free guitar pro 4 full. adobe creative suite workshop guitar pro 5 crack serial Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winfree guitar pro version 4 adobe photoshop 7 for dummies books . liquify effect 1 adobe photoshop parallels desktop and windows 98. free adobe photoshop cs software adobe after effects key Buy Adobe After Effects CS4 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Windiscounted software adobe photoshop adobe premiere pro video . adobe after effects 6.5 serial guitar pro shop. reactivation message with quarkxpress 6.1 creators of adobe photoshop Buy Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection for Mac OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop cs2 for web adobe indesign document maximum books . quarkxpress downfall adobe photoshop 7 for os10. adobe photoshop warhol adobe r photoshop r cs3 Buy Adobe InDesign CS4 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winfree download of adobe photoshop 8.0 adobe photoshop creative suite crack . adobe photoshop 9 free download download adobe photoshop 6 trial. adobe premiere pro bible torrent corel painter 8 tutorial Buy Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winfree adobe aftereffects download adobe photoshop elements 5 activation . doctor my eyes guitar pro adobe photoshop 7.0 vs cs2. magnum pro guitars adobe photoshop best price Buy Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop 4.0 update adobe cs creative suite . adobe photoshop cs3 ststem requirements mack the knife guitar pro tab. whats new about adobe photoshop cs3 guitar pro tabs torrent Buy Corel Painter X (10) MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop animation adobe creative suite premium 1.3 upgrade . adobe indesign document view atomik designers coreldraw 12 key generator. download adobe after-effects coreldraw and boot camp Buy CorelDraw 11 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop vista windows adobe indesign mac serial . adobe photoshop cs3 e-licence crack 9 corel generator key painter. adobe's after effects adobe creative suite cs 2.0 Buy Guitar Pro 5 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winmadetoprint indesign cs3 software adobe 4.0 adobe cs2 indesign patch . adobe photoshop mac 5 guitar patch pro. adobe indesign database aria pro 11 guitars Buy Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Wincorel painter canvas adobe cs2 indesign keygen v4.0 . guitar pro still got the blues airbrush with corel painter. business card coreldraw template adobe premiere pro audio tutorial Buy Pixologic ZBrush 3 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop cs2 ebook adobe photoshop upload . arch enemy guitar pro adobe photoshop imageready slices. adobe photoshop cs2 trail activation crack adobe photoshop cs3 standart Buy Propellerhead Reason 4 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe photoshop 5.0 for macintosh adobe premiere pro 2.0 serial . adobe creative suite ce photo in adobe photoshop. key corel painter 10 adobe premiere pro cs3 download Buy QuarkXpress 7.3 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe indesign key generator tool download adobe photoshop cs2 v9.0 . adobe photoshop 7,0 for dummies upgrade quarkxpress. adobe photoshop 5 5 download adobe photoshop abstract tutorials Buy QuarkXpress 8 MAC OEM - Cheap Software Downloads for Mac & Winadobe indesign resize image adobe photoshop c2 book . adobe photoshop template screenshot color homepage
On Loan at YouServed 2009 Calculator Banner

Newest Articles

The Substance of Things Hoped For…

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I have always loved this definition of faith and find it compelling. There are many things around me that provide me of the substance of what I have hoped for, but the evidence of the unseen is all around us too. Spritually speaking I know the verse is pointing back to Christ. He was the substance of what the World needed and longed for, and we have faith today even though we do not see with our own eyes. It’s a definition that shows the irony of faith – substance and hope along with evidence and the unseen. Those are not things we normally put together.

What does this have to do with the military? I found the following article on DVIDS. I had faith that the military community would comfort one another, aid one another and would care for its own — I have seen this first hand and have witnessed the substance of things hoped for. Even though I am not there and did not see what was happening, I knew it was. The evidence of the unseen is easy because you hear about the strong tie of family that holds us and binds us together in the military. Service members and family alike. Families are taking care of young single soldiers while they convalesce, and they comfort one another while they grieve. That’s just a couple of examples:

Amid Tragedy, 20th Engineering Battalion Families, Soldiers Provide Utmost Care for Own

13th Public Affairs Detachment
Photo by Spc. Christopher Gaylord
Posted: 11.12.2009

EXCERPT

Nov. 5 began and might have ended like any other day for Kanesha Howard, an Army spouse and mother of two. Instead, she found herself living a nightmare by midday, franticly wondering if she still had a husband. 

