My husband reminded me this morning that today marks our fourth anniversary in the Army.
Four years ago today, Keith headed out the door of our two-bedroom apartment in Simpsonville, South Carolina to attend his Chaplain’s Basic Course.
We could have had no idea what the next four years would hold for us. I’ll give you just a little overview…
When Keith left, I was five months pregnant with our twin girls. I felt great throughout the pregnancy and we were expecting them to come a little earlier then their due date in May. Our plan was to wait about six weeks after they were born and then I would move to Ft. Campbell with them before Keith left for his first deployment.
Well, the girls came a lot earlier than what we were prepared for. They were born ten weeks premature, in early March. Keith was still in his basic course when they were born and had to take emergency leave to be with me and them as they struggled to survive their early days of life. He then was able to see them only on the weekends.
I wasn’t able to move to Ft. Campbell with Keith after he graduated from his basic course because of medical issues with the babies. We spent several months seperated, having only a few short visits before he left for is first deployment to Iraq.
It worked out well because I had wonderful support from both of our families during the dime of his deployment. I lived within a thirty minute drive from his parents and my parents were able to drive up to visit from their home a few hours away. I was able to form wonderful friendships through a Bible Study at a local church. Keith’s mom babysat the girls so I could get out of the house once a week to attend it. We were pretty much quarantined because of fears of RSV during the fall and winter seasons.
I was so thankful for friends and family during that time, but I was also seperated from the Army family and a bit disconnected from my husband’s ministry.
I moved to Ft. Campbell with my sixteen month old twin girls just about six weeks before Keith returned from Iraq. And became pregnant with Will during his first weeks home.
We spent only one year at Ft. Campbell before leaving to come to Germany where Keith began training for his current deployment.
Because Will’s passport wasn’t ready in time, Keith had to leave ahead of me and I traveled to Germany with my two year old twin girls and an eight-week old Will alone. It was quite traumatic, but we survived!
The next eight months were spent adjusting to life with a newborn and a new country while preparing for Keith to deploy to Iraq for a second time.
Now, on our fourth anniversary of being in the Army family, Keith is a little over half-way through his deployment. I have three beautiful children. Two three year old girls that teach me something about life every day and a nineteen month old boy that gives me a run for my money and keeps me on my toes.
My husband has been away for 33 of the last 48 months.
We have moved twice as a family…once overseas.
We have welcomes three children into our family.
We have seen the passing of two loved pets.
It has been hard.
We have struggled.
But we have also grown and seen God provide peace and comfort in so many ways.
I find rest in knowing that Keith is doing God’s work and following His will.
I am proud of the job that he does and the passion that he has for his soldiers.
Carol says
Great post! Isn’t it wild when you reflect back on the things you go through while supporting and standing beside your husband in the Army?! It really proves how strong we are, doesn’t?!
Oh, and I think you meant sixteen week old babies and not sixteen years old 🙂
Carol says
Or, maybe sixteen month old…I bet it was sixteen months old 🙂
Pat says
What a great story! You are definitely a brave and strong woman and I’m sure Keith wouldn’t be the success he is without you there. You also must have the patience of a saint because after reading all of this, I think, I couldn’t have done it. Or if I did I would have been a raving lunatic! Thank you so much for sharing and if you ever get back to Simpsonville, I hope we get to meet!
ruth a. stiles says
I by no means have had to do all that you have done! God bless you…I have, though, found out that when I am stretched my thinnest, and looking around the next corner don’t know how I can go one step further – this is when God works His best.!
Thea Agnew says
OMGoodness! This sounds like me. I didn’t have twins but it felt like I had triplets! I traveled to Germany along, due to my husband being issued separate flight tickets at an earlier time. I had a 2 1/2 year old, 13 month old and a 2 month old! Oh, I also had two dogs, a chow and chihuahua. That was the hardest trip EVER! We are going on 20 years of marriage and 23 years of active duty service. Currently stationed with the 160th SOAR at Ft. Campbell, KY.
All that you have gone through, makes you a stronger woman. I wouldn’t have gotten through all I went through either without the Lord!
Thank you for your posting.
Blessings~
Thea Agnew
LifeAtTheCircus says
Wow! What a 4 years it has been for you both. I truly believe that we as a nation owe a lot to our troops for the sacrifices they make on our behalf, but they couldn’t do it without their family’s supporting them. You are a vital part of Keith’s ministry. As one behind the scenes, I am guessing you get thanked and recognized even less often than our troops (who in my opinion deserve far more recognition and gratitude from the American people than they could ever get). So thanks. Thanks for being a supportive wife to your man and a godly mom raising up the next generation. As a SAHM mom to three, I know the days aren’t easy. But a SAHM mom to three while you’re alone in a foreign country and your husband is deployed… well that makes my life look like a walk in the park. Keep up the great work and happy anniversary!
Happy Mama says
Wow it sounds like you guys live life to the extreme. We have had similar experiences with being in ministry-minus the deployment to Iraq twice BUT Hubby spent all last year commuting to Michigan from upstate to York for classes every week while I was VERY pregnant with our third! I sometimes sit back and wonder how we can handle the stresses of ministry and I realize God is right there guiding us through truly one day at a time!
You have a way of depicting the life of a chaplain’s wife so well….I think you should write a book! I am not just saying that either from all that I have read of your blog I think you would do a fantastic job!