Offshore Life

When Jon started working offsore back in 2007, it was a major adjustment for us both to make. We had only been married 7 months when he left to go offshore. It was the hardest decision that we have ever made. I won't lie, it took me months to cope with the lonliness. I spent countless sleepless nights on the couch, because I couldn't go to sleep with him gone. Once we got a routine down, life as an offshore wife became much easier.

This time is different in so many ways. This time is easier, not because we've been through this before, but because we both have learned to put our 100% trust in the Lord and let him have control of every detail of our lives. Technically, we haven't been in this situation before. Away from each other, yes, but he was only in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. But this time, Jon will be gone a WHOLE month or longer, and he's in another continent. I have attached pictures of maps, so that you can see where he's at, and where he's been so far.

I took Jon to the airport in Little Rock yesterday. His flight left at 12:20 pm. He then flew to Houston. From Houston, he had a 15 hour non-stop flight to Dubai, which is located in the United Arab Emirates (just north of Saudi Arabia). From Dubai he will have a 6 hour flight to Mauritius. That's where he'll board his drill ship. Jon will be riding the drill ship across the Atlantic ocean almost all the way into the Gulf of Mexico...then he'll be flying home from somewhere around the Bahamas.

I am so excited for my husband. He is getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world..And he's getting paid to do it. He also has the opportunity to spread God's word to lost souls on this oil rig. I pray that God uses him in a powerful way. We have had so many people praying for us, and I am so thankful for that.

Today was a beautiful, cold day. The weekend flew by so fast! Friday I took some of my comp time and left work early. Saturday was a workday at church, so I spent some time there and then I went to a funeral with my friend Dawn. After that, we went to Sheridan and Trish's to grill burgers and catch up with friends. We ate, visited, and then played mafia. If you've never played mafia, then you're missing out...It's alot of fun! We had a great time, but exhausting after it was all said and done. Then to top it off, I had my nieces over to stay the night. It always makes my heart smile when the girls beg their parents "Can we please stay the night with Katie Jo & Jon Jon, PLEASE??" I'm glad that they like coming over to our house and spending time with us. It's nice knowing that they feel comfortable enough at my house that they know that they always have another "safe" place to come and have fun. I had to immediately put Hannah in the tub. She was covered in dirt from playing with her little "boy" friends...They played in the dirt all day yesterday.

Faye has been cooking breakfast for everyone on Sunday mornings. It's really awesome of her to do that for her family, and we all receive a blessing from it. On the way home from breakfast, I was overwhelmed with the fact that Jonathan will probably be leaving for who knows where in a matter of days. I know with all my heart that the Lord will keep him safe in his travels, because I have asked Him to..and so its done. But it seemed like this morning, the more I thought of Jon being away from me again made me sad. I am overwhelmed with all the things we need to do before he leaves. Time we need to spend together, the honey-do's that need to be done before he leaves (stuff that i'm pretty sure I can't do on my own), things we need to buy for his trip, etc. And we have about a week to get this done. (We think) Jon's brother George sent him an email, and he told Jon that he should be in Morocco on April 9th. So we're expecting an itinerary this week.

Even though the idea of my husband being all the way around the world from me is very hard to obsorb, I am thankful that the Lord's will is being done in our lives. Everyday I am being shown different ways He is using Jon and I. This week, the Lord has give me several scriptures. The first one is 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all of your cares and worries upon the Lord, for he cares for you". Casting your cares and worries to the Lord can be a very humbling experience. It's been a challenge for me to throw up my hands and say, "Lord, I can't do this by myself, you're gonna have to do it for me." Once you do that, I'm here to tell you, He does take care of it! Another scripture he gave me is found in Romans: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Romans 8:38 I am standing on God's promises! Isn't it awesome how God's got our back?

Please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Flo

Something else that has happened in the last month or so, is my new doggie, Flo. I have asked Jonathan for the last few years if I could have a little doggie for the house. He simply refused to let me get one b/c he didnt want our house to smell, etc. So the other day, my niece got a long haired dachshund, and she was just precious, and I mentioned to Jonathan that she was a sweet doggie, and how I would love to get me a little house dog. He was very hesitant, but I was quite surprised when he said, "ok, go ahead"...it was like I was a little kid and Dad had given me the ok. And best of all, I didn't even have to beg, like I usually do!

I reassured him that I would housebreak the new dog and make sure our house didn't stink or have dog hair everywhere. So we went up to Newhope, and a man I know named Raymond Dees, showed me all of the dogs he had...None of them caught my eye. And then he brought out Flo. She is a miniature dachshund, and when she looked at me, I couldn't help but grab her out of his arms and make her my new baby. I was in love!

She is still a little skiddish around people, and she is definately a 1 person dog. She follows my every foot step! Some people thinks shes crazy(My husband & his brother). She is definately one of a kind. I have been working with her a lot on her potty training, and I am proud to report that she is pretty much house broke. I have cleaned up maybe 5 accidents in a month! So I would say that is pretty good.

