Sweet Tea, Advocacy and Me

'You trusted Me when it came to moving down to TN and knowing I'd do great things through that move.  You trusted Me when things got rough with Neal's PTSD and when the storms overwhelmed you.  What happened?  You stopped trusting Me all of the sudden.  You got through half of this test called trust.  What are you going to do for the second half?  Once you got down to your new home I provided you, you stopped trusting Me in the little things of this life.  You let yourself be bogged down by your lack of trust in Me, your Savior! You started trusting in people and the situations you thought they had power over.  You trusted employers for a job, people to fulfill the desires of your heart and what you'd like to see happen in your life. You've trusted in people's ability (or so you thought, people's power/control) to solve conflict, trust in a board of trustees and your lawyer more than me,  you've trusted still too much in yourself. ...

"Jess, Consider these things in my Word that I've put in your way right now....  Am I enough for you?"  -God Psalm 37:3-7 3   Trust in the LORD and do good ;    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4   Take delight in the LORD,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.   5  Commit your way to the LORD;    trust in him and he will do this: 6   He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,    your vindication like the noonday sun.   7   Be still before the LORD    and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways,    when they carry out their wicked schemes. To me God just wants me to keep on doing good, trusting Him when I don't understand, when the pain/fears seem to outweigh the good that can be measured in this life. Right now I see God has brought us through stuff by being by our ...

We can read all about the psychological aspects of PTSD but where can we find an account of the emotional aspects for the carer or supporter of a PTSD sufferer?  I've attempted to compile a short explanation below.  I'm sure I could list numerous other emotional responses but there are the normative.   Let me just say, I realize below could sound deep or dark but my God IS bigger then PTSD and all things will work out for the good of those who love the Lord. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.  Here we go... If I allowed myself, every time I think of what my husband experiences with PTSD  I could feel immense sorrow and heartache due to the immeasurable affliction my loved one experiences.  Fear and anxiety are huge contributors when watching him  live with PTSD . Fear for his safety, fear of the unknown.  When he is having a horrible episode of flash backs, is he in his right mind?  Did you know that police officers...

It's tough being married to a cop!  Le'ts just be honest here.  Ladies, I need your open heart and opinion please.   What is your #1 challenge as a L.E.O.'s (law enforcement officer) wife?   I'd like to focus on just you, not your family.  I'll give you another opportunity to share you hearts as to how it relates to the whole family but as a wife, what you're biggest challenge?  Thanks so much!   The time you take to answer this question for me will help a lot of other wives our there in America!  Your opinion really matters to me and my husband.  We are currently organizing a non-pro organization to raise awareness for Law Enforcement PTSD.  My husband is 26 and retired due to PTSD and we have learned, unfortunately the hard way, that police officers suffer in silence when it comes to the horrific condition.  We are dedicating our lives to speaking out!  Again, thank you for your tim...

I think in today's society we keep people at a distance, we think we don't need close friendships.  I myself keep people at a distance, afraid to get hurt eventually while at the same time desire a few quality friendships that I can be authentic and transparent with.   Wee can also convince ourselves that we don't need people, true friends, in our lives.  Then of course we all fight the battle of not wanting people to know the true us.  In our society we somehow always hide our true selves, afraid or ashamed of our real selves.  We put on that mask, like our lives are perfect and we've got it all together.  I've learned the more people put on this mask the more messed up they really are.  I'm not being judgmental, I used to be one of them! I believe God created us to "do life" with people, alongside us.  Having brothers and sisters in Christ stand behind us and be there for us, night or day, during our battle with PTSD has made life that much ea...

Romans 8:28 "We know that all things for together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose."  "Am I enough?" That's what God whispered to me last week. "Am I enough when... Sickness is in play.... Your under attack from the enemy... There is no monetary stability (AKA rich)... When things are 'not fair' Am I enough for you Jessica?" "Yes Lord, you are, you will always be" was my response, I was then put to the test and I'm glad He did.  When we listen carefully, the Lord whispers to our hearts when things are coming.  He prepares us. So the next week Neal gets what looks like a pimple on his thigh. The next day it's red, warm, raised and cellulitis sets in.  He goes to get it checked out and it is thought to be a Brown Recluse spider bite so he is put on very strong antibiotics and less then 24 hours later it starts to heal. The following week or so, sickness hits him, he...

Third Day "When the Rain Comes" When the rain comes it seems that everyone has gone away When the night falls you wonder if you shouldn't find someplace To run and hide Escape the pain But hiding's such a lonely thing to do I can't stop the rain From falling down on you again I can't stop the rain But I will hold you 'til it goes away When the rain comes you blame it on the things that you have done When the storm fades you know that rain must fall on everyone Rest awhile it'll be alright No one loves you like I do When the rain comes I will hold you We decided that this would be 'our song' when we were dating.  We danced to it at our wedding as our first dance.  What were we thinking when we made this our song?! LOL  But I'm proud to say, only through Christ though, the rain HAS COME but there is still a "we."  We are still in existence, I believe most wouldn't be.  God is good, ALL THE TIME!