Volunteer Spotlight | Liz Schwing
BIG SKY BRAVERY WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS TODAY WITHOUT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. TO CELEBRATE THEIR GENEROSITY & INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS, WE INVITE YOU TO READ OUR MONTHLY VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!
This month’s volunteer: Liz Schwing
I have been volunteering for BSB for just under one year and involved in this amazing organization for many. I had the privilege of participating in TF55 last summer which was an incredible experience. I was pretty terrified walking into it as I had never participated in anything of its kind.
In the years since the founding of BSB, our world has changed in radical ways. Freedom has always been the cornerstone of our nation, the greatest country on earth. That very freedom has been challenged in ways never before. So, protecting it has taken on a new and heightened sense of urgency. Patriotism is far more than parades and barbecues. Its fabric is woven together by the undying commitment and years, lifetimes of personal sacrifice from our soldiers. Previously, we never had a personal connection to the military until our son joined in 2016. My husband met Josh McCain in 2017 and saw in him a heart for our warriors. He recognized a unique opportunity to serve active duty SOF soldiers. BSB is like no other non-profit.
The soldiers lead incredibly stressful lives with frequent and long overseas deployments, separation from family, and unimaginable stressors. Their wives are different kinds of heroes who in their absence, keep the family going, working, raising children solo, dealing with the stress of physical separation, and enduring that stress on a daily basis. And they do this day in, day out without complaint and often with little or no outside support. Task Forces offer these brave women time to relax and unwind while developing a new community and enjoying the beauty of our great state of Montana, many for the first time ever. A genuine reset. It’s difficult to name just one moment so I’ll offer a snapshot. Sitting around the fireplace we shared the joys and hardships of life, while we laughed and cried. Together, holding a sacred space for each other.
One week changes lives!
I’ve learned personally that the more I focus on myself, the more miserable I am. When I can open my eyes and look outward at God’s glorious creation, it’s a powerful reminder that I am but a very small part of something much bigger and greater than myself. This powerful shift in perspective gives me a new and focused lens to view our world. BSB is a powerful avenue for serving others in very concrete and specific ways. These invisible heroes deserve our recognition and support. And BSB provides just that.
Wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend. I wear many hats. Some seasons of life have been fast and furious where I juggled many balls in the air. Now, my husband and I have found a slower and easier rhythm here in Montana. Grateful every day.
Montana is our happy place. Here I get lost in the mountains, lose track of time and experience a beautiful communion with nature through hiking, fishing, skiing, and the list goes on and on. My husband and I discovered Montana nine summers ago and the rest is history. We are blessed to spend half the year here and share it with family and friends. The beauty of this great place is almost indescribable.
