Ep 32 | A Logistics Officer Establishing Herself in the Nature of God

Anna and I have known each other for many years, and she's a kind, humble heart. I'm thankful we have reconnected in recent years. Anna is a logistics officer in the Army and she shares about her life thus far and her goals for the future. We talk about how sweet Christian community is, the way she's savoring quiet mornings with God and how valuable leaning into His nature is and so much more. 

Transcript

Chelsea Eubank: 0:06

Hey friends, welcome to Real stories of life with God, a podcast with a pretty explanatory title. Because that's what we're here for a conversation with real people about their unique life with God. I'm your host Chelsea Eubank and I'm so glad you're here. Let's jump into today's episode.

Anna M.: 0:24

Okay, so I think I'm just gonna, I think I'm just gonna jump in and we can talk about your life a little bit. Okay, and I'm super excited to talk to you. My voice obviously sounds funny. So for those listening, who know my voice, it does not normally sound like this, but I have a cold. But I really wanted to talk to Anna. And so we're pushing through the cold, though. Tell us a little bit about you. Yeah, I grew up in Augusta, Georgia, which is how I know you, obviously, I think the last two may have been at a track meet longtime. Yeah. But yeah, I went to school, I went to a military school in New York for four years and then commissioned into the army right after that. So I've moved a few times since then, I went to school for like, three months after, in Virginia after I graduated from college, and then went to my first duty station in Anchorage, I was there for three years. And I actually moved from there in November. And I'm currently in Virginia, at a quick little six months school before I go to Fort Carson, Colorado. So yeah, I'm always amazed. I think, I mean, obviously, God knows people. Right. But I think there's a special breed of person who's a military person, for a lot of reasons, for a lot of reasons. But especially the moving you know, especially just the, the like, open handedness, you know, the like, Okay, this is where we're going for this short stint, and I'm like, Oh, my goodness, six months in one place, and then we're moving. I'm just amazed. I'm just amazed by it. So. So you're about to move to Colorado? What exactly are you doing specifically? Or what do you hope to do? Yeah, um, so I'm a logistics officer. So basically, what that means is I plan and then, like support, like with through supplies, like food, fuel, ammo, water, transportation, anything like, logistics wise, it's necessary for like, the fight of an army unit on the frontlines, I guess is the best way that I can put it, there's different positions for that. But what am I working towards? So am I next duty station. I should spend about a year on staff. And then the next step after that is to take company command. So you're in charge of like, 120 ish people, I'm actually still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do. So yeah, that's just something I'm like brand through right now. But cool, very cool. I like to read a few verses for Matthew 22, that kind of inspired two of these questions. Jesus is asked, which is the greatest commandment in the law. And he says, Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul. And with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like, Ah, I love your neighbor as yourself. So my first question for you is what currently stirs your love for God? So I think there's two things that come to mind. The first one I would say, is Christian community, God's church people. And I would say that is has been true now. And like, really, over the course of life, especially just with like, a lot of the transitions that I've had. Yeah, so like, I'm not gonna lie like this, like this past season of moving from Alaska having like, how to like a strong community and church and friends. And like routine there was, it's been really hard to leave. And, you know, I think God has really shown himself to me through his people, like through through that time, like, and that includes, I think, being being here and being with new believers, and then also the people that he has given me from, like high school, like mentors and friends that I've been able to stay in touch with, and just talk through life with and just be honest about how things are going, especially in those hard seasons. You know, I think they really point me back to God and remind me who he is. Because sometimes I feel like it's just it's hard to remember that on my own or to muster that in myself. Yeah, during those times, so yeah, so I think that's the first thing. And then the second, I would say, over the past year has been really savoring the quiet moments with God in the mornings before I go on to the chaotic world. So I'm very much a worrier, and try to figure things out on my own and I think over the past year God has really shown me that I can literally do nothing on my own. And I think you've heard a podcast or like you wrote an article about this, and like, it was perfect for me during the season. But you just sort of talked about how, like, we are desperate for God. And that's like, not a bad thing. Like he's created us to meet him. And so I sort of, it's still hard sometimes, but I think I've just sort of use those quiet moments in the morning to like, be like, Okay, God, like, this is what's going on, like, and just be real with him and like, allow him to, like, change my heart during those times rather than me trying to, like, do life on my own and have him just kind of sitting on the sidelines. So yes, it's like you can, you can know, for a lot of your life. So we both grew up in Christian homes. Yeah, right. We grew up in Christian schools, going to church, like, there's a lot of truth that's in there. But I think it makes a difference when you take the fact the truth that he is always with me. And you really practically lean on that and really cling to that and saying, You know what, I really believe this, from that, like, Head to Heart situation. You know, like, I can know all the things but until really practicing them, because I think the thing about needing him. I mean, he promises that he's enough for us, right? But if I never give him the opportunity to be enough, that I never really experienced the fact that he can, and he does, if I never asked him for that. Does that make sense? Like, yeah. Oh, no, you know, like, if like what you're saying, you kind of leaning can't do anything on my own. And if I never admit that, then I can never really taste that in him, or I never experienced that, or I never give him the chance to show up for me. Yeah, I like what you said about quiet, though, especially. And you probably you know, there are people listening who like me, maybe throes of young motherhood. And then there's