Military Wife’s Life By Al Detres for Military Mom Talk Radio

Talk about complicated! Whether in the military or married to a military guy, the life of a military wife has to be one of the most challenging tasks known to humanity. Between moving from one base to another to being alone for months at a time during deployment to never knowing what the next day will bring, the life of a military wife is not one for the faint of heart. This life is one for women of great faith.

There is a story of two great women of faith in the Old Testament, Deborah a prophetess forIsraeland Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. According to Judges chapter 4, These women had it going on! Deborah was such a great leader that Barak, commander of the Israeli army, refused to go into battle against the enemy commander Sisera’s army without her. She agreed, but told Barak that a woman would get the credit for the victory if she went.

Barak agreed and when the Israeli army routed the enemy army, Sisera ran to the tent where Jael and her family lived. Jael lured Sisera into her tent, covered him, gave him milk to drink and let him fall asleep. Once he was asleep, she drove a tent stake though his skull and killed him. This act of heroism brought about a huge victory forIsraeland both women got the credit for the military victory.

What does this have to do with being a military wife in the 21^st century? Women have always been called into countless scenarios that require courage and sound thinking. Military wives need to keep their minds focused on what is true and real this day, knowing that God is in control of their lives and the lives of their husbands and families. Worry is not an option.

Al Detres is a father of four and a Christian Minister inOregonwho has a son currently serving in the US Army .

Life Leadership: If you Poke a Pin in It by Sandra Beck for Military Mom Talk Radio.

sandra beck military mom talk radio

By Sandra Beck, Military Mom Talk Radio

Recently I had acupuncture done for my headaches. I have a lot of them and you can pretty much set your watch by them on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Those are my show days and high stress for me around my company, kids and social obligations.

 

Mitra my doctor said to me that she sticks needles into these energy channels and interrupts them so the make new pathways and free up the meridian or something like that. I didn’t really understand the physiology but I got the point- literally.

 

When we interrupt a pattern or a habit – either through change or sticking a needle in a meridian we force ourselves to do things a little bit differently.

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results I needed to stick a pin in my life if I was every going to get out from under these headaches.

 

So this week I moved my schedule around and lightened my load on Monday and Tuesday.  I still got a headache both days but they weren’t the debilitating ragers from the past.  I am going to continue to stick more pins into my schedule and break up the channels that don’t serve me.  It’s worth a try, because I was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  No more insanity.

 

Sandra Beck is the host of Military Mom Talk Radio and the single mother of two boys ages 5 and 8. She is an author, internet brand strategist. She has worked with the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army for over 20 years and is passionate about helping women lead their families successfully the specific challenges of military life.

Military Mom Talk Radio welcomes Linda Franklin of Shining Service Worldwide, Michael J. Russer of Live Outrageously, and Author Randy Mixter

By Sandra Beck, Robin Boyd

Michael J. Russer is an author, coach and speaker for the Live Outrageously movement. He is going to help military families and their friends navigate through change, transition and adjusting to a new normal. With 40 years of corporate, entrepreneurial and life skills experience, he can shed new light onto one of the most common aspects of military life: change.

Linda Franklin created Shining Service Worldwide™ in November 2010.  She says, “it was destiny”  The whole idea started to germinate when women serving in Afghanistan emailed her saying that they read Linda’s The Real Cougar Woman blog every day and how powerful they felt when they did. Shining Service Worldwide’s mission is to show appreciation and support to women currently serving in the military, military vets and military spouses. Too often our females in service fall through the cracks and don’t get the attention they deserve, or more importantly, they need. 

Linda is visiting Military Mom Talk Radio this week to share new initiatives on the horizon for Shining Service Worldwide, specifically for transitioning women veterans.  Visit Linda at www.shiningserviceworldwide.com.

Randy Mixter is the author of Letters From Long Binh: Memoirs of a Military Policeman in Vietnam, based on the letters he wrote home to his wife while an MP in Vietnam.  The stories found in the book are sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, and sometimes poignant. They tell the tale of a 19-year-old MP in a dangerous place on the other side of the world.

Look for this and Randy’s other books on Amazon, or his website at https://sites.google.com/site/randymixtersbooksite/

Military Mom Talk Radio airs on Mondays at 2pm Pacific Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes and MilitaryMomTalkRadio.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Watch us on Youtube and connect with us on Linked in.

Military Mom Talk Radio is co-hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd with contributions by Doris Rivas-Brekke, hosted by Toginet Radio and powered by Motherhood Incorporated. Military Mom Talk Radio supports and helps bring information to the families, moms and wives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and is dedicated to serving our friends and family in the Armed Service. We are proud supporters and members of the Military Writers Society of America as well as proud supporters of Operation Gratitude, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Shining Service Worldwide, Fisher House and the Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America.

