Proud Relationship: Spouse

Greetings everyone,

Home again. Just wanted to share a few pictures from the US Mount Whitney.

I am so proud of our United States Armed Forces.

I am so proud of our United States Navy.

And I am so proud of my husband!

On my military id card, which is needed to access the base and it's facilities, it reads "Identification and Privileges Card." It has been our privilege to be a part of the US Navy family. What a blessing to be able to serve God in such a diverse atmosphere!


My id card goes everywhere with me! It is the only way on the base, the only way to shop at the NEX (our base supermarket / convenient store), post office, fuel, movie rentals, anything and everything you could possible need requires verification from the id card.

Such an important card, our life line here in Souda Bay. While waiting for my flight yesterday I really looked at my id card. I sat and pondered the identification and privileged part, (sometimes I do not feel so privileged to live outside the 48 contiguous states.... oh how I miss US soil) then scanned the remaining sections of the card.

What I saw....

Name: Kristie Hansen

Social: XXX-XX-XXXX I blacked it out for security reasons... ha, like anyone would want it!

Date of birth: 30 Dec. 1977 not scared to tell my age...or Harry's...HE TURNS 40 Next month!

Weight: *** (they ask you and do not actually weigh you on the spot... so my weight is a weight I did have about 2 years ago) ... so technically not a lie!

Height, hair color, eye color, etc.

Also, there are other tidbits of info...
civilian: yes
medical: yes
exchange: yes
commissary: yes
MWR: yes

Then the card refers to my sponsor: Harry Hansen

Sponsor rank and pay grade (reminds me.. get a new card.... we have had a promotion and a pay grade increase!!).


Then oddly it asks...

Relationship: SP
SP of course meaning spouse... I think?


I am a relationship: spouse!


A card I frequently forget and have to turn around and drive the 15 minutes back home to find, a card that has made me late to Chapel more than a few times, a card that has a horrible picture... not a good representation of me.... or maybe it does represent the "me" at the time (Harry, for pay reasons, had to register me into the base ASAP.... so the picture is the "me" after a 30+ flight and 8 hour time change), a card that allows me to shop til I drop on base, a card that says "I am a military dependent"... says I have a sponsor.... says that I am a relationship: spouse. A card that says a lot about me. Defines who I am within the military sphere.

So tonight I say ... how I define myself, "I am a proud relationship spouse" and "I am proud to be a part of God's hand in military ministry!"



Blessings until next time,
Kristie

The Other Side

Greetings everyone,

From Whom the Bell Tolls….

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the Greek Islands. Memorized by the majestic scenery combined with the friendly atmosphere visitors flock to the various sites on the different islands. From ancient ruins to modern day architecture patrons enjoy the awe-inspiring views.

Myself, like most vacationers, rarely concern themselves with what’s behind the scenes so to speak. Our primary concern is to enjoy our vacation. Make unforgettable memories. Have a good time. Simply relax, we're on vacation right? Seldom do we think of life on the islands outside of our vacationer blinders.

While on my vacation to Paros, Greece I experienced a snippet of what the locals feel. Not saying I am a local…. I have only been here a short while, but I have been here long enough to experience some of the Greek culture, lifestyle, and habitudes. I have lived here long enough to know life is not what it appears to be for some.

In Paros, up on a hill in the middle of the port village, stands church with heavy bronze bells. At times, the bells will toll slowly with great intervals of silence between. Beautiful tolling from large bronze bells. An awesome sight and sound. On hearing the bells, the locals stop still and motionless for a moment.

The vacationer’s are eating at the village taverna, down on the gorgeous sandy beaches, or enjoy the quaint shopping experience through the cozy streets. Upon hearing the church bells tolling, the vacationer’s stop briefly to enjoy the beautiful sounds and reminisce on Greek folklore. "Oh, neat", they say. Maybe even take a photo or 2. "Cool", they think, "must be some religious thing or other." Their demeanor still on vacation / holiday mode.

You see… the locals know the bells tolling bring a message of sadness and sorrow. Someone in the village has departed from this world. Their heart aches as the announcement of a relative, friend, or fellow villager will no longer live among them. Their heads inclined, they make the sign of the cross.

No one on the beach or in the taverna notice the difference between folklore and slow rhythm of sorrow. They just hear the sounds of music coming from the bells. They have no idea why the bells toll. Nor do they really want to understand why. You see.. it’s the other side of life on the island. The everyday life which vacationers have purposely left behind in their own homes. It’s the ugly we run from to enjoy a small piece of paradise for a few brief days.

Harry and I were supposed to honeymoon here on the Greek island of Hydra, but September 11, 2001 changed our flight plans. The most appealing aspect of the island, when I was choosing our destination, was the fact there were no motorcars. Transportation on the island consisted of bicycles and boats. Paradise, right?

When I first arrived here in Greece, one of my first emails was entitled “Paradise it is not.” Yet, when looking for a honeymoon destination spot, this was my first choice. Only 7 years have passed, surely Greece has not changed that much. Or am I just that flip-floppy? No. It’s because I knew I was going to live here for the next 2 years… Vacationing in paradise is different than living in a paradise.

It’s not just a destination or a geographical location; it’s a frame of mind.

There is no possible way to live mentally in vacation for the next 2 years. So for me… Greece was no longer paradise. I was beginning to see the "other side" of life on the island. What it’s really like when all the glitz and glamour of the newest holiday wears off. When the summer months have passed and the cold winds of winter begin to blow through.

Our Christian walk is very similar. We long for the warm days of summer vacation. The warm breeze of the Holy Spirit that caresses our face and lets us know He is near. We want to stay in His presence and forget about the "other side" of life. The other side that has the hurts, pains, and the scars of life. We long to be close to Him and bask in the warmth of His glory. To stand in awe before Him and let the “other side” sit in the back recesses of our mind.

The “other side” can seem unbearable at times. Hearing the bell toll and knowing the sorrow causes the heart to ache. To live in the “other side” requires more than we feel we are capable of handling. No one wants to hurt. No one wants to continue to live with the scars of life. The disappointments. The failures. The brokenness. The inadequacies. The scars of life that leave us vulnerable. Leave us needing something else. Some one else.

Pains that require us to look beyond ourselves for help. Hurts that call for a touch from the Father. The Mender of Broken hearts. The Repairman of your soul.

Jesus.

The only One you need. The only One who lives in paradise. The One who wants you to live with Him in paradise. For all eternity.

Eternity does not require a plane ticket or hotel reservation. Paradise will not cancel or reschedule your itinerary. You just have to accept Him and that’s all you need.

Jesus as your Savior. The mender of brokenness only wants you to want Him. No confirmation number needed to experience the living waters of His paradise.

