Tales from the Front and the ones left Behind

A Nation In Crisis

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:59:50 GMT

I know I have not written over here in so long. The kids and I went to the states for 7 weeks starting in late July. I will give an update on Chad in the next couple of days. But from here on, here's why I'm posting here tonight....

I got this from my friend Linda blogged about this and well I've been feeling led to pray for our nation and leaders the way it was and thought this was truly just a WONDERFUL idea. I really hope you'll all join me. Below is 100% copy and pasted from Linda's blog, so if it sounds like a "personal" statement...it's Linda's words! So...join us. No matter how you feel about our nations leaders, we are instructed to pray for them. As Christians we can do so much. God knows what our nation needs, but he does want to here from us.

A Nation in Crisis...

and what we can do about it. It's called Intercessory Prayer.

I've committed, with my church, to "30 Days of Prayer for America". While reading De'Etta's blog Choosing Joy, she talked about how she was feeling led to pray for our country. So I am taking the plunge and sharing 30 Days of Prayer for America" with you. For the next 30 days, we are called to pray for our nation...state by state, leader by leader. Here's what the flier says:

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We're going on an unforgettable journey...

30 Days of Prayer For America

For 30 memorable days, we're going to pray across America. Through the instant access of intercession we will visit every state, every territory, and our nations capital, Washington, DC. Our guide on this unforgettable journey is the Prayer Map of America, a unique resource with an easy-to-follow, day-by-day itinerary.

2008 is a crucial year for America - a year of challenges and, of course, a year of decisions. Of all the things we can do for our country at this historic time, nothing is more important than prayer. If we truly want God to bless America - to stand beside her and guide her - wemust pray.

The strategy is simple: Each day for the specifed 30 Days of Prayer for America we will take just a few minutes to pray for that day's requests. There are only two requests per day, so it won't take much time, but it will make a huge impact. The unified effect of believers praying can awaken our nation, renew our church and spiritually transform our lives. This is going to be a great journey. Don't miss it!

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Now - since there's no way I can truly provide you a copy of the map, I will post each day's request here. If you have a map at home, you can find the states you are praying for, and visually connect with them. But even if you don't have a map handy, you can take a few minutes to pray the requests of each day.

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Whenever you come to a request for a specific state or territory in the daily list, remember these priorities:

Pray for the leaders of the state, that God's Spirit would guide them to act justly, serve with integrity and uphold high moral standards.
Pray for the churches of the state, that they would be lighthouses of truth, havens of hope, and centers of love for all people.
Pray for the Christiansof the state, that they would be faithful witnesses for Christ, humble servants of God, and positive influences on society

Over the course of the 30-day prayer plan, six national-level requests are each repeated 3 times. These address the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government. Additionally, there are prayers for our Armed Forces, for America's spiritual renewal, and for candidates for public office. As you remember these requests over the 30 days of prayer, keep in mind the following important details:

Praying for our President and Vice President. They bear responsibilities of enormous importance. Pray that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

Praying for our Congressional Leaders. The hundreds of men and women who serve in the U.S. Congress - our Representatives and Senators - oversee the nation's legislative business. Pray that they will govern with God-honoring discernment and preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Praying for our Justice System. Ours is a nation pledged to justice for all; and though our systems has its imperfections, it is markedly better than most of the world. Millions in our society serve as police officers, prosecutors, defenders and judges. And, in the highest roles, nine individuals serve as Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Pray that all of these public servants will be vigilant, discerning and wise.

Praying for our Armed Forces. We are blessed with liberty because brave members of our Armed Forces have fought to keep us free. Today, a new generation of soldiers, sailors, marines airmen and guardsmen are serving gallantly, and we are the beneficiaries. Pray with appreciation for their service, and ask God to bless them with strength.

