Life Outside the Gate

What happens when your military kids grow up? Check out this article by a military brat who knows! She writes, “Take heart—it’s not as bad as you think. I’m a military kid but I’m all grown up now. And I survived. So let me change your thinking for a minute…” Go to post at Wings4Women.org

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It’s Here! How Taxing!

Ugh! Tax time is quickly looming before us. But luckily, as military members and families, we are not left out in the cold to figure it out by ourselves. Military 1 Source and other resources are available to keep you from pulling your hair out! Check out my post on our new website, Wings4Women.org

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Some thoughts from Cynthia

Cynthia Nimerichter was a Keynote Speaker at our 2010 Colorado Conference. She reminded us all about living graciously and having a delicious life. The following thoughts on 2011 was in her newsletter this month and she has graciously allowed me to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Alane

As 2011 arrives …

I am obsessed with making New Year’s resolutions. There is something about a fresh start, a new beginning, which appeals to me.
And yet I would be embarrassed to tell you how often I fail to keep my promises to myself. In fact, I can only think of a couple of resolutions that I have kept! see more at our new website Wings4Women.org

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Holiday Stress Got You Down?

Be sure to check out our new website/blog for tips on letting go of the Holiday SHOULDs and embrace the joy of the season! Wings4Women.org/blog  Go Now

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The following is an excerpt from Michelle Cuthrell’s book, Behind the Blue Star Banner, it resonated with me and I thought it was a good time of year to share this. Michelle’s book has really opened my eyes to see the bigger picture; not just the trials I am having, but the reason why my husband serves his country and what it really means. When we can look at our lives through the eyes of our spouse, it helps us build a better marriage. Thank you Michelle for letting me share this!

 

From Until they Come Home | October 21, 2005 | by Michelle Cuthrell

Being a military wife isn’t easy. No, I’m not on the battlefield, and no, I’m not the one facing the fire. Those are true heroes. But I do take some of the shots. I sacrifice, too. While my husband faces the attacks of insurgents and the casualties of war, I face attacks of depression and the casualties of worry and stress. It’s not just a long-distance relationship I have to hold together anymore; it’s my sanity. And that task has never been harder. …It’s a lot for one person to handle. And it’s sometimes difficult to hold my tongue and be supporting when the only thing I want, the only thing I ask for, is to be a normal family–together in the same place for more than six months at one time. It doesn’t seem like that should be asking too much. And yet, when it comes to service our country, I’m starting to realize that it has to be. Although I complain about holidays alone and long, lonely nights, I quickly forget that my husband endures those things, too–only read more

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Spiritual Makeover by Carolyn Quick Tillery

I met Carolyn last winter through Facebook–an amazing woman and author with a big heart for the military spouse. She is the USCENTCOM Personal & Family Readiness Program Director. Thank you Carolyn, for letting me share your Makeover Journey!

“…For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jermiah 29:11 NIV)

Recently, I planned to redecorate a bedroom in my northern Florida home, which was looking “well loved” and worn. I’d overlooked its shabby appearance for some time because the Carthage by Croscill pattern in which it was decorated, which I loved, had recently been retired and was no longer available for sale. However, finally, with some prodding from family members, even I could no longer overlook the outdated window treatments, or the worn, flattened comforter. It was time for a makeover… However, I was reluctant to give up what I knew and loved even though it no longer presented well, without knowing whether I could find something that I liked quite as well. And I searched for something similar to no avail. In addition, I was on a tight budget. What a dilemma. Those who know me know I sought to resolve my dilemma at my favorite retailers –local thrift stores. For weeks I looked and either could not find what I wanted or what I found was not a good value for the dollar.
Disappointed, I began with the window treatments, in hopes that the issue of the comforter would resolve itself. Removing the floor length sheers to better expose the 2-inch wood blinds, I left the Carthage toppers and updated the look by asymmetrically draping a sheer scarf on the pole tops. Stepping back to observe my creation, I pronounced it good, but not quite good enough because the color of the sheers was off just a smidge. As a result, I was not totally satisfied until a few days later when I walked into a thrift shop and found the perfect comforter,. It was new without tags (NWT) It coordinated perfectly with the color of the scarves, which I earlier complained were off just a tad and would not have selected if I had other available options. The Turkish pattern coordinated perfectly with the tweed texture and color of the drapes. Every color was a perfect match. Not Paprika red to a ruby or garnet… no, this was paprika to paprika, slate blue to slate blue, burnished gold to burnished gold. It coordinated perfectly.
Through this experience I was reminded that God, makes over or conforms us to the image of Christ. He who sees the end from the beginning, is coordinating our lives to His transforming Word, perfect will and purpose for our lives. As a result, he uses trials to remove from us that which prevents us from presenting the image in which we were created. Often we are presented options we would not choose for ourselves and do not fully appreciate until we see the next “decorator item” and how perfectly it fits in the overall pattern of our lives. But it is not until we see the final outcome that we appreciate God’s earlier work in our lives because, unlike God, we view the master’s work in segments. – that which is presently before us, while God, who knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb and is constantly working for our good, sees far into the future. Had I seen the comforter from the beginning, I would not have fretted and worried so about letting go of the old comforter or matching and coordinating the new colors. Such is our faith walk with God, who sees the end from the beginning. Fear of the unknown prevents us from moving beyond our comfort zone to the hope and the future that God has for us. Faith is the bridge that takes us confidently and courageously from what we don’t know to that which God knew and planned for us from the very beginning!

Where is God working in your life? What pieces of your spiritual bedroom has he replaced that might not make sense to you? Have you gotten a surprise “match” that made everything more clear? Share YOUR story below!



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New Wings Video

Check out our new Wings Conference Video!

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Travel Day

Hi All! I can’t wait to share with you the photos, videos, quotes, etc about the conference over the weekend! I’m traveling today but will be posting these things as soon as I can this week–so keep checking back!

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Which would you prefer?

We’re coming down to the wire for the conference and I want to give away a really wonderful door prize at the end of our event. So instead of picking something that I like, I wanted to find out what you think the best door prize would be… Thanks for your input!

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Scholarship Giveaway

We received a donation for three scholarships to the Wings Conference May 14-15 and we just gave them away to three facebook fans in Colorado Springs: LAUREN ROBERTS, MELISSA BOYLE and .KALYN DIAL-GILLESPIE! I am so excited that these three ladies get to go to the conference this year! Congratulations! Be sure to join the Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences Fan Page on Facebook to get in on specials and such.

Have a nice weekend!

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