ChristianMilitaryWives

A little over a month ago I was challenged with the question: "why do you love the military so much?"  At first I was taken back a little, but then I understood that because they had not been exposed to the military the way I had, of course they don't know.

This was my answer, this is why I bleed red, white and blue. As far back as I can remember, I remember my dad coming home to us in uniform. He would rise before the sun came up, and often was not home until the sun was setting. Many wonder why men and women like him subject themselves to such tiring hours and work.  He did it so that other wouldn't have to if they didn't want to. He did it because he felt called to serve our country as his father and grandfather did. He did it because he wanted his family to continue living in a free country. My father joined the Army Chaplaincy so that his soldiers will have a pastor and a brother they can turn to when they need guidance and encouragement. He joined the Army so that we can have liberty and freedom to choose. We get to choose our leaders, who get to vote on our privileges and laws. We get to choose which church to attend or there are those who choose not to attend; we are able to choose what schools we go to, who we marry, and what type of career we want.

I'll never forget the Pledge of Allegiance, or the words to our National Anthem, in fact, I'll probably continue to cry almost every time I hear it. To me, the American Flag will always be the most beautiful flag. It will always represent sacrifice, duty, honor, freedom, and liberty.

I love the military life. Wherever I go, when I see a uniform or family member of a service member, I am reminded of my family, my father and husband and what they represent. Those individuals are family to me. We understand things that no one else quite understands; we've been through things that not everyone else goes through. We know what it is like to have lived in three different countries for several years each, and only speak 10 words in each language. We often whip out our ID cards when asked for our Drivers License’s simply because it is what we have done for so long. We know the meaning of sacrifice. Service members know what it's like to do what many are not willing to do, what many do not appreciate and often take for granted. Families know what it's like to go a year without their loved one’s. The soldiers become a brotherhood, and the families unite as one; regardless of race, religion, or status in the military.

 I know the Army song . . . I know several military songs. I can pick out military personnel in a crowd: the haircut, dog tags, and sometimes just by the way they carry themselves. I know that it takes a special kind of woman to be a military wife, and I know that strong kids come out of military homes.

To some it may not all make sense. Unless you've been there, done that, it probably won't.  I bleed red, white, and blue, because I will always be grateful for the sacrifice my great grandfather made when he fought in Europe in WWII, I will always be grateful for the purple hearts my grandfather earned while fighting in Korea, I will always be grateful for the service my father has done in Somalia, Haiti, and Iraq, and I will always be grateful for my husband’s willingness and desire to serve. The uniform symbolizes freedom, justice, glory, and honor to me. It also symbolizes family.

This week, I am remembering, that for my freedom, someone had to sacrifice something – and maybe everything.

In honor of Memorial Day coming up next Monday, I'm posting this devotion written by Donna Tallman:

Step by determined step I walk on through Arlington Cemetery.  A car passes on my left, then another and another. The procession of mourners drives by in slow motion making its way to the grave site. A color guard stands at attention near a freshly dug grave. A bugler waits for his call, and a squad of seven riflemen stands across the field for their moment of tribute. Cicadas hum just below the surface of unspeakable grief.

I hurry under a tree, not suitably dressed for a funeral nor invited by the family; but here by circumstance in my nation’s field of honor. He is my soldier.

Beautiful in its simplicity, the military funeral proceeds with expected precision.  A minister addresses the young crowd of mourners. The flag covering the soldier’s coffin is folded and given to today’s grieving widow whose two restless toddlers squirm next to her. She bows her head in anguished respect – uncertain the nation is truly grateful for her sacrifice, but so very proud of the hero her husband is. The riflemen give a twenty-one gun salute matched by twenty-one unexpected echoes from another burial in progress on the cemetery grounds. The shots of honor reverberate back and forth across the valley as if to emphasize the sobering cost of freedom.  

