Site Name

Hope for the woman uprooted by a move

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube


  • Home
  • About us
    • Encouragement for the Woman Uprooted by a Move
    • New at Just Moved
  • After the Boxes Study
    • Online Study Groups
    • Find an After the Boxes Group
    • Learn more about offering the study
    • Free study for your military chapel
    • After the Boxes Are Unpacked Study Leaders
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Donate
    • Donate to Just Moved through your online shopping
    • Donate to Just Moved Ministry in honor of or in memory of an individual
    • Volunteer
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Staff
    • Submissions to JustMoved.org
    • Just Moved mailbox
    • May we pray for you?
18 ways to reach out to a military family who has moved to your community

May 30, 2016

18 ways to reach out to a military family who has moved to your community


1606.Christen Forrester DeGrootThis is PCS season in the lives of many military families. The orders come, the new duty stations are assigned, and families are gearing up for yet another move. The news of who’s moving where splatters my Facebook pages this time of year. Our connection through social media keeps me in the loop of their lives with their pictures, stories, and prayer requests. They live with a resilient spirit of hope, perseverance, and optimism that defines the life that comes with being a military wife and mom.

Through Just Moved Ministry, God has given me the privilege to be in the lives of military women all over the world. I am in my sweet spot of ministry when I can teach, mentor, encourage, listen to, pray for, and be with these women. From year to year, I see many of them again in different parts of the world and at different military installations. They become a part of my life, my heart, my prayers, and my memories.

They have become my friends and I have become their cheerleader.

You can do the same thing. Be a friend and a cheerleader to the military wife. Show tangible ways of love and care, pray for her, and encourage her. When a military family moves in your neighborhood or community, make every effort to meet them.

The following suggestions, in their own words, come straight from military women who shared with me how you can reach out to them when they move.

  1. While a greeting and a smile is always appreciated, don’t let it stop there. Be bold. Keep calling, encouraging, and inviting us to lunch, shopping, etc.
  2. Provide us with a list of local services: a handyman, mechanic, hairstylist, babysitters, churches, restaurants, etc.
  3. Offer to be our emergency contact for schools. That’s the first question the schools ask, and the one we never have an answer for.
  4. Offer to drive us to functions. We don’t know our way around, and that would encourage us to go.
  5. Invite us to church, or even lunch or dinner on Sunday. That’s a lonely day for us.
  6. Express your support. We appreciate hearing and reading your encouragement.
  7. Let us know you are praying for our soldier and for our family. Ask about our specific prayer needs. Don’t assume you know.
  8. Please don’t wait for us to ask or come to you. Knock on our door, talk to us at the mailbox, invite us over when we are out in the yard.
  9. We spend so much time making sure our children are settled in, but we don’t take care of ourselves during these transition times. I need to be included in Bible study, a girls’ night out, a lunch group.
  10. Accept new military families as if they are moving in for a lifetime–not just passing through. Please invest time in us.
  11. Include us in neighborhood parties. Wear name tags to help us learn names.
  12. People have picked up our check at a restaurant, or even paid for a cup of coffee. It brings tears to my eyes every time. Our family is so grateful.
  13. Churches can be a great help in our transitions. Welcome us and include us along with other newcomers at functions and events.
  14. Invite our children over for a play date.
  15. On special occasions or holidays at school or church, honor the dads or moms who are deployed. This means so much to our children.
  16. When my husband was deployed, a family in our church “adopted” our family. They helped us with house and yard maintenance, celebrated Birthdays, and included us for holidays. We will never forget them or what that meant to us.
  17. Be understanding and be listeners. Sometimes our needs go beyond a plate of cookies.
  18. Risk a broken heart. Love and support a military family even though we will eventually move and leave you. Allow your children to love ours as well, even though they may be sad when we leave.

military familySo bring out your pom-poms and be their cheerleaders.

It’s time to get off the bleachers and move from the sidelines to run with military families to the finish line!

Susansusan.am moving coach logo copy

From Susan’s updated and expanded new edition of After the Boxes are Unpacked. A Focus on the Family and Tyndale book available from Just Moved Ministry.

 

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet

Article by Just Moved Ministry / After the Boxes are Unpacked, Blog, Military / connection, just moved, military wife, new neighbor, PWOC, susan miller Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Powered by Ajaxy

Recent blogs by Susan Miller

Five hidden treasures from Daddy's back yard 8/3/22
Take Time to Linger 7/6/22
Take Time Out to Nourish Your Soul 6/1/22
Make Someone's Day 4/26/22
Timeless Memories 12/14/21
Six Things You Won’t Regret Saying During the Thanksgiving Season 11/9/21
A Do-over Day 10/5/21
Lessons on the trail 9/1/21
Lost and found: friendships on the move 8/15/21
Be the first to blink: choose to initiate in your relationships 7/6/21
A Life Lesson From My Daughter's Hand 6/1/21
When you want to run away from everything and join the circus 5/1/21
We "get to" every day 4/1/21
Preparing Your Heart for a Move: Where do you begin? 3/1/21
A man's perspective: moving and its impact on a marriage 2/1/21

Recent podcasts

Tips from an organizing professional 7/17/22
Married to the Military and Multiple Moves 4/11/22
Reach out to the new pastor's wife 3/7/22
15 Things to Remember for the New Year 1/20/22
A military mover offers insight and tips for a smoother move: interview with Stephanie Ward 11/18/21
Parenting with Fun, Empathy, Assurance, and Resolve: interview with behavior specialist, Sharoya Ham 8/2/21
On the Other Side: interview with mental health expert, Sandi Rae 6/4/21
Encouragement is a Three Letter Word 5/4/21
How Does Your Garden Grow? 4/7/21
The Potter and the Clay 3/2/21
Tips for Staying Healthy. Interview with Certified Nutrition Coach Jill Maher 2/2/21
Running on Empty 1/11/21
Gifts Without Ribbons 12/1/20
Facing the Challenge of Change 11/1/20
Are you weary and worn out? 10/1/20
Subscribe to Susan Miller's blog and podcast

Subscribe to Podcast only

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSSMore Subscribe Options
Facebook TwitterInstagram
Just Moved Ministry
8010 E Morgan Trail, #7 Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 991-5268
Powered by Ajaxy
“Professional
Copyright © Just Moved Ministry .
All rights reserved.