Answer: Preparation

Hello again and welcome to my blog where all thoughts and opinions are my own and may or may not be shared with others! 😉 

Let's just remember that as we go along together today on our adventure through the information jungle on a high speed train with lots of twists and turns...okay? 

First let's go through our families updates from the past month:

Military 

As far as Da Beasts job goes nothing has changed. He is still being trained by following others around on their "tickets" or jobs where something is not working and they need to go fix it; and completing a sheet of tasks. The secretary of defense issued a mandate for military members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to which the Air Force has complied and set in place dates in which these vaccine(s) need to be completed by. (Complete article: click here.) Other than that there is only one more "update" for the military but this one is more personal; as of today, September 22nd 2021 we have been a military family for one whole year. Last year on this date Da Beast took his oath and flew to Texas where we began this wild and intensive learning experience!  

Life

Speaking of anniversaries, Da Beast and I just celebrated our tenth one. 

To celebrate we pattered our evening after our reception which was Beauty and the Beast theme with a menu outlining the reception events and food so for our anniversary I made another menu which is pictured above. 

• As a tradition every year for our anniversary we have the food that we had at our reception: party meatballs, raw vegetables and dip, brownies and cheesecake in some variety or another. Because these are more "snacks" I usually alter them to make more of a dinner like we did with reception leftovers on our honeymoon when I found some bow tie or farfalle noodles in the cupboard of our vacation rental. However, with this anniversary being the tenth one I figured it was time to write down a fancy 3 course dinner. If you're curious, and maybe even so I can reference this later when I forget what I cooked, here are the links to the recipes I used for dinner or similar ones I found because I already don't remember what recipe I used, exactly: 

Bread Dipping Oil - Food Lovin' Family

Honey Garlic Meatballs - The Frugal Girls mixed with another recipe I can't seem to find that involved tomato paste and chopped jalapenos. It basically looked like this:  

26oz frozen meatballs

1-6oz can of tomato paste 

1/3 cup soy sauce

2-3 cloves of minced garlic (half of recipes suggestion) 

3/4 cup honey

~No Spices added from recipe~

1 seeded and diced jalapeno pepper

Add all ingredients into a crock-pot and mix well to evenly coat meatballs. Cook on low for 8 hours stirring meatballs about halfway through if you can. 

Brown Butter Farfalle is just that basic because I wanted to use the barbecue like sauce from the meatballs to go on the noodles and in order for there to not be too much conflicting or overpowering tastes I just browned some butter and coated the noodles in it. 

Autumn Roast Vegetables - I usually just do whatever vegetables I have on hand to roast. It's always some combination of red pepper, sweet potato, carrots, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and/or broccoli. I coat them in olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper and then cook them in a preheated 400 degree oven for 40 min, mixing halfway through. 

Brownie & Cheesecake - Instead of cake for our reception we had our two favorite desserts: cheesecake and brownies. I didn't make these but instead bought them from the commissary. 

Sparkling Punch - I also bought this because I thought it'd be fun to try Welch's Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé that I saw at the commissary. Also it is "Rose" so how could I not with the whole Beauty and Beast theme?!

After dinner and dessert Da Beast and I read or referenced notes from the past ten years and how much we care for and admire each other through it all while the kids took pictures:

And then we looked at all of the picture books and binders you see in the the above pictures and told the kids our wedding story. 

• We finished off the night with our reception video since it was getting late and then the following night Da Beast and Baby had their dance to Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses" and Bubba and I had our dance to Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years". After that we had a little dance party and that was it! 

There really isn't much more of an update than that from this past month. We are continuing our normal routines which is normal for us but if you want me to write it out in the next post of what we do on a "normal" day for us then comment below! 

Now that the updates are done we're going to move onto the topic of this blog post: 

Vaccinations

*gasp*, hurry grab your defense mechanisms, comfort strategies, justifications, and panic button... you know...just in case. Did your heart rate go up a little or stall just now? Did you clench your teeth or your butt cheeks just from reading the very word? 

Don't worry, I cringed a little as I typed it all out too so now that we're on the same page let's put away all the defenses, justifications, and the panic button because I really don't think you'll need them. This post will hopefully add to your library of comfort strategies you keep on hand. If not you can stab me later with your verbal pitchfork that I know you're probably still holding onto but hear me out first before you do that okay?

Okay. 

Let's talk....

COVID-19 Vaccine 

Oh yeah. We're going to start big because this has got to be the most controversial vaccine talked about right now even though vaccines of any variety have been in the hot seat of conversation for years. I wanted to start talking about this one because then I feel we can work our way backwards from all the confusion surrounding it and due to the recent mandate to be fully vaccinated as an Airman. Da Beast HAD to get it but that doesn't necessarily means he wanted to. Why? Because of all the unknown, misinformed, and equally persuasive information out there. We are in a world were information is vastly available but with it comes confusion and anxiety because we are told to "do our research" to make a correct decision but there isn't a clear formula for accurate and correct researching because everyone can produce what they want you to know. At least not that I know of. It's really hard to find actual truth and with this vaccine that truth seems to be buried in politics. If you disagree, that's fine, you don't have to think it's political. Whether you disagree or agree I'm going to explain why I think it's political. 

Those on the "right" say it is dangerous, ineffective, suspiciously timed, and invasive of personal privacy AND constitutional freedoms. 

Those on the left say it is safe, effective, a miracle, and our duty. 

Both sides have evidence that justifies their claim and both sides produce a response from the other "side" that justifies their evidence. For example the left says there will be "restrictions", "proof of vaccine" and "mandates" that need to be had for safety and efficiency. The right would see this as proof that this takes away our freedoms as choice and is pushed because of an agenda. This would then further frustrate the left and more incentives and restrictions result. It's a never ending cycle of distrust that causes the truth to be unclear. 

