Thursday, January 24, 2008

When They Leave

I mentioned that Brian is deploying...he has been supposed to for over a year now and it just never happened. He was supposed to go to the sandy spot...never happened and then someplace else, but it just never happened. The Lord's timing is always perfect and the situation has always been in His hands. After all the "false alarms" we have been through concerning him leaving...I kind of got desensitized to Brian telling me "this time, I think it's for REAL" ;) Now, I guess the D0D has their planning done and Brian will in fact be deploying the beginning of next month, but not to the sandy spot. He is going to a place that starts with K and ends with a...he will be gone for about 3 months ( I feel almost guilty as my friends' husbands are leaving for over 4 times that!) and then he will go somewhere else for a few weeks...I can't explain how I feel. I feel thankful that he (probably) won't be gone longer, guilty because of my friends' husbands who will be gone long, and also sad that he has to leave at all. I can't help but worry about his safety-though, I know that he is just as safe there as here being in God's perfect will..and THAT is a comfort. These men who love the Lord and are HIS, are SAFER -even in what appears to be harms way being IN His will than they could possibly be anywhere else OUT of God's will. Almighty God is their keeper.

I guess, my heart is still "raw" feeling from knowing my friend Ash's husband has just left to the sandy spot for the next 13 months (my eyes fill just typying it)...my friend Lauren's husband has been gone for almost 6 Months (?)...Mrs McCada's husband...has a long way to go, Carmen's beloved is about to deploy, Lisa's just deployed for 13 months...and I just sit and cry for them, I really do. I am so proud of them, proud of their willingness, their faith in the Lord, their courage, their strength, their determination to continue on with their chins up. At the same time, my heart aches...the kids ask about them- "Is Tony's Daddy still at the war mommy?", "I'm so glad I got to sit in the Super Hero seats on the plane" ...they look up to them and know they really are heroes. Every time someone's daddy is not at church, my children ask if they went to the war....and my eyes fill....Please PRAY for these brave families. Yes BRAVE FAMILIES. I love them all dearly and love my Lord who will supply their every need.

When he gets back from his little trips, we will be getting ready to move tooooooo (drum roll please)pbpbppbpbpbpbpbpbpbpbpbp VIRGINIA BEACH :)

20 comments:

Pam--in America said...

Aaaahhh, one of the many joys of military life: deployments...I know just how you feel. It is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you see others around you being separated for much longer. I can't even imagine what the wives do when they are left behind without a church family to lean upon. God and my church have always gotten me through these separations.
I am so excited for you going to Virginia Beach! We still don't know where we're going next; but you never know....maybe we'll be taking weekend drives to visit you before long!!

mama2drama said...

So happy you'll be in the states and thank you for the sweet tribute to our brave soldiers and their families who need all the support they can get.
BTW did you get to read my post on the 21st about the Marines?

Cherlyn said...

Excellent drum roll. :D

You and the little ones will certainly be in my prayers. Brian, too, of course! Please do not be afraid to ask for help, either - I would be more than happy to bring some Burger King to you. hahahahaha!

~~Deby said...

I *know* your pain and tell you WE as a husband and wife appreciate YOUR sacrifice...it is a family thing..you are great Americans...and a God honoring family...Will pray for you and those you mentioned...and just also say THANK YOU to the Lord for families and patriots that are willing to go the distance..
WE are honored..by your service.
Deby

Kristi said...

Virginia Beach???? NO WAY!!! Bruce's brother is stationed there. He's Navy. You'll be close to me....well, obviously closer than you are now. lol

I'm sorry your husband has to go away for a little while. I'm sorry all of your husband's have to go away. As I was reading your post, I couldn't help but picture the pain God felt as His Son left Heaven to to win the battle here on earth.

I appreciate so much what your husbands and your families give up for me. For my chidren. For my own family.

Love you, girl, and keeping you close in prayer.

~Kristi

Heather said...

Pam...I sure hope we live across the street again...except this time we would NOTICE!! ;)

Sileena, I will have to go check that out!

Cherlyn :) Hey, Burger King is one of the first things Lily learned to say when we moved here and I was pregnant with Ayden Hahahah...the fries would help my stomach. How are YOU?

Deby, your prayers are so appreciated. Thank you for your kind words-it really means so much to these guys to see that they are supported and believed in.

Kristi- Hahaha...yeah, I little closer than roughly the OTHER SIDE of the globe! ;) Hey!! We will actually be in the same time zone!! WOW!

Cherlyn said...

