After posting this pic to my EIH Facebook page this week…you may think otherwise, but I do want you to know that I am not a stalker, okay? 
Today on 24/7 MOMS, I wrote about stalking investigating a woman who I feel so blessed to call my mentor and friend, Liz. I hope you’ll go over and stalk check it out!
What’s a trait that you admire about a woman that you admire?
(You know I have “issues” with blaming!)
Last night, I was able to hug my sweet friend, Kim. The last time Kim and her family were stationed in the Washington DC area, Kim was my MOPS leader. (If you’re a mother of a preschooler, check out MOPS!) I was new a new mother and Kim’s leadership in MOPS provided me a safe circle of friends to talk about spit ups, lack of sit ups and hairy legs.
The Finkster and I go to an awesome but rather large church, Christian Fellowship Church, and MOPS gave me a community where I belonged in my church. I blame, and sincerely THANK, sweet Kim! 
Last night, (nine years later) I was afforded the incredible privilege to (hopefully) circle back and encourage her as she did for me years ago! My kids have grown enough that they no longer spit up (well, usually), I do have more exercise time and for the record, I am shaving my legs much more often these days! Just thought you should know…
Last night, this proud veteran had an awesome opportunity to circle back to serve my country in an entirely different way. I found myself again in a room full of warriors but these warriors weren’t issued uniforms or combat boots. No, these warriors often stand on the home front battlefield alone so their husbands can be uniformed on another battlefield…in uniformed service to our great nation.
God allowed me to circle back to the military community, to speak with the Hearts Apart community and I loved every second of it! I even made some new friends, too!
Last night, I spoke to an amazing group of women, the ladies of Hearts Apart. My friend, Kim, is a member of Hearts Apart. Hearts Apart exists to strengthen the unity between a military wife and Christ, a military wife and her husband, and a military wife and other military wives.
If you are a woman who lives in the Washington DC metro area (VA, DC, MD) and are married to a military member, please consider checking out this group! You’ll be very glad you did (and they serve dinner too!)!
It’s Wednesday and you know I want to know “Wassup?”
What’s a circle of friends where you have felt safe and celebrate? Maybe a book club, Bible study, MOPS/MOMSnext group, exercise group, dinner club, or Hearts Apart?
*If you are a woman married to a military member (active or retired), please leave a comment below with your name and city/state, because I’d love to send you a FREE copy of my talk last night as my way of saying, “THANK YOU!” (If nothing else, it’ll help you get some needed sleep in! 
For anyone who’s not in the military, here are some ideas on how you can support our troops found in the wonderful 24/7 MOMS community! Weary Warriors Part 1 (To Do’s) and Weary Warriors Part 2 (Try-Not-To-Do’s)!
There was a woman crying yesterday in Purcellville, Virginia.
That’s where I had a speaking engagement just yesterday morning.
Do you know why I went over to her after my talk?
Because there was a woman crying eleven years ago in Purcellville, Virginia.
Me.
The reason I had to go over to the woman crying in Purcellville, Virginia yesterday is because I knew those eyes and tears.
The last time I was in Purcellville, Virginia I was moving out of our home and the Finkster and I were separating.
And for the record, it was the worst time of my entire life.
It’s naive, now, for me to ask God, “WHY did you allow such pain?”
God has plans for pain. He may not have caused the pain, but He sure can use it.
God allowed the pain and saw my tears so I could “hug it forward”. I gave my new friend the biggest boob-to-boob bear hug I had in me.
Did I share my story and ask her the details of hers? No. It wasn’t the time or place.
I just hugged her. Sometimes actions can speak louder than words.
Yesterday there were two women that smiled and were encouraged leaving Purcellville, Virginia.
After my talk, I went back to our old house in Purcellville, Virginia. I sat there my sexy minivan, like a stalker, and offered my overflowing heart of thanks to God.
My marriage may not be perfect but my marriage is still standing strong. We still wobble from time to time, but we’re still standing. And out of gratitude, I will hug it forward.
God is good. Sometimes you just have to clear the tears away to see just. how. good. Don’t waste a moment of your former pain, find ways to say “Thanks!” to God.
Yesterday I said, “Thanks!” to God as I hugged not just from my arms, I hugged from my heart. Today I show “Thanks” by typing this post. I don’t ever want to forget what God’s done for me…for us…for our marriage.
Help me not forget, okay?
Have you “hugged it forward”? Who’s the last person you hugged from the heart?
