Well today is the day!!! I have to say I have dreamt of this day for over a year now. I can remember when we were in the Marine Corps I would hear about the Army's deployments for 12 plus months. I would feel so sorry for the Army wives and thought I could NEVER do that!
Well God had other plans for us. When John told me he was coming into the Army, God instantly put it in my spirit that he would deploy right away. God had been working on preparing me for this deployment a good 6 mo. out.
Well Feb 22, 2009 came and it was one of the hardest days of my life. It was cold, rainy, at o dark thirty that we had to say “See you later” because we don’t say goodbye! I remember a gut wrenching feeling that well I know I will experience again, however it does not make it any better.
As I pulled out of the parking lot and looking into our Baby Girls eyes well I really lost it. I felt so horrible for John. We had prayed and wanted our precious gift from God for years. Now he was going to miss out on a year of her life. I knew at that time, my husband was making more than the normal sacrifice of a deployment. I knew that God would see him and me through it. I also knew I would take TONS of pictures (as you can see from my many albums) as for him not to miss out on too much.
The 1st night was horrible!!! I did laundry that day and well waited to fold and put it away that night (never again). Seeing his clothes and putting them away for a year hurt so bad. I remember calling my Mom at midnight my time and well 3 am hers. She was there ready to talk. She told me don't look at it as a year. Take it one day at a time. That night I know God was there in our room holding me and rocking me to sleep. I could have never gotten to sleep any other way.
Hannah-Grace's 3rd BD came and well I have to say it was one of the hardest for me. I remember the glowing look on John's face when he saw her born. I just want him to be here for this too. Yet another sacrifice he made for this country he loves.
I have to say my several trips to NC made the deployment go by a lot faster. It gave me something to look forward to. I could never have done it without my Mom and Dad. I have to say it gave me a break from the everyday to make it easier.
I have to give God all the glory on the success of this deployment. He has taught me a deeper level of prayer. When I would not hear from John for 4 or 5 days, well what else can you do? Go crazy? Nope not an option. He would remind me in his sweet calming voice "Meredith, no news is good news." He taught me how to rely on Him as my husband. I use to rely on John for everything. Well with God and His strength and courage I did things I would never thought I could do! The Lord also showed me a deeper relationship with John. It is hard to have relationship separated by miles. God would put people or books in my way that would give me ideas to help us grow deeper! He was a source of wonderful encouragement through friends and family. He allowed me to meet and love on some wonderful friends. I have to say us Army Wives well we are a breed all our own. God gives us strength and courage that is amazing!!
R&R was wonderful. 15 days of well Bliss!! I have to say, I am very thankful for the little time we got to spend together. I would not trade it for the world. Thanksgiving and Christmas well they were tough. God taught me to look at them totally differently. It was more about Jesus than me or our family!
I have to say staying busy volunteering and sharing the light of Jesus really helped me though this year. It has not always been easy, but the outcome is not for me, it is for God!
PWOC was a saving grace. It was my weekly pick me up that I needed. Puyallup 4square church helped me keep my head up. Hearing encouraging and humorous messages from Roger well they allowed me to grow and have a deep relationship with God. Roger and Tina made me feel so special; they would always have an encouraging word or just ask how I was doing. In a church that size, they would remember me and our family!
My friends and family were always there for me no matter the day or time. Your loving e mails, encouraging words and well just listening ears helped me so much. You all keep me busy and I love you all for it.
Today is a beautiful Sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest. Today is a day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!! Today is a day that God wrote in my destiny before I was even born; He amazes me with His love for me!!
Thank you Lord for your Strength and Courage to not only survive but thrive through this Deployment!!!
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