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! 🙂
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!
Thank you, my friend! I’m already learning about the flexibility part. 🙂 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! 🙂
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.
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!
Thank you, my friend! I’m already learning about the flexibility part. 🙂 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! 🙂
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.
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.
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.
It will be quite a change but exciting all the new things for your family. You will be in my prayers.
Thanks Becky! Exciting changes can be fun–and scary, so I’ll take those prayers! 🙂
It will be quite a change but exciting all the new things for your family. You will be in my prayers.
I’m excited for you!
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! 😉
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I’m excited for you!
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! 😉
Sent from my iPad
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?
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.
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?
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!
I appreciate those prayers! Looking forward to meeting you.
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!
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!
Thanks Jamie! I appreciate (and need) those prayers so much!
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.
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?
Certainly, I will do that.
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?
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!
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!
Do you already know Chappy wives there? Happy to connect you 🙂 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 😉
I know no one! Thank you for your offer and your prayers. Both are greatly appreciated!