“There’s nothing like family.”
Thats the saying, and it’s true. There is nothing like family. For us, we are keenly aware of this because we have lived away from our dear family for so long.
You know, as a military family, we have our own little sayings. I’m not sure if this is an official one, but “there is nothing like military family” rings true for us.
This family doesn’t have the same DNA running through our veins, but we are family none the less. We are the ones who get together on Easter, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July, and other holidays, because none of us have family nearby to celebrate with. We are the emergency contacts on each other’s school forms; the ones who bring dinner when the other is sick; the ones who mow the yard when the other is deployed. We are the babysitters and the pet-sitters; the extra-key holders and the come over for let-over eaters.
We can sit at a table with other veterans and automatically bond, even if we do not know each other or have anything in common except for the service of sacrifice. And if we are lucky…we adopt each other, becoming the family that gets each other through our assignments
There is nothing like military family. Listen…in this family, we get it. We get the sacrifice, the burden and of course, we get the lingo. We get it and that knowledge alone brings us into family. It’s a beautiful comfort in such a temporary world.
When I go to Belgium this summer, that is one thing I am excited to witness. I am excited for these kids to find a new family in their hearts. To bond together, to adopt each other, to become brothers and sisters and to sit at the table of fellowship, ingesting the goodness of family.
“There is nothing like military family….”
While that is true, I know something truer. We are all family, made one in Jesus Christ, with the same blood running through our veins. And in Him, we are called to extend and enlarge our family.
This is what I hope to do there and with my life. I want to live with intention and invitation into my family. I am not sure who I will be when I’m there in Brussels, maybe a mentor, a sister or even a mother, BUT I do know that whatever role I fall in, the love of God will be with me. And, through His love, my family will grow. And for that, I am blessed.
Eternally blessed,
A.
missions donation link: https://www.gofundme.com/getAliciatoBelgium
AliciaKristina.com 
This is so true for our family too-even post military life. We have had to create a new family support system every city we have lived in-we are blessed for your openness to this model of family. Not everyone gets it, but for the ones who have embraced this concept and reach out for others it has made a significant impact in their families! Thanks for sharing.
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Yes! We are so grateful for you guys, too! You have made our life so much better! Thank you!
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