Monday, March 30, 2009


Do you feel as if every time you turn on the television or radio you are bombarded with more “doom and gloom” about the economy? To top it all off, you may be trying to sell a home or find a job – never easy, even in a good economy. It would be easy to get discouraged and to imagine a bleak future were it not for one thing: Jesus is in that future and we must never forget to picture Him in it. Our “boat” will not sink while He is in it! (Read Matthew 8:23-27) When your “boat” is tossed about by the “waves” of circumstance, practice these ten steps to...


...Winning Over Worry.

1. Don’t give up. Hope in God.


2. Walk by faith, not by sight.


3. Take time out for a good laugh.


4. Use the Bible as a window to see your world.


5. Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.


6. Make choices based on God’s Word.


7. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.


8. Ask for God’s strength to get you through.


9. Stop and enjoy the moment.


10. Pray as if everything depended upon God – it does.


From Love’s Little Recipes for Life by Linda Shepherd

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Why Not Minot?


This past January Susan Miller had the privilege of traveling to Minot AFB, ND to speak with military personal and their spouses. Read below from Susan's own heart about her experience and then an article from Jamie Helbling.



Heart Talk - March from Susan Miller

Most of you know I speak at military installations all over the world. It is one of my "mountain top experiences in ministry" to embrace our military "moving" spouses with God's love and encouragement. Many of them face the stress of living on the edge of uncertainty, and with fear of the unknown. Yet, they also live with a resilient spirit of hope, perseverance, and optimism that defines the life that comes with being a military wife and mom. Whether they are Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy--they hold a special place of respect and honor in my heart.
In January, I went to Minot AFB, North Dakota. (Yes, North Dakota in January!) "Why not Minot? Freezin’ is the reason!" is the standard question and answer slogan for all who go there.

Minot may be freezing, but the military men and women, as well as their spouses, exuded a warmth that melted my heart. The pressure, stress, and long hours of their mission wear heavily on the life of each person, and of course, has a ripple effect on marriages and families. Yet again, the resilient spirit of all those I met shines through, in spite of their circumstances.

Humor would break the ice as military moms described what they wear, and how many layers of clothing they put on, (and on their children) to keep warm when they go outside. Their stories of "snow survival" ranged from hilarious to humbling. Then a storm of emotions would spill out through their words and tears as they described the sacrifices, the loneliness, and the effects of living life in bitter cold weather conditions. Just like the sun brilliantly reflects on the snow after a storm, their smiles would come -- as friends connected, and community was built through their shared experiences.

When you enter Minot AFB, these are the words over the gate: "Only the best come North." I certainly believe that, after meeting the men and women in uniform, their spouses, and many of their families. As you leave the base, it reads: "...and better when they go forth." Yes...I am certainly better for having been to Minot, and better equipped for my mission as I go forth!
From My Heart,

Susan

"Miller melts the ice of our military community"

By Jamie Helbling
Northern Sentry, January 30, 2009

Despite the mercury dipping well below zero on Saturday, the atmosphere at the Jimmy Doolittle Center was warm and sunny during the uplifting presentation “Surviving Your Circumstances,” given by Susan Miller, founder and president of Just Moved! Ministries.

More than 90 individuals received a large dose of encouragement as they listened to Miller share the secrets to finding joy despite circumstances.

In addition to the free seminar sponsored by the Base Chapel and Airman and Family Readiness Center, participants were fed a delicious meal and were given a free copy of Miller’s book, “After the Boxes Are Unpacked.”

“I thought this was a very positive seminar; it gave us a good outlook on life,” said Airman Savannah Laquaglia of the 5th Force Support Squadron who attended with her husband Nicolai. The couple will celebrate their first year of marriage in three months and expressed gratitude for the insights shared at the seminar, despite the fact that their roles are reversed with Savannah being the active duty spouse.

“It’s great to know that we are not the only ones struggling in a move,” said Capt. Eric Balls of the 23rd Bomb Squadron and his wife Tina. “We especially appreciated the tools on how to respond to your spouse.”

The information presented by Miller was timeless and offered hope for all of life’s circumstances, no matter what an individual’s age or situation may be.

Along with the relevant, real life examples from her own experiences, Miller shared some golden nuggets of wisdom with the audience that kept pen’s busy writing as fast as they could keep up.

“You can be bitter or you can be better.”

“You will never grow if you stay in your comfort zone.”

