Exactly one year ago I was struggling through my worst days of deployment. I felt extremely alone. I didn’t live where my husband was based and consequently had no support network of other military families. I didn’t even live in the same state as my own family. I didn’t know how to reach out to the friends I did have for help. Perhaps the most difficult thing of all, though, was the emotional distance I was feeling from my husband.

So, I prayed. I prayed for comfort as I fell asleep crying. I prayed for guidance back to a happier place in my heart. It was all I could do to keep from falling deeper into my own misery.

In the midst of all this, I ended up breaking down at the gym during an especially grueling workout of lunges. I hate crying in front of other people, and these certainly weren’t just a few tears welling up in my eyes. I had been awkwardly trying not to cry, which made it hard to breathe. Soon, the trickles of tears going down my face that I had passed off as “sweat” turned into a flood of tears, and I found myself gasping for breath between sobs –still hopelessly trying not to cry. I was so embarrassed.

Fortunately, my gym community was nothing but supportive, and my coach told me I should contact his wife –whom I had never met. She was taking on the challenge of raising 3 children under the age of 5 (including a newborn!), and he figured we could help each other out. I don’t like to ask for help, but under the guise that I could help her with the kids I sent her a Facebook message. I now literally thank God I did.

We quickly made a date for me to come over, and it was at that point that things began to turn around for me. I would go over to their house nearly weekly, and it gave me something to look forward to each week. Playing with the kids refreshed my soul, holding the baby gave peace to my heart, and post-bedtime talks with her strengthened my spirit. The rest of deployment went by quickly and even joyfully, and before I knew it my countdown was quickly reaching its end.

It wasn’t until after my husband got home months later that I realized that her family was the answer to my prayer. They were like angels to me.

If you’re lonely, I encourage you to open yourself to both old friends and new people. You never know where you will find the comfort and support that you need.

__________________________________

Stephanie Dooley is the imperfect but crazy-in-love sailor’s wife who is prayerfully seeking to be a source of comfort and rest for those who need it. Despite her wealth of experience in long-distance and Mechanical Engineering, she is currently learning about the trials and triumphs of living together and eagerly attempting to put her 8th grade home economics award to good use.
For more about Stephanie head over to her personal blog enjoycloudy.blogspot.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 2% [?]

As I write this post, I am cozily sitting with my husband as he reads a graphic novel (note: do not call your husband’s graphic novel a comic book); I’ve just finished reading a few chapters of a Nicholas Sparks book. I’m in absolute bliss.

A year ago –or even 6 months ago– I couldn’t even imagine this moment. My husband, a sailor, was on deployment and I worked for a company that was going through a seemingly endless stream of lay-offs. Our marriage was long distance even when my husband wasn’t on deployment… as our entire courtship had been. Lazy, wordless time together wasn’t exactly on the dream list yet. Phone calls that lasted nearly 40 minutes -now those were the things I ached for.

Throughout this time I worried. A lot. There seemed to be an overwhelming amount of uncertainty in our future. The prospect of getting laid off. My husband getting stationed somewhere new. That would make our marriage plane-ride long distance, not the car-ride long distance that we had made decently comfortable. To top it off, deployment was really taking a toll on me, and I cringed at the thought of dealing with long distance even after it was over.

I stressed about decisions I felt faced with: What if I get laid off before my husband’s deployment ends, where should I go? If I don’t get laid off, should I leave my job and follow my husband when he moves? Is it really a good idea to be talking about starting a family when everything is so up in the air? How much longer do I really feel comfortable waiting to start a family? What is best for us?

My mom told me to give my worries to God and trust Him. I knew she was right, and I would diligently follow her advice …for a few days. Then I would go back to worrying. We went through this cycle several times. God bless my mom.

Well, I got laid off. It wasn’t easy, and it brought on some more worries, but it happened and I wholeheartedly believe it happened for the best. About a week after my final paycheck, my husband started work in the new location, and I was there to kiss him goodbye in the morning. Talk about impeccable timing on God’s end.

We finally live together now, which is pretty awesome. We’re incredibly happy. I think: How could I have worried so much? How often does God have to prove to me that he has better plans for me than I have for myself?

I pray that I can remember this when the worries pile on again because in hindsight I am quite aware that the worries only created completely useless and unnecessary stress. I didn’t even have to make those decisions I thought I would be facing. Except for the starting the family one. Which, as it turns out, I don’t really get to pick when that happens anyway…

I should probably read Matthew 6:25-34 more often. Isaiah 55:9 too.

_________________

Stephanie Dooley is the imperfect but crazy-in-love sailor’s wife who is prayerfully seeking to be a source of comfort and rest for those who need it. Despite her wealth of experience in long-distance and Mechanical Engineering, she is currently learning about the trials and triumphs of living together and eagerly attempting to put her 8th grade home economics award to good use.
For more about Stephanie head over to her personal blog enjoycloudy.blogspot.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

It is no secret that being a military spouse takes great strength. The daily trials of our daily lives are stressful, from grocery shopping, working, paying the bills, and taking care of the kiddos.  Nothing of a challenge to do it all and overturn our routines we get so accustomed to in a no-time notice. Deployments can be rough, but so can shore duty. In my mind I get so used to my loved one being gone I forget the routine of what it is like to have him home.

Knowing my husband will be home for the next three years scares me but delights me all the same. Scared of the day he redeploys and not being ready; but glad for the time for him we are granted with him to get to spend with family and our son. I know none of this is possible without the strength of our amazing savior Jesus. When I’m feeling overwhelmed I look back upon the passage of Philippians 4:13 (NIV) : I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It is so easy to get caught up in praising Christ when times are good; when the boat is rocked a little bit we often question the Lord instead of praising him. I try to remember the Lord is my rock my strength and my all. In the bad times I lean on him for strength, because as he states so many times that things would get hard but he would never leave our sides. The famous passage of “Footprints” reminds us he will carry us through. So this week in your daily trials – whether that might mean your loved one is deployed or right at home with you – lean on the Lord for strength and he will see you through anything. Have a great week everyone.

_______________

My name is Chelesea Snyder.  Yes, three E’s it is!  I am a country girl born and raised in Kansas. In my spare time I read, write,  and hang out with family and friends. I am married to a Navy man and we just had a son that we named Bentley. Anything else you can catch up with me on my blog: Snyderswords.blogspot.com.

Popularity: 2% [?]