mamahall

he did it 🎓 a playlist for my graduated guy

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Thu, 15 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

congratulations, Josh!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tVZD9fqPzvkuZS60GuQD9?si=xfHVaeGWQAm-713jOc_WVg

authentic influence

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:41:00 +0000

"In our routine comings and goings as followers of Jesus, God wants us to naturally influence those around us for Jesus."

i've been reading this new book by Jonathan Murphy, Authentic Influencer, and it has stirred something up in my heart. since the day i first established my social media presence, i've prayed and determined to be an authentic influencer to glorify God through my life. and, as a more challenging endeavor, i sought to follow and surround myself with influencers with the same heart and purpose. finding and following authentic influencers is like finding a treasure in a field.

as i'm reading Authentic Influencer, i'm discovering biblical principles that define someone who influences authentically. using Barnabas as our example, Murphy shows us how to practically detect and launch the potential in others, and to stand for truth while loving like Jesus.

some of the lines i've highlighted in the book so far:

"The issue is not just whether we are impressionable and malleable. That's a settled matter. The question is, Who shapes us? ...Moreover, who do you shape? What influence spreads from you?"

"Authentic godly influence can occur anywhere: in vans that become gospel tanks, from pulpits that brings spiritual revival, at kitchen tables one-on-one, and even in sea caves. and that influence can occur by anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ: next-to-nobody preachers, mailmen, stay-at-home moms, CEOs, grannies, gardeners, and the list goes on."

"Jesus' first sermon to us is simple: Be my influencer. Don't be a tasteless Christian. Don't be a closet Christian. Saturate culture for Christ by influencing those around you."

and that's just in the first few chapters! this book is a call and an encouragement to shape our world for Jesus! and personally, it's helping me be more aware of who i'm letting influence me.

as believers, we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to leverage our influence for the Kingdom. our influence has more impact than we will ever know this side of heaven. so it's crucial that we are careful about how we use our influence and how we are influenced by others.

by studying the life of Barnabas, we see how he influenced the world for Jesus Christ in practical and doable ways. become encouraged to shape our world for Jesus— beginning with whoever happens to be close by.

if you desire to be more intentional with the way you influence and are influenced, i highly recommend this book! to purchase AUTHENTIC INFLUNCER by Jonathan Murphy: http://bit.ly/3EgYkvZ

i'm looking forward to digging deeper into this book and being even more inspired to live a life of influence for the glory of God!

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,

out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” -John‬ ‭7:38‬

*i was provided a copy of the book for the purposes of offering my honest to goodness review.

⁣

the 11 emails i always open and why

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:39:00 +0000

there are 717 unread emails in another open tab on my laptop right now. i'm trying my darndest to get through them all, marking most as read, leaving just a few unread, which is what prompted this post.

the majority of the emails i receive are ads. but there are some that at one point in time, i intentionally subscribed to for a reason. out of 700+ emails, besides the ones that are PERSONAL, SCHOOL RELATED, or WORK RELATED, which ones do i always want to open and read? and why? for what it's worth, here they are:

☆⮚ Target "There is a sale on something you saved!" obviously i'm opening this one asap.

☆⮚ iMom Minute very practical emails with tips, encouragement "to help you to love your family well," and biblically based parenting, marriage, and relational truths. i love their Ask Your Child section and the printables! i have been a subscriber for years and i don't see that ever changing even as my seasons of parenting change.

☆⮚ The Newsette a quick rundown of news, recommendations, and conversations that are mostly fun but also relevant. a lot of hot takes in this one. not all that i agree with but it keeps me in the loop.

☆⮚ The Pump Daily a daily digest from Arnold Schwarzenegger (yep) "designed to make you healthier in less than 5 minutes." these emails consistently bring fresh science-backed tips for physical and mental health. we trust arnold!

☆⮚ Seth Godin these brief daily emails have thought-provoking quips regarding business, communication, tech, culture, and i guess overall humanity. it's smart food for thought.

☆⮚ Live Original from Sadie Robinson and her team, these weekly emails recap the stories, advice, and encouragement shared on the LO blog. i am 100% out of their age demographic but still truly enjoy reading their thoughts on relationships, faith, and life as a young adult pursuing Jesus.

☆⮚ Shelley Hitz i am not sure how i got on her email list but i very much appreciate the way she generously offers Christian writers creative tips to share the gospel through our work.

☆⮚ Memo to Me Reminder is actually an email reminder service that lets you email yourself something on an ongoing and recurring basis. i have prayers for my family written out and emailed to me daily. i love the simple functionality of Memo to Me, even if the interface is somewhat antiquated.

☆⮚ Letters of Note emails feature history's most interesting letters, most of which were never intended to be published. apparently i love reading other people's personal, unedited words.

☆⮚ New York Times and Dallas Morning News morning and weekend roundups offer just the headlines and briefs so i can be somewhat caught up on what's going on locally and worldwide. tbh most days i just skim and yes there are days i absolutely do not want to open this email so i don't. but it's there for when i do.

maybe someday i'll unsubscribe to the ads or figure out a way to better organize my incoming emails but for now i just look for these favorites and mark everything else as read ;)

what emails do you always open and read?

"mento teach" Valentine's Day candy wrap printables!

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:08:00 +0000

back by popular request: the MENTO Teach Valentine mentos candy wrap printable!

i originally shared this in 2015 and it's been a big hit every year! GET THE FREE PRINTABLE PDFs BELOW :)

if you are looking for a simple and sweet valentine for your kids' teachers, here you go! just pick up some MENTOS candy, wrap the valentine printable note around it, secure with some washi tape, maybe tie a ribbon around it, and show your teachers some valentine's day LOVE.

free MENTOS teacher valentine printables:

black // pink // red

(pdf files: download, open, print)

happy valentine's day!

///

staying in touch with my college girl

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:54:00 +0000

she's 120 miles away from home in her first year of college. i miss her so much. 120 miles might not seem like a lot (thankfully it's not), but it feels like a million miles away some days.

maybe you are in the same season as me? with a child off somewhere in her first year of college, and you just want her to know that you love her, you're proud of her, and you're still/always there for her. maybe you're like me and since you can't hug her every day, you have to do SOMETHING ANYTHING to send her love? maybe these ideas will help you? i'm just doing my best here lol :)

here are some simple ways i'm staying in touch with my college girl, encouraging her, and loving on her across the distance:

// texting her. seems obvious but it works. we text a LOT and by we i mean i text her a lot :) i text her the things i would say to her in person if she was still here at home, like "need anything from the grocery store?" and "drive safe, have fun, take pictures!"

// send prayers and scriptures. whatever the Lord puts on my heart when i'm praying for her, i send to her via text or email. i let her know what i'm praying for her and Bible verses to encourage her especially when it's relevant to something she's going through.

