Book Review: Faith Deployed...Again

A couple of years ago I stumbled across a daily devotional/encouragement book written specifically for (and by) military wives, and DEVOURED it.  Faith Deployed, by Jocelyn Green, was the beginning of my introduction to the world of Christian military wives' support. 

When I heard that Jocelyn Green was compiling a second book, I was THRILLED, and eagerly anticipated the release of the newest book, Faith Deployed...Again.  When I finally received my copy, I again dove into the world of other military wives, who over the years have experienced so many things similar to what I am living right now, and have lived to tell the stories in ways that are ever-so-effective tools to guide me along on this journey.

Faith Deployed...Again is another in the daily encouragement series compiled by Jocelyn Green, and written by Jocelyn and more than 25 Christian military wives, representing every branch of the military, and spanning several wars, dealing with many of the challenges faced as military wives, mothers, and girlfriends.  Each of the stories illustrates God's unchanging character, and gives a supporting verse, as well as questions to challenge us to think further, and a prayer centered around the theme of that chapter. 

As a Navy wife, living through a year-long deployment, each page has yielded encouragement and timely reminders that I need to be turning to the Lord for the strength I need to get through every day.  My favorite section of this book has been the one labeled "Soul Armor: Guarding Against Spiritual Attacks".  In this section, many different areas of struggle for military wives are boldly covered, including dealing with fear, negative voices, trust, staying above reproach in our sexual lives, dealing with PTSD, and recognizing the enemy's tactics.  Especially meaningful to me was the one on trust, since this has been something I have struggled with this whole deployment, and reading that chapter was a very timely reminder that just as I trust God to care for my husband's safety while he is away from me every day, so too I need to trust Him to care for my husband's emotional well-being while he is away from me. This book has really challenged and encouraged me, and I look forward reading back through it again soon!

So, now I have a second copy (really, you don't want the one I've been reading...it's REALLY dog-eared!) to give away to you, one of my readers.  So, please comment this week (before midnight on September 11th), let me know if you're interested, and I will randomly draw one of you to receive your very own copy of Faith Deployed...Again. 

Looking forward to hearing from you...
Laura

A Song with which to remember...

To Add to the "Want to Read" List....

I am always on the look-out for new books that will fill my need for understanding of our way of life...and comedy ALWAYS helps!!! This book by Mollie Gross looks like it will fit the bill...can't wait to read it!!




Do you have any more books for me to add to my list?

New Avenue of Support

Military wives everywhere are often on the look-out for support. The job we do is never easy, and we all know that any job is easier if we have friends to help carry the load.

THAT is why I was SO excited to come across the web page for Wives of Faith. What an exciting source of support for Christian Military Wives!

Check out the page...there is support for the Military marriage, Bible study, a prayer ministry, and local groups. I think there's also live chats, and newsletters.... I can't wait to dig further!

Aliens and Strangers

Lately, Jason and I have been hurting with some friends who are struggling with their relationships as a direct result of separations imposed by the military. While marital difficulties are by no means limited to those in the military, statistics attest that those in the military have a higher rate of divorce.

I talk to military wives all over this country, and hear about multiple, back-to-back year-long (or longer) deployments, and how much they miss their husbands. They talk of making the most of every minute their husbands are home. They testify to children who do not remember their dad when he comes back from being gone for half of their little lives.

Those same wives get very frustrated with their civilian counterparts who are complaining of their husbands going away on a week-long business trip. They get tired of the attempted compliments of "I could never do that" or "I don't know how you do it."

Make no mistake. We did not get married planning to be separated for months on end. We did not plan to raise our children as single-married parents. We have our difficult days (and even weeks).

Yet, somehow, we dig deep and find reserves we never thought we had...and probably only have developed since entering this lifestyle. We make friends quickly at each new duty station (and probably frighten some of our non-military friends with the intensity of the need for those friendships to grow quickly). We find new churches and dig in deep, quickly, because we highly value our extended family in the local church. We KNOW where our strength comes from, and will do what it takes to stay plugged into our power source.

Yes, we know we are different from the mainstream of American life. We thrive in our own circles. But, please recognize that we are not super-human. We have our faults and weaknesses. We are going to have our down days. Please allow us those. And PLEASE, support us when we are trying above all else to hold our relationships together. Long-distance relationships are never easy. Long-distance relationships with the added stress of war and trying to maintain day-to-day life are immensely harder.

• Please do NOT suggest that we divorce him, since he's never home anyway.
• Please do NOT ask why he doesn't get a job where he can stay home. He has a good job that he loves (for the most part).
• Please recognize that when he is sent somewhere, he does not usually have the option to tell his superiors "no"....not that he really wants to, anyway.
• Please remember that we are also human and need a shoulder to cry on some days.
• Please recognize that we are individuals, and as such have our own opinions about politics, the military, and life in general...though we may not share them with you.
  

If you want to be supportive of your friends, family and acquaintances who are in the military, or are married to someone in the military, be a friend. Recognize the differences. Be supportive when things are hard. Be available. Make a little effort to learn what their life is like. Invite them for dinner...they usually do not have family close by, and would relish the opportunity to get to know you. Chances are they will be some of the most loyal friends you will ever meet. And if not, at least you will have expanded your view of the world and blessed a military family.

Who knows but what you will entertain angels...we certainly already feel like strangers.

Army Strong video

This video made me cry...wish they had one of these for Navy families!!

The Links have been bugging me...

I keep finding these things I want to share...some of them are videos that don't have html available to post them directly on my blog, so I am stuck posting a link....so, without further ado:



Okay, so I found that one...:::blush:::...maybe the rest will work out so well!

Military Support Sites

Military One Source
MilitaryWives.com
4MilitaryFamilies.com
MilSpouse.org
MTOM for Kids

Educational Sites (especially FREE ones!!!) because sometimes I really miss homeschooling!

School Express
RHL School
TeAchnology
ABCteach.com

So, I'm tired, and I need to stop before I get sucked into a huge marathon of posting links to every site I've ever loved...we *could* be here all night long....but, the wine is getting to me, and I need some sleep before our next marathon day at the ballpark....so, have a wonderful night!