While Jesus was on the cross, the criminal beside Him ask, " Jesus, remember me when you come into kingdom." You see... the criminal knew who Jesus was, knew the Son of God was beside him, knew Jesus had done nothing wrong to deserve death, knew he wanted Jesus to remeber him when Jesus entered into His kingdom.

"Jesus answered him,

I tell you the truth,

today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 23:43 (NIV)

May you experience paradise with Him. May you desire to vacation in the warmth of His presence.

Blessings to those on "the other side" tonight,

Kristie

ABC News Australia

Greetings everyone,

Another article from ABC.net

US Navy flagship delivers aid to Georgia

Russian forces say they will carry out regular checks of cargo coming in and out of Poti. (Reuters)
The flagship of the US Navy's Sixth Fleet has dropped anchor off Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti, where Russian troops have been patrolling since last month's war with Georgia.

The USS Mount Whitney, a sophisticated command warship based in Italy, is the third US vessel to arrive on the Georgian coast with humanitarian aid for tens of thousands displaced by the conflict over Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia.


The oil and dry grain shipment port of Poti is patrolled by Russian troops, who Moscow says are carrying out peacekeeping duties. Georgia and its Western allies say their presence is part of an illegal occupation.


The USS McFaul and a US Coast Guard vessel delivered aid last month at Batumi, Georgia's largest port south of Poti, prompting Russian accusations of a military buildup.


Russian forces say they will carry out regular checks of cargo coming in and out of Poti. They man at least two positions close to access roads on the outskirts of the town.


The delivery of humanitarian aid by a US warship has angered Russia, which has its own Black Sea fleet based in the Ukrainain port of Sevastopol.


A US Navy statement said Mount Whitney would deliver more than 17 tons of aid, including blankets, juice, powdered milk and hygiene products.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/05/2357094.htm


Just a quick article from ABC News... different perspective.... new picture... But still proud of our seaman!


Blessings until the next article,

Kristie

Bloomberg Worldwide Report

Greetings from the Greek Islands,

This week Harry is not the only one out to sea. I have met several of my friends from Atlanta in Athens for a 7 day journey over to Turkey and back. I will keep you updated on Harry as often as possible.

The following is an article from Bloomberg Worldwide.

U.S. Navy Ship Arrives at Georgian Port Where Russia Has Troops

By Helena Bedwell

Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The flagship of the U.S. navy's 6th Fleet anchored off Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti today, about 10 kilometers from a post manned by Russian peacekeeping forces following Georgia's five-day war with Russia.

The USS Mount Whitney sailed into Poti harbor with a cargo of humanitarian aid, Khatia Dzhindzhikhadze, a spokeswoman for the U.S. embassy in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, said by phone from Poti.

The U.S. has sent three navy ships to deliver $37 million in aid to Georgia since the fighting ended with Russia over the separatist region of South Ossetia. The presence of U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization ships in the Black Sea has further strained relations with Russia already chilled by Western condemnation of the conflict in Georgia.

Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, said in televised comments that the arrival of the Mount Whitney ``raises questions'' about whether the ship conforms to the 1936 Montreux Convention, which sets out rules for the passage of military vessels through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits to the Black Sea.

Nesterenko also raised doubts about the U.S. decision to use warships to deliver humanitarian aid. Military vessels like the Mount Whitney ``could hardly deliver a large amount of humanitarian aid,'' he said.

Buffer Zones

U.S. aid to Georgia has included water, blankets, baby food and toiletries intended for people displaced by the fighting.

Russia has said its peacekeepers in Poti are acting in compliance with a European Union-brokered cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting over South Ossetia. Peacekeepers are posted in two buffer zones that extend into Georgia from South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway regions whose independence Russia recognized on Aug. 26. Poti is located outside the Abkhaz buffer zone.

The entire article can be found:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aGhDLyug6Qp0

Blessings until next time,

Kristie

Fox News International Report

Greetings everyone,

Here is another article from Fox News International.


POTI, Georgia — The flagship of the U.S. Navy's Mediterranean fleet anchored outside a key Georgian port Friday, defiantly bringing in tons of humanitarian aid to a city still partly occupied by hundreds of Russian troops.

The USS Mount Whitney was the first Navy ship to travel to Poti since Georgia's five-day war with Russia last month. The continued presence of Russian troops here has been a major point of friction between Russia and the West, which insists Russia has failed to honor a deal to pull back to positions held before fighting broke out Aug. 7.



The entire artivle can be found:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,417602,00.html



Blessings until the next update,

Kristie

The Escapees

Greetings everyone,

I've talked with Harry several time via email and he sends his hello's. He's having an amazing time aboard the USS Mount Whitney. He says the ministry opportunities are endless and the experience has been both rewarding and fulfilling.

We here left on the home front have had a little different experience. I would not quite call it rewarding....rather exhausting. A few difficulties in adjusting to life without Harry. For starters I did not realize how Harry takes care of the animals.

Recently we received an email from a friend of ours. Becky is also a Navy Chaplain's spouse. Several months ago she said Bon Voyage to her husband as he set sail with the U.S Navy. In her email she talked about the struggles of being a "single" mother. It never dawned on me.... when husbands or wives are out to sea or deployed, the spouses left at home become "single parents" for the time being.

I had a small and I mean small taste of that this week. Harry and I have no children. Kids just have not fit into our equation just yet. However, we do have Oliver, the cat, and Miss Peabody, our newly acquired Greek dog.

Oliver, the orange tabby domestic short haired cat. Adopted from the shelter in Atlanta the day after we returned from the honeymoon, Oliver has been with us from the beginning and through it all. Even the 27 hour flight from Atlanta to Souda. I did not know they made kitty Valium, but they do.

Then of course we have Miss Peabody, the newest edition to the Hansen household. February of this past year, during a snow storm, someone tossed out several puppies. Abandoned, starved, freezing, and scared, Harry was able to catch onlyone. We brought her inside, fed her, quickly bathed her, which she hated and still hates to this day. Barely moving, she ate and slept in front of the fireplace for 3 straight days.

At that time we had Sunday night fellowship at our house, so she quickly became the Chapel mascot. She was instantly Harry's baby. He could not find anyone else to lick his toes when he stepped through the door.

I, being sceptically and dubious about the new addition, was not sure we were going to keep her, did not allow anyone to name her. We also had landlord issues. He has his vineyard on our front and surrounding lawn and did not want a dog to contaminate his grapes. He said we could not keep her and Harry said yes we are. We almost had to move out and into another house.

After 3 weeks of everyone trying to name her, me watching her personality develop, and Harry fighting for her residency..... we finally decided to name her Miss Peabody.

