Military wife Beth Stroehman leads a support group for military spouses, but she is quick to acknowledge that the idea for the group did not originate with her. Instead, she credits one of the pastors on staff at the Lighthouse Christian Center, or LCC, in Puyallup where she attends with her family. He had recognized the need for a group to support military spouses and asked Stroehman and church member Elizabeth Fehrman if they'd consider starting one.

"Neither of us had led any type of ministry small group before, so we built the group around our own needs," explained Stroehman, whose husband is an Air Force C-17 pilot at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  "We wanted to connect with other military wives, share a meal, maybe have an evening without our kids and engage in meaningful, encouraging conversation."

The pair started off meeting in Fehrman's home, but after six months of watching the group grow they realized they needed a bigger space and moved to the church. In addition to providing the space, LCC provides free child care during the group's dinner meetings.

The group is not only open to all branches of the military and all ranks; it is also open to those who do not attend LCC. Ladies are encouraged to bring friends, and the door is always open for new members to join. Also, since the group ranges in age and experience - from a wife with a retired husband to a wife brand-new to the service - different perspectives are often voiced. The only stipulation is being female, and they aren't flexible on that.

"Due to the climbing divorce rates in the military, we've focused a lot of our studies on marriage," she said. "I feel, particularly as a Christian group, that we should be encouraging each other in our marriages."

Usually about half of the ladies in the group are going through a deployment at any given time, so emotional support from those who truly understand is invaluable. Stroehman, who herself was an Air Force Intelligence Officer for five years, feels that this creates a healthy mix. The group meets the first and third Sunday of most months from 4:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Stroehman at coach_beth@yahoo.com.