Another thing that is suggested to do when you are about "researching" for what to do concerning the vaccine is to consult with a medical professional. This is also hard when there are medical professionals leaving their jobs because they weren't ready to take the vaccine but were being forced to OR when they declare that they have been working elbow deep in it all and they know for sure it is necessary. Which medical opinion is more accurate? It is unclear because of all the push and pull surrounding the vaccine. 

So if you can trust no one because they are all trying to accomplish their own goals or push their goals on another, if you cannot trust your own research, and if you cannot even trust a medical "expert" then what CAN you do? 

The answer is the title of this blog: preparation. The very thing I hear so very little about that isn't also surrounded by something that sounds like it's trying to persuade you one way or the other. And I'm going to tell you how I think you can prepare yourself. 

Childhood Vaccines 

To do that I think now is the time to go to go backwards to the beginning and work our way back to the COVID-19 vaccine because we have to clear up a few things first. We, first,  have to understand the purpose of a vaccine from it's creation: to help people. Trying to immunize your body from something that wreaked havoc on many lives has been practiced in many different ways for many years. While I was reading the two history articles I linked I was envisioning the scene in the movie "Princess Bride" 

Although this is a movie I think it's applicable to vaccinations, immunizations, and more natural ways of protecting your body from viruses and diseases. The difference between Wesley and Vizzini was not "who was right and who was dead" but who was immune. If you read the articles linked and highlighted above, specifically this one, you will see all the vaccines administered during childhood at specific times in history and will even see that there are a few that are no longer on the list as time goes on. The immunity became so strong society no longer needed the vaccine for it. And that I believe is the goal and center point of those who create and administer vaccinations. Every other belief and fear stems from that center point, but the main purpose is to help our bodies to heal and protect them from further harm. Most who enter the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and/or microbiology in pursuit of studying, researching, and creating vaccines is to help people. I haven't talked to any one personally, of course, this is just my opinion as stated at the beginning of this blog but digging around in my memories of watching interviews of anyone who goes into the medical field to learn more about the human body is so that they can help others. It's my best guess. Do I also believe that opinion, fears, and corruptness can still penetrate into the medical field including vaccines? Yes, yes I do. It happens everywhere and with anything. But that is straying away from the core belief of the vaccine and in order to clear up the confusion that is what we are trying to focus on here in this blog post. Then afterwards you can take it how you like and figure out what is best for you. 

The Missing Piece

So now that we've talked about why and what vaccines were created and administered for let's talk about what I think is missing from this game of tug of war: you. That's right, you, the one who actually decided to give this blog a chance and have read it up to this point and trying to hold yourself together. What both political sides keeps missing (as far as I am aware) in their calculated responses to vaccines is the individual. And this has been a on going poo-flinger debate for more than just this past year. Many claim that natural methods are the way to go and always have been. We have been given the Earth and it's resources to keep us healthy and that's all we need. They fling their distaste and foul opinion at those who disagree with them. Others claim that scientific methods are the way to go and that we have evolved to provide for ourselves. We have been given our minds to keep us healthy and that's all we need. They fling their distaste and foul opinion at those who disagree with them. Then there is the third party that believes both cannot possibly be right. Finally there is the fourth person who believes all are right. 

There is a story that Jack Kornfield shares in his book "A Path With Heart" that goes right along with this example I have given. His story is about the right way to practice spirituality. There are two men who believe they are practicing spirituality the "right" way and the other is wrong. They go to their master to end the debate but instead the master says both are right. The third man i the story is confused and says that they both can't be right. The master smiles and tells the third man that he is also right. The point that is being made in both my example and the one Jack Kornfield presented in his book in Chapter Three on page thrity-two, is as Jack perfectly wrote, "There are many ways up the mountain and each of us must choose a practice that feels true to our heart. It is not necessary for you to evaluate the practices chosen by others. Remember, the practices themselves are only vehicles for you to develop awareness, loving kindness, and compassion on the path towards freedom." 

Taking this and applying it to how you should maintain your heath is something only you know and can take control over. It is not our responsibility to cross examine how others choose to take care of themselves. Each "vehicle" of heath is available for each individual to take. If you don't know how to drive the car you shouldn't be forced to sit behind the wheel and drive it. If you don't know which wine the iocaine powder is in and you haven't immunized your body against it you shouldn't be drinking it, and if you don't know if your body will be able to handle a vaccination you shouldn't be forced to have it. Instead you should be learning more about yourself. I feel like there has been only two voices heard when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine: the one that says you will be apart of the healing of society and the other that you will suffer and possibly die. Neither voice seems to care about the person in the middle of this tug of war. 

Preparation  

The best way to know if something is right for you is to research and study yourself. The vaccine, should you decide is the right thing for you to get, is not going to fix everything. The sheet you get with the information about each vaccine will even state that they are unsure for how long each vaccine will last and if it'll protect everyone. It hasn't been proven because there hasn't been enough time to provide evidence of how long or effective they are. Just being told to get the vaccine is only a band-aid solution. Here are some things I think should be consider. I am not a doctor, nor do I have evidence of these suggestions working, nor am I saying that any or all of these will cure you of ailments, diseases, viruses, or the like. This is all my own opinion. 