Her name came from a mixture of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Clue's Miss Peacock. Inquistitve and instrusive yet friendly. Our Miss Peabody is so nosey. Into things all the time and when caught... has this look of innocence ... and "what did I do" expression. And of course the other obvious reason.... she was not house trained just yet.

Since last February our cinder block has contained Harry, me, Kayne, Oliver, and Miss Peabody. Oliver and Miss Peabody's typical day includes eating, sleeping, playing, and hissing, spitting, stealing each others food, drinking out of each others dish while the other is not looking, and sometimes all out war. Typical Hansen household day.

And like I said earlier, I did not realize the extent of Harry's involvement with the animals. Primarily in the wee hours of the morning. That's where the problems started! The wee hours of the morning.

The very next day after Harry's departure was the first attempt to escape. Both are inside pets, but Oliver has never been allowed outside, he was no claws. Miss Peabody goes outside, but somewhat monitored... we still have landlord issues... we must keep her out of his vineyard.

Problem #1: Miss Peabody's bladder is on Harry's scheduled work day. Around 4:30 -5:00 a.m. Miss Peabody is up and doing the pee dance. Pacing back and forth needing to go outside.

Problem #2: I do not function before 9 a.m.. However, I do like the rugs in my house and I do not want them "marked" with Peabody's territory.

So early in the morning, I crawl sleepily out of bed, barely turning on lights...I do not want the light to fully wake me, stagger down the steps... keeping my balance by hugging the wall, shuffle to the door, and let the lightening bolt dog bolt outside to do her business. I then turn and drag myself back up the stairs and fall back into bed. No problem.... right? I was knocked out within seconds.

Around 10:30 a.m. my usual come to life time of day, 5 1/2 hours after the lightening bolt dog, I hear this screeching sound. I recognize the sound as Oliver's cry. I jump up, yell for Kayne to check the upstairs balconies (Oliver sometimes gets locked out on the balcony ledge and cries for help). I begin searching our floor. Kayne still searching the upstairs. Then the crying gets louder and louder in quickening rasps. Now I am flipping out. Where's the cat? Make sure he does not fall off a ledge. Then Kayne sees him.... Oliver is outside the front door crying to come back in.

What? How did he get outside? He must have escaped when I was letting Peabody out earlier. He does that often, Harry now tells me.

"Kristie, you have to watch him, he tries to run between your legs when you are not looking, Harry says. Thanks Harry!

We scoop up Oliver and bring him inside. He runs straight for the litter box then the food bowl. I guess he had no idea the entire outside could have been his litter box. And I suspect his hunter skills must be a little weak or either he just loves Hill's Science Diet. Even though I find half eaten lizards and scorpions all over the house. Oliver is definitely an inside house cat.

Miss Peabody then comes bounding out of the vineyard.... yes that would be a problem with the landlord. The vineyard! Bad dog!She leaps the wall like a super dog. Running full force to skid up to the door. That's when I fully see her. She had been a blur until coming to a full stop.

She is covered in red clay. Head to toe, crusted caked on red clay. "Oh Miss Peabody, what have you done?" I ask her. She just wags her tail ready to come inside for a snack. "Straight upstairs to the bath" I tell her. She still hates baths so this is a just punishment. Bad dog! I bend down to pat her head so she thinks she isn't in too much trouble. That's when I fully smell her....

She smells like a dead animal. Very bad dog! Not sure what kind? She brings us mice, birds, lizards, scorpions, and things we have no idea what they used to be. I make sure whatever it was is still not in her mouth! Nope. Thank God! I think... Where is Harry?... this is his job. My first day on the job and I lose Oliver and did not even know it, allow Peabody to run amok with dead carcase and in the vineyard. In the vineyard. Okay, now I am thinking bad mother!

She knows she is in so much trouble!

So up to the bath for Peabody. Oliver now needs a nap, too much play time for him outside. Within the hour Peabody is clean and smells somewhat normal and settling down for a nap, Oliver is conked out on the bed. I take a deep breath and try to normalize my heart rate. Am I a bad mother? Or just need my sleep?

That's when Becky's email hits me.... this is what it's like to be a single parent on a fraction of the scale. I could not imagine this with actual kids. Kids that have the ability to communicate back and require more than a food dish and clean litter box. I would surely be a bad mother to "real" kids.

So my hats off to all those "single" parents during their spouses deployments. It's tough to adjust life from a normal functioning family to a single parent household. Then when life seems to normalize in the absence.. it's time for the other spouse to return and completely shift the dynamics once again.

Another friend of ours was telling us the story of how her husband was out to sea. Her and their teenage son managed life several months together. She became the mother / father figure, the provider, the protector, the disciplinary... the single parent. When the husband came home he was so excited to see everyone. Families go through this honeymoon phase where everything is wonderful. Then reality hits. A few days later when he tried to discipline their son....the son stomps upstairs yelling back down, "Why don't you just go back to sea, me and mom managed just fine without you." Needless to say this hurt the father more than words can say. But of course being a Chaplain he realized it's just part of the transition for reuniting families. Bt it still hurt none the less.

So today, my thoughts and prayers are for all those military families that have struggled, are in the struggle, and will struggle with the return reunions of deployed spouses. We in the civilian world do not know the difficulties involved with serving in the United States Armed Forces.

So keep separated families in your prayers this week. Keep in mind how both sides struggle with the separation.

We here left on the island are coping with Harry's absence better each day. We miss him and are so proud of what he is doing. If we could only train Miss Peabody's bladder to my time table, life would be a lot easier.

Blessings until next time,

Kristie

FOX News Report

Greetings everyone,

Here are a few excerpts from an article found in a Fox News press release involving the USS Mount Whitney.

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush on Wednesday said the U.S. will send an extra $1 billion to Georgia to help the pro-Western former Soviet republic in the wake of Russia's invasion.

Sept. 3: USS Mount Whitney, carrying humanitarian aid,

travels through the Bosporus strait in Istanbul on its way to Georgia.

The United States has sent two military ships bearing aid to Georgia, and the USS Mount Whitney — the flagship of the Navy's 6th Fleet — steamed through the Dardanelles early Wednesday and was expected to pass through the Bosporus later in the day. The two Turkish-controlled straits link the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.


The entire article can be found on the Fox News site. Here is the direct link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,415941,00.html

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)

My prayers tonight are for the crew aboard the USS Mount Whitney. May you set sail on the course God's hand has prepared for you. May you settle on the far side of the sea unknown to you and may you allow God to hold fast to you.



