Lizann Lightfoot Speaking Topics

• How Military Life Prepared Me to Handle Everything

  A military spouse shares lessons learned from deployments, overseas moves, and raising kids alone

  Some people look at the stressful lives of military spouses and say, "I couldn't do that." But there is nothing unique about military spouses that equips them for challenging situations. The truth is that we are strengthened and sharpened one stressful event at a time. After going through my husband's seven deployments (five which were combat), six PCS moves, giving birth alone, living overseas, and raising five children as a solo parent, I've been tested more than most. I'll share my lessons learned so listeners don't have to go through the same challenges.

  In this session, attendees will learn:

  • How to view life in seasons to adapt better to difficulties
  • Why "just keep busy" is not the best advice for someone facing a challenge
  • How to strengthen your marriage when your communication options are limited
  • The value in streamlining your routines and schedule when you are stressed
  • Ways to encourage yourself when you're doing difficult things

• Building Resiliency as Military Spouses

  How to Strengthen our Milspouse Community to Prepare for Inevitable Challenges

  Military life is difficult--whether you are a new spouse or a more "seasoned spouse." Sometimes, there is time to prepare for major changes like a PCS move or deployment. Other times, the military surprises us with unexpected stress. In an age where many military families live far from relatives and rely on virtual groups for support, it is essential for spouses to know how to make meaningful connections that will carry them through difficult times. And we all must build resiliency skills to cope with military life.

  In this session, attendees will learn:

  • Why you need to build your support network BEFORE it is needed
  • Resources available for milspouse support on and off military bases
  • How to make connections when you're new to a base
  • Different types of people to lean on in challenging times
  • Small things to focus on when military life feels overwhelming
  • What self-care is, and practical examples for busy parents
  • Taking the next step forward when you're in a difficult season
  • Personal examples of the challenges I overcame throughout military life

Deployment and Reintegration: Training for Military Spouses

Be prepared for deployment, get answers to common deployment questions, and learn strategies for a successful Reintegration after Homecoming

Before and during deployment, military spouses or loved ones have many questions. The situation becomes more stressful when there is more uncertainty. After working with thousands of military spouses for the past six years, and running a virtual support group with over 8,000 members, I have learned the most common deployment challenges, know how to answer questions, and can help you feel more confident about deployment.

In this sessions, attendees will learn:

• Answers to common deployment questions, like "what should I do to prepare?"
• Why they are feeling detached or angry with their spouse, before deployment even begins
• Ways to improve communication during deployment
• Strategies for handling kids and household responsibilities during deployment
• How to handle jealousy, doubt, and resentment when your spouse is away
• Questions to ask before Homecoming, to pave the way for a smoother transition and Reintegration

Finding Peace in the Storm: How I found comfort in the moment I felt most alone

This session is designed for church groups, ideally for an audience of women. In 2012, as hurricane Isabel struck the North Carolina coast, I was in a coastal hospital giving birth to our 3rd baby, and my husband was fighting in Afghanistan. The hospital lost power in the storm, and I had to shelter in the hallway holding my newborn baby. It was a dark moment of loneliness I wouldn't wish on anyone. But during that time, I was also aware of God's presence with me, carrying me through a difficult moment. Many times during my husband's deployments I have felt waves of peace, only to learn afterwards that people were praying for me in that moment. The times in my life when I was most alone are the moments when God reached out to remind me that I was not.

In this sessions, attendees will:

• Be moved by the drama of my military life stories
• Be inspired by the way I found hope in difficult situations
• Be challenged to consider moments they felt alone
• Be comforted by God's promises to be with us always