ChristianMilitaryWives

An Opportunity to Prevent a National Tragedy

Large numbers of our veterans are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan finding that they must cope with a wide range of psychological difficulties. Many are struggling with severe physical injuries or traumatic brain injuries—referred to as TBIs. We have both the opportunity to prevent a national tragedy and the obligation and resources to do so.

 

Our Knowledge

Fortunately, we are more capable of responding to this potential tragedy than ever before. We have more knowledge about the psychological impact of war than any prior generation has ever had. We know that at least 12 percent of the returning soldiers will come back with a serious mental disorder. Some reports have identified as many as onethird returning with psychiatric symptoms. In addition, we anticipate that as many as 20 percent will suffer a TBI. We know that family members are also severely affected by a soldier’s experience of trauma. Indeed, we now refer to “secondary trauma” as a significant mental health consequence of war. We know that children who grow up in families where post-traumatic stress disorder is not treated often become severely impaired themselves. Luckily, we also know that early treatment of mental health symptoms is the best way to prevent long-term consequences.

 

Our Resources

The U.S. military is clearly trying to stay in front of this issue. Studies conducted by the military community provide information that was not available during prior wars. In addition, the military is making an unprecedented attempt to encourage personnel to seek treatment. Unfortunately, limited resources are available to provide the needed mental health care, and, while the inevitable budget debates are important and necessary for future policies, they will not help the soldier disabled today by his or her psychological demons or physical injuries.

 

The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan give us all the opportunity to reach out to those in need to ensure that they can continue to function as productive members of our society. Some of us have specific skills that can and should be tapped. There are over 400,000 mental health professionals in the U.S. We represent a tremendous resource. As mental health professionals, we now have the opportunity, through the volunteer network established by the nonprofit organization Give an Hour™, to respond to this clear and obvious need. As we continue to build our national network, our efforts will provide much needed assistance to the military’s efforts to care for its own.

 

Our Mission

Give an Hour™ is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise in our society. We are currently establishing a national network of mental health professionals to reach out to the U.S. troops and families affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

Thus far, nearly 5,000 professionals from the mental health community have registered to participate in this critical effort. These mental health professionals sign on to give an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Professionals are being asked to provide the type of services they currently provide in their offices. They may also have the opportunity to engage in public education and to provide consultation to other agencies and organizations tasked with responding to the needs of our military community. In fact, since we began providing services in July 2007, our providers have donated nearly 25,000 hours in direct counseling, education, and outreach.

 

While no additional training is required, we offer a variety of training opportunities to those individuals interested in increasing their knowledge of military culture and the specifics of combat stress. In addition, our participants will have the opportunity to interact with each other, to share information about their experience, and to seek feedback and additional resources.

 

We ask our providers to participate in our network for one year in order to offer continuity of care for these deserving families. Over the past two years, we have started to match members of the military community in need with members of our network. Indeed, we are now hearing from military personnel and their families on a regular basis. Many of these men and women share their stories and express their gratitude. They are so thankful that members of the mental health community have stepped up to join this effort. Those individuals who receive services from the Give an Hour™ network will be given the opportunity to give back to their own communities.

 

Our Partners

We have developed important relationships with DoD, the VA, and many Veterans Service Organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), the USO, Blue Star Families, Vets 4 Vets and Christian Military Wives. As a result of these relationships, our mental health professionals will have opportunities to work with individuals from a number of organizations to co-lead support groups and participate in community events.

 

We have also developed important relationships within the mental health community. In February of 2008 the American Psychiatric Association officially endorsed Give an Hour™ and began encouraging its 38,000 members to join our network of providers. In partnership with the American Psychiatric Foundation, we were awarded a $1 million

grant from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation to assist in our public education efforts. In November of 2008 we announced the support of the National Association of Social Workers, the American Psychological Association, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the

Anxiety Disorders Association of America. In addition, we have recently joined forces with Mental Health America and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

 

We have also developed cooperative relationships with such noteworthy organizations as the Red Cross, Student Veterans of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Postpartum Support International. We are proud of our efforts to bring the military and mental health communities together as we strive to provide critical services to these deserving men, women, and families.

 

Your Help

We are asking all mental health professionals to join in this critical effort. If you are currently licensed, please visit our Web site at www.giveanhour.org to sign up for our national network and to learn more about our organization. We also welcome volunteers who want to join us in developing and implementing this project. Please share our Website with your colleagues. Thank you.

Melanie started a great topic on our message board... she had questions about the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act... check out our message board for great converstation. 

If you are asking yourself, "what's that?" then read on! ;-)

f you're a reserve component service member called to active duty, you're protected by a law that can save you some legal problems and possibly some money as well.

Under the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, you may qualify for any or all of the following:

• Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments.
• Reduced interest rate on credit card debt.
• Protection from eviction if your rent is $1,200 or less.
• Delay of all civil court actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings.

CLICK HERE for more information!

Attention Ladies! We have a winner for our Valentines Day, Yankee Candle contest.

Rose from our Fort Bragg CMW Chapter went up to a complete stranger ((Mike)) and asked him to draw a name from our ziplock baggy full of names who entered the CMW Valentines Day Contest.

Mike was a great sport, and helped us out... Thank you, Mike!

AF Keli has won a $25 to Yankee Candle.  Congratulations, Keli!

As Christians we are not only accountable to our spouse but to God first and foremost. Christ should be the driving force in the Christ follower's life. If this one important facet is written upon a woman's heart, mind and soul, she will not have a problem adhering to her obligations as a Christian wife.

