Onward by Faith: A Mothers Journey to Iraq and Back by Gina Gippner was uplifting, inspirational, humorous and insightful. The snippets of her life raising her children including a son who would become a US Marine during the war in Iraq apply to any mothers life and reading the stories made me smile. This book should be read by every mother.
Netta - from Virginia
I read Gina Gippner's book, Onward by Faith: A Mother's Journey to Iraq and Back. She captured all the emotions I felt as my own son went through boot camp, his deployments and homecomings. Her funny pig stories got me through the difficult times when she wrote them online, and again in book form. I truly enjoyed reading her stories as I felt like she was telling my story albeit without the pigs. If you have a child that is in the Marines or any military branch, this book is for you. Gina's combination of humor and faith in God help you as a mother of a child in the military reach out to others and find strength where you weren't sure there was any. Thanks to Gina, I was able to laugh when I often felt to afraid to speak.
Carolyn Hall-PMM of Cpl Joshua Hall USMC from Ohio.
As a mom of a Marine veteran I would recommend Onward By Faith to the families and friends of new military recruits. It is an inspiring and heartfelt account of one mom's journey through her son's Marine Corp experience. Having had my son in harm's way through two deployments to Iraq, I could relate to many of the stories Gina shared in her book. This book gives an honest look at the highs and lows of emotions a mom experiences while her son or daughter is playing in the sand (Iraq or Afghanistan). Gina has a gift of finding humor in the midst of the roller coaster of emotions and gives insightful scripture verses as well.
Sue Wigg -Bloomingdale,Il
I just finished my copy of Gina's book! I cant say in words what it means to me to be a small part of such a great work! I want to thank Gina and Jan for doing this and I urge all moms to read it!! All family members will get a blessing from reading it, I promise!!
Paula *VPMM to Cpl.C and VPMMIL to Cpl.F. "Once a Marine...Always a Marine!" I LOVE YOU SONS!
Dear Gina,
I received my book today and like everyone else I love it. I am going to order a few more copies to give to people at work. They do not have kids in the Marines but your book is so great I just think they need to read it. But I am not willing to give up my copy.. I also read you post about becoming a granny. I am not one yet, and probably won't be for a few more years but I liked your G-Ma. I think I am going to use that one when the time gets here. Hope you and your family are safe and well.
God Bless all our Marines and their families
Alice, Proud MUMZ of Michael...Still in the sandbox.
We received Gina's book/dvd on July 25th and I took it with me on vacation.... I read it twice!!! My son has been in the Marines since 1997, and I have read all of Gina's posts on MMO....we have definitly been there and done that! I hope you all get a chance to read Gina's book. I cried and I laughed....and cried and laughed again! Gina's way with story telling sure makes it sounds like she's sitting across the kitchen table with a cup of coffee talking about those pigs and her children. Going through boot and the deployments (5 deployments- 3 to the sandbox) have had to be the most dificult times for me, I thought the teenage years were tough but nothing compares to having a child in the Marines AND I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING!! I am so proud of my son and of all our Marines. The unknown in life is scary and sometimes difficult, but having gone through all those experiences have made me and my son, I hope, better people. No one better than a Marine Mom can understand the feelings a Marine Mom goes through during boot and deployments. I'm so glad we have MMO and hats off to the moderators, you all deserve ((hugs)).
Cindy Shoaf, Central California and VPMM of Sgt. Robert
I have just finished reading Gina's book. It is one that should be found in every library. The extra treat for me was seeing pictures to go with names I have come to know these past 4 years and to see pictures of Marines that I have sent cards to. Gina is a remarkable woman and I am so glad I found her on this wonderful site. Many thanks to our moderators for the fantastic job they do.
Wanda Hall (FL) PMGM of LCpl Lance
Direct Road to the Hamlet of Contentment
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Cross the stile of Self-denial, thence on the path of Temperance, over the hill of Benevolence, along the stream of Purity, and down the vale of Kindness, and just beyond the view of the rock of Resignation the hamlet comes to view.
Traveller! Onward, with God’s Blessing!
To Order: Onward by Faith
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