Later, she learned Staff Sgt. Alvin Howard, a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 20th Engineer Battalion, had been wounded in the massacre at Fort Hood while preparing with other troops for their upcoming deployment. 

Since Thursday, Howard has mustered the strength to smile again. 

Amid unimaginable frustration and destruction, Howard’s husband’s unit assured her that the Fort Hood community is one that never stops caring for its own, even in the most stressful of circumstances. 

Several Soldiers and fellow Army spouses showed up at Howard’s home in Killeen Sunday afternoon under the strain of arms full of food and hot meals, ensuring Howard had everything she needed in the aftermath of tragedy. Similar efforts are being made for other members of the battalion affected by the catastrophe. 

“We just want to make sure that the families and the Soldiers have food and everything they need, so they won’t have to worry about going and getting anything or trying to cook, and they can take care of their families,” said Sharon Floyd, the battalion’s Family Readiness Group support assistant. 

Hours after the shooting, Floyd organized a care group and donations from other military units, churches and members of the community. 

Lt. Col. Jason Kelly, deputy commander for the 36th Engineer Brigade, had every family readiness support assistant in the brigade in his office looking for ways to contribute. 

“There is no more I could ask of anyone,” Kelly said. “People are looking for ways to help.” 

Working tirelessly Sunday morning, the FRG spouses and several Soldiers diligently packed canned goods, snacks, bread, fruit and warm, homemade dishes into vans and trucks for Soldiers and their families living both on and off post. 

Even families waiting by their Soldiers’ bedsides received surprise visits from the group. Their help expanded beyond preparing and delivering meals to helping care for children and ensuring families would have access to available resources. 

“They have been more than helpful,” Pfc. Joseph Foster, a utility equipment repairer with the 20th Eng. Bn., said. “It’s like a giant family. We just get stronger.” 

Foster was shot in the left hip and was released from the hospital Friday afternoon. Meals and child care assistance provided by the FRG and FRSAs has been invaluable to him, his wife and their two young children. 

Single Soldiers are receiving baskets of food and movies during their convalescence. 

“We are ensuring they are not forgotten,” Kelly said.

KEEP READING

No Comments »

Stars and Stripes Holiday Greetings for Troops

I checked the submission site out and you can submit a note with or without a picture. You have a week to get it to them! It’s easy and free! You can submit to have your message online or in print. I submitted one for my son this morning.

banner

Stars and Stripes Holiday Messages are now open for submissions!

Visit the Stripes Holiday Messages website to submit a Holiday Message to a loved one.

Messages submitted before Nov 27th will appear in the newspaper according to their publishing schedule.

H/t Brat at Assoluta Tranquillita

No Comments »

Blog Talk Radio, Spouse Highlights

Please take a moment to listen to the interviews I did with Mil-Spouse  bloggers and Blog World Expo participants Tammy Munson and Delta Whiskey. I had a lot of fun interviewing both of them. Tammy’s interview was back before her husband deployed, so we will have her back on again soon for an update.

CLICK to LISTEN

Stay tuned. I have a special guest interview coming up soon with Derek McGinnis, Veteran author or Exit Wounds.

No Comments »

Where you can donate to help Ft. Hood families

I know we all felt so helpless as the events of November 5th unfolded before our eyes and ears through various news channels. Maybe you live on Ft. Hood and they unfolded for you in real time. Maybe you are like me and have several friends who live there and the events unfolded for you over the phone with very frightened friends.

There are many ways to help out during this time, and the need is great. Please see what you are able to do. This time of year is usually very focused on shopping and doing — maybe you can cut one thing out and give a donation to the Ft. Hood families this year. Do what your conscience directs you to do.

Some of the events below have already occurred, but the fundraisers will be ongoing for a while.

How You Can Help the Fort Hood Family

[11/9/2009]

Source: Army Well-Being and combined sources

The Central Texas community is rallying in support of those who died in the mass shooting at Fort Hood Thursday. Some events going on around town in memorial of the victims are:

• President Obama has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff until Veteran’s Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy on November 5.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

• A local grassroots organization is asking everyone to drive with their headlights on to honor those directly or indirectly affected.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

• Fort Hood will host a memorial service for those lost on November 5. More details to follow.

