Heroes in March

March has been a very significant month at Fort Drum as 3rd Brigade has finally made it's return home after being deployed overseas for the last 12 months.  Throughout these last few weeks, I've watched with tears in my eyes, the numerous FB posts and photos of sweet family reunions.  Hearing wives refer to their husbands as their 'hero' coming home has become very common terminology.  And how true as these men have sacrificed a whole year of the comforts of home and loved ones to serve our nation by dutifully following orders overseas, some experiencing injuries and even some who were not able to return.  However, watching these same wives run their households, help their neighbors and friends in similar situations and find time to give of their 'free' time in various capacities around Fort Drum, I've been amazed by the 'heroes' that are here at home: the army wives.  So ready to help and serve others, I've been so struck by these amazingly strong women. 

Playing with our neighbor & friend!

Personally, I'd been dreading March for months, ever since Dan told me he would be away for the entire month training. As our first separation experience as a family, I had no idea how Daniella would do without Daddy for that long (or how I'd do on my own with two little ones, for that matter!).  So as I trudged into March dragging my feet, I kept thinking of all the wives around me who were finishing up their deployment duty of this past year.  And what encouragement I found!  One comment that struck me was made by a friend of mine who's husband is deployed, "I couldn't do this without Christ."  Those words have stayed with me this month as I've thought about how this is just practice for whenever the time comes when it will be our family's turn to experience deployment.  I want to be like these women I've watched all around me since we moved here in August.  Strong, confident, loving servants.  I've realized the only way selfish, fearful Sasha can accomplish that is through my Savior!  In my weakness, He is strong!

Dance party with Auntie & Uncle;
dancing is a frequent activity in our home!

So much more I could write here... like how awesome our families have been this month either by their visits (as shown in the video above of my in-laws and to the left of my sister & fiance) and/or phonecalls and prayers, how sweet my friends both here at Drum and elsewhere have been by checking in on me, and how amazing my next door neighbors are in all the playdates and care for my girls and me!  God is so faithful; I'm so thankful!  And April's around the corner! ;)

THANKFUL! :)

Hindsight

Hindsight is 20/20.  What truth in that catch phrase!  10 months ago we found out we were pregnant with our little Hannah and a week later received the call that Dan was accepted as an active duty army chaplain.  You should have seen my first reaction to the later news... not my finest moment I must admit.  Not because I didn't strongly believe this had been God's call on our lives, but this was not my timing!  My plan was either for us to stay an hour from our families in the community of friends and ministry we had just begun to grow comfortable in... OR go active duty and THEN get pregnant after we were nicely settled into another comfortable life community.  It surprised me that wasn't God's plan because it made perfect sense!

Well, here we are 10 months later, 2 moves later, 3 different OB doctor offices later, and 2 kids later.  Hannah was born on her November due date... the only part of this journey that went as planned :).  And as I've posted in earlier blog posts, God has provided for us in every detail of our needs and desires along the way.  It never ceases to amaze and surprise me... although it shouldn't, that's just who God is. 


The next 2 years will bring many new experiences for our family with two growing girls and months when Dan will be away for training or deployment.  As a new Army wife, I can't even imagine what that will be like.  However, as I look in hindsight at the last 10 months I'm confident God is loving and trustworthy.  What peace and joy that truth brings!

Happy new year!