We’ve passed the one month mark of Brandon’s deployment.
It went by fast and it went by slow.
Several people have asked me if we’re doing anything to track the time.
Every Sunday the girls cross a week off the Daddy Countdown Calendar.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
So that’s our way.
Brandon has his own funny, nerdy way of keeping time too:
I’ve learned a lot just in the past month – Air Conditioning Mechanics 101, how to unclog a garbage disposal, how to replace an alarm system battery, how to deposit a check with my phone, how to use a blender. I’m serious about the blender. My first attempt resulted in me eating breakfast off the counter. My second attempt resulted in my finger all sliced and diced and a very broken blender.
I’ve learned that the bad smell in the garage might not be a dead animal. And it’s a little silly to be so scared that you refuse to park in the garage for days and threaten to move out. When really all it is (according to your neighbor who scopes it out for you) is wet grass in the lawnmower. Who knew?
I am picking up good tips from my daughter on how to stay close to a husband who is a bunch of time zones and half a world away. Hope makes “cards” for him every chance she gets. She draws happy pictures of them together and there’s always a sun or a flower in the background. She writes “I love my daddy” over and over. One day it hit me, Ohhhh, so that’s what I do. I write him letters, paint happy pictures of us together, say “I love you” over and over.
I am learning again to get ok with the quiet, lonely hours. And there are longings that nothing in this world can satisfy. Only Jesus. Only Jesus. Slowly but surely I am learning to invite Him in to the empty places and the stuff I’ve shoved down deep. “Can you really be all I need?” I know there’s giving, healing, filling, unrelenting Love sitting with me every long minute. I’m learning to believe what I say I believe.
B. Only 987 meals to go, babe!
rhemashope.wordpress.com 
You go, girl!
Brandon, the “donut of misery” is going to have me laughing all day. That may be my new favorite quote.
Your husband truly is a big ole nerd! That donut of misery is a hoot! Praying for you guys.
Beth,
Apparently there are a bunch of variations of the Donut of Misery out there. (There’s even an app for your phone!) So Brandon can’t take credit for coming up with this one, but it is totally something he would do – he’s a spreadsheet nerd for sure.
Love.
i have been loving that song “all i need is you” by hillsong.
it works for a single girl or a girl whose husband is deployed or really any person in the world.
love you.
Oh, sad to hear you cut your fingers! I don’t know whether or not you were cleaning it but, when I clean mine, I put dish soap in the blender and water about 2/3 up and turn it on. It cleans itself!
Hugs to you and the girls.
Your husband should have been an accountant!!! 🙂
Said the wife of one!
Praying for you, Rhema and Hope as the time passes until Brandon’s return. May God give you peace and strength. Love you!
need another blender?? i have one unopened in my basement 🙂
Love you..
So well put Neily. Brandon is such a geek! I love it! I love Hope helping Rhema! The grass in the lawn mower!!! Too funny. Kind of like Jenee staying in a hotel over a rodent! LOL! I love you learning to allow the Lord to get in deep in those quiet, lonely times. And learning to write simple love letters, reminiscing on the good times. Altogether….priceless lessons.
Praying for you and those precious girls.
Donut of Misery – ha! I saw your comment about Brandon not coming up with it, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it too, so he (and you) can take credit for making some people laugh! And here’s to learning new things 🙂 Lots of love to you.