My siblings and I the Easter Dad was gone
This week I’ve been thinking about the time my Dad and his National Guard unit were called to active duty. I vividly remember the challenges my family faced when my dad’s unit was activated for Operation Desert Storm. I was 16 when my dad got activated — two days before Thanksgiving. But I was 17 when he returned right around Easter. I didn’t recognize my dad — might have had something to do with the squiggly mustache he’d tried to grow, and he didn’t recognize me.
My Dad is the handsome man in the uniform — April 19, 1991
Today, when a service man or woman is called to active duty and deployed, that solider or sailor is often gone for much longer than the few — excruciatingly long — months my dad was gone. As one of my friends put it, being a supportive spouse when you’re loved one is in the active duty military is not for the faint of heart. When you’re loved one is deployed during the holidays it becomes even more challenging.
Now that I’m a mom of four active kids who homeschools them, I have a shadow of an idea what my mom endured while my dad was away. However, she also had to keep the family business running. That’s not something I need to do.
Same Easter with my Mom and sister (1991)
I think that’s one reason I love to write books set during WWII, so I can honor the men and women who serve. It’s also a reason I am so very excited about a promotion my publisher is running for Where Treetops Glisten. I knew Waterbrook/Multnomah was a great house to write for, but this promotion just sealed it for me. We’re partnering with you as readers in an exciting opportunity to buy a copy of Where Treetops Glisten and then the publisher will send one of five books to someone currently serving in the military.
How awesome is that!
Sarah Sundin, Tricia Goyer and I are also writing a series of blog posts with practical ways we can help the families of active duty military. As a daughter who well remembers her dad’s tour in Desert Storm, I am so THRILLED we are doing this.
Each of us are writing special blog posts about how we can support the military, their spouses, and their kids. This series started at Tricia’s blog with great ways you can help spread holiday cheer to the troops.
The form below has all the details. But here are the key ones:
- You can buy up to 5 copies of WTG, and the publisher will give 5 books for free from the list.
- The list of available titles is excellent–seriously these are awesome books. The publisher is not clearing out books that nobody wanted to read:
- Radical by David Platt
- The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons
- In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson (I LOVE this book! If you can’t choose, this is a great one!)
- Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer (A WWII novel!)
- Where Treetops Glisten (I’m kind of partial to this one :-))
All you have to do is order or buy Where Treetops Glisten between 11/11 and 11/26, then fill out the form below. Books will be sent out the first week of December to make it there in plenty of time before Christmas. Here’s an important note, too: This offer is first come, first served…while supplies last.
I’m pretty excited! What a great way to get some great books to share with servicemen and women you know. I’m also giving away a copy of my WWII book where the hero is in uniform, so be sure to enter the Rafflecopter form below. But most of all thank the vets and servicemembers in your life!
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I define beauty as a selfless soul who brings out the best in others.
I love that, Cheryl. It’s a great definition that includes so many who wouldn’t consider themselves as beautiful.
I define beauty as God’s light shining through in a persons countenance and actions. Thanks for the giveaway!
Yes! Love that, Loraine.
I believe beauty comes from within and is reveled through character. I thank you for this chance to win. ~ Blessings ~
I love that, Lisa. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
I believe beauty comes from within. It’s what is in the heart that comes to light…
And we so often focus on the exterior. Such a dichotomy, isn’t it?
I appreciate all of the servicemen and women
Me, too! So very grateful for their willingness to serve.
I’d say true beauty is how God sees us – not just our appearance, but the sum of our thoughts, actions, and yes, even looks (though His standards are better than ours). God created us in His image, and I think it’s all-encompassing.
Love that, Rachael. It’s the sum of our thoughts, actions, looks, etc. That’s humbling and scary in a way. He sees it all. There is nothing I can hide from Him.
I define beauty by the way a person treats others. Whether they’re complete strangers, a server at a restaurant, the checker at the grocery store/gas station, or a family member. If a person is kind and respectful they’re beauty will shine from within, but if they’re hateful, inconsiderate or just plain rude they’re ugliness will ooze out of them.
To me, beauty is what shines from the inside out. Its the character qualities oflove, humility, and kindness that defines our beauty and Gods glory shining through
I define beauty by the way a person treats others. Whether it’s the server at a restaurant, the checker at Walmart/grocery store/gas station, etc. If you’re kind, respectful, or helpful that makes a beautiful soul which shines through, but when people are rude, hateful or downright inconsiderate that makes for a very ugly person! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Shadowed by Grace!
kam110476 at gmail dot com