Blessings from a proud military spouse,
Kristie

Stars and Stripes Article

Greetings everyone,

I have permission to disclose the ship Harry is currently aboard. The USS Mount Whitney. The following article came from Stars and Stripes.

USS Mount Whitney sails for Georgia

USS Mount Whitney sails for Georgia

By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes European edition,

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The command and control ship USS Mount Whitney sailed on Sunday for Georgia, carrying 17 tons of humanitarian aid including blankets, juice, powdered milk and hygiene products, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

The ship left its homeport of Gaeta, Italy, on Aug. 26, but "conducted routine operations in the area" before making a brief port visit to Souda Bay, Crete, and then sailing toward the Black Sea, said Cmdr. Scott Miller, a spokesman for Naval Forces Europe/6th Fleet.

"Without going into specifics with dates, the government of Turkey monitors the passage and approves passage through the Turkish straits, so that translates when our ships will head that way," Miller said.

The Mount Whitney is the third and final planned ship the Navy intends to use to deliver humanitarian assistance to Georgia. Aid already was delivered by the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, followed by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas.

The McFaul has left the area, sailing out of the straits on Monday, "continuing on with routine operations," Miller said.

The Dallas pulled into the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol on Monday "to participate in previously scheduled theater security cooperation activities with the Ukrainian Navy," reads a portion of a Navy news release.

The visit has been scheduled since the spring, the release states. The Dallas avoided pulling into the Georgian port of Poti last week, where Russian forces were posted on the outskirts. U.S. officials reportedly feared the heavily-damaged port might have been mined.

Russian officials have expressed anger over the presence of NATO warships in the Black Sea, and have accused the U.S. Navy of including weapons and military systems with the humanitarian aid.

Citing security reasons, the Navy won’t disclose whether the Mount Whitney will use the port of Batumi, well south of the zone of fighting.

"At this point, we are considering all options as we head to Georgia.

"What port is ultimately chosen, that determination will be made by the Navy, the government of Georgia and the international team there supporting this humanitarian aid mission," Miller said.

Rosa Larson / U.S. Navy Ordinary Seaman Zak Persing, left, and Able Seaman Kevin Jarrett, Civilian mariners from Military Sealift Command, help guide a pallet of humanitarian relief supplies onto the flight deck of the USS Mount Whitney on Aug. 19. The Mount Whitney is sailing to the Black Sea to bring aid to Georgia.

The Maiden Voyage

Greetings everyone,

I am writing from an empty home. Harry is out to sea. He has left us for the open waters of the unknown. I actually mean unknown. Due to operational security reason I do not know exactly where he is, where he will be going, nor when he is to return home. The few things I do know... I do not have permission to discuss. Just know that we are very excited for Harry to have this experience. I am awaiting permission to release the ship he is on and the mission of the crew.

He is out of his mind excited. Let's pray that enthusiasm continues throughout the journey. Also pray that he finds his sea legs. Fortunately, he has not had any problems, but Harry has never been on a boat. Neither Navy nor civilian cruise.

I received an email this morning from him about how the waves never stop and the ship continues to "rock". He also wrote to tell me he had steak and lobster for dinner last night. (Not a typical Cretan meal) After his teasing comment... I "teasingly" wrote back... "I hope you keep it down!" So pray Harry's maiden voyage goes well health wise.

"The seas have lifted up, O Lord,

the seas have lifted their voice;

the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea-

the Lord on high is mighty."

Psalm 93: 3-4 (NIV)

Blessings until next time,
Kristie

Pictures of Souda Bay area

(not NSA Souda Bay... not allowed)

Contain Yourself

Greetings everyone,

We have had a busy week. Both here at home and at the base. On base, we organized the supply room for the Chapel. Or at least tried to start organizing the various religous of supplies. I had quite the educational experience with the different religious items needed for the various religions.

Several packages I mailed myself from the States also arrived this week. When I go back to the States I try to mail back anything we might need or would like to consume for the next few months. I wish Chick-Fil-A and Krispy Kreme could survive the USPS trip! To my delight, the packages contained some of our "living on Crete" supplies and containers from The Container Store!

I love The Container Store. For a person that has to have everything contained and in its proper place... this store is amazing. They have everything. I mean everything. Items for every room of your home or office... an organizational paradise.

I am... or I guess was fortunate to live in Atlanta where there are actually not 1 but 2 store locations. What an amazing feeling to walk through the doors..... aisles and aisles of goodies and trinkets made for properly storing your junk! Home, office, school, travel, kitchen, and my favorite ... closet.

Kitchen gadgets, bathroom thingamajig, garage doodads, and closet organizers for as far as the eye can see. If you have questions... there is an organizational or project specialist to help you. Want to plan a new space and need expert help? The Container Store is the place for you. Life in a clutter.... The Container Store will change your life forever!

The most appealing aspect of The Container Store..... their containers... they never change. By that I mean, the shape, size, nor color will differ from year to year. The containers remain the same! I have such a craziness for things not changing.... even my containers must match. Everything in my house has to be contained... and I want them all in uniform containers. When Rubbermaid changes their design, I to have to toss out all the old ones and buy the new style. Even our food containers need to be in one accord.


For the past 8 years I have shopped The Container Store and to date they have not changed on me. The signature shoe, shirt, sweater, boot, under bed, accessory, and my favorite jumbo containers have remained the same. They stack perfectly on top of each other. The larger ones on bottom with the smaller ones fitting nicely on top. Perfect for someone who must have everything neatly put away. In it's "home".


Everything in my home... has it's own home. Kind of like a home within a home.. I guess. (Harry and Kayne think I should be on medication.) It's just that I like the organization. I like the feel of my belongings contained in clear plastic containers. I like my things easily attainable. If I need it.... I can find it. It will be safely in it's "home". Example: Q-tips- in their own container, Cotton balls- in their own container to the right of Q-tips, Band-Aids- in their own container and just beneath the cotton balls, Ointments- in their own container just beneath the Q-tips. You see where this is going? ... all organized in order and near the other things that should accompany them when needed. Fall and scratch up your knee? Just go to the top shelf of the bathroom pantry and you will find everything you need! (And I only described the top shelf bathroom...there are many other shelves in the various rooms of our house.)


I read a book several years ago, Living Organized. I realized through reading this book and I little soul searching. I had to soul search for a while....you see I was getting very frustrated when Harry or Kayne disturbed my organization. I found myself in a state of uneasiness when my things around me were in disarray.


But what I realized is..... organization brings a sense of peace. When you and your household are in peace...there is a sense of security. If my household, or even my car, are clean and organized I feel relaxed. A sense of calming in my spirit. When everything around me is disorganized I cannot sit still. I feel the need to straighten things up. To not go to bed until everything is in its rightful place or "home".