FUNDRAISERS

• Barton Creek Square and Killeen Mall will support the recent tragedies at Fort Hood by hosting a fundraiser at Kay’s Hallmark. Both Hallmark locations will sell wooden roses for $1. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Families of the victims at Fort Hood.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

If you would like to help by donating funds, consider these worthy organizations helping the Fort Hood Family:

  • AUSA The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter of Association of the United States Army has set up a Community Response to 11/5 Fund for anyone wishing to make monetary donations to help support the Families of the victims involved in Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood.

    Checks should be made payable to:

    The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter
    Association of the US Army
    ATTN: Community Response to 11/5
    P.O. Box 10700
    Killeen, Texas 76547

    Donations are tax deductible. The tax identification number is 530193361.


     


  • The Fisher House at Fort Hood In this time of national sorrow and grief, many Families may need the services of The Fisher House. Please make donations to:

    Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
    36000 Darnall Loop
    Fort Hood TX 76544
    254.286.7927

    The Fisher House on Facebook


     


  • Operation Homefront Operation Homefront has established an “Emergency Tragedy Fund” for the Families of the injured and deceased Soldiers at Fort Hood. We are saddened by this tragedy and will provide emergency financial assistance to the Families.

    If you are a Family directly affected, please contact Operation Homefront Texas at 1-800-779-5921.

    If you would like to donate to this Fund, please use the Donate Now feature. Be sure to indicate “FORT HOOD” on the donor form.

    You can also send donations to:

    Operation Homefront Texas
    10157 IH 35 North, Suite A
    San Antonio, Texas 78233.

    100% of the funds collected will be designated for the Families at Fort Hood. Thank you for your generosity and support.


     


  • Friends of TAPS, Fort Hood Friends of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) provides immediate and long-term grief support for anyone who has lost a military loved one, regardless of the circumstance or location of the death. These Fort Hood Families will need a safe haven to process their grief and suffering for the weeks, months and years to come – and with your help we will be able to care for all of the Families affected by this terrible event.


     


  • Soldiers’ Angels, Fort Hood Project Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and is standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.

    RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the Families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:

    Soldiers’ Angels
    4408 PanAm Expressway
    San Antonio, TX 78218

    Plans are still developing, but the goal is to give these Families and injured heroes something big to smile about when Christmas rolls around. It starts with the $2,000 gift certificate for Christmas for an experience on Christmas Day that will make them forget about it all for at least a little while. To contribute to the effort, click the donation button in the upper left and add type “For Fort Hood” in the comment box that pops up (donations marked this way will be used only for Fort Hood survivors).


     


  • The American Legion Those touched by the Fort Hood event seeking assistance from The American Legion are invited to call 1-800-504-4098 or emailfamilysupport@legion.org .


     


  • Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund Checks can be mailed to:

    Chaplain’s Fund Office
    Bldg. 44, 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
    Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000

    Checks should be made payable to “CTOF” (Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating “Nov. 5 Tragedy.”


     


  • Killeen Red Cross Killeen Red Cross
    208 W. Avenue A
    Killeen, Texas 76541

     

    You can contact the Killeen Red Cross by phone at 254-200-4400.


     


  • USO Fort Hood USO Fort Hood
    Building #1871, 50th St.
    Fort Hood, Texas 76544

     

    You can also contact the USO by phone at 254-768-2771.


     


  • Combat Warrior Crisis Network The Combat Warrior Crisis Network is accepting donation to support the Families in the aftermath to help them pick up the pieces and help them move forward. When making a donation please annotate “FORT HOOD” on the donation.

    For PayPal or Credit Card please visit: Donate to The Combat Warrior Crisis Network

    Checks may be mailed to:

    Combat Warrior Crisis Network
    3450 FM 1829
    Gatesville, TX 76528


     


  • USA Cares
  • USA Cares has set up an Emergency Fund for the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Call USA Cares at 800-773-0387 and ask for Frank or Forrest. Let them know that you are wanting to donate to Fort Hood. USA Cares exists to provide military Families with financial support and other critical resources in their time of need.