The cicadas pick up their song again whirring louder and louder until I feel them pounding in my ears. Looking up through the tree, I see that a helicopter has joined their cacophony giving tribute to this fallen hero. The bugler closes with the mournful notes of “Taps,” hanging onto the last note until it slowly dissolves into history.  

The crowd disperses while I wait under the tree. Stillness returns. Slowly, I begin to walk the uniform rows of gravestones. The magnitude of what we have asked of our soldiers and the grief these families are going through comes quickly into focus. I realize that for the first time ever, I am standing in the graveyard of a war in progress.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”

(John 15:13).

Prayer: Father, remind me that liberty never travels without its companion, sacrifice, and that sacrifice never travels without love. When I am tempted to forget the sacrifices of others on my behalf, remind me that even You paid the ultimate price for my freedom – the life of your only Son because You loved me.

*This devotion is an excerpt from Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan (AMG Publishers, fall 2009), which I co-authored with Jane Hampton Cook and John Croushorn. Order your copy from Amazon.com.

Our centerpiece celebrates the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Birthday of our Church.
We wrapped some empty boxes with leftover Christmas wrapping paper, printed out doves and our gifts and glued them to the boxes.
We read about different Pentecost customs online and read from Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories.
Many Blessings,
Melanie


John 20:19-23

 

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, he showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

I have recently tried my hand at sewing little tops and pinafores for Emily. I love it and it is easier than I thought.  I really love the pinafore; a frugal way to dress up a plain top. Here 3 great links:
 http://www.made-by-rae.com/2008/04/free-itty-bitty-baby-dress-pattern.html
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=65
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=212

     Are you tired of watching violence or sex on your television or in theaters?  Even sitcoms, reality shows and cartoons are promoting anti-biblical values.  We complain about Hollywood, but they are not listening!  They are doing whatever makes a dollar and for the most part we as Christians are helping them by paying to see these movies.  Here I will explain, from my point of view as well as interviews with several Christian movie producers and distribution companies, why Christian movies are important, the meaning of theater or DVD releases, and what we as Christians can do to help promote them.  I have spent the last several years watching and writing about Christian movies and have been blessed by the ones that truly promoted the Lord.  I have watched Christian films from individuals to the big budget productions.  The big budget films might be higher quality, but both have strong and inspiring messages.  As a Christian I would like to see more faith-based movies available.  

Importance of Christian movies

    The movie industry has proved to be a great influence on Americans and when you think about how many of our teens are flooding theaters, how are they being influenced?  The rapid decline of truth and lack of morals in movies must be stopped if the next generation is going to learn how to live for the glory of God.  If we do not stand up against the defiling scenes that are in the media now can you imagine what it will be like in ten years?  I recently watched a film Time Changer (a Rich Christiano film) that explains in a very entertaining way how when you take the authority of God out of teaching morals you are asking for trouble.  Over 75% of Americans claim to be “Christian” and with most films from Hollywood containing extreme violence, excessive sexual content and consistently blaspheme God, why are Christians paying to see these films?  Philippians 4:8 says - to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, & praiseworthy, not much of that in movies today.  However; Hollywood is not the enemy; they only do what is profitable.  This 75% claiming to be “Christians” needs to stand up for what is right and in line with God’s Word, if they would, the types of movies being produced and the shows on television would change!  I am sure that Hollywood is not making its millions and the major television networks getting its high ratings from the less than 25% (the non-Christians).   A documentary I think that puts this in prospective is Lord Save Us From Your Followers (a film by Dan Merchant).  This film shows how the world views Christians in a negative way because they are judging Christianity by the way they see Christians act and some do not act at all like Jesus would want them to.  God is the Creator of everything; we would have no actors, actresses, producers, etc. if He had not given them the very breath they breathe.  Also Christian filmmakers must make sure that if they put a Christian label on their movie that it is true to God’s Word.  I understand that some of the Christian movies done years ago were low quality or more Biblical stories.  Today there are more Christian feature films that show viewers how to live for God while going through everyday situations.  There are a growing number of Christian filmmakers and their films are increasing in quality.  Nowadays most Christian movies are well written, entertaining, and have inspiring messages.  With the economic downfall, unemployment and stress, people (Christians and non-Christians) are hurting and looking for hope.  That hope can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are going to help these people find the peace, hope, and joy God gives to go through some of lives hardest circumstances Christians must take a stand!  