// pretty, fun, funny, sweet images. my daughter is not on social media otherwise i would DM her or tag her in posts/images/memes. instead, i screenshot or screen video and send her any image i come across online that is pretty, fun, funny, sweet, or would otherwise bring a smile to her face. Pinterest is a great place to search out specific graphics! i've been using Pinterest a lot to find a cute graphic, screenshot, crop, and text to her.

// facetime. we don't facetime as often as i would like to, or even as often as i imagined we would, only because our girly has a pretty full schedule. but as often as we can, we facetime her and it always lights me up from the inside out to see her face on the screen. it's so good to see her smile in her new surroundings.

// LOCKET app. have you heard of this app? it allows you to connect with someone and share photos to each other's phones. the four of us in our family share a Locket, we each have the app, and at any time, we can take a photo on the app and when we share it, it appears directly instantly onto everyone else's phones. it's really neat! we can react/respond to eachother's Lockets, and they are saved within the app. check it out - i highly recommend for friends near and far! Locket Widget on the App Store (apple.com)

// cards. i frequently stock up on "missing you," "just because," and "blank inside" greeting cards to send to her in the mail. i try to get a card in the mail to her once a week. she once told me that the email from university telling her she has mail in the mail center is the best email to receive! :)

// care packages big and small. sometimes i'll stick something fun in the greeting cards i send- like a gift card, fun stickers, pictures of us and the dogs, or a face mask, something flat that can go easily USPS with stamps. other times, like maybe once a month, i'll send her a bigger "care package." maybe not necessarily a package but maybe a bouquet of flowers, a box of fresh cookies or cupcakes from a local bakery, or some of her favorite snacks. instacart and uber eats makes it pretty easy to send stuff like that! i also use amazon to surprise her and have things delivered straight to her: boxes of her favorite popcorn, a cozy blanket, a new vinyl record, a pumpkin carving kit, a mini christmas tree for her dorm room...things like that.

// welcome home gifts. throughout the days and weeks that we are apart, i accumulate little things and compile a gift to have for her when she gets home. things like her favorite candy, lipgloss, stickers, snacks, magazines, and other little things like that. i set it up in her bedroom so when she comes home there's a lovebomb surprise there waiting for her :)

doing things like this help make the miles between us and the time apart not seem so far. i'm just trying to make the most of these days! :) hope this helps you, too!

###

you'll feel it tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 18:22:00 +0000

in my workout this morning, the coach encouraged us to use proper form and technique, and he said, "if you do it right today, you'll feel it tomorrow." i know what he meant. if i do the exercise correctly today, my muscles go through a rebuild/grow process, and i'll be sore tomorrow.

i know this is true. it's normal to feel sore after doing a good workout. tomorrow i'll say to myself, 'wow i'm so sore,' and i'll know it is from the workout i did this morning. i did something right yesterday and gosh it hurts today. it's normal, and i'll be stronger tomorrow. it's all part of the process, and the results are dependent on how i do the work today. (not if, but how. that's important.)

so as the coach is saying this, and i hold the dumbbells in my hands, i start to think about the emotional pain i'm experiencing lately.

my daughter left for college two weeks ago. she moved out of our home and into a cute little dorm an hour and a half away. and we're so proud of her and we're grateful! and she's doing amazing. but, man, i miss my little bestie so much and my heart hurts. like when she left, with all her belongings stuffed into IKEA bags and suitcases, she scooped out a big chunk of my heart on her way out the door leaving a gaping hole. she didn't mean to; that part of my heart has always been hers. it's just always been here and now it's not.

i'm feeling it. and i know this is nothing new. it's a normal pain that comes with sending your child out into the world. it hurts to say goodbye to a season of parenthood and childhood. parents who have gone before us nod and smile empathetically, saying things like, "this is what parents want!" "this is what you've worked for all these years!" we know. this is the process.

when the workout coach says, "if you do it right today, you'll feel it tomorrow," i hear the Lord encourage me with this: "the (emotional) pain you're feeling today is because you must have done something right yesterday."

God reminded me that i made the most of every moment with her yesterday. i took a million pictures of her/with her yesterday. i made sure we made lots of memories together yesterday. i never wished away a season of her childhood yesterday. i was present with her yesterday. i was her biggest cheerleader yesterday. i worked to build trust and respect with her yesterday. i taught her everything i know yesterday. i watched her grow and learn and i was there when she needed me yesterday. i hugged her and told her i loved her every chance i got yesterday.

17 years of doing that really did something to my heart muscle. i did something right yesterday and gosh it hurts today. it's normal, it's all part of God's good plan, and i'll be stronger tomorrow. ❤️

while we're here...

to any moms of littles reading this,

i know you hear this a lot but please hear it fresh from me right now: make the most of every day with your kids. enjoy motherhood. don't take the days for granted. don't rush childhood. be super intentional with your kids. pour into them. lean into every load of laundry, every carline, every minute hunched over homework, every pb&j, every zoo trip, every Halloween costume, every sibling squabble you have to break up, every hard lesson you teach, every sleepless night, everything. everything! don't complain it away or give into the negative mom narrative. soak it all in. eat it up. before you know it, it'll be over and that place in your heart that you've been growing and nurturing will be scooped out and sent out into the world, leaving a hollow hole. how you mom today matters. if you do it right today, you'll feel it tomorrow.

###

around here lately: summer of '22

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 24 May 2022 20:21:00 +0000

hello again. it's been a while! someone once said, 'show me where you spend your time and i'll tell you what's important to you,' and that is a simple explanation for my absence from here. but i'm here now just for a sec to document what's been going on around here lately. and by lately, i mean the last 90 days or so.

// haile graduated from high school. she worked incredibly hard and pushed thru those final dragging weeks of senior year, even after securing a scholarship to her top-choice university. i am beside myself with pride and joy, relief and exhaustion, awe and hope. go best friend!!! she leaves for school in august and i'm going to need all the grace, hugs, prayers, and distractions. high school graduation gift ideas: gift cards, cash, this devotional bible, college hoodie, heirloom jewelry, pretty keepsake storage box, and of course i ordered her one of these shirts. check on your friends who's kids are graduating from high school.

// josh graduated from 9th grade. the boy is thriving in high school and i love watching him round out his academic success (and struggles) on the basketball team, on stage in drama, in the band playing percussion, and socially with his peers. recap: we homeschooled him full-time K-5th and now he's in a private Christian classical university model school where he is in school 2 days a week and homeschooled the other days. i miss him on the days he's in school but remedied that by getting a job at the school so yeah this schooling arrangement works wonderfully for us. he is such a fun teenager and i'm thankful that i bucked the parenting narrative that the teen years suck. PSA: THEY DON'T. the teen years are when we start to see evidence and glimpses of fruit of the foundation we laid in their toddler and elementary years. as with any phase of parenting: you'll get out of it what you put into it.