    No Comments »

    Defense Department Aims to Improve Families’ Lives

    After spending time last week locating my friends on Ft. Hood, and making sure they were all OK this article seems to fall a little flat. The last things on their minds this week is whether or not they are recognized for the love they give their families. Recognition is good, but considering that some of my friends were separated from their children during the heat of the crisis there last week — mom in one location, child in another and a frantic panic to find out if any victims were children… or friends, or friends’ spouses… it’s just not such an issue for them right now.

    Although I am not a huge fan of Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of needs (at least not all of the aspects of his theories) I have to agree that if a person feels relatively unsafe in their home and where they reside, they are not going to be able to live as full a life as their potential would allow.

    I hope the number one aim of the DoD to improve the lives of families is to guarantee them that no political correctness will ever interfere in their dedication to keeping them and their soldiers safe.

    Defense Department Aims to Improve Families’ Lives

    By Elaine Wilson
    FOUND AT: American Forces Press Service

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2009 – Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense official said yesterday.

     

    Tommy T. Thomas, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, underscored the importance of Military Family Month, gave a broad overview of family programs and offered a glimpse at future initiatives in a wide-ranging interview here with the Pentagon Channel.

    “We take the time to do this to recognize the sacrifices that our military families have made in defense of this nation,” said Thomas, referring to Military Family Month, celebrated every November. “We have many deployed family members — whether it be mother, son, spouse or daughter. [The] bottom line is we look at that entire entity as a family. And we look at and honor those successes that those families are making for this nation.”

    Military families face many unique stressors, including maintaining stability at home in the face of deployments and frequent moves, he said. An average civilian may stay in a hometown for 15 to 20 years, he noted, while a military member may move 12 to 14 times in a 27-year period.

    “One of the biggest challenges I see is trying to maintain that way of life, just as our civilian counterparts do, and keeping some stability in the family structure,” Thomas said. “We have a number of programs that we offer to make that happen.”

    Thomas pointed out the department’s child care and education programs and various programs to offset family child care costs. He added that the military family life consultant program has been a “tremendous benefit to our military families.” The consultants provide anonymous, nonmedical counseling support to troops and their family members. “We sit down and listen to the needs and wants of military families,” he said.

    Additionally, the department’s Military OneSource site offers military families 24/7 access on the Internet to counseling services, he said, and commissaries and military exchange stores around the world give servicemembers and their families a “taste of life back home,” as well as economic savings.

    Thomas also highlighted a pilot program, the Restoration and Resilience Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, aimed at helping servicemembers and their families deal with post-traumatic stress. The program is “serving as a tremendous tool,” he said.

    Thomas said he received firsthand proof of the program’s effectiveness during a visit to Fort Bliss about two weeks ago. He was conducting a focus group when a soldier walked up to him unexpectedly.

    “What he said to me is, ‘I want you to know, sir, that the resilience and restoration program saved my life,’” Thomas recalled. “It’s a true testament to some of the programs we have out there and the effectiveness of those programs.”

    Defense Department officials always look for ways to tweak programs as they aims to improve them, Thomas said. “You should never rest on your laurels,” he said, noting that it’s vital to hear from the people who are executing the programs as well as from the end users, the military families.

    “I’ve logged about 32,000 miles going out talking to focus groups on about 16 installations,” Thomas said. He takes time to speak with military families around the world and uses that information to assess and improve the department’s programs, he added.

    It’s not always about program quantity, he noted, but effectiveness, which is why tracking usage and soliciting feedback is so important. He said feedback led to a recent addition of family support services. During visits to Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Drum, N.Y. — both “very high-ops tempo Army installations,” he said — he received requests for more military family life consultants, a sentiment that was echoed in Europe.

    As a result, the department added 118 military family life consultants, all due to feedback at the program-execution level.

    Thomas said his No. 1 goal is to make a long-term difference for military families. He pledged to work toward getting “the proper funding and resources we need in our baseline” to create adequate and lasting family programs that also can evolve to meet growing needs.

    Above all, military families deserve the best possible programs the department can provide, Thomas said.

    “We owe that to our military families — to make sure we’re doing whatever we can for them, to make sure they’re part of the Defense Department team, that we’re working together collectively,” he said.

    In honor of Military Family Month, the department’s Military Community and Family Policy office has several events aimed at improving quality of life for military families, Thomas said, including a Leadership Summit on Military Families on Nov. 9 and 10, a Defense Department/joint services conference called “Improving the Quality of Life for Military Families” from Nov. 16 to 18, and a child development conference, also from Nov. 16 to 18.

