I bought a new planner today. I was sitting in church this morning and realized I hadn't had a planner in a month. I left my "life-line" behind at a friend's apartment out of town, and it was time to be replaced anyways. After our communion service, I started adding up the time till J.'s tentative departure date. Even with nothing set in stone, having something to count down toward really gives me some peace. So today after church I ran to target and grabbed a new planner, a smaller one that usual, that I could mark off the days on. I marked the days and went ahead and gave the Army some slack (added about a week-- wishful thinking that he'll even be home within that week but it gives me some goal). 108 till the first day of summer. I thought this was a good day to count down toward because we can all celebrate THIS date together.

Anyways, that was a small part of the day. J. was supposed to have had the day off so we had scheduled a little Skype coffee date before church for me (after church for him). I waited for about 2.5 hours this morning before I started to worry, but I know J. often times forgets he's made plans. (Poor Rachel usually falls victim.) I shot him a quick message saying that I hoped all was well, and I was sorry to have missed him this morning. No harm done. In a typical relationship, this might have been a big, ugly grudge I held against someone, but glory to God, I'm so much more appreciative of and patient for a simple phone call now. This didn't make me miss a step. I went on with the day simply worried about J.'s safety. I heard from him mid-afternoon and had the opportunity to make up for that Skype date. March elections in Iraq had made an impact on my life from half-way around the world. Bombs and protest had taken J. out on his intended day off. I feel blessed to be made more aware of world events such as today's. With the sun shine giving a glimpse of the glory of Spring to come and the temperature at a sweltering 51 degrees, its easier for us Americans to forget the fight being fought from day to day. Today was just another day for us, but not for our soldiers or the Iraqi civilians who were bold enough to risk their safety to exercise their right for which our men and women have fought. My intention in this blog is not to guilt anyone; please continue to enjoy the blessed life you live for this is exactly the cause our soldier's fight for all over the world. This incident is simply my own reflection on today's events.

Have a lovely day!