Today marks the official halfway point of our 8-week study! Congratulations! You are doing great!
Discussion Questions for Embracing the Detours
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
Homework for next week: Read Chapter 4, The Desert of Enough in Tour of Duty.
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1. So far, this deployment hasn’t had too many unexpected detours. Right after my husband left, I had to take the van in to get it worked on, so that always feels super frustrating to have to arrange for help with things like that.
2. Something that I realized while my husband was still home was that even when they are home, we can still have terrible, rotten, super stressful days! We can get frustrated even when our husbands are home, so we shouldn’t use deployment as an excuse to get even more upset and allow ourselves to “go there.” Another thing that I do is try to think of a few things to be thankful for when I am facing a rough time or feeling down. We are called to be thankful and joyful in all circumstances, and I believe gratitude is one of God’s greatest gifts to us because it helps us realize the truth and put things into perspective.
4. Family detours set me back the most because I have a hard time handling the stress of being a single parent while my husband is away. It takes so much energy out of me, and it’s hard being the single disciplinarian. Honestly, though, I am so thankful for these times because I have to focus on my own parenting and look at myself harder than I do when my husband is home. I am challenged every single day to be the best mom that I can be, and it takes a lot of self-discipline to make the best choices in how to handle myself. I never knew being a parent would be this hard!
5. It’s all about ATTITUDE! Like Sara says, the way we choose to look at things dictates our actions. Yes, deployment stinks! But does it? Do we have to view it that way? Making a conscious effort to stay positive and trust that God knows what He is doing will make your life so much better. I’ve already had a much better deployment this time because I made the decision to view things positively and be thankful in all circumstances. God wants us to live like this, so that we don’t walk around all moody and crazy all the time. Sure, we can have our bad moments and sad moments, but then we must move on and recognize God’s truth.
Kelly
I like what you said about parenting. When our husbands are home it is easy to play the “wait til I tell you Dad” game. I definitely learned to pick my battles. When I did that (when I didn’t have to have MY way all the time), my kids behaved better. We didn’t have that power struggle going on.
Natasha
I really have to agree with what you said…I have also come to the realization that things happen even when my husband is home. And he can’t always be home from work to get the kids, etc. So I can’t use deployment as an excuse to fall apart. I also find solo parenting sooo challenging. It causes me to step up and be a better parent and not slack. I find myself doing more praying for guidance and help and relfecting on areas I need to improve as a mom!
deborah
I like how you reminded us that we have bad days when there isn’t a deployment as well. It’s always easy to try and find a reason to take the easy way out…blame deployment for my bad mood for instance. But deployment should not be my “trusty excuse” for the next several months!
Michelle
Great attitude Kelly! I like that you noted that even when our hubby’s are home we still have terrible days. We just don’t view them the same way because he is at home. I find that I am in a different mind set even when my hubby is at work. I get more accomplished when he is not here than we he is here. I chose to go to school when our third child was 5 months old and my husband was deployed because I felt that if I was going to do it, it would only happen while he was away. When he is home, everyone else comes first.
I am in my senior year of college and the Army has definitely made it difficult to keep up the good grades, but I am holding strong and will finish strong.
That is my promise to myself! I agree with the point about being a better parent and learning, I struggle with the type of parent that my mother was and the type of parent that I want to be. Completely different and Very difficult to implement and fight the demons of my past.
Jamie
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Although we have not experienced deployment yet, my husband and I have spent time apart due to work and Army training. The first time we were apart, my husband had just been hired by a new company and sent to Japan for 6 weeks of training. One night while we were on the phone, my son whom was 2 1/2 years old at the time locked himself in the bathroom with the bath water running. My father in law had to come help me get the door unlocked. During that same time, our heat went out twice. I remember waking up one night and the thermostat said 55 degrees. As I have mentioned before, while my husband was away at CHBOLC last summer, my grandmother passed away, I got a flat tire, and our electricity in the front of our house went out.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
When the unexpected comes along and I feel overwhelmed, I stop everything and pray. I tell God that I can’t do this on my own and I need His help. He always provides for me in his own way and timing.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
I gained more confidence in myself last summer. I was able to get my family on a schedule that worked. We had our routines and made time for some fun. We played at a local park after getting ice cream. I got some driving experience too! My husband is the driver of the family, but while he was away, it was all up to me. I found my own short cuts and even drove our family down to SC for the Fourth of July.
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
The financial stuff really got us last summer. I was on maternity leave from March to the end of July and my husband was gone from June to September. Needless to say we stretched our money! We have to be smarter with our money. We’re learning!
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
Just reading about Joseph’s experience proves that God is always with us. When things seem like they can’t get worse and then do, we need to remember that God is still there. He has a plan and we MUST trust him.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
Regardless of what I am going through, I can still put my best foot forward. Our Soldiers can’t decide to give up and feel sorry for themselves, so we shouldn’t either. God has called us “for a time such as this” (Esther 4:14). Therefore, we should be faithful to him.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
Joseph never felt sorry for himself. He never blamed God. Two things we are sometimes quick today. He gave credit to God. He remained faithful to God.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
I think just having the experiences equips us with knowledge and understanding. We can step back with a whole new perspective and say, “ok, God got me through that, I know He will get me through this.”
