Hopefully by now you all know we are hosting an online book club at FaithDeployed.com for Faith Deployed . . . Again starting Jan. 3. If that makes as much sense as a dinner party by phone to you, read on. I’ll do my best to explain.
Q: What’s Faith Deployed . . . Again all about? Is it just for wives of husbands who are deployed again?
A: The book is written for every military wife, regardless of branch or stage in the deployment cycle. Even if your husband never deploys, this book is still for you. We (29 military wives/moms including myself) cover topics relating to deployments, reintegration, military marriage, domestic and international moves, family relations, managing the home front, and more–all with a biblical perspective. There is even a bonus section at the end written by and for Blue Star Moms.
Faith Deployed . . . Again is the sequel to the award-winning Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. Read more about the book (including a free excerpt) here.
Q: Who is invited to this online book club?
A: Military wives and moms of every branch of service, active duty, reserves, national guard, or retired. Many of our discussions will be directly related to military wives, but there will also be some during the last week of January that stem from our “Blue Star Moms” section at the end of Faith Deployed . . . Again.
Q: How does an online book club work?
A: It’s pretty simple. Every weekday (or whenever you can) during January, starting the 3rd, come to the FaithDeployed.com blog. We’ll tell you which devotion to read in your book, then look back at the blog post, which will usually be written by the author of the devotion you just read. We’ll go a little deeper, a little more personal in our online discussion. There will be at least one question to which you can respond by leaving a comment, which will also enter you into the drawing of the day. We’re hoping there will be online discussion through your comments.
Q: What if I miss a day or two? Or more?
A: While we hope that everyone can stop by once a day (excluding weekends), we realize you all lead busy lives. If you can’t make it for some of the days, no problem! In fact, even if you can only join in on a couple of days, we hope you will still do that. There will be no “catching up” to do–you can jump in and out as it fits in your life.
Q: Do I have to read all of Faith Deployed . . . Again before the club starts Jan. 3?
A: Nope. You don’t have to have ANY of it read before Jan. 3. Christmas is just a week away, and I’m pretty sure that fact alone is enough to keep you hopping. All you have to do is find a copy of the book. It’s sold at Family Christian Stores, Barnes & Noble, and all the online retail sites. E-versions are also available, so for those of you getting a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, let this be one of your first e-books!
Q: Does joining the book club mean I’m committing to reading the entire book during the month of January?
A: Nope again. We are just going to read one devotion from the book a day, and they are only about 500 words each. You could easily read it in two minutes. However, if you’re like most people, you may have a hard time sticking to just one devo a day. That’s OK- you can read as much of the book as you want to! But we’ll just discuss one selection a day, a few from each of the eight sections in the book.
Q: What if I don’t have a copy of the book? Can I still participate?
A: Of course you can still “come” for the discussions. But as with any other book club, you’ll get the most out of it if you have a copy of the book you can refer to. Check with your public library, your church’s library, or your chaplain. If you can’t afford a copy right now (and no one will buy it for you for Christmas) they may have a copy you can borrow. But the bottom line is, if you don’t have a copy, join us anyway. It’s still worth it.
Q: What kind of give-aways are you talking about?
A: Glad you asked. We have many wonderful donations. See a partial list here.
I hope to see all of you (through your comments) on Jan. 3! I want to see ladies from all over the globe!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I realize January is almost over but are you still receiving new members? I’d like to join. My hubby left early last week and i need so encouragement. Thanks, khristina
Hey Khristina,
Sure! There is no formal process to “join.” Just go through tthe blog posts for January and jump nto the discussions. It will be the most helpful for you if you have a copy of Faith Deployed…Again to refer to, but even if you don’t, you can still participate. I’d love it if you could jump into some of the discussions with your own comments. I’m sure you’ll be encouraged by what other ladies have said so far, as well.