BLESSED BEYOND EXHAUSTION
Lately, the kids and I have been having lots of conversations about what they will be when they grow up. Maybe they’re talking about it in preschool. I don’t know. But here are some snippets from a couple of those conversations. For your amusement. Vivi: When I grow up, I’m going to be a chef. Jonah: When I grow up, I’m going to be a waiter. (Great. One wants…
A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a gathering hosted by Beth Moore and her team at Living Proof Ministries. How did this happen, you ask? Well, let me explain. Every other year on the Living Proof blog page, Beth (I feel like we should be on a first name basis by now) hosts a Scripture Memory challenge. Basically, if you are up for the challenge, you commit…
Many of you know that I have been part of a launch team for Kristen Welch’s new book, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. It has been an eye-opening and convicting read, to say the least. I want to share a few things that jumped out at me while going through the book in the hopes that they will speak to you in some way. Here goes… “Instead of fitting Jesus…
Deployments suck. There. I said it. Peter recently deployed for the sixth time. You would think after five deployments, I would be a pro at this by now. But I’m not. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I survived the other five deployments and we will survive this one as well. Here’s the thing, though. I’ve learned quite a bit over the course of Peter’s almost 19 year military career. (What??)…
My kids are trying to kill me. They play this “game” where they think of a random toy that hasn’t been played with in months, and then they expect me to drop everything and find it. RIGHT. NOW. Sometimes I think parenting is 47% breaking up fights and 53% finding crap. And you know how most kids have a special toy or soft blanket that they sleep with? Well, our…
Does your family have a special motto or saying? Maybe you have a treasured Scripture verse or a favorite quote that describes your family dynamics to a tee. Peter recently bought me a pillow for our couch with this saying stitched on it: Our family must be God’s favorite sitcom. Yep. Some days it feels just like that. For the past few years, I have felt the Lord prompting me to…
HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS! First things first! Thank you to all who entered the book giveaway. The winner is Linda C. Congratulations! I will be in touch to get your mailing address and your book selection will soon be on its way! I had so much fun with this giveaway that I’m planning to do more throughout the coming year. Stay tuned! Now, on to the New Year. Can any of you believe that…
I love to read. Like, really really really love to read. Peter says that I’m addicted, and he might be right. Over the past eighteen months, I’ve read over 100 books. (Is that an addiction??) Here are some of my favorites from the past year. (In no particular order) Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan: If you are a parent of small children, you will find this book to be…
I had an entirely different Christmas post written out, ready to publish. But after reading the following story, the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks and redirected my thoughts. I love it when that happens. This excerpt is taken from Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch. “Visiting an orphan-led home in Kenya just weeks before had turned my life upside-down. That’s where I met Vincent. I will never forget…
Entitlement is a dirty word around here. If I could count the number of times Peter has complained about people who think they should be given everything for nothing, I would be a wealthy woman. But as we enter this Christmas season, I am rethinking the definition of entitlement and applying it to myself. And let me tell you, it’s pretty uncomfortable. I was recently selected to be part of a…