    No Comments »

    Soldier’s Angels Responds to Ft. Hood Families

    heart-silverSoldier’s Angels was on top of things. This was posted to Facebook yesterday — please do what you can.

    ###

    Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and–with our founder currently residing in Texas–standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.

    RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:

    Soldiers’ Angels
    4408 PanAm Expressway
    San Antonio, TX 78218

    No Comments »

    Holiday Mailing Schedule for APO Addresses

    The post office has posted the APO mailing schedule. If you want to get those packages out on time, follow the guide below. We know there’s never a guarantee, but normally if you follow the calendar your package will arrive in time for the Holidays.

    Click to view larger imagecalendar

     

    No Comments »

    Military Family Appreciation Month: “Honoring the sacrifices of the military family”

    The following annoucnement is from the Army’s Stand-To blog:

    Military Family Appreciation Month: “Honoring the sacrifices of the military family”

    What is it?

    Military Family Appreciation Month is a time to honor the sacrifices of our military families. Army families of Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans, and retirees are giving back in a time of need and sustain and support the Soldiers who defend our Nation. Army Families are Army Strong.

    What has the Army done?

    Throughout the month of November, Army families serving around the world are being honored through a variety of observances and are being recognized for the commitment and contributions they make every day. Efforts to recognize the sacrifices of the Army family by Active, Guard, and Reserve leaders are being joined and supported by DoD organizations to include the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and others. In coordination with the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army Entertainment, and the Army Multimedia Visual Information Directorate, a music video is being produced featuring the song “Life of a Soldier,” written and performed by Spc. Daniel Jens (America’s Got Talent) and Sgt 1st Class Sean Bennett (Nashville Star). The song is dedicated to Army families world-wide.

    What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

    Through Army Family Covenant commitments, the Army will continue to build trust and confidence that the Army cares for Soldiers and families. At all levels, we will continue to recognize the continued support and sacrifices Army families make every day, knowing that the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families, and sustaining Soldiers is critical to sustaining an all-volunteer force. Through the commitments represented by the Army Family Covenant, the Army will continue to standardize and fund existing family programs and services, increase accessibility and quality of health care, improve Soldier and family housing, increase excellence in schools, youth services and child care, expand education and employment opportunities for family members, and continue to provide families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.

    Why is it important to the Army?

    Army families are important as the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families. They are a vital connection between Soldiers and the Army’s ability to remain strong. All Army families, Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans and retirees are giving back in this time of need. With thousands of Soldiers deployed, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by Army families has never been more important.

    Resources:

    My Army One Source

    Army Entertainment

    Defense Commissary Agency

    Army Air Force Exchange Service

    Army National Guard

    Army Reserve

    No Comments »

    The Military Spouse Residency Relief Act

    I know this has been on the table for sometime — it started a couple of years ago.

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)President Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, praised Congress for its action to approve the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act and send it to the President for signature into law.

    “MOAA is proud to have worked with congressional leaders for two years on this important legislation to allow military spouses the option to elect the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse,” said Ryan. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Rep. John Carter (R-TX) for shepherding it to a successful vote in the House of Representatives on Nov. 2, and to Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) for their efforts to win Senate approval earlier this fall. Their bipartisan efforts will make a huge difference for military spouses.”

    The new legislation would let the spouse claim the servicemember’s state for voting, tax, and other purposes. Under current law, many spouses must change their residency when the servicemember is reassigned to a different state.

    “This is fantastic news for our service families worldwide,” said Rep. Carter. “We should have done this long ago, but at least we are now on track to have a new law in 2009.”

    “This legislation is one small way we can help ease the burden of military families, who make sacrifices everyday to support our men and women in uniform and to keep our country safe,” said Senator Burr.

    “What a great way to kick off Military Family Appreciation Month,” said Joy Dunlap, MOAA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations. “Our thanks go to all the spouses and servicemembers – past and present – who spoke out on this issue.”

    MOAA’s president spoke at the bill’s introductory press conference, and provided testimony, briefings, e-mails and phone calls to Hill staffers. Most recently, MOAA highlighted every legislator’s support status in the November issue of its Military Officer magazine.

