The Colonel called with some news last Wednesday.
Guess who's going to Afghanistan?
Come on, take a guess.
Okay, I'll give you a hint.
The Colonel.
How long will he be gone?
Oh, just a year.
WHAT?
Yes, a year.
He reports to Ft. Benning, GA on December 12th.
For those of you counting, that's in about 5 weeks.
He was home over the weekend and we told the kids.
They seem to be doing okay with everything.
Me...well that's another story.
I'm dealing with it. It's beginning to sink in.
I know it's going to be a hard year, but the Lord gave me a promise.
It's found in Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Thank you for your prayers!
Sue says
Oh Lois, sigh.......big hugs to you and prayers for Phil!
SSG's Wife says
My heart goes out to you! We have had to deal with that twice here (but to Iraq)I found great comfort when praying for Brian, his unit, his camp, and for his safety I would ask God to cover him with the blood he shed for our sins, and to be his Armour from head to toe. It brought me comfort knowing God was with him. It's a trying time with so many human emotions, and a great time of anxiety. I will keep you, your children, and the Colonel in our prayers. And please know if you need a friend, we're always here for you!!!!
Linda C says
I haven't been on the computer much this week and missed this on Monday. I know that this is tough news to get. I also know that with your faith and the support you have around you that you will get through this and come out strong on the other side of this experience.
With your family, church and friends blogging friends you are surrounded with love and help if you need it:)
I'll be praying for you and your family.
Blessings,
Linda
cinner says
Hi Lois, My thoughts and prayers to your family. It will be a rough year. Your faith is strong! Again thanks to your husband for his service to the country. You wives make lots of sacrifices serving as well. I truly look up to the two of you. Prayers from Canada, Be well.
Happily Ever After says
I cannot imagine the roller coaster of emotions that you must be feeling right now. My heart goes out to you during this trying time and the change of normal life over the next year. You do have our mind focused correctly. God doesn't put nothing on us that we cannot bear (though sometimes we think we can't). Just keep focused on our heavenly father. He will give you strength and courage. I'm not saying there won't be hard and difficult days - there will but God will be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with your husband. May God put his arms around him and protect him, keep his safe and may this be an opportunity for him to tell someone else about the hope of life through Jesus Christ during his time away.
Prayers to you and your family.
Gigi
Lisa @ akawest says
We will work on making the year go by quicker than any of your life. You have many, many blogging pals, and I am sure scads of real life friends. Everyone will do whatever you need to get the year to pass quickly.
Hugs,
Lisa
Ronda says
Good morning my dear,
Please know that you, your family, and your hubby will be in our prayers.
Please tell him I said....."Thank you for serving our country, and doing all he does to ensure the safety of all americans.!!!!
God bless all of you.
Thank you my sweet friend for all of your kind, sweet and loving comments on my blog.
Love & Prayers,
Ronda
Sandra says
Those of us who have our husbands home each day don't realize the sacrafice that other women make. You are giving just as much as your man is for our freedom. I appreciate that!!
Nellie's Cozy place says
Oh Wow, Lois, I am so sorry to hear that, I know this has got be a very hard thing to have to face.
My heart and prayers are with you
and Philip and the whole family.
Just know all us bloggy friends,
are gonna pray, pray, pray for his safety and for you and the family,
and that the year passes so quickly.
May the Lord bless you all for being willing to serve the Lord and our country in this way.
Will keep lifting you up dear,
I know being a military wife can
not be an easy thing.
Love and Blessings,
Nellie
LDWatkins says
Thank your dear husband for us all. You'll be kept warm in our prayers and our hearts.
Miss Jen says
*hugs* Dearest Friend~
I will be praying...
praise God for your
husbands wonderful work
for our country.
Love~ Jen
Tara says
Oh wow. I will be praying for you and your family. So glad you know the Lord and that you have a wonderful strong family that will be there for you through all of this. Of course, you have your wonderful bloggy friends to connect with and pray for you.
