Let me explain ...

I've decided to change the name of my blog. New title ... new inspiration, right! Goodness, that is what I am hoping. I write blogs in my brain all the time. ALL THE TIME. Finding the time to actually translate them from the "brain blog" to this one, well that's where I run into trouble. But, I'm turning over a new leaf, hence a new title!

And, for all practical purposes, it TOTALLY makes sense! It's a PUN that describes my life to a "T." First of all, Philippians 4:11 is quite meaningful for me. It says, "... for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:" (NKJV) This is my prayer! It's Greg's life verse, and honestly, he's really good at it. Contentment comes naturally to him. Not so much for me. I crave change ... then, I freak out when it actually comes! So, contentment is my daily prayer. And God is incredibly faithful. So, why is contentment so important in my life these days ...

Well, (second part of the pun), we've lived in a lot of STATES lately! Five years ago, when we joined the army, we lived in Gaffney, SC. Kids and I moved to Richmond Hill, GA while Greg moved (for a few months) to Columbia, SC. We stayed in GA while he went to Afghanistan for 15 months. Then, we ALL moved to Stuttgart, Germany for 2 1/2 years. Now, we're settled in the sandy desert, Fort Irwin, CA. All the circumstantial stuff that comes with moving ... well, that's why I pray for contentment! (And honestly, past contentment, I pray for JOY, JOY, JOY)

So, welcome to my new blog, "Whatever State I'm in," based on Phil. 4:11 and our nomadic life. But know this right from the start ... the McVeys are blessed to serve the Lord and go where HE sends us!

There are no words ...

I'm hanging my head in shame! I couldn't even remember my blog address at first when I tried to sign in. Ugh! Many apologies. Since I last blogged ... well, we MOVED from Stuttgart, Germany to Fort Irwin, CA. I started homeschooling Ashley and Lexi. Greg started a somewhat CRAZY new position as a Chaplain trainer. I started doing a little writing "on the side" ... and well, life has just kept me too busy to blog! But, I seriously want to TRY to get back into this. So many things have happened that I would like to share. So ... I think I'm going to truly START OVER. Even been thinking of a new name for my "new and improved" blog. So ... in the next few days, everything is going to CHANGE. Change is good, right? Boy, I've dealt with enough of it in the last few months!!!!

Different

Sometimes, things don't go "as planned." In fact, this is often the case. God, in His infinite wisdom, has a way of mixing things up. His reason? Don't always know. Can't say I always understand. However, I have learned to trust anyway. What I do know without a shadow of doubt -- He loves me. I matter to Him. I can walk forward in confidence ... even though the things I thought were going to be might not actually be! He knows best.

Reflections on my 40th ...

Okay, I've arrived. "Over the Hill." Thing is, I don't feel old at all! In fact, at 40, I'm feeling pretty good. Might have something to do with the incredible SURPRISE birthday party my husband threw for me. Or maybe it has to do with my little guy curling up in bed with me on Sept 2 and whispering, "Happy Birthday, Mommy" in my ear. It might just be the birthday lunch with my girlfriends ... or the offer of a friend to watch our kids so Greg and I could have a quiet dinner together. Honestly, it's a combination of all of the above ... plus a couple of other things I've been thinking about over the last few days. Here's why I'm happy to be 40 ...

Today, I am overwhelmingly more in love with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He continues to use me (WOW) and fill me with the desire to serve Him. I have more of an understanding of forgiveness, mercy and grace than I did before. I now know that it is not about me and what I do for Him ... but it's all about HIM and how He works through me and changes me to be more like Him that counts. I know the relationship I have with HIM is only going to get better. I'm excited about that.

I am infinitely more confident in my marriage and assured of Greg's love for me and his commitment to our home and family than ever before. I met Greg when I was 26. And thankfully, in the last 14 years, he's rubbed off on me a lot! While we have much in common, the ways in which we are different were perfectly God designed. Greg is calm and cool in crisis. Never worries. He's an optimist, always. He has a vision and a plan. We've become quite a team. We're both aware of the fact that marriage takes work -- and willing to do what it takes. Didn't think I could love him more when we married, but I do. So blessed to daily be a part of what God is doing in his life and equally blessed that Greg is a part of what God is doing in me.

And a few other things ....

I'm past a lot of the insecurities of my twenties and thirties. Happy to be me.

