We are four months in, with four months left until R & R, and then four months left after that! I miss him more than you can imagine.
I have to say, when I married my husband five years ago, I thought we would be together always. We didn't think any two people could be more in love than we were. We spent every waking moment together. If you lived near us at the time, you would have witnessed that. If Sean was in the woods cutting fire wood, I was with him- if he was building a fence or clearing property, I was there with him! When I was nine months pregnant, I was in the back of the truck helping him throw logs, just so we could talk (or not talk). We enjoyed being in each other’s presence, no matter what the circumstance. Sean got a job working on bridges for about six months before we joined the Army. I would take both kids with me to San Francisco to stay in some raunchy hotel.. just so we could be there when he got off work each night. There were weeks that I didn't go; however, and we hated it. I never imagined we would be apart for this long, and especially, this far apart. Some may ask, “Why on earth did they decide to join the army with two children and one on the way, knowing that our country was at war and most soldiers have gone or will go to Iraq?” Well, we ask ourselves the same question at times, but the second that thought creeps into my mind… I'm reminded. We had been praying about where our life was heading and what the Lord wanted us to do. We knew that He had a bigger plan and that we needed to make a change. Yes, most would think we didn't have the best of living arrangements, but we can both truly say we were happy and loving life and wouldn't change the past. We lived on a homestead and ran our home off a generator…. (another story). We believe though our experiences and after much prayer, the Lord gave Sean wisdom in this decision. My heart followed in agreement because it was His Will. We were able to sell everything we owned, including our horses, our home, horse trailer, vehicle, and everything we didn't need, just in the nick of time. Our double wide home was trucking down the road three days before Sean left for basic training. Well, here I am in Texas at an army base- the girl who once thought men in war movies were crazy for leaving their women, is now in the middle of the biggest state in the U.S. while her husband fights the war in Iraq for our freedom. He is half a world away and I am 1800 miles from family. I can tell you this... that my husband misses and wishes he could be with his family as much as anyone. He did one of the most amazing and selfless things a man can do... he trusted God and put HIM first.. he didn't do this to be macho.. or because he wanted to go fight and shoot guns ... he simply followed God's plan to provide for his family and serve his country at the same time, and he's also trusted God to take care of his wife and children. I already know that God is using him in more ways than we even know right now. He's never been one that liked to be in rough crowds... around profanity, etc. He never drank, never smoked, never cursed..he is a living testimony and example of Christ's love. No, he's not perfect...none of us are.... but I will say he loves Jesus and loves his family more than anything! And do you know that of all the people we talk to in the military they say "the army WILL change him" ? (hmm... they must not know Sean) and to this day.. he still does none of the above! He is the same today as he was 18 months ago. You may be thinking, “Oh just wait... he still has eight months left”. But the same God that got him where he is, will get him home. I still love and miss my husband as much today as I did the day he left. I never doubt why God has our family in this situation. Each passing day, the Lord continues to grow our love for each other and for Him. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. He's given me an unexplainable amount of peace! I used to hate being home alone... and now being alone doesn't bother me at all. I know who protects us.. I know who loves us.. I know that with God all things are possible and that with His help, I can handle anything that comes my way and so can Sean! We still don't know all the reasons why, but so far I've met some amazing Army wives in Texas and around the world. I've learned something from each one of them. You've been an amazing support system, and I thank Jesus for all of you! I hope and pray that I can pass that on as well! We have found a loving church, we're enjoying the Texas sun, and my children are growing and learning about Jesus every day! Thank you Jesus for my amazing life and my amazing husband, I have far more than I deserve!
I ended up bragging about my husband just a tad... but I got to say I'm a PROUD ARMY WIFE!
