Don't Retreat, Just Reload

I have recently found a new reality TV series to add to my (unfortunately) growing list. I told myself I hated reality TV, but evidently I was kidding myself. I do screen my selections; I only choose those that are educational-ish in content or provide relatively wholesome entertainment.

Anyway, Sarah Palin's Alaska on TLC is my new favorite. I really can't get enough of it. Before you go chastising me for watching such garbage...hear me out. You might find that Sarah Palin is a lot more than a woman who uses the words "Joe Six Pack" and "maverick" a little too often.

Sarah's show not only follows the life and times of her and her family during the summer months in Alaska, but it also showcases various locations, recreational activities, and industries within the state. She goes halibut fishing with her daughter, mountain climbing with her husband, salmon fishing with her son, caribou hunting with her dad, and camping with just about anyone who will go with her. She's an amazing mother. Her values regarding her faith, hard work ethic, and independent living are things that I feel are essential to pass down to my children.

One of my favorite quotes from Sarah is from the episode where she takes her daughter Bristol to a shooting range.  Bristol is having trouble hitting the target, so Sarah gives her the advice, "Don't retreat, just reload." This phrase hit home for me. In many facets of our lives, we often feel like giving up. This quote reminds me that life is not about quitting when I feel defeated. I must continue to press on and persevere, regardless of circumstances or how many times I am faced with challenges.

This can especially be applied to the Christians' battle against the evils of the world, and our quests to continue to spread the good news of Jesus. We are constantly persecuted, even in America, although not nearly as brutally as in other countries. I have learned not to be ashamed of my faith and to not back down when faced with adversity (which is one reason Apologetics is so important, but more on that later).

Don't be afraid to be a Christian. Yes, we are going to be persecuted. We have been told that from the beginning. So why is it such a shock to people when the media tells us that we can't say certain things, and that we have to cater to every other religion? I have talked to many Christians who, in conversation with others from the Bible Belt, are perfectly fine with stating their faith. But put them in front of an atheist or Muslim, and their bravery seems to shrink with every word. We should be thankful the only persecution that we experience is having to keep our mouths shut. There are Christians who are beaten, sometimes to death, for their faith. And I'm not talking 10 or 20 years ago. Like, yesterday. This morning. It almost kills me to think that we are sitting here complaining that it is politically incorrect to say, "Merry Christmas" when there are those that are running straight into the fire to tell people about Christ.

I know I kind of got on a soapbox, or maybe got in the pulpit, but it's (obviously) a subject I am very passionate about. I hope that maybe through reading this post, God will give you the strength to say: I am not afraid, and I will not back down. I will not retreat, I will just reload.

Seriously, I'm Back!

So, life for the Coffeys is never all that exciting (for the record, I like it that way), but I will try my best to keep you all interested....

I feel very irresponsible for not posting for over a year, except for my false statement about being back and trying harder to post blog updates...yeah. Not so much. How can I sum up all that time without going for the longest blog ever posted? Oh wait, I know, just write about our life.

Let's see...Jason and I have been in our house for about 15 months now. We absolutely love our home. It's huge right now, and there is still a lot of empty space and rooms. But, when we were looking for homes, we didn't want to buy something that would only last us through our non-kid years. We wanted something we could grow into. And when we found the house, it was such an amazing price for the size that we couldn't pass it up. Maybe one day we will fill up those extra rooms.... maybe :)

Jason is enjoying his position at the Coast Guard station, but has decided to take a new path and start pharmacy school in the Fall of 2013. He will do the rest of his tour here, and then the era of poverty will begin for us. I just have to keep telling myself, "only 4 years, only 4 years." It will be a difficult time financial wise, but in other ways I am looking forward to it. For instance, Jason is so busy right now. He's active duty Coast Guard, which not only requires a 45+ hour work week, but he is also "on duty" 1 week out of the month. That means that he is called if any issue, such as pollution, flooding, an incident on the river, or anything else involving Coast Guard operations, happens while he is on duty he gets called out to investigate. The calls sometimes come allll hours of the night. It's really fun. Jason also works at a pharmacy 1 weekend a month and is taking a couple classes each semester until he starts school full time. And he has picked up teaching the high school Sunday School class at our church. So, needless to say, he will have a much simpler life when school starts.

Speaking of his Sunday School class, Jason is teaching the high school kids Apologetics and the importance of learning the subject of defending your faith. I have learned so much from him in the last few months about the necessity of knowing why our God is real, true, and alive. I'm really excited about the things I am learning about my faith and it makes me want to share it with everyone. 

Jason and I are joining his family on a Gatlinburg, TN vacation for Thanksgiving. I am very excited to be somewhere else besides home for a holiday.  It will be a nice change. We are also doing another first this Christmas: this year will be the first Christmas Jason and I spend together in our own home. Our first Christmas together we were at his parents'. The second Christmas we split up because he had to work through the holidays, and I desperately missed my family, so he was gracious enough to let me go home. The third Christmas was at my parents'. I am looking forward to waking up on Christmas day with him, even if it's just us and we are only exchanging small gifts to each other, it will still be special. I am hoping it will snow on Christmas, that would make it perfect.

Well it looks like I did a pretty good job of filling up a page. It's up to my readers whether I bored them to tears or not. Goodnight, and maybe I will have another update sooner rather than later :)

I'm back!

I'm a terrible blogger. Here I am, over a year since my last post. I think my problem is...my life is fairly boring, and I can't find enough to talk about. Even when my life is somewhat exciting, I think to myself, "no one wants to hear about that." Well anyway, I'm trying again, so here goes. Unfortunately, though....it's late and I'm taking a shower and going to bed :) My creative writing skills are parallel with my energy level. Grooming appointment for Baloo in the morning, church, and working in the yard. See? Nothing exciting. Goodnight.