Theaters/DVD releases

     Just because a Christian film does not play in theaters does not mean it is low quality or not worth watching. Christian producers choose to release directly to DVD for many reasons, but the main is financial.  It costs a great deal to produce a film and it costs more to get it into theaters.  But too many “Christians” are choosing the Hollywood alternative films, so it is hard for a Christian film to break even in theaters.  It is estimated to cost $2000 per screen to show a movie.  In addition to the screen cost is advertising.  For a new filmmaker or small production company it is difficult to fund a theatrical release or find investors for it.  Some Christian filmmakers have used their own money to get a film into theaters and then just prayed it would cover costs.  The meaning of a successful movie to most Christian filmmakers is not monetary, but in touching lives and bringing glory to God.

What we can do

    One of the most important things you can do is go see Christian films when in theaters on opening weekend.  Theaters make decisions about which movies to continue showing by the number of viewers on opening weekend.  John Martin, editor of Christian Filmworks magazine, says “Making a movie is easy. Getting it distributed is the hard part”.  This is where we can help by spreading the word.

 

More ways you can help:

* Pray for Christian movies, filmmakers, cast & crew

* Buy DVDs for yourself & to give as gifts at your local Christian store, Wal-Mart, or online at www.christianmovies.com, www.familychristianmovies.com, www.christiandvdstore.com, www.gobmg.com or anywhere Christian movies are sold.

* Tell family, friends and co-workers about upcoming Christian movies – send emails

* Organize a church movie event

* Sign up for movie newsletters online

* Post Christian movie information on your website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

* Give producers feedback and encouragement online

* Financially support Christian filmmakers
* Print out and post Christian movie information on church &/or work bulletin boards for those not active on the internet. 

-- If you are interested in receiving articles about upcoming Christian movies or have any questions or comments please send an email to signgal@faithwriters.net.

 

     I hope you can see why Christian movies are so important and you will make a decision to help promote them in whatever way you can. The growing number of Christian filmmakers is raising awareness and possibilities for future Christian movies.  If Christians will buy DVDs by Christian filmmakers and help get the word out about upcoming Christian films more will go see them and in turn Christian filmmakers will be able to make higher quality films with well-known actors/actresses in the future.  Christians must take a stand against what is conflicting to God’s Word.  So grab the popcorn and the Christian movie of your choice and enjoy a family movie night.  Christian films are not only for Christians, but also to help non-Christians learn what is true and how to walk everyday and in every situation, with God. 

As many of you know, I have been in route to our new home (which because of privacy issues, I will not disclose where home is at right now). 

We left Fort Bragg on Friday morning, unsure of what the future holds - I look at this move as an adventure.

Today, I went in to JoAnne Fabric to purchase yellow ribbon and flags to tie around the trees out front.  The girl at the check out asked me what I planned to do with all of the yellow ribbon.  I told her I was going to tie it around the trees.  She then asked, "what will you be doing with all of these flags so early before the 4th of July?"

I told her Memorial Day was coming up and that I wanted to put flags outside in memorial of our service men and women who have been killed in the line of duty.

She then, the young lady asked another question... "Why would you tie yellow ribbons around your trees?"

I was tired... a little worn down today.  I couldn't believe this girl did not know why I would be tying yellow ribbon around our trees. I gave the shortest answer possible... The yellow ribbons began appearing in large numbers after the Gulf War when we began sending large numbers of troops overseas to the Middle East. For a long time ribbons have been kept as a symbol of remembrance of men and women who are deployed. They have been kept especially by wives, mothers and sisters in times of war in memory of their soldier boys abroad.