just the lay of the land and the culture where we have access to all the news and all the entertainment we could ever want. Right? When we wake up, you know, it's so it's almost like a discipline. I mean, maybe you could speak to that. It's almost like I have to be disciplined to give myself some of those quiet moments with just me and God, that I carry with me throughout the rest of the chaotic. You said the word chaotic, which is great. But you don't I mean, like, have you noticed that? Is that easy for you? Or are you having to really establish that kind of a habit? I think it changes with the seasons, like I have to relearn it in different times. Like if I, I've switched jobs a few times. So it's, they're different demands for different jobs in different places. So like, right now, I'm in school, and I actually have a lot of free time. And it's really sad, because you'd think, oh, yeah, like I would be able to be a lot more disciplined with that routine. But it's been a lot harder to do that. And so, because it's I don't know, I guess it's sort of a season where you're like, I don't really need hit like, I'm super stressed right now. It's like, do I really need to spend that time with him? Like, yes, I do. I do. But it's like, in your head. You're just like, Oh, I'm good. But it's actually during the times. I think it's chaotic that I'm like, Okay, God, like, this is like, please help me like, I don't want to go into the world. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. That's really good. Okay. Um, on the other hand, is there anything that currently stifles your love forgot? Yes. My own lack of contentment in this season of where I'm at? Um, yeah, I mean, it goes along with the theme of what I've sort of already been saying, but just being in this holding area of like, okay, like, I'm here for six months, what do you what do you have for me, and this time, I think, I, it's really hard to just sit in it and not like, think about the future and want to go to the next thing. Because, I mean, I don't want to say that the school isn't fulfilling, but it's, it's like not the same, like purposeful work is like, having a job, you know? And so it's kind of like, okay, bad, like, I'm just gonna go and show up to class and then leave. And I feel like I sort of been missing out on okay, like, what do you have for me here? I don't know. And the people that I'm like, with every day or even learning like I should be taking a little bit more joy in those things are using even just seeing this time of like, having more time on my hands to like as an opportunity rather than like, oh, man, this sucks. Like, I can't wait for it to be over type thing. So I think that question is amazing. You know, what do you have for me here? I think that's a great question. And what I'm probably going to write down and think about that, because there are like really ordinary, not as exciting Out of hards a little unsatisfying, but yet in the kingdom of God, there is always something he could be showing me or revealing to me or I could be asking of him something. Yeah, that's, that's a really? I like that question a lot. My next question is not a question. It's a bill. Like the truth that God is blank means a lot to you. Because the lick the truth that God is faithful means a lot to me, because I know he will carry me through every season of life, the good and the bad, and the times when I don't really understand what he's doing. Like, realizing that, like, what I'm feeling isn't true, you know, because a lot of times, I feel like God isn't as far away or I feel this way or that way. But yeah, I think resting in his character, like always is so grounding. Yeah. Because it didn't change, you know, my feelings. Oh, yes, I heard someone say, and this stuck with me, they said, my feelings get like, I don't want my feelings to drive the car. And I'm also not going to put them in the truck. But they can ride in the backseat. Like, I want to acknowledge them, but I don't want them to drive. And I don't want to ignore them, either. Because I thought that was really helpful. And you've kind of informing that knowledge and understanding this character whole life. You know, I mean, it all like builds, right? I mean, we grow, you know, and God is always the same, but can you? Can you tell any significant difference? Maybe from like, 10 years ago, Anna, because Anna today, in your like, faith in his character or faith in his nature? You know, can you see a lot? Or what do you see? Or? Oh, yeah, I think, Gosh, I you know, I hate to say it, you hate to say he uses the hard times, but he really does, like, use the hard times to show you more about himself and like about you like things that like areas you're not trusting? Um, but yeah, I think like, and he's, you know, honestly, like you mentioned at the beginning of the podcast, like, about, you know, military life and how you don't think that, you know, it's there, it takes a special person. And honestly, like, a lot of times, I'm like, I don't know, if I'm cut off for this. Like, it's, it's hard about that. But I do think like, I mean, I don't regret the journey that I've been on, because I really think he is used, like, he's used the, like, the transitions to show me more about him, like, you know, that I'm not alone, that he goes before me, and he goes behind me, and he is sovereign. And no matter if I you know, if I want to go somewhere in the military since be somewhere else, like, I can't always do anything about it, but it's like, I can still trust him. Like, he's still good. Yeah, and I think, yeah, he just uses life and circumstances to Yeah, to like, show us more of who he is. Whereas, you know, in high school, you're like, okay, like, I know who God is. I'm gonna study His Word. And you don't like have a whole lot to like. I don't know, to base it off of I guess. I don't know. Yeah, yeah. Okay. My last question is, what are you looking at? What is something you're looking forward to? I am looking forward to being bounced back in the mountains and the outdoors. Yeah, I don't know. I kind of wild that. I like moved to Alaska. I don't know. I still like it's just, I don't even know I was there. It's just like, wow, this is weird. Um, yeah, I don't know, I really, I love to be able to like walk outside and just, you know, go ski or do anything outside. So moving to Colorado, I think I'll have a lot of the same opportunities. So I'm really looking forward to being able to do that again. Not that the East Coast isn't great, but it's different. It's different, is different. And seriously, thank you for taking the time to know. I'm so glad

Chelsea Eubank: 14:27

listening friends. It means a lot that you added us to your day to day. Thank you so much. Wherever you find yourself on your journey with Jesus. I hope you finished this episode with your faith cheered refreshed or strengthened. Until next time