Military Mom’s Faith By Al Detres for Military Mom Talk Radio

When people find out that I have a son in the military, they ask me how I am taking it. “Taking what?” I ask right back. I’m not sure what kind of answer they were expecting, like I should be losing sleep at night worrying about my adult son who made a very grown-up decision to enlist in the army during war time. Not the best choice from a purely pragmatic point of view, but I sleep just fine at night knowing that my son is up all night on guard duty protecting his country and that God never sleeps.

The presence of faith in my life allows me to think of my son without worry. I know that he is in God’s hands and the only thing worry will do is erode my faith. There is nothing my worry will do to help keep any of my children safe from harm.  This is what peace of mind looks like. I love and care very deeply for all my children but have placed their well-being into God’s hands whether or not I am there.

This isn’t to say that I should be stupid or not careful. No, I just know that God will take care of them when I can’t and in ways that I could never even try. I also know that bad things happen to people every day and that could be one of my children, whether in the military or not. I just choose not to worry about what is not and focus on the reality of live as it is today. My children are healthy and happy and my military son loves his country, his God, his family and his life.

Al Detres is a father of four and a Christian Minister inOregonwho has a son currently serving in theUSArmy .

Success at Camp Pendleton Career Expo Sponsored by Military.com and the NCOA by Doris Rivas Brekke

I had the priviledge and pleasure of attending the Camp Pendleton Career Expo on February 7th.  This job fair was informative, exciting and very well attended.  The main point I picked up from all the representatives of the companies and educational institutions was that everyone wants to help our military brothers and sisters!  This will be a regularly updated blog as I receive new positive leads for all of you.  Check out these companies and educational institutions below.  And when you contact them, tell the contacts you heard about their career information from Military Mom Talk Radio!

1. Sutter Health-  www.sutterhealth.org/employment ;  Job opportunities are in Northern California in the health care industry.  Have special programs directed towards military personnel.
2. Southern Wine and Spirits- www.southernwine.com ; positions in sales and service
3. The Entrepreneur’s Source- www.theEsource.com/DRaffeerty ; for those interested in investing in a franchise business; these people can help!

Educational Institutions:

1. Vanguard University- School for Professional Studies, Costa Mesa, Calif.;  www.vanguard.edu/sps .  I like this one because this school offers a master’s degree in Theology.  Also has a “Veterans Center to help with financial aid and more…
2. Grand Canyon University- has degree programs for military professionals.  I met this very nice advisor, Izzy Avila M.Ed., USN (Ret.), 619 218-1237.  I highly recommend speaking to him personally!  www.gcu.edu/serve

Keep checking this blog for more companies hiring and universities to attend.  

- Doris Rivas-Brekke, “News U Can Use” for Military Mom Talk Radio

Military Mom Talk Radio is co-hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd and produced by Doris Rivas-Brekke, hosted by Toginet Radio and powered by Motherhood Incorporated. Military Mom Talk Radio supports and helps bring information to the families of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and is dedicated to serving our friends and family at the following Army bases:  Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, Fort Carson, Fort Jackson, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Dix, Fort Campbell, Fort Belvoir, Eglin AFB, Shaw AFB, Fort Hood, Fort Eustis, Fort Leonard Wood, Redstone Arsenal and Fort Bliss. We would also like to honor our friends and family at the following over seas installations: Bahrain Administrative Support Unit, NATO Support Activity Belgium, Bad Kreuznach, Rhein-Main Air Base, Stuttgart/Robinson Barracks, Naval Forces Guam, Kadena Air Base, Torii Station, Aviano Air Base.  We would like to thank the Department of Defense for supplying guest and topics.

Life Leadership: Old Flour by Sandra Beck for Military Mom Talk Radio.

sandra beck military mom talk radio

By Sandra Beck, Military Mom Talk Radio

Recently I found this great brownie recipe online – the good kind from scratch where you shave the chocolate into bits and mix the ingredients from their original source, not from a boxed package.

 

I was so excited and since I had a lot of wonderful chocolate left over from the holidays I made a massive batch filling up 6 pans thinking I would share them with neighbors, family and friends.  I used this huge 5 pound bag of flour that I had removed from my mom’s house after she died. I didn’t check the date.  The flour was years old but I didn’t know that because the packaging was unopened.

 

The brownies came out like bricks.  So bad I had to soak the pans just to clean them.  They never rose to the occasion and the flour was stale.  I stood there in the kitchen so frustrated until I thought about the lesson here. Sure, use fresh ingredients got that.  But for us as women it goes deeper than that.

 

How can we expect to rise to the occasion when we are the same old stale self?  I realized with the brownie bricks that I was stuck in some of my old ways and if I expected my life to rise to the occasion I would need to use a fresh me and not the same old stale me.  I never did make any more brownies because the fresh me doesn’t want to get fat…lol…but I do show up fresh everyday so I can rise to the occasion.

