You should know...

You are worth going out on a limb for.

It might be what we’ve grown up with. It may be the media. But the fact is, some of us have never thought about pursuing our dreams or we end up talking ourselves out of an adventure. I think it's because we’re scared we won’t be worth it. There is no age limit on happiness. There is no "too late". You were fearfully and wonderfully made. You are worth it. Start now.

Chime in!

My hysterical and wise friend Jude chimed in with her confidence boost on my post on insecurity. I'd love to hear the rest of yalls if you've got them! We could all use a little 'pick me up' and encouragement! Lets hear it!

(my insecurity is telling me no one will reply and leave me hanging as if I was trying to give a high-five to the cool kid in school.)

Insecurity

I was having a conversation with a good friend the other day about the insecurity that weaseled its way in when we got married. Sometimes the insecurity may come in specific forms or just plain general self-loathing. However big or small, the power that insecurity has over our thoughts is ridiculous. (I tried to think of a more intelligent or sensitive word, but ridiculous is what you’re getting from me!)

I digress; this amazing friend of mine is gorgeous, talented, and married to a fabulous man. However, her insecurity made her doubt herself, her husband’s faithfulness, and even her purpose.

And the thing is, I’ve been there. I know Sam is so faithful, is solid in his faith walk and loves me so well. BUT catch me watching a horrible Lifetime movie and the next thing I know I’m wondering if Sam has been texting Angelina Jolie behind my back. Ridiculous? 100% yes. Real fear? Absolutely. Have you seen her in Tomb Raider?! Eat a doughnut woman!

I’ve been thinking about insecurity as a spouse and our fear that we will be betrayed.

And here is what has been stirring in my brain. I think Satan knows his game. He knows we have active imaginations and don’t want to believe that we’re worthy of a lifetime of loyalty and love. SO, this area is his playground. We give him a fast pass to the crazy circus inside our heads when we indulge these fears. There is a destructive part of our nature that almost takes pleasure in trying to imagine all the different ways that we’ll be betrayed. It’s like when you scratch a mosquito bite until it bleeds but it kind of feels good while you’re scratching the hell out of it.

Philippians 4:7- “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The more we root ourselves in that scripture, it becomes our truth. I even read in Timothy the other day that we have to practice Godliness- I forget that it’ll never come naturally.

Part of practicing Godliness is developing a plan when those thoughts creep in. It may be helpful to pray with your spouse as you experience these fears. I imagine it’s pretty powerful to have your spouse pray victory over you. That prayer automatically does a 180 degree ninja kick (I just made that up) to any fear or insecurity you are feeling.

just in case...

Just in case you were feeling too serious this afternoon, you should have friends like Andrea.

http://lilkidthings.com/10-reasons-you-should-wear-a-diaper-on-your-head

What if...

Take a minute today to think about what your relationships would look like if you stopped forcing your way onto them. What would they look like if you stopped expecting your version of what's "right" from them. What if you let them be who they are?

More on this tomorrow but I wanted you to marinate on it for yourselves. I just like messing with your days a bit. *enter evil laugh here*

A New Adventure!

Hey sweet friends! I wanted to let you in on a new adventure I'm going on with two amazing friends of mine. Ginna, Kate, and I are going on a journey together and would love for you to be included. While I am definitely the rookie of the group, I'm so honored they would include me. We immediately experienced a deep bond that is incomparable. I remember gmail video chatting with Ginna about my million questions when Sam was accepted into the Army JAG Corp. Kate still remembers this crazy redhead (yours truly) that interrupted her conversation when I saw she was wearing her hubby's West Point sweatshirt, and I haven't left her alone since. But below explains this new adventure, please let me know if you would like to be included.

Dear Friends,

We have an idea- and we need your help!

Recently, as my husband and I entered the crossroads of deciding whether or not he should stay in the Army now that his obligations are coming to an end, I have been surprised by the number of people that ask the question "Well you want him to get out right??" I suppose I should be more clear by saying it is not the question itself, but the presumptive tone in which it is constantly delivered. And even though we have to worry about deployments and uncertainties, it bothers me that people assume our life in the Army is all bad. Consequently, several emails about this topic to my good friends and fellow Army Wives, Ginna and Martha, led to this idea:

We want to compile a collection of essays about being an Army Wife and hopefully create a book about our experiences. Right now, we are simply asking if you are interested in contributing. We would accept traditional essays, poems, letters or anything you feel shares your experience or a specific moment of your life as an Army Wife. We are also hoping for a chapter on "Homecoming" which would only be pictures of that event, because as we all know, words cannot do that moment justice! So if writing is not your thing, perhaps that is a way you could contribute. Even if you choose to share of the frustrations or sadness, the overall tone of the book is to be positive (think a type of Chicken Noodle Soup for the Army Wife's Soul if you will...).

So what to do now?

If you are interested, please email us back. At that point, we will send out a more specific letter about the process and the parameters for submissions. Also, please forward this to anyone you think might be interested. Submissions can come from anyone who was an Army Wife (or a wife in the Army!) at any time, it is not limited to active duty.

We sincerely hope you are inspired by this idea and want to share your story. As women in all different stages in our lives as Army Wives, we feel incredibly connected to each other through that experience. And we have realized it is not only important to be there for one another, but to show the world that the life of an Army Wife is full of love, pride, community and service.

We can be contacted at armywivesbook@gmail.com and we look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings,
Kate Larrabee, Ginna Van Zandt and Martha Metzler

I hope that if you know anyone that falls in the catagory of an 'Army Wife', you will pass this along to them. Or just leave a comment to let you know that as a civilian, you would be interested in what we have to share! Thanks for your support!

Brother

I just felt like I should tell yall that my brother gets here in a few hours! He's the funnier, rounder, braver version of me. As my friends Michael and Carlye said after hanging out with both Bennetts, "Oh no, there's two of them." Here are a few pictures that epitomize our relationship:

Seasons

I've been experiencing a season in my life which I'm not particularly fond of. It's the "I wake up each day with the realization that there's something I need to change about myself" kind of season. If you have any self-awareness, you probably have experienced that nagging feeling that there's something in your life or a behavior that you need to change. Well everyday these things I need to change are coming at me as if I was in a bubblegum fight with Willy Wonka (which would be awesome). Pride, jealously, laziness, you name it.... giant bubblegum balls being thrown at my head. I'm a big believer that if I "start on Monday" then I'll never really start. Change can't wait. So I've been actively trying to seek redemption and repentance in my life. If I keep putting off making positive change in my life, I'm telling myself and my Creator that my life isn't worth fighting for. Pretty insulting to the One who gave it all to fight for my life to begin with huh?