Kristen Strong
Kristen is a work-in-progress daughter, Air Force wife, enthusiastic mama and freelance writer. She is a joy hunter-downer who writes of looking upward for fresh-air encouragement at Chasing Blue Skies (http://chasingblueskies.net) and at DaySpring's (in)courage (http://incourage.me). She and her husband David have 3 precious young'uns, twin sons (age 12) and a daughter (age 8). Kristen and her family enjoy their home under the wide-blue-skies of glorious Colorado.
Homepage: http://www.chasingblueskies.net
Posts by Kristen Strong
Because You’re Already Amazing
Feb 16th
My Faith and I don’t talk too much during our mother~daughter date to the Four Continents Figure Skating Championship. The magic of it all leaves us spellbound. I mean, these skaters move powerfully but gracefully on ice. The men lift and throw the women, they all jump and spin on skinny blades on ice. Amazing, really.
One pair {from Canada, I think?} struck me not because of how perfectly they skated or how well they placed. My untrained eye noticed mistakes and she fell twice. But as they released their final pose, I looked up at the huge television screens just More >
The Hard Work of Love and Marriage
Feb 15th
I answer the knock on the practice room door in the basement of the music building, and I assume it’s someone wanting to use the room. I’m already talking about how I’m almost done as I swing open the heavy door. My eyes turn silver dollar size as I meet a sea of pink, pink roses spun in green and silver wrapping paper. I look up at the deep brown smiling eyes behind them and can’t help but fall into them, those eyes that make me smile and blush. It’s February 15th, so I don’t expect flowers. Not that I More >
What You Need to Know You Belong
Feb 14th
Did I ever tell y’all I was Miss Arkansas 1991? It’s true.
Well, sorta.
Actually, I was Miss Arkansas band camp.Not quite the same, I suppose? Well, you already know I play oboe, so my I’m-just-a-big-nerd-and-always-have-been secret isn’t really a secret, now is it.
In high school, we band kids knew all the band-geek jokes and where we fell on the popularity totem pole. We couldn’t have cared less, and you know why? Because we belonged, and band was our catalyst for belonging. We were individual as snowflakes, but we shared a common interest and built a little community around it. I’ve seen the same More >
When You Need Some Fresh Air of Your Own
Feb 6th
The calendar tells me it’s February, but my mind and body are convinced it’s April or May. Our January was long, and since this business with Faith’s broken neck slammed down on us, November and December weren’t exactly a church picnic. We usually talk about how time flies, but lately my time moves in slow-mo. One month feels like three. Am I the only one who sometimes experiences this?
Speaking of Faith, I’m thankful to report her vertebrae are healing and fusing like good little bones. I jumped up and down and cried when I heard this but fought the temptation More >
When You Need Friends {But Have a Hard Time Finding Them}
Feb 1st
Pssst… just peeking out from under blankets, kleenex {kleenexes?}, books and honey lemon tea to croak out a hello. My daughter waves too, as she’s snuggled in next to me with the same sniffly sneezy fevery virus. Right now I pause the Barbie movies and Say Yes to the Dress re-runs to share a story below. I pray it gives you a bit of friendship encouragement for your heart!
I’m out of breath from hurrying {though I’m still late} and forcing my stubborn side-by-side double stroller up the hill to the playgroup location, an indoor playground. I’m nervous, too, since I’m visiting More >
A Weekend to Know
Jan 27th
When a local friend calls at 7:30am Monday morning from the airport in Dallas, I know something is wrong. She flies in response to a family emergency, and I don’t wait for her to ask for help with the kids. We’re both military families and like all military folks know, family extends well beyond blood lines. When it matters, we find our own wings stretch far enough to cover extra chicks. And so this past week has found this mama doing just that. My morning ‘quiet time’ flies the coup, but I find rest in quiet stolen moments with the Lord. My More >
How You Know There Is a Light at the End of the Tunnel
Jan 24th
When creating the world, God’s first order of business saw darkness turn to light. He said, “Let there be light.” And lickedy split, light emerges from dark. Light was the first thing He called good.
So this first act of creation replays every morning when darkness finds dawn’s early light breaking slowly, surely into blue sky. It’s not immediate, but it’s definite. It’s the first sign of a new day, and the first reminder of God’s good nature.
When darkness comes close, I remember how God’s chief desire is to bring light from it. I may see it immediately or gradually, but I’ll More >
How to Make a New Vivid Memory
Jan 19th
She whirls right past me, a blur of red kitty jammies and honey colored hair. She’s holding a snack and her doll but stops long enough to ask me,
“Mama, can you bring me a drink?”
I must have given her a look because she wastes no time answering her own question.
“Never mind, Mama. I’m sorry!”
And right then and there I see a vivid picture of all the times I’ve treated her – and her brothers – like an inconvenience. All those times I buy into believing the world stops turning if the gotta-get-dones remain undone. All those times I treat little More >
