A couple weeks ago we talked about Jen's new book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse.  It is a book of 30 daily readings designed to encourage, strengthen, and uplift military spouses in the unique challenges they face. Whether it’s a deployment, move, or raising military kids, find real-life solutions and inspiration from someone who’s been there. 

Well, Jen is graciously offering me a copy to share here. Simply leave a comment in the box below. Your email is required to notify/send the book and will not be used for any other purpose without your permission. You do not need to be a military spouse to win!

Each social media share (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) will be worth one more entry.  Please note where you shared when you leave your comment. 

The “fine print”: Each win is worth either You Are Not Alone in Kindle format or softcover (shipping of print copy within U.S., Canada, or APO/FPO addresses only). Winners will choose which format they prefer. The print edition will ship in 6-8 weeks. Kindle edition of the book works on the Kindle app as well as the Kindle device. Winners choosing the Kindle edition will receive an Amazon gift code issued by email, which is to be used only to purchase You Are Not Alone.

Giveaway closes on Tuesday March 7! 

 "…let me walk through the world with a joyous soul. 

No doubt, there is much in it to fill the heart with painfulness; and pessimism has turned to the strifes and sorrows of creation for proof of its dismal creed. 
But the goodness of God is written, too, in letters of gold on hill and lake and mountain and forest and stream.

Not a sunrise, but speaks of His patient and enduring grace. Not a sunset, but stirs the conscience of the sinner, and opens Heaven itself to the saint. So much of His divine glory, the Almighty Maker conveys . . .
  by His sunrise and sunset touches, 
  by His flowers and woodland trees, 
  by His vast ocean and starry sky. 
Therefore let me be strong and of a good courage — He remembers me, His redeemed child! 

The sights and sounds of the landscape ought to be preachers and trumpets of the glory of God. In the cool of the day, when I pass through the country fields, or climb to the summit of the hill, or sit and gaze across the sea — God and my soul should meet and talk."

– Alexander Smellie

Although we are back in the States we have definitely not abandoned our nomadic tendencies. My husband’s career takes him all over. This was once a trial, a big one in fact. Today however we are at a place in life with half our children grown where we can venture out together and still have adults holding down the fort at home.  This year we are doing just that with the children still home.  #worldschoolers! 

  The first trip for 2016 was to Montana where my husband was attending a course on tribal relations being held by the University of Montana and local Native American representatives. My original plan had been to venture out to the mountains a bit and shoot some landscape on this trip.  Landscape isn't really my passion though.  I always gravitate back to people and their stories.  Then the steady light rain that greeted us caused an about turn in my plans which worked out just fine.

That first day we found some thrift shops and then a secondhand bookstore we spent a morning digging through. We walked across the lock bridge when the drizzle let up, thinking of all the hope those engraved initials represent. We watched a man fly fishing in the river down below. We toured the campus which the president had proudly told us was ranked the eighth most beautiful in the US.

And the pool.  It isn't a road trip without reading by the pool while the kids splash. Fun for them. Fun for me. 

I was able to join my husband for the small class dinner with the university president, who coincidentally went to graduate school less than an hour from our own hometown. The keynote speaker from the Salish tribe shared her perspective as both a member of the community and a former Washington DC program head. Another gentleman at the table was married to a Montessori teacher connected to a pilot program in China.  So only iphone snaps day one.  And lots of people and lots of stories. 

The rain did let up up after this first day and the big camera did come out before we were through.  I will share some more tomorrow. 

(Wendell Berry's Fidelity was a nice surprise. Going well!) 

I'm not sure when it happened - though surely it must have been sometime after we began sleeping through the night more or less regularly.  When did my feet hit the floor and move almost instinctively down to the kitchen?  It definitely happens the same way every morning now.  We can stand some tweaking of the time things take some days, but the flow works well.

Coffee, dogs out, prayers and bible, send off my husband.  aka: The grown-up hour. 

Dress, make my bed, start breakfast, wake up children.  (By this time, it's been an hour since husband's alarm began to go off and the coffee has worked its magic.)  

The children pray and eat and begin their morning tidying up.  Ideally.  ; )  

The first load goes in the washer.

Then we all sit down around the dining room table.  If it's a home day it looks like that.  

Need some more inspiration or practical helps to start your day? Growing Slowly shares her morning routine and a printable here.  Flylady's words of wisdom and checklists here.