// we got a puppy. i fell in love with someone else's french bulldog named winston in december. immediately, i became obsessed and started a search on petfinder for frenchies. in march, by way of divine circumstances, The Winston Himself came to live with us! the Lord hears our prayers. winston is such a sweet little snuggle bug, has no trouble keeping up with his big doggy sisters, and has been such a fun addition to our family. i laughed when my bible study teacher said she gets a new puppy every time one of her children graduates and moves out of the house. look at me now.

// my parents are selling the b&b. my hair stylist knows my true feelings about it but otherwise i'm just praying God's will be done and waiting with a smile.

// i learned that the puffy make-a-wish flower things are dandelions.

// sinusitis, vertigo, ear infection, oh...ugh. i remember when i was a kid, there were days when my mom would stay in bed with lights off and curtains drawn, and a household understanding to be quiet and do not disturb until the vertigo spell subsided. recently, after a bout of sinusitis, i had the opportunity to experience my own vertigo spell for the first time. and prayerfully the last! what is vertigo? oh it feels something like being on a tilt-a-whirl ride on a boat in the ocean during a storm. having motion sickness when i wasn't even in motion seemed really unfair. we're not entirely sure what triggered it (hormones! stress! sinus infection?) but what helped was a full week of stillness, prescription motion sickness meds, and never turning or tilting my head to the right. just when my world stopped spinning, i got an ear infection. AND! a side of guilt when josh caught an ear infection, too. ugh. and now that's behind us, we are looking forward to a HEALTHY SUMMER!

// subscribing, unfollowing, and reading what makes me want to write. most of my email inbox is tuition invoices, ads, Baylor 'bear'ents updates, and order shipping notifications, it's fine. but the emails i legitimately look forward to opening and reading/studying lately are from Letters of Note. my fascination with reading other people's letters began with THIS children's book, was sparked by THIS website/book, and is currently being fed by Letters of Note. a letter written in 2013 by British journalist Caitlin Moran to her preteen daughter lives rent-free in my head. it's free to subscribe to Letters of Note but the heart-brain stimuli i get from reading other people's letters is priceless. and because i like to live by the way of "one in, one out" principle, i lately appreciate the "least interacted with" feature on instagram. afterall, if we aren't interacting, then what is the point? interaction is reciprocal by definition, so sorry but it's not just you, it's also me. so instead of scrolling and not interacting, i have been spending time both reading and enjoying reading things that make me want to write, including God Be In My Head, The Pilgrim's Regress, Austin Kleon's blog, and Walk It Off. on my to-read list is this book because i want confirmation on what i think is the profession in which people within it -by choice!- complain the most about their jobs. any guesses?

// frequent date nights are still a thing and we will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in december ❤️ intentionality is hot.

this is a lot of words, my time is up, and that's pretty much what's been going on around here lately:)

###

what's supp? 🥤 my daily supplements & vitamins

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:51:00 +0000

"what kind of vitamins and supplements do you take?"

you might have seen me before on instagram sippin from a solo cup in the mornings before i workout and maybe you've wondered what i'm drinking? that is my tasty cocktail of vitamins and supplements! i struggle to swallow pills, so i take a vitamin-supplement combo in a liquid form. (the vitamins/supplements come in powder and i mix with water) it has taken me years to find the combo that works for me but i have been taking this for nearly 2 years now and i'm loving it.

every morning, after a cup of water and a cup of coffee, i change into workout clothes and mix up this powerful concoction. it tastes like fruit punch and has everything i need for overall optimal health!

here are the exact supplements and vitamins that i take daily:

1. Sulfurzyme supports overall wellness by bolstering your joints, aiding your immune system, and supporting normal metabolic function, circulation, and bone, hair, and skin health. it's a powder form- just mix with water- but also comes in capsules.
Order here from Young Living: https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/product/sulfurzyme-powder

2. Root'd Her Multi has 25 essential vitamins & minerals a woman's body needs every day with digestive probiotics, energizing organic superfoods & greens, PLUS hydrating electrolytes. gluten free, dairy free, caffiene free, soy free, vegetarian. powder form, mix with water, fizzes a little bit :)

Order here from Root'd: https://rootd.com/products/women-s-multivitamin, also available at Sprouts and Whole Foods.

3. Energize is a pre-workout drink formulated with key ingredients that are scientifically shown to increase energy and endurance, improve intense exercise performance, sharpen focus and reaction time, increase muscle power output, and delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue. Low-dose caffeine (from green tea and coffee bean extract), plus phytonutrient Quercetin. No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. powder form, mix with water, tastes like gaterade only less chemically.

Order here from Beachbody: ENERGIZE

4. Hydrate scientifically shown to help support hydration during exercise, replace electrolytes lost during exercise, improve exercise performance, improve endurance, and increase fluid absorption during exercise. A balanced combination of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and Quercetin. powder form, mix with water, tastes like gaterade only less chemically.

Order here from Beachbody: HYDRATE

5. Collagen (i like to take a collagen to keep my hair, skin, nails, and bones healthy. i definitely notice a difference when i take it consistently. these are the various kinds of collagen peptides i have taken and would recommend!)

-Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: https://www.vitalproteins.com/products/collagen-peptides

-Modere Liquid Collagen: https://www.modere.com/productdetail/trim-vanilla

-Beachbody Collagen Boost: https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/d/BeachbodyCollagenBoost?referringRepID=565844

AFTER I WORK OUT:

Shakeology contains so much nutrition your body craves—digestive enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all crucial to being healthy and feeling great. Formulated to help reduce cravings and support healthy weight loss, with 16g of protein for lean muscle support, 250mg of omega-3 from ALA, plus it has supergreens, superfruits, and adaptogens, and is gluten-free with 6g of fiber, and probiotics. protein powder, mix with ice water or your favorite milk. my favorite flavor is Cookies & Creamy Plant-Based Vegan and i mix with ice and water - it's nutritious, delicious, and substantial!

Order here from Beachbody: SHAKEOLOGY

the most important thing to keep in mind is even when i take all the best supplements and vitamins, i can’t out-supplement a bad diet and lifestyle. consistency in our diets and lifestyles have the biggest impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health.

other things i do to take care of myself that work with my daily supplements and vitamins:
-exercise every day

-get plenty of fresh air and sunshine
-sleep 7-9 hours every night
-drink 50-60 ounces of filtered water
-limit/avoid added sugar, processed foods
-keep an attitude of gratitude and joy :)

🥤 here's to optimal health and abundant life!

