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The Army Side of Things

Army Life

9 Apr

The Army Side of Things

 

My husband questioned me the other day about the “branding” of my blog. It went something like this:

“Why is it called The Army Chap’s Wife when you really don’t write much about the Army, the Chaplaincy, or being a Chaplain’s wife?”

Valid question–and after I got past the (slight) defensiveness that rose up in me, I honestly had to consider it. And, as you may have noticed as well, he was right, and I have some possible re-focusing to do.

I know that one of the reasons I’ve not focused on the military side of our lives is because as a Reserve Chaplain, the Army doesn’t influence much of our day-to-day existence. That is all about to change. In fact, there’s a lot that’s about to change.

I haven’t been comfortable sharing here yet, because we didn’t have official orders, but we finally got those today. So now I can tell you that we are going to be an active duty Army family for at least the next 15 months…and we’ll be that, not in Indiana, but in Texas!

That’s right. In less than a month from today, we will be heading to the big state of Texas. Reactions around here have been varied, to say the least. My own emotions and thoughts are all over the place. I swing from excitement for what this opportunity means for my husband to sadness over leaving friends to anxiety over how all the details are going to work out.

This is all going to be new to the females in our home. We’ve never really lived the Army life. Thankfully, my husband has! Even though he’s been Reserves since I have known him, he was active duty for many years before we met. He understands the system and the way things work. That’s been a huge comfort for me–’cause I’m pretty much clueless! (I think I know about 5 of the tens of thousands of acronyms.)

Here’s one of the acronyms I do know: PCS. Stands for Permanent Change of Station and means that this will be the first time I’ve ever moved that I don’t do any packing. That’s strange, and probably one of the reasons that the move doesn’t exactly feel “real” right now. Having movers come and do all the packing is going to be an entirely new and weird experience for this girl!

So stay tuned, I guess I’ll have more Army stuff to blog about! πŸ™‚

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. HarringtonHarmonies says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Lisa, It’s nice that you shared this:) You know you can contact me if you have any questions…even though I probably wont know the answer, LOL. Even after being an AF wife for 11 years and an Army wife for 6, living overseas 8 years, and enduring several TDY’s and deployments, I still feel like I don’t have a clue. I haven’t learned to better manage military life except to be flexible and understanding of my husband. That’s all it means to be a military spouse. The military is constantly changing and the biggest challenge we face is to be resilient and able to bend. Praying for you as you begin this Army and bloggy adventure!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:42 am

      Thank you, my friend! I’m already learning about the flexibility part. πŸ™‚ Hubby had to remind me yesterday that if I let my emotions fly up and down with every new “yes” or “no” or “this is what is going to happen–no, wait, instead THIS will happen” I will be a basket case! I am looking forward to experiencing the whole Army life thing though.
      I’m sure I will be asking you questions! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • HarringtonHarmonies says

        April 10, 2013 at 9:22 pm

        Oh you are so welcome! Yep, the Army changes their minds a lot about things. Often my husband doesn’t even know so it is hard to plan. My way of coping is not letting the unknown make my decisions for me. I don’t plan around the Army. I just plan and do! Then if I need to adjust- I adjust:) I just found it less frustrating and easier for me. If I don’t wait on the unknowns…just live in the here and now, I am happier :D. Besides, the Lord does tell us “not to be anxious for tomorrow since today has enough to worry about”:) Matt 6:34 I try to focus on today because in a year or two my life will look totally different again.

        Reply
  2. HarringtonHarmonies says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Lisa, It’s nice that you shared this:) You know you can contact me if you have any questions…even though I probably wont know the answer, LOL. Even after being an AF wife for 11 years and an Army wife for 6, living overseas 8 years, and enduring several TDY’s and deployments, I still feel like I don’t have a clue. I haven’t learned to better manage military life except to be flexible and understanding of my husband. That’s all it means to be a military spouse. The military is constantly changing and the biggest challenge we face is to be resilient and able to bend. Praying for you as you begin this Army and bloggy adventure!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:42 am

      Thank you, my friend! I’m already learning about the flexibility part. πŸ™‚ Hubby had to remind me yesterday that if I let my emotions fly up and down with every new “yes” or “no” or “this is what is going to happen–no, wait, instead THIS will happen” I will be a basket case! I am looking forward to experiencing the whole Army life thing though.
      I’m sure I will be asking you questions! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • HarringtonHarmonies says

        April 10, 2013 at 9:22 pm

        Oh you are so welcome! Yep, the Army changes their minds a lot about things. Often my husband doesn’t even know so it is hard to plan. My way of coping is not letting the unknown make my decisions for me. I don’t plan around the Army. I just plan and do! Then if I need to adjust- I adjust:) I just found it less frustrating and easier for me. If I don’t wait on the unknowns…just live in the here and now, I am happier :D. Besides, the Lord does tell us “not to be anxious for tomorrow since today has enough to worry about”:) Matt 6:34 I try to focus on today because in a year or two my life will look totally different again.

