It’s been a while since I posted last because I’ve been in Seattle! I got to spend one wonderful week in Seattle and Snohomish, Washington visiting my mom, sister and 5 nieces and nephews! I hadn’t seen them since my wedding day over a year ago and that is WAY TOO long! It was sunny and between 65 and 75 degrees the entire time which was absolutely gorgeous. Somehow, everytime I visit Seattle, I bring good weather with me!

I didn’t do too much touristy stuff because I really wanted to get in as much family time as I could. My oldest nephew had a soccer tournament and I enjoyed getting to watch him play a 3 games! Being at the soccer fields made me miss playing so much though. I’ve already looked up indoor soccer facilities and Oklahoma City has 3 and Alaska has at least 1 so hopefully if we end up stationed in either place, I can still play soccer!

My mom and I also spent a lot of time setting up her Etsy shop. She makes beautiful and adorbale childrens quilts and burp cloths. The pictures just don’t do them justice! We enjoyed taking pictures of them all though and planning what she should make next! If you want to visit her site click here.

I was lucky enough to get to enjoy my sister’s birthday with her, and spend some quality time with my nieces and nephews. They grow so FAST! One week was definitely not long enough! I miss them so much already! Thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful family!

Now that I’m back in Florida with my wonderful husband, we are busy getting prepared for Ryan’s Call Sign Night next Friday. For those of you that don’t know, as an Air Battle Manager, Ryan will recieve a call sign (like Goose and Maverick from Top Gun). It is basically a big party in the squadron for Ryan’s class, where they pick a theme and share funny videos and tell stories about why someone should recieve a certain call sign. They are usually inside jokes and they can turn out pretty crazy! The most exciting part of the night is that they will announce where each member of the class will be stationed next! They like to keep you guessing right up until they tell you where you are going, so I am VERY anxious! We are rooting for Elmendorf, Alaska or Tinker AFB in Olkahoma City. That’s all for now! Check back soon to see where I will be moving to next!!

-Erin

It’s been a few days since my parents left Florida to drive back to Texas. We had a great visit and I was actually pretty sad to see them go. We had two fun filled beach days and ate ALOT! During the evenings we played our favorite domino game called Mexican Train. If you haven’t learned how to play yet, I suggest you go pick up a set of 15×15 dominos because it is a great game to play with company. You can play with as little as 2 people but I have played with as many as 10!

On Saturday, Ryan finally had a break from work so he took my dad out to play a round of golf while my step-mom Robin took Allie and I to get pedicures!  After that,  we tried to take advantage of living on the coast by chartering a boat to go fishing but when we got to the marina, there were 6 to 8 foot swells in the ocean and fortunately, our captain was not willing to risk our safety to make a few bucks! We ended up going back to the house to rest, then made up for the cancelled fishing trip by getting chinese, making banana slips, and playing some mexican train! Then my parents topped it off with some margaritas! Unfortunately, they had to leave on Sunday to go home, but they left 3 cartons of Blue Bell Ice Cream in the freezer! I’m trying to be good and not eat too much of it though!

Now that I’ve updated about my parents visit, I’m going to head up to the thrift store on base where I saw TV stand/Book shelf that was for free! I’m going to see if it’s something I can spruce up a bit!

Tonight I’m excited to steam a few bell peppers for the stuffed bell peppers I’m making tonight! I’ve tried my mother-in-laws tip of microwaving them to soften the peppers up but it just doesn’t have the right texture to me. We’ll see if my steamer can do the job! I’ll let you know tomorrow!

-Erin

Ashley and Ben are currently stationed at Pensacola which is about 3 hours west of Panama City. Ben is training to be a Weapons Systems Officer (or Navigator) and could possibly be flying in the F-15 or B-1! Destin is a great halfway point and seeing as we are deprived of a Whataburger in Panama City, we decided to grab a burger! Ben is also a big fan of Whataburger so we thought it would be a fun place to catch up and reminisce about the A&M days. Afterwards, we grabbed a cup of coffee from Starbucks and chatted a little more before hitting the road again. It was really nice to be able to chat with some fellow Aggies who are also apart of the Air Force and going through very similar experiences. It will be really fun to keep in touch about our military endeavors! As Ashely posted in her blog: Yay for Texan Aggie Air Force People!    :)

Now you have to understand, that I have always been a Christian but I don’t know the bible like the back of my hand and that I am still learning. That is what I love about my church. I wanted to share with you what I learned on Sunday and why I have put my conflict to rest, now understanding that some of the time the only way to make peace is to go to war. 

*Based off the NorthstarPC sermon guide*

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

WHAT IS THE REAL CAUSE OF WAR?

“Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you haven’t got it; so you are prepared to kill. You have an ambition you can’t satisfy, so you fight to get your way by force.” James 4:1-2

Selfishness and Pride are at the root of most wars. 

“Pride leads to conflict…” Proverbs 13:10

IS IT EVER RIGHT TO GO TO WAR?

yes- “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:8

When the Bible says to we ought to go to war….

1. In order to preserve freedom.  - Numbers 32:6-12

2. In order to defend innocent people. 

“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to the evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15

Example – The Invisible Children - 

3. In order to stop the spread of evil.

“(Government) is there to sere God for your benefit. If you break the law, however, you may well have fear…he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of justice to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:4

WILL THE WORLD EVER HAVE PERMANENT PEACE?

“He (Jesus) will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again.” Isaiah 2:4

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND DURING WAR?
*if you’re on either side of the issue*

1. Pray

“First of all pray…for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

2. Trust God

“The Lord is my light and salvation – whom shall I fear? ….Though an army besiege me…and war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:1,3

3. Seek Peace

“Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it!” Psalm 34:14

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

4. Support each other (TROOPS)

“Carry each other’s burden…and fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:4

BOTTOM LINE: Some of the time the only way to make peace is to go to war