*i am not a doctor and i am not prescribing these supplements to you :) just sharing what i take and what works for me in case you're looking for new vitamins and supplements to add to your daily routine. please always do your own research to discover what works for you!

*some links included in this post support my business as a Beachbody Coach or a Young Living rep. thank you!

life around here lately: it's wild! God is good! 🤯

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 21:09:00 +0000

NOBODY:

ME: "i know!!! it's wild!!! God is good!!!"

if i was to run into you in person today and we briefly caught up on what's going on lately, i'd probably say, "it's wild!!! God is good!!" and here is why...

// 9TH AND 12TH. like what? how? my daughter is a SENIOR in high school and my son is a Freshman in high school. i know! it's wild!!! God is good. though i still have not figured out how to make time slow down, i think i'm getting the hang of making the most of every moment. the school year is off to a fun start. varsity cheer, college tours and applications, senior pictures, senior parties, driver's license, and lots of big kid stuff for my daughter. varsity basketball, pep band, high school activities and responsibilities, and lots of big kid stuff for my son. life around here lately is full. i'm here for it. fully present, fully engaged. i don't want to miss a moment. i fall asleep every night with a grateful heart.

// I'M A RUNNER. apparently, lol. i started running in October of 2020. before my first run, i would have told you that i don't like running. but something that i do like is challenging myself. so when Beachbody released a running program on Beachbody On Demand, i just had to try it and prove to myself that i could. i was shocked that i actually liked running! it's wild!!! [like, what else do i maybe like that i am certain that i don't? seafood? driving a motorcycle? cake decorating???] having the trainer in my earbuds coaching me through the run was very helpful. i probably didn't like running before because i was doing it all wrong! i learned proper form and some different types of runs changed the game for me. now i love running and look forward to my run almost every day. for 20 minutes or so, it's just me and my prayers as the sun rises and my feet hit the pavement around my neighborhood. this quote really pumps me up:

“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”
― John Bingham

this is also super motivational LOL:

// I HAVE A THING FOR MEGAPHONES. as symbols for encouraging others. and i love leading other encouragers. so when the opportunity came up for me to COACH CHEERLEADING at my kids' school, it was an easy yes. it's not something i've ever done or dreamed of doing, but again, i'm down for a challenge! it's the perfect combination of things i love: biblical encouragement, athleticism, choreography, and school spirit. getting to pour into the hearts of middle and high school girls while teaching them cheerleading skills is something i feel like God has been preparing me for for a long time. i love it. probably one of my most favorite jobs ive ever had. yay friday night lights!!!

// FUN FINDS. fun and worth mentioning:

- if you're into saving the landfills from excess clothing, Goodfair online thrift store: https://goodfair.com/collections/shop-women

- if you're into "cultivating a healthy home" via cleanliness and tidiness, Jill Comes Clean: https://jillcomesclean.com/
- if you're into meaningful personalized gifts and supporting small business, Selah Creative Company: https://selah-signs.myshopify.com/

- if knowing more to the story is your thing, Trump Burger: https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2016/11/trump-cafe-bellville-texas-interview-behind-the-scenes

- if curbing anxiety is your thing, 5 Little Changes: https://www.imom.com/5-changes-lowered-mom-anxiety/

// PRAYER FOR 2021: Jeremiah 17:7-8
"My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.

They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water.
It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green.
It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit."

and that about sums up what's going on around here lately!

follow me on IG for more life updates.

# # #

l'dor v'dor: generation to generation

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 15:48:00 +0000

l'dor v'dor

Hebrew, meaning "from generation to generation."

i am reading GENERATION TO GENERATION by Yael Eckstein, and it is reminding me of the importance of passing on a legacy of faith to my children.

what is l'dor v'dor in your family? here are some things i think are worth passing on from generation to generation...

// FAITH what am i teaching my kids about faith? prayer? God? hope? heaven? i like to imagine my kids as adults with their own families, praying the same prayers with their children that i pray with them today. how am i modeling faith now so that when they face struggles and uncertainty in the future, they will respond with a heart that fully trusts God? a strong and true faith in Jesus would be the absolute best gift i can imagine leaving for my children, my grandchildren, and future generations beyond me.

// MEMORIES & STORIES don't you just love hearing stories from your parent's childhood? or your grandparent's childhood? there is something truly special about stories that are passed down from generation to generation. it's legacy! living legacy-focused will keep me mindful of the importance of making memories with my family.

// PHOTOGRAPHS there was a time when people only took photographs on special occasions because getting them processed and printed was such a big deal. to have snapshots of my family's past means the world to me, and i imagine it will mean the world to our children. take pictures and PRINT THEM. put them in albums. don't leave them living on your phone that will be a worthless dinosaur 20 years from now.

// TRADITIONS what traditions does your family have now that were passed on to you by your parents or grandparents? aren't those the best? the smell of garlic toast reminds me of our family's Christmas Eve tradition of going to look at Christmas lights in the neighborhood after spaghetti dinner. my mom grew up with that same tradition and passed it on to me, and it's a tradition i have brought to my family now. tried and true family traditions are what we remember year after year, and are what we can pass on to future generations; not the presents or the amount of money we spent.

// RECIPES you know the ones: nini's buttermilk pie. mom's spaghetti and garlic bread. dad's tabouli. grandma's sausage balls. these are the recipes that are not only delicious but are staples of family meals, especially on holidays. they are handwritten on cards that are now tattered and aged, but they stand the test of time and because i make the effort to pass them on, these recipes will absolutely be shared on tables long after i'm gone.

// VALUES what does your family value? education? service? strong work ethic? faith? generosity? take some time to think about what (positive) values were instilled in you as a child and what kind of values you want for your family and future generations. writing a family mission statement or establishing non-negotiable priorities will help frame family values that can then be passed on and part of your legacy. write it out, talk about it, and purposely pass it on.

// ROUTINES & HABITS my Grandma sat at the kitchen table every morning and drank a mug of hot water. not coffee - just plain water. when i find a good parking spot i say, out loud, every single time: "thank You Jesus." my husband has a habit of throwing a dishtowel over his shoulder when he's cooking or eating a meal. my mom brings my kids a bag of "treats" - random newspaper articles, happy meal toys, pens from hotels she's stayed in - every time she comes to visit. what my kids love is not the trinkets inside the bag, but the fun habit of Granny bringing it to them. these are small, every day, established habits that are unique to us and that are likely to be (accidentally) passed on to the next generation. saying grace before dinner. leaving notes for the family to let them know where you're going and when you'll be back. saying "peace be with you / and also with you" when leaving the house. it's the little things. what routines and habits might you be passing on?

// NAMES & NICKNAMES my Grandma's name was passed on to me and i passed it on to my daughter, and i pray she passes it on to her daughter and so on. a family nickname gets passed around to toddlers. uncle's nickname is shared with another cousin. giving our children family names and passing along beloved nicknames is an easy, meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy.

// HEIRLOOMS heirlooms hold special meaning to your family. baptism gowns. jewelry. art. quilts. any object that your family values and that will be cherished for years to come can be a legacy for future generations. the funny thing about heirlooms is that they don't usually start out with the intention to be an heirloom. an heirloom is usually something that is particularly valuable AND meaningful to a person throughout their lifetime, with that person not realizing the potential of that item's legacy. for instance, when a deployed soldier buys a diamond ring to propose to his girlfriend back home, he isn't thinking about it's heirloom potential at the time. but 3 or 4 generations later when that same ring has been passed down among the family, with the stories of the past, that ring is a cherished family heirloom. an heirloom might lose it's monetary value over time, but that's okay because it's the significance and meaning of it that matters.

// SKILLS & INTERESTS what are your family's skills and interests? music. gardening. crocheting. sports. arts. cooking or baking. home decorating. fashion. teaching. consider the interests that you and your family prioritize. was your dad an avid golfer and now you are, too? was your mom an event planner and now you have a knack for organizing parties? it's not by accident! the things we show interest in and invest our time in today just might be the things future generations are interested in, as well.

a legacy comes from a life lived on purpose. the legacy we leave is the life we lead. let's consider the life we're living, the things we are doing, and let's live on purpose, legacy-minded, so that the things we do today are worthy of being passed on.

to get a sense of the honor, responsibility, and urgency of your true legacy, i highly recommend reading GENERATION TO GENERATION by Yael Eckstein. Eckstein is President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the largest provider of humanitarian aid in Israel. her perspective on legacy and faith is eye-opening. you can find more info about her on the book site, www.generationbook.org.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Orthodox Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, whose vision for building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews has been translated into the largest Christian-supported humanitarian agency helping Jews in Israel and around the world. You can learn more about the organization and Rabbi Eckstein here.

For more than 2,000 years, the Jewish people have preserved and maintained their faith from generation to generation, despite being exiled from their land and suffering persecutions, pogroms, and even the Holocaust, where six million Jewish women, men, and children were killed at the hands of the Nazis. In her book, Generation to Generation, Fellowship President and CEO Yael Eckstein unlocks the keys to how the Jewish people have successfully passed on the legacy of faith through the family, and offers insights into how Christians can incorporate these principles within their own families to pass on a strong and living faith.

move toward better *daily health journal

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 10:21:00 +0000

The chance to move toward better can become a habit. -Seth Godin

hey,

there's something that i see a lot of people struggling with and i'd like to offer some insight here in case it helps somebody. once upon a time i needed to hear this myself, and when i did, it changed everything.

there is no magic pill, wrap, juice, diet, surgery, or smoothie, no shortcut and no fast way to being healthy. all it takes is daily intentional choices to eat clean, exercise, drink mostly water, and get a good night's sleep. seriously. that's it. being healthy is not complicated, expensive, or time-consuming.

it sounds simple but truly it's easier said than done. and that is why diet plans, juices, and quick fix methods are always so trendy. that is why bulky gym equipment sits unused in so many homes. (the amount of "like new" pelatons for sale online is very telling.) taking a risk on a quick fix with big promises can seem enticing and way more fun than making some simple lifestyle changes.

what actually contributes to a healthy lifestyle is consistent healthy habits. a decision, a commitment, and then intentional choices every day towards that commitment.

they say it takes 21 days to form a new habit. and day 22 the habit becomes routine. and by day 62, the routine is now a lifestyle.

here is the simple way to a healthy lifestyle:

1. decide

2. commit

3. get a friend to hold you accountable

4. begin to make changes

5. keep making changes

6. do it again the next day, and every day

7. give yourself grace, then get back in the race

8. repeat steps 1-7 as often as needed

and here is a free DAILY HEALTH JOURNAL download / printable and graphic for IG so you can hold yourself accountable to your friends online.

click here to print your own DAILY HEALTH JOURNAL PAGE:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y1JkU0j0u5eoVriLgqwXTP6QCmIkSirZ/view?usp=sharing

or screenshot the image above and to share on Instagram stories. feel free to tag me @mamahall i'd love to cheer you on :)

readers are leaders // summer reading 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:30:00 +0000

in one month, my kids will begin 8th grade and 11th grade. (i just cried a little as i typed that out.) (seriously, don't blink, mamas.)

until then, we are spending these self-quarantined stay-home-stay-safe summer days watching movies, playing in the pool, family game nights, bike riding, walking the dogs, ordering take-out, hanging out with a friend or two (not more than 10), video gaming, and reading. reading has always been a favorite pastime for my kids. i'm thankful! it's been instilled in them since they were very young that readers are leaders and leaders are readers :)

here are some of the books my kids are reading this summer:

haile, age 15, going into 11th grade, is reading
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Bible book of Romans (Paul for Everyone, Wright)

josh, age 12, going into 8th grade, is reading
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Tempest by Shakespeare
Classical Me, Classical Thee by Rebekah Merkle
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
Bible book of Romans (Paul for Everyone, Wright)

great classics! and if there's ever time to get lost in a good classic novel, it's the summer of 2020.

josh is also reading the Wally McDoogle series- books about 12 year old Wally and his hilarious hijinks and outrageous adventures. josh says he likes the "plot twists" and "unexpected endings." the illustrations are similar to the other series' geared for this age group, and the sense of humor definitely appeals to my pre-teen son. but mostly, i love how the Wally McDoogle books incorporate essential lessons about friendship, pride, and faith, and the importance of trusting God with it all. so important!

and, just for fun, my summer booklist includes

The Banty House by Carolyn Brown

The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher

An Uncommon Grace by Serena B. Miller

Plain Roots by Becki Willis

and my husband is reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner.

what do your kids like to read? are yall reading anything good this summer?

###

bridges and trolls

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 09:38:00 +0000

historically, trolls have a reputation for lurking under bridges.

taunting, mocking, and tempting any one who tries to pass. spewing negativity, whispering lies, planting seeds of doubt and discouragement, trolls might as well be the devil's advocate. a trolls goal is to get you to not cross over the bridge. they want you to stay where you are. second guess yourself. question your convictions. change your mind. and maybe, hopefully, best case scenario: get down under the bridge with the troll.

bridges are elevated. they are the high road. bridges keep you up, safe. bridges take you from the cliff's edge to the continuing path.

be aware of modern day trolls. they sneak into DMs spewing their hopeless hatred. their curt comments aim to discourage and diminish joy. they are bitter. especially if you have hope on the bridge.

take the high road. stay on the bridge. stay true to your convictions. stay on the path.

and as a side note, it's okay to cross the bridge quietly. it doesn't need to be announced and broadcast that you're taking the high road. just do it. you can get past the trolls to the other side with your hope, peace, faith, joy, and freedom in tact.

take the bridge. do it quietly or do it shouting I TRUST GOD'S PLAN! either way, take the bridge and ignore the trolls.