But once I realized this need to organize in myself, I decided to pray about it. Is it okay to want everything just so? I am trying to strive for perfection? Or am I really some form of June Cleaver?


The verses I came across in the Bible referring to having ones house organized or in order...

"The Lords says,

Put your house in order,.."

Sounds perfect, right? This is the verse I am going to use with Kayne and Harry. Except when you continue on with...

"...because you are going to die;"

2 Kings 20:1 (NIV)

What? The second part makes me want to go dump everything out of their nice neat little boxes. Thankfully, the rest of the story in 2 Kings is Hezekiah pleas with God and God adds 15 years to his life. Yet, when you stop to think about it... when a Christian dies with Christ in their heart... they will experience perfect peace. The peace that comes from sitting at the feet of our Father. Yet, I am in no hurry to die. I still have so much to do for Him and the Kingdom.

So that's it. My strive for perfect organization is summed up with the desire to experience peace within. Peace in my surroundings. Peace at home. Home is your sanctuary from work, school, and sometimes ministries. It is supposed to be a place for comfort and relaxation. A place where you unwind and feel secure. A place where you eat, sleep, and recharge yourself for tomorrows awaiting challenges.

Households can become "cluttered" with the normal everyday stresses of life. Stresses of work, ministry, kids, and school can become overwhelming to the point of exhaustion. Whether your household be disturbed with clutter as mine is... or the other "clutters" of life, struggles in marriage, struggles in finances, difficulties with children, complications with aging parents, failing ministries the stresses causes the me to take my eyes off Him. I become consumed with how to "clean up" everything I forget who the greatest house cleaner is. I forget the One who makes everything perfect. And the only One who has perfect peace.

Just remember... God is bigger than your greatest problem! He is bigger than your greatest "mess". God has the ability to clean sweep your household and your life. God can wipe away all the difficulties associated with running a household. He can sweep up the broken pieces of your lives, marriages, families, careers, and ministries. He can Windex the windows of our hearts and souls for a clearer visibility of Him.

"May there be peace within your walls,

and security within your citadels."

Psalm 122:7 (NIV)

Just give God your broom and access to your household. He will make your life shine.

Blessings to those needing a clutter free life,

Kristie

Promotion and Gain

Greetings everyone,

We have a few praise reports this past week.

Harry has been promoted from Lieutenant Junior Grade to a full Lieutenant. Another milestone achieved for his Navy career. It is an honor to be able to stay in the Navy and serve God and country. Also, it seems a little odd for a (near) 40 year old man to still be a LTJG. So we are thankful this week for Harry's promotion. (I understand it is a pay increase as well)

We have pictures, but not the permission to post them just yet.... so I will insert them hopefully, first of next week!

For my praise report..... we now have Gain laundry detergent in our NEX mini-mart! So to all of those who have sent care packages containing Gain in powder form.... thank you! I walked in the NEX....and saw a bright sign indicating "New Item". And there before my eyes sat Gain liquid laundry detergent. I have expressed before how I do not like change.... My clothes, our clothes have smelled of Gain for over 10 years. Good ole' regular Gain. Not the Spring Time Fresh. Nor the Joyful Expressions, even though Gain is a joy to have. Anything other than Gain and I feel like we stink. Yes I understand it is weird...but there is nothing like the familiar smell. "The irresistible fresh scent," as the label reads.


First, the Navy sends an express shipment. Which means, 1000 lbs of household goods, clothes, towels, linens, etc., arrived within the first 6 weeks here in Greece. Next comes the larger shipment. It's everything else we decided to send (which was not much) was to arrive within 3 months. Of course, Greece being Greece, the shipment arrived in 4 1/2 months.

I still remember the day we received our boxes. The excitement and anticipation of what was inside. It was like Christmas. And it had been so long... we had forgot what we had sent....so it really was like opening presents....with no clue what was in them.


Box after box. Item after item. Little pieces of home revealed with the opening of each new box. Opened in efforts of making the "new" home feel the essence of our former residence. Dishes arrived (in one piece thank God), dishes we had acquired as wedding gifts. Knickknacks from around the world symbolizing our travels. Vacations, anniversaries, and birthday memories materializing before our eyes. Little tokens that transitioned the old us with our new Navy us.


Oh, just the sight of these few small things brought a sense of self. The Hansen's from 4686 IvyGate Circle still exist beyond IvyGate Circle. And the smell. I still remember the smell of home. The smell of our kitchen and its Grapefruit scent. The bedrooms smelling of Clean Linen. Blackberry Vanilla for the family room and office. The bathrooms smell of Fresh Spa. Every room in the house had it's distinct smell. Once it began it fade, new oil fresheners replaced the old.


I dared not change the smell, that is until Bath and Body Works or Glade decided to discontinue the fragrance. Causing me to shop the B&B Works outlet store and buy everything they had left on their shelves.


But there is nothing that compares to the smell of fresh laundry washed in Gain. When we were opening the boxes and came across the remaining clothes and linen... the smell of Gain was overwhelming. I was amazed that "our" smell could last 4 1/2 months in a wooden crate, shipped from IvyGate circle, to a storehouse on truck, then to a port and loaded on a ship for the remaining journey. How had the smell remained?


It did not matter! I loved it. I held each piece up to me nose just to inhale the "irresistible fresh scent." Each piece. Well, maybe not the undies and Harry's socks, so almost every piece. Even Oliver, the cat, smelled everything. Purring and rubbing his head on all the boxes. Box after box, Oliver rubbed first his jaws then proceeded to do the "drive by". Starts with his face then lets his whole entire body rub the items ending with his backside. The vet said it's his version of marking his territory. So if the cat recognized and enjoyed the smell... surely I was not crazy! I just wanted our old things to mark the territory of our new residence.

Though I needed to wash everything, I could not bring myself to wash a single piece of clothing or linen. I feared washing away our scent. Washing away the little piece of home left in our belongings. So I unpacked everything. Clothes in the drawers and comforters on the beds.


Within minutes Oliver was on the bed rubbing his head and rolling around and around on the comforter. He too was trying to recapture his scent. I looked at him. Intrigued by his persistence. Thought about rolling around myself, but decided against the idea..... it had taken me 30 minutes to get the bed skirt, fitted and flat sheet, comforter, pillow cases, shams, and European shams just so. Again, I like clean lines and perfectly ironed sheets.


