EP-11: Loving Where You Live: Orders, Purpose, and Finding Joy in a Hard Duty Station

Hate your new duty station—or just not feeling it yet? We’ve been there: rainy arrivals, brown landscapes, unfamiliar streets, and the ache of starting from scratch. This conversation digs beneath surface-level tips to the deeper shift that actually changes a place: seeing your location through God’s sovereignty and your daily decisions to invest, even when emotions lag behind.We walk through Jeremiah 29 to reframe exile as assignment, then track the movement in Acts to show how God advances purpose through people on the move. From Fort Sill to coastal North Carolina, we share honest stories—how “get me out of here” became “we don’t want to leave”—and the practices that carried us: asking God what He has for us here, choosing gratitude when the scenery isn’t our style, and joining the rhythms locals already love. You’ll hear practical steps you can try today: unpack the boxes, hang the photos, find one festival or trail, meet a neighbor by name, and build a support web before you need it. If your spouse deploys, we make the case for staying planted where you’re stationed so you can grow roots, receive help, and make reintegration smoother when they return.We also get specific about why a healthy local church matters more than another stream in your podcast queue. A pastor who knows your context, a small group that shares your load, and a diverse body that reflects your city can turn “temporary housing” into a true home base. Along the way, we swap resources—from neighboring guides to simple rules of life—that help you shift from counting down days to making the days count. Press play for a clear, encouraging path to love where you live, even if you didn’t choose it.If this resonated, follow, share with a friend who just moved, and tell us one local thing you’ll try this week. Your next step might be the beginning of home.SHOW NOTES:1. Love Where You Live: How to Live Sent in the Place You Call Home: Shauna Pilgreen, Frazee, Randy: 9780800735111: Amazon.com: Books2. The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door: Jay Pathak, Dave Runyon, Randy Frazee: 9780801014598: Amazon.com: Books3. Holy Hygge-  Amazon.com : holy hygge4. How do I Find a Church in my Military Community? - Praetorian Project Support the showhttp://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective