Deployment, Here We Come

So we found out today that the Hubby is deploying, and I don't think it is like the last time we found out he was deploying and then 3 days later they said, "Just kidding." They told him at the beginning of June that he would be flying to Afghanistan on July 8th. We thought, at the time, it would be perfect. We could go home for the family reunion the end of June. I could just stay there with my mum for a couple months and not have to buy another plane ticket. He would only have to be gone for 3 months. He could get the deployment patch and a chance at career advancement. It would be perfect!

Then they said, "No." The rest of the population would take a sigh of relief at knowing he wouldn't have to go overseas to the war. But from an Army perspective, it was lame. The Hubby would have to stay at a desk for at least 3 more months doing a job he doesn't enjoy and not utilizing the skills he worked so hard to get. He felt mistreated--as the top graduate in his battalion at university, 127th graduate in the nation, top of his platoon in IBOLC, straight through Ranger School with top marks, and great recommendations from the colonel he worked throughout university, why weren't they using this amazing soldier? Why was he sitting at a desk doing exactly the thing he didn't sign up to do? We felt cheated and mistreated. Like little toddlers (or my cute little A. Rae as I am coming to find out), we were throwing tantrums.

But as the cliche goes, hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes even 20/15. (That does mean it's even better, right?) A few days before the Hubby was told he was deploying the first time, we had arranged for his brother to come and visit us in addition to going to their older brother's to help with some yard work. The Hubby's oldest brother was recently diagnosed with his second round of cancer. They were unable to get the projects from last summer done because of his personal battle, and this announcement made it impossible for them to catch up on that list this season. So we decided to make the trip and help out. Unfortunately at the time, the deployment had been sprung on us and the Hubby wasn't going to make it for the first 2 days of work. His youngest brother had already bought plane tickets and I can see how it was frustrating to learn about the deployment. With the fear of offending others by not having the Hubby there to help, I prayed that somehow it would work out.

Now I know that God answered my prayers. And then I complained about it. He delayed the "perfect" deployment, not cancelled it. The Hubby was able to work his little heart out at his brother's, and he will still get the patch, the pay, the platoon, and the promotability brought on by deployment. Visiting my mum will be a bit trickier, but it will still work out. I have to say I feel much better about this announcement of a deployment. Not so nervous.

So with a bit more head shaking from above, we move forward into this next great adventure (that really does seem to be an answer to prayers). Now I ask for prayers that my love will return home to us safely.