Every time there is news of soldiers being killed over seas it is a scary thing for a loved one on the home front. Especially if it is the same branch of the military. AND the same MOS. AND the news has annouced that it is one team away from your soldier's.
31 soldiers killed in Afghanistan. 160th, which is from Fort Campbell where I am at. I know women who have husbands in that unit. Navy Seals- Special Ops... Our friend is over there. He is 7th team and the reports are for 6th. Please every one take a moment to say a prayer for our troops. We still haven't heard from him and are eagerly awaiting any sign that he is ok.
Not knowing is the worst feeling ever! I can't even imagine how his mom is feeling right now. The power of prayer is an amazing thing. God knows, and he has a plan!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Follow Me!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Photography
I have been playing with my new camera and took these pictures at Ft. Benning, GA. Hope you enjoy!
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| Dang bugs! |
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| Our buddy, PFC Gard graduated from Basic Training. |
Monday, June 6, 2011
Better or Worse
"Commitment is just that: commitment; for better or for worse."
I borrowed this post from The Healthy Marriage's Blog. Thought it was a great one.
Our commitment level in many arenas is being tested - none more so than in our military marriages. While the Army can proudly claim that they have fewer divorces than their counterparts in the civilian world, this claim is quickly being challenged by the record number of married warriors returning with injuries. Many of the injuries, outside of TBI and PTSD, have resulted in disfigurement, loss of limbs and a weak emotional state that often lead to strained and dissolved marriages. Many military marriages aren't prepared - and didn't prepare on the front end - to deal with this change in their marriage dynamic. The sad fact is that when you walk the halls of the recovery hospitals it isn't too uncommon to hear stories of recovering service members being faced with his/her spouse leaving the marriage.
So how does one plan for the unthinkable? How are couples expected to keep that commitment even through the "for worse" times when the level of support, especially for Reserve and Guard families seems to be non-existent?
I presented Brian and Jody, who experienced many challenges throughout Brian's deployment to Afghanistan, this very question and their answer boiled down into what seemed a Polly-Anna pep answer, "You hold on to the vision - that perfect, romantic marriage picture in your head that first brought you together - and you focus on that." Say what you will, but there is tremendous power in going back to the core or root of why you got married in the first place.
It is absolutely no secret that marriage is tough. As Army Chaplain Ken Alford shared, "marriages face challenges that have nothing to do with deployment." We all experience the days when we think the "grass is greener" and that to re-experience the "young and single, love to mingle" stage of our life would be awesome. This might seem even more tempting when our spouse has faced a life changing injury or some form of depression. The truth is that every study known to man on happiness just doesn't support this train of thought.
Despite long deployments or injuries, there are several steps you can implement that will aid you in your journey to keeping your marriage strong:
1. Find a couple whom you and your spouse respect and find out what they do to have the relationship they have.
2. Identify common goals you want to achieve as a couple. If you or your spouse is injured, discuss how your injury will affect achieving this goal and then determine how you can support each other in attaining the goal.
3. Consider reading Dr. Bridgett Cantrell's book "Down Range: To Iraq and Back" or visit her website: www.heartstowardhome.com
Bottom line? Fight to make the marriage work. Seek out a marriage coach if needed and just know that many couples, despite injury and months of separation have successfully found ways to readjust and reunite their love.To learn more: visit: www.operationmilitaryfamily.org
Monday, May 30, 2011
Welcome HOME!
The soldiers of the 101st ABN Div from the 2bct returned home yesterday just in time for Memorial Day. Among the soldiers was my cousin, Tom Keddel. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our soldiers who are fighting for our country. For those who did not make it home, you will always be remembered as an American Hero. To those who returned yesterday, thank the Lord for their safe return. You are all heroes in my eyes and the eyes of many. One more Dreadful Deployment in the books. I am so excited for our Welcome Home BBQ at our house tonight to celebrate the blessings that the Lord has given us. I am so thankful that Tom made it home safe, the Lord is good!
Happy Memorial Day to all of the soldiers, veterans, and the military families. Thank you for your service!
Happy Memorial Day to all of the soldiers, veterans, and the military families. Thank you for your service!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Biblical Times-- Government
I know it has been a while since I posted! I'm very sorry. We finally got to our new station post and have moved into our adorable 3 bed/2 bath home. It is so nice to have my soldier back home again. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are still deployed.
As I looked over today's Daily Bible Verse, I can see it's connection with what is going on with our government. There is threat of shutdown one day, then a temporary fix. But still the military received their paychecks in two parts. I pray that they will get it together and take care of our military and their families. In all, however, God has a plan. It is all in the good book.
Psalm 103:6 says, "The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed"
There are times in our world history when this promise of God seems like a mirage in the face of brutal governments, racial hatred, and human injustice. But over time, brutal governments are smashed. Despots go to their graves. Moral indignation replaces complacency. As Kingdom people, don't you think we are called to model the ethics and values of God's will? So let's renew the prayer Jesus taught us: "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!" And let's also demonstrate God's will in our families, friendships, and churches!
As I looked over today's Daily Bible Verse, I can see it's connection with what is going on with our government. There is threat of shutdown one day, then a temporary fix. But still the military received their paychecks in two parts. I pray that they will get it together and take care of our military and their families. In all, however, God has a plan. It is all in the good book.