    SOURCE Military Officers Association of America

    No Comments »

    What’s Love Got To Do With It?

    I was very saddened the other day to hear a young military wife openly talk about playing with fire. She’s not admitted to an affair, but she is talking herself right into one by trying to convince herself that she is entitled to affection and she deserves some sexual satisfaction while her husband is away.

    She is younger and part of the crowd we are coming to know as the “entitlement generation.” The entitlement generation does not understand certain things about the real world — the world outside of hover-parents who rescued them, schools who give out unearned “As” and video games that make them think they can be a real rock star. Outside of all of those things that color their view of the natural world are consequences. Someone has to pay the piper and when it comes to playing around with sexual fire, there are a lot of consequences to be had.

    I have heard people say that an affair “just happened!” I don’t buy it. Affairs don’t just happen. Bad boundaries, many choices, and selfish motives are in that mixture. Yes affairs happen, and they take a lot of planning — whether that planning is conscious or just below the surface it is still an act of the will. Unlike video games, we can not simply re-boot life and start over when we mess up. We take those messes into our future with us. Some people do learn from their mistakes and once they were burned they never played the game again. Those people gained wisdom. They still had to deal with the consequences though.

    You do not have to have a full-fledged sexual fling to lose your sexual integrity. Sexual integrity begins with the boundaries that you put around yourself and your household that clearly state “I’m married and I don’t even go there so leave me alone.”

    I was once chided by male colleagues in the work place who said “Don’t tell the nasty jokes, Claire just walked in!” To which I thanked them for respecting my boundaries. Call me a prude, but my husband never worries about where my mind and heart are. You know what? The consequences of those boundaries are peace in my home, and a pure marriage bed. Those are things money can’t buy, but affection from any other source could destroy in a minute. No thank you.

    Integrity, or “inner-grit” as a friend of mine used to call it, means that there is a congruency between your stated values and your actions. Hypocrisy is the opposite of integrity. Hypocrisy is a discord between the values and principles one claims to have and the person’s actions. It’s funny that we so often ascribe the title “hypocrite” to a person of faith who fails to live up to their values, but we don’t call adulterers and cheaters the same. They are hypocrites.

    The most standard of wedding vows include a statement of undying love and fidelity to your spouse. I know there are variations, but for the most part — the vast majority of us promise to keep ourselves only for our spouse and we promise to do this even when times are crappy. We promise that money, illness, and difficulties will not cause us to falter on the vow of “forsaking all others.”

    Keeping ourselves true to that vow starts with our relationship with others. Inappropriate emotional ties with people of the opposite sex when you are married is wrong. You are not entitled to sexual satisfaction. You made a vow. You made a promise. Your vow and promise is only as good as your willingness to sacrifice and work to keep it true.

    Of course there are the consequences of adultery that must be taken into account if someone insists on playing the game. You can count on these things – maybe not all, but at least a few:

    • loss of emotional and sexual intimacy with your spouse — a loss you may never recover due to broken trust.
    • financial stress and strain after divorce since many marriages that suffer infidelity ever fully recover.
    • the probability that you may cheat and divorce again if you do not deal with the reasons you cheated in the first place.
    • the suffering of your child(ren) if you have them. No child goes unhurt in marital discord and divorce.
    • increased risk for depression
    • increased risk for suicide in the family

    If we feel entitled to immorality then we must remember that we are also entitled to the negative consequences that are always tagged on with those choices. I can’t believe that a little selfish excitement is worth the payment that will be demanded by natural consequences.

    If you are wife on the home front who is struggling with resentment and loneliness due to multiple deployments, then please reach out for good support. Find those around you who value fidelity, but who understand what you are feeling and going through.

    Never fool yourself into thinking that you are exempt from temptation. You are human. You are going through massive stress and strain. There is no shame in any of that. Find a way to get the support you need in a way that strengthens your own character and builds your family up.

    No Comments »

    Copyright 2007-2009. You Served®. VA Mortgage Center.com® is NOT affiliated with any government agencies, including the VA; However, VA Mortgage Center.com has relationships with VA mortgage specialists. These specialists are VA-approved lenders, but they are NOT affiliated with any government agencies, including the VA. We may share customer information with our trusted affiliates to assist you with your VA loan.