1. What are you doing now to help promote your health? Do you exercise, get sunlight, eat a balanced diet, take vitamins, use essential oils, seek counseling, clear and clean your space often, etc? 
2. Research the ingredients in the vaccines and determine if you are allergic to any of them. If you are unsure take the list of ingredients to the doctor and ask specifically for a way to test if you are allergic to those ingredients...not if you should get the vaccine or not. I would also seek to see how helathy your heart and liver are as these two main organs will help to flush out the vaccine. It is my belief that most deaths or severe reactions to a vaccine is because the person was either mandated to get the vaccine when they already know their body does not handle vaccinations well OR they had no knowledge of what they were allergic too and found out the hard (and possibly) deadly way. 

Once you have evaluated and prepared yourself in those two areas AND have prayed, sought counsel, and  decided it is safe for you to take the vaccine I would recommend to do the following:

       3. Determine the best time for you to take the vaccine. I would recommend to schedule your vaccine

           for a day(s) of the week that allow you to have ample time to deal with any side effects. Also for 

           females with menstrual cycles or if you believe in lunar cycles, I would recommend getting the

           vaccine after your menstrual cycle or after a new moon when your body is in it's highest recovery

           state. I would not recommend getting the vaccine right before a period as this is a time where your

           immune system is at it's lowest and your body recovers slower. Again...my opinion. Should you   

           decide or have to get the vaccine you will know when the right time for you is. 

       4. Once you have the day you will be getting the vaccine begin to increase your health (see above     

           examples if you need to) about a month before. Then the week before I would recommend taking

           supplements and using essential oils that help promote respiratory, liver, and heart health. The 

           morning of the vaccine I would take the fenugreek and thyme supplement as well as place the 

           lavender essential oil on your neck, eucalyptus on your ribs, essential shield on your upper arms, and            oregano on your feet using a carrier oil. Then after the shot before bed I'd place the recovery cream               on the arm with the shot. 

       5. A few other things I'd recommend keeping on hand are quick meals like soup, some bananas,                        bread, and a reheat-able hot pack for ache muscles.

Hopefully this blog post helps clear away some of the differing opinions surrounding vaccines so that YOU are able to make the best decision for yourself and your family. And even if it has been mandated for you to get the vaccine and you feel as if your choice has been taken away just know that you will always have choice. You can choose another job, you can choose how you educate and prepare yourself, you can choose the day you receive the vaccine, and you can choose to have hope and trust in your intuition. 

I believe in you.           

XOXO

-Megan 

Next Blog Post:
          

 

A Little Perspective

 

"...You know what I'm craving? 

A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well-seasoned perspective." -Anton Ego (Ratatouille). 

When trying to come up with a title or what to even write in this months blog post I wasn't sure what to do. We don't have many military or life updates but a few and also I'm not sure what I even learned this past month! 

Then I went to the calendar to see what we did this past month to see if I could jog any memories which brings me to the very few updates I have: 

Military 

1. Da Beast is still in processing, in a way, because he's done some more specific training and briefings for his job. This is pretty much going to be the only "updates" given from here on out as far as his job and the military goes so unless there is something more "newsy" to report on we'll just leave it at that.
2. As far as our life as a military family has gone so far, it's still surreal. I was just washing Da Beasts uniforms today in disbelief that this is our life now. We're still our overall selves with the military as our life training and current growing experiences. I guess it feels surreal because we do the relatively normal things we've done before. We go to the grocery store, we go to church, we spend time at home, Da Beast goes to work, we clean, and so on. The only differences we've seen are those more internal. We have more drive, more direction, more ambition, more goals, more appreciation, more teamwork, and more courage than we had before. Da Beast and I have been reflecting more on what we've been taught through these experiences as the anniversary of Da Beast taking his oath approaches. We are grateful for the direction our life has taken us these past eleven months because it's what we needed to get the fresh perspective we have now. 

Life

The only updates I have is that: 

Bubba lost his first tooth

and both my kids are "in" school now. Baby is a preschooler and Bubba is now a first grader. 

Other than that I've been challenging myself with a few different things such as baking, making tortillas, and exercising. 

I've never seen myself as much of a baker. I can make a pretty good banana bread but other than that my cookies are biscuits (and I'm not just trying to be British...they are like chocolate chip southern biscuits), my yeast breads are dense, and my tortillas are firm and brittle. Being in a city where a farmers market wasn't too far away I was HAPPY to be the consumer and support the small businesses that made those things rather than take up the challenge. It wasn't my thing and I didn't need it to be my thing. Since moving to a Air Force base where the nearest town is so tiny it only owns a small market I haven't even been to and a fruit stand that I also haven't been to; AND the nearest "real" town is twenty minutes away, we've stuck to mostly just shopping at the commissary on base.

  This means the fresh foods I've been buying have reduced to overpriced and/or under quality brand tortillas, bread, and sometimes complete shortages of food items. 😂 

I said enough was enough and while in California I was going to do as the Californians do and make some sourdough bread. While I was at that I was also going to make some fresh tortillas as well. 

Going from a non-baker to these beauties....

 ...had my eyes tear up with joy and I'm very proud of taking the challenges.

Exercising has also always been a bit of a challenge. It's never stuck because it's never been naturally in my life, nor has it activated my imagination and I've discovered that I really do need both of those for me to tackle anything in front of me. It was Walt Disney who said, "We keep moving forward, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." And I believe our curiosity stems from our imaginations. We wonder how, why, or what if? It challenges us to move past where we originally thought we were stuck. It can bring us out of complacent consumerism and into a creator mindset. 

It moves the clouds and cobwebs away from out thoughts and leaves us with a more clear perspective.

