Words of Wisdom: Danielle (44)

How many years have you been married?

14

 

What branch of service?

Army

 

How many years of service?

24

 

Briefly describe your overall outlook on military life? 

Love it!

 

What is your very favorite part of being a military spouse?

Moving and exploring new places.

 

What do you do for yourself to maintain a positive outlook as a military spouse?

Always look forward to what is possible in your new home. Find a church to get involved in, and find activities your children enjoy to maintain a sense of normalcy even in a new environment.

We enjoy traveling, so we look around the area to see what kind of things there are to see and do – that allows us to look forward to doing things rather than looking back on the things we used to do.

 

If you could go back to the beginning of your service member’s career, what advice would you give yourself with the added benefit of hindsight? 

Ask for help when you need it. Realizing that I couldn’t do it all on my own and it was okay to ask for help was a game changer for me. Our first duty station was a place where I grew up so I still had friends in the area, so when my husband deployed I didn’t think it was a big deal. My friends helped me tremendously as far as childcare went, but that was pretty much where it ended.

I was hurt that I only got invited over for holidays and didn’t really have much contact with them unless I was dropping off or picking up kids. Then I realized that I NEVER said, “Hey, I’m really lonely and could use some adult conversation. Could I come over and hang out for a bit?” How would they have known what I needed when I was playing the role of the perfect Army wife – working and managing two kids under two without any issue.

 

That’s great advice from Danielle. Has there ever been a specific time when you realized you simply needed to articulate a desire for help or voice a request? Often the simplest solutions can be the most difficult to implement.

 

Would you like to share about what a typical day looks like in your role as a military spouse? We would love to hear from you. Click here to submit an entry. 

Read This: After the Boxes Are Unpacked

Every so often, I want to use this space to share about a book that may not necessarily be written with a military audience in mind, but offers practical insights that can apply to the nuances that military members and spouses certainly face. 

*****

I want to recommend Susan Miller’s book, After the Boxes Are Unpacked.

Maybe it’s just the season of life I’m finding myself in, one of preparing for our second move in a calendar year. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ll be saying goodbye to a wonderful group of friends that I’ve grown incredibly close with over these past six months. Maybe it’s the physical exhaustion I’m already anticipating of setting up another house in another state…again.

At any rate, this upcoming transition had me looking back through and re-reading parts of Miller’s book in order to pump myself up.

In her incredibly kind and warm way, Miller weaves personal tales of many of her own moves and her ensuing emotions into all 18 chapters of her book. She divides it up into three parts:

Part I: Let Go

She covers things like dealing with all you’ve left behind, remembering back while looking forward, pressures that contribute to the overload factor in moving, recognizing how deeply the move is affecting you, understanding your emotional baggage, and identifying your feelings and emotions.

Part II: Start Over

In this section, you’ll get tips on how to make your house a home, growing through your move, things you need to do and things you need to know, dealing with the loneliness you feel, finding your lost identity, strengthening your marriage after  move, helping your children adjust and adapt, and making new friends.

Part III: Move Ahead

Finally, Miller encourages readers about finding contentment in their circumstances, charging into the future with enthusiasm, and relying on the One who moves with you.

*****

While not military-move specific, Miller’s book gleans wisdom from many moves and insights of dozens of other women who have successfully navigated the muddy waters of relocation.

You’ll find humor, tenderness, “Survival Kit” suggestions as well as “Heart Talk.” If you are feeling emotional about an upcoming or recent move, Susan Miller’s words will be a balm to your soul.

…all these women have an unwavering faith, an inner strength, and an enduring perseverance which allowed them to overcome their obstacles in moving…

Day-in-the-Life: Amanda (38)

Welcome to a Day-in-the-Life where we get an inside look at how individual military spouses fill a typical day and keep their wits about them by hunting the good stuff. 

*****

My name is Amanda and I am 38 years old. I’ve been married to the man of my dreams (for real) for 17 years. We met while we were both active duty soldiers at Fort Bragg. My soldier recently retired from the Army after 20 years and a few months (the extra months for the GI Bill transfer).

While we always thought he would serve 25 or 30 years, having two surprise baby girls in 2015 and 2016 made us rethink our future with the Army. We prayed the Lord would take us where He wanted us to serve as my soldier was seeking employment.

The Lord did not give us where we thought we wanted to go, but He provided another amazing new adventure in a state we’d never even stepped foot in (truth be told, I had to Google where it was when I found out). We couldn’t be happier. We recently bought our dream home, an 1890’s Victorian home registered with the Historical Society and we are amazed daily by what the Lord has done for us!