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
I LOVE what Sara said about our good and God’s best. So many times I think we are so content on “just being.” We dare not make a splash for fear of change, more demands, or pressure. We want to stay within our comfort zone and that makes us happy. It is good enough. But good enough isn’t God’s way. His way is BEST. He will mold us, break us, rebuild us in whatever way he so desires to make us his best.
Natasha
Natasha,
I love what you said about our soldiers not being able to give up or feel sorry for themselves! That is so true! And you are so right when you say that God is always with us even when things are hard! Keep up your positive attitude!
Ginger
Ginger
I understand the comfort of “just being”. The last two weeks at church the sermons have been on Faith and stepping out to do what you know you have been called to do. I’m still figuring out what that is but I keep getting “hit” with that at every turn so I guess I should figure it out soon.
Rebecca
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
As I was reading the lesson I thought well I really haven’t experienced any “disasters” so far (it’s still early though!), and wouldn’t you know…they hit me! Nothing serious really…just frustrating! We have a pool which has been greatly neglected…I have a 2 yr old and a 4 month old making it very difficult to care for it as needed. I finally have someone watch them so I can do what is required and the vaccum head breaks off and then I lost the bag net in the bottom…it has an 8 ft deep end…and its green…needless to say I didn’t get much accomplished!
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
I do my best to take a few deep breaths and PRAY! Just asking God to help me and giving it up to Him is the only way I can cope with stressful situations. Amazingly, when I don’t take time to do that in those situations they just seem to continue until I do give it up to Him.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
The financial detour. I really need to focus on being a little more frugal! We have always been pretty comfortable financially but some things have come up that are showing me God is trying to prune my spending!
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
I learned that I need to rely on God and stay faithful to His will. God will never leave me….He is there through every single problem, frustration, or disaster!
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
I can face each frustration with an attitude of thanksgiving. God will never give me more than He can handle! He wants me to be a light for those around me….children, family, and strangers…a positive, proactive attitude will show His Glory!
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
Joseph never got upset with God or blamed Him for his problems! He was always faithful and gave God all the credit! What an example of how we should conduct ourselves!!
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
Absolutely, in the past I struggled through a divorce. Even though deployment is way different than divorce it is still a separation. I believe through that situation God was equipping me with what I needed for this journey. Through that I learned to lean on Him…and to lean on Him now!
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
Primarily Joseph and His devotion to God even in difficult times. He never stopped praising God, following His will, and giving Him all the glory! I want to be like Joseph!!!
Ginger
So I’m still laughing at the thought of loosing the bag net in the green deep end. Isn’t that how it always goes? We sell I-Robot pool cleaners where I work. I guess you just stick them in the pool and they go to town cleaning it. They are kind of expensive and I never understood why someone would buy one but after your story sounds like they might be helpful.
I think it is so interesting how God can use some of the most difficult circumstances to prepare us for things to come. I think it is exciting how we can have an experience that we think of as uneventful (a job in a specific field, a random conversation etc.) and it end up being a starting place for something really significant. I am alway amazed at the providence of God and how He can orchestra things using “normal” circumstances to become something significant.
Rebecca
Oh, Rebecca, I know! I wasn’t laughing at the time but afterward it was amusing! I thought I am NOT getting in that water to find that net! It will stay in there til I can see it! LOL And the whole time I was thinking that I wish I had one of the automatic vaccums….very tempted to spend the $ but they are pretty pricey!!
Ginger
I like your answer to #5. When we have a crisis, we act like God is not there. I always try to remember the Footprints ( it was then that I carried you).
Natasha
I like your answer to #5. I think sometimes we forget that God is with us during our detours. When I begin forgetting, I remember Footprints (it was then that I carried you).
Natasha
Discussion Questions for Embracing the Detours
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious. Well it has only been a short time since he left, so not enough time for much yet. However we did lose our dog back on 3 June, which as a very sad day. But things have gotten better since then. We had him for 11 years and know that he lived the good life so to speak. It was just his time.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling? I just continue to go back to my favorite- I Can Do All Things through Christ Who Strengthens Me. I just keep moving forward, one step in front of the other. I am not saying these are all easy days, but it does keep me moving in the right direction.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours? We are now at my sister’s home in Florida and our son and I decided to stop over night and drive the rest of the way the next day. Ended up at a hotel that was not the best (you never know when you book online) but we ended up staying anyway and we had the best time…beds were awful, TV not so good! But our son and I had the best time, just hanging out together. As bad as it sounds wouldn’t take that night back for anything. We are still laughing today about that stop over.
