It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to my sweet friend, Hannah Conway. Hannah is a writer, mother and the wife of a soldier. And let me tell you, this girl knows how to do funny. I can never read her blog without laughing. Out. Loud. Hannah, thank you so much for sitting down with us today! I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than to celebrate friends, family and the men and women who work so hard to keep this country safe.
H: Hi Joanne, and every one out there! It really is such an honor to be with you here today!
J: Hannah, you are a mommy of two young children and the wife of a soldier. Tell us a little about your family and what it’s like having a husband in the war?
H: Oh goodness…we could be here for a while! 🙂 Well, my husband, Stephen and I have been married almost 10 years, and have been in the military almost 10 years! We are Kentuckynatives…yes, we have all of our teeth, we wear shoes, and go to school–you would not believe the misconceptions about Kentuckians floating around out there! lol 🙂 Stephen and I met in high school, and then dated in college before marrying right after he joined the Army. We have two incredibly beautiful and wonderful children, our son Mclain who is seven, and our daughter, Willa, who is two. Currently we are stationed in Fort Campbell, KY and reside in Clarksville, TN just outside of base. That’s our family! Oh, and our dog Jack! 🙂
J: I love hearing about how you guys met. What is it like having a husband at war?
H: That’s easy to answer! It’s NOT FUN! 🙂 This is deployment number four and they never get any easier. I’m not going to act like it’s easy and that I do not struggle because there are days when I can’t help but cry. It’s stressful…being Mommy and Daddy, trying to keep it all together for the kids and still deal with your own issues…it’s just hard. When Stephen is deployed I am reminded of how much he really contributes to this family. I miss our evenings laughing together, our family weekends. I miss the hugs, kisses, watching him wrestle with the kids. I miss having him put on my son’s football helmet! I try my best to remain positive, surround myself with positive people, and drown myself in the Bible. Though this is a difficult time, it is also a time that I can grow in my faith, and watch God work in some amazing ways. Growing is hard, hence the growing pains we all experienced in childhood, but the end results can be pretty amazing…I just have to keep reminding myself of that.
Right now I have been covering Stephen and his men with Psalm 91 and already, only two months into this deployment, God has proven himself faithful to protect them. I have always heard that God’s word is living, but I have never really understood that until this deployment. Seeing the Word in action is nothing short of breathtaking and so completely mind boggling that I have to smile just thinking about it!
J: Your attitude and realness is so genuine. I love that you cover Stephen and his men with Psalm 91. What a blessing to those men, and I’m sure it builds your faith as you do. I love seeing this picture of you two at your wedding. What says romance to you? What would be your perfect date?
H: I’m smiling right now! I’m definitely a romantic person, and for me, the “little” things are what says romance! Little notes here and there, dancing barefoot in the kitchen, unexpected kisses…those things are incredibly romantic! Geez, my husband doing the dishes is pretty romantic for me too! 🙂 My perfect date would have to include a delicious meal and dessert (chocolate cake) that I didn’t have to prepare, eaten preferably in a dimly light, cozy nook of a restaurant, followed by a slow walk under a canopy of trees where my handsome husband and I would dance, laugh and talk until sunset.
J: Awwww. I bet you would just savor and treasure every moment of it!!
As a writer, what story do you want to tell? When readers read your work, what do you hope they will take away from it?
H: I want to tell the story of forgiveness, compassion and restoration…basically, Love’s story…mine and Stephen’s story. I want to tell, no, I HAVE to tell how God stepped in and saved the day on so many levels and how He can do the same for my readers! My novel, The Wounded Warrior’s Wife, is based on my experiences as an Army wife. It follows Whitleigh Haynes, a young college student, and PFC Collier Cromwell as they take leap of faith and marry vowing to love one another for better or for worse. When the Army sends Collier directly on an unaccompanied year long tour to Korea, and then immediately on a twelve month combative tour in Iraq, the Newlyweds spend their first two years of marriage single, and desperately struggling to bridge the gap that distance and the hells of war create. Their trial continues as Collier returns from war a changed man, and it doesn’t take long for the sweet relief of reunion to turn bittersweet when the deep, oozing, war inflicted wounds in Collier’s heart and mind begin to threaten their marriage, and shake their faith to the core. Whitleigh grapples to keep her vows as the man she loves becomes increasingly bitter and aloof. This is a story of faith, courage, loss, commitment, and above all else, this is a story of love at its finest.
I definitely want my readers to identify with my characters and love them oodles and oodles, but if they were to take away a message I would want it to be something like this: God loves you. He has great plans for your life. In Him there is always hope. Trust Him even when you think you can’t.
J: What a great message: Trust Him even when you think you can’t.
What is a verse that’s meaningful to you during this stage in your life?
H: I cannot just pick one verse when so many have meant so much to me throughout this time in my life. Right now I find myself leaning on these scriptures: Proverbs 3: 5&6, Romans 8:28, and Psalm 91.
Prov. 3:5&6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
You will have to look up Psalm 91…it’s pretty long to put on here!
J: Such good verses and I love that you cover those men in prayer. You are doing a special work even right from your home.
As we wrap up here, how about 3 fun facts!
H: Haha, just three? I feel sometimes like am the quirkiest person in the world…which is kind of fact! lol 🙂
1. I absolutely love being out in nature…trails, trees, dirt roads… you name it and I’m there!
2. I am pretty dorky in the way that I highly regard History.
3. I am incredibly fond of antique shops, and could spend hours browsing around wondering what story is behind each item on the shelf.
