It CAN Be Tough.. But, I'll Always Be a Proud Navy Wife!

Navy wife, or being a wife of someone who's in the military, is not a very easy job. Unless you're in our shoes, you'll never ever understand what that truly means.  We're the ones who are in constant training as well, day in and day out.  We're always training and working on things to be better spouses, a mother, and at the same time, a father to our children when our husbands are away.  We're the ones who worry a lot about things that not everybody can relate to, thus, making it harder for us to reach out anytime we want.  We go through things that others may find "normal', but behind closed doors, our hearts are crying, praying that for every minute, every second of every day that our love ones are away from us, God will continue to watch over them, and bring them back home to us - safe and sound.  We are the ones whose husbands or wives are away for months, not on a business trip, but to go behind enemy lines, and who knows what else they really go through when they're out there.  We have to deal with that, but at the same time, we need to stay strong for the ones who rely on us the most - our children.  We worry with every beat of our hearts for the ones who might not even make it home and wish they're next to us instead, and yet, some people complain why they're stuck with their partners and wish they could be away from each other for some time.  You'll never know how it's like to be really "away" from the person you love, unless you know the fact that if they leave, you might not see them again.

I've been warned.  I've always known that once I married someone who's in the military, my life will never be the same.  The life I chose will never be like those wives who married a businessman, a Doctor, a Teacher, or those whose jobs don't require them to be away from their families for too long.  Or, at least won't send them to areas where what you carry around you are weapons, vest, and anything that will help you stay alive.  I knew it's never going to be easy even as the years go by.  As long as my husband's in the military, I will never stop being almost like him.  And I will never stop supporting him!

Last night, my husband and I had a talk.  He's already up for new orders and he's been trying to choose where to go next.  He's got a lot on his plate right now, and I could tell by the looks in his eyes how stressed out he is.  I asked him what I could do to help, but in all honesty, he told me that for now, there's really nothing I could do but, be there for him.  And I understood that.  I just wish I can do more than just being there for him.  But we both know that it's something he needs to deal on his own right now.  Once he chose an order and got it, then, that's the only time I can start pitching in.  Right now, I have been constantly praying to God to give him the wisdom he needs in choosing the right orders for him.  An opportunity that will help better his career and our family at the same time.  I strongly believe that with God, nothing is impossible!  And He will grant the desires of our hearts if we just have faith in Him and keep on trusting His mighty plans for us.  Nobody knows best than the One who created us.

At some point last night, I cried while we were talking.  As tears fell down my face, I told him how tough some things already looked.  He's looking at an order right now that if granted, will definitely help both sides (career and family), but at the same time, he will be away from us most of the time.  Can you imagine how tough it is going to be like for me having to take care of an entire household for the first time?  But this is my life as a military wife.  As much as things can be hard on me at times, I have no choice but to face them with the same strength my husband always carries with him whenever he's out there doing his job.  I think it'll only be fair for me to stay strong as he is.  For I know that when time comes and he needs me, I can assure him that I have all the strength in me to help him out.  I want to assure him that he has a wife he can always turn to anytime he needs me.  It's almost like, he can be down if something bad happened at work, but I must not!  I have to always remain the stronger person between the two of us.  If we both break down at the same time, who would pick us up again?

Right now, there's a lot of things stressing me out as well, I'm not going to lie.  But I just pray.  I've been taught to always pray no matter what comes our way.  God will always have answers to our questions.  He has all the things we need, and He will always provide.  We just need to have faith and believe in Him.  Like what one of my favorite gospel songs says, "He sees the master plan.  He holds the future in His hand. So don't live as those who have no hope.  All our hope is found in Him!"

Truly, God's plans are amazing!  We may not fully understand each of them right away, but we know they were meant to happen for our own good.

I know I was put here for a reason.  The life I have now has always been what God has planned for me.  And no matter how tough things turn out in the future, I know we'll be just fine.  He's already prepared us to overcome each trial, and He knew whatever He sends our way, we'll always be greater than them!

Whatever lies ahead for our family, we will make it through!  Come 2013, new place, new home, new people, new work place for my husband, everything will be new.  But God is too wise to be mistaken.  And I know wherever He sends us next, it'll be the perfect place for our family to start anew.

Military life has its own ups and downs.  The key to living it in a way where you don't have to always see its down side, is to embrace it.  Love it with the same passion your spouse has for their job.  Learn from it.  It's all right to not like it all the time.  You weren't asked to do so anyway.  And above all, don't try to understand everything about it.  You won't.  The more you force yourself to, the more you'll be stressed out.  Just let things be.  Focus on what you have right now.  Don't worry about tomorrow.  God has already set things up for you.  Enjoy while it lasts.  And lastly, live like the military wife you know your spouse and kids will always be proud of.  There are no guidelines you need to follow.  Each of us is different.  We go through different things every day.

And, if you ask me, if given the chance to, should have I chosen a different path?

My answer will be the same thing, every time - NO!

Looking at my husband and our kids, I will choose the life I have now over and over and over again.  No questions asked. No buts.  No what ifs.

Indeed, It CAN Be Tough.. But, I'll Always Be a Proud Navy Chief Wife!