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours? Marriage detours I would have to say is the worst for me. I email everyday and he does try to reply. But I do realize that he is busy. Most times you tell him what is going on at home and ask a couple questions and seems like you never get an answer back. Or not a straight answer anyway. But I do understand and just move forward and make a decision that I hope he will agree with. If not we deal with it when he gets home. I know he has work to do where he is and has to concentrate on that. Just seems like sometimes we are carrying the entire load by ourselves, but then I have to remember that God is always with me.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality? There is no other way than to face the detours with confidence in God. I have no idea how people do it any other way. I know they do and I just know it has to be mentally tiring and such a feeling of defeat. In the book Sara talks about how our attitude dictates our actions. Wow this is so true, if we are having a poor me day, then it is going to be a poor me day. But if we are moving forward and know that God is right there besides us then things seem to be so much better. However I too am guilty of a poor me day every now and then.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week? While being nervous about it… our son and I have traveled to Florida for my great nieces 1st birthday party by ourselves and next week we will return to Virginia. I have no doubt that God will be with us every mile of the way and we will have gain even more confidence that we can do anything or go anywhere we want to while my husband is deployed. Just nice being away from our home and with family.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them? That God will always be with you in good and bad times. His plan for your life is the perfect plan, you just have to have the faith and trust that he knows best. Even when we feel like we are alone with these deployments, we really aren’t. God is there if we will just have the faith.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances? I am a believer in the saying “what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger” Just knowing that God is with me, makes everything so much easier. I think the thing that sticks out to me the most is when I lost both of my parents a few years back, within 8 months of each other. I just never thought I could ever get my life back. The days seemed very dim indeed, but with God’s love and support, I am where I am today in my faith and things seems so much better. Kind of like I really try not to sweat the small stuff. It is just a waste of time.
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us? I think the thing that this chapter really gave me was that indeed all things happen for a reason. (God’s Reason) We do not know why or how come things happens, just that it is God’s Plan and we must go along with it as he knows best.
Cindy
Great advice….don’t sweat the small stuff!
Natasha
I have to admit that I have “poor me” days, and I haven’t even gone through a deployment yet.
It is so true that if that is your attitude then you of course are not going to have a very good day. I have really been working on saying no to self-pity, and God is definitely being faithful in helping me to focus on the positive. I do not know how people who do not have Christ are able to be positive AT ALL.
Katie D
Hey girls!
1. -Well so far for me, I haven’t (thankfully) experienced any disasters..but I have noticed how work has tended to be EXTRA stressful. I have a very fast-paced and at times stressful job that can also have long hours, but Ben has always been the one that could just make it all disappear. I have really been having a hard time without out having him to help ease the stress away, but at the same time it is helping me to learn to deal with by giving it to God..not Ben.
2. -One of my best friends and I have adopted the saying “It is what it is”. When we find ourselves really having a hard time with something, we try to remind each other “It is what it is”. We can’t change things that aren’t in our control, so we have to learn to make the best of them..and find the humor in them. Finding a reason to laugh in a situation always helps me in dealing with it better. Plus just keeping things in perspective…is it really THAT bad? Most of the time, the answer is no.
4. FOr me the financial detours seem to hit the most. What expense is going to come next? what needs to be done around the house? what can we AFFORD to do?
5. I think this week helped me to focus on the fact that detours are all a part of God’s plan. At times it may seem frustrating or overwhelming, but this is the ride that God has specifically put ME on, and I need to enjoy it to the fullest. In the hard times, I need to remember that God is only molding a better me. this chapter has helped me to refocus on looking for the positives in the detours, and not wallowing in the negatives when things don’t go “my way”.
6. Over the next week, I need to focus on being positive at work. Right now I’m having a very hard time dealing with the fact that I’m training someone who was hired at a higher salary and a position up from me. I’ve been struggling with why this is fair, or why it is happening, but I need to focus on the fact it is all part of God’s plan. Maybe it’s to teach me patience or to be more grateful for the fact I at least have a good job. Regardless, it’s part of the ride and I need to accept this detour.
7. For me what stood out is that Joseph didn’t complain. Oh I’m sure in his head he definitely had his moments, but nowhere does it say that Josephy blamed God or complained to other people publicly. He accepted the journey God had him on and remained faithful. Oh that I would have that spirit! How often do we complain to our friends or co-workers about something that really didn’t need to be complained about!
8. Over the last year, there were some very unfortunate and hurtful situations that I had to deal with at my church. I actually ended up leaving that church over the last year, and as a result have had to deal with the loss of several relationships that I had depended on being there even if I left. But in this I have so learned to be aware of how I treat people. But more importantly, I have learned what it is to NOT judge other people so harshly. From my pain and my bad experiences, I feel that God has shown me how to be a stronger and more compassionate Godly woman. He has used a bad situation in my life to help make me more aware and be a more loving person towards others.
9. I LOVED Sara’s quote on the end of pg. 45. Especially the part that says ” Detours often help transition us from one phase of life to another. They move us from where we stand to where we belong.” I LOVE that last line…{detours} move us to where we belong. That is such a great way of looking at it!!! it is really comforting and encouraging to think of how all of life’s detours have led me to right where I am today. Had it not been for God’s detours in my life, I certainly wouldn’t have met the wonderful man I now call my husband…nor would I even be a part of this Bible study which I am learning so much from!
Michelle
I love what you said about finding humor in difficult times. What a way to relieve stress!
