So much of our Army life consists of going and staying…and going again. It’s an endless cycle of movement and learning to BE in the place where you are.
We moved here to Fort Leavenworth this past summer knowing that it was only for a year. We came with a short-timers mind set, but still sought to be intentional about finding our place and settling in as much as possible to make this home for the year we were here.
We found a church that we absolutely love.
We found a homeschool group that we’ve invested in.
We found community among our neighbors.
And all the while we wondered where we would be going next.
As Christmas approached, our friends and neighbors began learning of their next assignment, and we became even more anxious to know.
But, we also knew that the board that would decide our next move didn’t meet until mid to late January, so we waited.
We waited and speculated and waited some more.
Our waiting and speculating finally came to an end last week when we were notified of Keith’s next assignment.
It has taken us a full week to process our going and staying for the next year.
There will be a bit of both of those in our near future is what we learned.
My husband will be going and the kids and I will be staying. With that comes a lot of bittersweet emotions that are difficult to adequately express, explain and understand ourselves.
Keith will be leaving this summer for an unaccompanied assignment in Korea.
That means that our family will be separated for a year. That separation will be hard, but I know in the hard is where growth occurs.
While I still am not fully able to celebrate this upcoming change for our family, I have come to peaceably accept it. I can see a lot of good in it.
God’s provision is evident and I am immensely grateful for that!
The best part is that we won’t have to move. We’ll get to stay in our home and the neighbor that we share a duplex with is staying for another year, too! I really was not looking forward to the stress and hardship of moving again this summer.
We’ll also get to continue investing in our church, homeschool and neighborhood communities.
One of the most important things I personally need to get through a deployment (and that’s really how I’m viewing this, although it’s technically not) is a good, supportive church. We have definitely found that here.
For the first time I decided that we would do a homeschool co-op during our stay here. The circumstances were *just right* for the homeschool group I found that I was really wishing that we would have that in the next spot as well. Now there isn’t a “next spot”…we can continue being involved in Legacy Christian Academy!
My husband is really excited about the job he will have in Korea. It’s a position he has worked towards. It’s one that I am certain he has been called to. Knowing that will get me through the hard days of the next year.
I’ve been praying about my own goals for the time that Keith is away.
I’ve been praying about the kind of mom I want to be to our children.
I’ve been praying about how I can take care of myself during a time that is sure to be demanding.
I’ve also been praying about how I can take you through this journey with us in a real and authentic way.
A board of Army chaplains may have met to determine assignments for the next year, but it is truly God who has called us to this next season in our lives. It is God who controls our future. And it is God who will walk with us through the upcoming days, weeks, months and years.
It is God who ultimately writes our future.
That is the truth that I cling to.
I feel as if I barely survived our last two deployments. My little ones were babies and the work for me as a mom was intense during that time! We’re in a different season now with children that are a bit older. The physical work won’t be nearly as demanding, but there are more emotions involved. They have a better understanding of what’s going on around them. My biggest concern and prayer is that we, my husband and I, walk them through this time well. I would appreciate your prayers for that.
It is my desire to do more that just survive this time. I want to be intentional and purposeful about how my time is spent and the memories we make during the time that Keith is away.
The verse above is the one that I am claiming for our next assignment…for Keith’s going and my staying.
For me it is and it will be good to be near God. I have made…I am purposing to make…the Lord God my refuge in my times of joy and struggle, that I may tell of all His works.
I know they will be abundant!
Barbie says
I cannot imagine being separate from my husband for a year! I will be praying for you and for your family.
Pat Hensley says
I know that it will be hard for you but hopefully this will be a time for growth for everyone. I hope your family will be able to Skype and that the year goes by quickly. Your family is in my prayers!
Rachel says
God bless you, your husband, and you children. I am so grateful for the sacrifices families like you make so that my family can enjoy the freedoms provided by the service of families like yours! Sweet sister in Christ, I will pray for you and your family over this deployment. I appreciate your opening your life and homeschooling advice to newbies like me. Your posts have offered me encouragement and inspiration. I hope to encourage you through this season with prayer.
Ginger Harrington says
Not the orders you were hoping for! I’ll be praying for you and your family this next year. I’ve never had to do the whole year deployment. I’ll be thinking of you!
Aubrey says
Wow! Yes, the Lord is near. Excited for what He is doing and praying for you and your family as He carries you this next year.
Emmmmerz says
A friend of mine is halfway through a tour there, they are doing the best they can.
Prayers your way. ?