It's Been 10 years



I am sitting here at my in-laws house watching the news this morning (because our house has been without power since Monday afternoon due to the significant damage caused by the storms in our area)

 

Did you know that today, March 20, was the official start of the Iraq War...10 years ago? Yep, it has been 10 years. 

 

I sit here and think about over the last 10 years and reflect on all that just my little family has gone through.  I can only imagine, what on a larger scale, the other military families have also gone through. 

 

In the 10 years since the official start of this war, my husband has completed 3 deployments. 3 full deployments and already preparing for the 4th.  My soldier has been to countless schools and trainings which inevitably meant more time separated from us-with the current one having him away from us for a little over 5 months.  He has had a few promotions. A couple unit changes.  We have seen our family grow by two of the most precious children. 

 

In those 10 years we have celebrated numerous birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and countless other life moments without our soldier.  But one thing has remained the same - our love and pride for our soldier.  Time and distance has not and will not change that...if anything it only makes us stronger and to appreciate more.

 

Do you remember what you were doing this day 10 years ago?  It is doubtful that unless you are a military family that you do.  I remember very well what I was doing.  My husband was already deployed "over there"  We were new to the military life and had not ever been through a deployment.  We had no idea what to expect.  Our communication was nothing like it is today.  We would go days and weeks without an email or phone call. Making those moments we did get to communicate so wonderful.  I remember the night everything kicked off very well.  J had called long enough to say I love you and that was it.  I was with two very precious friends that night - their husbands were out of town.  We had planned on just having a girls night...little did I know how God had orchestrated that night so I would not be alone.  We turned on the tv only to see the news showing live coverage of the bombing.  I think all 3 of us just sat there in shock.  It was a very surreal feeling.  I am thankful for friends by my side to pray with me and also to make me laugh.  It was also at that moment that I banned myself from watching tv...it irked me all the live coverage.  It is hard to believe that was 10 years ago. 

 

Below is a picture of my soldier from March of 2003.  (I snagged it from my mother in law)   When I get home, I plan to search through my photos and share a few here on the blog from this deployment.

 

 

 

I know I say this often, but please if you see a veteran, thank them. 

Hope everyone has a blessed day,

Sufficient

"If you are sufficient for your task, it's too small"  John Piper

This quote was the first thing I read this morning....very fitting after the night I had.

The kids and I have been trucking along the last few months while J has been away at his school.  I am working just about every day then our afternoons and evenings are busy with homework and activities - Jack is playing travel ball, Madi is in tumbling and cheer, and now I am the sponsor of the dance line at our high school.  I love it all, but we are very busy.  Busy is good sometimes because it makes the separation go faster-right?  Busy is also not good too.  I am finding myself very run down and tired.  I shared with a friend the other day that I thought being a temporary single parent with an infant and toddler at home was tiring...boy was I wrong.  Don't get me wrong, those times were tiring, but this is a different kind of tiring.  Whew.... and eventually it catches up with you.  Like last night.  It caught up with all of us. 

We just finished up our nightly routine.  Jack was brushing his hair and I was bathing Madi.  As I walked past Jack he had this incredibly sad look on his face.  I gave him a hug and asked if he was ok.  At that moment he bursted in to tears, which led to Madi breaking down.  Before I knew it all 3 of us were in tears. When I finally got us all calmed down I asked Jack what was wrong.  He said he wished his daddy could be home so he could watch him play baseball.  He shared how hard it was for him to see that all his teammates had their daddy there, but his could not be there.  Crush.  My.  Heart.  What do you say to that?  I assured him that daddy would love nothing more than to be there at his games.  I reminded him that what daddy is doing right now is making him a better soldier and that he will be home with us in just a couple months. 

We all eventually regrouped and was able to skype with J.  I shared with him what was going on because he could tell we were all having a tough night.  It was good for all of us, I think. We all fell asleep only to be awakened at midnight to poor Madi with the stomach virus.  It has been a long night and I am not even sure this post makes sense, but I just wanted to share these moments so that I can look back and see how God's hands are in every single detail. 

I am reminded DAILY of the sacrifices we make...it does not matter how many deployments or separations we have endured it does not get any easier.  Do we adapt?  You bet.  Do we keep trucking along?  Absolutely...because God's grace is sufficient every single day. Do I feel too small for the task?  Without a doubt I sure do.  But I know the One who supplies me with my strength.  I know the One who carries us when we are all in tears.  I know the One who orchestrated every moment of our lives and I trust in His plan and call on His strength to keep going in this task. 

So, whatever your task maybe...if your feeling like your not sufficient for it, call on the One who will supply your every need.