Congratulations to Jamie R. – she won my giveaway copy of “Faith Deployed…Again” today! Thanks so much to all of you for entering–wish I could give each of you a book. ~Pattie~
1. How did you get started writing?
I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life, but it wasn’t until I wrote a story in fifth grade about the adventures of a gumball in the gumball machine–and it impressed my family–that I became interested in writing stories. Reading Anne Frank’s diary inspired me to keep a journal, which I’ve done on and off since I was about twelve years old. Journaling keeps me sane.
In the early internet years, I got involved in writing for a pastor’s wife newsletter on AOL. After going through a National Writing Project institute in 2003, I started thinking of myself as a writer, and had a couple of pieces published in periodicals.
Fast-forward to 2009, when I began writing for Wives of Faith. Sara has been an incredible encouragement to me in writing, and I am thankful to have her friendship and cheerleading, and am happy to do the same for her in her writing. Then, last fall, I met Jocelyn at PWOC International in Dallas. Not long after that, she invited me to contribute devotionals to this book. Right after I met that deadline, God provided another opportunity for me to write for one of my denomination’s devotional magazines.
I really love writing, and I love sharing what is on my heart to encourage other women. But often I find that helping others polish their pieces is where the Lord leads me to work–hence, my editor hat here at the Wives of Faith site!
2. What are you favorite Bible verses as they apply to the military wife/lifestyle?
The verse I wrote about in Faith Deployed…Again is the one God gave me back in 2005: Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. This verse continues to be a great comfort to me.
3. What suggestions would you give to the military wife who would like to minister to or support other military wives?
I would say: Open your eyes to find the woman who needs your smile, open your ears to hear what she has to say, and open your heart to really listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading. I find very often that listening is what I’m called to do at a particular moment. If I need to say something, the Holy Spirit will let me know. Otherwise, I’m learning to stay quiet in order to listen.
4. What has been your favorite assignment (duty station)?
We’ve only had three since my husband went active duty, and each of them has been wonderful in its own way (and we haven’t been in Alaska long at all–we just hung our pictures this past weekend!). But if you ask my family, the answer is Grand Forks, North Dakota.
5. What is something you wish others knew about you?
I’m not sure I want you all to know this! But here it is for all to see: I am directionally challenged. I get lost all the time when I’m driving. Even with the GPS.
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Pattie is the proud wife of her Air Force chaplain husband, and this spring they celebrated twenty years of marriage and ministry together, nine with the military. They have two daughters, a teen and a tween. Pattie has a BA and a MSEd in English education. She taught high school and college English for more than ten years before her husband joined active duty service in 2006. Pattie has served with the chapel praise team, OSC, PWOC, and with www.WivesofFaith.org as a writer and editor. An avowed coffee and literature addict, she returned to the classroom this fall to support her caffeine and book addictions. She and her family are settling in their new home state of Alaska.
GIVEAWAY: Pattie is giving one copy of Faith Deployed…Again! To be eligible to win, leave a comment on this post by Friday Sept. 16. She will choose a winner after she takes her daughter to school–which means around noon Eastern time
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