“Don’t hold onto things too tightly, they are just things. Know what to cherish and what to cling to. Cherish the things you left behind, such as your home, your friendships and your memories, but cling to what you’ve brought with you; your family, your values and your traditions. Ask yourself what you used to let go of so you can start over and move ahead.”

Miller backed all of her support and encouragement with verses from the Bible and gave credit to surviving her circumstances solely on God’s provision.

“God goes before you, with you and hems you in from behind. Hopefully He is within you as well,” said Miller. “Security is found only in God and not in your circumstances.”

To learn more about surviving a move or overcoming other struggles, visit the Just Moved! website at www.justmoved.org.
______________________________________
Permission for use of this article was given by the Minot AFB Northern Sentry and BHG Publishing

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Monthly Challenge- 38


The journey of a move is the process of learning how to Let Go, Start Over, and Move Ahead with your life. Our Monthly Challenge provides an inspiring quote and stepping stones to help encourage you during this journey.

Challenge 38
I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. --Philippians 3:14 (The Message)

Let Go: Is your focus on the home you left behind?

Start Today: A runner cannot win the race, let alone run the race if she is looking behind her. Her focus is forward and her eyes are on the finish line.

Yes, cherish the home and the people you left behind, but do not cling to them in a way that they absorb your focus. God has much in store for you in your new surroundings!

Move Forward: Be alert and be watching for doors that God is opening for you. It could appear in the conversation you have at the grocery store or at your child’s school, it could be in a request for volunteers at your church or community center, or it could be a smile and “hello” that you offer to someone else who looks lonely.

Have you been reluctant to change your driver’s license or paint rooms in your new home because they are acts of commitment to your new community? Do it! Start running forward into your future. God is at your side. No turning back.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

March Devotional from Susan


In these stressful economic times of job loss and foreclosures, and the loss of homes through natural disasters of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and fires, movers are faced with tremendous physical hardships, emotional pain, and spiritual challenges. When everything is stripped away, when you've been blind-sided by devastating circumstances--what do you do, and who do you turn to in your darkest hour?

When faced with a moving crisis, or any kind of life-changing situation, we sometimes see ourselves as victims of tough times, rather than claiming victory over our circumstances. It's easy for any of us to lose focus and become consumed with the trauma of events. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake...the Lord is with us; God is our stronghold." (Psalm 46 1-3;7)

Run, don't walk, to God. Take your burdens, and your circumstances, to the Lord in prayer. Open your heart; tell God the way you feel. The psalmist David puts it this way in Psalm 142: "I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord...I pour out my complaint before him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knew my path...Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Thy name."

When life seems the darkest, then God's dawn is about to break. "For I know the plans I have for you," the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." When tough times come our way, it is an opportunity to refocus from our changing circumstances to an unchanging God.

God does not always change our situation, but He does put new strength and hope within us so that we can face our circumstances courageously and keep on going. What life does to us depends on what life finds in us. If we are filled with defeat and despair, then life will crush us. If we are filled with faith and hope, then life can never overcome us. "...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Rest in His promises. Spend time in your Bible, and claim the promises of God's word. "When the night is the darkest we see the stars the clearest; and when life is dark, the promises of God shine like stars." (Warren Wiersbe) You will discover that God's word will guide you each step of the way. "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) His word brings healing to our brokenness, comfort for our hurts, and hope for our despair.

Rely on His faithfulness. Surviving tough times is not the result of a great faith, so much as faith in a great God. If we depend on God minute by minute and day by day, He will see us through. Sometimes we may wonder whether God knows, or even cares, about what's happened in our life. We even struggle in our own strength, rather than trusting the faithfulness of God. "His compassions fail not; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) Regardless of what we are going through, we can be sure of God's faithfulness to us. "...He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Three little, but powerful words: Run...Rest...Rely. Tuck them in your pocket and carry them with you always!

Scripture to Remember:
Choose one from above that ministers to you.
Question to Consider: Have I been running from God, or running to God during these tough times?

Prayer:
Oh God, I am desperate for you! Help me get through today. Calm my spirit. Soothe my soul. Refocus my thoughts on you. Let me feel your presence. Amen


Thought for the Day:
Today I will run to God, rest in His promises, and rely on His faithfulness!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Just Moved! new blog site! We are excited to have yet another venue to reach out to women across the world to provide support and encouragement as they transition through a move.