Natasha
I definitely understand your struggle with not having your husband around to help you relieve the stress of your day. I struggle with depending too much on Thomas. Even when he is around he might not be able to deal with my emotions and stress right at the moment I need him. I have to go to to God help me unwind and de-stress.
Katie D
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Well, thankfully no disasters as of yet! We have had some life-changing events, such as our first pregnancy but so far everything has gone fairly well.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
Mostly I try not to get caught up in the chaos itself, but try to focus on assessing and dealing with the actual problem. In emergency situations we are taught to stand back for a moment to assess the scene, make a plan of action and carry it out quickly and calmly without allowing emotions to interfere with your ability to think and act calmly. I’ve found this works in non-medical emergencies as well. Thankfully not every day holds an emergency or crisis.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
I’ve gotten to see a lot of beautiful natural scenes that have been smudged out along the major highways. And if you can get lost with your hubby, all the better! I love going on car rides with my husband; he loves to drive and I love to look so it’s a perfect match.
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
Probably family detours. We live 15 minutes from his parents and are even closer to other relatives. They are a “let’s do everything together” kind of family and I rather prefer to quietly sit on the sidelines. I don’t see this as a problem per se, but not every body can appreciate the differences. I’m not sure there is anything to be done about it but just deal with each situation individually and do a lot of give-and-take.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
Take the Bible promises at face value. God didn’t have those written just to be a lot of flowery poetry. He wants us to use the promises He made.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
For me this is more of a spiritual application. I pay the bills, clean the house, prep for baby and behave myself just fine but the place I tend to drop the ball is in the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and solitude. I get so busy doing good things for God that I forget to stop and work on my relationship with Him. Time to make it a point of focus!
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
Every bad circumstance I’ve experienced in my life has helped me be more compassionate towards others. They’ve prepared me to minister to those who need a little more love and understanding. Furthermore they’ve turned me to God to find help and direction.
Esther
My husband and I also love going for drives together. Some of our happiest memories so far have been exploring back roads and singing country music at the top of our lungs.
Katie D
I love your reflection on the bad circumstances in life. I think that is exactly what God wants us to do…learn from them, become stronger, reach out to others.
Natasha
I was amazed at how much my husband’s family did together when we first met. Although I am ultimately a homebody, I love the fact that they are there for me (next door actually). If I need two hours to clean the house with no kids, they gladly take them. If I want some one to run to Sonic with me, they gladly go. If it is just sitting in the yard watching the kids play, they are there. They are also very considerate of our privacy.
I also like what you said about those bad circumstances. That is what God wants us to do: lean on him, grow, learn, minister.
Natasha
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s
absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
There really haven’t been any diasters this far in the deployment. I have no doubt that they will come though…
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
To step back and look at the situation. Decide a course of action
and then act. Pray a lot. Look to the bible for references on what to do, how to try to understand and for comfort..
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you
list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
I have really gotten to know my sister-in-law, who is also dealing with deployment. That’s right not only is my husband deployed, so is his brother! God works in amazing ways. Becca and I have definitely been able to lean on one another these last couple of months. I have gotten to experience living at home as an adult… Not crazy fun, but definitely interesting. I can’t wait to see what else is coming my way!
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage
detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
Marriage. Growing up I always dreamed about getting married in the spring/summer, going on a tropical Honeymoon, moving in together, getting to experience marriage physically together. God had other plans though. Way different than what I had planned out. We got married two days after Christmas, on our wedding night Adam was violently ill. I am talking he held it together until immediately after the reception, ran in the bathroom and threw up and continued to throw up in our amazing hotel suite. The next day I drove the nearly 5 hours to our cabin in Southeast Oklahoma while he slept. It was extremely cold no where near tropical. After we returned from our Honeymoon he went back to Georgia for AIT, and then airborne school. Then was stationed in NC. He got to pick out our first home by himself. I still live at home and have only got to visit OUR HOME. This last week we celebrated 6 months of marriage. When we have only got to actually be together for about a month of it. It sounds like I am complaining, but I’m not. I definitely wish some things would have gone a little different, but God planned it and it is perfect. I love my husband and some days I get angry and frustrated about the situation/detour that we call our life. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. I have done my best to lok at it as MY time with God. The first time since becomiing a Christian I have taken a look at my relationship with God and realized it isn’t where it should be and that I can do better. Some days I really struggle and wonder why? Why do I have to be so far from my husband? Why do I get to do this all alone? I am supposed to have a partner now that I am married. I am a very independent person and always have been, this is the first time in my whole life I have had to depend on some one else to financially support me fully. And the first time that I have said, “Nicole, there is no way you can get through this on your own.” I have had to depend on a lot of other people and most of all God. I have realized it isn’t a bad thing to ask for help. It is still hard to do but I know I can.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
I learned that only with God will I come out better at the end of this deployment. Only asking for His help will I be strong enough to do all the things required of me.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
I believe my family believes in God and I know they know about Jesus, but they aren’t saved. They don’t have a relationship with Him. I have struggled with “balancing” my walk with Christ and my relationship with my parents. I have been praying that through this deployment my faith will become stronger and that the Light will shine brighter and that they will see the wonderful life Christ brings. It would be an incredible blessing.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the
life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
No matter where Joseph was or what he was doing God was with him. He is always there and always will be. I feel like everything we study in this book has been reinforced by something else going on in my life. Last week it was a sermon. This week a Karen Kingsbury Book. “Learning” I have been reading this series for over a year now and the part that stuck out to me in this book was that “When you only see one set of footprints, God is most definitely carrying you.” I believe this is the case for Joseph. I know there were times when he thought there was no way he could do what God was asking him to. But Joseph did. I know God was carrying him. Leading him forward to his perfect plan.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences,
and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
Nicole Wayland
I love that you have “checked” your relationship with the Lord. I think if we all did that, we would see that we probably haven’t given Him our all.
