Marriage Matters: Deployment Edition- Mail

It is a huge blessing in this era to have access to Wifi, FaceTime, texting and other ways to be connected via technology. 

But with that comes a slack in sending physical mail. This deployment cycle there is little mail received by our troops. 

Many people believe since it's not a time of war that our men and women in uniform do not need support or encouragement. But that's far from the truth. Peacekeeping is just as important (if not more important) than a time of conflict. And our men and women sacrifice their time and family memories to go and keep the peace. 

There are so many care package ideas out there. Some are simple: stuff a box with snack foods. And others are elaborate ideas of theme boxes, decorating interior box flaps to match and placing only themed items in the box. Sadly I fall into the latter camp (thanks to my OCD and creative tendencies). 

Here's some of my current projects to mail to hubby: 

A small book with themed notes to fill in and send. 

Hubby loves Starbucks coffee and it's very expensive overseas. 

Hope these spark some creativity and desire to send love to your other half. 

XO,

Jessica

Family Matters: Deployment Edition- Scripture

A much wiser, seasoned military wife (20+ years) told her story of how they purposed their hearts to serve God foremost as they served our country. And God was always faithfully present with her family through each deployment. One way they chose to put God first was by choosing a family verse. What a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness throughout a difficult season! When we face difficult circumstances, we often need to cling to the Word. 

With deployment on the horizon I began to ask God to show our family a scripture to cling to. During morning devotions the day before hubby left, I stumbled across I Thessalonians 5 and found the scripture that is and will be our foundation for these next 9 months. 

When my iPhone dies, I will rejoice, pray and give thanks. 

When my kids have a bad day, I will rejoice, pray and give thanks. 

When I feel overwhelmed by the amount of time separating me and my beloved, I will rejoice, pray and give thanks. 

When my hubby misses important dates and moments, I will rejoice, pray and give thanks. 

I'll choose to rejoice. 

I'll choose to pray. 

I'll choose to give thanks. In ALL circumstances. Good. Bad. Ugly. 

Because that's Gods will for us. This deployment may not be easy, but I can still do the will of my Father in the midst of it. 

I posted this scripture on our deployment wall. I sent a wall decal of it to my husband. And when those moments where you just want to fall apart come, I will have this memorial stone to gaze upon, redirect my heart and hold on. Because all things come to an end, even this deployment cycle.