I'm Reminded...

• Every morning, when he rolls out of bed at 4:15 a.m. for PT - I'm reminded.
• When I pull his name patch, his rank patch, US ARMY patch, his unit patch, the flag patch and the cross pin off his uniform to wash it - I'm reminded.
• When I iron his uniform and place the patches and the cross back on his uniform - I'm reminded.
• When I wash his PT uniform and lay it neatly on the dresser every day so he doesn't have to look for it in the wee hours of the morning - I'm reminded.
• When he leaves for days to go into the field - I'm reminded.
• When he calls to say he'll be home late - I'm reminded.
• When he tells me all the things he has going on - I'm reminded.
• When he shares how God used him to minister to his Soldiers - I'm reminded.
• When he lays his head in my lap and falls a sleep because he's worn out from the day - I'm reminded.
• When I see him in a room full of Soldiers and can't find him because they all look the same - I'm reminded.
• When I see him ministering to his Soldiers and see the joy it brings - I'm reminded.
• When he talks with our children about his/their day and tries to spend time with them because it's limited on the weekdays - I'm reminded.
• When I see him putting together his bags to leave for the field or training - I'm reminded.
• When he talks about deployment - I'm reminded.

Everything about his life, our life, reminds me that we are in the Army, but more so that his service and sacrifice are for a greater cause than just the Army...it's for the Lord, and I'm honored to be his wife. One year ago today I was trying to prepare my heart for what would come the next morning. I posted this on my blog that day.

I remember the morning he left as if it were yesterday. My alarm clock went off bright and early with the words, "God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good. And when I pray; it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should. But I do it anyway, I do it anyway..." (from the song Anyway by Martina McBride) ringing in my ears and I just laid there and sobbed. I knew I had to get up and go to work, and just an hour or so later he would be holding and hugging our children and telling them good-bye before heading off to South Carolina. I remember trying with every ounce of my being not to fall apart at work.

Today, I wouldn't change it for the world! It can be difficult sometimes...I won't lie. But, I love it. He loves it. Our children love it. It's what the Lord called us to do and we know following His will for our lives is of utmost importance. Sure, we miss our families, we miss our church and our friends...but, we also love where we are and the ministry God has for us here. Being reminded of my husband's hard work helps me to keep my role in perspective. Loving and caring for him and our children brings me great joy, and I'm honored to be on this journey with such a wonderful, hard-working man.

To the many other men and women serving our country, thank you! To the families of those who serve, thank you. To the other chaplains and their families, thank you. Daily I am reminded of the service and sacrifices made for our country. To my husband, thank you for being the man of God that you are. I love you and I pray God's blessing on your life as you minister to the Soldiers. I know they are blessed to have such a caring, passionate chaplain. I feel so blessed to be your wife!