The one thing I couldn’t live without is Amazon Prime! HA! Having lived overseas and now in a rural community, there’s no better way to shop.

 

6:00 am

Usually around 6:00 or 6:30, my eyes peel open for the day. By now, our teenage daughter is awake and getting ready for school. She’s super independent and responsible. Because of that, I don’t spend the first part of my morning trying to get her out of bed. Can I get a Hallelujah?

It is usually her freshly sprayed perfume that wakes me. And every day, I tell her how strong it is. The truth is though, I’m so thankful that she cares so much about hygiene and takes pride on how she presents herself as a young lady.

If I’m lucky my one and two year old daughters are still asleep. Typically, they wake up raring to go between 6:40 and 7:00. If they’re still asleep, I usually update myself on social media and the news. We just moved back to America from an overseas assignment so many of my friends have been up for hours already. I usually have a few messages to answer. I take as much time for that as I can before the “little girls” wake.

My husband thinks Facebook is silly but I keep telling him that’s where my friends are. We are no longer in a military community, I haven’t made any “ride or die” friends yet, there is no PWOC or similar daytime women’s groups here so I Facebook with my cherished friends. I also find opportunities to pray for others or be a light through Facebook. I try at least. But if I see someone needing prayer, I will pray right then and remember that throughout the day. I pretty much pray all the time, I find it’s the most important part of my relationship with Jesus.

I also say, “Jesus take the wheel” at least five times a day. I hope He’s hearing me! I am NOT a morning person. I cannot even fake it. I’m just not. And having been an only child growing up, I like quiet. Quiet is not the season I’m in right now. Recently, my husband retired from the military and we have a new normal. He works 9:00-5:00 for the first time in our marriage and it is GLORIOUS! I like to get in a shower and get dressed before he scoots off to work. What a blessing that is to shower. Alone.

 

8:00 am

Adjusting to our new normal comes with new expectations. My husband hasn’t quite let go of needing to be the first one to work yet. I think, “Oh you have to be there at 9:00 and we are 20 minutes away, you can leave at 8:30.” HA! But he prefers to leave by 8:00 and I’m trying to adjust my expectations to meet his desires. I admire is commitment to work.

Every morning we have coffee together now which is amazing. My husband has always left for work before sunrise so having him here in the mornings is just wonderful. Somedays I make breakfast and somedays he does. We work together to get the morning started. Once he leaves for work, I usually start a load of laundry, do the dishes, sweep around the high chairs, and then play with my little girls. Once they are settled, I try to watch a glimpse of the news and have another cup of coffee. That rarely happens.

Somebody usually gets hurt or needs help on the potty, or is thirsty, or wants a snack (that’s usually me), and my coffee turns cold and I miss the news. From here, we usually resort to music. Usually either worship music, children’s music, or dance party music where I get to show off my sweet 90’s dance moves to my kids. Hello running man, sprinkler, lawnmower, and more! It’s exercise/entertainment and I just pray people aren’t peeking in my windows.

 

10:00 am

During the week, we go to the library twice a week and a playgroup at an Episcopal church behind our house once a week. We were walking to the park too but my children try to give me a heart attack when we go attempting to jump off the high areas. I think in a year, that will be the place to be but we are taking a break from the park for now.

We have been able to purchase a few outside toys and we often go out there to play. We just moved to a rural area about two months ago. We live in a town of about 5,000 people, mostly farmers. The next closest “big” town is 30-40 minutes away. I have found there is a huge lack of childcare, preschools, and no mommy’s-day-out programs. How can that be?

We recently had our pastor and his family over for dinner. I mentioned to him that we have six churches in town and not a one has a preschool. That is so surprising to me. Having lived most of my life in the south or the midwest, that was a ministry many churches had. Some people have mentioned maybe that’s why we are here, to help start a ministry. I say, “Nope, I just want to drop my kids off there a few hours a week for a sanity break.” It is very hard to write anymore without emojis. I would’ve inserted the crying, laughing emoji there a few times.

I wish I could type how easy and wonderful staying home with my children is. My two year old is absolutely precious. I love her, she is an answer to prayer and she brings us so much joy like all of our girls. (I don’t want to say “but”) But, man alive does that girl wake up like the Energizer Bunny. She does not stop. Ever. Do we call that spirited? I think so. Somedays, it’s not easy and I feel like I’m just trying to survive until either my teen or my husband get home to help. That’s the raw truth.

