1. Mike's home and life is good. It's funny how everything is instantly better when you have your "person" with you. There are obviously the things that i was looking forward to again, like sitting beside him in church, having some kind of human touch/contact every day, waking up in the morning and him being there---but what has been even better are all the little things i didn't realize i missed, like just the sound of someone else in the house and how secure that feels, not always riding by myself in the car, getting that smile and hug that will instantly calm me down when i am irritated or anxious... Obviously, we can live on our own--life goes on, we can function separately and even have good times apart--but things aren't near as fun, as beautiful and as meaningful as they are when we're together and I am thankful to God that I know this and don't take for granted the time we are given to be with each other.
2. Our lesson during Children's Church yesterday was on Daniel and the Lion's Den. I asked how many of the kids knew the story (ages K-5), and there were about 4 kids out of 16 who had never heard the story before. What a blessing, and yet a huge responsibility it is to be the one teaching these children for the first time the stories from the Bible and building their biblical foundation. It's so easy to take for granted the way so many of us grew up--knowing these stories by heart even before we could really speak, and being saved while still children. Here in HI, one of our 50 united states, there are still so many children who never hear Jesus's name. They don't know the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and Moses. In our adult bible study, where i am the youngest member, there are just as many if not more people who have just been saved in the past 5 years as the amount of people who have grown up the church. I believe as a result of this, the Christians here really know what it means to be a Christian and how truly God has changed their lives because they have lived so much of it without Him. They praise the Lord louder and more passionately than any church I have ever been apart of even the 80-90 year olds, they are genuinely thankful for everything in their lives--even their trials, and most importantly to me--they genuinely care about every person who walks into that church--they get beyond the surface and really want to know how you are, what you are struggling with and they pray for you continuously and you never feel like you are an unwelcome or don't belong. These people don't just stand still singing hymns from a book while really thinking about something else, and they don't just go through the motions week after week reciting verses and prayers. They study theology and what exactly they believe and then they question things when they don't understand. I am blessed to be a part of them, to have been taken out of the church "box" i grew up in and see the way that I believe God meant for us to be.
3. I am re-learning the joy of cooking. I have always found cooking fun and relaxing--that is until i had to just do it just for myself everyday. Then i decided it just wasn't worth it, and because of that I ate the most peculiar things for the past 15 months. But now that Mike is back, i am going back through the cookbook and trying new things again, and i am really enjoying it. So I gained back a hobby, and i am certainly eating healthier because of it!
4. Yesterday we spent the afternoon with our "gang"--4 couples, 2 halves of couples (still deployed other halves) and 2 singles. We spent the afternoon riding waves at Bellows and then we all went to eat at Chili's. Sitting at the table there were 12 of us, all talkin' story and laughing, and I just had to sit back and smile at the family God has created for us while we are on this island and it's ever growing! Just like a biological family, we are all very different but also very similar, and together we work, we just fit and when one person is missing it's just not the same. God is so sufficient, He gives us everything we need, even a huge family on the most isolated set of islands on Earth.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Round 2: Welcome Home Jordan and Bryan!
Last night Mike and went back to base to welcome home two more friends, Jordan and Bryan. I wish I could explain the energy in the hanger, it's so awesome to see so many people excited and truly happy! If it didn't invovle our husbands being gone again, we joke we could do this welcome home thing every night!
Monday, February 23, 2009
First Na Keiki Outing
Our church's childrens program, Na Keiki, had its first outing yesterday. We took them bowling and the to McDonalds. It was a very fun afternoon, but Mike and I were pooped when it was all over. Here are a few pictures from bowling.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Single Soldier Baskets
The past few days have been wonderful having Mike back. We have been taking it easy, not doing too much so he can rest and recover. Mike did have to report to formation this morning and will start his outprocessing on Monday. This process will take a few weeks to complete and his schedule will be different day to day.
Right now, Mike is taking a nap and I am using this time to catch up on watching LOST and a little blogging.