I miss you Honey, I love you more than you know, and I long for the day you come back into my arms. You are my best friend, my hero, and my true love! :)
Luke 9
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
I have to say, when I married my husband five years ago, I thought we would be together always. We didn't think any two people could be more in love than we were. We spent every waking moment together. If you lived near us at the time, you would have witnessed that. If Sean was in the woods cutting fire wood, I was with him- if he was building a fence or clearing property, I was there with him! When I was nine months pregnant, I was in the back of the truck helping him throw logs, just so we could talk (or not talk). We enjoyed being in each other’s presence, no matter what the circumstance. Sean got a job working on bridges for about six months before we joined the Army. I would take both kids with me to San Francisco to stay in some raunchy hotel.. just so we could be there when he got off work each night. There were weeks that I didn't go; however, and we hated it. I never imagined we would be apart for this long, and especially, this far apart. Some may ask, “Why on earth did they decide to join the army with two children and one on the way, knowing that our country was at war and most soldiers have gone or will go to Iraq?” Well, we ask ourselves the same question at times, but the second that thought creeps into my mind… I'm reminded. We had been praying about where our life was heading and what the Lord wanted us to do. We knew that He had a bigger plan and that we needed to make a change. Yes, most would think we didn't have the best of living arrangements, but we can both truly say we were happy and loving life and wouldn't change the past. We lived on a homestead and ran our home off a generator…. (another story). We believe though our experiences and after much prayer, the Lord gave Sean wisdom in this decision. My heart followed in agreement because it was His Will. We were able to sell everything we owned, including our horses, our home, horse trailer, vehicle, and everything we didn't need, just in the nick of time. Our double wide home was trucking down the road three days before Sean left for basic training. Well, here I am in Texas at an army base- the girl who once thought men in war movies were crazy for leaving their women, is now in the middle of the biggest state in the U.S. while her husband fights the war in Iraq for our freedom. He is half a world away and I am 1800 miles from family. I can tell you this... that my husband misses and wishes he could be with his family as much as anyone. He did one of the most amazing and selfless things a man can do... he trusted God and put HIM first.. he didn't do this to be macho.. or because he wanted to go fight and shoot guns ... he simply followed God's plan to provide for his family and serve his country at the same time, and he's also trusted God to take care of his wife and children. I already know that God is using him in more ways than we even know right now. He's never been one that liked to be in rough crowds... around profanity, etc. He never drank, never smoked, never cursed..he is a living testimony and example of Christ's love. No, he's not perfect...none of us are.... but I will say he loves Jesus and loves his family more than anything! And do you know that of all the people we talk to in the military they say "the army WILL change him" ? (hmm... they must not know Sean) and to this day.. he still does none of the above! He is the same today as he was 18 months ago. You may be thinking, “Oh just wait... he still has eight months left”. But the same God that got him where he is, will get him home. I still love and miss my husband as much today as I did the day he left. I never doubt why God has our family in this situation. Each passing day, the Lord continues to grow our love for each other and for Him. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. He's given me an unexplainable amount of peace! I used to hate being home alone... and now being alone doesn't bother me at all. I know who protects us.. I know who loves us.. I know that with God all things are possible and that with His help, I can handle anything that comes my way and so can Sean! We still don't know all the reasons why, but so far I've met some amazing Army wives in Texas and around the world. I've learned something from each one of them. You've been an amazing support system, and I thank Jesus for all of you! I hope and pray that I can pass that on as well! We have found a loving church, we're enjoying the Texas sun, and my children are growing and learning about Jesus every day! Thank you Jesus for my amazing life and my amazing husband, I have far more than I deserve!
I ended up bragging about my husband just a tad... but I got to say I'm a PROUD ARMY WIFE!
I miss you Honey, I love you more than you know, and I long for the day you come back into my arms. You are my best friend, my hero, and my true love! :)
Luke 9
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Good for you in being so positive about a hard situation! Corey and I have the same close relationship (I rode around in his work truck with him my whole pregnancy with Elise) and I can't imagine how hard it would be if we had to do what you 2 are doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristen. Yes it's hard. But like I said, the Lord gives us just the amount of strength we need. I never imagined this would be our life. But it is what is it and we make the best of it! We actually spent a week apart once and said we'd never do that again... haha! Never say never...
ReplyDeleteSheila, God calls us to do extraordinary things when we become His disciples.
ReplyDelete"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26, 27.
I always wondered what "hate" your family meant. It may look like "hate" to the world, but we really do love them. Disciples are ready to do anything God calls them to do and we know God will provide for our loved ones. God has given you strength and you and Sean will be even stronger together when this is finished. I am so excited for the next extraordinary thing God is calling us to do! It may not be easy, but we will learn to depend more on Him every step of the way! It is so awesome to see God work in miraculous and exciting ways!
You're doing a great job! I love you!
Mom
Sheila, I love and miss you! Thank you for sharing your feelings, life, thoughts and beautiful photos!!! You are an inspiration to me! Give my niece and nephews hugs and kisses... :) I pray for you and Sean's protection daily! Love, your sis :)
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of you and Sean for doing what you feel the Lord has called you to do! It's gonna be worth it! We love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you guys for your encouraging words. I love you ALL and your right.. he helps us every step of the way it WILL be worth it!
ReplyDeleteOur stories are VERY similar Sheila! We will have to talk! We had our two boys and the third on the way when my husband decided to join the army. He had a great job and we had just built our dream house in the middle of his family's land. He felt led from God to step out in faith to quit his job, move away from the only home he had ever known! Now on our second deployment...even now, I have the peace of God! :) It's awesome to be in His Will!
ReplyDelete