 

12:00 pm

LUNCH TIME! We have survived a few hours together and it’s time to eat. I typically grill a yummy sandwich or quesadilla of different varieties for my girls. They each get a fruit and a drink to go along with that. Typically, my two year old takes a yogurt as well. Adjusting to a new income has made me very disciplined with spending. We used to eat out much more often but I’m trying to make at home what we like to eat out. This goes for all meals really.

While the little girls are strapped in their high chairs, I’m able to throw the laundry in the dryer, tidy up a bit, and make sure I have a plan for dinner (if not, I wing it from there). After lunch we head upstairs for NAP! Can I get another Hallelujah? It usually only takes me 10-15 minutes to get both girls down.

Once a week, I try to take an hour nap as well. Just for good measure. Usually during nap, I am doing laundry and other various chores for about 30 minutes. Our new home has an adorable detached garage apartment. We decided we would rent it out as a vacation rental for extra income. Because of this, I usually have a lot of laundry (towels, sheets, blankets, and bath mats) to tend to along with having a family of five. Occasionally, I get really motivated and attempt to unpack another box that is sitting in a hallway….

 

2:00 pm

Ahhhhh, the children have eaten and are napping, the chores done, this is when I should fit in my Bible reading and study! I’m just seeing this opportunity as I type. I keep thinking I do not have the time to do this but I do. While I do give myself grace because we have been in a huge transition for a few months now, I definitely can tell I am missing my time in the Word. My cup is not overflowing and it’s evident to me that this is why. I found a study I bought that I have wanted to do for years, The Excellent Wife. I’m going to purpose to find a friend or two who’d like to join me in that venture.

 

4:00 pm

After my teen comes home from school, I try to sneak off to the local thrift store before it closes. Usually by now everything good is gone but I still manage to find a treasure or two. My older daughter doesn’t mind because she usually reaps from the bounty. Just last week, I was able to buy her a nearly new Patagonia rain jacket for FOUR dollars! Whaaaaa???? Yep, $4.00. It was good.

This is a nice sanity moment for me though when no one is asking me for anything. On my drive to and from the store, I am typically blaring (and I really mean) blaring Christian music of some sort. My soul *needs* it. It gives me the little extra I need to make it to bed time. When I get home, my teen shares all the must haves of the day with me. I so enjoy hearing her heart. She makes me so proud. She loves the Lord and others and serves passionately. I’m not sure what the future holds for her but I know it’s bright.

 

6:00 pm

Yay, Daddy is home! I am much more intentional about meals than I ever have been in our marriage. Before now, if my husband was actually home, he usually didn’t walk in the door before 7:00 or 8:00 pm. Knowing now that he will be home at 5:30 or 6:00 most days, makes me excited to have a meal with him. Typically, I take another quick break after he gets home. I hope I don’t sound like the worst mother in the world. My children are so precious to me and I am beyond grateful for them. They just demand a lot of me and I need to breathe sometimes.

 

8:00 pm

By 8:00 pm, we try to have the little girls bathed and in bed. Sometimes they get away with extra playtime and don’t quite make it to bed at 8:00. I’m the bather, daddy does bed time. It works out great. I have about a 15 minute span of time to clean up from dinner and be ready to relax with my man when the little girls are asleep.

We don’t watch a lot of television but sometimes we watch a show together and our teen usually joins us. While my husband watches shows I don’t prefer (The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy), we only watch shows together that I would watch with my teen. That was an important rule I gave myself years ago.

When my teen was four years old or so, I was watching the latest doctor television show where there was A LOT of promiscuity. If my teen would walk in the room, I would pause it and panic at what she might have seen. It was then that I was convicted not to watch such morally bankrupt television shows anymore. I’m not going to lie, I have watched a questionable reality show here and there on Bravo but it’s not the norm and I won’t watch it when my children are awake.

 

10:00 pm

I aim to be in bed by 10:00. However 9/10 times, I end up in bed at 11:00. After I had my last baby, I had a really hard time staying asleep and getting rest. My doctor prescribed me 400mg of Magnesium Oxide to help me with that. She said it’s great for women my age and older and she was right! I get in such a deep sleep that sometimes I don’t hear if my babies are fussing.

I love that Daddy gets up with them now. If you struggle with sleeping well, I suggest asking about the Magnesium Oxide. It has made a world of difference for me. When I go upstairs, I am sure to take my pill before bed and I snuggle into bed with my man.