Praying for Spiritual Renewal. America has many needs, but none more important than a spiritual awakening and a spiritual renewal. Pray for the Gospel to be communicated across the full spectrum of our society. Pray for biblical principles, long dormant, to bear new fruit. Pray that Americans of all ages, races and backgrounds would be drawn to God and receive His life and salvation.

Praying for Candidates for Public Office. In our system of government, we the people select our leaders. This is a great responsibility and we must exercise it wisely and prayerfully. Pray for the candidates for public office, that they would be moved by God to seek what is honorable, just and moral.

PRAYING FOR THE STATES

Listed on most days of the 30-day prayer plan are the names of specific U.S. states or territories. The goal each day is to pray for the leaders, churches and Christians in those places. Following are some key thoughts to guide your intercession.

Praying for Leaders in the State. The Bible instructs us to make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all who are in authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In our world, this means we are to pray for Governors, Lieutenant Governors and other leaders in authority. Specifically, we should pray that they would act justly, that they would serve with integrity, and that they would uphold moral standards.

Praying for Churches in the State. Churches, of course, are not merely buildings; they are living, active bodies of believers. America is blessed with more than 300,000 churches of all denominations and traditions. As you intercede for these churches, both generally and specifically, pray that they would be lighthouses of truth, havens of hope and centers of love.

Praying for Christians in the State. Jesus said that His followers are to be "salt" and "light" within society. Like salt, they should make others thirsty for the Gospel. Like light, they are to illuminate with the brightness of Christ's love. As you intercede for Christians state-by-state, pray that they will be faithful witnesses of the Gospel, humble servants of Christ, and positive influences within their communities.

Does prayer really make a difference? Yes, it makes an extraordinary difference because God in His unlimited compassion responds to prayer offered in His name. As God's children and followers of Jesus Christ, we must urgently, faithfully pray for our nation and its people. Prayer can affect the course of history and shape the destiny of a nation. As you pray day by day following the plan in the Prayer Map of America you can be sure that your intercession can make a transformational difference.

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There's Something About A Homecoming

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:22:09 GMT

You know there's just something about a homecoming that makes you just stop, take that deep breath, and oh makes you so grateful that you get the honor and privilege of being an Army wife. This evening a fairly large group of soldiers came home after being deployed for 14 months. They were deployed to Afganistan. Watching the wives and children of those deployed, but now home soldiers sitting oh so unpatiently, giddy with joy knowing that on the other side of that curtain their soldier stood there WAITING for them! It was the briefest homecoming ceremony I've witnessed, but to see those families rush together took my breath away. I didn't cry, which I fully expected to do, but I still had a few flip flops in my stomach. I saw friends reunite with thier husband, I saw Daddy's grab up their babies who were just weeks and months old when they'd last seen them. I also saw single soldiers who had no loved one to greet them and honestly is so beyond heartbreaking for me. They fought in the same war, but have no one to welcome them back so personally and intimately. As we walked away from the gym tonight we said "Welcome Home" to the soldiers as we passed them. We walked up to BK and saw the buses with the single soldiers coming to take them to their barrack's, so we stood there and waved our flags and cheered for them and clapped. They deserve to know they ARE special and they are important. Many were changing out of their ACU's and into civilians and going out, downtown. Pray for them. Pray that they don't make foolish choices. That they don't wake up in the morning regretting what they did tonight. Pray that they get to talk to those who love them and they love and even if only by phone are told how happy they are to be back, safe and sound. The single soldiers were all welcomed back with new sheets, pillows, care baskets that had various items to get them through the first few days if they weren't ready to go to the store.

We still have 13 months before we start preparing our single soldiers rooms, but when I go back to the states I'm going to be buying some sheets. I'm sure I'll send out a "want to help" post so if you or others you know want to help with various items you can. I don't think a lot of people think of what it must be like for the single soldiers returning from deployments, especially when stationed overseas. I've already decided that I'm going to order some welcome home banners for Chad's single soldiers. They're be pretty basic, just a Welcome Home and their name, but I want them to know they are important and special as well.

