Pray without Ceasing...

I loathe the word deployment with a passion one can not explain. I have gone through it once before being a fiance waiting for the return of a loved one to start what was suppose to be a journey to happily ever after. Now, I will go through it again as a big sister, waiting for the return of her baby brother and only sibling.

Yesterday we got the news that Jeff will be deploying to Afghan March 20th -31st. Lovely, right in the middle of mine and Jacob's birthdays. What a present?! He told us that they could not give him an exactly date yet because it was classified information. However, he did ask his company officer and word is he will be on the bird over seas on the 24th or 25th.

Not only will my baby boy be turning 2 on the 25th but my baby brother leaves for war on the same day. I feel this sick, empty, very unsettling feeling in my stomach that I can not even began to explain. When Travis deployed I just knew he was going to be okay. Jeff, on the other hand, is going as a replacement for another medic who has been shot and something just doesn't settle well with that.

I hate the fact that he will leave on Jacob's 2nd birthday and possibly not return until Jacob is almost 4. Jacob changes so much in such a short period of time, I can't imagine what all my brother will miss in 18 months.

Dear Heavenly Father-
I pray for your guiding light leading my brother on this journey. I pray for your protection over him and your comfort for our family. I pray that you give him strength to make it through this challenge and give him all the right directions. I pray you build a place in his heart so deep that he will know to trust in only you through this difficult stage. Surround us all with your love and grace!
AMEN!