Going back a bit to Da Beast and I reflecting more on what we've been taught these past eleven months since joining the Air Force: we had a really good conversation on when life has felt more stagnate and when it has seemed to flow more. We concluded that it came down to this creator mindset. Instead of walking down the path and meeting a roadblock only to wait for it to open we've been training ourselves to get more curious. What if there was another way around it? 

                                    

What if instead of thinking the meeting was an inconvenience and messing with our national fajitas day plans we got in the car, ordered dinner at Chili's, saw wild chickens as we waited...

            

 ate our dinner at the church, and then explore this new building we come to ever week now? 

What if that hour and a half is worth more than we give it credit?

Why not try the DFAC when all the base restaurants were mysteriously closed and the smoke lay heavy in the air?    

Why not imagine you are in a galaxy far, far away when the smoke from the fires keeps you indoors but the also turns the sun red?

How can we make the most out of time off compensated to us for accepting the voluntary overnight shift for work? Why not drive seven hours to use the passes we have to Universal Studios? 

In all these situations there can be so many reasons for why we shouldn't, couldn't, can't, won't...but we chose to think of at least one reason why we should, could, can, and will. Sometimes we are asked to wait for the road to be opened. We are asked to wait at the gate for permission to proceed, but how many times are we waiting at the gate, demanding it to be opened when it blocks our path when there are so many other paths we could take but we just don't notice them because of where our focus is or we don't want to take that direction. 

It is perfectly fine to be the consumer. Just make sure you know you are and it's where you're supposed to be at this time so it doesn't become complacency. A few questions you can ask yourself to dictate where you are as a consumer or a creator is to make a list about the things you enjoy in your life and place them either in the "consumer" category or the "creator" category.

Consumer or Creator

• A consumer is someone who has a passion for supporting another in their craft. They are perfectly fine not being the creator and are comfortable with where they are in their own capabilities. They understand that should they have more desire to learn the craft they could but it's not where they want their attention to be focused right now. Questions to ask: What do you like that you'd rather purchase than make? What craft do you appreciate that others do? Where do you like to put your support to other creators? What is most important for you in your life right now and what can you "hire out" to others?
• A Creator is someone who has a passion that they want to pursue. They have the drive to learn and act upon their dream because they believe it is the best idea and they want to share it. The creator wants to back up their work with experience and knowledge and look for opportunities to expand in both. They understand that their time is important to them and this is what they choose to focus on and if needed they will seek and support others in another area of their life that they are not spending their time on currently. Questions to ask: what would you rather make yourself verses purchase? What crafts would you like to learn and experience more of? What do you educate yourself with or want to educate yourself with? Where do you want to be taught instead of given? What gets you excited?

It is good to be a consumer and it is equally important to think like a creator. That's where we explore and discover. It's where we find what we can do, what we have in common, gratitude for what we already have, and finding at least one good thing about something we dislike or find difficult. 

A few ways we've done this at home is when our kids say they don't like something we say, "maybe you just haven't found out how you enjoy it." 

So you don't like church. Instead of thinking about all the reasons you shouldn't or don't want to be there toy with the idea of what you DO enjoy about it or what would make you enjoy it and go and seek it out or make it yourself if you're ready.

So you don't like broccoli. Have you tried it boiled, mashed, baked, roasted, fried, raw, pickled, with a dipping sauce, steamed, seasoned, shredded, and so forth? 

So you don't like so-n-so. You two are complete opposites in the world. What if instead of focusing on what you don't have in common or what bothers you make it your secret mission to find one thing you have in common or what purpose they have in your life. Maybe they don't make good conversationalists but when you need someone to sit there in silence with you they are perfect. Maybe they don't make could travel partners but they can make you laugh till your stomach hurts. Maybe they are no longer in your life but they still play a role in where you are today. What have they taught you? How are you stronger because of the challenge they gave to you whether you wanted it or not (chances are it was not)? How have they still blessed you even if they've hurt you? This isn't to say we have to have every single person in our life. This isn't to say we have to keep every single person we've ever met in our contact list. This is simply a mind exercise for you to test out your perceptive. Is it a basic salt and pepper perspective or is it well seasoned and layered with thoughts that challenge one another?       

Just a few something's to think about. 

Oh and one more thing, 

Can you suggest a wine to go with this fresh, clean, and seasoned perspective? 😉

XOXO

Megan 

Next Blog Post: Answer: Preparation 

          

 

 

Fly, fight, and Win!

Why hello there you beautiful soul! 

Thanks for coming and reading today's blog post!

As of right now I have very little idea of where I want to take it so we will take this journey together, mmkay? 

Let's start where the other post left off: our family without a home living in the very temporary housing on base and having a difficult time finding a place to live OFF base as well as letting go the fantasies about living ON base. Interestingly enough the blog post I had just written and published June 22nd, "My Nations Call Pt. 1", came in handy when Da Beast and I had a really good conversation about "letting OUR ideal's go even when we KNOW there is something better in store". My experiences, feelings, and revelations were so fresh on my mind that when it came time to address the way each of us disjointedly assessed the problem of figuring out where to live, it laid a good foundation of conversation approach. There was no blame laid on one or the other, just the opportunity to lay out what was on each of our hearts and how we could bring them together in our goals for finding our family a home and discovering what might be holding us back. 

If it wasn't clear, our desire for living on base was hindering the action of finding a place off base. It was another run of the spiritual art of letting go and I felt grateful for the once frustrating time. That experience allowed us to move forward, together by letting go together. 