Doing very well, thanks :) So thankful that the baby is healthy! I am finally getting my energy back, so Bobby and I may make a trip to the states soon! :)

For some reason, BK has not helped my stomach this time around. Strawberries, do, though. I thanked God when I saw that the commissary is already carrying them!

Heather said...

:) Cherlyn, I am so glad. Yes, I almost got the strawberries, but put them back as they were WAY out of my budget Hahahah

missy said...

Heather, Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog tonight. Your comments were very sweet and encouraging. Please come back anytime!

I am both happy and sad for you concerning this post! Three months is definitely better than a year, and of course the destination is much better, but Hubby being gone is still Hubby being gone, am I right?? Your words are so wise though...about him being safe wherever he is just through the fact of Gods protection and will that surrounds him. Absolutely wonderful outlook!!

HOPE said...

This post brought tears to my eyes...I am always deeply touched when I read anything about our wonderful service people. I am from a family of Military heritage and then we started our own. My husband a former Marine...my two son's and one SIL in the service. All having served in Iraq. My youngest (the other twin-my story)is going once again in April.

The Lord is our shining shield our helper in time of need and our rock of defence. He is our comfort and stronghold in the day of trouble. HE IS OUR GOD!

God bless you as you patiently wait on your husband's return. My prayers will be with you Heather as they are with those serving.

Be sure and get my info from Pam...just in case you need a nice vacation to "HOPE'S" bed and breakfast.

Mishel said...

A husband being gone is always hard, no matter how long. But I understand what you are saying. : ) I'm glad Brian isn't going to the sandy spot.

My best friend Beth lives in Virginia Beach! (She the one I said you reminded me of her.) If we go for a visit, we'll have to find you!! : )

Cherlyn said...

Mine too - but nothing is too much when you are stricken with pregnancy cravings! :)

Liz said...

Sorry ro hear that you're hubby is going to be gone. We are facing a very similar situation later this year. It is very hard to complain when I think of how much worse it could be, and is for people I know. But it's still never easy to say goodbye.

Virginia Beach sounds exciting though. Yay!!!

HsKubes said...

Praying for y'all as you prepare. Being apart is being apart, no matter what the length of time is. It is still saddening to say good-bye. But praise the Lord that we have HIM to lean on. I don't know how I would have made it through the past 12 1/2 months without having the Lord there to comfort us, protect us, give us His grace, and strengthen us. Praise the Lord that we can do all things through HIM (Philippians 4:13). Praying for y'all.
Virginia Beach sounds so nice! If y'all get there and head down to NC for some reason, be sure to let me know. ;o)

~ Christina

Anonymous said...

Heather, thank you so much for your prayers and for putting it all in perspective, your words are so true, our husbands are in God's hands if they are saved and what awesomely loving hands those are!
I will lift your family, and all the families with loved one's serving in the military up to the Lord in prayer far more often now,thank you for re-opening my eyes to the sacrifices being made for all of us, all over the world.
By the way, my stepdad was stationed in Virginia Beach. Norfolk to be exact. He was Navy.
Welcome back to the USA! {{hugs}} :)

Michelle said...

Aww..You guys are gonna love Va Beach..Dh was Medically retired from th Army and we were stationed at Ft Eustis and I loved it there in Va..Be sure to visit Williamburg,Jamestown and York Towm..Awsome History there.. You and your family are in my prayers..

Heather said...

Missy, thanks so much for visiting!! :) Come back soon...must warn that sometimes I do fall off the edge of the blogosphere ;)

Hope, I would love to get your B&B info ;) We will def. have to MIRL :) Thank you so much for your encouraging words!

Liz, I am sorry to hear you will be going through something similar...:( It is always hard to be separated for any length of time. Love you girl.



Mrs Mishel...wow...wouldn't that be WONDERFUL??!! I will keep my blog up..hopefully and we must stay in touch.

Christina, I think of you and your precious family...the pics of your husband giving your children the "daddy dolls" is still etched in my mind. I sat and cried as I read about his "surprise" visit that ended all too quickly. You are one amazing woman-I so admire how you lean on Him. ((((hug))))

Heather said...

Anon- thank you so much for your kind words...your prayers are such a blessing.

Michelle- We are looking forward to visiting the historical places of interest...it is hard to really look forward to it when I have this big HUMP before me, but God is so good-He will see us through.

Kimi said...

Heather-I wish you could have made it to Virginia before we left. It would have been so nice to see you guys again.

kammie said...

Heather!! I will definately be in the prayer closet for all parties involved! I've been there and I know how much the prayers are needed and appreciated.

VA Beach? We'll practically be neighbors!! Yea!!!!