Natasha
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious. Nothing yet. I’m sure they’re coming.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling? I can’t say that I am all that great at remaining calm. But when I am having a difficult time if I am able to get away by myself for a few minutes, listen to a worship song, read a psalm, write a letter in my journal crying out to God, He gives me such peace and comfort.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours? My husband and I always choose back roads over main roads whenever possible. On one of these trips we found our favorite small town bakery and a park with a beautiful river walk.
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours? Marriage Detours: when my husband and I are apart we tend to have a difficult time communicating and making each other feel loved and valued. We have the same love languages- quality time and physical touch. It is hard to show love in these ways when you are not together. Our times of separation have been very painful emotionally. The longest we have been apart is 5 months and that was pretty awful. I have to admit that I am afraid of what a long deployment will do to us. I think one way that we can better cope with this detour is praying together about our feelings and emotions, leaning on God for our sense of worth instead of just on the other person.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality? I need to view these detours as God’s bridges to where He wants me to go rather than as obstacles. He is in control. Even when I am on a detour of my own making as a result of my own bad choices, I can rest in the fact that God will work everything together for good.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week? Right now my race is to support and encourage my husband as he is about to head out on a very difficult section of training. We will have no communication for a month, so I need to overflow him with love this next week and pray for him constantly that he will feel secure in God’s love and in my love.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them? Joseph maintained his faith and trust in God even when it seemed like everything was against him. If I had been sold into slavery by my own brothers and then falsely accused and thrown into prison I think my faith would get shaken quite a bit. I love how Joseph was able to view his “detours” as gifts from God that ultimately led him to a place where he would be able to save lives. My husband and I are about to be restationed, and I pray that I will be able to view our move as an opportunity to save lives just as Joseph did.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances? The times that my husband and I have been apart have caused me to be so thankful for the times we have gotten to spend together. We do not take being together for granted. Every morning that I wake up and he is next to me I feel such an overwhelming sense of joy. Even simple little things like going grocery shopping together are a treat.
Katie D
I was challenged by what you said about overflowing your husband with love. I think I’ve kind of gotten into my “routine” since my husband has deployed. I need to think about some ways I can overflow him with love.
Rebecca
1.What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Thankfully no disasters yet, I did have a scary experience about a week after my husband deployed. I was up late feeling lonely and emotional. All of a sudden the security system went off announcing the front door was open. I was in the back of the house and panic set in, it took the police what seemed like forever (5 minutes) to get there. The front door was open but thankfully no evidence of anyone trying to get in the house. I guess I must have left the door open and the wind caught it just right. Scared me to death! My poor husband was still state side and got a pretty emotional middle of the night phone call after that.
2.This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
I find myself praying a lot. Asking God to comfort me, give me wisdom. I like Phil. 4:6, I find myself using that a lot to help keep my mind and thoughts focused where they need to be…I usually just work through the list..is this true? (often I can’t stop there because it is true the situation is hard etc.), is this commendable? is this worthy of praise? etc. usually by the time I have worked my way to the end of the list my heart has changed.
I am working on humbling myself and admitting to others when I’m struggling. I have found a quick text message to a few friends just asking them to pray helps me to remember I’m not alone and give me some accountability.
3.Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
Some of my best memories of family vacations are getting lost. I remember more then once taking my parents car with my younger sisters and going for an ice cream run. My grandparents live out in the country surrounded by fields, to this city girl all the fields looked the same. I remember driving around for an hour, laughing (okay my sister might have been a little paniced by the end) trying to find my way back to my grandparents house.
4.Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
Recently I have felt like my life is one big detour because I’m sure not where I thought I would be. I think marriage detours have been the hardest for me. We recently went through a really tough time in our marriage and I found myself really questioning God’s love for me and His goodness. I think through the hard time I have become more sensitive to the struggles of others, I am also learning that God wants us to come to Him as we are broken and needy. He doesn’t respond to us harshly but with kindness and compassion.
5.Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
6.A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
I decided I am going to take a few classes while my husband is gone. I have been considering it for a while but the timing didn’t seem right. I am almost finished with my application so we will see if I get accepted.
I can be intimidated by people at church but this week I spoke with several people I don’t normally talk to. I shared honestly about my struggles and asked about their struggles.
7.You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
8.Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
I have recently gone through some loneliness and hurt and as a result it has made me more compassionate for others. I tend to be more on the practical side of things and less on the emotional side of things and it can be challenging for me to show compassion. The detours have made more understanding of people’s struggles.
