Please share your testimony.

I was born into a family that was very active in a local church. I learned about God’s redemptive plan and gave my life to Jesus Christ at a young age. Since then, I’ve seen His gift of faith as a child to set the course of my life, as He prepared in advance good works for me to do (Ephesians 2:8-10).

How did you and Brad meet?

Brad and I grew up in the same church. I officially met him when we were both doing lighting for a youth production at our church. Our parents were involved in similar ministries, so we had opportunities to hang out while waiting for our parents. In my junior year of high school, I asked him to go to my school prom. It wasn’t until the following year after he left for Army Basic Training that we corresponded casually (old-fashioned letters!) for a year and a half. Our friendship grew deeper, and we were married by the end of September 1988.

When did you both know that God was calling you to the chaplaincy?

I knew even before we were married that God had called Brad into ministry. He took off for Bible College and ran out of money, so he enlisted in the Army to serve his country and earn the Army College Fund. When his enlistment was up after five years, he headed back to college. While there, we were eating dinner one evening with some friends. During our conversation, there was a defining moment when it became clear to me that God perfectly created my husband for military ministry! Since then, I always encouraged the chaplaincy. After graduation, we served our three years ministry experience at a church in Kansas City, MO.  Then he went back on active duty as a Chaplain in January 2001 (shortly before the 9/11 attacks). He has served for 20 years, with a total of 25 years from previous enlisted time. 

Please share places you have served and experiences. 

Our first duty station was to Fort Polk, Louisiana, with our four kids, Samuel (9), Mason (7), Wyatt (4), and Olivia (2), in tow. Initially, there were mixed feelings of excitement and fear. I realized that the way we did ministry in the Army would look different from when he was on staff at a church. Since many of his services were away in the field, my piece became getting to know those at home. I met other spouses within Brad’s unit, started doing life with my neighbors, and got involved with the post ladies bible study (PWOC). I quickly learned that we could still “team up in ministry” even though I couldn’t be at his field services. Soldiers don’t always run to the Chaplain’s office to tell him everything, but the day-to-day relationships I share with the spouses opened up opportunities to care for them. Even though we may not have been talking to people at the same time, we’ve always been a team. Over the years, we’ve traveled to GA, AK, VA, HI, and everywhere in between. Moving around the world has brought a myriad of opportunities to serve, such as ministries to children, Family Readiness Groups or Steering Committees, unit bible studies, and coffee groups. The result has always been the same. People needed a friend and a Chaplain knowing where to direct his focus.

What have been your greatest joys as a CH spouse?

It has been a joy to serve alongside so many amazing people throughout the years! I’m incredibly thankful for the people that God put in our lives at each new post. He has been faithful to set us up everywhere we went as we trusted Him, His Word, and the support from others. God truly is our provider in every move, every house, every school, every unit. It’s been a joy to watch Brad follow God’s calling as a Chaplain, even though not always easy, but so rewarding.

What have been your most significant challenges?

There are plenty of challenges, but I would have to say our most significant have been getting back in a groove after long separations. Since joining the chaplaincy, Brad has had thirteen deployments, with 58 months of being gone. Homecomings are awesome, but a lot of life happens during deployments. I took on all the responsibilities of our kids at home while Brad was dealing with an evil enemy, toxic leaders, regular missile attacks, broken people, and blown-up bodies. He had to see and deal with things that would crush your heart (refer to Brad’s blog, Training for Eternity, which documents one powerful experience). As a result, he came home suspicious of everyone and angry. It took much time, patience, and prayer for healing. Our vows became so real. While God doesn’t promise this life to be easy, He is faithful. I believe our story of brokenness is more common than not among Army families. I am thankful every day for a gracious God that takes brokenness, makes it whole and uses it for His glory!

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

What counsel would you give to CH spouses?

Connect! Connect with other chaplain spouses. Ladies, we need each other. In Hebrews 10:24-25, it states, “let us consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our meeting together…and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We are all busy, but the encouragement and support we gain from others in the same boat are priceless. Also, connect with your husband’s unit. Getting to know the people in your unit, their spouses, and kids becomes a “mission multiplier” for your husband. Finally, connect with your neighbors. You never know what life will throw at you. I can’t tell you how many times a neighbor rescued me.

What is your prayer for CH spouses moving forward?

My prayer is that we love God and people well. People are watching. Are we drawing others to Christ or away from Him? I pray we represent Him well.