I want to say thank you for all who helped send items/money for our single soldiers who are coming home from deployment. For those of you who don't know, our Batallion has been collecting donations to make a basket for every single soldier coming home to live in the barracks. The basket contains bedding and pillows, hygeine products, food, notes, gift cards, and anything else anyone wanted to include. Many of these single soldiers will not be able to get to their things or their vehicles for a few days and these baskets are supposed to provide the things that they will need immediately, plus let them know that we appreciate what they have done and are glad they are back safely.
I have been so touched at the generosity of me friends, family and church. Many of you gave so much to these soldiers who you don't know at all. I delivered 18 baskets from you all and I am so greatful to have such wonderful, giving friends and family. Especially after going to a homecoming ceremony and seeing how wonderful and happy a time it can be, I can also see how it might be confusing and lonely for the soldiers who had no one there to greet them and no home to go back to. So, thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all you have done to help brighten these soldiers day!
Right now, Mike is taking a nap and I am using this time to catch up on watching LOST and a little blogging.
I want to say thank you for all who helped send items/money for our single soldiers who are coming home from deployment. For those of you who don't know, our Batallion has been collecting donations to make a basket for every single soldier coming home to live in the barracks. The basket contains bedding and pillows, hygeine products, food, notes, gift cards, and anything else anyone wanted to include. Many of these single soldiers will not be able to get to their things or their vehicles for a few days and these baskets are supposed to provide the things that they will need immediately, plus let them know that we appreciate what they have done and are glad they are back safely.
I have been so touched at the generosity of me friends, family and church. Many of you gave so much to these soldiers who you don't know at all. I delivered 18 baskets from you all and I am so greatful to have such wonderful, giving friends and family. Especially after going to a homecoming ceremony and seeing how wonderful and happy a time it can be, I can also see how it might be confusing and lonely for the soldiers who had no one there to greet them and no home to go back to. So, thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all you have done to help brighten these soldiers day!
Thanks to Kim for helping me shop, haul and put together these baskets!
You were my lifesaver!
15 baskets delivered in one day
Thursday, February 19, 2009
homecoming pics
I have just posted all the pics from the homecoming ceremony last night. Check them out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jessi.burns
http://picasaweb.google.com/jessi.burns
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Deployment Over
FYI: Mike is on his way home--he should be here at 11:45pm HST as long as nothing else is delayed. I just got a message from him and he said they are in Alaska waiting for a flight.
If you would like to keep up with the arrival you can go to http://www.25idl.army.mil/ . He is on Chalk #2. This time will be updated until 2 hours out, so you can watch for yourself to see if things change.
Check back soon and i will post his arrival/ceremony pics.
My 3 Valentines
Valentine's Day Weekend was spent with my 3 favorite girls and we had a great time. 
Saturday we went whale watching on a boat off of Waikiki. It was a beautiful morning, and although no whales actually breached, they did surface, spout out water, and flip their humongous tails. This was a trip a year in the making since we had tried to go last year but didn't make it. This year we were determined to do it since everyone is leaving this summer.
On the boat with the girls
That night we went to dinner at church. The youth put together a wonderful meal for the church. They cooked, waited tables, decorated, played music and put together slideshows for us. They even gave each of us single ladies a rose. It was very sweet and fun--i hope they do it again next year so Mike can come too!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
25 Random Things
So this is the hot new thing to do on facebook. At first it was just another waste of time thing we all do, but then i was very intrigued by the things people chose to tell about themselves. So here are my random 25 things. Hope you enjoy!
1. I don't like milk eggs or tomatoes, but I wish I did--it would make my life easier
2. I want to run a bed and breakfast one day when this military life is all over
3. Living in Hawaii is great but I really miss wearing awesome boots and coats
4. One of my favorite things to do with Mike is go to Walmart in the middle of the night to get a surprise and then hit up McDonald's for big macs and milkshakes
5. I love playing games--I wish I could have a job where that is all I did
6. I still feel like I am a teenager, that is until I actually have a conversation with one and realize I definitely am not a teenager anymore--but I still don't feel like an adult either--I wonder if I ever will?
