DAY EIGHT: ADVICE

part of todays #blogeverydayinmay challenge is "a piece of advice you have for others" ... 

hmm- this is a little bit of a grab-bag topic. but did want to love you with a little something. if you ready my 'what i do' post, then you know i enjoy my job, a lot. part of why i love it so much is the flexibility and encouragement it gives me to still volunteer my time (and craziness) at wounded warrior retreats! so this is from me to you:

doing what you like 

is freedom

--

liking what you do

is happiness 

ps: yes my name was 'diddley squat' that day and yes those eye-lashes have gold dots on the ends ! 

oh and one more thing: that is my ridiculous-over-the-top smile but hey, i was out to make others smile :)

DAY SIX: MAKING A SMALL DIFFERENCE

This #blogeverydayinMay challenge is not easy to keep up. Day six and it feels like a full time job to get a post out everyday of the week... Here is today's challenge:  If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

What a loaded question, and one thats hard for me to answer even in an every day setting. But I will try to break it down in a few short sentences for you!

It's been almost 4 years since I went on my first wounded warrior getaway.  Its a weekend retreat for wounded soldiers and their families who are currently stationed at BAMC due to a physical or mental injury they suffered during the war. After serving as a volunteer at the retreat, I knew the Lord was calling me to find a way to serve military service members in a full time capacity. 
A little over a year ago now I was contacted to join an amazing team I work with today-- a small non-profit raising awareness and grants to support for our great nations service men and women. It's truly where I am supposed to be - making (even the smallest) difference in a life of someone who put their life at risk for mine. Making someone else smile and filling a heart with joy is a very humbling experience. 
I am thankful everyday for the job and roll I have been handed. Having a position that glorifies God, advances His Kingdom and makes someone else' life better is one I will always cherish and be grateful for forever!

 photo taken by the lane, wounded warrior retreat spring 2012

ANTLERS AND CAMO

BOOTS/ RING/ WEEKENDER/ TOTE/ EARRINGS (similar)/ CASE

so with tomorrow being my birthday...
i thought i would share with you a few things on my wish list!
yes, i still make a list. on pintrest!

as you know i have an antler/camo obsession- and the items on my list clearly reflect that!

the coolest thing on my list this year, i think, are the 'give back boots' from the Boot Campaign.
$50 go towards the boots and $50 go back to "Cultivating Awareness, Promoting Patriotism, and Providing Assistance" for men and women in uniform! i totally would wear these all the time!

Thank You

This past weekend I was honored to serve some of our service men and women who have returned as Wounded Warriors. It was a weekend for families to reconnect, regain strength and find hope for the path that has been laid in front of them.  

I took close to 1000 pictures, and not one of them can sum up the emotions and experiences- but I wanted to leave you with two of my favorite 'anonymous' shots:

I can't pick a favorite part from this experience, but I will leave you with this: The next time you stop to thank a Wounded Warrior for his/her service, remember to thank the 'caregivers' that is on the journey with them as well.