Embracing the Mission: How Military Families Can Thrive Through Faith, Connection, and Resilience

In our latest episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, we sat down with the incredible Ashley Ashcraft — a military spouse of 16 years, mom, author, and the heart behind Mission Ready Marriage. Her story is full of honesty, hope, and the kind of wisdom that reminds you why this military life, while hard, can also be beautiful.

Thriving Through the Unexpected

Ashley knows firsthand what it means to live the rollercoaster of military life — twelve moves, deployments, and everything in between. Through it all, she’s learned one powerful truth: when you embrace the mission and focus on your purpose, you can thrive no matter where you’re planted.

She talked about how the constant changes shaped her family’s resilience and deepened their faith. Instead of seeing the unknown as something to fear, she’s learned to see it as a chance to grow.

Mission Ready Marriage by Ashley Ashcraft

Mission Ready Marriage: Love with Purpose

If you’ve ever felt like your marriage takes a beating from the military lifestyle — the distance, the stress, the constant adjustments — Mission Ready Marriage might be exactly what you need.

Ashley wrote it after realizing that faith could completely transform how she and her husband approached their relationship. It’s a down-to-earth, faith-based guide that helps military couples reconnect, communicate, and strengthen their bond through every season. She encourages couples to approach their marriage like a mission — one that requires teamwork, grace, and a whole lot of love.

The Power of Community

One of the biggest takeaways from our chat was how much community matters. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re constantly starting over in new places, but Ashley reminded us that support is always out there — sometimes you just have to take the first step to find it.

Whether that’s joining a local Bible study, connecting with other spouses on base, or volunteering with an organization that speaks to your heart, those small acts can make all the difference. She also shared a few great resources — like Financial Peace University and learning each other’s love languages — that can help strengthen both your relationship and your sense of stability.

Facing Trials with Faith

Ashley also opened up about her daughter Finley’s Down Syndrome diagnosis — a deeply personal moment that reshaped her family’s view of faith and resilience. Military life had already taught them how to face uncertainty with courage, but this experience reminded them that beauty often blooms in the places we least expect.

Her story is such a powerful reminder that even in our hardest seasons, there’s purpose in the process.

A Note for New Military Spouses

If you’re just starting this journey, Ashley’s advice is simple but meaningful: don’t try to do it all on your own. Connect with seasoned spouses, lean into your community, and give yourself grace along the way.

Mission Ready Marriage is packed with encouragement and real-life wisdom to help you build a marriage that not only survives military life — but thrives through it.

Wrapping It Up

Military life isn’t easy, but as Ashley reminds us, it’s also full of opportunities to grow stronger, love deeper, and live with purpose. When we choose to embrace the mission, rely on faith, and lift each other up, we can find joy even in the chaos.

To learn more about Ashley Ashcraft’s resources — including her free guide with over 200 tools for military families — visit her website. And if you haven’t yet, go give this episode a listen. It’s full of heart, faith, and encouragement for every military spouse out there.

Let’s keep lifting each other up, Buttercups — one story, one challenge, and one victory at a time. 💛