I know in the scale of important things in life...these items fall way short. However, the more I adorned our new Greek house with the things from our old house the more I restored a feeling of peace within. A peace and comfort settled inside me. The feelings of isolation and abandonment seemed to dissipate just a little. Our pictures of friends and family brought back the feelings or love and acceptance. The various books reminded me of everything. Travel books....the vacations with family and friends. Christian books....the times at conferences and on mission trips. Furniture pieces handed down from family members. All items bringing with them a sweet smell of remembrance. A breath of times when things were different. The household goods were bringing life in to this skeleton of a house.

It reminded me of Ezekiel.


Ezekiel, a prophet carried into Babylonian exile, wrote of the God's judgment, sovereignty, and hope for the future of God's people. Ezekiel in chapter 37 describes a vision . It called The Valley of Dry Bones. It's a description of the lifelessness of the house of Israel. And how once God breathes life into the bones it created a vast army.

"...I will make breath enter you,

and you will come to life.

Then you will know

that I am the Lord."

Ezekiel 37:6 (NIV)

You see, our stay in Greece at this point felt dry. Spiritual dry. Isolated from not only family and fiends, but God as well. With our days and weeks consumed with this new ministry, I unknowingly allowed my bones to become decrepit and weak. I allowed the loneliness of Greece to feel like exile. Myself being exiled and forsaken on this deserted island in the middle of nowhere. Feeling isolated and allowing those feelings to deaden my spirit, my breath of life.

I allowed a spiritual death to creep into my frail and brittle bones. A slow agonizing deterioration that could have led to destruction. I allowed people here on the island to tell me, “You have to give it 6 months, then you will call this place home.” Yet, calling this place home was not my problem. I consumed myself with too many chores and did not stop to ask for the fresh breath of anointment.

We become so busy with life. Running to and fro. Forgetting the important things of life and filling your days with empty errands. Trying to satisfy of lives with the redundancy of day-to-day activities that we forget we the need of renewal from the Holy Spirit.

An inhale of the sweet fragrance from the Father.

The Gain from our laundry caused a renewal, an awaking from our days at IvyGate Circle. A scent of things familiar. These items gave a sense of comfort to our ever increasing desire for the security of home. Gain brought joy and peace to a restless household.

Like the Gain, our lives need the same intake, the breath of Life from the Father. The breath that restores lives and changes attitudes. The breath that rejuvenates the soul from frail and weak to healthy and strong.

A fresh inhale from the Spirit causes great things to happen for Him when you exhale. So today, I pray for constant breath from the Father. To inhale His sweet fragrance of life we to often take for granted. I pray we do not get so busy with our life that we forget to allow God to breath new life into us.

Inhale His greatness. And exhale His love to others.

Blessings until next time,

Kristie

Zorba the Greek Sirtaki

Greetings everyone,

For those of you not familiar with exactly where we are located, we live on the island of Crete. The largest "city" near us is Chania, which is about 20 minutes away. Our town or village is called Stavros. Stavros is somewhat famous for the movie Zorba the Greek. You may have heard of it... if not....

According to Wikipedia....

Zorba the Greek is a 1964 film based on the novel Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. The title character was played by Anthony Quinn. The dance theme, "Sirtaki" has become famous and popular as a song and as a dance (especially at parties). The movie won 3 Academy Awards.

The movie was shot on location on the Greek island of Crete. Specific places featured include the town of Chania. The famous scene, in which Quinn's character dances the Sirtaki, was shot on the beach of the village of Stavros.



When we moved to Stavros (back in January) I became interested in this Zorba the Greek frenzy. I had no clue (1964 was before my time) the Greek dance, Sirtaki, even had a name much less came from some movie filmed in Crete. I knew the dance. I knew it was entertaining when played at weddings and parties. I never imagined I would live in the village it originated.



In my interest of the movie and the dance I found something very intriguing....

Anthony Quinn memoir One Man Tango...

.... related an amusing story about Zorba the Greek's most famous image - the ending, in which Zorba teaches Basil a little dance on a beach. The scene was set for the last day of shooting. The day before, however, Quinn broke his foot. When filming resumed after several days, the foot had been wrapped in tape, which could be removed for the shots, but Quinn could not jump or hop around as the scene required. Cacoyannis was worried, but Quinn reassured him.

"And I danced. I could not lift my foot and set it down - the pain was unendurable - but I found that I could drag it along without too much discomfort, so I invented a dance with an unusual sliding-dragging step. I held out my arms, in a traditional Greek stance, and shuffled along the sands. Soon, Alan Bates picked up on the move, and the two of us were lifted by the music and the sea, taken arm in arm to a spiritual place, out of the ordinary and far away. We were born-again Greeks, joyously celebrating life. We had no idea what we were doing, but it felt right, and good."

Afterwards, Cacoyannis asked him what that dance was called. Quinn replied, "It's a Sirtaki. It's traditional. One of the villagers taught it to me."

He drew the name from thin air.

The excerpt from One Man Tango is similar to our Christian walk. We are in this dance ... a tango we call "life". Trying to mimic the fluid movements of a dance. Yet, we are injured and broken. Brokenhearted. We tape ourselves up as best as possible to relieve the discomfort. We try to hold out our arms in a way tradition has taught us, shuffling along and pretending everything is okay. Everything is within our control. When in reality everything is within His control.

However strong we think we might be... however tough we feel.... there is pain still on the inside. So we drag our feet ....trying to avoid the tenderness felt from the pain revisited. The discomfort causing us to create a new dance. A shuffle. A throbbing shuffle ... when we could be dancing a pirouette. We miss the blessings of dancing with and for Him. The one man tango is inpossible.....It takes 2 to tango. You and Him.

Pirouetting with the help of the Great Physician. The One with the ability to heal the outside and the inside. Mend the brokenness.

When dancing through life, arm in arm with the Father, into a joyous place is really what we desire. A spiritual place. Place where He calls us to be. Brokenhearted and needing Him. Fully relying on His Greatness and Mercy. Awaiting the anointed power of the anointed One. The best medicine available. Not something made up or drawn from thin air.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he hath anointed me

to preach the gospel to the poor;

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

to preach deliverance to the captives,

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty them that are bruised,"

Luke 4:18 (KJV)

He is waiting for us to say to Him, "Lord, teach me to dance."

Let Him teach you to "dance" tonight! Let Him teach you to live free from the brokenness. Live free from the pain. Live victoriously arm in arm with Him.

"You turned my wailing into dancing;"

Psalm 30:11 (NIV)

Blessings to those broken yet want to dance,
Kristie

Zobras Cave at Stavros Beach 2008

Zorbas Cave

Stavros Beach

Vacation Bible School

VBS 2008

I started this blog in hopes of keeping everyone informed of our ongoing ministry. However, the majority of the ministry happens on base or around military personnel. For those of you not associated with the military... you are not allowed to take pictures on base nor post pictures of the base online. We have rules regarding the Operational Security of the base, or OPSEC.