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
Rebecca
I think it is great that you are “trying new things.”. I encourage you to continue talking with people at church. I have always been pleasantly surprised at the people who have touched me the most ( those I least expected).
Natasha
I know that I am late chiming in, sorry about that ladies!
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Oh let’s see, I busted a tire, washroom flooded, found out that my son is on the spectrum and I had and still do therapy with him, I stopped counting.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling? I just have to realized that I cannot do it alone. At that point, the only one that comes to my mine that can do it is God!
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours? I believe that I over thought this question. Are we talking about literal back roads or metaphorically? I have taken many metaphorical back roads, I still do almost daily. All because I over think things and make them much harder than they have to be. God makes me realized that things are really simple if I trust him.
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours? Financial detours are the worst for me. Mainly because my husband and I started with nothing and have literally had to work and fight for everything that we have. Honestly, our financial history has been horrible and I feel the worst when I see that we are still struggling with money. I just keep trying to be a better accountant for the family and pray that one day I can pay off excess debt.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality? Realizing that I am not alone on this military journey makes it easier to deal when these detours happens. I find it comforting when I see how someone else has dealt with the same detour and it gives me insight on how to approach that situation differently.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week? Realize and accept who I am and the roads that I have traveled and use that to help someone else who is just beginning their road.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them? that Joseph was so understanding although he was just thrown away. I was amazing how humble he was in his journey.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances? Without these detours I could not handle where we are right now. Each detour got a little more intense, challenging. God did not throw everything at me at once, He worked me up to it. I am so thankful that He did that, because so many times I wanted to bail on the previous detour and I didn’t, I stuck it out and it made me stronger.
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us? I am just thankful for what God has put me through, although it was painful, He proved to me just how strong He made me!
Jamie
I may have over thought that question too!
Natasha
Jamie, I so can understand the financial part. My husband and I started out with nothing as well. I mean nothing. I too struggle with money and we have made horrible financial decisions but I will have to testify that finally now after 16 years we are getting better. The beginning of the years I prayed and asked God for wisdom and only allow me to make HIS money decisions and little by little we are getting better.
I too struggle with sometimes thinking I am overthinking things. I saw I am the ultimate realisit. I love how you ended you post. I too am thankful for how strong God has made me and I tell other wives with much PRIDE how stroung God has allowed me to become.
Thanks for the post. Many blessings
Heather Winters
Oh thank you Heather! I am so glad that we can all relate and understand each other. It is much easier to discuss such private topics in this type of setting and not having the fear of judgment.
I constantly ask God, “what is it that I am supposed to be learning from this?” Although I haven’t found the answer, I have gained a better understanding of what I am supposed to do.
Thanks so much!
Jamie
Hi Jamie! I also understand your financial struggles, because when we went into the military three years ago, we had nothing, and had to pay off lots of debt! I want to encourage you to continually make the right choices because God will bless you when you do. It takes a lot of time, thought, and self-discipline, but you can do it! Have you heard of Dave Ramsey? He has some great advice on how to become debt free. My husband and I had to learn to make a super tight budget, and stick to it. There are so many things that people spend money on all the time, but most of it is frivolous. God will provide everything that you NEED, so that you can make the best choices for Him. You can and will be debt free!
Kelly
Wow, this week I apologize I can not seem to separate the Detours. They all seem to be running together.
I know that God is the only source of my strength. Phillipians 4:1
3
At this time as my husband is leaving in two weeks and I am struggling with “Knowing too much about DETOURS” It seems that after 7 deployments and 16 years I am less and less amused with DETOURS.
As I write this God is speaking to me and asking me, Why cant I trust and know this one will BE GREAT!
I have to pray and listen and not get caught up in the bad times of the past deployments and trust that I dont know Gods will.
Whatever comes God will Provide.
Heather Winters
I like that you admitted a fog on all of your detours, I had a difficult time separating them as well. A few stood out to me, but I believe we get to a point to where we are conditioned in this mindset and therefore what other see as detours, we see as everyday life.
That may be why it is difficult to pull an example from our stash.
Jamie
Jamie, you are so Right about “the way of life”. I am so struggling right now as my husband gets ready to leave in 2 weeks, my church family (the women) are starting to look at me like the freak in the room. What has become my way of life or normal is evidently everyone else worse nightmare. I know that what can go wrong will go wrong on deployments. However I have been asking God to correct me if I am anticipating bad when he can provide “the Best”. I just keep saying Gods will not my own,.
Heather Winters
It is so much harder to believe things sometimes than it is to know them. God does have His perfect plan for you, and you know that, but sometimes it is just so hard to truly believe it and be okay with it! Moments of frustration can make me crazy, like this morning, but then God reminded me to list a few things that I am grateful for. Just a little suggestion. It helps me sort out the truth from the frustrations of life.
Kelly
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Since we are just starting out the deployment I haven’t had to many. But the Main one was the week he left our 6 week old came down with double ear infections it was horrible!!