        Reply
  3. Lisa says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:26 am

    I will keep your family in my prayers! Even though we’re no longer an active or reserve duty family (since my husband retired a couple of months ago), please know that I am hear to listen. pray, or help out in any way I can.

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      Thank you so much my friend! I’m so glad to know there are others who have much more experience with all this. I appreciate your prayers.

      Reply
  4. Becky Marie says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:35 am

    It will be quite a change but exciting all the new things for your family. You will be in my prayers.

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      Thanks Becky! Exciting changes can be fun–and scary, so I’ll take those prayers! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Becky Marie says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:35 am

    It will be quite a change but exciting all the new things for your family. You will be in my prayers.

    Reply
  6. Aurie Good says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    I’m excited for you!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks! I’m part excited, part nervous. Fear of the unknown is trying to get the best of me, but I’m making a valiant effort to fight back! πŸ˜‰
      Sent from my iPad

      Reply
  7. Aurie Good says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    I’m excited for you!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks! I’m part excited, part nervous. Fear of the unknown is trying to get the best of me, but I’m making a valiant effort to fight back! πŸ˜‰
      Sent from my iPad

      Reply
  8. TheresaNovak says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    I am excited for you, but i understand where you are nervous! I would be as well.
    what does your husband do now when he is in Reserves?

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 9, 2013 at 3:34 pm

      He does the weekend drills, and he also does some traveling around to support different units in the state. When we get to Texas he will be in school full time.

      Reply
  9. TheresaNovak says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    I am excited for you, but i understand where you are nervous! I would be as well.
    what does your husband do now when he is in Reserves?

    Reply
  10. Belinda says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Lisa – I have only “met you” on twitter, but please know that I am praying for you and your family. My husband’s brother (retired Army) and parents live near Fort Hood! See you in a couple of day!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 10, 2013 at 5:27 pm

      I appreciate those prayers! Looking forward to meeting you.

      Reply
  11. Belinda says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Lisa – I have only “met you” on twitter, but please know that I am praying for you and your family. My husband’s brother (retired Army) and parents live near Fort Hood! See you in a couple of day!

    Reply
  12. Jamie Oliver says

    April 10, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Big changes! We were just visiting my husband’s grandparents and listening to all his Grandfather’s stories about Army life in the 40s and 50s–they were laughing about it now, but admitted it wasn’t always funny then. My momma also grew up as an Army brat with her 7 siblings and their “adventures” are hilarious. I’m sure it will be tough sometimes, but I’m also positive that the Lord can make it a great blessing for you! Praying!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 10, 2013 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks Jamie! I appreciate (and need) those prayers so much!

      Reply
  13. Karen Gebbie says

    April 21, 2013 at 10:44 am

    Wow! Big changes! Just know that the Lord has a plan for you all. I look forward to hearing more about it. I really liked the comment above where someone told you not to wait for the unknowns, but to plan, do, and adjust as needed. Good advice for anyone. I will try to pray for you more regularly as you go through these changes.

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you Karen. If you wouldn’t mind, could you pray specifically that my anxiety level will not rise (too much) and that I’ll be able to stay calm and trusting through all the changes?

      Reply
      • Karen Gebbie says

        April 25, 2013 at 11:35 am

        Certainly, I will do that.

        Reply
  14. Lisa Walters says

    April 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Thank you Karen. If you wouldn’t mind, could you pray specifically that my anxiety level will not rise (too much) and that I’ll be able to stay calm and trusting through all the changes?

    Reply
  15. tettelestai says

    April 27, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    I feel so out of it, I haven’t been around in blogland much these days. Woohoo, TX! Where in TX is he going? We have friends at all the installations down there and can hook you up with friends!!

    That PCS move is going to be so crazy!! Have they already come to pack you out yet? It is a whirlwind and so crazy. I pray for a good transition!

    Reply
    • Lisa Walters says

      April 27, 2013 at 8:21 pm

      We’re going to Ft Hood. The packers come this Wednesday and we take off on Saturday. We’ve been purging and sorting, which is always a good thing, but it feels weird to not be actually packing anything!

      Reply
      • tettelestai says

        April 27, 2013 at 8:23 pm

        Do you already know Chappy wives there? Happy to connect you πŸ™‚ May God be gracious to your things and not let anything get broken, also may you settle into a new and quite hot routine soon πŸ˜‰

        Reply
        • Lisa Walters says

          April 27, 2013 at 8:24 pm

          I know no one! Thank you for your offer and your prayers. Both are greatly appreciated!

          Reply

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Good Words

Lisa is a great editor. She is thorough, and offers suggestions to help ensure my articles and ebooks are clear and concise. She’s a great communicator and has a way of offering suggestions and feedback in a positive manner. Having an editor you feel is as invested in your work as you are is priceless. That’s what you get with Lisa.

Leah Nieman
LeahNieman.com

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