Fortunately, we have been given permission to post the success story of VBS 2008!

Outrigger Island

Yes, we used Lifeway even though Lifeway would not ship their curriculum or any merchandise to an APO/FPO address. My mother, cousin, and myself checked a total of 6 suitcases totaling 300 lbs. (Not all VBS supplies, a few house supplies, doggie treats, Lucky Charms, Gain, a 8 X 10 rug even made it.) You should have seen us…. 2 women and a 11 year girl trying to maneuver 6 suitcases and 3 carry-ons from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Atlanta to Athens then finally Crete.

Harry brought 1 car and another passenger to retrieve us from the airport. We stuffed 3 bags in the trunk dumped the contents of 2 bags into the small cervices in the trunk. We had 3 bags in the floorboards on 1 in a lap. Oh, what a comfortable 2-hour ride from the airport to home! Remember the Beverly Hillbillies, the Clampett’s? That's what we looked like! If I can pack it, stuff it, cram it, shove it, reshape it, or declare it through customs… I will or at least try!!

So if anyone has any Lifeway pull out there …. “Ship to APO / FPO addresses PLEASE!!”

VBS, a 2-week marathon! One week with our community Chapel and the next a VBS mission trip to another military installation on mainland Greece. My family and I arrived only days before the festivities started. And unfortunately, so did the supplies. “Sorry teachers, next year we will plan better.”

The Chapel was transformed into a Hawaiian island over the weekend. Luau themed, tiki torches, outrigger boats, leis, life jackets, and yes, pink flamingos adorned the interior of the Chapel. A total of 6 men work in this building and we had it luau decorated for the entire week. Not sure what the guys thought of the decor. But we thought it was cute! The kids loved it.

You see… our base is considered an unaccompanied billet. (Civilian translation: no spouse or families.) However, there are a few families brave enough to ride the storm and try. For those moms and kids, life on the island is tough. We do not have a school (kids are home schooled), no kids department, not even playground. The base is designed for sailors. Not that it’s right or wrong, that’s the way it is and this is the Navy.

The kids were able to enjoy a little socialized Christian education and a lot of playtime. The Chapel does not have a playground, but it does have a parking lot, olive tree, and a picnic table. Believe it or not….. the kids had a “blastedie blast” or that’s what they called it. The olive tree and picnic table turned into the jungle gym. The parking lot....a soccer field. Everyday for about 4 hours, that section of the base was swinging! Outrigger Style!

I will just let the video speak for itself….. Enjoy!

After a week long VBS, Harry planned a graduation / block party. I think he just wanted a block party...he invited the entire base. We sectioned off our end of the block (and medicals… sorry about that anyone needing access to the clinic) and had tents, water sports, food, a bouncy, and outrigger island music set up.

The Chiefs association donated the food items and their time to prepare the meal.
The Chapel community thanks you!
“Chief’s, know you made many kids very happy (and fed) that hot summer Friday in Crete!”

The Fire Department donated their time and water! They hosed the kids down with water in the parking lot! And a few adults. Again, hats off to the fire department.
“Firemen, know many kids enjoyed the surprise you had it store for them!”

A special thanks goes to the administration department, MWR, security, media, and the many other members of “Team Souda” that made this years VBS 2008 such a success!

These military superheros took time from their busy week to allow our kids a to have a memorable VBS. Thanks guys for making our kids feel loved and important!

Jesus said,
“Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.”
Luke 18:16 (NIV)

And to all of you, thanks for showing an interest in our ministry, thanks for being a part of our guided steps, and thanks for walking with us in this season of our lives.

Blessings until next time,

Kristie

Home Sweet Cinder Block

Greetings everyone,

We are finally home. Home sweet home. Or I should say, home sweet cinder block. Because that's exactly what we live in... 3-story cinder block. I guess being in the states for the past few weeks has spoiled us. In the short time we became accustomed to the comforts of the good ole United States of America.

Yes, a 3-story cinder block. The entire house is made of concrete, marble, and tile. When I first saw the house I loved it. Loved the entryway... all the marble... tile everywhere. Every square inch (or meter) is covered with the stuff. It was beautiful, clean and white as far as the eye could see. White tile, cream-colored marble, white concrete walls. And for a person that has to have things a certain way (plain colors, clean lines, everything neatly in it's place)...it was wonderful. Did I mention the grout is also white?


Or should I say was. Key word - was. We have a dog. Miss Peabody. She goes outside for the restroom. We have red clay outside. And we no longer have white grout inside. Have you every tried to clean light colored marble tile with white grout? There is just so much of it. Everywhere! Three floors of "now" clay stained flooring. Oh, and as for the white walls... this past winter, we tried to use the fireplace (instead of the ever expensive electric heating and the even more expensive oil radiators). Every time the wind blew a certain way (which was often).....the smoke billowed back into the house. So the walls are now stained with soot. And yes it blew all the way up to the 3rd floor. Don't ask me how... it just did.


Once we moved in.....

Our cinder block house.... imagine heating concrete during the winter? I think it took 3 days for the house to reach positive on the Fahrenheit scale. However, in the summer the concrete and tile are nice and cool. Sometimes to stretch out on the bare floor is the coolest and most comfortable place indoors. (It's the outside temperatures that are scorching beyond comfort)

Our 220 volts of electricity cinder block house.....We did not bring a lot of electrical appliances because they were all 110 volts. We have what has been termed as "dirty power." It surges high and low and zaps the plugged-in appliances. Then the power is constantly going out... sometimes its our fault... You cannot run the dryer and the iron at the same time. If you try.... you throw a breaker. You cannot run the washer, dryer, microwave, dishwasher, TV, and computer at the same time. If you try.... you burn a fuse and sit in the dark for hours.

Oh the houses here.... no storage. Greeks housing schematics do not include closets. The bathrooms do not have vanities, but pedestal sinks. The washing machine and dryer are in the bathrooms. The kitchens are tiny with little to no cabinet space. No pantry cabinet for food. No linen closets. No garage to store and stack all the junk. I have nowhere to hide my junk.

Our cinder block house..... is not exactly exact in its measurements. The walls are not straight. The windows do not fit exactly in their casing, which allows the rain to pour through the edges. The doors either slide easily or you have to slam them to close them. I am sure our neighbors would think we are mad at each other if not the same builder built theirs as well! The staircases are small and do not allow much to fit through them. The furniture was hoisted up to the balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Several of the kitchen cabinets are blocked by the refrigerator. The stove temperature is in Celsius. Takes a little while to convert everything from the US food packages to Celsius temperatures. The dryer does not have an outside exhaust and one must dump the water reservoir after each load. The washer and dryer dials are in a foreign language.

