How to spend a Sunday

Sundays are the hardest day of the week for a military family I think.  For us, it is very hard to pretend Eric is at work.  His absence has been felt deeply by me on Sundays for all the years he's been a soldier. Many Sundays after church the boys and I head to Jordan Creek for lunch and some hang out time.  We did this even before Eric left.  It seems to be the one time during the week when we are all together.  So while we miss Eric's presence we have still continued to do something after church each Sunday.  And it most definitely keeps me occupied instead of feeling lonely.

 This past Sunday we found ourselves eating lunch together in the food court.  But Logan had to work at three and I had a couple of errands to run.  So Logan drove the boys home because they decided they didn't want to stay with me.  I basically just wandered for a little while.  I found myself looking at Younkers yellow dot shoes where I managed to score a really comfortable pair of $60 anti-gravity sandals for $8.  I love looking for deals and decided to head towards Dillards.  But then I was sidetracked by another store.  When I wandered out, I found myself passing by the guys giving the chair massages..you know the ones..they have them in every mall.  Well, I've been needing a massage.  My massage therapist (massages really help my Sjogren's) closed her shop to go back to more schooling and I'm still searching for a new one. So I was just watching them and the next thing you know they were talking to me..trying to convince me to get in the chair.  Well, what did I have to lose?  And he said,  "Oh..you tight" (he was Asian).  Really? I could have told him that.  So I proceded with the 20 minute massage which I have to say was really okay and much needed.  So I paid him and started walking.  But wouldn't you know that the guy  in the next kiosk who promises amazing curls wanted to also curl my hair?  Well, I was in for that.  In fact, I told him to just curl up my whole head!  His name is David and he is from Israel.  We had a very nice conversation about my Baha (have to tell them when they are touching my head) because his sister is deaf from an explosion.  And he did a fabulous job on my hair and taught me how to actually do the curls. I really wanted to sleep on it before making a decision to buy.  And I tried what he taught me with my straightener.  And I have to say that I believe it is worth the money if anyone has ever wondered.  I didn't have near the success with mine. 

So you're thinking I'm heading home now right?  No!  Next up... the Seacret ladies!  Oh..most days they really irritate me.  And I own one of their sets courtesy Brady. So I ususally say I already own it.  But she wanted to wash and lotion my hands.  And so I let her.  After all...I was massaged and curled.  I might as well be lotioned up too.

 The only thing that would have finished off my afternoon would have been if the See's candy ladies would have been passing out free chocolates.  But that will start soon with the upcoming holiday season.  I'll have to remember to not wear my zebra striped coat then so as not to be memorable.  Then you get handed one every time you pass by. 

Well, I can tell you that I CTM as I walked away and headed to my car.  What a funny out-of-character way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Somebody better tag along with me next time and keep me in line!

Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for healing for Eric as he took a very hard fall and has a couple minor injuries.  I don't know anymore than that.
2) Pray for Brady as he settles in to this next month of training in a new location.  There will be a couple of weeks where we have no contact with him.
3) Praise once again for the gift of Eric's laptop.  It is the only way we have had to communicate.  He currently has no way to call.  His laptop, even though the connection has been very poor to say the least, has really been a blessing.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.