Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Recipe for a Military Spouse

1 1/2 cups Patience

1 cup Courage

3/4 cup Tolerance

dash of Adventure

1 pound of Ability

To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for 7 months. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Pour off excess fat and sprinkle ever so lightly with money then knead dough until payday. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings.

Friday May 11, 2012 was marked as military spouse appreciation day. I had some great time just to sit and reflect on some of the most incredible women God has placed in my life since being "active duty" with Andrew. These women have shown me what it means to love sacrificially, be completely dedicated to what God has for them and their family, and to faithfully serve all they come into contact with. They are my forever friends and and each one holds a special place in my heart. 

I also found a friend who blogged about some of the things she enjoyed or appreciated about being a military spouse and I thought this was too fun of an idea for me NOT to do...especially since I have been such a terrible blogger. 

Things I have enjoyed and/or have appreciated about being a military spouse:

1- I have learned to enjoy every day- no matter how mundane or adventurous it may be- with Andrew. There is a constant reality that military families live with. You are never guaranteed that  your husband will not deploy or be out for training. Each day we are to live to the fullest. Because you never know what to expect, I am so thankful for the littlest things. Since Andrew was in NC for several months this year and I was needed to stay in VA, I learned to enjoy every single night that I got with him during the week. Since being active duty I have also loved hearing Andrew come in from work and knowing he is home finally. It brings joy to my heart to see his smiling face each day that I am blessed with. 

2- It has made me realize that there are tons of things I can do that I never thought I'd have to. While Andrew has been away for trainings...i have been through the biggest earthquake on the east coast, prepared for a hurricane, researched how to sell a car and successfully sold it, learned the difference between many different types of tools, learned how to jump a car, talk to a mechanic and not feel insignificant, traveled during rush hour traffic to DC, ect. Things I never thought the "wife" would ever need to know how to do, I have been equipped to realize I am stronger than I think and God will give me the wisdom and ability to get things accomplished. 

3- Adventure land! I have always loved to travel and I know that being early in our military career there is much more traveling we have ahead of us. I have loved each adventure Andrew and I have had together. We have been to places we never imagined we would ever live. We have ventured from our beloved state of Arkansas and explored much of the US. Growing up, I always saw myself staying in AR and traveling would have been for vacation- not for discovering our new home. Each place we live will bring about challenges and I have the blessed opportunity to find what kind of adventure those challenges will hold. 

4- My friends. God has richly blessed me with deep friendships at all stages of life. He has also given me some of the most amazing women I could have ever wished to get to know and love. These women truly understand what it is like to be married in the military. I always heard it said that the military community is like none other...and that is very true. We are a family. We depend on each other-even if its just for those quick ice cream and movie dates late at night when we can't sleep while our husband is out in the field. 

5- My faith has deepened considerably since we have been active duty. I rely on God in a completely new way. He has taught me so much about himself as my protector, provider, and giver of all things. He has changed my heart in a way that can only be characterized as the working of the Holy Spirit. 

You could probably ask anyone I knew growing up and they would have told you that never in a million years did I ever see myself being a military spouse.... but God's plan trumped mine in a big way and for that I am grateful.