Support our troops!

Here's how (these are things that people have done for me that were very helpful and ideas I have heard over the years):

1. First and foremost, pray for these families. There is nothing more powerful than prayer. Be diligent to pray for the marriages (where appropriate) and the children in these situations.

2. Offer to do something specific: you'll take the kids on Friday morning for 3 hours; you'll be there at 9am on Saturday to do the lawn.

3. Invite them to dinner (their kids too!), especially on Sunday. Sunday afternoon was the loneliest time of all for me, and it was wonderful when I got to spend it with friends.

4. Show up at their door with their favorite drink from their favorite place and just visit for a little while. The adult conversation is priceless!

5. Make an emergency meal (casseroles are great) with cooking directions, for them to store in the freezer. There are so many times that I have been guilty of making frozen pizza one night, fish sticks the next night, cereal the third night, and sandwiches the fourth night for dinner. Yikes!

6. Send a card or email of encouragement. It never fails that those notes always come at just the right time and say just the right thing to strengthen the resolve of the receiver. I can't tell you how many times I have had the worst possible day, go check the mail and walk back with tears in my eyes because of God's timing.

7. Be understanding! The kids' behavior may have changed. The person might be more frazzled and forgetful than normal. Extend an extra measure of grace when given the opportunity.

8. Spend time with the kids. This is especially important when Daddy is absent or deployed and the kids are boys. I have seen this time and again with my own boys. Wrestling just isn't the same with Mommy. Also, if there is a special event coming up (Father-Son camp out, Mother-Daughter tea, Father-Daughter dance), adopt the kid as one of yours and take him or her to the event.

9. Adopt a chaplain or send a care package. There are tons of websites related to this. Here are two: http://www.anysoldier.com/, or http://www.adopt-a-chaplain.org/.

There are so many other things that you can do to support our soldiers and their families. These are just a few examples. Even if you can't do anything else, please do #1!