About a month ago he received an email that he's been individually selected to deploy to the Middle East next year for 6 months. We still aren't sure if we're allowed to say exactly where he's going, but if I could, it would look something like Afgh---stan. Are you with me?? It's pretty much the place you don't think anyone is going anymore; the place you *think* we're "pulling out of"; and probably the place you'd least like to hear as a military wife/mother. He will be leaving in April for training, then will be back home for one week in July before he heads to Afgh----- through January 2014. I also shouldn't say exactly what he'll be doing, but he is a Master at Arms which is like a policeman, and will be doing something Guard-ish.
A lot of reservists volunteer for active duty assignments, and sometimes even a whole reserve unit will be called to active duty, however this is not the case for us. TJ was individually selected (which is a typical reservist activation), and quite honestly he will probably be replacing someone who needs to come home.
We're very fortunate of the fact that he will only be over there for 6 months. My brother-in-law will be there for 9 months starting in December, and I have other close friends with family members who are there for even longer.
TJ and I have a real peace about everything right now, a peace that could only come from the One and Only Jesus Christ. This is TJ's job; we are very proud of our Sailor, we always knew this was a possibility, and we will joyfully await his return. We'd appreciate your prayers through everything; even now. Because TJ was individually selected, he won't be going with his unit, he'll be going completely solo, and with that comes a ton of paperwork and classes he needs to complete all on his own. Pray also that he'll be able to focus while he's over there and not miss us too much ; ) so he'll be able to do the job he was selected to do. Of course for the safety of his body and mind, and the safety of his fellow Sailors. And please pray that the time goes quickly!
I can't help but think of our Caleb and Lilly who will be missing their daddy. Not to mention the many appointments and therapies I need to take Caleb to for his Autism. And explaining everything to Caleb will take some time, he does understand time & space to a certain extent, but this will be on a grander scale and will take a bit more effort. I'm going to get over my pride and say that I'd love a bit of prayer as well; I can busy myself enough that I should be able to get through, but my very best friend and partner in life will be gone for a while, and that will be rough. But lots of moms deal with this, every day, and we are so thankful for the support we will have around us.
On another note: I promise to blog more soon...obviously this has been in the forefront of my mind, and I just couldn't write about anything else! We're all doing great, Caleb is improving in so many areas, we're starting new therapies, and have been going to church *Praise God*! Thank you all for stopping by.
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| Flashback 2009, Caleb, 9 months |
Caleb!!!! That picture!!! I love you and I'm proud of you, Sharon. You're the ultimate Mama Bear and I'm honored to call you my sister (and best friend) !!
ReplyDeletewe are 100% here for you! i had all kinds of chills and brimming tears reading your post. praying for: tj - heart, soul & mind. for his safety, protection and speedy return home. that the men by his side take good care of him (& vise-versa). for you - it's one tough job during deployment, it can wear you thin, i pray love and family surround you, and their abundance leaves no room for such loneliness. for your babies - that they know every single day that their daddy loves them to the moon. to the lot of you - may your hearts and love withstand the distance and keep your family knit tight. so very thankful God has blessed you with peace for this deployment, a holy quietness worth more than any other gift. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteI'll do my best to pinch hit for TJ while he is gone. Like pulling for UCLA during hoopfest, taking his 4 spot in any pickup games of basketball, or eating a butt load of ice cream when he thinks nobody is watching (I won't have to work hard at this one), taking CC to see the "big rock" or the "lake", or helping you find one of LB's 17 binkies, or giving you a hug from a tall, skinny, handsome dude. Always remember to ask for help before the pot begins to boil ... "WE" can do this ... An old guy once said this "There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer." Google the old guy . . . I know nobody will be able to pinch hit for a guy who is batting 1,000, or pitches a nohitter every time he steps out on the mound, or whose freethrow percentage is 100%, or whose has a scratch handicap . . . I may be over 38 years old but I'll give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteYou guys will definitely be in my prayers. It has been such a wonderful blessing getting to know You, TJ, Caleb, and Lilly Belle. As I have observed over the last year, you guys are both absolutely amazing people, parents, and friends. I look up to you both as parents and hope to one day be as good of one myself. I can't even begin to understand the difficulties you will be facing as a family, but I know you guys are strong and all will work out. It's an honor knowing all of your guys!