Embracing Transition & Loving My Tribe [big BIG News!]
The last few months have been crazy, and what feels like yesterday is now 3 months ago. J and I have moved from Washington State to Oklahoma, and in just 4 short months we will pack up our belongings and move on to a new adventure.
Transitions are always hard, messy, and can leave you feeling a little lost. However, I am slowly learning that in order to thrive in the Army lifestyle, you have to use it to your advantage. My friend, Pam, who has over 25 years experience as an Army wife gave me most freeing piece of advice:
“As long as you are a military wife, you will get the pleasure of recreating yourself at EVERY duty station. Embace it.”
Man, I needed that. I needed the assurance that the person I was in the season prior didn't have to be same person in this season. I have the opportunity to try new things, shift my focus, be still, or run wild. It's up to me.
But this lesson isn't just for military spouses. I wish someone had told me this at many different phases. From middle school to high school, highs school to college, and especially college to marriage/adulthood.
The common thread between surviving each of these transitions is finding a tribe of women that would love me through it. Trust and believe the little village of women that surrounded me in Washington found me at a time when I needed them most.
Though my husband is my rock and carries me through the toughest days, I still need my girlfriends. The kind of girls who can empathize with my meltdowns in the middle of Target, appreciate a trashy TV show, and send me encouraging words when the hubs is away. I think there is a reason we go to bathrooms in small packs, group text until our phones dies, and swap break up CD's during hard times. We need each other; for the good, the bad, and the boring.
Maybe you're a new mom to a beautiful baby. Maybe you're walking into the second month of High School, feeling lost and confused. Maybe you're post-college trying to figure out the whole "adulting" thing out, and not sure how to make the next move.
I don'tknow where you fall, but I do know that I want Unapologetic to be a place to help find your tribe. I'm so excited to share with you that over the last 5 months I have been cultivating a team of women whom are dear to me. If I tried to explain just how God brought the group together, you wouldn't believe me, so you're just going to have to trust me on this one.
Starting Wednesday, September 27, I will be introducing you to this tribe of ladies who will help lay the foundation for Unapologetic. It's my prayer that these ladies will impact you in same way they have me. I hope you see them as your big or even little sisters, and dive into deep a tough issues as we search for more of God's heart.
We are all in different places, phases, and transitions in life. I feel sure you will read along nod your head, wipe a tear, and shout "Amen" a few times as they reveal pieces of their hearts and story.
Don't worry, I'll still be writing and working on more exciting content. I am so grateful to not have to do it alone, and to have this tribe. So get ready.
It's going to be good, real good.
oxox,
Kendall Mariah