The next day, June 24th, Da Beast was on the phone with a master sergeant and a technical staff sergeant about the difficulties of finding a home off base. They asked him all sorts of questions and then they hung up. Da Beast was making tons of calls to apartments and homes for rent and even applying to some and after the call continued reaching out as well as extending our time as much as we could at the temporary housing. After about 10-15 minutes he gets a call and I can hear excitement and surprise in his voice. He comes out of the bedroom and looks at me. My heart pounds in the confirmation in what I feel like he's going to say. He puts the caller on hold and tells me that he was on the phone with base housing and they have a house available for us as early as tomorrow. I sat there stunned and in awe of the miracles that just worked out in front of me. Here is what Da Beast was thinking about this situation, 

"I had just called to see where we were on the on base housing and it was 3rd. Then my supervisor called because he was very aware of our issues with trying to find a place to live and was going to pass some information along to those higher ups in our command. Within 15 minutes of me talking to him he had several master sergeants on a conference call with me, all looking at real estate websites trying to find places for us. I was on the phone for about another 15 minutes when they said to just keep looking and they would forward anything they found to me. Another 10 minutes goes by and I was getting a call from housing saying they had a house to offer us and it was ready for immediate move in. I called my supervisor back and he started laughing and said he knew that one of the master sergeants was on the phone with housing to see what could be done on our behalf. Whatever they did it worked. It was amazing and we couldn't be more grateful."   

We both couldn't believe it was real but we also weren't going to question any further what we were being given. 

With very little mental preparation for this sudden turn around and very little belongings with us we checked out of temporary housing and moved into our base house June 25th 2021, just in time for Da Beast to be put on "housing leave". This was a time to search for housing if we didn't already have it and to settle our belongings if we had them, which we didn't. The moving company was short staffed and as far as we knew our things were still waiting to be shipped. 

Before the nine duty days, or almost two weeks, housing leave and unrelated to looking for a house (which did consume a lot of Da Beast's time) he also began his "In Processing". This started by talking to the processing coordinator to schedule a meeting at the welcome center where he had to be briefed by three different people: The first person was over resources such as daycare, spouse employment opportunities, on-base living, base amenities, and the scheduling of FTAC (First Term Airman Course) which was scheduled for after housing leave; The second person was over dorm living arrangements which Da Beast didn't need to talk to for very long; and the third person was over financial reimbursements for moving-travel.  

During the two week housing leave we waited around and contacted the moving company and our TMO (traffic management office) representative, we went to Sacramento to celebrate the fourth of July, 

Independence Day Parade in Rancho Cordova, CA

T&R Taste of Texas BBQ for Lunch 

Sacramento State Capital Building

It could just be because I'm a noob to the area but I couldn't find any places that had shaved ice which is a yearly tradition for us for the fourth of July. I DID however find something close called Gunther's where they take a real fruit freeze and place a layer of vanilla ice cream in the middle. It's called the 50/50 and it's fantastic. The place is so crazy good that there was a decently long line we had to wait in to try these. A few weeks later and I'm still craving them. We have raspberry fruit freeze on the left and orange on the right. 

Sometime within this two weeks we also had to buy a new air mattress because the one we brought popped at 1am which was fun. For the rest of this nine duty day housing leave we did everything on the floor, bought some necessary items such as towels, linen, and cookware that could be reimbursed. We also purchased some "not-so-necessary" items that will not be reimbursed but we knew we were going to replace anyway such as a new table which was being shipped from Florida and didn't arrive until we were finally getting our shipment of furniture.  At the very end of the nine duty day leave we finally had a truck show up with our belongings:

Yes...all we owned fit into those few crates loaded up on that truck. I couldn't believe it either however we did move from a two bedroom with one bathroom apartment into a three bedroom two and a half bathroom house so I guess it wouldn't look like very much. I am surprised however at how everything fits inside the home and there's not a lot of just "empty" space. 

After the housing leave Da Beast's In-Processing continued with his First-Term Airman Course Week which consisted of a class everyday covering different topics such as communication, trust, loyalty, commitment, personal values and qualities, resilience training covering human relationships/bias's, behavioral psychology, sexual assault/abuse, as well as Community College of the Air Force and opportunities to advance/continue education. After FTAC Da Beast then went back to his 'shop', or building, where he works with others. He is now completing specific computer based training's to gear him up for his Cyber Security job. Currently he needs assistance to jobs but once his training is complete he'll be a technician much like he was at his internet jobs where he'll get a problem and go fix it. 

 While Da Beast has been at work we got back into a routine at home and are processing our own place here. This could be left at the more simple "where we fit in at Beale AFB or in the military in general", because that alone would be enough of an explanation but it goes even deeper than that. We've not just been marveling at and even doubting that this military life is now something we're apart of, but we've had lessons coming to us in the same fashion as the term I've coined for myself since 2017 as "Life Lessons". This time life wanted us to know how crucial our part is in our Heavenly Parents plan. 

The lesson started long before these past few weeks with a call from a soon to be very good friend. She had told me that she was reading and looking into what her "why" was. What was one word that could explain everything she did? What was the motivation and purpose she was contributing to the world? Her's was 'mother' and mine I found out was 'joy'. Everything I've ever wanted to had an end goal of helping others find resolve, feel important, feel empowered, feel seen, laugh, and all around find enjoyment. It is more difficult to feel the great joy of life when you feel lost, insignificant, powerless, or rejected. Where is the fulfillment? I believe it is a mission of mine to help those around me find it. 

I am on the shore. 

Since this conversation in May of last year I've picked up thoughts here and there, feeling like I was playing the devils advocate, always asking "what if we're all doing exactly what we were supposed to be doing?" This thought felt contrary to the belief of the whole missionary work of the Gospel of Christ, repentance from sin, and essentially becoming better than we are. But what if as we are ends there? What if we just 'are'? This is a difficult thing to wrap your head around when you hold a VIP card in your own beliefs on life and truth. How could God have [insert lack of spiritual understanding] in His plan? This seems counter productive to His plan of Happiness. Surely those who leave church, the gospel, and religion behind are unhappy. Right?