Psalm 103:6 says, "The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed"
There are times in our world history when this promise of God seems like a mirage in the face of brutal governments, racial hatred, and human injustice. But over time, brutal governments are smashed. Despots go to their graves. Moral indignation replaces complacency. As Kingdom people, don't you think we are called to model the ethics and values of God's will? So let's renew the prayer Jesus taught us: "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!" And let's also demonstrate God's will in our families, friendships, and churches!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Do it Military Style
I found a blog titled The Adventures and Misadventures of Our Lives and she had come across a new 30 Day Challenge: Military Style. It seems like a great way to keep motivated blogging. If you have a military spouse, feel free to link up and join! I am going to do this on my personal blog, but just wanted to share the idea with you all as well!
Here is the list:
Day 1 - Post a photo of your military spouse and list 10 facts about him
Day 2 - Post a picture of you and you military spouse being silly
Day 3 - Post a a random photo of how you and your spouse met. Did you know then that you’d be where you are with him today?
Day 4 - Post a picture of the family he had to leave behind to protect his country
Day 5 - Post a pic of the branch he is in and list your favorite "stay strong" quote.
Day 6 - Post a picture of the base your spouse is stationed at and tell 5 cool things about that base
Day 7 - Post a picture of a wonderful friend that you’ve made because of your spouse being in the military
Day 8 - Post your favorite deployment photo (a photo of "see you laters", him coming home, or him deployed) and tell why it is your favorite
Day 9 – Post a picture of your favorite thing that you or your spouse has made and tell what it is.
Day 10 - Post a photo that you or your spouse took on webcam or cell phone
Day 11 - Post a picture of the stationary you pour your heart out onto in letters to your spouse
Day 12 – Post a picture of a book you are reading/have read because of your spouse being in the military and tell how it has helped you.
Day 13 – Post a picture of your favorite military support accessory and tell where you got it from.
Day 14 – Post a picture of what consumes most of your time when your spouse is away
Day 15 - Post a picture of your spouse during your proudest moment of him
Day 16 - Post a picture of your favorite piece of jewelry that your spouse has gotten you and why it is your favorite!
Day 17 - Post a picture of something your spouse left you while he was away and how that helped you… did/do you carry it with you or sleep with it?
Day 18 – Post a picture/video and the lyrics of your and your spouse’s song and tell how/why it became y’alls song
Day 19 - Post a picture of his favorite show and tell of one episode you watched with him
Day 20 - Post a pic of you in something military (shirt, camo, etc.)
Day 21 - Post a picture of a movie or show you watch when your spouse is away that you usually don’t watch when he is home and tell why you don’t watch it when he is home.
Day 22 – Post a picture of what keeps you strong when your military spouse is away
Day 23 - Post a picture and tell what your life would be like without your spouse
Day 24 – Post a picture of your spouse's favorite sports team
Day 25- Favorite moment or experience you have had with the military
Day 26 - Post a homecoming picture and tell how you felt that day
Day 27 - Post a picture of something that reminds you of your spouse and tell why it does.
Day 28 – Post a picture of the band that sings the song of your significant others' ring tone while they are away.
Day 29 – Post a picture of the coolest place you ever got to go to because of your spouse being in the military
Day 30 - Post a picture of your favorite military spouse support group and tell how it has helped you
Day 4 - Post a picture of the family he had to leave behind to protect his country
Day 5 - Post a pic of the branch he is in and list your favorite "stay strong" quote.
Day 6 - Post a picture of the base your spouse is stationed at and tell 5 cool things about that base
Day 7 - Post a picture of a wonderful friend that you’ve made because of your spouse being in the military
Day 8 - Post your favorite deployment photo (a photo of "see you laters", him coming home, or him deployed) and tell why it is your favorite
Day 9 – Post a picture of your favorite thing that you or your spouse has made and tell what it is.
Day 10 - Post a photo that you or your spouse took on webcam or cell phone
Day 11 - Post a picture of the stationary you pour your heart out onto in letters to your spouse
Day 12 – Post a picture of a book you are reading/have read because of your spouse being in the military and tell how it has helped you.
Day 13 – Post a picture of your favorite military support accessory and tell where you got it from.
Day 14 – Post a picture of what consumes most of your time when your spouse is away
Day 15 - Post a picture of your spouse during your proudest moment of him
Day 16 - Post a picture of your favorite piece of jewelry that your spouse has gotten you and why it is your favorite!
Day 17 - Post a picture of something your spouse left you while he was away and how that helped you… did/do you carry it with you or sleep with it?
Day 18 – Post a picture/video and the lyrics of your and your spouse’s song and tell how/why it became y’alls song
Day 19 - Post a picture of his favorite show and tell of one episode you watched with him
Day 20 - Post a pic of you in something military (shirt, camo, etc.)
Day 21 - Post a picture of a movie or show you watch when your spouse is away that you usually don’t watch when he is home and tell why you don’t watch it when he is home.
Day 22 – Post a picture of what keeps you strong when your military spouse is away
Day 23 - Post a picture and tell what your life would be like without your spouse
Day 24 – Post a picture of your spouse's favorite sports team
Day 25- Favorite moment or experience you have had with the military
Day 26 - Post a homecoming picture and tell how you felt that day
Day 27 - Post a picture of something that reminds you of your spouse and tell why it does.
Day 28 – Post a picture of the band that sings the song of your significant others' ring tone while they are away.
Day 29 – Post a picture of the coolest place you ever got to go to because of your spouse being in the military
Day 30 - Post a picture of your favorite military spouse support group and tell how it has helped you
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