J: Love it! I bet we’d all like to join you! My last question is: How can we pray for you?
H: Pray that God keeps our family safe from any kind of harm, and that my husband and his men will return safely. I specifically need prayer for energy, lol. There are days where I just feel poured out and unable to go on. On those days I find myself irritable, and I do not want to be that way towards my kids, family and friends. So pray for energy, and that God will continue to fill me up and encourage me with His word and with the fellowship of awesome godly friends!
About Hannah:
Hannah Conway, a Kentucky native, has been an Army wife for nine years with personal experiences in learning to love her wounded warrior throughout the good times and the bad, relying solely on God for support and guidance. When she isn’t tending to her family, Hannah is involved with PWOC and MOPS, enjoys community service projects, jogging—slowly, gardening, and the challenge of a Pinterest craft. A good book, a piece of chocolate, Chai tea latte, and an outdoor setting have also been known to take her captive on more occasions that she likes to admit. Hannah and her family currently reside in Clarksville, TN outside of Fort Campbell Army base. You can visit her blog or follow her on Twitter!
Fantastic interview! I have the privilege of serving Hannah and her family as their pastor, and I can tell you–Hannah’s the real deal! May God bless and use The Wounded Warrior’s Wife!
Thanks Brother Larry!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Mr. Robertson! It’s a pleasure that you stopped by. Hannah is a joy. I have admired her heart and her enthusiasm and her humor. It was so wonderful to get to interview her and I’ve been so thankful to get to know her as a friend. Happy new year to you and your family!
I loved this interview! Hannah sounds like a very down to earth person you would love to have as a neighbor and friend! May God bless her family and keep her husband safe!
Thanks Donna! Hahaa, I think I’m pretty down to earth. 🙂 Thank you for such a kind blessing! 🙂
Donna, I am so glad you stopped by to visit with Hannah! She is a gem and I’m excited to see what the Lord does in her life and with her writing. Happy New Year!
Joanne, thank you for taking the time to interview me! I can’t stop giggling like a little girl! lol 🙂
Hannah, I am just pleased as punch to have you here!! I have loved getting to know you and learning about your lovely family. I’m saying an extra prayer for you today for God’s blessing on you all this new year!
what a beautiful interview. I must read Hannah’s book and what a blessing in Psalm 91 prayed over her husband and his co-soldiers. I am so moved by our faithful soldiers who serve this country. May we start this New Year committed to joining in prayer with Hannah and trusting God to work amazingly in the hearts of these dedicated men and women
I am so glad you enjoyed this interview with Hannah! Her book isn’t published yet, but as it’s in the works, I’m excited to see how God uses her and her writing! I am sure it will bless Hannah to have your prayers and your gratitude for those who serve. Thanks so much for being here!!
Hannah,after sitting at your kitchen table a few months ago and now reading this interview. My heart smiles. How God has placed you here in our very own church and is using you to share HIS powerful message of forgiveness and love. Thank you so much for just being open and honest.
Jeanie, it is so nice to meet you! It sounds like you are a friend of Hannah and I’m just smiling at the thought of your heart smiling. 🙂 That is so beautiful. Isn’t it wonderful to get to hear her heart? 🙂 Blessings to you both!!
Hannah,
I am so proud of you and can not wait to read your book!!!
Thank You for opening up your life and sharing your life with us. With you sharing what you live, do you know how many people you will help? And sharing your faith in God makes me smile. I also have that faith in God and faith in you.
Love You Hunny Bun
Jeanie, It is such a joy to get to meet some of the people in Hannah’s life and hear how you all just surround her in love!! I am so looking forward to hearing this story and I love all of your enthusiasm and to see how God is already moving through the story she has to tell! All the best!
Thanks to one of Hannah’s friends for sharing this interview. Hannah was a Chrysalis kid with my son, and has always had a beautiful spirit.
Joanne – I discovered your work during a recent on-line scavenger hunt. What a wonderful tool for introducing writers to a new audience. Who knows, maybe you will be introducing Hannah in that venue someday.
Claudia, it sounds like a neat history you have with Hannah and her family. 🙂 I’m so glad you found the interview!
I love the idea of this scavenger hunt. I have never heard of it! I’m so glad that it helped us meet then and now. So glad to officially get to meet you. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hannah, I love you and think you are one incredible woman. I am lucky to call you friend and I am proud of all you have accomplished. I especially love that you are willing to share your journey through this time in your life. I can’t wait to read The Wounded Warrior’s Wife!
Diana, welcome! I am so glad that you came by for Hannah’s interview. I agree. This story will bless so many families and encourage so many people. I was just so blown away by the joy and strength that she has emanated through God and his comfort 🙂
It’s very nice to meet you, Hannah. I’ve recently moved to Kentucky from Texas, and what a change! Bless your brave husband and all of our soldiers for their service.
Gwen, what a move! I’ve been to Texas once or twice as a kid, but never to Kentucky. I imagine that it is so green 🙂 Isn’t it wonderful? So much to be thankful for for these wonderful soldiers.
Hi Gwendolyn! I love your name! What part of Kentucky did you move to? Yes, going from Texas to KY is quite a change! Hahaha 🙂 I love my Texas friends! Just remember to root for the Wildcats and you will be fine! 🙂
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