Hugs.
Tara
Camille says
Just came across your blog for the first time today. What a blessing your husband is to your nation! AND to you...AND what a blessing you are to him and your family. Such amazing sacrifices that you are called to, but you are right...the Lord will give the grace...day by day...moment by moment. Thanks for letting your husband do this!
So nice to have "met" you!
Blessings,
Camille
outdoor.mom says
oh wow! I will for sure be praying for you!! May God give you both grace and may you find yourselves in His perfect plan!
Beautiful pear tree lane says
Hi Lois, when I read this I looked down and saw the quote that you posted Friday! Wow!!
My heart just aches for you all but I have learned enough about you over this past year to know that you are trusting in the Lord. I will continue to pray, now I have another specific thing to talk to the Lord about.
Blessings,
Sue
Jacquelyn says
You have my prayers as well. Please thank the Colonel for his service to our country. May the God of all hope protect him and you and your children until He returns safely. Let the body of Christ hold you up during this coming year...
Annie says
I will keep your entire family lifted in prayer. Stay strong.
Cynthia @An Accomplished Woman says
Oh my, We all will be praying for you and especially for him. I think you should come visit everyone of your followers during the year and let us pamper you a little. Tell him we love him and will be happy to help his mission over there in any way possible.
Flat Creek Farm says
My prayers will remain with you, the Colonel, and your children. My sister has gone through this a couple of times. Her husband was in Iraq for a year, then most recently in Kosovo for a year.
We'll be here for you, hope you know that! Hugs, Tammy
andrea says
I will certainly keep you in my prayers.
In His service, Anne says
We will keep you in our prayers, and will pray for his safe return. My hubby wishes him the best from one Air Force guy to another!
hugs,
anne
Jennifer says
Praying for you and yours! Your husband is a hero to us all and we are grateful for his (and your familys) sacrifice!
Busy Mom in NJ says
I am praying for all of you, Lois. I am sure this is just overwhelming. Tell the Colonel that we so appreciate his service and sacrifice (and yours too!) We are here for you and will continue to be here in the coming year. Sending much love and prayers your way.
Linda says
Hi, my name is Linda and I just found your blog today. It looks like you could use a new friend to help pray for you during the next year. I can only imagine how that would be,...but on the other hand I know you must be so proud of your husband and what he does.
Psalms37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way"
Blogging will be a source to put your feelings into words and we can all reach out to you and the kids and check up on you.
I am a Christian and I know that everything happens for a reasson. God always has a purpose and a plan.
I love the name of your blog and that's why I clicked on it. Walking on Sunshine! What a beautiful picture it brings to my mind.
I think it was all meant to be that I found you today,...because I love to pray for people.
Trust in the Lord. Just know that He will always be there for you,...holding you in His strong arms.
Psalm 40:3 He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
May the Lord give you peace and joy as you go through this year, and may you even sing praises to Him!
Stop on over to my blog and see my giveaway for my 100th post. it is the Randy Alcorn book~~Heaven~~.
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Olde Dame Penniwig says
Well hun, I know it's hard on you, very hard, but I have to say I am relieved in terms of knowing someone really good will be over there watching over the young people, the Colonel is obviously such a good man and a smart one, none could be better, but very sorry for you and your kids...
Carol says
oh Lois...I knew something was up...we will be praying for you and Phil and your children. We have an awesome God, and He promises to always take care of His own. The Lord is in full control! I pray you will all feel peace and the year will go by quickly and safely..The Fehr's and the Palow's will be praying. Hugs, Love and prayers
LDH says
I echo the thoughts of others with thanks to both you and the Colonel for serving our country. Will be praying for all of you!
Love, ldh
Alice says
OK, you guys are now at the top of my prayer list. thank the Lord for a Godly man like the Colonel going to fill that position. please thank him for our family - for being willing to serve in that capacity. and 'thank you' to you and your kids for the sacrifice of a year in order to provide protection for others. you are blessed among many!
