Today marks the last session of our summer study of Tour of Duty. We had more than 100 women sign up to participate, and while not everyone was able to finish, it’s my prayer that many of you were able to benefit from what you read and from the discussion with other wives on the weekly posts.
A big thank you to all of our Tour Guides for the time you took with your groups, and a special thank you to Jessica Crow and Alicia Shepherd for your help in co-leading!
If you have enjoyed the time you’ve had getting in God’s Word and getting to know other military spouses, let me encourage you to consider registering for our Wives of Faith Weekend Retreat that happens September 23-24 in Nashville. You can find all the details here – come and help us celebrate 5 years!
Also this fall, we are planning on holding our first GOD Strong online study. If you are interested, be watching for more details next week!
Let’s go ahead and get to the video and discussion questions. If you were able to participate at all in the last 8 weeks, please take a moment today to share what God taught you, or what helped you the most, or what you’re going to do differently in deployment going forward. Blessings to you!!
~Sara
Discussion Questions:
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers?
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28?
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage?
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week?
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this?
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks?
Please be watching for a survey that will be sent out on Friday. Your feedback on this online study will help us as we plan the next one.
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Ladies,
I have a call to prayer. I have a friend, a fellow military wife and fellow sister in Christ who just received some devastating news. Her seven year old son was just diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem. It is inoperable and they didn’t give him very good odds on survival. Please lift Aiden up in your prayers, that God would touch him and heal him, if that is His will. Please put him on your prayer list for daily healing and please ask your church to pray for him as well. The more prayer for this child, the better.
Thank you.
In Him,
Vanessa Couch
Vanessa C
Saying a special prayer tonight and in the days to come for little Aiden, his family and you Vanessa!
Michelle
Thank you Michelle.
Vanessa C
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers?
The section “Born with Purpose” where Sara describes her friend who is a stay-at-home mom really resonated with me. I do have to remember that God chose me to do this. I loved (and highlighted) the sentence: “The constant routine of keeping up with the little ones gives you many moments to demonstrate self-control, grace, and forgiveness – all qualities that may one day help your children fall in love with God.” I think that puts it all into perspective for me nicely. It isn’t about me, it’s about God’s plan for me.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28?
We just have to listen above all the noise in our lives to God’s call and we are to respond. He can give us the strength to get through anything that comes our way.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage?
Self-created courage can fail, courage from God can not fail because we trust in Him to get us through the trials and tribulations of life. I asked you all a few days ago to pray for a friend whose son was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. She is the best example that I have seen of a person who has courage that comes from God. She knows that God is in charge.
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week?
When she found out what God’s purpose for her life was, she went ahead and acted upon it. I grew up hearing the story, but finally understand it now.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this?
I feel courageous when I am alone, either my husband is deployed or working, and I know that God is with me. Sometimes in the moment I struggle with remembering that God is with me and he planned this very moment for my life.
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks?
I have learned that although we may not have the same experiences while our husbands are deployed, we are to be encouraging to one another by being respectful of that woman’s difficulties. We must remember that sometimes when we are meaning to encourage each other with our “deployment stories”, we tend to make less of someone else’s experience. It is in the way you say it and I have noticed the longer that some women stay a military spouse, the less caring or less tolerance they have for women whose walk as a military spouse is just beginning. Sometimes it is just listening to the “newbies” and respecting their story. As sisters in Christ this is even more important because our lives are our testimonies.
I feel that after this study, I am not only better equipped to deal with a deployment, I can now give Scripture or use examples (such as David and the Giant or Elijah in the cave or the desert) to help another military spouse who is floundering for some answers.
Thank you to Sara for this book and to everyone who was so honest on here. It’s nice to know that I wasn’t the only one feeling a certain way about deployments. Also, it was great to see how many ladies on here love the Lord, you are an example to me.
Vanessa C
I like what you said about Esther, “she acted upon it.”. I know it was probably scary for her to say the least, ut she did act upon God’s call. What an example for us to follow.
Natasha
I don’t have nay kids yet, but I took that section (part of your answer to question 1) as an encouragement to act and respond to difficult situations in a way that will cause my military wife friends who are not believers to draw closer to God and hopefully fall in love with Him someday. I know I have not always done the best job at this, but I want to do better!
Katie D.
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers?
To show my parents that being a christian and loving God isn’t stiff or stuffy. To let them see Jesus through me. That is the biggest calling/purpose right now. I have felt this calling to be a teacher for the last 5 years of my life. Pursued a degree and am now aiming to get a job. Teaching and Impacting little lives in a positive way.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28?