I don't think so.      
I think they're right where they need to be. 

I think they're brave. 

They ran into the ocean. 

Months of this thought on repeat connected to when I decided to study Isaiah with the companionship book, "Understanding Isaiah," By Parry, Parry, and Peterson I felt the pain for those who were "lost" being judged and cast out of Heaven during Christ's second coming. What if the "lesser" choices we made in life were chain reactions from something we experience and are trying to explain to ourselves? Would they be judged so harshly for their sins because someone else influenced their choice? Isn't failure apart of His plan? Would there not be a time between the second coming of Christ and the judgement day to truly sort out the TRUE desires of our hearts not just the influences desires? I believe that is why Christ will come again. He will be there to sort out all we could not and to make sure we have a clear view of what our options are and then help us to attain them. Through this spiritual experience I was told I was to be apart of that. I am to be going out, walking with, and welcoming everyone home. I am to help them find joy THROUGH Christ. Not because I preach to them but because I see them. As. They. Are. This is MY purpose and yours may look different. It's SUPPOSED to look different. Another thing I learned from Isaiah is that God has a part for each of us to play in his plan. The Israelite's were questioning God and at the time everyone was making poorer choices. God has the wicked and bloodthirsty king of the Babylonians conquer land and put the Israelite into captivity...again. Later along this same story-line and now my studying within this past month in enters Cyrus. He doesn't know God but he still listened to what the spirit prompted him to do and his way was paved before him. He was able to conquer Babel without a fight and the Israelite's were freed but doubted that God would include such a man to do so! He wasn't religious! He wasn't from the house of Israel! He was Persian! But God knew that Cyrus was what the people needed. There was a whole chapter dedicated to questioning God and his mysteries verses asking humbly to know and understand so we can better fulfill our purpose in His plan. Working with God instead of telling him how it "works." The miracles will then reveal themselves.    

I am standing right next to the water. 

Fast forward to this past month when I watched a conversation between Al Caraway and Charlie Bird I was finally given the key to unlock all of these thoughts and my own purpose in His plan. Charlie said something along the lines of: "In the family, the proclamation to the world is doesn't say anything about homosexuality. All it says is that man and woman were ordained of God, which I think is beautiful. That means that man and woman had a specific reason and purpose to His plan, NOT that those with same sex attraction had no part of it." 

He has his feet in the water. 

When he said that a light bulb just went off in my head and I felt the truth of that all the way to my heart. This was the explanation I had been waiting for! This put it all together for me. We ALL have a purpose in this life, we are all needed, and we all add value and beauty to it. The trick is figuring out what that is and then being brave enough to go and fulfill it one moment at a time. The goal is to work together and realize that no one persons "purpose" is better or holier than another. God clearly defines his specific purposes for His plan of happiness, has given us ALL the opportunity to participate in it, and how to obtain it. Like all the different factions to operate a business (taking the paychecks out of it). Or a machine. In order for it to function each part must do what it was destined or designed or purposed to do. In a business there are usually opportunities to expand your knowledge and expertise to obtain a different job. You have requirements to obtain it should you wish to but you don't HAVE to. If you are the happiest and feel your fulfillment and purpose in one aspect of the business you don't need to be anything else and you shouldn't be anything else! It was as if that job was made for you, because in life it was. If you don't play your part than who will? But should you feel the desire for something different, take the time to get there because eventually you'll find it. The goal is that we all work together while we find our places in His magnificent plan.

That being said...

Let's imagine an island in the middle of the sea. There is no other land but this land and there are people placed all over the island and even far out into the sea. You can't move from the place you've been put because it requires your specific perspective. This requires you to work with those who are around you. If you are on the island this may look like trading places or passing things along towards the middle of the island and back. It's a network. But what about those that are out in sea? The ocean waves are strong and making it difficult to make it to the island. Some islander people think that the ocean people don't belong on the island or that they won't "fit". Some see that the ocean people need help but are to far inland that they're not sure how to do that. Some islanders are scared to touch the ocean because they're not sure if they would be able to get back to the island. Some are standing on the shore right next to the water and some are standing in the water. There are those that are curious and so they leave the land to experience the ocean. And then their are those with a large capacity for love and compassion that they can't stand the separation and they run straight into the ocean to either join the ocean people or to try and bring the ocean people to the island with them. As they are running towards the ocean with their singular focus they can hear the worry of some of the inland people as they exclaim that they will be "lost" and "unhappy" in the waters. They feel confused but know their purpose is in the waves next to the others. The one standing on the shore thinks they must be brave to do so and tells them that if they should ever need a hand back onto the land that they will be waiting there for them. Another on the shore shirks at the idea of touching an ocean person because what if they "pull them in after them". It's better to just never be apart of the ocean even one tiny bit because deep down they think they aren't strong enough to resist the temptation. Once the runner makes it out to the ocean he discovers that there are many beautiful and some lonely souls just floating along. The runner desires to link arms with them, and then another, and then another. After many years of the runner feeling like they have been living each moment with purpose they look back towards the shore and remember their friend who said they'd be waiting if they ever needed a hand back onto land. The runner discusses this with their friends and discovers that most of them always wondered what the island was like but didn't think they'd fit in. A few said they were more comfortable in the water and land scared them. Another few said they felt they were where they needed to be in the water. Another few said they were going to go explore more ocean and share what they knew with the rest of the ocean people. Finally there were a few that said they'd like to go back to the shore with the runner. The runner and their friends make it back to the shore where they are rejected by some but not by others. Some of them went back to the water offended, some went back to the water to share what they knew, some went back to the water because it was all they knew, and yes some stayed because they felt they had finally found their purpose. 