Today Flo got to go to the vet for the first time. She did really well, and I plan to have her spade just as soon as possible. Flo will definately keep me company while Jon is away, and for that I am thankful for my sweet husband finally saying yes to a house dog! :)

Jon's new job and other blessings!

I decided I had better get to posting everything that's been going on with Jon and I in the past month or so. There have been so many new and exciting things happen for us. First of all, at the end of January, Jon's unemployment ran out. But the same week it ran out, Jon got 2 phone calls from 2 different companies. He decided to take a job with PRIDE INTERNATIONAL out of Houston. They flew him down to Houston for a couple of days and interviewed him and gave him a ton of vacinations. The original plan was for Jon to go to South Korea to board the new drillship, The Ascension. I have posted a picture for you to see.

Jon called Pride b/c he was supposed to leave on March 12th, but he still hadn't received travel information. Well, he finds out that he won't be leaving until sometime in April. In the meantime, we're both freaking out b/c we're not sure how the bills are going to get paid.

God has an awesome way of surprising us in our most desperate times of need. He provided us with a tax refund large enough for us to pay our bills for March. Then on Friday of last week, I checked our account to make sure we weren't overdrawn, and well, Pride had paid Jon, just like he had been working for 2 weeks...We were overwhelmed! God knew our need before we even asked for His help.

We finally got internet back at our house. We had turned it off a year ago, b/c it was an expense we couldnt afford. We also got Jon a netbook, b/c when he's on the drillship, the only way to communicate with me is via internet. We plan to video chat on Skype or thru email. His first trip out, he may be gone as long as 60 days..We're still not sure yet.

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for Jon's safety as he travels, and pray that the Lord keeps me busy while he's away. I know that this job (even though we have to be apart) is part of God's plan for Jon and I. We prayed that the Lord's will be done in this situation and so it has been.

Tuesday, March 16th, Jonathan and I traveled to Story, AR with Sheridan, Trish & Matt to be apart of the prayer circle for Jedidiah Harper. I was overwhelmed with joy to see the number of people that came together to pray for this family. The presence of the Lord was evident Tuesday night. We felt it on the way up there, while we were there, and then on the way home. On the way home we were all so excited about what we KNEW the Lord had done. I know that I can't even begin to understand what Lori & Josh are going through, but my heart can't help but be feeled with joy because I know that God is going to use this situation to draw unbelievers to accept his son Jesus as their Lord and Savior...PRAISE GOD! Jon and I continue to pray for Jed and his family. We know that Jesus is the master physician and it's by His stripes we are healed. May God continue to bless the Harper Family!

Possibilites for the Future

Jon's brother George is really trying hard to get Jon on a new drill ship called the Ascension..It's being built in Korea, and if Jon gets this job, he will have to go to Houston for classes, then over to Korea to ride the drill ship back to the gulf of mexico. He'd probably be gone for about a month and half. I know that the Lord has something bigger and better planned for Jon and I, and I believe that this past year has been a season for us to draw closer to the Lord. I am stronger now than ever, and I know that if Jon gets this job, it is God's will. Going to Korea would be an awesome place for Jonathan to witness to so many lost souls, not to mention the lost souls on oil rigs! We should hear something this week. I ask that every person we know, pray that God's will be done in this situation, and to prepare Jon and I for what lies ahead.

Progress

I am happy to report that so far I have lost 4 lbs. and Jonathan 7. Our diet is going extremely well. We are both being very careful about what and how much we eat. I have high hopes for 2010. It seems like the last week, Jonathan and I have really dug into our Bible studying, and I feel so close to the Lord. It's amazing how different you will feel when you really focus on Jesus and not worldly things. Jonathan and I both look forward to getting home, getting comfy and opening up our bibles and starting our "talks".

*Thank you Lord for my husband and for the conversations we carry on about You. Thank you for allowing us to draw closer to you more and more each day.

Feeling the Effects of getting older

I think Jon & I are starting to feel what it's like to get older, especially since we started this diet and workout plan...Our diet has been going great...so far...We started on Friday, the 1st, and this weekend was full of good, healthy foods...The hardest thing for me has been the no Dr. Pepper and the snacks late at night. I love to have a bowl of cereal or something snacky right before bed. Jon has a problem with this too. And since we've been taking in smaller quantities at meals, his tummy has been growling big time...But he's stayed strong, and we are both doing well. I have decided to follow the food pyramid for our diet...The USDA has an awesome plan you can do online, that allows you to do meal plans, etc. They also have recipes for you to print off.

Exercising as a Neal = swollen knees and pulled back muscles

We have went walking almost everyday and we have turned the old barn pad in the pasture, into a basketball court. We played yesterday afternoon with Sheridan, Trish, Matt & Carrie Jo. Jonathan hurt his back, and I hurt my knee (the one that I have a torn ACL in) it is swollen today.