7. I love to read and watch movies--this escape from reality is the best therapy
8. I'm the crazy girl you notice in the car next to you when you are stopped at a stoplight who is singing at the top of her lungs
9. I pop my knuckles and my toes...a lot
10. When washing my clothes, I separate into color families, cools, warms, very darks, whites with designs, and all white…
11. I have never been interested in having guy friends, with the exception of a few, I don't understand them and they just irritate me…but I can't imagine my life without all the wonderful girlfriends I have had.
12. I love to be touched, especially on my face and head
13. I am very organized--but only with the things that aren't out in the open, like my spice cabinet, refrigerator, closet, DVDs and CDs--everything else I can't keep organized if my life depended on it.
14. I have a different shampoo/conditioner set for every day of the week in my shower
15. I would like take flying lessons
16. I once tried to grow an herb garden and some pretty hawaiian flowers in our yard, I wasn't very good at it and they died…and I cried about it a lot. Now I am not allowed to have plants, so says my husband.
17. I hate touching anything wet--other than the liquid itself
18. I would like to have a tattoo--but I have yet to come across something that was important enough to me that I would actually tattoo it on my body.
19. I want a huge family and secretly covet John and Kate's life
20. I am not as strong as you think I am
21. I love pretty things much more than I wish I did and I wish material things didn't matter so much to me. I am constantly striving to be content in my life despite of my possessions.
22. This is my favorite number ever...and my wedding date
23. I hate monotony and have a hard time sticking to routines
24. I excel at hosting/cooking mexican fiestas--it's my specialty
25. From the time I first met Mike I knew he would always be in my life--we may have been young, and I certainly couldn't have predicted how wonderful things would turn out, but we just fit--he makes me a happier and better person. I truly believe God made us for each other.
What's your 25???
1. I don't like milk eggs or tomatoes, but I wish I did--it would make my life easier
2. I want to run a bed and breakfast one day when this military life is all over
3. Living in Hawaii is great but I really miss wearing awesome boots and coats
4. One of my favorite things to do with Mike is go to Walmart in the middle of the night to get a surprise and then hit up McDonald's for big macs and milkshakes
5. I love playing games--I wish I could have a job where that is all I did
6. I still feel like I am a teenager, that is until I actually have a conversation with one and realize I definitely am not a teenager anymore--but I still don't feel like an adult either--I wonder if I ever will?
7. I love to read and watch movies--this escape from reality is the best therapy
8. I'm the crazy girl you notice in the car next to you when you are stopped at a stoplight who is singing at the top of her lungs
9. I pop my knuckles and my toes...a lot
10. When washing my clothes, I separate into color families, cools, warms, very darks, whites with designs, and all white…
11. I have never been interested in having guy friends, with the exception of a few, I don't understand them and they just irritate me…but I can't imagine my life without all the wonderful girlfriends I have had.
12. I love to be touched, especially on my face and head
13. I am very organized--but only with the things that aren't out in the open, like my spice cabinet, refrigerator, closet, DVDs and CDs--everything else I can't keep organized if my life depended on it.
14. I have a different shampoo/conditioner set for every day of the week in my shower
15. I would like take flying lessons
16. I once tried to grow an herb garden and some pretty hawaiian flowers in our yard, I wasn't very good at it and they died…and I cried about it a lot. Now I am not allowed to have plants, so says my husband.
17. I hate touching anything wet--other than the liquid itself
18. I would like to have a tattoo--but I have yet to come across something that was important enough to me that I would actually tattoo it on my body.
19. I want a huge family and secretly covet John and Kate's life
20. I am not as strong as you think I am
21. I love pretty things much more than I wish I did and I wish material things didn't matter so much to me. I am constantly striving to be content in my life despite of my possessions.
22. This is my favorite number ever...and my wedding date
23. I hate monotony and have a hard time sticking to routines
24. I excel at hosting/cooking mexican fiestas--it's my specialty
25. From the time I first met Mike I knew he would always be in my life--we may have been young, and I certainly couldn't have predicted how wonderful things would turn out, but we just fit--he makes me a happier and better person. I truly believe God made us for each other.
What's your 25???
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