Where are you in the story? 

What is your purpose you are living and contributing? 

I am standing on the shore right next to the water thinking that those who ran out into the ocean are brave and if they ever want to come to the island again I'll be here waiting for them with an outstretched hand to accept. I'm watching the ocean and the people in it wanting to know each story they are living and also knowing that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. If I wasn't how would those in the middle of the sea know where to go if they wanted to go to land? If it weren't for those in the middle of the sea or venturing the sea how would those way out in sea know anything different? How would they know that they have so many options to choose from? 

What is your purpose in this moment? 

What drives you?

What makes you feel that "win"? 

What puts that fight in you? 

What gets under your wings and helps you fly?  

Whatever that is, whatever it looks like, when you are doing what you feel inspired to do you will be just where you need to be. You will be walking the path made for you. When you align yourself with your purpose you will discover that everything you've been learning throughout your life has led you to these designed moments and then there will be a time to teach what you know to others. To share. To challenge them and help them grow in their purpose. Not the one you think they should be living but the one they are living. 

You have a part. You ARE significant. And you'll know where to find me if you ever need a hand onto land. 

xoxo

Megan         

Next Blog Post: A Little Perspective 

   

 

My Nations Call Pt. 2

 Here is what Tech training for the Cyber Transport Systems as we finished up (all based on our experience and current knowledge):

It's broken down into three, now completed, classes:

1.  IT Fundamentals  November 30th 2020 - January 6th 2021
2. Cyber Transport Systems January 11th 2021 - April 13th 2021
3. Security Plus April 21st-May 25th 

Out Processing: 

This outline was finished on or by May 26th 

• Leave in Route - Was updated as follows take transportation from base to Gulfport, MS airport, fly home May 27th on Delta with one stop in Atlanta, GA and then the arrival time in Arizona at 1:38pm.  
  

Then take leave until June 9th 2021. The kids and I had written our a whole list of things we wanted to do with Da Beast when he got back which included:

Getting Ice Cream

Going to the Movies

Going out for Breakfast

Getting Donuts

Date Night!

Baby put on her list to have a date with daddy, eat cheese, wear sunglasses, and drink juice so Da Beast asked her out on a date to do all of those things together! 

Get coooookies!

Get pizza for our home remembrance dinner

• Government Assisted Moves (Packing and moving your household items from one place to the next)- Set for the first day of travel on June 10th for pack up. The week before they sent us email reminders and a list to estimate what kind of things they were going to need to pack. A day to two days before they text and called the time window we should expect the movers to arrive. From our understanding they will then move our things from our apartment to a storage location on Beale AFB since we don't have housing on base yet nor had we at the time heard back from them yet. 

• Seven Days of allotted travel with a mandatory break every 8 hours or 500mi, we can never seem to remember the amount we just knew we had to stop roughly around L.A. and we took the opportunity to make a vacation out of our break by stopping along the way:

Mariposa (butterfly) Alley in Riverside, CA 

The wall across from us was really bright, ha ha. 

We drove the rest of the way to Los Angeles checked into the hotel and then went to bed to get some rest for the next morning when we were going to Universal Studios! With two old tickets from last year, the kids tickets having never been printed, and the new COVID guidelines we were unsure how it was all going to work out but we were very blessed. Our tickets were reprinted with no problem but the kids tickets were difficult to find so a manager had to bring us to guest services where they were still difficult to find. While waiting I looked at the newly printed tickets and the blackout dates were different this year than last year. Last year said we could go on the 12th of June, the new tickets said every weekend in June but the 26th was blacked out. Once the kids tickets were found and printed the manager said that everything was good with the tickets and asked if this was our first time back. We said yes and she personally walked us through the gate and also handed us express passes to get onto the Secret Life of Pets ride quicker for the difficulty we had in getting the kids tickets. We couldn't believe it! We were in Universal studios and our first ride we wanted to go onto was Jurassic World! 

Bubba was tall enough but Baby had to wait and so we got to do parent switch on the ride and Caleb got to go twice. The ride was 130min wait normally but the nice woman at the express lane must have felt bad for Baby having to wait that long not just once but twice with nothing to do (they have a dinosaur playground right next to it but it was still closed) because she let Da Beast and Bubba through the express lane. I thought I might just cry from how blessed we were already for the day!

After we went on Jurassic World and then Transformers that everyone could go on it was time for lunch:

At the three broomsticks of course! Bubba loved the butter beer!

For the rest of the day we only went on rides that everyone could go on like Despicable Me, Secret Life of Pets, and a ride a Super Silly Funland and even watched a few shows that Bubba complained about at first but ended up loving like Water World: 

We decided to end out day with a very long wait for the well worth it studio tours. Our tour ended up leaving right at sunset and it was an awesome time to go but next time we might go first thing in the morning when the line is much shorter! 

On our way out we bought a doughnut at Lard Lad's to eat the next day...

It was pretty delicious and "dough" not worry we shared with the kids too 😜. For most of Sunday we just sat in the hotel and rested taking the children to the park for a little bit in the afternoon since they were going a bit stir crazy. On Monday we left the hotel first thing in the morning and drove two hours to a cute little town called Solvang: 

We ate breakfast at a cafe, walked through the chocolate and candy shops, bought some cheese and sourdough bread, and saw some cool clocks and a little mermaid statue. 