That God has a purpose for me and my life. That He works in a way that is best for me and sets me up to work the best for Him. That I may not see the good in everything at the moment, but I know it is there somewhere.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage?
God’s courage comes from a place we didn’t know we had until it comes out. When we are walking forward, and aren’t sure how we are doing it. We feel good about where the courage is taking us.
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week?
I should think more.Pray more.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this?
Almost everyone expected me to stay at home with my parents until Adam returns home. I know in my heart that I am supposed to be in North Carolina. I can’t sit around and wait to start God’s plan for me. I have to get up and go and I feel so good about it.
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks?
Knowing that I am not the only one struggling with deployment. There are a lot of women that know how I feel and know what I am dealing with. That not only are there more women out there like me, they are God fearing women, strong women, caring women, and so so much more.
Nicole Wayland
Nicole,
I really enjoyed reading your post. How true is everything that you just stated! We are strong, God fearing women who are especially pick to do the job that we do. We find strenght in God when we have no more to give and He knows this.
Family does not understand what we live with everyday. They say they do, but they don’t.
Everything is amplified in our lives because our priorities are different than most. I am proud of you for following your dream to become a teacher and that you are wanting to live your life as an example to your family that Jesus is the way.
Best of luck to you and your family. God Bless
Jamie
I love what you said about courage! That is so true!
Natasha
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers?
As my husband and I talked last night, I found this to be more true than ever: to be the best wife I can be. With what he feels called to do, he needs me to be supportive and understanding. When I do that, I am making him happy.
I think a big purpose of my life is to serve. Some older ladies at church told me that I am serving alongside Jeff. We are serving God, our country, and our church together.
Being blessed with children, I know I have the awesome, sometimes scary, responsibility of guiding my sons to be men of God.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28?
Love it! If I follow in God’s will, He will provide for me.
We have a family cried who is running from God’s will and the more he runs, the worse things seem to get for him and his family.
Being in God’s will is sometimes scary, but He promises to bless us for our obedience.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage?
Courage is NOT about me. It is about humbling myself (which can be scary) and fully relying on the strength of God. It is about surrendering myself to his will, his plans, and allowing him to work through me.
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week?
I think I was just reminded more than ever that this is my time to serve God. Whether it is being an Army wife or a preacher’s wife, a mother, a teacher, or friend, He has chosen me for this time and I must be obedient to His calling.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this?
Sometimes the courage to just hang in there is difficult. Exhaustion sets in and it is so easy to give up. Being a mom of three boys, working full time as a teacher, being involved at church, and coaching whatever sport we’ve signed up for leaves me very tired sometimes. Therefore I sometimes say I can’t do other things God wants me to do. I think sometimes it takes courage to say, “ok, I have had enough,” and I think it takes even more courage to say, “God, I need you. I can’t do this but I know you can. Please help me.”
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks?
I have learned that whatever lies ahead, whatever God places before me, I can get through it with Him by my side. I am never alone. I have to be willing to admit that I can’t do it alone and I need God. I have to open my eyes to see how He is working in my life. I have to give him praise for what he does for me.
I would like to say as well that I had a neat experience the other day. I was talking with some older ladies at church and they could totally relate to things I go through. They talked about their experiences from their husbands and brothers who had been in Vietnam and other war ravaged places. Although they aren’t my age, they had lots of words of wisdom. I encourage you to seek out such Christian women on your journey. They bring a fresh perspective.
Natasha
Natasha, I love that you were able to glean from the wisdom of military families who have gone before us. Their deployments are something we can’t even fathom. Can you imagine only being able to communicate through mail and that mail taking weeks and months to be delivered? No internet, Skype, email. There is much we can learn from “military spouses of old.”
Deborrah
I like what you said about courage not being about us. It is so true that in order to fully rely on God for strength and courage we have to give up relying on our own strength, and that is sometimes very scary! But the blessings are amazing!
Katie D.
I am lagging in last place, but I have made it..
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers? I do not know what God has planned for my life, but what I do know is that each day He reveals something new to me and I find myself constantly changing my outlook to go with my new revelations.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28? I understand it more now thatn I ever did before. His purpose is not what I believe my purpose to be and I need to remember that.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage? I believe that self created courage has limitations. Courage that comes from God has no limitations and is always readily available.
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week? That what is right is not always easy or easy to explain. It is something that has to be done and that means that someone has to do it.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this? I find myself being courageous by listening and following God. I struggle in every area of my life to do this, but each day I grow stronger.
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks? I am not alone and I am special, I have a purpose.
Jamie
In response to your Esther answer…..sometimes we are the ones who have to do it! How scary that can be.