7 weeks down!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:32:06 GMT

404 days to go!

Well we hit the 7 week mark since Chad left. It's went by fairly quickly. He's been able to call us and get online and IM us, normally a couple times a week. He gets online more, because he had internet in his room. He's doing good, hot...HOT. It was 120 today. Can any of us who've never experienced that sort of heat even grasp that? I can't. Today it was in the high 80's and I was whining.

A friend and I are going to the gym 3 days a week now (16 lbs off so far!!! Wahoo) and I don't know if the a/c was on or not, I do know it was hotter IN the gym than it was outside, and that's unusual. But we were both unhappy with how warm it was. We were sweating almost before we got on the eliptical, but while I was doing it I was making myself go harder and I was thinking of Chad, wondering what he was doing at that moment. Wondering how he deals with that heat.

The kids and I are heading back to the states in a little over a week and we'll be there for 6 weeks! We're excited. It's been 3 yrs since we've been there. Our middle son was not even 2 when we moved here and of course our baby girl hasn't been there. Our oldest son has some memories of living in the states, but not a lot. He was only 4 when we moved here, so most of his memories are of here as well. We're all excited though! I am the first to admit I'm so looking forward to Central Air!! LOL The luxuries that the US has that Germany doesn't. (Stores opened past 7 pm for one, must less all the 24 hr places). We'll spend 2 weeks with my parents, then start traveling to see friends and inlaws, we'll spend our final week with my parents/family and then fly back to Germany. If you want/would pray for us that's so appreciated. God has been so good to us to allow this trip to come about and make it so far fairly painless. He's truly given us grace.

Please continue to pray for Chad. He is absolutely at various times being put in harms way. Pray for his comfort, him being homesick. Pray he's able to attend bible study, that he's being the man God has created him to be, that he's seeking the Lord's will with every movement and decision he makes.

God Bless

News from the left behind crew

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:03:51 GMT

We got to "see" Chad! On Saturday we were able to have a VTC (Video Teleconference)! I didn't tell the boys so they were suprised. We have webcams, but they seem to freeze up more often than naught, so it was nice to see him and talk to him.

He's extremely busy, always on the go to this mission or that, so our time is more limted on phone calls and IM's. He does have internet in his room and that's allowed us to be able to chat when he's there.

He's got some great things coming up, but I can't share it here until it's for sure, but it's good! :) To those who have sent Chad care packages, thank you. I don't have a list of names to personally thank and he's not had a chance to thank people himself, so when he does tell me who, please accept my thanks. Someone sent him a book, so who ever you are....THANK YOU! Can you email me and let me know if you sent him a book. I can't remember the name of it right now (he'd told me, I just forgot and didn't write it down...my fault there).

He's been spending his downtime reading his bible, which brings me so much joy! I know without a doubt his relationship with Christ is getting stronger and stronger. He seems to have a peace about him this deployment and I know without a doubt that, that peace is Our Lord!!! He is awesome and mighty!

Please continue to pray for God to place a hedge of protection around Chad throughout this deployment. That he'll continue to draw closer to him. That he feels and knows the love of his family is always with him.

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:04:47 GMT

I finally got to chat briefly with Chad, before he dozed off. He's really tired, but staying very busy which is helping the time go by for him. The last we had talked was Father's Day so I was excited when I got home tonight and saw he'd been online. I buzzed him a few times and then jumped into the shower, when I got out he was on/awake. We chatted for a bit and then got off.

He recieved a care package from a Karen M. (not listing last names), I'm just drawing a blank on who this is, so if you're reading this comment or email me! I'm sure I'll feel horrible when it dawns on me who it is, unless it's from a group that gets assigned a soldier and he's this person's soldier! LOL

Right now I'd like to request prayers for my younger son. He's almost 5 and having a VERY hard time with Daddy being gone. He cries at the drop of a hat it feels like, the whining (something I can NOT tolerate even in small doses) has sky rocketed. My friend reassured me that I'm not crazy and that it has gotten worse since Chad left. He's obviously not doing well with Daddy being deployed. Right now I'm praying through what coarse of action I need to take. Please pray for me and for him as well.

