“I give thanks to all who accompanied me on my path.

Those who stayed throughout the storms,

and those who lit the way through the darkest nights.

I also keep a place in my heart for those who joined me for only a small part of the journey.

I hope you found your way.

We are all just ‘walking each other home’ throughout the sunshine and the storms …”

           From: C. E. Coombes, Serendipity Corner

November, the month that celebrates Veterans.  We are forever indebted to you.

The PTSD and IPV Connection in the Military

The connection between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and PTSD in the military has been understood for some time. The violence of war (and even military training) can leave symptoms that are similar to relational violence: hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts and nightmares, to name a few. The body-mind memories of these experiences have been documented to leave a damaging trail of unprocessed feelings that are acutely present, causing painful powerlessness in survivors.

We want to raise the subject of counseling for active-duty members and veterans. There is a tendency of the VA and the DOD (now DOW) to be very slow to make changes, paperwork and politics being what they are. However, since the early 2000’s  they have made real progress in this area. Soldiers are required to have counseling (called Mobilization Resilience) as a part of the Master Resilience Training before deployment.  Pre and post deployment ‘Yellow Ribbon’ weekends bring members together to reconnect. Counseling is free for active-duty members, up to 12 sessions covered by Tri Care and for retired veterans through the VA.

To heal PTSD there is a need to recognize the pain and long-term effects of military service and encourage those who serve on our behalf to receive help whenever needed. We stand in solidarity with our forces. They are providing a valuable service to our country.         CL

Hope Cards

Washington’s Hope Card Program offers survivors an easier way to carry vital information about their full orders of protection. Instead of carrying a full legal civil protection order with you at all times, you can keep the smaller, durable, and more accessible Hope Card with you. Hope Cards are available to anyone issued a protection order, including minor children, and are completely free. A Hope Card isn’t a substitute for a protection order, and you must already have a full protection order to request a Hope Card.

Visit the Washington State Court website to learn how to apply for a protection order in your county or call 888-201-1014 for referral to a legal service program or advocate in your area.

Successful Missions Fest 2025

Major road closures, weather, and sports teams drama vied for attention to challenge people trying to get to the Missions Fest conference in early October.  But the turnout was still great.  And probably at the top of our list of favorite visitors to our booth this year was a young Christian hip-hop artist, CAS.  Full of love for the Lord and lots of enthusiasm, she was pleased to meet us because she plans to put together a resource list for people she meets who give their lives to Jesus.  And we were delighted to meet her!  We thank Thrivent Financial Services and their Community Action Team program for the booth fee funds for Missions Fest 2025.

Validating Statements

Offering validation helps individuals feel seen and understood during difficult times. The following statements can be used to recognize and affirm someone’s emotional experience:

 • I can see that you’re really struggling with this.

 • That must have been so upsetting.

 • I can understand why you feel that way.

 • Wow, that is really hard.

 • That’s really unfair.

 • That takes a lot of courage to share.

 • What you’re feeling is valid.

 • Your emotions make sense.

 • Thank you for sharing this with me.

 • Tell me more about that.

 • Are you feeling safe right now?

 • It makes sense you would be so upset about that.

See attachment for the entire article.

Scripture Verse

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13  (NIV)