Natasha
Jamie, I think I’m in a close last place finish with you. But here is the thing we need to focus on. Not the place we finished in, but rather that we finished the race. 2Timothy 4:7 is one of my favorite — “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And the prize is in verse 8 — “There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”
And so, we persevered and fought a good fight and in the end we completed this bible study gaining strength to continue to fight the good fight and persevere through this deployment.
Deborrah
I apologize for not participating these past two weeks. The Army decided to make all kinds of changes regarding my husband’s training (in a foreign country) and then deployment. He is leaving so much sooner than expected — a day or two!
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers?
As a Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA), I support military leaders, Soldiers and their families on a daily basis. This has become my purpose in life for the past 3 years (previously it was nursing). I selected making things runs smoothly at work, and serve others by providing whatever the people around me need.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28?
This is a verse I have know since being a little girl. Yet the first sentence is the one always concentrated on. Having to fill in the second sentence really brought focus to that portion of the verse. Knowing that God called me to His purpose is a great feeling. The hard part for me is knowing that what I am doing is in line with His purpose.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage?
Self-created courage is being able to do something difficult by ourselves. This can certainly get us through the situation, but without any blessings or benefits or even sense of accomplishment. Courage from God is knowing we have supernatural strength, and power to do something difficult and that we are NEVER alone. And did I mention the blessings and benefits??? Oh my!!!
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week?
I really liked lesson 3 — “Thought is necessary.” We plan for vacations, military moves, births, school, etc. I’ve never really thought about planning for deployment. Sure getting ready for it, but not goals for myself or the kids for the deployment overall.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this?
I really appreciate the verse Matthew 14:27 that Sara shared — “Have courage! It is I.” Just before this she said “courage follow strength” “I” is the strength we need to be courageous. Merriam defines courage as the “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” The word persevere stood out in this definition for me. I think military spouses are always persevering to handle the challenges military life throws our way. When we do it with Him, we have the necessary strength.
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks?
Put on our spiritual life jacket and keep our eyes on God! This deployment is in his plan for us and we’re not doing it alone if we stay committed to Him through it all. He will provide!!!
Deborrah
Praying for you as you spend your last little bit of time with your husband before he leaves!
Katie D.
1. The chapter this week started with some heavy questions about God’s purpose for your life. If you feel comfortable sharing, what were some of your answers? Right now I believe God’s main purpose for me is to be the best wife I can be for my husband. We have only been married for 7 months and things have not been all that easy. I confess that I have contributed to some of this difficulty, but I want so badly to be a helper and support to my husband, providing him with a place to come where he can feel peaceful and safe.
2. What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28? When I am doing what God has called me to, nothing can stand in my way. Everything that happens to me, whether good or bad, God will ultimately turn in to good.
3. What’s the difference between self-created courage and courage that comes from God? What insights did you have as you read about courage? Self-created courage can only last as long as your own strength lasts, and this doesn’t last very long. Only courage that comes from God is powerful enough to carry you through whatever difficulties come your way, because it is based on the strength of God which will last forever.
4. What did you learn from the story of Esther this week? Esther was placed by God in her royal position for a specific reason: to save her people. He has also placed me where I am at for a specific reason. I may not always know exactly what He wants me to do every day, but I need to be open and available to what He has for me.
5. How do you find yourself being courageous? In what areas of life do you struggle with this? Oh dear…I feel like I don’t have very many ways that I am courageous. My husband and I have this routine that whenever we have to say good-bye to each other, whether it is just in the morning or when he has to be gone for a while for training, he holds me and says, “Be strong, little marshmallow.” I really am a marshmallow on my own. BUT when I rely on God for strength and courage He definitely helps me through.
6. What’s the biggest takeaway you’ve had from this study and sharing and hearing from the other ladies who have participated over the last 8 weeks? One thing that has been simply wonderful is realizing that I am not alone in my situation as a military wife. The other main thing that has been an encouragement to me is realizing that God has called me to be a military wife just as much as he has called my husband to be a soldier. He has specific things for me to do to support my husband and the other people in my life. My job is important, and God will give me all the resources I need in order to accomplish my mission. He will never leave my side.
Katie D.
My husband just left for basic training this past June. Although it is not a deployment, this book has helped me through these past 6 months apart. When my husband first left, I searched for a book or Bible study that would help shed some light and sense of support, but I could not find anything. It wasn’t until just a few weeks ago that I found this book. I found it exactly when I needed it the most and it has helped me tremendously. I really recommend this study for Military wives of all walks. I plan to keep this book and do the study over and over as years go on and hopefully get a small group of women together to do this study with me. Thank you so much Sara for writing this!
Brittany Blackwell