To my surprise the girl piped up and said, "I am going to buy some yellow ribbon to put around my big tree out front!"

It's important that we remember we have troops who are still fighting in a very real war.  As we near Memorial Day, its so important that we remember why stores are closed, and why people have the day off of work. 

I have four beautiful, healthy and  brilliant children. They consume my time and they consume my heart. Most of what I do is centered around their lives…their issues, their appointments, their character, their schooling, their health, their food, their bottoms (as in SIT on your bottom, do you prefer to obey or to have a sore bottom, or let me wipe…you know), and most of all my walk with God so that I can be available to them as a mom with her heart after God’s own heart. It is hard work, absolutely, but I still find it somewhat odd and sad that people so often focus on the number of children I have…the number one comment I receive from strangers? ‘You’ve got your hands full.’ The second favorite? ‘Are they all YOURS?’ That one makes me chuckle because I always wonder if I look like I’ve accidentally borrowed some children. Even if I had adopted any, they would still be my own children, wouldn’t they?!

Honestly, though I’ve always wanted four children, I thought I would quit after the first three. I was dog-tired. I was doing the ‘military spouse serving as a single mom with three toddlers’ grind, and my husband and I were stressed out and at odds often. All my well-laid plans to use cloth diapers, to breastfeed my babies, and to enjoy my motherhood kept getting hindered or waylaid as I switched to disposable diapers after I couldn’t keep up with a third in cloth, as my milk dried up because of  back to back pregnancies, mastitis and babies who slept too well at night (go figure). I went back and forth between making homemade baby and toddler food and scarfing Wendy’s drive thru on the way home from anywhere. I didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry when I discovered that my 11-month-old son, Samuel’s, first words were, ‘thop dat!’ finger pointing and all. My conversations with my children seemed to all start and end with ‘NO’ and I was weary and angry about the loss of my dream of motherhood bliss. It wasn’t easy, beautiful, serene or fun…it was breathtakingly, tongue-draggingly, exhaustively tiring!

I’m over the ‘will I survive potty-training?’ stage, and even with a 10-month-old baby, having the older children be 9, 8 and 6 means that the baby always has doting siblings to entertain and love on him while I work or rest. We all enjoy him together and we are having so much fun! When my husband was deployed to Iraq my girls actually brought 3 year old Samuel to me, by the hand, and formally requested that I produce a baby brother for him. After all, the girls had each other and he had no one on his side. (I suspect this could have had something to do with him terrorizing their playsets). I thought that was cute, and told them that that was the kind of thing that you would take to God in prayer, that it was out of my hands. I really thought I was done at 3 children anyways, so it truly had to be an act of God! The 4 and 5  year old sisters, took Samuel by the hand and began praying for a baby brother together.

One year and nine months after Steve came home from a grueling, long deployment, God laid it on my heart to have room for another baby. I shared that with Steve and he agreed. Little did we know that I was already almost a month pregnant! When I shared the news with the children they actually remembered their prayer request from almost 3 years earlier and they rejoiced, saying, “God answered our prayers! God answered our prayers!” When I informed them it would be a boy at 20 weeks, they looked at me with some puzzlement…”But Mommy, we PRAYED for a BOY, remember?” Properly chastened at my unbelief, I reveled in the fact that their young faith had been so strong and unwavering even while I had been skeptical and unwilling. We named our baby Nathan, which means ‘God’s gift,’ and he has been an integral part of healing and unifying our family. We enjoy our sweet baby so much, but Samuel and the girls all consider Nathan to be his very own, made-to-order baby, and big brother can’t wait to share a room with baby brother. Samuel accepts ownership of his one and only prayed for brother.

