If you’ve been around this watering hole a while, I hope you’re receiving regular(ish!) fresh air encouragement that helps you see your life and circumstances through the filter of God’s care and provision. I hope you find a story or two here that helps make sense of your own and helps you see your season with more hope and less worry. As I strive to do these things as a change mentor, belonging helper, and all around encourager to anyone stopping by, I also strive to champion military families within that context. On that note, if you’re a military spouse OR know one who is, you’ll want to see what I have up my sleeve!
Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I’ve long considered military spouses heroes on the Homefront, women and men quietly serving their families, communities, and country behind the scenes. In honor of the good work they do, I’m offering a giveaway of some favorite things to all past and present military spouses AND one of their friends! If you’ve ever been a military spouse, you’re eligible to enter. HOT DIGGITY.
Before I tell you about the goodies, let me mention that the giveaway is happening on my instagram account. To enter, all you have to do is first find me there @kristenstrong, open the latest post, and comment with your favorite duty station AND tag the friend you’d share the loot with. Of course, anyone can also tag a military spouse they know who may be interested in entering herself! So, if you’d like to enter, check it out right here.
Alrighty, here’s the lowdown on what the winning military spouse AND her bestie will receive:
- A gift certificate to purchase your own 4 things tote from The Shop Forward: I love these totes because you can personalize them with 4 things that say YOU and help you know you belong regardless of where you move or how long you live there.
- One Line a Day Five-Year Memory Book: This book provides a place to record a short memory of yours or your family’s each day. It’s fun to read years down the road and know that no matter where you were at the time, you can carry the memories right along with you today.
- Hummingbird Farms lotion trio: My daughter and I both LOVE this lotion, especially the lavender citrus. It’s ultra moisturizing and smells so calming and refreshing. @hummingbirdfarms
- 1 copy of Girl Meets Change and Back Roads to Belonging by yours truly: While both books certainly speak to anyone and everyone struggling with change and belonging, military spouses have told me time and again that reading them is like coming home.
This giveaway ends next Wednesday, May 13th, when one winner will be randomly picked. Also, 0% of this post is sponsored by instagram or anyone else—these are just faves of mine!
And if you’re not so closely associated with the military, thank you for the grace of two military-centered posts in a row. That rarely happens here, but well…I guess that’s in keeping with these rare times we’re living in right now!
When I think of my own days as a military wife, it’s impossible for me not to also think of other military spouses. They were a saving grace to me in countless ways, and I still count many of them as my closest friends. They were–and still are!–some of the bravest, kindest, most generous folks on the planet who just did regular life within circumstances that were anything but regular.
So to all our military spouses, I offer you a virtual slice of really good cake today, and I thank you for all you do. I sure wish we could hang out on my porch and listen to some Lady A. But since we can’t (dang logistics! dang pandemic!), know I’m thinking of you today and singing your praises in my own way.
Your service is no small thing, and you’re so beloved.
