Chocolate In My Oatmeal, The Small Joys In Life

This morning started out like so many others to the sound of my husband's alarm going off in the wee, dark hours of the morning. My body complained that it was too early to get up yet, but I coxed myself out of bed with a prayer for eyes to see joy on my lips. To see joy in the fact that I am married to my best friend, joy that he is alive and well, joy for the provision of his job and hard work ethic, joy in sharing in this journey, and joy in loving him by getting up with him to start his day...no matter how weary I am.

For years I prayed for God's provision of a godly husband. For years I waited and ached and nearly despaired. Then, when I least expected it, He brought George into my life. On early mornings it would be easy to forget the blessing that he is. It would be easy to loose sight of the joy in being his wife. That is why I pray so often for eyes to see the small joys in life, like chocolate in my bowl of oatmeal.

What is so joyous about chocolate in my bowl of oatmeal? The simple fact that seeing the dark delicious swirls there is a rare treat, a reminder of my childhood, a sign of God's provision for not just needs, but wants as well.

Everyday we are faced with opportunities where we can choose to see things as burdens or as blessings, or where we can choose to be so busy that we just do not see at all. Today instead of just surviving, will you join me in stopping to praise God for the small joys in life? For the chocolate in your oatmeal?

My Husband Calls Me Gracie...

...so we will call him George. Yes, pseudonyms. Since George is a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) we believe that remaining somewhat anonymous is in the best interest of our family, but for the record, my husband does call me Gracie. It is a long story...

I am honored to be the wife of a LEO and though we are newlyweds I have been privileged to know him since the very beginning of his journey into law enforcement and to have walked the most significant parts of his journey, to date, with him (interview, academy, and first hire). We live in the pacific northwest in a cozy little apartment that we call home. We are thankful for extended family and friends who have whole-heartedly supported us in this often challenging career which God has called us to. Due to the unique stresses and challenges of the law enforcement life, we believe that having a strong support network, knowledge of the challenges we will likely face, as well as a strong faith in the Lord, will be vital to our success as a couple. Not only in law enforcement, but also in life.

As we began building our knowledge base and network, we were excited to find books and blogs from others on their experiences in law enforcement that were helpful and encouraging, yet when we searched for day to day blogs from other Christian law enforcement families we found them somewhat lacking. This has inspired us to begin our own blog where we can share our experiences. It is our hope and prayer that through sharing bits and pieces of our lives we may encourage others as they seek to be faithful to the Lord and cultivate healthy marriages and families within the law enforcement community.

That being said, welcome to our new blog!

In Chirst,

George and Gracie