Our cinder block house......The water.... oh the water. I take baths...lots of baths, hot water baths (at least 3 a day and yes I know that is not normal). The water is heated by the solar panels. But... in winter, if you want hot water... you must turn on the electric heater at least 1 hour before you need hot water. And if Harry takes a shower first....you must wait another hour before you have hot water again. I have been late to many Sunday school gatherings because Harry and I did not coordinate our hygiene schedule. Also, the drain in the bathroom will only allow a certain amount of water to go down. You cannot release all the bath water at one time. If you try the water comes back up the drain. You cannot release bath water while washing a load of clothes. If you try... you flood the bathroom. You cannot release bath water, wash clothes, and flush the toilet. If you try....YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!!

While in winter it is hard to keep the water hot. In the summer months... it's hard to have cold water. It's so hot during the day the only times we have cold water are late at night and early in the morning.

My greatest grief with this cinder block house is the fact that, like most European plumbing, toilet paper is not allowed in the toilet. Uh, what? Are they crazy? .... Exactly how does that concept fair with no circulating central air? Stagnant air and poor hygiene? Um....Let's just say we only have a one year lease and I ship a lot of septic tank Rid-ex from the States. Please septic tank...make it until January 2009.

But... for all its faults....and I just listed a few, Greece is a Mediterranean island and the brochures call it paradise. I would call it paradise if it had a Target or Wal-mart Supercenter. (and flushable toilets)

Although this cinder block house may seem unbearable, non-functioning, insufferable at times, I know my God is here with us. I think He is probably laughing at the way in which we try to cope, but here just the same. I am sure when He sees me maneuvering the shaving cream top into the bath drain to slow the flow of water, He chuckles just a little. When it actually works and I am screaming down at the drain, "Hah you thought you'd get the best of me" then start dancing a little victory dance as I patiently watch the drain to await any upcoming water....He is most certainly full fledge laughing at me. (It's the small victories that mean so much!) We may feel abandoned and forgotten out here on the island, but He remembers us. He sees us struggling to make a home out of our innumerable difficulties. He hears our cries when the days seem too long to make it through. He knows our loneliness when the seclusion feels suffocating. He is able to create an oasis in the mess we call our home.

(walking distance view from house....our oasis)

Jesus replied to him,
“If anyone loves Me,
he will keep My word;
and My Father will love him,
and We will come to him and
make Our home with him.

John 14:23 (NKJV)

When the days become overwhelming just remember He will come and dwell with you. As John 14:23 says in the NIV way, if you love Him you will obey His teaching and He will come and make a home with you. Just love Him. He is only a call, a longing, a prayer away. When the things of this life seem profoundly out of synch, there is someone who makes all things right again. Someone who takes life's garbage and flushes it down the toilet. The only One able to help no matter the circumstances, no matter the time, no matter the country or continent you reside on. I am so thankful tonight to be able to serve a God bigger than my habitat difficulties. Larger than any problem I have to date stumbled upon. And more encompassing than one I will ever encounter. Thank you God for being so gargantuan (BIG).

Greetings until next time,

Kristie

Ladies of the Lobby

Greetings, from a place in our life where we treasure your friendship more than ever. This past week we experienced the loss of Harry's father, Big Harry. Big H age 80, passed away due to complications with colon cancer surgery. We appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragement. We will devote a blog to him in time, when the pain and emotional turmoil is not so close to the surface.

This week Harry and I were in Texas for our denomination's assembly. What a blessing to be near our friends and church family. The fostering of old friendships and the beginnings of new ones is comforting beyond words.

A few days before each assembly our Chaplain's commission meets with the various Chaplains to discuss, train, counsel, and just love on us. It's during this amazing time of fellowship I met the "Ladies of the Lobby". After a day full of events several of us women would meet in the lobby to discuss life in general. Conversations ranged from military life, kids, spoiled grand kids, overworking husbands, parents, chaplaincy, parishioners, anything and everything was fair game. And I mean anything! The difficulties of life were brought to light and then by the end of the night (and some were late nights) made comical.

These astounding women have 20 - 30+ years in the ministry. Their wisdom and knowledge is beyond measure. Of course I being the youngest and newest member of the group had little to offer but frustrations and concerns. Yet they listened.

You see the ladies were given the name "The Ladies of the Lobby" after the men began teasing us of our late night adventures in the lobby of the hotel. We laughed at the label, but it was not until Harry and I were on the plane leaving did I realize what an enduring term "Ladies of the Lobby" actually implies. Yes, these women are ladies in every sense of the word. Classy, sophisticated, hilariously refined women of God.

But the significance of the term lobby is what really defines these women. According to Webster's Thesaurus, Lobby (SYN) is the foyer, entry, entrance, reception area, vestibule, passageway, or entryway. These women were there to ease me into my entryway. Into our new way of life. A new season in our ministry. These wonderful women with years of military chaplaincy experience were my vestibule. My passage into the building representing what God has in store for both Harry and I. They were there waiting with me in my reception area. As I am hesitant to proceed further with paralyzing fear. The ladies of the lobby were in essence there to help my passage between the outer door into the interior of a building. They are my shepherds into a military ministry life filled with uncertainty. Shepherding me with my insecurities and doubts (outer door) into a life God has ordained (interior building) for Harry and I.

These women were also my lobbyist. Lobbying for me to make it. To be a success in the ministry for the Glory of the Father. Lobbying that regardless of our blunders Harry and I can make a positive difference in the lives God sets before us. Lobbying for me to make, actually make the steps necessary for the guided path before me.


These women, like Jesus were there to help usher in the new season. Jesus is there to walk you through the vestibule and into the storehouse of God. Holding your hand and guiding you step by step. Guiding you through the passageway of self serving and into service for the Kingdom.

This is my commandment,
That ye love one another,
as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life
for his friends.

John 15:12-13 (KJV)

These women will be my friends in Christ for years to come and I thank God for the opportunity of meeting their acquaintance years ago and the new ones I met this past week. Everyone needs someone in their life such as these "Ladies of the Lobby". Ladies that are for you and not against you. Only wanting and praying for your success and not your demise. Real friendship. Sincere love developed from a common bond. Loving God. Serving God. Placing your life in His hands.

Teresa, Wanda, Tammy, Charlotte, and my Trish, you have a special place in my heart. I thank God for the opportunity to have met you, shared invaluable memories with you, and felt the friendship of such Godly "Ladies of the Lobby". It is a title I will gladly carry. See you next assembly.

Blessings until next time,
Kristie