Our Frausted Life

(By Syd)

How am I already looking at the April calendar? This year is flying by! We are approaching the one-year mark of being here in Guam which means we have just one more year left! We have grown so much in this timeframe. We both have learned so much in regard to our job/role in the military. Nik began his time here as “Baby Chaps”, and he has slowly transitioned into just “Chaps”. I began my time here not knowing a single person and not being very involved. I am now the vice-president of the Frank Cable FRG. Currently, I am leading the praise team at the church we attend. God has been so great to us this year.

I was pretty excited and intrigued to help with an FRG breakfast burrito sale two weeks ago AND last week. We had some ingredients leftover, and we wanted to do another one, so we had two within a week’s period. I was up by 4am both mornings and met with some other spouses to begin assembling the burritos. We were pretty successful and it was really fun! I enjoyed being on the ship where Nik works. I got to meet so many people and watch as they prepare for the day in the morning. Hearing the National Anthem being played from the inside of the ship was surreal and very different than when I hear it in our backyard each morning. The spouses involved in the FRG who served with me both mornings are amazing, and I’m so thankful for those connections and fellowship. Some of them have become close friends of mine here. One thing that made me sad, however, is that I was not able to share these mornings with Nik. He definitely would have been our “hype man” for our sale. (Isn’t that so Nik though?) He was called out to be more support and to take the place of another chaplain on a ship that was already on deployment.

Nik hopped on a flight very early one morning and flew to meet another ship. Thankfully, we’ve been able to communicate daily. I know this won’t always be the case throughout his career so I’m extremely grateful that, in a sense, I’m eased into this. It is good practice for when he goes on a longer deployment later and communication is scarce.

Life here without him has been okay. My routine was thrown off and definitely my sleep. I have been trying to keep myself busy with meetings, ministry things, going for jogs/walks in the evenings, meeting up with friends during the day, signing up for craft classes, projects around the house, etc. I debated adopting a dog, but just knowing that it’ll cost us so much to take it with us when we move stopped me in my tracks. It’s been nice to have the car full-time, but if it means Nik is gone, I’d rather be carless. Most days, I forget the car is even here! Haha! And that I CAN leave if I want.

While Nik has been away, I’ve been able to finally address the numbness in my upper thigh. After I had my procedure in October, I suffered from numbness in my left thigh. Most has subsided, but 5 months after the procedure, there is still some left and it is uncomfortable. I finally was able to see the neurologist on island and they were unable to determine what was wrong. After many uncomfortable tests where I was poked and prodded up and down my legs, even using these electric shocks, they said my nerves are good. It is something externally, I assume. So, I have to see Naval Hospital for more scans to determine what the issue is. I’m glad to know my nerves are fine, but I’m curious why I have no feeling still.

As some of you might have seen on social media, Nik and I were home study approved! We are waiting for that official call from our social worker to let us know that our file is approved, and we are moving to the next step. We are so hopeful we will get that call and be matched to a family and a child. We are currently holding a t-shirt fundraiser right now to help offset some of the costs that will arise when that happens. Our social worker said she’s seen it where a family/couple has to be ready to accept and take a child in 30 minutes! I see that as a BLESSING, but we certainly want to be as prepared as we can be. I told Nik, “We could be spending Christmas as a family of 3!” We have gotten so much incredible support here on the island, and of course, back home. Thank you all for praying, supporting our fundraisers, and for loving us through this time! We are praying so hard right now over this child and their family, and that this is the season the Lord has for us for our family to grow. And honestly, I just have such a strong feeling this child will be a boy. I don’t know why – I am just more gravitated to boy clothing, toys, and books. Normally it’s GIRL things, but right now, I have no desire for any frills and flowers. If y’all could continue to be praying over this as we know the Lord is about to show us what He’s been working on all these years! I know we are getting SO close!

Until next time, friends, keep praying over Nik as he’s out on deployment and over me while I’m here navigating life without him. We love y’all!