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
I try to stay focused on the fact that God has everything under control and He knew that this was going to happen before it did and he will work everything out for my best
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
Moving away from my hometown was a detour from my plans but it was the best thing that could have happened to my husband and I moving away from our families as soon as we were married forced to become one!! And our marriage is so much stronger b/c of it
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
Haven’t really had an issue with these detours yet since our deployment is just beginning
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
Just to focus on God and allow Him to complete His work in me whatever it may be for that detour. And not to consume myself in self pity but cast my cares on God so that I can stay focused on HIm
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
He always seems to be in a good mood just accepting what is dealt his way and looking for things he can do to honor God with the situation he has been given and not just sitting back and feeling sorry for himself
7. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
Well ofcourse they make us stronger. But I also look at what God did through those experiences, what amazing gifts he gave me through them. So this is what I have to remember with new detours
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
Krystal
Yes! So important not to consume ourselves in self-pity. Keep up your good attitude, and it will help everything so much during this deployment. I am so sorry you had to deal with the ear infections! That can be so terrible to deal with! Hang in there!
Kelly
Hi Ladies, sorry this is late! Life has been a bit hectic…
1. Fortunately there hasn’t been major disasters so far. I do have to say that when my husband is gone, we always have a problem with mice or bugs! Both of which I don’t do well. I did have a gigantic spider run across my floor one night when I was folding clothes. I soooo freaked out. the thing was the size of my hand!! I called my neighbor at 9:30 that night and he had to come get it for me!
2. How do I stay calm…just try to keep a sense of humor. Remember Nemo, the movie? just keep smiling, just keep smiling…
3. Although detours are very painful at the time, and I often wonder what God is doing. it is in those times that we develop a greater appreciation for Gods purpose in our lives. It is also how we go through those detours that matters. It is not for us to know ‘why’, but ‘who’ has our lives in His hand. And that he sees the WHOLE picture. I have come to learn that people are often watching us too. Sometimes we are sharing Christ by just our attitudes and don’t even know it.
4. I think the detour that strikes me most this time, is the marriage one. We have to put our marriage sort of on hold. And then get to know each other all over again, so to speak. Sometimes, it seems the distance does serve us good too, by giving us time and space to reflect and share more. When we are always running with the daily grind, we don’t get the chance to sit and talk as often as we’d like, and sometimes take each other for granted. Now we actually have conversations and long emails! And man does he miss me!! absence sure makes the heart grow fonder:)
5. We can either accept that God has our life in His hands, and that He has a perfect plan for us, or we can dwell on what we think we are missing and WE think we need.
6. What struck me about Joseph is that he went through horrible things, and yet he wasn’t bitter, or resentful. But he knew God was in charge and could use Him anywhere if he was willing. Had he been too angry for what was lost, he would never have been used in the amazing ways he was. I hope I can be that way, looking forward and not behind. Making the most of every circumstance.
Deborah
You are so right that we are sharing Christ by our attitude. If we are negative all the time, people can’t see Jesus in us. We have to be real. We have to reflect Him.
Natasha
Amen Natasha!
Vanessa C
1. This last winter my husband and I bought our first house and then he went into the field for two weeks, no communication. We had the coldest weather El Paso has ever seen and pipes were freezing and cracking all over town, including my house. Without my husband around I did what any army wife does. I shut off the water, called the plumber, arranged the contractor, called serve pro to clean up the water. Everything was arranged before he came home. He asked why there was a huge whole in the wall and I casually said, “oh burst pipe, no big deal.”
Not a few months later my husband left for a month also no communication. Right before he left we found out we were pregnant and were super excited. Two weeks later I went to the emergency room by myself with my one year old in tow and found out I lost the baby. I had a couple good friends meet me at the ER, but really the only person I wanted to talk to was my husband. Going through that emotional experience seemingly alone really did bring me closer to God.
2. I try my best to think logically of all the things I can do and try not to dwell on the parts that are only in God’s hands.
3. Honestly my back road detours usually involve me getting car sick so nothing funny to share here.
4. Definitly financial detours. I hate hate debt, but it seems like just as soon as I pay off one credit card something else happens to the house or the car and I have to start over. Getting ready for this deployment as added to it due to things like getting a security system installed and purchasing new uniform pieces. I am not looking forward to this deployment at all, but if one good thing could come from it than getting out of debt is one of them.
5. I loved in this chapter where I read that detours are not roadblocks. This gives me the confidence to know that even if things during this deployment seem to stop me in my tracks, God is with me and will guide me through the mess and show me the way around it. I may see only what is right in front of me, but God knows what is coming next.
6. This week marks the start of pre-deployment briefings. I am going to try to go into this week with a positive attitude rather than dreading what is to come.
7. What stood out to me about Joseph was the amazing faith he had in God. Through everything, Joseph knew that God was with him and his faith got him through all the bad times and he was blessed.
8. I have become more confident that I can handle things when my husband it away. I have never had to be away from him for more than a year, but I am much more sure of myself for having gone through detours without him.
9. What stood out to me was the concept of expectation. We are to call on God and truly believe and expect that he will come through for us.
Johanna
Hi Ladies,
I am sorry that this is late, but I have been sick and it’s been a rough week.