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an helpmeet for him. Genesis 2:18

Scripture shows a woman how to be a good helpmeet to her husband. Even when she doesn't feel like being very helpful or loving she tries to do the best she can because she knows it is what God wants her to do. The reality is Christian women have bad days too, but are blessed with God's presence (Holy Spirit) within them for comfort.

God created Eve for Adam's companionship, helper, support and encouragement. It is not good that man should be alone. There are many ways that a wife can bring the assets of helper and that of companionship to her husband. A Christian wife "who fears the Lord" is an asset to her husband in many ways.

In what ways can a Christian wife be a good helpmeet to her husband? She is called to be a companion to her husband in all areas of the marriage, which include emotionally, mentally, spiritually and sexually.

A Wife's Emotional Support

Emotionally she encourages her husband to be the man of God that was meant for him to be. She is an asset to her husband when she supports him in his callings and endeavors in life and praises his continual efforts in the Lord. She should refrain from trying to control, browbeat or boss her husband around because that is not what God has called her to do.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:11

A nagging wife is worse than a dripping faucet. If a wife cannot find anything uplifting to say to her husband or about her husband she shouldn't say anything at all. A husband needs an emotionally supportive wife and vice versa, otherwise how is the oneness in marriage met?

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman. Proverbs 21:19

A Wife's Spiritual Support

Spiritually a Christian wife connects with her Christian husband because they share in the same values and principles in life. And together they raise Godly children and have many fruits of the spirit within their marriage and family. Together they create abundance and prosperity for their lives and they realize and praise God because they know it all belongs to Him.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12

She submits to her husband's spiritual leadership. A helpmeet does not argue and fuss with her husband; instead she works with Him. Most husbands will eagerly listen to the opinion of their wives when the wife does not demean him. Marriage is a partnership and a team effort that takes considerable compassion and compromise from both the husband and wife. Submission should always be voluntary, otherwise how would it be submission any other way?

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  Proverbs 31:23

A Wife's Sexual Support

Sexually she is there for her husband when he wants to be close. Both husband and wife have emotional, spiritual and sexual needs that should be met only through each other. God created them male and female for this reason. Eve was made from Adams flesh and bones, which symbolically make them one flesh. When a husband and wife encourage one another in their roles and positions of marriage the sexual and emotional intimacy between them will be a healthy and productive part of the marriage.

The goal for marriage should be of maintaining the oneness that united them. Sexual intimacy between a husband and wife is the kind of companionship that brings them closer together so they will not want outside of the marriage parameters. They should never reject one another unless of a woman's menstruation or if either one of them is sick.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.   Proverbs 31:27

On another note, women who are loved in the Lord are more apt to be respectful and devoted wives. A woman who is truly loved by her husband will utilize all of her creative talents and God given abilities that she has been blessed with; her husband will never be in need of anything.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.  Proverbs 31:31

by Angie Lewis 
Angie and Franks Marriage Ministry: http://www.heavenministries.com

Angie has written six Christian God-help books to encourage and support you in your marriage and health.

Did you know that February is National Friendship Month?
Lucy and Ethel would be thrilled!
Can you imagine how they would celebrate if they could join us?
I can assure you it would be a hoot,
and would include chocolate!

Have you ever celebrated the amazing gift of friendship in your Women's Ministry (small group)?  Before you answer let’s get an expert’s definition of what that means. Webster defines Celebrate as: to observe a noble occasion with festivities—to show happiness that something good or special has happened.

Sounds like Mr. Webster had experienced true friendship. In the body of Christ we too have experienced true friendship and I think that calls for a celebration. So, let’s get out the party hats and order the cake—we even have permission in God’s word!

In the Old Testament, we read how God ordained feast and festivals where his people would gather and celebrate. Friendship is ordained by God a beautiful gift to be treasured, enjoyed and, yes, something to celebrate.

One of my favorite verses of scriptures is:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work,
if one falls down his friend can help him up. — Eccl. 4:9-10. 
I have been "helped up" many times,
and that gives me a reason to celebrate.

Here’s a simple and fun idea for your women's ministry to celebrate friendship. It doesn’t need to be in February.  However, February might be a good time to put it on your calendar.

Death by Chocolate Party

• Watch the Lucy and Ethel Job Switching DVD—Use the clip "Let Em Roll."
• Serve refreshments—that are rich in chocolate.
• Decorate with the Colors Pink and Brown—Aqua makes a great accent. (The party supply stores have many items to select from.)
• Invite at least three women to share their testimonies about a special friendship that had a real impact in their life.
• As the director, take a few moment to share about the most important friendship we have—Jesus.
• Make this an outreach project by having women invite their best friends.

Want to help the women in your church
connect and grow meaningful friendships?
Order Frankie’s Bible study Why We Need Girlfriends.

 w w w . F r a n k i e D S h e r m a n . c o m

Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for confer-ences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relation-ship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel, two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis and knows that her Jesus will return for her soon.

Frankie Sherman | 137 E Peninsula Dr. | Laurens, SC 29360
Copyright © 1999 - Present Frankie Sherman. All rights reserved.

Valentines Day Photo Contest Rules:

Place photo of yourself and your husband in the CMW Forum under the CMW Valentines Day Contest. You may only enter contest one time. By entering contest, you give CMW permission to use your photo in upcoming newsletters and announcements. We will never sell your photo, or make a profit on it.

We will determine the winner by inserting all names of those who enter the contest into a hat and asking a stranger at the Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, NC to draw a name out of the hat. That's right... we are going to have a little fun with it.

A member of our CMW small group will be the one to approach the stranger. We will include photos/video of this event!

Winner will be awarded a $25 Yankee Candle Gift Card! Winner will be chosen February 13, 2010.