The Last Five Days of This

I can't believe I get to write this post. 

My husband is on American soil.

After three months of training in Texas, then six months in Afghanistan, a few days in Qatar and five days in Germany, he's finally landed and I will get to see him at the end of this week. I'm so thrilled to have my best friend again.

It's incredibly surreal to think about. I can't believe it's already here, but in no way has gone by quickly. We spent more months apart last year than we did together. We were so fortunate to be able to FaceTime frequently, and say what you will about Facebook, but I was able to talk to him every day through that thing. 

I'm sitting here trying to reflect on this season of deployment, trying to really hold on to an honest recollection of these past nine months. And while I'm incredibly aware of the hard and the tough, I am somehow simply left with the Lord's peace. How can that be possible?! Last year was haaard. It was insane. I could rifle off a bazillion tough things I had to accomplish on my own, but by the grace of God I am left with His peace. I was continually shown grace, I was supported by the abundant generosity of family and friends, I was prayed for, thought of, blessed beyond measure. 

I couldn't have made it through without my Mom and Dad coming down once, sometimes twice a week, always asking what I needed and trying to make everything so easy for me.

Without TJ's Mom and her mad babysitting skills and her prayer-warrior heart {as well as our Sunday dinners with Coopops, Auntie Christy, Uncle Luke, and Steven}. 

Without my girls Tara, Noemi, and Christy, who listened, shared, prayed, ate and drank with me. 

Without my wonderful brothers and sisters, Erin, Ryan, and Sean who offered so much help, and especially Katherine whose husband was in Afghanistan too {and whose late night/early morning texts gave so much comfort}.

Without the love and support from Art and everyone at HCS...parents, teachers, staff and students. 

Without this blog, haha! And Facebook and Instagram and the wonderful new friends I've made and reconnected with. 

Without my beautiful children, who through so much adversity have adapted and thrived. They've been my best friends, my favorite snugglers, and the most amazing comfort. 

And of course without the encouragement of my beloved husband, who was more near to me than I thought possible, who always said I had it harder than him {I still disagree}, and who this is all about in the end; bringing him home.

I realize I've been saying a lot of "I"s and "me"s in this post and thanking people like it's award season, but truly I've been so humbled by this experience. I'm so grateful for this amazing peace that surpasses all understanding. I'll keep the hard times to myself for now, but today I'll choose joy and praise Jesus that we only have a handful of days left. 

Praise god from whom all blessings flow...

*love you TJ