"If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped?

Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought.

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are,

and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath."

1 Peter 3:16-18

share the umbrella

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 04 May 2020 17:14:00 +0000

if it was raining, either a steady sprinkle or a torrential downpour, and we were walking outside in it, if we had to walk a long distance weathering the storm, and if i had an umbrella and you didn't, if i was staying dry and you were soaking and chilled, i promise not to look you in the eye and tell you IT'S OKAY TO GET WET.

i would share my umbrella with you.

i know what it's like to be out in the rain without an umbrella. i know it's okay. it's uncomfortable, but it's temporary - the rain always stops eventually. i'm not going to melt. i'll be okay. i know that.

but if a friend with an umbrella saw me getting drenched in the rain, it would not be super encouraging if she said in passing, "hey eryn it's okay to get wet," and then she went on her way all dry and happy.

yeah, i know it's okay, but will you please share your umbrella?

i see this happening right now. not with umbrellas and rain, but with faith and fears.

i see people shaking, afraid of the unknown, discouraged, stressed, uncertain, anxious, lonely, losing sleep, on edge, angry, frustrated. like they're stuck out in a torrential downpour.

and i see friends not sharing their umbrellas. i see friends saying IT'S OKAY TO FEEL THAT WAY. and going on their merry way with their faith umbrellas strong and intact.

sharing the umbrella is offering real, genuine encouragement to a friend in need. it's sharing truth, joy, peace, and comfort. it's okay to feel that way can leave a friend feeling empty and cold. when my faith is built up, it's not just for me. it's so i can encourage others in the faith, as well.

"it's okay to feel that way, and let me share some of God's promises with you."

"it's okay to feel that way, but have hope, sis. God's got you."

"it's okay to feel that way, but don't be afraid. God is here."

"it's okay to feel that way, but remember how faithful our God is? He'll never abandon you."

i'll share my umbrella - my faith - the very thing that is keeping me protected from the elements. i won't enable you in your weakness, i'll encourage you with my strength from God. i can identify with you, but i won't let you claim that place in the storm as your identity. i'll remind you to surrender to the Lord, not to the storm.

i might even remind you that you have your own umbrella, actually. (2 peter1:3-4) because maybe you momentarily forgot God's promises and you just need a loving reminder that He is still on the throne and He still has a good plan for your life? maybe just seeing me and my umbrella reminds you to grab a hold of yours? can i remind you that you had an umbrella on Sunday morning, on Easter Sunday, and around Christmastime, maybe you left it there?

and, friend, beware of trying to use fake umbrellas. beware of trying to fake your way to happiness, or confidence, seeking and striving in all the wrong places. peace and joy is only found in Jesus. it's okay to be seen in the rain and ask for help. there are plenty of friends with umbrellas willing to share and help you find yours. and i guarantee someday i'm going to forget my umbrella and i'll need you to please share yours.

and if we are both standing out in the rain, and neither of us have umbrellas? we need to find someone who does, ASAP. take my hand and let's get out of the rain together. let's seek our refuge and safety! (psalm 91) let's get with believers who will encourage us in the faith and let's get into God's Word immediately! as soon as He hears our cries for help, He answers us and leads us in His perfect peace. (isaiah 30:19-21)

staying afraid and caught up in our circumstances together does neither of us any good. sitting there getting rained on, even if we're together, doesn't make it any better. it's still miserable and uncomfortable. relating to each other in the rain isn't enough to get out of it. commiserating in our weakness is exactly where the enemy wants us. two or more gathered in the name of anxiety. no thank you. i don't want to stay in the rain, afraid, alone, unsure, bitter, complaining. and i don't want to leave you there, either.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." -Romans 12:12

if you have an umbrella, share it.
if you need an umbrella, find one. don't stay in the rain.

if you are encouraged by the Lord, if you have hope, and faith to see beyond the circumstances, share it. (1Thess5:11)
if you are feeling discouraged, hopeless, and fearful in the circumstances, surround yourself with believers and seek Jesus. there is grace for you, girl, but please don't stay in those feelings. process them in prayer, get in God's Word, and fellowship with friends who will encourage you.

one of my favorite memories is from one time when i was at disneyworld with my family. we had just started our day at epcot and it started to rain, like possible hurricane-type rain. as i ushered my family underneath an awning to assess the situation, i noticed something: people weren't panicking. they were getting their ponchos and umbrellas out of their backpacks, sharing them with one another, and going out into the rain to continue their magical time in the happiest place on earth. i saw strangers huddling under porches, making a place for others to squeeze in out of the rain. IT'S OKAY TO GET WET, BUT HERE, YOU CAN TAKE SHELTER.

imagine if we all shared our faith and built one another up with promises of God when our friends were caught up in fear and feelings! our faith isn't just for Sundays and good days and counting blessings, friend. our faith is also for storms and pain and challenges. it's for sharing hope. it's for being light. it's for speaking life.

"I don't want fair-weather faith. I want resilient, bold faith that is deeply rooted and secure...We pray for belief that He can calm the storms. And even if He doesn't, for belief that He will not abandon us in the downpour."

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

-Isaiah 43:2

###

6 things for staying in & staying sane

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:31:00 +0000

i work from home and homeschool my kids, so this whole everybody stay home thing is nothing new for us. since we're all home-bound for health reasons until further notice, i thought i'd share six things i use EVERY DAY that keep me sane staying home:

1. diffuser and essential oils // you knew i was gonna say this :) seriously, in addition to the health benefits of diffusing essential oils, it really makes a difference in the overall atmosphere of my home when the air is filled with essential oils. put one in all high traffic areas of your home, and if you are at your computer most of the day, i recommend a USB diffuser! TARGET / AMAZON / YOUNG LIVING

2. walking shoes and sunscreen // ok i know this isn't technically "staying in" but hear me out. even when working from home and on homeschool days, i think it's important to get outdoors at least once a day for sunshine, fresh air, nature, and physical exercise. i put on my running shoes and sunscreen on my face first thing in the morning. find yourself a good pair of outdoor tennis shoes, and a sunscreen that you like, and work it into your day! i linked my: SHOES / SUNSCREEN

3. Beachbody On Demand // speaking of physical exercise, this is my favorite app for working out at home. i've been working out at home every day for years using this app! most workouts are only 30-40 minutes! super easy to work into a daily routine. BOD is $99/year, and there's a free trial no obligation option, as well. DOWNLOAD BEACHBODY ON DEMAND *updated: Beachbody has generously offered 11 FREE workout programs! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS (pdf file with links) (no purchase necessary) AND FREE Kids Fitness Programs on Vimeo here.

4. rebounding trampoline // this is fun for the whole family and really good exercise! i recently read that 10 minutes of jumping is the cardio equivalent of running for 30 minutes. i made a REBOUND PLAYLIST on Spotify to jump to. it's great for homeschooling days, too, when the kids need a bounce break :) WALMART / AMAZON

5. Voxer // face to face interaction with people might be limited right now (#socialdistancing) but you can still have real, quality conversations with friends using Voxer app. i love using Voxer because it allows the users to listen and reply via voice at their convenience, either real time or later. whereas, a phone call requires both users to be available on-demand. it's a fun way to stay in touch with people and hear their voices! i usually have ongoing conversations with multiple friends :) DOWNLOAD VOXER (it's free)

6. Church Home // this should be #1 on the list because it's what i use every morning even before i put on my shoes and sunscreen! :) Churchome app has daily messages with prayer and reflection via 5-10 minute videos. it's such a great way to start the day encouraged by the word of God! faith comes by hearing! (Romans 10:17) DOWNLOAD CHURCHOME (it's free)

while none of these things are absolutely necessary for staying home, either by choice or by CDC recommendations, they're all things that i have found useful for a successful, productive, and pleasant work from home and homeschool experience!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity.

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,"

declares the Lord,

"and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

-Jeremiah 29:11

###

6 tips for new homeschooling mamas

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:56:00 +0000

in light of the schooling changes many are experiencing lately, i thought i'd offer some encouragement for new homeschooling families. here are six things i've learned in 11 years of homeschooling experience:

1 // you are fully capable. remember, you were your child's first teacher and you are your child's best teacher. you were appointed by God to be your child's parent, and parenting is A LOT of teaching from day 1. you don't have to have a teaching degree, or any special training or education to homeschool your kids. teaching academics might not come naturally to you, but don't underestimate yourself and your ability to teach your children. all textbooks and curricula include teaching guides and answer keys. you don't have to know it all.

2 // your home is probably already well equipped. you don't need to remodel a room, buy tons of supplies, or set up a "classroom" in your home. in fact, i DO NOT recommend trying to replicate a classroom setting at home - it's not natural. if you have a kitchen table, books, paper, and pencils, you're good to go. homeschooling is best, in my experience, when it's set up as a way of life. learning happens everywhere and all the time. it's not confined to a desk, a classroom, or a time of day.

3 // your homeschool experience will be unique. remember this. no two families homeschool the same. your child's abilities and learning style is unique, and might change from year to year. please do yourself a favor and do not compare your homeschool experience to anyone else's, or to the public school experience.

4 // take your time. ease into it. give yourself - and your kids - grace and PATIENCE as you begin to homeschool. diving in full speed ahead can quickly lead to overwhelm, stress, and burnout. homeschooling is not a race. a stressed out home is not conducive to learning. take your time and enjoy the journey.

5 // be flexible. stay ready to adapt. you might start out using one math book and after a week or so realize it's not a good fit for your child. that's okay! or, you might think starting school work at 9am is a good idea but then find out your child is more attentive later in the day. that's okay! it's a process and a lot of it is trial and error. (another reason not to stock up on supplies or rearrange a bedroom- it might not be what your child needs!) in the meantime, you are going to discover your child's learning styles and get to watch them learn new things -- that was one of my favorite parts about homeschooling!

6 // make the most of it. whether you're planning to homeschool for two weeks, two years, or indefinitely, make the most of it! teach your child a new language, let your child do her school work outside, take a day off when you need to, listen to audiobooks, have fun! take advantage of the opportunities you have to be first-hand involved in your child's learning. go into it with the mindset and heart for your children to look back on this time and remember it with a smile. don't do it begrudgingly.

wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling! it's a sacrifice and a big responsibility, yes, but it's so incredibly sweet and so wonderfully worth it.

ps: if you want to know more about our curriculum choices and homeschool schedules, i shared regular updates from 2008 through 2016 here and here. feel free to email me or find me on instagram if you have any homeschool questions! you got this! xo

"And we know that God causes everything to work together

for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

-Romans 8:28

###

interruptible

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:18:00 +0000

i say this to my kids all the time. when i'm working from home, doing my workout, on a phone call, doing housework, having coffee with a friend, going to a work meeting, i tell my kids "i'm interruptible."

i want them to know it's okay for them to come to me any time, even if it might seem that i'm "too busy" for them; i want them to know i'm not. ever.

even if i'm in the middle of something else, i want to hear what they have to say. i want to see what they want to show me. i want to be able to help them if they need it. i want to see their smiles and hear their laughs and know their feelings and thoughts and ideas. i don't want to miss any of it because i'm too busy or too focused on something else. presence is priority.

i learned this little phrase years ago when i was praying about something that seemed minor to me because at the same time, there were incredible tragedies happening in other parts of our country. i thought, i probably shouldn't bug God with this little thing that's happening in my little life while he's saving and healing hundreds of hearts over there. and the Holy Spirit showed me, by way of giving me an opportunity that same day with my kids, that God is a good Father and i can come to him any time. He is faithful and His presence is reliable. He is interruptible.

i thought about Jesus and all the times He was interrupted. read the Bible and see that pretty much every time Jesus was interrupted along His way, He found a way to bless the people who needed Him. Jesus didn't get annoyed. He wasn't inconvenienced or burdened by their needs. He took advantage of every divine interruption.

how truly amazing that the Savior of our souls is never too busy, too distracted, too focused on something else, or too overscheduled to be interrupted.

my mindset on interruptions changed. my kids aren't interruptions. those moments they need me are opportunities to teach, comfort, know, help, and love them. my availability and accessibility to them builds trust between us. it's safe to come to me. i'm willing to set aside my plans and shift my focus for their sakes. i'm available and they are welcome and they can have my eyes and ears for as long as they want.

laundry half-folded. emails saved as drafts. text conversations left on read. face to face conversations walked away from. projects dropped. mail left unread. inbox ignored. movies muted. social media shut down. workout videos paused. i'm interruptible.

i can't even count how many times my kids have taken advantage of this and i've had to stop what i was doing to give them my attention. the same number of times that i've been interrupted, i've been thankful. thankful for that moment, that conversation, that opportunity with them. i eventually go back to what i was doing, but my heart is full and lifted- SO GRATEFUL. their interruptions are hands down without a question always better than whatever else i was doing.