 

Sandra Beck is the host of Military Mom Talk Radio and the single mother of two boys ages 5 and 8. She is an author, internet brand strategist. She has worked with the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army for over 20 years and is passionate about helping women lead their families successfully the specific challenges of military life.

Military Mom Talk Radio welcomes Lori Bell of NAMMS.org, Authors Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke, and Author Janie Smith

Lori Bell is founder and president of National Association of Military Moms and Spouses, the only network of its kind that brings thousands moms of service members and spouses together in one fun, supportive online community.  Author of the forthcoming book&nb sp;Prosper Where You’re Planted: The Military Spouse Guide To Creating the Life You Want With The Military Life You Get,  Lori was recognized and named Military Spouse Magazine’s 2010 “Military Spouse of the Year”.  Today, she helps leading brands connect with the influential “military mom market” and provides innovative solutions to increase bottom line profits.  In addition, Lori is a by-name requested motivational speaker and singer.  Called “a remarkable woman” by Lifetime Television Network and havin g her personal story featured on NBC Nightly News Making A Difference, Lori has appeared in front of more than 20 million people via major media such as CNN, ABC, Fox News, and The Huffington Post.
 
For more information visit www.nammas.org.
 
Reminiscent of Clancy’s best, but with more action, Black Eagle Force tells of a high-Tech secret Special Ops force defending American shores in a new military action thriller novel series by Buck Stienke and Ken Farmer.
 
A clandistine Special Ops force comprised of patriotic former US military men and women pilots and special forces members contracted to the Department of Defense. Their motto is: Semper Paro Bellum. They are the BLACK EAGLE FORCE.
 
Ken Farmer – After proudly serving his country as a US Marine (call sign ‘Tarzan’), Ken attended Stephen F. Austin State University on a full football scholarship, receiving his Bachelors Degree in Business and Speech & Drama. Ken quickly discovered his love for acting when he starred as a cowboy in a Dairy Queen commercial. Ken has over 38 years as a professional actor, with memorable roles Silverado, Friday Night Lights and Uncommon Valor. He was also OC and VO spokesman for Wolf Brand Chili for over eight years. Ken now lives near Gainesville, TX, where he continues to write and direct quality award winning films like Rockabilly Baby and write novels.
 
Buck Stienke – Captain – Fighter Pilot – United States Air Force, has an extensive background in military aviation and weaponry. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Buck (call sign ‘Shoehorn’) was a member of the undefeated Rugby team and was on the Dean’s List. After leaving the Air Force, Buck was a pilot for Delta Airlines for over twenty-five years. He has vast knowledge of weapons, tactics and survival techniques. Buck is the owner of Lo ne Star Shooting Supply, Gainesville, TX. As a successful actor, writer and businessman, Buck lives in Gainesville with his wife, Carolyn. Buck was Executive Producer for the award winning film,Rockabilly Baby.
 
For more information visit www.blackeagleforce.com

Janie Smith, Trauma Coach, Speaker, Author, Founder of HOPE Beyond Trauma; caregiver; mother and spouse of career soldiers.  Her new book, HOPE Beyond Trauma . . . a mother’s journey is based on Janie’s caregiving journey after her 15-year-old daughter sustained a severe brain injury in an automobile accident.
Years later, Janie watches her youngest son deploy to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan for six tours. She tells of the difficulties soldiers and their families face when they return home. When she discovered brain injury is the “signature wound” of this war on terror it inspired her to start HOPE Beyond Trauma and write her book, HOPE Beyond Trauma…a mother’s journey.
 
Janie’s mission and passion is empowering lives of those facing major trauma; specializing in brain injuries, caregivers, military families, everyone is welcome!
 
For more information, visit www.hopebeyondtrauma.com.
 

Military Mom Talk Radio on airs on Mondays at 2pm Pacific Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes and MilitaryMomTalkRadio.com.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Military Mom Talk Radio is co-hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd and produced by Doris Rivas-Brekke, hosted by Toginet Radio and powered by Motherhood Incorporated. Military Mom Talk Radio supports and helps bring information to the families of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and is dedicated to serving our friends and family at the following Army bases:  Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, Fort Carson, Fort Jackson, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Dix, Fort Campbell, Fort Belvoir, Eglin AFB, Shaw AFB, Fort Hood, Fort Eustis, Fort Leonard Wood, Redstone Arsenal and Fort Bliss. We would also like to honor our friends and family at the following over seas installations: Bahrain Administrative Support Unit, NATO Support Activity Belgium, Bad Kreuznach, Rhein-Main Air Base, Stuttgart/Robinson Barracks, Naval Forces Guam, Kadena Air Base, Torii Station, Aviano Air Base.  We would like to thank the Department of Defense for supplying guest and topics.