There’s nothing better than having my man home every night now. I know people say you get sick of your soldier when they retire. I think that’s a mindset. I purpose to be grateful my man is home and cherish this new life we have together. I typically fall asleep to the news (which doesn’t feel much like news anymore yet I still watch it). It used to take me 30 minutes to an hour to fall asleep but now it’s about 5-10 minutes.

 

Want to share about a typical day in your shoes? Submit your Day-in-the-Life here.

Listen to This: The Next Right Thing

Every so often, I want to use this space to share about a resource that may not necessarily have a military audience in mind, but offers practical insights that can apply to the nuances that military members and spouses certainly face. 

*****

Emily P. Freeman has long been one of my favorite bloggers, writers, and (now) podcasters. Her tagline for all of the content she puts out is “creating a space for your soul to breathe.” While her focus is not specific to military spouses, we can all agree that there’s always room for us to consider more soul-breathing.

In one of her recent podcast episodes called “Faithfulness, Fame, and the Gift of Obscurity,” she offers insights on how to reframe your perspective when “it seems like the people around you are taking big steps while all yours feel small and inconsequential.”

 

If this isn’t the place most military spouses find themselves, then I don’t know what is.

My hope is that Dependent Diaries will be a resource for military spouses to see how other women are winning at military life. Most of us don’t do this in big, sweeping gestures; we may never win an award or receive public recognition for our efforts. We do this in our inconspicuous, ordinary actions, and outlook. (from DD, Story)

 

In the episode, Freeman reiterates that the human soul isn’t made for fame.

Our soldiers don’t serve for recognition. They serve out of duty, loyalty, honor, and…well…service. They partake in actions of helping and doing work for others…they work to protect our nation. The same is also true for the faithful, and often unseen duty and service of military spouses.

While our souls aren’t made for fame, we often live in the tension of wanting to know our place, trying to figure out when it might be our turn, hoping at some point to get our way.

Freeman shares:

“If I place the circumstances of my life in the center? That’s what my soul will revolve around, as evidenced by the shame and anxiety I feel when I’m left out and overlooked, or the elation I feel when I’m chosen and praised.

Good circumstances lead to good feelings and experience. Bad circumstances lead to bad feelings and experience.

Do you ever get tired of that cycle? I sure do.”

 

I encourage you to download this episode and let Freeman’s ideas about small moment living and faithfulness sink in. Any person that can tie in Jesus and Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation into a 15 minute talk is worth lending your ear. If you’re not into podcasts, you can read her full episode transcript here.

Day-in-the-Life: Amy (33)

 

Welcome to a Day-in-the-Life where we get an inside look at how individual military spouses fill a typical day and keep their wits about them by hunting the good stuff. 

*****

I’m Amy, 33. I have been with my soldier for almost 12 years. For seven years the Army has been our life! We love the adventure and even the challenges because it has forced us to rely 100% on God and each other. I cannot live without my listpad, it keeps me grounded, organized, and allows my mind to rest at night ~ (My thoughts are on paper!!)

6:00 am

6:45…There goes my alarm, how did the night go by so quickly?! I say this every single morning. I push snooze, lie back down, and think about what the day will bring. I reach for my soldier’s pillow, where he recently laid his precious head just a few days before, and I say a quiet prayer over his day. I send him a text “Good morning sweetie, I love you.”

It brings me comfort to know he’s not far away THIS time, and to know he is safe, staying busy and focused, because this season is unique. I sit up and stretch, slide on my slippers, and slowly turn on the light. I wash my face, put on my favorite facial lotion, brush my hair, and throw on a pair of yoga pants and a cozy, long sleeved shirt.

I make the bed, take a deep breath and let out a sigh…off I go to wake up my two little blessings and begin our busy routine. As I pass through the kitchen I say good morning to my sweet mom as she prepares our big pot of coffee. A warm cup will be waiting for me when I return. I pass through the living room and say hi to my dad on the couch watching the morning news.

It’s so comforting to be “home.” Upstairs I go. But first…before I wake these two blue-eyed blondies, I stroke their hair and look at their sweet, calm, little faces…so peaceful. “How are they both in school now, where did the time go? I hope I cherished each moment…” I think to myself. I take a deep breath and let out a sigh, knowing those toddler years, although so full of joy, were indeed exhausting. I say a prayer over their day.

