Getting directions to Hope

Whenever you want to go to a place you have never been before, you have to find out how to get there.

In my case, my daughter bought me a GPS after I got lost in Tiffin Ohio...for two hours circling corn fields. (Don't ask, long story) She said I get lost getting out of a paper bag!

Everyone can get lost but the folks who planned the road and loaded directions must have gotten lost too. 

When everything is going to hell, it is hard to believe in a place you have never been to. You are used to being stuck, most of the time feeling alone, and always being just too depressed to do much at all. 

But even though you may feel as if you are stuck, there is something inside of you trying to get you to notice you are the only one keeping you from getting to where it is so much better. You can live a better life if you look for directions how to find it.

This video is for anyone who is lost but refuses to pay attention to the easiest way to get to hope. No one is so lost they cannot be found and get your life turned around from grave to Hope Road.

Suicide Prevention from Iraq veteran survivor

This video is from 2010. I was speaking at a Point Man conference and had my camera so that I could record the band playing.

For a unique reason, if you know what I mean, I kept the camera rolling when they were done. That is why the footage is so shaky. My hands were shaking as I was listening to Paul speak about what changed his life.

When we had a break, I told him I had recorded it. I gave him a choice. I could give him the tape, destroy it, or, put it up on YouTube. It did not take more than a second before he said, "Get it up on Youtube. I'm tired of losing my men."

Iraq Vet talks about PTSD and his work with Point Man Ministries and how he didn't want to live. Paul's life was saved and he became a leader in Point Man to make sure others learned to live after war.

Part 2

Part two, Iraq vet talks about PTSD and his work with Point Man Ministries and how he put the gun in his mouth

PTSD Not God's Judgment

PTSD Not God's Judgment

There is suddenly a lot of talk about "moral injury" and combat PTSD. It is survivor's guilt adding to what is known as PTSD but unlike other causes of PTSD, this one is harder to heal from. The good news is, you were not judged by God but He has put what you need to heal already in your soul. It is our job to connect you to it again. Contact Point Man International Ministries to show you the way.

Healing PTSD since 1984. Vietnam veteran came home, became a Seattle Police Officer and knew the price being paid by others. It started with a simple cup of coffee and taking time to listen to what was the soul crushing silence.

Coming Out of the Dark from 2006

Coming out of the Dark from 2006 
Don't suffer in silence!

Why be afraid if you're not alone? Life is never easy, the rest is unknown. The song is by Gloria Estefan and the first time I heard it, all I could think about were the Vietnam veterans I spent so much time with including my husband. You are not alone fighting to heal PTSD just as you were not alone during combat.

Vietnam Veterans and PTSD

Turn the Page from 2009

Vietnam veterans were sent there by themselves. They went into units as strangers. They came out as brothers and fought for all generations of veterans. You can turn the page of your past and into a better future. Like all memories, they do not end your story. They add to it.
This is from a ride to the Wall in Washington with the Nam Knights.

When I say that I learned from the best teachers, Sammy is one of them. In this video he talked about "tools" and how to move forward. Not by forgetting, but by making peace with the memories.

Vietnam Medal of Honor Sammy Davis has a message to all the troops coming home. Talk about it! Don't try to forget it but you can make peace with it. Dixie Davis has a message for the spouses too. Help them to talk about it with you or with someone else.

Vietnam veterans said they would never leave one generation behind. They fought for each other and for all generations but have been forgotten. 

Reporters just don't have time for them or reminding anyone that they waited longer, suffered longer, are the majority of the suicides, attempted suicides and those waiting for claims to be honored by the VA.

Had it not been for them, nothing would have been done on PTSD. 

When you watch this video, you'll see that they deserve just as much attention as the newer veterans. The problem is, none of our veterans get enough of anything!

Another video from 2006

When you ask a veteran when they were in combat, some will tell you it was last night. That is how strong the memories are. None of this is new. It goes back generations yet for all the awareness being talked about, they now know less than they knew before.

Forever Young
My wish for veterans in the New Year is that all of you know how much it means to be able to spend so much time with all of you.

"May God bless you and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder
To the stars
And climb on every rung
And may you stay
Forever young"