Chad is over all doing well, he's hot and tired! LOL Shocking huh, he'd be hot and tired while deployed in Iraq! He did say that any time he goes out on a mission and has down time, he's taking his bible and reading it and has been able to read quite a bit. He made a goal to read from the beginning to the end over this deployment. I'm really thrilled that he's seeking the Lord, emmercing himself in his word. God has great things planned for this husband of mine and it's so wonderful to see them happening!

Well it's late here in Germany and the kids and I will be heading over to "Little Swiss" (an area in Germany, feel free to google it). We'll be going on a hike and them going on a big slide! It sounds like fun and it'll be great excercise! I know the boys will love it! I love being outside and it's an extra day of walking to help me in my goal of losing weight!

God Bless and Keep Praying for a Hedge of Protection to surround Chad!

Welcome home to some brave soldiers

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:23:27 GMT

As I tpye this right now, there are soldiers on this post being reunited with their families! After a VERY long deployment they're home! We have a Brigade from our post that's on a 15 month rotation and a small group of them got to come home tonight, their ADVON (advanced party). As far as I know, I don't know any of the soldiers or more so their spouses who are being reunited tonight but it's exciting! My best friend here, her husband is part of this brigade and soon it'll be her being reunited with her husband and her children will once again have their daddy back! Their youngest was only 3 months old when Daddy left and she'll be 18 months old when he returns! How sweet home comings are! So although we've just begun our deployment, for another unit theirs is finally wrapping up and coming to an end and that is a true blessing from our Lord, Jesus.

Please pray for these soldiers who are in the process of wrapping up their deployment, that they will remain focused to finish the task at hand. That they will continue to be aware of the dangers that continue to lurk, that they will have gentle reunions, that spouses will be able to relinquish some of their responsibilities and that the soldiers will gently relieve them (it can be hard for a spouse to let go of the home responsibilities, including children and at times the soldier sometimes wants to just come home and take over or the complete opposite where the spouse wants to give up all control and the soldier wants none). There's often a honeymoon phase and then you start to slip back into your normal routine again, including disagreements, etc.

Pray that the soldiers are aware of any issue's they're having (PTSD) and that if the spouse notices it she'll make sure her soldier gets the help he/she needs.

It's a good night here on our little post in Germany!

Care Package Idea's

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:47:39 GMT

Ok so a few of you have requested this list, now there can be things added if you want, the big no-no though is pork products. They are in a Muslim country and they're not allowed.

Jerky

Mixed Nuts (his favorite nuts are pistacio's)

Fruit Cups

Assorted Gum

Tuna Packs

Vienna Sausages

Sun block

Chap stick (preferably with sunblock in it)

Freezer pops

Cheeze Its, Various crackers

Stationary (Stamps are NOT needed)

Envelopes

Magazines (Muscle,Fitness,Computer/PC, Gaming)

DVD's

Small Photo Albums

Small hand held games

Christian CD's

Prayer books

Devotionals

Bookmarks

Pens

Colored Pencils

Drawing Paper

Coloring Books (so he can color pictures for the kids)

Update

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:08:49 GMT

We are entering week 3 of Chad being gone, and he's now in Iraq. We have not gotten to talk to him since they moved up there, but hope to soon! The kids and I are hanging in there, the simple facts are some days are really hard while other days are really easy. Today's a good day, yesterday evening was HARD. It's just the way it is. We're all getting excited about going back to the states for our visit. We're visiting family and friends during our 6 weeks back there. It'll be the first time in 3 yrs since we've been back, so we're really looking forward to it...about 7 weeks or so until we leave.

There's not a lot to "report". I have laundry to do, a home to clean, dinner to make. My boys are over at a friends right now playing, the baby is napping, and I'm enjoying the peace and QUIET! (NO tv or even music right now, just the hum of the fan).

Keep Chad in your prayers. I know it's hot in Iraq right now and I'm planning on mailing him a fan this week that he'd had in his office. I will get a list of things for care packages out soon. Maybe later today or else tomorrow!

Oh, on a personal note, I'm going to start going to the gym 3 days a week. I'm going with a friend. We have hired two sisters to watch the kids, so the commitment has been made, no getting out of it and no excuses! I'm really excited! I'm hoping to have 20 lbs off before I head back to the states. On the days we're not at the gym we're going to be going for long walks, and we're also going to be having meals together which helps with the cooking responsibilities as well as keeps both of us accountable to what and how much we're eating! If Chad gets to come home for R&R over Christmas I'm hoping to have 50 lbs or close to that off, I'd look like a different woman if I have that much weight off! Hopefully by this time next year I'll have reached my goal or be very close to it!

God Bless

Update

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:16:14 GMT

Chad's doing well. He just got back from ranges and as usual shot great! He had the highest score in his platoon a 58 out of 60. They'll be heading north soon, so please if you aren't yet, start prayers for safe travel and for an over all safe deployment. I won't give specific dates for their moving, but it's coming up quickly.

The kids and I are doing good. The boys had their baseball end of the season party last week. I will admit it's nice to be done finally and have a break for a while from sports. Our baby is growing like a weed and is inching closer and closer to turning one. Time goes by in a blink of an eye. It breaks my heart to know how much Chad is and will be missing out on with our children and what he's missed out on over the years. I know it hurts him and I honestly can't imagine what it must be like and never want to know.

Life keeps going, we're keeping busy but not too busy. :) Thank you for your prayers. If you want Chad's mailing address just email me at:

My3gifts@aol.com

God Bless

Christy

A Whole New Perspective

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:34:44 GMT

So today was a trial by fire all on its own let me tell you. I've been fighting with the boys to get their room cleaned for the past two days. I'm by and far the STRICT parent. I accept that role, but it's NOT an easy one to take. It really would be nice to just let it go, but it's just not in my nature you could say. Today the boys were defiant, they were fibbing/lying, and just all together disobeying, well nothing gets me more mad than those things, especially all together. To say that I was ugly is putting it lightly. I did not handle things in the best way, not even close. I complained to a friend at the boys baseball end of the season party about the boys behavior, I complained to a friend on the phone, and I complained to Chad. What I didn't do was pray. I didn't revoke Satan. Satan WANTS my children to disobey and he wants me to react the way I did today to their poor behavior.

So here in a few I'm praying. I'm praying against Satan in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He will not have tomorrow, he will not have Friday, he will NOT have this deployment. These days are the Lords and the Lords alone for our family and I will NOT ALLOW Satan to cause us more pain than we're already in.

Tonight I ask that you pray with me, pray against Satan in Jesus's name.

As I mentioned above, I chatted with Chad tonight. He's tired and hot. He fell asleep last night after he shower before he could get online. I totally understand and I'm just so grateful we got to talk last night on the phone and chat tonight online and we chatted online Monday evening too.

I do NOT take our communication lightly. I know how precious it is. Our first deployment we went 6 weeks without a word. It stunk. I know I fell into a deep funk. But I also wasn't turning to the Lord like I should have been during that time either. Not again. I know that previous wars the communication has been so much less, limited to phone calls and more common hand written letters, which depending on which war were few and far between too. So to know that we can IM in real time is nothing short of amazing. To know that when the internet speed is fast enough we can see each other with webcams. That he can call and we can have a clear connection. God is amazing in this technology he's allowed us to have. We are surely blessed.

Back to Chad! :) He's doing well, he's hot and tired and has been working hard. Please keep him in your prayers as well as hisfellow soldiers, leaders, and those below him.

God Bless