Its hard to believe that we are almost down to the last 24 hours of being in this particular chapter of our lives. What chapter would that be you ask? Well people we seemed to have finally arrived to chapter two. Chapter one started many years ago in the very beginning of our marriage when Joseph became unemployed for the first time. Fast forward to last June where we found ourselves unemployed for the fourth time in so many years, but now with two children added to the mix. We knew God was trying to tell us something but it always seemed just out of reach because we would try and try to do things right, but we seemed to always end up back at chapter one. Then one day after much prayer Joseph approached me about joining the Navy.

Chapter two finally began.

You have to understand that for the past four years of our marriage I would balk whenever he would teasingly bring up joining the military. There was no way I could make that sacrifice, I was and am far to selfish. But this time it was different. As Joseph spoke I kept waiting for the panic to set it, I knew it had to be right around the corner but instead I felt the Lords presence surrounding me with peace and acceptance. I laughed to myself, I could not believe how right I knew this was. Suddenly this wasn't about me or Joseph, this wasn't about us trying to do what was right, it was about the millionth chance the Lord was giving us at making the right choice. To trust and follow Him.

Since we have taken that leap life has been more challenging and painful then it has before, but it has also been so so so much richer. Through all of it He is carrying us close to His heart, guiding us through the storm and showing us what faith really is. And its not our faith that is carrying us through, it is His.

This time has brought me so much closer to understanding the sacrifice that God selflessly made for us. He chose death so that we could have life, so that I could have life. So that my little boys would have the chance to come to know Him. He has shown me that it was love. Can you imagine that type of love?

He gave us a second chance even though we didn't and don't deserve it. But because of His love for me and my family he has graced us with another chance to love him.

Oh how I wish I had the words I am searching for to tell you everything that He means to me, all the great things that I see Him doing in our lives! But instead I must settle with this jargled mess of a post and pray that the Lord shows you the true meaning of my words.