So yes, in this day and age, I suppose four children is slightly unusual for two ‘educated parents.’ Many of my peers back in CA started having babies later life because of their careers, and will likely stop at the proverbial 2 or 2.5 children (whatever that may mean.) I’ve surprised most of the older generation in my family because they fully expected me to pop out two kids and go back to school or work. I am something of an anomaly or an exasperation to them, and they still ask me, ‘you ARE done having kids, aren’t you?’ I may be done, only God really knows, but I have had such peace and joy about having these four entirely individual, beautiful little people in our lives. I was given the grace to have them and to raise them, and I’m not a supermom by any stretch of the imagination. Grace has empowered me to grow with each child, and that experience may range from super-painful to super-sweet, but not super-mom! My husband and I may never become rich, famous or powerful, but I do know that we are investing and pouring what we learn as we grow into each child, with prayer and repentance all along the way. We know that God will bless that commitment and multiply the blessings that follow. We are preparing to launch them into a faith-filled, successful adulthood.

So do we have our hands full? Sure we do. I’d like to think that our quiver is full and that God’s cup runneth over!

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.

⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

http://msnancyks.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/youve-got-your-hands-full/

“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God” (Isaiah 50:10b).

Ever since I bought Sara Groves’ latest album Fireflies and Songs, the song titled “From this one place” has really stuck in my mind. I bet most of you can relate to the theme of the song, too. She talks about not being able to see the road in front of her, not knowing what the future holds, and how scary that is. Here’s the chorus:

“From this one place I can’t see very far/ In this one moment I’m square in the dark/These are the things I will trust in my heart/ You can see something else”

Does this sound like something you have said or felt before? One struggling military wife once told me she felt like she was so in the dark she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face, and it was all she could do to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. If we haven’t been in that place yet, I’m pretty confident that it’s only a matter of time before we are there too.

But the comfort comes in knowing that while we can’t see much from our point of view right now, God sees it all. He sees the big picture, and as Sara says in her song, He “can see something else.” Oh how we long to know what it is that God sees that we can’t! But if we could see it all at once, we wouldn’t have to trust Him. And I believe God wants to use the dark times of our lives to build our relationship with Him. In our darkest hours, it’s what we believe about God’s character that will sustain us. Do we believe that He is sovereign and in control? Do we believe that He is trustworthy? Our answers to these questions are more important than knowing the answers about what tomorrow will hold.

I absolutely love what Carolyn Custis James says in her book When Life and Beliefs Collide:

“God’s character is crucial, for there are moments in life when God’s goodness and love seem to come under a blackout. No matter how we strain our eyes, we cannot see any good, not a trace of God’s love . . . When faith cannot find something tangible to grasp, we are compelled to fly back to the ark of God’s unchanging, unfailing character. But faith will not find much of a foothold here if God is a stranger to us. Faith, in the finaly analysis, is trusting someone you know, even when you don’t always understand what he is doing” (page 73).

In a devotion titled “Faith Challenged” in the book Faith Deployed, Army wife Rebekah Benimoff shares this:

“When a young lady who once served on the chapel praise team with me learned that her husband had been killed in Iraq, those of us who served with her were shaken. while some people I knew were certain that God had told them everything would be okay, I had no such assurance. What God told me was quite different. He said that no matter what happens, He would carry me through. And to this day, He has” (page 216).

Rebekah was in the dark about her husband’s future, and about her future with him–as all of us are. But she learned to put her hope in the One who knows it all. “He can see something else…”

Jocelyn Green is the author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encoruagement for Military Wives, along with 14 other contributing writers, and maintains a Web site for military wives at www.faithdeployed.com.

A couple of days ago, my husband misplaced the keys to his truck. We have searched everywhere we can think of, both in and out of the house, in the vehicles, the garage, everywhere. The first day they went missing, it was no big deal. I figured I could skip my errands for one day – what would it hurt? – and he could just take my car to work. I could search for his keys, and being the “wonder woman” I am (HAHAHA), I would have them tracked down and laid in plain sight for him by lunch time. Unfortunately, by the end of that first day, his keys were still missing. I’d checked everywhere again: They were not in the dog’s area, or the refrigerator, or in the pockets of his clothes, or on the bookshelf, the work bench, or the bottomless pit commonly referred to as our couch. Where could they be?

So, once again, my darling husband had to drive my vehicle in to work, which probably wouldn’t be so bad, except for the fact that on a good day, it takes him at least an hour to get to work – throw in the rush hour he normally faces, and that time can double. Not to mention the fact that he is in the Army (for those of you who don’t already know), which means his work day often begins at 6 a.m. – and I’m not talking ‘wake up’ here ~ that is often what time he has to arrive at work, which means leaving the house by 4:30 or 5:00 a.m., at the latest. I suppose I could wake up with him, get the kids out of bed 3 – 4 hours earlier than usual, get ready, drive him to work, then drive home so I can have a vehicle for the day, and just pick him up again at the end of the day, and battle rush hour for the 2^nd time on the way home. HA. Haha. Hahaha. NOT going to happen! Call me lazy, but I would much rather lay in bed for an extra hour or two!

Inevitably, though, once he leaves for work and the day goes on, I find myself growing antsy. I have had to readjust – well, cancel, if you want to get technical – my plans for a couple of days now. I have errands that need running, and things that need to get done, that I just can’t do without a vehicle. And it is frustrating.

As I dig through the couch for the ump-teenth time, my irritation continues to grow, and I begin talking to myself, saying things like, “He has got to learn to be more responsible. This is ridiculous. How can an entire set of keys just disappear?! I can’t believe he doesn’t know where he left his keys! The kids better not be hiding them ~ if they are, it’s gonna mean one MAJOR time out! I bet the dog ate them… Dumb dog… I hope we didn’t throw them away. WHERE ARE THOSE KEYS?!”

And, then, it hits me.

Maybe, just maybe, this is a God detail.

You see, for the past few weeks, our family has been very busy. I have run myself ragged  trying to prepare for upcoming events, help friends/family, participate in things which we have committed to, and just trying to keep up with everyday life ~ the house, the kids, the pets… Occasionally, my husband and I have been able to work in a minute or two here and there where we could at least say hello for the day. That sounds awful, but it’s true. The past few weeks have been incessantly busy, to the point where our time together had been pretty much non-existent. That’s when I realized that my time with God had been the same.

I sat silently in shame as I realized that with as little quality time as I’d been spending with my husband, I’d spent even less with God. I had been so caught up in fulfilling duties, participating in events, and just doing “stuff”, that I had been neglecting the two most important relationships in my life, and I still had more plans, more things on my agenda. I wasn’t slowing down, and… God knew how much I needed to.

Looking back over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed that I have been sleeping so much less, and not well when I do. I have felt physically weak, tired, and at times, ill. I have been short tempered, stressed, frustrated, scatterbrained, forgetful, and overwhelmed.  I have felt disconnected from those closest to me, and as if I am simply unable to catch up and keep up with everything from chores to people. I realized that I have been trying to consume and entire six course meal at once, rather than taking things one plate at a time and savoring each individual dish.

As I sat there, with my hands still stuck in the couch and these realizations flooding my mind, God spoke to my heart and I knew that the keys were missing for a reason. It wasn’t some big inconvenience that just randomly occurred. It was God’s way of forcing me to slow down so I could hear Him again. He forced me into the position where I would have no choice but to say, “No, I’m sorry I can’t do ___ today because I do not have a way to get there” and I would have no choice but to stay at home with nothing to do except spend time with my children, doing the things I’d neglected around the house, and in those quiet moments before they wake up in the mornings, just to “Be still and know that [He] is God”…

I am so thankful that He cares enough about me that He would “ruin” my plans and replace them with His… Because His are so much better. 

