Real Women. Real Stories. Real Bravery. 

Happy Monday friends! Hope you had a fabulous 4th of July! I’m really excited about today’s contributor… I met this gal many years ago when she was a student at Arizona State University. I still imagine her long boarding around campus. Taylor is adventurous, creative & bold. I’m thankful for Taylor being a part of our Live Brave series!

 

Brave. Me? When Candi asked me to write a post for her I was excited, but not truly sure what to say. Being a military spouse I’ve heard it all… “I don’t know how you do it,” “I could never do that,” “oh, aren’t you worried?” Etc.

My dad is a retired firefighter, for my entire childhood I can remember visiting him and my “uncles” at the fire station, these men so willing to run into a burning building while everyone else is running out.

Now I am married to one of “The Few. The Proud. The Marines.” Again men (and women) willing to run towards battle, while everyone else runs away. Back then and still today I wondered why some people have enough bravery to willingly go where others won’t, even to the point of self-sacrifice?

Nearly 6yrs into our marriage and I am still learning there are different types of bravery for different situations. While I haven’t (nor do I foresee myself) run into a burning building or into battle I have:

– Moved 3 times, to 3 different states, spanning every timezone the U.S. has, both the Atlantic & Pacific oceans, 4,800 miles there and back again
– Was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and underwent counseling for anxiety attacks vicious enough to send me to ER
– Been through 2 deployments and countless training missions/separations
– Branched out of my comfort zone by trying new jobs & even running my own photography business for a few years
– Became a L.I.N.K.S. (Lifestyle Insights Networking Knowledge Skills) Mentor as well as a F.R.A. (Family Readiness Advisor), both allowing me to help new military spouses navigate our unique lifestyle
– Carried our son through an up/down pregnancy and brought him into this world via an extremely long labor ultimately resulting in a c-section

I’m still unpacking boxes from our most recent move from Hawaii to Virginia, transitioning is always the hardest for me… Leaving behind good friends, familiar roads, those favorite restaurants, the house I finally got “just right,” and most importantly our church family. This weekend I hope to start our church search!

So, after all that… “Live Brave.” I’d have to say for me bravery is in the day-to-day, I never know what our life will throw at me next. My husband could come home from work tomorrow and say “plans have changed I will be deploying for X numbers of months after all” or the resumes and job applications I’ve sent out here could all be denied or passed over.

But you know what? It’s okay. God has my back even when I cry, scream, and yell about how “unfair” life is sometimes. I’m glad He gives us courage because I am admittingly not so “graceful” with every change!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

Taylor currently lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and son. She’s in the middle of setting up her new house along with a new blog The Daring Dandelion –  while wrangling an extremely rambunctious 8mo old.