The Comforts of Deployments



Okay, you might think the title of this post is a bit rhetorical.  What, you may ask, can you find that's comforting during the deployment of your child?   Yup, I had asked the very same question a long time ago - before Laurie even deployed.  It took the actual deployment to understand the answer.  I am finding several things - none of which, of course, are as comforting as having Laurie back home, but still offer moments of joy every single day. 
There is Facebook....that "social network" that can be such a pain in the neck sometimes.  I have been known to ignore some things about FB.  I fell for the "__________ has answered a question about Sue" thing once or twice, but some of the questions it asks are not exactly nice, so I gave up on that.  The Farm thing sounded like fun but I didn't really want to ask all my friends for 13 cows, or more chickens.  (Heaven  knows I cook enough chicken here for  the boys to start my own farm :). So,  basically, I use FB to see what is happening in my friends lives. And to see how many others walk in my shoes and who need or offer prayers with understanding.  
One morning, I discovered that Laurie was on FB at the same time as I was.  That doesn't mean I immediately started a chat with her - but I thought about how comforting it was to know that thousands of miles away in a war zone, I could see that Laurie was safe, and well, and making comments on FB.  It's a little thing, some would think, especially since I don't chat with her.  But to "see" her, and to read her comments or see the thumbs up "likes" that she gives to someone - it's a little thing that is HUGE to this mom. 
There are the emails I receive when I am online at the same time she is.  It's like God assuring me that she is doing okay.  Knowing that she is usually at the end of her day when I am at the beginning of mine, well, it's like crossing another day off her deployment.  No wait, it IS crossing another day off.  Small thing?  Hardly.
Skype.  Well, we are usually not here when Laurie Skypes with Stephen and Kasey BUT it's a given that on a certain day at a certain time, Laurie will be talking to her boys.  The internet connection may be spotty but they usually can have a nice chat with 3 or 4 interruptions. :)
Another thing is when she receives the packages we send.  When I pack them, I try to put the happiest things on the top - so that when she takes off the ton of tape I put on them, she can see a picture Kasey has colored, or a colorful envelope with a funny card and a letter inside.  An example:  Probably her least favorite classic family movie she saw as a kid, and a movie that is STILL being shown all the time, is The Wizard of Oz.  It seems the Munchkins - those adorable little people who belonged to the Lollipop Guild - scared  her as a kid.  So when I was shopping in Safeway not long ago and looking for a funny card,  there was a blank card with a picture of Dorothy and Toto, the Tinman, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.  I laughed as I picked it up, got a few strange looks from the customers nearby, and immediately knew that was THE card I would be sending.  She enjoyed it and said that she laughed too when she saw it.  By the way, she still dislikes the movie intensely so I don't know if Kasey will ever get to see it.  I think it will be up to me to make sure he sees it while she is deployed.  I'll rent it one of these weekends.  LOL.

And then there is Faith.  Last Sunday we had an Army Chaplain fill in at our church while our Pastor was away,  and he did a question and answer session during the Bible Study hour after worship service.  I was able to share that Laurie is deployed, what she does, and the fact that not long ago, Laurie and her staff were required to see and do something a parent would never want their child to see or do.  He cringed and said he would pray for  her "because" he said, "I understand exactly what you mean. "  The cringe confirmed MY discomfort but the fact that he promised to pray for her confirmed the knowledge to everyone in that room that people of faith believe He is listening.  And answering.  And for those sitting around us, I believe it also made them thankful for their own children sitting in their Sunday school classes downstairs.
And this is the biggest comfort - the prayers.  I know that you are all praying for Laurie - and for us, and those prayers bring immense comfort. I have the assurance that He is listening and will answer them all, I trust, with His grace.
Thanks for stopping by.  And for all you do for our family.

Not JUST a Day for Numbers




Veteran's Day...November 11, 2011.
11/11/11. 
It's a day which some will think of first as a day of six ones.  But for those of us who love a veteran, who REMEMBER a veteran, or who love someone in active military service  it is a day we set aside for respect. And for honoring all those who came before us and fought for this land we call America.

My good friend Bruce wrote me an email  last night that included this, amongst other things:

TWO HOLIDAYS:

THANKSGIVING IS A DAY WHEN WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS

FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE

VETERANS DAY IS A DAY WHEN WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS

TO THE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR THE THINGS WE HAVE

 Dear Lord we thank you for those who fought, for those who died to keep us free, and for those who LIVE to keep our land free.


Amen

Not Too Much Changes.....Well, Maybe One or Two Things. 




As the weeks pass and we count the days in Laurie's deployment, (pretty soon we will be on the down side of the count) there are more things to think about.  And some days, as the news unfolds, these things are not always easy.  But this is why we have the blessing of prayer and knowing that He is listening.  No matter how many times we repeat the prayer, He listens.  And every day, He answers.  Day in and day out, war goes on around her unit, but the Lord keeps answering.  Even on those days when I am feeling afraid, somehow He gets me through them  Sometimes one foot in front of the other, but from sun up to sundown, He is listening.  
The last couple of weeks in church I have found myself just taking a moment or two to pray.  The choir might be singing their joyous anthems, Pastor might be preaching his sermon (and I try to always keep listening but that's hard when you are trying to pray at the same time :), or the ushers might be working their way back with the collection plates during the offering.  And it feels like He is nudging me.  The prayers are not always for Laurie's safety, but a thank you for His grace.  I think it's pleasing to Him to hear those prayers of thanks and not just those of asking for something.  Don't you think so? Trust me, and I think He knows this too, I never take Him for granted.   But I  always know He is in our corner...watching, protecting, and loving. 
One thing I have to keep in mind ALWAYS...my family counts on my trust in Him, and that I am not afraid. That's a pretty tall order sometimes and I know they know better about the fear thing - I am, after all, a mom.  I know that Laurie prays as well so we are together in that because we pray for the same things - family, protection, thanksgiving. And a lot of times, my prayers are for strength for us all.  The world can be a frightening place, can't it?
We don't talk too much with Stephen about what's going on over there.  He doesn't watch the news (not a bad choice - maybe I should try this), and doesn't really want to know about it either.  We don't listen when Laurie calls on Skype because it's none of our business, and what Stephen wants to share, he shares. 
The one other thing that is changing is that, after almost giving up on it, the afghan is nearly done.  The boys (Ron and Stephen) are taking back all their suggestions that I buy one instead of knitting one) and Stephen said a VERY interesting scrap book for me to make to go with the afghan would be the process of how the knitting of it  has unfolded.  Never mind this, Stephen!  That it will be done in time is the good thing, right?
And so, as we wait for yet another mountain snow storm which is supposedly on its way, I'll keep on counting, keep on praying, and trusting.  (and knitting). It's a good day for baking an apple pie, and for some knitting and purling. 
Thanks for stopping by - you are a blessing to me and to our family which we are so grateful for.