Done with late night feedings, diaper changing and potty training!!!

I've laughed at myself so much over the years that it pretty much comes naturally. Thankful God has given me a good sense of humor, especially about my own shortcomings.

I've learned the power of being semi-organized, keeping a budget, living within your means ... and at the same time, how to be spontaneous enough to put all of that aside for some fun with family and friends.

Oh my, I could go on and on, but I've also learned, in my 40 years, not to write a BOOK every time I blog -- so my friends and family don't get bored! Anyway, Happy Birthday to me, and may the next 40 be as great!!!

(The picture is one from my party ... I got to wear a Tiara!)

Think on these things ...

I must admit, my mind is all cluttery lately. So much swirling around up there! And to be truly honest, I must further admit, I've felt anxious and worried. Yuck. Double yuck. So much change on the horizon for us. A move back to the States ... a new job for my hubby that entails significant time away from us ... a decision to homeschool my girls beginning in January ... and even more "junk" I won't even take the time to go in to! Then, to top it off, I hurt my knee. I don't know what I did and I don't even know exactly when I did it. What I do know is my running is being seriouly affected, and it is making me mad! I've had to really cut back -- and this week, I'm actually taking some days off. I even made an appointment with the physical therapy clinic here to see what in the world is going on ....

But enough about that. All to say, it's been a weird few days in my head. This morning, I woke up and said, "Enough is enough!" I sat down with my Bible and got serious about kicking the thoughts of doubt, fear, frustration, etc to the CURB. Thankfully, God remains an ever faithful constant in my life. No doubt He's just waited patiently for me to run to Him and lay my burdens at the Cross!

I quickly opened my Bible to Philippians 4:8. This is a verse I know well. In fact, a few months ago, I helped my girls memorize it. However, I needed to read it again. And write it down ... again. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things ... and the God of Peace will be with you. I then turned to Matthew. Read some more in Philippians (God promises us the SAME power He used to raise His Son from the grave, WOW). Thank you, Lord, for pouring truth into my life! For helping me move beyond myself to understand the hope, peace and strength you have available for me! Today, I'm focusing on true, noble, right, pure and lovely thoughts ... and trusting HIM for resurrection power to face each new day. Hope you can do the same!

We're moving to CA!

By the way, for those of you who don't know, we finally got word that we'll be moving to Fort Irwin, CA this coming winter. Although we don't have official orders, we've been asked and accepted a job at one of the Army's National Training Centers ... in the middle of the Mojave desert!

Greg will be involved in training Chaplains as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. Sounds like a totally cool position for him ... and totally different than what we've been doing for the past two years here in Germany. But, we're excited about the possibilities. Never have lived in the desert before! Once again, we're up for the challenge.

And oh yeah ... it might get up to 120 degrees in the summer ... but it is a "dry heat."

smile.

I did it!

This morning, I rolled out of bed at 7, got dressed, cued up my Ipod and headed out for a jog around Robinson Barracks. My goal lately is to push myself harder, get fit -- and not remain satisfied with the thought, "Oh, ran my 2 miles this morning, I'm good to go." I've been running on the treadmill for months now, but it is SUPER hard to push myself on the treadmill. Yes, I can adjust my time, run some sprints, even add some incline. However, it is SOOOO boring. And lately, with no AC in the house and rising temps outside, it is SUPER hot!!

So, I'm moving outside, where in the early morning or late evening -- there is a BREEZE. Yes, have to deal with the serious inclines around here -- but that is good conditioning, right! And when I'm running outside, my pace is quicker and I don't notice the passing of time. It paid off this morning. I ran the "RB loop" and when I got back to the base, I felt so good that I ran it again! I know there are people who run faster than me. Yes, there are people who run farther. But I was pretty proud of my 5 miles today!

Seems like the older I get, the more I love a good challenge. Maybe I just want to prove to myself that I've still "got it" ... or maybe I love the adrenilin rush of an accomplished goal. I also love that I am teaching my kids to believe they can do whatever they set their minds to do. "I can't" just won't work in this house! Mostly, I am grateful to the Lord for giving me the ability to use my legs ... push myself ... and enjoy a quiet, early morning run in beautiful Stuttgart, Germany! Thanks, Lord. We did it! (I'm hoping to be ready to participate with several friends in a half-marathon in October if all works out schedule-wise ... I'll keep you updated!!!)