If you’re married to someone who serves your community or your country, you know what it’s like to sacrifice life as normal for the benefit of those around you. As a fire wife for over 25 years, I know firsthand what it looks like to put your priorities, desires and wishes for life aside for the demand of a job! This has been our life, but the journey, though “hard” has formed us in more ways than one. Some of the greatest gifts we’ve gained as a family is how to adapt in the moment, anticipate the emergency, and create happiness wherever you are. However, you can imagine that life as a “fire wife” has meant life “putting out fires” many times figuratively as much as literally. What we know as a family is that the hard times are much like fire in the refining process what burns away always create space for greater beauty, grace and acceptance.
In this episode I speak with my husband who transparently shares his heart around the struggles of being a Wildland Firefighter. The challenge of not only fighting wildfires but to also have a heart that burns passionately for family, morality, service and a life lived by values and principles.
Balancing life as a fire wife and firefighter has never been perfect but we’ve always found purpose in creating the intentionally meaningful life that is “outside of the box.”
As a family we have have been committed to appreciating our life “outside of the box” and understanding that though our differences define us they have also aligned us. More than anything else we have learned the value in intentionally making the time to connect with each other when we have each other! For us this has looked like deeply meaningful heart felt conversation and communication that connects who we are with where we are in seasons, stage and ages of growth and development. Summers have never looked like big vacations but we have always made an effort to do everything together whether that is tips to the lake, hunting or traveling for sports we do it together.
May you be inspired to live life outside of the box. To embrace the life God has uniquely given you and yours and finally to appreciate the gift in doing hard things; including serving others and your community.
Imagine waking up next week with a clear sense of direction. Not because everything is perfect — but because you have a system, a community, and a guide in your corner.
That’s what this membership is.
The decision is yours.