These two are never quiet when they are awake so this is always a very special moment for me, I savor each second. Suddenly, the “tickle mommy monster” appears! Both wake up giggling and bounce down the stairs to turn on their cartoons while I prepare lunchboxes and make their breakfast. Both my little monkeys are boys of routine, one likes two eggs, with PB&J Toast and the other his rice crispies, yogurt, and fruit.

8:00 am

Breakfast is ready at the table, the lunchboxes and backpacks are by the front door, and I pull up a chair with my faithful coffee cup and enjoy our few moments together. This season is special. I try to cherish it, knowing it is coming to an end soon, but we will also be a complete family again with my soldier under the same roof.

The emotions the Army life brings is a difficult process to understand, I often try, yet find myself whispering each time, “Lord I trust you, be with me every step, in every season of my life.” And then I am comforted and reminded that as each one comes and goes our family becomes stronger, our faith and trust grows, and once again I am ALWAYS reminded of God’s faithfulness as His perfect plan unfolds for our family, no matter where we are on the globe that year!

Out the front door we all go; the beauty of the falling leaves overtakes me. My boys run around the big front yard trying to catch each one as it falls towards the ground, enjoying the breezy wind, chasing each other in circles…I smell their fresh cologne spray on their little bodies as they pass by me, giggling, so full of life, care-free as can be…their grandma waves from her upstairs window, the boys laugh.

I smile, grateful for this little burst of exercise they have before they attempt to sit still for the next several hours at school. I’m thankful for my mom’s sweet face at the window and the joy on my boys faces. I’m grateful for this moment. Here comes the bus, off they go, only 1/2 a mile up the street to their little country school. I walk in the house to enjoy a second cup of coffee, jot a few things on my notepad, begin a load of laundry, and tidy up the kitchen.

10:00 am

Mornings are my favorite time of the day; it’s when I feel most productive and refreshed. Every opportunity I have to find a beautiful trail, I go. Today is the perfect day. I head to my favorite one just around the corner, the leaves are breathtaking.

My workout time is the part of my day where I listen to my favorite worship playlist and pray, this is MY “quiet time.” I get in my exercise and time with the Lord all at once and it is wonderful. As my morning walk ends and the last song on my playlist begins, I watch each leaf that falls and I think about the memories I’ve made here these past couple of months.

A tear falls down my cheek, this opportunity was a rare gift, and I’ve missed my parents so much. It took me several months to make the decision “should I go with my soldier to his six month assignment or move in with my family?” But together, as we always do, he and I made a decision, knowing some quality time with family would be wonderful. He assured me he understood and to take advantage of this time.

The Army life we have lived has taken us to faraway places. Although we’ve had some amazing adventures, and gained friends that have become family, there have been multiple deployments, and I have felt weary. This season has been a season of refreshment and renewal, a season for me, and a time for my boys and me to reconnect with loved ones in a special way.

Once in the car, my thoughts continue on and I anticipate the huge adventure that lies ahead come winter, excited to have an assignment with three years of stability, FINALLY! And my own home again, filled with my own things that I love, and the four of us under one roof…But oh how I will miss this time in a simple, quiet town, next to a small country school…this season is a gift, and its fleeting, and one I may never experience again because of the nature of the life God has called us to.

I know too well, once the Army moves us, life will return back to the busy hustle and bustle of a new assignment, in a new place, with a new school for the kids, new friends to make, a new routine to establish, and new unending expectations for me to fulfill.

I return home, make me a bowl of fruit and yogurt, a hot cup of tea, and pull out my GIANT stack of study books. I have a big licensure test to take in a few weeks. I’m ready to put those multiple years of education that have been patiently sitting on the shelf to good use and step back out into the career world. These quiet days here back “home” have allowed me to prepare, it is part of this season.

12:00 pm

I stand up and stretch, throw on my clothes for the day, and as I put on some makeup I think about how I wouldn’t change a thing these past several years. The moment I held my first baby I wanted to be home 24/7. I’m so grateful for the comforts and security the Army life has brought our family, allowing me to put my own career on pause and be home with my boys.

I have loved every minute and had so many opportunities to enjoy each moment because of my own soldier’s hard work and sacrifice. I knew one day the time would come where they would both be in school and life would slow down just briefly enough to offer stability for me to pick up where I left off, and it’s almost here. It’s bittersweet.

I decide to run to the store and pick out ingredients for a yummy pot of soup tonight. The weather inspired me. “Mom will love this recipe,” I say to myself. My soldier, who loves to cook, will too, so I text him what I am making for dinner and ask him how his day has been. I grab a few other things we need for the weekend ahead. I crank up my favorite local country station and sing all the way home.

