I met Diana Juergens at the Protestant Women
of the Chapel  West Region Conference last fall.  Over the
duration of the event, I had the opportunity to learn a little bit more
about her. She's a former Army aviator, wife of a Soldier for 23 years, and
mother of eight daughters, ranging in age from 4 to 21.

I attended Diana's workshop on the topic "Parenting During Deployment." I
didn't attend because the topic was relevant to my circumstances. I'm not a
military spouse raising young children whose parent is deployed. My goal was
to attend as an encouragement to Diana.

When I received Diana's double-sided handout, with its six-point outline and
three-dozen plus references to Scripture, my first thought, was, "Oh, my!
How is she going to get through all of this?" I needn't have been concerned.
Diana is an engaging speaker. She has great credibility to her audience of
military wives missing their husbands and raising children who are missing
their daddys during deployments. She also completely covered the material in
a calm, confident, competent manner and gave the other military moms in the
audience focus, hope and practical tools for the times the need them most.

Diana may not have prepared for someone in her audience who is not a
military wife, but rather is a mom with a son in the service. However, afterwards, I
realized that almost every point she brought up, every Scripture she listed
to help military wives parent children who are left behind during
their husband's deployments, can also help troops' parents. I
saved Diana's handout, with my scribbled notes, to take out the next time my
son is deployed.

From her workshop and other discussions with Diana, I heard and observed
some of the things that helps her make a positive difference in her
circumstances and calling. These are: her faith in God, her love for her
husband and children, daily time in prayer and studying Scripture, running
daily, and the discipline she learned while serving in the Army.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to connect with Diana Juergens. In talking
with her and listening and observing her, she helped me also understand
other military wives, and also my role as a mom of the military.

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Next week, I want to tell you more about the book Diana has written.
Copyright 2010, Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

P. S. February 8-14 is National Salute to Veterans Week, intended to
encourage citizens like you and me to isit, write, and encourage the vets in
our local VA hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

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