Last night we had a Christmas Party. Jared had a youth night. We dropped him at the library and planned 45 min to party, then pick up Jared and take him to the movie night.
Mike went to the club instead of the party. I asked what we were doing. He told me that Ch. S was covering for him at the party. I told him to give me the bottom line. He's deploying. We got out of the car. For one split moment panic, tears, feelings of "I can't do this, NOW," "alone in a foreign country," hit me....and then the National Anthem played as we stood with hands over hearts in the wintry wind. By the end of the song, I'd regrouped. God is Jehovah Jireh. He's been working to provide for our needs before we knew we'd have needs. We are proud to serve our country and sometimes it calls for sacrifices. (That'll preach.)
We told Jared. His comment was priceless, "I thought the President was bringing the troops home from there by July." Um....yeah...well.... not Dad.
News leaks and we didn't want our little ones to hear about this around the base.... though they probably wouldn't have...we HAVE had friends who hadn't told their kids about moves and deployments and others asked how they were doing with the idea, only to discover the kids didn't know.....we told.
When Dad Brings Out the Globe...
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| From 09 December |
Zander said, "We've been here too SHORT to be MOVING ALREADY!" ::snort::
Mike explained that "we" were not moving but that "he" would be moving to another country, compliments of the defense budget, for a time this spring/summer. He went on to explain that he'd spend a month in TX getting combat/convoy trained...so his time away from home will be at least seven months. As he mapped the route the military will send him on, Zander pointed out...."Hummph! That's not the quickest way to XYZ, this would be!" ::snort:: He was right! Knowledge he gained playing 10 Days in Asia.
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| From 09 December |
Mike was able to skype with the older kids and his parents last night and this a.m. So, we'll share our Christmas news on the blog. We'd appreciate prayers for details...we know God is going to work them out. I had planned three trips with PWOC in March. That is the very month Mike is slated to deploy. I already stepped out of one of the trips. If I'd been selected for that it would have involved a 3rd trip in March and two more overseas trips while Mike was deployed. God First, Family Second, Outside Ministry Third....they'll be another year. I really need to do the other two trips. We're praying that they'll let Mike do his training in February and come home for March. You never know. Please pray that they either let Mike do this, or that we think of a creative way to take care of the issues. Again, God is Jehovah Jireh.
The official tasking hasn't come down yet, but should in the near future.
So, what's new at your house?
Bre will be home in 5 days
Krista will be home in 7 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 9 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
23 comments:
I'll be praying that you see God's work in amazing ways! Thank you, Mike, for your service to us and for us!
From...
An Air Force brat :)
Praying.
Sis,
Jesus has provided you w/friendships and a worldwide support system. You won't be alone through this deployment unless by choice. You have only to voice a need and our Lord will provide whether locally or from long distance.
This deployment will also build back up the reserves that were depleted through the theft this summer.
Hopefully, it will be the only deployment through the Japan tour.
Please, take heart Sis. God has already equipped you for this.
I agree with and echo Kristine's words, "Thank you!" Thank you to each of you, for Mike's best earthly support is you and your children, De'Etta! Christ is his strength and reason to go and you and the children are his love and reason to return. Mike is one of our Lord's arrows chosen this battle and he resonates best when you're rallied with him for you are two joined as one before the Lord. I praise you before the Lord, Sis, for you have chosen bravely, nobly and wisely to support this deployment.
D'Etta,
That wasn't what I was expecting to here when I saw the caption but I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control and He knows what He's doing even when we don't understand.
I will be praying for you and your family.
Love,
Roxanne
We'll be praying for you and Mike and all the kids during this time. Wow, not what I expected for you all!
{{{De'Etta}}}
The military is so mixed up these days. Another friend's dh is going to Pakistan for 6 mos. A General that was supposed to retire in Jan has been delayed with no date given to him (or at least not put out publicly)...
and Scott told me that they are using a new technique with enlisted whose tours would end soon into a deployment - sign on for more time or we put you out early.
Praying here!
Other captions I toyed with....
Viva Le Surge
The President's gone and made it personal....
somehow the globe one seemed nicer. LOL
I know you said it was probably coming, but I'm still kind of suprised. And I don't know how non-Christians survive in this world! And, we are leaving Japan in April, probably! Not that we live around your corner, but! I'll e-mail you cell phone info tomorrow!
Sissy Babe:
We love you and your family so much. Dad/I agree with what Darshia had to say to you.... not much else can be said. What would we indeed do without Christ?
Love Jared's expression and also Alexander's. They pretty much have hit the nail on the head.