I put groceries away and pull out a yummy plate of sushi from the deli to enjoy as a late lunch. I crank up the kitchen radio and sing while I chop and prep the ingredients for dinner. I throw it all in a big pot. I love one pot meals, so comforting.

2:00 pm

Dinner is prepped and smells amazing. Chicken tortilla soup is always a winner. I can’t wait for my parents to try my good friend’s special recipe. As I smell the soup, I think of her and wonder how she is today; I shoot her and another good friend a text.

The dear friends this Army life has provided have become my family. I don’t know where I would be without these special relationships. They are my rock, they are the gals I call when I need advice, need to cry, need to laugh, or need to vent.

They are my tribe, my lifeline, my JOY. I take my pile of study books outside to the back porch and get a little more studying in before the bus delivers my favorite little people back home.

4:00 pm

My boys just got home; the house is busy again and full of laughter. I hear the garage door. “Is it grandma or grandpa?!” Its grandma, home from her busy work day, she and I pick out a tea bag and as I prepare our mugs, we discuss our day.

The boys use this opportunity to run off and escape mommy’s hugs and multiple questions about homework…off they go to play for an hour or so before dinner. I check in here and there so they know I’m around and missed them, but they don’t notice, they are growing up and I’m learning my place these days.

They begin to run outside to the driveway to practice their “scooter moves.” “Want to watch me mom?!” my oldest asks on his way out of the kitchen. “Sure!” I exclaim, happy to be wanted and needed, if only as an observer. I let out a big sigh, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy their show.

6:00 pm

Grandpa is home from work by now and we all sit down for a nice family dinner. Everyone loves the delicious recipe and I enjoy the satisfaction of my boys’ delighted faces after a good meal. Mom and I clean up while my dad and the boys watch some 1950’s Superman’s from his special collection and play checkers in the living room.

One of my boys begs to go fishing but grandpa reminds him it’s a school night and there are other times ahead to go in the coming weeks. By now the sun has set and I march my little soldiers to the bathroom to begin their bedtime routine of quick showers, pjs, and brushing of teeth. We sit together and enjoy a chapter or two of Captain Underpants (their favorite books right now!) and we call daddy to say hello before their day comes to a close.

8:00 pm

The boys are tucked in their cozy beds and I hop in the shower. I throw on my pjs and invite my mom to my room for some evening tv. I call my soldier again for some adult conversation. I chat with him about my day, his day, and we discuss prepararations for the big move ahead, another amazing adventure awaits us, but it’s far away, again…I’m grateful that the winter break will give us time to arrive and settle in before the boys new semester begins.

My soldier and I discuss the challenges too and chat about how we can make our transitional Christmas fun for the family. We exchange ideas. We’ve sure had some amazing experiences in this Army life; we’ve had the opportunity to travel the world on the Army’s dollar, and with this move and specific assignment for the first time in seven years, my soldier will not deploy.

Our family needs this. It will be a time of renewal for US. However, I think about the lingering goodbye the boys and I will make here, knowing there will be tears, yet so grateful for this time with family and the memories that we’ve made. This season has been perfect.

10:00 pm

As I crawl into bed, I open my Bible to a scripture that’s been on my heart today. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” As I turn out the light, I’m comforted by this verse, knowing the Lord is with my family each month of every year. No matter what part of the globe I am on, He is a constant presence in our life. He is gently holding my hand with every step, in every moment.

Although each season has to end, He knows what lies ahead and the purpose for it all. Some seasons are hard and lonely, you know, the kind where my soldier is deployed in combat for months, or in training, or on another TDY and once again, I am trying so hard to juggle everything and be strong.

I am then reminded that I don’t have to do it on my own, because He is there. Some seasons feel stagnant, the family is together, yet so disconnected because of the challenges of a big move or the busyness that particular assignment involves and I am simply just holding my breath for it to pass…yet He is there, in the midst of it all, and each member of my little family overcomes that challenge.

Then there are the seasons that bring unexpected joy and peace, in which I choose to make the most of a situation and reframe it into a positive experience, trusting the Lord will be with me and my soldier each step of the way. YES there are many unknowns ahead, and we may be juggling different lives for a bit, but He is there, faithful, as always, keeping our hearts and homes connected; because this, my friends, is just a season.

 

Want to share about a typical day in your shoes? Submit your Day-in-the-Life here.