To Stay

Well, after thinking for about 6 months that we would be moving to Guam, the Navy changed its mind! Those of you in the military know that such surprises are to be expected (hmm, an expected surprise? That sounds fishy...). It was a bit of a shock, since we were mentally geared up for a tropical adventure. However, now we'll be staying in Virginia for Pablo's next tour. And that, my friends, is something I am quite excited about!

The longer we live here, the more we love it. We'd even talked about coming back to this area in the future. And the reason we're staying (Guam is overflowing with pilots right now, which means Pablo would have gotten fewer flight hours -- and flight hours are *everything*) is good for Pablo, and good for our family. Part of me still regrets that we won't be snorkeling, eating fresh coconut crab, etc.

But really, I think all I miss is the "excitement" of the thing. It was a bit glamorous to think of moving to a tropical paradise in the middle of the Pacific. Really, though, I'm not a tropical island kind of girl, and would far prefer to go to Colonial Williamsburg than suffer through year-round humidity! The advantages of staying started piling up as soon as we found out -- 'cause really, moving three small children and all of our worldly goods half-way around the world is not an appealing idea. Oh passengers on the flights-we-would-have-taken, you have no idea the potential agony you have been spared! *wink* 

Staying here just makes everything easier. And the fact that we've already connected with an incredibly supportive community of friends through church, squadron, and friends-of-new-friends, makes it even better. There are so many things we would have missed on Guam (museums, fresh veggies, seasonal changes, etc.), even though we would have made the best of it. Plus, now I can knit my little heart out, because it will be cold here soon!

There has been so much uncertainty (relatively speaking) in our lives since Pablo joined the military almost three years ago. We've never been able to look more than few months (sometimes days!) ahead, and even some things we thought certain have changed. But really, I feel the Navy has not removed "certainty" from our lives, so much as the illusion of certainty. Pablo's old job seemed steady, predictable, safe. But Proverbs 16:9 says that "the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." If anything, our experience in the military has shown us in very obvious ways how dependent we are on God's sovereign plan each and every day. I, for one, am grateful for that revelation, because it's one I tend to forget!

So here we are, to stay.

For now, anyway!