Memoirs of an Army Wife

I have a confession to make...when I initially wrote this post, I was intending to speak the brutal truth about military life as my initial expectations were very different from what became reality (just being honest here). I suppose I didn't fully understand what it meant at our wedding when I was "welcomed into the army." Before any judgment is passed, let me give you the lowdown on what Evan's and my life has been like since we got married 6 short months ago:

We have moved SIX times already. That is a lot of moves especially for me, who has lived my entire 22 years of life in same house and same small town of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. We first moved to Pittsburgh after our honeymoon (move #1), where our families so graciously allowed us to stay until we reported to Virginia. Once we reported in Virginia, the army miscalculated Evan's class' arrival, so they placed us temporarily in a hotel until there was room on base (move #2). Two weeks later, we moved onto temporary base lodging (move #3). THIS was our temporary lodging:

Within the 4 months that we lived in our little hotel room (little being no exaggeration), our refrigerator broke 3 times, our AC leaked from both the inside and outside of the room, our bathroom sink broke, and last but not least, our toilet seat cracked...in half (I didn't even know that was possible LOL). We had no kitchen (other than a refrigerator) and were told we were not allowed any electrical appliances to cook food. How were we supposed to survive on take-out every day? Not to complain, but this was no Ritz-Carlton...not even a motel 6.

We moved BACK to Pittsburgh (move #4), where we spent the holidays with our families and shipped our things to our next location. NEXT, we moved to Baumholder, Germany - we stayed in an even smaller hotel than Virginia for the first 2 weeks we were here (move #5), and finally found a place to call home in the small town right outside of Baumholder (move #6). I absolutely LOVE our home here!! After living 6 months out of suitcases, I cannot BEGIN to explain how wonderful it is to finally unpack into a house...or at least unpack our suitcases since we are still without any of our household goods.

Besides moving away from everyone and everything I've ever known, I was not prepared in the least for searching out new friends every place we moved and then leaving these new friends a few short months after meeting them, searching out a new job every new place we go, knowing there are many circumstances/times in my life where my husband WILL be absent due to the reality of his job, or dealing with the uncertainty of him being taken away from me at any moment of any day for a deployment or mission.

As my mom and I walked through the PX (the military retail store for those of you who are unfamiliar) -- we could see on the faces of those around us HEARTACHE, STRESS, INSECURITY, along with SO many other emotions.... WHY you may ask? Because military life is surrounded by constant uncertainty of whether a husband/father/son/wife/mother/daughter will be taken from you the next day for deployment -OR- for those who are already deployed -- wondering if they are alive and safe, wondering how you are going to take care of things at home / family while they are gone.... the list goes on & on.

I did not grow up in a military family, nor did I ever see firsthand what military life was like for others. All I knew was that this was not how I imagined the adventurous army life fairytale to be...

BUT, HERE is where the GAME CHANGER happened for me!!

On Sunday, we attended a church service on base - it happily exceeded my every expectation! A group of high school military kids spoke about their winter ski retreat to Austria. One high school girl absolutely AMAZED me by her story:

This ski retreat (in Austria) marked her VERY FIRST skiing experience - she attempted a hill that was too difficult and could not continue without falling every couple of feet. A ski patrol came to her rescue and promised the high schooler that she had gone down these hills MANY times and would take her safely down if she would trust her and ride on the patrol's back. ---- This next part absolutely HUMBLED me and CONVICTED my heart. The high schooler said, "sometimes we think that we can live life on our own, but we fall...A LOT. The road can be very scary and intimidating at times. BUT, God promises to carry us (just like the ski patrol) if we will just trust Him and surrender our lives to His will!"

WOW. WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ANALOGY!

Now this was coming from a teenage girl, who has grown up in the military, experienced everything that I have..TEN FOLD, and is able to say this despite her uncertain and inconsistent circumstances...

How humbling.

Who am I to complain about a few trivial things when God has SHOWN UP, PROVIDED, & CARRIED ME every step of the way?!

Reflecting on the past couple of months, here are just a few of the many great things I have learned since becoming an army wife:

• I would NOT trade for a second the opportunity to stand by Evan's side and be with him every step of the way.
• I have a DEEPER appreciation for the time I am given with my husband, family, and friends -- the time with them is PRECIOUS.
• I would NOT trade the relationships I have built with SO many incredible people along the way -- I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. I can say without a doubt in my mind that some of the friends Evan and I have made these past months (and other service members we knew prior) are more than friends to me - they are FAMILY.
• Military life has granted me an AMAZING GIFT of getting to know so many diverse people across the globe, people I would have NEVER come into contact with otherwise. I have been SO inspired by the strength, endurance, and bravery of SO MANY families and spouses.
• I am surrounded by an incredible support network of families and spouses. The tight-knit community within the military, where even strangers run to your aid, is not something I have ever witnessed elsewhere. -- My dear friend, Erin, who I briefly knew from the states and is now stationed in Germany with her husband, dropped EVERYTHING to come to my rescue when I first arrived in Germany. 
• I have the opportunity to explore and travel to places I would have never DREAMED of traveling to, let alone living in them!
• I have the privilege of standing by my husband while he defends the honor, dignity, and freedom of our great country.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY,  I have learned to TRUST God in a way I never knew was even possible and seen how God not only walks with us, but He CARRIES us through the most difficult times in life and PROVIDES for my every need along the way.

I totally 100% admit that it is not always easy and I do not always have the best attitude about my circumstances. HOWEVER, the relationships I have built along the way, the experiences I have been given, and the lessons I have learned would NOT have been possible if it weren't for being an army wife. It is truly a BLESSING and HONOR to stand by my soldier's side and live out this crazy adventure with him.