So often, in today’s world, we feel as though we must be “wonder woman”, doing everything perfectly and with ease; without tiring, without frustration, without complaint. But, doing “everything” is not a real possibility. We want to succeed and be the best at everything, making everyone around us happy, or awing people with our abilities, talents, and skills. And when we inevitably fail at one or several things, we feel guilty… shameful… inadequate…We lose sight of the fact that no one is the best at everything, and no one can do it all.

But God…  It’s amazing how those two little words can give such hope… The phrase “But God” appears at least 43 times throughout Scripture (according to the KJV Bible). In each instance, it is an example of some way man physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually fails or is lacking… But God… But God always restores. God fills in our gaps with His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His strength. He provides us with what we do not have, and what we have no means to obtain. He prospers us when all we can do is fail. He stands by us, leads us, guides us, loves us, protects us, completes us… And He lets us rest in Him… Matthew 11:28 says, “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy laden, for I will give you rest.”

I forgot that recently. I forgot to go to Him. I forgot to rest in Him.

While the world tells us that we should be able to “do it all”, God, instead, has a more specific things He calls us to do. That is where He wants our focus ~ on carrying out His will for us. He equips us to do whatever He calls us to do, therefore, as long as we give our best to what we are called to do, we will succeed. But if we don’t spend time with God, resting in Him, talking with Him, listening to Him… we will never learn what it is He is calling us to do. Instead, we will spend our time exhausting ourselves trying to find the fulfillment that only comes from following His will and satisfying the purpose He has set before us.

So now, I am taking the time to rest; I’m taking the time to rest in Him. I am spending time with my God. I am spending time resting in Him, allowing Him to restore my soul. Becoming rejuvenated and realizing that it’s ok to not be “busy”. It’s ok to say “no” sometimes, because one  plate at a time is all we are equipped to handle. More than any event or activity, more than visiting others or running errands or accomplishing tasks… Spending time with God is what will make us whole. It is what will sustain us. It is what will give us peace. It is what will keep us sane and positive. It is what will bring us the greatest joy…

Don’t waste your time failing at doing it all. It is just not worth the cost. Instead, slow down, and take some time with God, because in Him, success is always found.

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2010) – Wounded Warrior Project applauds President Obama for signing into law a measure that, for the first time, will ensure that families of veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan receive comprehensive, coordinated financial and other support that will enable them to provide these warriors with needed home-care.  Enactment of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 has been the highest legislative priority for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which worked with Congress for more than a year to win its passage.

“Today brings hope for the families around the country who have dedicated their lives to caring for their wounded warriors at home and keeping them out of nursing homes,” said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steven Nardizzi. “We’ll now shift our focus to ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs faithfully and quickly implements this law.”

 Passage of caregiver-assistance legislation came in response to recognition of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial toll that care-giving takes on the families of our country’s most gravely wounded warriors.

 Family members make great personal sacrifices to provide daily care to their loved ones, often giving up careers and putting their own lives on hold to be long-term, full-time caregivers. Approximately 2,000 of these wounded veterans have injuries so severe that they require help with everyday needs such as bathing, toileting and eating, or require constant watchful protection.

 Under the new law, the Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for providing family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans with help in meeting some of their own basic needs – including training and technical support, respite care, counseling, health coverage, and modest financial support.  The caregiver-assistance provisions of the new law become effective in nine months, giving the Department of Veterans Affairs time to work with stakeholders to develop an implementation plan.

“While we celebrate today, this is not the end of the road. The real celebration begins only when these families get the assistance they deserve,” said Nardizzi. “This is Day 1 and every day that passes without implementation is another day these families will suffer. The clock is ticking.”

 Wounded Warrior Project is grateful to Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) for their strong stewardship of this legislation throughout the process.

 The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was supported by a broad coalition of veterans and military service organizations and Wounded Warrior Project was proud to work with groups like The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), National Military Families Association (NMFA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) on bringing awareness to the need for passage.

Available for Interviews:

Steven Nardizzi, Executive Director, Wounded Warrior Project

Family caregivers directly affected by the bill

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.