A few weeks ago, our family celebrated my husband’s retirement ceremony. Glen looked amazing in his dress uniform, and we girls got beautiful new dresses for the occasion. We invited all our local friends to come and rejoice with us. We stood up with 4 other families retiring in the near future, and proudly listened as each soldier received commendations for his service to his country, celebrated the highlights of his career, and received awards marking the end of their military careers. It so happened that a Chaplain—one of Glen’s bosses, in fact--was handing out the awards as another soldier read out the accomplishments of each service member. Glen was weighed down with more awards than any other soldier, and it was so wonderful to see his contributions through the years acknowledged and commended in such abundance. Afterwards, we tried to find each friend who’d taken time from their day to attend the event and visit with them, if only briefly, while we all ate sandwiches and cake. Finally, we went to dinner with his work colleagues, where he was presented with an amazingly thoughtful gift that marked one of the most significant times in his career.
It was a remarkably like a wedding.
And like a wedding, it also marked a new beginning, a new chapter unfolding for our family. The way of life we’ve known these past 20 years is in its final couple of months. We have eagerly sought God about what our next step should be. So far, we’re getting glimpses, but no solid answers as of yet. And honestly, that’s a little nerve-wracking, even as it’s also kind of thrilling.
A week from now, our belongings will be on their way back to the United States. At the crack of dawn on Halloween, with a handful of suitcases, our dog and cat, and a lot of prayer, we board a plane to head back to the States, ourselves. The Lord knows how much I love symbolism, so how oddly fitting that we should start this new, exciting, and somewhat scary adventure on Halloween!!
I have loved our life in Germany the past three years. The sense of solidarity within our military community, and the sweet fellowship developed with our church and Friday night Bible study have no equal in the States. The opportunities to travel, to check a some things off our bucket lists, to live in another culture and make precious German friends are all things that have made this part of the Journey so richly satisfying.
And yet, I’ve dreaded this part almost since we arrived. Moving is stressful no matter what. Overseas moves are more stressful still. Retirement moves from overseas are probably the worst! It’s exhausting, confusing, EXPENSIVE, and fraught with multiple opportunities for things to go wrong.
Nevertheless, as we forge ahead, there is a joyous sense of purpose. I do not know what the future holds, but I know the One who holds it. As the Apostle Paul says at the end of his life, “… I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (I Timothy 4:12, ESV) And when I sometimes feel scared and overwhelmed with what may lie ahead, He sends reminders that He’s got this, that He is God. He is good. He has us in His hands--and all will be well in the end.
It was a remarkably like a wedding.
And like a wedding, it also marked a new beginning, a new chapter unfolding for our family. The way of life we’ve known these past 20 years is in its final couple of months. We have eagerly sought God about what our next step should be. So far, we’re getting glimpses, but no solid answers as of yet. And honestly, that’s a little nerve-wracking, even as it’s also kind of thrilling.
A week from now, our belongings will be on their way back to the United States. At the crack of dawn on Halloween, with a handful of suitcases, our dog and cat, and a lot of prayer, we board a plane to head back to the States, ourselves. The Lord knows how much I love symbolism, so how oddly fitting that we should start this new, exciting, and somewhat scary adventure on Halloween!!
I have loved our life in Germany the past three years. The sense of solidarity within our military community, and the sweet fellowship developed with our church and Friday night Bible study have no equal in the States. The opportunities to travel, to check a some things off our bucket lists, to live in another culture and make precious German friends are all things that have made this part of the Journey so richly satisfying.
And yet, I’ve dreaded this part almost since we arrived. Moving is stressful no matter what. Overseas moves are more stressful still. Retirement moves from overseas are probably the worst! It’s exhausting, confusing, EXPENSIVE, and fraught with multiple opportunities for things to go wrong.
Nevertheless, as we forge ahead, there is a joyous sense of purpose. I do not know what the future holds, but I know the One who holds it. As the Apostle Paul says at the end of his life, “… I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (I Timothy 4:12, ESV) And when I sometimes feel scared and overwhelmed with what may lie ahead, He sends reminders that He’s got this, that He is God. He is good. He has us in His hands--and all will be well in the end.
The Hambrick family just after the retirement ceremony. August 29, 2018, Grafenwoehr/Vilseck, Germany.
The award Glen's colleagues gave him at his celebration dinner. While deployed some years ago with another unit in Germany, Glen wrote a poem to commemorate his fallen comrades. It was published in the unit's magazine and can still be found online at https://dragoonshistory.com/2003/10/26/oif-ii/ His colleagues had it printed on a map of Germany and framed with medals and coins representing that time in his life.