Two years

It's been two years today.  Two years since Stephen lost his best friend, his battle buddy, his brother.  PFC Conrado Javier was KIA in Afghanistan in 2010 during their first deployment.  Javi was a sweetheart he was a little quiet and shy at first but when he got used to you or was around his friends he was hilarious and always making jokes.  His favorite thing to say was "That's badass!" you heard it All.The.Time. lol he wasn't only my husband's friend I considered us good friend's as well.  He always helped my husband and I when we would argue or have a misunderstanding he knew how Stephen was being affected by the way and he always took the time to make sure I knew that he loved me and just told me to hang in there for him.  He was a light to everyone he knew.  I was able to attend his funeral in his hometown in CA in January of the following year.  It was by far the hardest funeral I've ever been to.  I was very glad though to speak to his mother and hug her and just be with her for a few moments though we couldn't understand each other very well *she speaks Spanish I speak English* but the language difference didn't matter we didn't need words we just knew and we just held onto each other for awhile and we cried together.  It was beautiful ceremony I think about 500 people were there.  The graveside service was just as moving, I can't hear Taps without crying now.  My husband won't ever forget, he won't ever stop talking about him or thinking about him and I'm glad.  He was an important part of his life much more important than I can understand and sometimes I don't think wives can ever really fathom how important that one friend can be to them during a deployment like they went through.  And that's ok I'm just so glad they had each other as long as they did.  

Please if you're reading this today please send a prayer up for Javi's family this day cannot be an easy one for them no matter how much time has passed.  Thank you.

RIP Javier

My Pen Pal...♥

So I am SUPER late with this!  But better late than never right?  Or even Fashionably Late?  Take your pick!  About a month ago I was over at Amira's blog Shades of Gray *which is amazing and adorable and any other complimentary words you can think of!* and she was having a penpal match up!  I love writing, I love making friends, but since I don't have facebook, and live in the middle of nowhere...well a penpal just sounded awesome!

And what do you know...I got an awesome penpal!  Her name is Elizabeth, and she is simply Lovely!  A navy wife with a hilarious blog!  How could I resist?  I am emberassed to admit how bad I've been about writing her but we've both sent at least one thing!  Better than nothing?  I think so, and besides it's quality not quantity.  I just wanted to do my first 'follow up' post and tell Amira what an awesome idea, and tell Elizabeth how glad I am to be her penpal and hope that we can get to know each other a lot better!  So far I've only been able to send letters but am working on a little package for her *Elizabeth if you're reading this forget that you read that* but she is super awesome and creative and giving and just all around thoughtful!  And she sent me this...

Some awesome candy! *not much left my husband has been bogarting it*, two amazingly scented body cleansers, and a sweet letter on the prettiest paper! Even the package she sent all this is was cute...*in case you were wondering I pretty much felt like the worst person ever for only sending a letter and not even on pretty paper!*

So yeah, my penpal is super thoughtful!  And creative, OH... did I already mention that she has an Absolutely Hilarious Blog? or a really great Etsy Shop?

♥...Because she does.  Click either of the above links and see for yourself...♥ 

♥...And of course don't forget to check out Amira's blog for a little everyday piece of Wonderful!...♥

So to sum it all up Elizabeth, Thank you!  And I promise to be a better penpal, I also hope that we can really get to know each other and become better friends I could really use a friend and you seem like such an awesome person!

And Amira thank you for having such a great idea and having such a sweet blog!

 

My big dream for 2012

...well one of them anyway lol!

  Last year in around september I went to my first women's retreat with my church.  We went to a place called Jenness Park Christian Camp at first I was not happy about going in a moment of weakness while surrounded by the little old church ladies I had signed myself and my mother up *if I was going down I was taking her with me* on  the way up to the park I was pretty much pouting lol no internet, no tv, no phones, the cell reception is worse than bad, no wifi, and there was 1 payphone in the whole camp.  And I had to be there for THREE DAYS! 

This was probably one of the best times in my entire life, it was amazing having no cantact but with the women at the campe, no electronic distractions, the food was wonderful, the scenery was AMAZING.  They had awesome classes to attend, devotions, singing, it was great!  Most of the time though I would go off and find a quiet place to journal, reflect, or just pray.  My headphones were abandoned the second day!  The sounds of nature and God's creations were much more beautiful and melodic than any song on itunes could EVER be!

Here are a few pictures of the park! 

So these are just a few, another cool thing is verses are etched and written on EVERYTHING in the camp!  The word is all over the place!  It's wonderful!  My goal this year (or dream depending on how you look at it) is to get a group of women/girls together to have our own little women's retreat we could all just get a regular cabin, split the price, and have our own little workshops and crafts!  Everyone (or anyone who wanted) could give their testimonies about how they found the Lord, a time when they really felt close to God, anything!  We could talk about things we have trouble with, things we need to work on, ways that we've grown in the Lord!  It could be a chance to make friends, learn about ourselves, each other, and most importantly to grow in the Lord and surround ourselves with positive christian influences and principals for a couple days!  I'd love it if it could be a Military Girl group, wives, girlfriends, mothers, fiances, past AND present!  But I would love it just as much if it wasn't made of military girls but I feel thats something women with military spouses or finaces or boyfriends (sons, nephews, etc.) need a safe and strong Christian influence and support system!

 

 

Have you ever been on a women's retreat?  What did you like or dislike about it?  Do you feel the need for a stronger Christian influence in your life?  Do you feel a need for more like-minded friends with the same Christian principals?