1) What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
I really haven’t had any disasters happen, but my maternal grandmother passed away last year while my husband was deployed. Since I was here in England with the two boys, I wasn’t able to make it home in time for the funeral or to be there physically for my mother. That was hard.
As for the funny “disaster”, Sam & I were to be married in June of 2003, well wouldn’t you know it, my first experience with the military messing up your plans, Sam was deployed in Jan. of 2003 and we didn’t know how long he was going to be gone for because this was when the Iraq War started. So I had to go through the agony of changing the date, the venue, the church… everything! We changed everything to August and then he came home the very last day in May! Too late to change it all back to June!! I can laugh about it now, but boy, was I MIFFED!!! LOL!!
2) This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on tro stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
I usually pray and search out my friends and my pastor’s wife for good Christian encouragement.
3) Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back road detours?
We just recently went to Cornwall on vacation and we decided to go a different route on the way home so we could visit Stonehenge. But as we got closer on our drive to the main town where the road would have split off to go to Stonehenge, there was too much traffic. So we took a back road (or detour) and saw some of the most beautiful countryside in England! I will never forget it!
4) Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – Marriage detours, Family detours, Financial detours, or Life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
My hardest detour is the family detour. If a particular day was hard for me, I didn’t have someone here to help me get through, like my parents or anyone like that. My family doesn’t understand the hardships of military life, even without a deployment. They think that I’m so brave, but I know the truth. So I turn to God for strength and grace.
5) Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
I highlighted and underlined this answer on Page 48 in the book: “Truly believing in God means we ask Him for help and expect Him to come through in every step of the journey.”.
Trusting in God to get me through!! Putting in the effort in a relationship with God is what got me through a deployment! He helped me to not be defeated!
6)A challenge from this week was to off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
By being positive about every challenge by changing your thinking to “How can God get me through this?”, works wonders. When you realize that God is carrying you through it, it makes challenges easier to bear.
7) You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39 – 42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
Joseph never blamed God for any of the “bad” things that happened to him. He gave the glory to God for everything in his life.
Any unfortunate experience or detour you face with the military was laid out for your life by God before you were even born. It is comforting for me to know that it was all planned out by God and that whatever challenge He puts in my path He gets to see how I approach Him for help. He helps me to handle life’s detours.
9) What else about the chapter stood out to you this week that you’d like to share with us?
As I go through each of these chapters I see how much I have grown in my faith in the past year. I used to feel betrayed by the military, but now instead of feeling betrayed, I see the purpose of all the challenges the military throws at us is to make me get on my knees to praise God for my life and to ask Him to get me through. I see is all as training for maybe an even more difficult time that might be headed my way. The training I am getting now will get me through the rest of my life. I have to believe that God will not give me any more than I can handle.
Vanessa C
Vanessa,
I have realized through my experience that God does actually give me more than I can handle…however, he won’t give me more than HE can handle. I can do all things through CHrist who gives me strength!
Ginger
I guess when it comes down to feeling like I can’t handle any more heartache or detours or challenges, I get down on my knees and pray for God’s grace to get me through. God knows my human limits and pushes me up and over those hurdles, so I know that He doesn’t give me more than I can handle because what I can’t handle I give back to Him. I know that I have not gone through some devastating trials like other military wives, but I also know that what I have gone through has been made easier knowing that God was with me every step of the way. I am so glad to have a friend in Jesus!
Vanessa C
1. What unexpected disasters have you experienced in your spouse’s absence? Share both the funny and the serious.
Issues with his parents, problems with both vehicles and plumbing issues.
2. This week you learned about the value of trusting God in the middle of chaotic situations and drama. What tips or techniques do you call on to stay calm when the unexpected comes calling?
Pray and know that no matter what the situation is that God is in control and he only wants what is best for me.
3. Detours are not always bad things. What fun experiences did you list to answer the question on page 43 regarding the back-road detours?
scenic, adventerous
4. Which detour seems to hit home with you the most – marriage detours, family detours, financial detours, or life detours? How can you better cope with these particular detours?
family detours and life detours. To always lean on the Lord during these times of trial.
5. Detours in deployment happen to every military family. How did you learn this week to face these detours with confidence in God rather than to take on a defeated mentality?
Be positive and stay in constant prayer with God.
6. A challenge from this week was to get off the sidelines and run the race God has for you. How can you put this challenge into action this coming week?
To have a better outlook on the situation and for myself to enjoy this precious time with my boys.
7. You spent a lot of time this week in Genesis 39-42, studying the life of Joseph. What stood out to you in those scripture passages as you studied them?
That Joseph never gave up and he always stayed close to God and knew that God would get him through the tough times.
8. Joseph learned from his detours and his unfortunate experiences, and they helped him to be the leader he was in the end. How have your detours and unfortunate experiences made you more thankful or more equipped to handle life’s situations and circumstances?
I have become stronger and more indepedant and to have a different outlook on what lies ahead.
9. What else about the chapter that stood out to you this week you’d like to share with us?
I just want to be like Joseph and stay strong and keep a close relationship with the Lord at all times.
Melissa
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goldguns