Saying Goodbye Once Again...

So we found out a couple days ago that they are sending Rob on TDY for training for two months in Alabama. Of course our first reaction was that of anger, sadness, and frustration. We just got him back and he is leaving again. I am so sad to see him go again but a good friend of mine, Savanna sent me a beautiful message that I hope she doesn't mind me sharing. I wanted to share it mainly so I can go back and read it when I need to, and also in hopes that it will provide comfort to those going through similar circumstances. Now Savanna and her family are stationed in Germany and her husband is currently deployed. After hearing that Rob was leaving again she sent me the following message:
Hey,I've been thinking about you and Rob and your current predicament a lot today. Military life is so hard...between the long hours, training, deployments, TDYs, and just worrying about safety, job security etc can be quite taxing on families. For these reasons it is easy to get into "dread mode" and sort of become bitter about all the time apart. And we have good reason to...Families are important and we are supposed to be together- that's the point of the temple right? When I am down and upset about yet another day, week, or month without Nayte, I have found some comfort in studying the early Saints and the time they spent apart. Often times the most valiant families would spend 2 and 3 years a part so that the husband could serve missions or serve elsewhere in the church. These women not only had to raise their children alone but they also had to run their farms, businesses, make EVERYTHING by hand and from scratch. And the only way that they had to keep in touch was through letter writing...and only receiving word every few weeks or months. The loneliness I feel during times when we are apart is only doable b/c I get DAILY contact with him. These times for these women solidified their testimonies and truly enabled them to teach and lead their families by example. They could say to their children, "I don't do this because I love your father...I do this because I love the Lord." In our situation, they are serving their country but they are also servants of the Lord...they carry their Priesthood with them and they can do MUCH good there in the dreary loneliness of deployment for their peers. I love these scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 31:5
Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.
7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;
8 And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.
9 Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.
11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.
12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.
13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.
We give them up for a time...but receive so many blessings in exchange. I wanted to tell you these things not to minimize your pain but to lift you a little. I hope they have brought you some comfort and I hope that you can find peace with whatever is in store for you family. This life is hard...the times when I am at my lowest and can do nothing else except pray, I ALWAYS feel the love our Father in Heaven has for me and I always know there will be an end...and it will be glorious beyond belief. Rather that means a new and improved me or the wonderful eternal award that awaits...it will be marvelous. I wish the best for your family this coming year, Nikki. Merry Christmas! love, Savanna

Thanks so much Savanna! I love those scriptures and do find comfort in them. Even though I am so upset about being away from Rob yet again, I take comfort in knowing that even though this time may be difficult its still easy to count my blessings and to always have gratitude for the many blessings in my life. A couple nights ago we were reading a talk by Henry Iring and he was talking about choosing to have a joyful heart and the way to find true joy is by having a grateful heart and always being mindful of the Lords hand in your life. The one thing that has been constant when Rob has been gone is knowing that my Father in Heaven has never left me comfortless or alone. My Dad also reminded me last night of a talk by Uchtdorf when he saw his parents lose everything the owned...twice. They lived in Germany during when it was being invaded and the one thing he was reminded of was...hard times happen...but they don't happen forever. I love that.
Thanks so much for your friendship, advice and prayers. Merry Christmas Savanna.