Stepping into 2016: What Happened?
Even our eggs were excited we have been reunited. They surprised us with a double yoke!
All that aside, let's talk about what happened in the New Year for us. I know ya'll have been dying to know what's been going on. So here we go.
Nothing happened as we planned.
The new Year started with a return back home from time spent with family in Ky for Christmas. We made a two week tour to visit friends and family before heading off to Okinawa in the spring.
Coming back, everything hit the fan. We were getting notifications and mail piling up with one bit of bad news after the other. Passports not going through, my health paperwork not going through and not a thing we could do about any of it but WAIT.
I filled out so much paperwork in this process for overseas screenings to find out I have to fill out more and give more information that I don't have. The constant fight of getting information needed was insane.
I want to write a blog post in the future specifically about everything to expect for future military wives. You get told so much is going to happen and how it's going to happen, but it's ALL LIES. HAHA. I am going to have to put together a little BE PREPARED series for military wives out there so you all don't have to go through what I have been having to go through unnecessarily. I am learning it all for you future wives! Haha!
Back to my story! Everything continued to go down hill rapidly with nothing working out. After waiting for weeks to hear something we finally got news...
I was told because of the PTSD they have to review more of my medical history related to it to determine if I'm suitable to even go over to Okinawa. The reason being if they decide they don't have the care I need there for counseling, then we would be facing what I hoped to not face so early in the game. Separation. They would send him 2 years unaccompanied and I'd be here in the states. Not the ideal situation for either of us, especially with my health.
I promptly contacted my counselor asking for records and a letter which she gave me. Although the process of getting the papers to the screeners kept getting delayed by some of the oddest things mostly technical related with little explanation even after 3 attempts. I finally went to the office to hand pick up and deliver the documents.
In the meantime I had been meeting two of the staff members. God provided a very sweet and kind staff member who walked us through this process. She told me every time: "Keep praying. If it's meant to be you will be there, if it's not, God will have the best reasons. We can trust Him."
I had been stuck at the clinic for several hours waiting on paperwork and news and to fill out more paperwork when God blessed me with some inspiring praise in their offices even though it was a disastrous day for everyone there. It calmed my nerves and helped me get through with a smile. I loved visiting this staff member when I was at the clinic because her presence and her conversation was such a blessing amidst the chaos.
A few days after delivering the papers I got a call being told I was denied by the Okinawa medical base. There were mentions of bipolar and other mental illness concerns which surprised me greatly because I never had that diagnosis. We prayed and after some misunderstandings being cleared up, I got my answer.
I sat in the office with the screener and she walked me through my paperwork. She explained to me that the doctors and the counselor had in fact diagnosed me with not just PTSD, but chronic PTSD which is longer term and something that doesn't just go away.
Jason and I prayed while he sought reassignment. A few weeks or so later, but within a month of our leaving date, his request was responded to quicker than is usual and we were given favor.
We have a new destination:
Though it's very disappointing and heartbreaking that we couldn't enjoy the adventure of Okinawa together, being together wins all. And who knows what the desert holds for us! I've already caught some wind that they are in need of a computer repair person there as the closest one in the area closed up recently. My plan is to work on launching "The Lady Gadget" so this very well might be the place to do it!

My PTSD was at first making me very anxious about such a long trip, but with some patience on the part of Jason and over some time to mentally prepare I'm now looking forward to it.
Paperwork, mail forwarding, scheduling, trip planning, moving planning, searching for housing, researching the area, decluttering, deep cleaning the condo, eating down our food, and using up products we can't take with us.
Our official move date is going to be next week. We'll stuff the car and hit the road. Stop and see some family and friends along the way and then stay in temporary lodging, temporary housing, and while there figure out our permanent housing situation. Calls for much Semper Gumby!
When we get settled into our new temporary place, I plan on catching up with some blog posts as the internet will permit, and getting back on track. I have so many photos from events of the year that we did including Jason's time in Rhode Island. :D
So stay tuned for more! Glad to finally get this news out there with some freedom! :)
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