Jun 12, 2013

God is Big

Happy Wednesday, ladies! This week is flying by and after yesterday, I'm thankful for that! Just a flat tire in town. But when your husband is in training, that's not really reason enough to get a hold of him. Roadside and a new tire made it an all day event, but thankfully I have a friend here who could take me home while I waited on the old tire to be replaced. And might I say.....it's really, really hot in Florida.

Today, I wanted to tell you a little bit about my struggle when I first moved to Destin, and how God has completely blessed me. Like I have said before, I really knew no one. I joined a fb group that included wives of husbands that are in the naval school here at Eglin AFB. I have figured out tons because of this group. It is such a blessing for wives who move here from all over the country. The information ranges from "Where do I take my child to the ER?" to "What's the best place to get ice cream?". Ice cream is an important thing in Florida.......IT'S HOT.

So there I was, newly married and alone all day with only my GPS to guide me through the town. From October- January, I didn't make a friend. Not one. I was lonely and thinking, "There has to be a system to this military wife thing. This can't be normal". Most of my days were spent on the phone with my best friend talking about the situation. Funny thing with this friend, we always seem to be in the same situation. It always seems like common ground to encourage each other through. Something about someone knowing where you are coming from just helps the heart. We cried together, brainstormed on ways to meet other wives, and called each other excitedly every time we met a potential friend.

Those few months, we dug into the Word together and each on our own. I see now how God used the time I had no friends and no family around to draw me to Him. Socially, it was the quiestest time in my life. Spiritually, I heard God loud and clear. He wanted me to depend on Him completely. What better time to learn that He never leaves me than when I have nothing else to distract me. Babies haven't come. Husband is in training 12 hours a day. I am a housewife with hours to fill with dishes to clean, toilets to scrub, and food to cook (bad order, I know).

So January came. The end of Christmas break. I cried on the way back to Florida. Crocodile tears. But that first week back in Florida I decided I was going to be intentional. It wasn't very long before I learned about the new FRG that was starting. It was new leaders and looked like something I could really get involved in. One day, as I checked my email, I saw a newsletter from the FRG. They were planning their first meeting. Something about a new group doesn't seem as intimidating as a group that's been going for years. That decision led me to meeting a very sweet friend and my involvement in the FRG now. What a blessing it has been. I have gotten to know the leaders and really enjoy helping them out with all the events. They are so welcoming and ready to help with any questions they have. I now believe I know more about what's going on in the EOD school community than my husband does. Ok, that might be stretching it, but I know more about the cook-outs than he does!! :) This group is so important for new comers. It's such an easy way to meet friends who are going through exactly what you are going through!

The other blessing that has multiplied over the last 6 months was the bible study I joined in January. I literally looked up "bible studies in Niceville, FL" on google and went to the first one I found. It was being held at First Baptist and they were going to start "Discerning The Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. I highly reccomend that study by the way. I met Lauren and Krista that first meeting and we three hit it off instantly. Weekly beach trips and coffee talk were musts after that. I said my first "military wife goodbye" to Krista as her and her blooming family moved to Ft. Polk. It's been so fun to look back on how God placed us together for support and just good, healthy friendships.

As we were finishing the study at First Baptist, God really put it on our hearts to start up a bible study in my home for military wives. Lauren and I posted our idea on the FB page and the feedback we instantly got was amazing! I was so excited to see other military wives want to study God's word together. I have watched friendships bloom over the past six weeks of doing Beth Moore's Esther study. We have found support and life long friendships because of Jesus. This week, we are adding seven NEW members to the group. YES. I said seven!! How faithful is our God? How BIG is our God? He delivers more than I could ever dream up myself. Oh, the joy that I feel when I think of how he is blessing this study. I can't wait to see how God works in the last 4 weeks of Esther. He is showing me things in my life that need HIM. He is showing me how much I need HIM. I am thankful to be passed these first set of growing pains. Yes, they will come again. But I learned so, so much through them. God is patient and consistent. He drew me in and won't let me go.

That was a long one. I just know there are women who feel like I felt when I moved to a new place. Loneliness occurs. Desperation to make a friend happens. I want you to know that it will pass. God is there. Maybe it's just time to be still. To put all your effort into your relationship with God. When my eyes are on Him, nothing seems as terrible as I thought.

Have a wonderful Wednesday...I'm off to the gym for my class!

Victoria





5 comments:

Courtney Kassner said...

Loved reading this! Though I can in no way relate to your military wife life, I read things in this post that I needed to hear (or see?) Thanks for being so encouraging!

Chelsea Phelps said...

Love your perspective! We've had a difficult time finding good friends at our new base, but I love that you talk about it being a reminder to completely lean on God. Thanks for posting!

Nicole said...

What a blessing that the Lord gave both you and Kayla a friendship that would encourage you through the hard days. It is so great to see what the Lord has done in your life during this season!

Allison said...

I am SO glad God gave you the desires of your heart and that he is using you to spread this love to others in the same situation. I LOVE Priscilla too...my bible study did The Resolution for Women and loved it. I'll have to look into the one you did as well. Great post. :)

Claire Voss said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! Makes my heart so happy. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I have been praying for the Lord to prepare my heart for such adventures as this. I hope that He continues to provide community for you as He leads you in this life as an awesome military wife.
I start a similar journey in September! Super excited, but very much clinging to the Lord as I leave "home" behind. :) You are so encouraging.:)