A thrill of hope...

Christmas, among many things, is a season of hope. God’s people waited in hope for thousands of years for their “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When Jesus was finally born, the Magi followed a star in hope of finding their King (Matthew 2:2). Those that were hoping for their Savior’s arrival carried with them a “thrill of hope” at the thought of seeing God’s promise fulfilled.

That hope is the same spirit we all carry with us during the Christmas season. If we really get to the root of it, all of the preparations, cheeriness, and the universal realization that it is a wonderful life are really just representative of the hope for the inevitable birth of our Savior. This hope is compacted into a dense 4-week period of Christmas cheer. We, as Christians, feel the hope of the coming of Jesus every day, but at Christmas that hope comes alive with each lighting of our Christmas tree, each gift we pick out for a loved one, and each ring of a Salvation Army bell.

As my husband and I are still aching from the loss of our second child before we ever had the chance to hold her, I am finding the hope of this Christmas season especially comforting. The sparkling Christmas lights are like my star in the east, guiding me to Jesus. The reverberating gospel message found in Christmas songs follow me everywhere, reminding me that God’s love for me never fails. My son’s face lights up with joy when he sees the colorful decorations of the season, and I am reminded that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. A “new and glorious morn” will break for this weary soul.

May “a thrill of hope” be with you during the Christmas season and throughout the new year.

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God…And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:2,5).

PCSing...

PCS number six too many has ended!

So long...

(Actual Sign on Base: "Farm Machinery Xing")

 Helloooo...

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted...

As military wives, we are destined to experience an abnormal amount of heartache. Long separations and deployments leave us with a heart broken by the absence of our husbands and the temporary splitting up of our families. Long days, lonely nights, single-parenting, a solo life, and constantly pushing the “what if” thoughts away can make for a bleak life that yearns for a whole heart amidst the brokenness.

That’s when the Lord calls out to us, the brokenhearted military wives, “[I] am close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

But just saying this isn’t enough sometimes. I need to feel God’s closeness. And as I try to feel Him, He reveals Himself, and I know for sure that He is, in fact, right there with me.

When I heave a big sigh after uncontrollable sobbing and sink into an exhausting peace, that’s when God is pressing my head to His chest, peacefully shushing me.

When I get a phone call, email, or card from friends or family offering an encouraging word or prayer, I know God has spoken to their heart to offer me that simple, yet profound, support.

When I get a wave of hopefulness in the midst of my despair and hopelessness, I know the Lord is near and encouraging me to carry on.

When I can still get out of bed in the morning and rejoice in the blessing of my son, I know God is highlighting His beautiful creation.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted. And I believe He has a special place in His heart for the hurting military wife. Whenever you feel down, take a minute to reflect on how the Lord is making His presence known to you. If you’re like me, you’ll see just how close He is.

Top 5 ways you know you're a military wife at Christmas...

1. You treasure every moment of Christmastime because Hubby might not be home next year. 
2. Your whole house is decorated in red and gold, not because it's traditional, but because those are the colors of the Marine Corps. 
3. You try to put a toy in each Toys for Tots box around town to help the Marine standing there from getting bored (and to help the kids, of course!). 
4. You feel an insatiable desire to send care packages to every young Marine, sailor, soldier, and airman that is away from his mama. 
5. Your heart aches for friends whose families are not together due to deployments, training, etc.

The best non-material gift...EVER...

I'll cut to the chase.  The best non-material gift I ever received was/is the love of my husband.  Before you let out a groan of disappointment at this predictable answer, read on.  It's sweet (and more).  I promise.

Just a few months after Hubby and I started dating in college, his family (whom I had never met and lived far, far away) invited me to their home for Christmas.  I eagerly accepted, not knowing at the time that this was deemed "weird" and "forward" by my friends.  They were soooo wrong! ;)

While there, Hubby told me that he loved me.  Wow.  Other than some crazy guy I dated right before college (who doesn't count), no one had ever told me this before.  I certainly hadn't said it to anyone.  I only wanted to say it to one person and only when I knew for sure that he would be the only person I would ever say it to. 

Cue the awkward pause of young love.  He happened to say it for the first time in an elevator.  And I'm pretty sure I just smiled at him and didn't say anything.  And then the elevator dinged to let us out at our floor.  And then the moment was over.  But that didn't deter him.  Once he said it the first time, the words just kept coming the whole time we were together. 

It wasn't until I was on the plane flying home by myself and listening to cheesy love songs that I knew beyond any doubt that Hubby was THE one.  I called him as soon as I landed and told him the same words he had told me: "I love you." 

Hubby's love is an incredible example of selflessness, courage, strength, humility, patience, encouragement, and any other good attribute you can possibly think of. 

So if you still think that my idea of the best non-material gift ever is totally cliche and cheesy, I'll close with these parting (and sincere) thoughts: He completes me.  He makes me want to be a better person.  I love him more than life itself.  He is the wind beneath my wings.  Annnd he makes me want to listen to Marvin Gaye.  (Yes, I said it!) ;)

Yummy Christmas dessert...

My favorite Christmas dessert is the simplest of simple Christmas cookies.  They are world-famous around our family, and last year I was blessed with my very own cookie press to make these tiny pieces of deliciousness.

Photo Credit

You can find a recipe for the cookies here!

 

Christmas movie favs...

Every year, Hubby and I pull all of our Christmas movies from our movie collection, place them in a neat stack by the TV, and excitedly watch each of them as we get more and more into the Christmas spirit.  Many of these movies are ones that I watched as a kid, and each year I find myself watching them in the same childlike manner as I did 20 (YIKES!) years ago.

Remember Home Alone?  (How could you not??)  Then Home Alone 2?  And of course Christmas Vacation, the Christmas movie classic in our family.

As ridiculous as these movies are, I love watching them because it brings an extra dose of nostalgia to Christmas.  The movies are something simple that evokes the feeling of "home" when I am so far away from my extended family and hometown.  

What to wear to a military Christmas party...

Military Christmas Party by semperwifey featuring black evening dresses

#1 is a bit more trendy.
#2 is a bit more formal.
#3 is a bit more casual.

Which is your favorite in this set?  Or what would you pick to wear?

More Semper Stylish Posts.