Ep 213 A Legacy of Coming Alongside with Authentic Hospitality with Alyssa Evans

Alyssa Evans never met her dad and was raised in a foster home, then adopted. It wasn't until she had her first child that she decided to embrace faith in Christ. And found her "forever family." As a military wife (Marines!) she's moved countless times and struggled often with loneliness that is typical with military families. she compared herself (a little bit!) with Jesus since his fulltime ministry was 3 years and a typical military duty is 3 years where families need to uproot again, find new friends for themselves and their kids. Alyssa and her husband want to continue ministering to the military family unit in some way after his retirement which is not that far away. 

Some gems from our conversation: 

Women become incredibly isolated when they uproot every three years or so and they need someone to come alongside and just be with them.

We want to love people with the same love that Jesus loves us.

Our church knew we wouldn't be sticking around because of the military so their attitude was: "Hey! We don't care how long you're staying and if it's a short time, it just means we will love you harder!"

The least I can do is invite someone to my table.

If there are snacks for the kids, sometimes that's all that's needed to gather women around my table (and by snacks I mean a big bowl of popcorn and another one of cereal.)

I find that as we get older, we're so busy with our older kids, we don't take time to develop our women friendships. We need to put it on the calendar.

When I'm feeling blue and lonely, I've learned that if I'm invited somewhere that I say, "Yes!" no matter what. 

The Lord has more for me and he humbles and sustains us. 

When wallowing in loneliness, I've learned to stop saying, "Why, Lord?" and changing it to, "Lord, what will You have me learn from this situation?"

When I'm authentic with my story, it deepens a new friendship and lets another know there is room at my table.