Hello there, dearheart!
I’m Kristen, and I’m so happy to meet you. I’m wife to a U.S. Air Force Veteran, mama to three delightful older kiddos, and your change mentor, belonging helper, and all around listening friend. I write as a friend helping you discover a more hopeful view of the difficult change in your life. I love to write stories that help you make sense of your own and help you see your season with more expectation and less worry. Here’s some ways I’d love to connect with you:
Weekly(ish) Notes from My Heart to Yours
Once a week or so, I send notes relaying everything from helpful words for difficult transitions to a few of my favorite things. Sometimes the notes come from my porch straight to your inbox. At other times, I tap them out for my website here. You can receive those articles from my online home, as well as the aforementioned more “newsletters notes,” via email as well. Rest assured, each message come from my heart straight to yours.
If you’re interested in subscribing, you may do so here. In doing so, you won’t only receive new posts from this blog, but you’ll receive those I write at my other online writing home, (in)courage.
When Change Finds You: A Devotional
If you would like to think and feel differently on the inside about the difficult change in your life so you can live and love differently on the outside, then this book is for you. Read more about it here, and find links to purchase at Amazon, B&N, and Baker Books.
Need help in finding your place and your people?
In a world of increasing technology, we are more connected today than any other generation. Then why do we feel lonely, as if we’re on the outside looking in? Or like we’re missing out on something? In Back Roads to Belonging, find your road map to your own place of belonging–no matter where you live.
Walk the slower pace with me and learn how to create an environment of connection within our culture of disconnection. Along the way, learn simple, doable actions that not only will help you feel and know that you belong but will welcome others in as well.
You can read more about the book here, read endorsements, as well as order it from your favorite retailer (Amazon here and B&N here). Some links are affiliate links.
My first book:
In 2015, my first book Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You Through Life’s Transitions was published by Revell (Baker Publishing Group). It is written for any woman who has or has had an adversarial relationship with change and would like to gather a more hopeful vision of her personal life change. It includes not only my history with change but also the change stories of other woman. It is for any person who needs regular reminders as to the reasons for the change in her life. I hope this book is the safe place where your anxiety over the change in your life meets God’s sense of purpose found within it. You can read more about the book at www.girlmeetschange.com, and you can order it from your favorite bookseller including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or DaySpring. (All Amazon links are affiliate links.)
Free Small Group Companion Guide
Want to lead a small group discussion about Girl Meets Change or dive a little deeper into how God is using change for you? Access your copy of the small group companion guide here for FREE.
Want to be insta-buddies?
I’d love to hang out with you on instagram, my favorite form of social media! Connect with me there!
Free Change Challenge from Me to You
Could you use a more hopeful vision of the change in your life? If so, you might be interested in receiving my Free 7 Day Change Challenge. To get your pdf copy, simply enter your name and email right here and whether you’d like to receive notification for blogposts or my monthly-ish newsletter or both. Upon doing so, you’ll immediately receive a confirmation email. Once you confirm your subscription, the 7 Day Change Challenge will land in your inbox.
Also, visit here to access more freebies to encourage you through your season of change.
In addition to helping folks see change in a more hopeful light, I’ve been told my writing serves others by:
- encouraging the encourager
- championing military spouses and families
- serving as a change mentor
- providing perspective on developing friendships
- helping you find a renewed sense of belonging
- inspiring you to see yourself like Jesus does
- moving your identity and heart to rest in their true home
Speaking
Because of family commitments, I do a limited number of speaking engagements each year. If you’re interested in requesting me for your group or event, visit right here.
More about Kristen
Born and raised under the wide-blue-skies of the Oklahoma prairies, I later attended Oklahoma State University before marrying my good military man, David, and finishing my degree in music education at Miami University of Ohio. David and I have been married for 26 years. We lived the US Air Force life until a few years ago when he retired from active duty after 26 years of service. But I still write about military life from time to time.
I loved teaching music in public schools to Kindergarteners through 5th graders till the frequent moves, my husband’s traveling, and having twin sons made that too tricky. So I became a stay-at-home mama who rediscovered my childhood friend of writing as a way to process my grown-up thoughts and experiences.
In 2009, I talked 3 friends into starting a blog with me because I was too scared to do it by myself. With much talent of their own, Cheryl, Jen and Rebecca graciously wrote alongside me till 2011 when I began blogging at my own space right here.
David and I have 3 children, two of which are twenty-two year old twin sons. We also have a daughter who is eighteen, and these kiddos are our favorite people on God’s green earth.
David’s last assignment in the USAF was at the U.S Air Force Academy, and we ended up staying here! So, we enjoy all the benefits that laying deeper roots in a community provides. Lord willing, we hope to drink in the Colorado blue skies here as long as possible.
Other writings
Some of my more popular posts include the following:
If You’re a Lonely Mom of Big Kids or Teens
What to Do When You’re Waiting on Friendships
When You Need Friends But Have a Hard Time Finding Them
For the Days You Need to Practice What You Preach {and a friendship Prayer}
50 Reasons Why You the Military Wife Deserve a Standing Ovation
A Prayer for Sons {For All the Things I Forget to Remember}
One Thing That Happens Every Time You’re Brave
Why I want to See Broccoli in Your Teeth
For the Days You Wonder Why You Do What You Do
20 Ways to Love the Military Spouse in Your Neighborhood
What Every Bit of Bad News Holds
Prayer for the Strong-Willed Child
Other places you can find me:
Instagram (my fave!)
I am a monthly contributor for (in)courage, the blog of DaySpring.
I write to remind how Jesus fills every gap and need. I’m gonna be myself here, and I hope you feel this is a genuine place that encourages your soul, your relationships, and your faith. As you peruse this space, I pray you find authentic words and inspiring pictures that tell you of the fresh-air hope that is Jesus. You’re always welcome here!
You’re very welcome here! I pray it’s an inviting, relaxing place for you to experience a breath of fresh air by way of hopeful images and words. I’m so glad you’re here! Stay as long as you’d like.
Note: Many Amazon links in my posts are affiliate links. This means for every purchase you make through my affiliate link, I make a small percentage rate of earnings (at no additional cost to you). This just helps things keep on running here at this site!