfast for the family while my husband is still home, watch the parade with my daughter, snuggle with a Christmas movie or two, and enjoy lots and lots of leftovers. I'm still going to decorate even though no one may see it. We still will be excited even though our party is small. And I still will be thankful because I have my daughter and husband. That still sounds like a pretty awesome holiday.

I hope you are able to celebrate this holiday with friends and family. I hope you can extend support to someone else because you know how it feels to be alone. And I REALLY hope, you overcome the burden and stress that having a LE life can bring. This is our crazy life...we will live, love and thrive this Thanksgiving!

Real Women...don't give up

You are strong enough for today! You are great! You have purpose!

 You will THRIVE in this life...one day at a time! Be blessed today!

You are Extraordinary!

In everything, we can change a negative experience into something good by choosing to see something positive in the hardship...even if the good is only the fact that we are changing and growing through the pain. Challenge brings experience, trials bring wisdom, and waiting brings patience. We were meant to do this Law Enforcement life. We are not accidents. We all have the potential for an extraordinary destiny.