We do thank Mike, you and the kids for all the sacrifices you make. So glad it is God who is keeping the books. However, it is mind-boggling to think of all the influence and ministry Mike will be having........ to say nothing of the ministry you will be having to the kids and others.....
Our house is open!!!! I think your's is a bit newer though. :):):)
love/tons of prayers --- Dad/Mom T.
I will be praying, for Mike and for the rest of you. I have a brother who may be deploying this yea--maybe he and Mike will end up in the same place. No word yet, we're hoping that if he goes it won't be until after their baby is born in April. I'm sure your heads are all spinning--praying that this news won't dampen the Christmas spirit in your home, but just make this special time all the more sweat.
I so do NOT get the military! I LOVE the military men and women and am grateful for their sacrifices (and those of their families). But I don't get the system. Let's move the whole family to Japan, then a few months later, we'll deploy Dad. Yikes! I will be praying for you all!
I'm with Linda. It makes no sense to me at all, but we do trust that God knows the story and every chapter contained therein. Thank you for your family's service to our country!
Dear De'Etta,
Wow, what a surprise! You are handling this SO graciously. Thank you for your example, once again. May you see God's care over every detail in your lives. I'm praying for you!
With love,
Melanie in CA
I'll be praying for you and your family.
New at our house? My mom finished her last scheduled radiation treatment and is 1/2 way through chemo. She had or will soon be having a scan to track her progress.
She is feeling tired but good. They are ahead of the game with shots to keep her levels steady this time around.
I get to visit with her on Tuesday. I am SO looking forward to seeing her. I've not seen her since right before Thanksgiving. I was sick. She was in the hospital.
Yes, you are taking this graciously. Usually a PCS used to exempt you for 6 months or so, and then being stationed overseas WAS your deployment. They would take those first who hadn't served overseas. You'll all do fine as you've been through it before. Jared will be the man of the family. We are praying for you. Thanks, Mike, for serving.Thanks, DeEtta for holding down the fort. A deployment takes everybody.
De'Etta and Mike, thank you ALL for your sacrifices. You will remain in our family's prayers.
So Mom I have a great plan (wink)put the kids on the Patriot express and send them here for the month of March... Bre and I with Jared and Arielle could watch them for the month and it might help time go by.
Such wise words, such wise women. Thanks, my friends. Darshia, you are so right on so many counts. Combat pay will replenish what was taken....and that on top of COLA? ::snort:: I am NOT alone unless by choice...
I was thrown, not so much by the deployment,but the "hugeness" of standing up PWOCI Asia Region, exploring a foreign country alone.... and yet...I've prayed for years for a God Sized Dream/Job...and here it is. It's big, bigger than I think I can do without Mike here to physically support me...BUT GOD. HE called, HE placed me here (beyond a doubt) and therefore....I can rest. It took the end of the National Anthem for me to refocus...quick response time...I'm learning...and it IS big...but that's GOD....and a great place to be.
LOTS of folks deploy from Japan. It's common...thouh I know it used to be less common. We've been at war for 8 years....lots of "normal" things have given way to the new military reality. It's not uncommon for Air Force to do Army deployments. I believe all but one or maybe all of Mike's deployments have been ILA - in lieu of Army - BUT I am thankful that we will have been here 6 months when Mike leaves (maybe 7). I'm thankful he'll be here for the worst of the winter road conditions - I think. I'm thankful that I've made great friends quickly here in Japan. I'm thankful he's here for Christmas....and honestly long waits get to me - so I'm THANKFUL we didn't know 3 months ago that it was coming...short notice works well.
I just now read this, De"Etta, since we have been trying to survive the dumping of snow which hit the Mid-Atlantic. We have about 20 inches on the ground. Thankfully, we were able to prepare in time, including getting groceries for my Mom and Dad, who are 87 and 85.
As usual, you are giving this to God and He, omniscient and omnipresent that He is, will give you the wisdom and power to survive. Please know that we will keep your whole family in our prayers now and in the coming months. Again, safe travels for your children.
Love,
Wilma in WV
De'Etta, praying for you and Mike and the children and your newest adventure. What a blessing that you have made some wonderful friends so quickly in Japan. I'm sure they will be a tremendous help during his time away.
This year certainly has been one surprise after another.
I'm stunned - but glad to know that God isn't. Praying for you guys... ganbatte! Tammy
I add my thanks to the others, to you military folks for the sacrifices you make.
I surely can't make sense of the Lord's plan, much less the military's, but appreciate your gracious attitude.
Praying for you tonight,
Julie
I'm with your girls- send them to their house for the month of March!
Know you are in my prayers here as we await orders for the next generation to deploy... Maybe they will be at the same place as Mike- now that would be an interesting encounter!
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