• Base Housing & Housing Application - Just before we arrived to Beale on the 12th or 13th we found out we were 6th place for housing now and will be checking into temporary housing through Gold Country Inn by Air Force Inn's which we checked into Monday the 14th 2021 for the next two weeks.      

  

What's Next?

On our way to Los Angles Bubba had mentioned that he wanted to go home which confused Da Beast and I a little. He knew we were moving. We've been prepping him for this for a long while and he knew that our home was going to be in California now. In fact he told everyone on our trip after that comment that we were moving. It wasn't until day two of being in temporary housing that I also had the  thought, "I want to go home". It's feeling like a long vacation where you get to the point where you've had your fun but now you're ready to go home. It was in that moment I understood. 'Home' really isn't a place because if it was it didn't matter where we were because we were moving and we've had places to stay. It's a feeling of safety, consistence, and familiarity. When Bubba said he wanted to go home and when I felt it it wasn't that we didn't understand we were moving or that we wanted to "go back" to where we left (although that might be a part of it because of the familiarity, safety, and consistency we felt there). It was because we felt the sudden severing of all we knew, of all the familiarity, safety, and consistency we felt. 

We were called here for duty, obligation, and desire but we are still trying to figure out our place not only in residency but socially and our new community. Not knowing which community to add our loyalties too or where we're going to reside increase those feelings of insecurity and the misplaced emotions have waved their flags high. There is a sense of desperation clouding the inspiration and sucking out the excitement of being somewhere new. 

Only after two days here I felt as though Beale, AFB was rather boring and I guess I expected something different because I felt a bit disappointed. I also acknowledged that we had only been here a few days and I'm not giving it much of a chance. It only took us that two days to walk the 8 minutes from temporary housing to the commissary and BX which wasn't much to look at and is a good majority of what you can "see" of base. 

The most exciting thing we saw on that walk was a very large rabbit the likes of which we thought was a small dog at first:

There is a movie theater across from the BX, playing four shows (two of which I doubted were children's movies). There is also a park in the family base housing on the other side of the base that we haven't seen yet but we've been a little busy trying to figure out where we're going to live after our two weeks is up at the temporary housing. 

After staying on base for a week and driving around to the nearby towns/ cities searching for houses to rent we started familiarizing ourselves with the area. I found out a few things that I've been loving about base and will miss when we will more than likely move off of it due to the waiting list for on base housing being a bit long. Those things include taps playing at 10 in the evening, Da Beast being able to come home for lunch, and the cheaper gas prices on base 😉. But that last one can easily still be used because Da Beast will be taking the car into work every weekday anyway. 

A few things we are glad we brought with us and what we wish we would've packed with us: 

What we Brought

• A step stool: This has been very handy in the hotel and temporary housing. In fact Da Beast and I have wondered why we haven't ALWAYS brought a step stool with us to every hotel we've gone too. It helps the kids reach the sink and there are never stools available for when you might need to reach something. 
• Food containers (especially kids sandwich containers): the temporary housing has food containers but the hotel does not and while traveling they have been a few of my favorite things to bring anyway because I can store leftover food AND reheat them in the microwave at the hotel so much easier! Plus it's easier to hand the children their food at lunch and snack times and it's easier for them to eat out of. 
• Two kids small backpacks full of their toys: This has been a lifesaver especially as we sit here in the temporary housing. Its been something I do for travels too just so they have a few toys to play with. 
• One set of our own bedding: this hasn't been necessary in the temporary housing but at the hotel it gave us extra bedding as we also brought sleeping mats for the kids and because I packed sheets and pillows as well it gave the kids something to lay on besides just the mat. When we got to temporary housing I just put their sheets over the other sheets for the past week and all I had to do was take of their sheets and throw them in the wash today and wallah! The bed was already made for me with the temporary housing bedding!
• Our food: I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to pack up the perishables anyway but I'm really glad I had necessities such as olive oil, flour, and seasonings. 
• Laundry baskets: these are one of those things that you wouldn't think to bring on a trip but they have been very helpful in carrying our more loose items in the car, carry in the groceries from the store, and to sort laundry and take them out of the dryer.  
• A different pair of shoes: instead of just tennis shoes all around I also brought dress up shoes and sandals for the children and I and Da Beast wishes he also brought different pairs of shoes. 

Things we Wish We Had:

• Reusable water bottles: I actually had planned to do this but before I knew it they were packed into a box and we bought new ones. 
• Children plates, bowls, utensils, and cups: These aren't super necessary but all they provide are breakables in temporary housing which makes me just a little more nervous. The kids are doing a really good job with the breakables but I'd be more at ease if I had kids plates, bowls, utensils and cups. 
• A few blankets: It may be about a hundred degrees outside everyday but sometimes it gets a little cold inside and a few blankets would have been nice but also not necessary. 
• Our X-box: There is "TV" in the temporary housing but the channels are VERY limited and there really isn't anything for the kids. Plus we wish we had some video games to play every now and then. Alongside this we wish we had an HDMI adapter to easily connect what we have to the larger monitor to watch what we want. 
• A dish drying rack: this is not a necessary item to have but I think it would have been nice to have because the hotel had nothing for that (but we didn't stay long enough to need to wash anything) and the temporary housing only has given us one towel. Having a drying rack would be nice for the smaller load of dishes that don't need the dishwasher. 

Things I Bought: 

• Refrigerated food (of course) as well as some bread, crackers, bananas, and onions. 
• Laundry soap pods
• Ice cream scoop
• Tongs 

Well that's it for now! 

Off to find a place to call home! 

XOXO

Megan 

Next blog post: Fly, Fight, Win!