Mandy in Mayberry says
I'll be praying for you. I have a friend that is facing the same thing soon.
God chose special women to be military wives!
Hugs and Blessings
David says
Lois, Our hearts go out to you. We will keep the Colonel and you in our prayers. God can use him and make him a great blessing over there, he will not forsake you either. Be Strong in the Power of His might.
Nancy says
Hugs for you! You are strong in faith and I know you'll get through this. I'll pray for you and the Colonel and your family. You have much to be thankful for; such a wonderful hubby who is selfless and does what God has called him to do. Thanks to him and to you for his service to our country!
I hope you'll continue to blog as much as possible. We'll all help to pass the time for you!
Nancy♥
Brenda Eason says
Im so sorry,but thankful for your husband and the duty he has taken on. Im also thankful for you his family.
I know it is hard,but you are holding on to the right one! Jesus Christ
Sharon says
Prayers for your family.
God will give you strength to get through.
That is quite an honor for your hubby.
Tara says
We will keep you guys in our prayers. Nice to know someone like your husband is helping to keep us all safe! ; )
Jill says
Oh Lois... I have no words. I will pray though. Jesus knows my words.
At Home With Amy says
Lord bless the Colonel for his unselfishness. I'll be praying for you and your entire family. Many hugs and blessings,
AMY
southerninspiration says
Now i see why last week was so hard. Oh, I cannot imagine, but I will leave you with another promise. You can do this, and God IS IN CONTROL!!
Isa. 41:10
Suzanne
Debbie says
I'm sure your heart is flooding with so many different emotions right now, as I imagine you are bursting with pride and happiness right now at the importance of his position and the great service he is doing for all of America. But at the same time I'm sure there is sadness and uncertainity of the future clouding it all up. But the time will go faster than you probably ever drempt it would, and the Lord will see you through this season in your life...I will definitely pray for him, for you, and for you children until he is safely back home.
Jack says
We will keep The whole family in our prayers. I am praying that the Time goes fast and He keeps safe. Remember you do have your Christian Ffamily to lean on.
Jack
The Mommy says
Oh Goodness! That's a long time but God will be faithful to you and your family. He will uphold you and lift you up. Rejoice for your steps are ordered of God! Prayers for you all!
susan says
Thanks so much for your visit and comment. He is not perfect, but seems to know what matters. I know you must be torn with emotion-happiness, fear, pride,...I also love Jeremiah 29:10-12. I love Mother Theresa's quote-" I know God won't give me anything I can't handle..but sometimes I wish He didn't trust me so much" :)I will pray for you all and thank you for your family's dedication and sacrifice.
Karen says
I will keep the Colonel and you and your family in my prayers. I know that God can see you through this, and that He will keep the Colonel in His care.
Mama Hen says
I am so sorry. Thank you for YOUR service to us by letting him go and supporting him.
kymber says
((Hugs))
I know this must be so hard for you!!
You must be so proud of your husband for the awesome responsibility that the Lord has called him to. He sounds like an amazing man.
I know that you are probably so worried about him and a year is such a long time to be apart. My heart goes out to you my dear -
As I have gotten to know you in blogland - I have grown to care for you and your family. I will definitely hold you and your family up in prayer during this hard time - that the Lord will use your husband mightily during his time apart from you and that the Lord will hold you and the kids in His loving arms until your husband returns to you.
We will be here for you in any way you need us okay?
Praying....
Blessings to you sweet sister,
Kymber
Heidi Pocketbook says
Oh my, a whole year. I'll be praying for your family. Also, thank your husband for his service to our country, and thanks to you for making the sacrifice of being a military wife.
Carmen C. says
My heart goes out to you dear, it might be a long year, but just remember what I've been telling myself if my son joins the army....God can look over him just as easily over there, and all of us here in blogland will be there for YOU!
Loretta says
I will keep the Colonel, you and your children in my prayers until the day God brings him safely home to you. Blessings, Loretta