God uses those moments of interruption to cause me to turn and praise him. God is glorified in my mothering.

even as my kids are getting older and more independent, i still tell them "i'm interruptible" almost daily. it's still important to me that they know i'm here for them- physically here and attentively here. they can always come to me. i'm interruptible for them.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

-Psalm 16:11

###

leverage the fridge

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 10:56:00 +0000

what is on your refrigerator? kids' artwork? photo booth pics? concert tickets? grocery list? fingerprints.

what was on your refrigerator in your childhood home when you were growing up? our fridge always had a small promo calendar on it from an insurance company, a tattered copy of "Babies Don't Keep" poem, and rotating newspaper clippings of Dear Abby and Miss Manners.

researchers found that most people look at their fridge an average of 30 times a day.

different researchers found that our regular surroundings - things in our day to day environment that we see repeatedly - have a critical impact on our behavior, perspectives, motivation, thoughts, physical, emotional, and mental health. the things we surround ourselves with every day influence who we are.

the refrigerator is a big part of our daily surroundings. it takes up a big space in our kitchens. it's a destination. that's why we put things on there like calendars and to do lists. it's how we memorize the magnets and the remember the milk. we could be missing a huge opportunity to influence the people in our home if we don't take advantage of that big magnetic bulletin board in the heart of our homes.

leverage the fridge. put something on it knowing you and your loved ones will see it multiple times a day every day for potentially many years of their lives. write out an encouraging note, your family mission statement, a scripture verse or two, a daily prayer, grab a magnet, and stick it up there front and center.

we probably all have fridges. and we probably all have loved ones. we might as well use this appliance we face repeatedly to intentionally influence our surroundings.

"So keep these commandments carefully in mind.

Tie them to your hand to remind you to obey them,

and tie them to your forehead between your eyes!

Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting at home,

when you are out walking, at bedtime, and before breakfast!

Write them upon the doors of your houses and upon your gates,

so that as long as there is sky above the earth,

you and your children will enjoy the good life

awaiting you in the land the Lord has promised you."

-Deuteronomy 11:18-21

###

be kind 101

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000

the other day i saw a big pickup truck with a custom license plate that said BE★KIND. i don't usually give a second thought to custom license plates but this one seemed to be in the perfect place at the perfect time.

it was a beautiful sunny saturday afternoon in a busy shopping center. BE★KIND had it's flashers on and was stopped in the middle of the 2-way one lane road, blocking all incoming traffic behind him. on closer look, i saw an even bigger delivery type truck that was parked sideways across the road on the other side of BE★KIND. the front end of the delivery truck was stuck precariously between a fire hydrant and a light post. yikes. men congregated on the curb, surveying the situation, probably discussing ways to maneuver the delivery truck without doing major damage. what's worse? electrical damage or water/plumbing damage? it was quite a predicament and the traffic started to build up.

but all the cars that lined up in the jam, all the impatient drivers trying to get through, were faced with that license plate, BE★KIND. just when someone was about to honk, BE★KIND. when road rage was about to ensue, BE★KIND. i could practically sense the shift of attitude as each driver approached the scene, from WTH?!? to BE★KIND. that license plate might as well have said CALM DOWN EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE JUST FINE RELAX PEOPLE IT'S GONNA BE OKAY.

do we really need a reminder so blatantly in our faces in order to actually be kind? would everyone be a little nicer, more patient, extend more grace if it was written out before us 24/7? why is it so hard for people to be kind?

we like to say kind is cool but i've been out there, and people are not always kind or cool.

sitting there waiting for the trucks to move, i came up with this short list of basic ways to live out kindness. be kind 101, if you will:

// don't honk in impatience.

// say please and thank you, and excuse me and bless you.

// smile.

// put the buggy back.

// treat service employees with respect as they serve you (not entitlement).

// flush when you're finished.

// don't litter - that includes chewing gum. find a trash can.

// don't use foul language or gestures in public places.

// hold the door open for other people.

and then the delivery truck backed out safely and everyone moved on about their day with smiles, compassion, gratitude, and grace. it was kinda cool.

###

things i love thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 08:13:00 +0000

lately on instagram stories i've been sharing THINGS I LOVE on thursdays. sometimes it's products you can buy at the store, sometimes it's a song or an idea. completely not sponsored or anything. just things from my day to day life that i discover and think are worth sharing! i've enjoyed the feedback and responses on instagram so i thought i'd bring it over to the blog, too! this is a recap of the last few weeks of THINGS I LOVE THURSDAYS!

polaroid digital frame // great gift idea, preload images on the card, we love ours!

autumn's gold bars // clean ingredients, filling and nutritious, grain free! i keep one in the car for emergency snacks :)

packing cubes // must-have for travelling! keeps luggage contents organized and tidy.

free diy custom prints // another great gift idea! free, customizable beautiful prints! print, frame, gift!

makeup eraser // must-have! magic cloth takes off all makeup with just water. i use it on my eyes and lips regularly to remove waterproof mascara and long last lipsticks.

schmidt's deodorant // natural deodorant that actually works for me!

praying the scriptures for your teens book // a must read for anyone parenting/raising teenagers. very specific scripture-based prayers for very specific teen issues!

(click on the bolded item name to take you to the product info page)

xoxo

###

labels are for jars

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:30:00 +0000

maybe the reason we struggle to accept our identity in Christ is because of the other labels that have been attached to us for so long.

if you hear yourself described as something for so long, you can't help but to start believing it's who you are.

too shy/tall/short // dumb blonde // big-boned // dropout // worthless // stubborn // lazy // uncoordinated // addicted // loud mouth // loser // hot-tempered // control freak // guilty

people inadvertently give people labels all the time without realizing the potential damage it's doing to their identity. parents are especially good at this. as if getting to choose our baby's name isn't enough, we also have the power to form their identity with the words we say about them.

preemie // brat // accident // stupid // overweight // nerd // skinny // failure // hyper // stubborn // distracted // weak // bully // mama's boy // underachiever // troublemaker // picky eater // spoiled

we don't even realize we're doing it. the trouble is when we take a fact about someone - their circumstance or behavior - and make it part of who they are.

grown adults still identify as preemies and struggle to believe they are capable of certain things because they were born too early, too tiny, not ready to breathe or eat on her own. yall: grown adults live in insecurity because of a label they were given at birth. a fact about their birth became a label they wear that excuses them, excludes them, limits them, identifies them, and HOLDS THEM IN BONDAGE.

because if i'm always told i was too early, too tiny, too sick, not ready for life, how in the world am i supposed to believe that God calls me an overcomer, God's workmanship, wonderfully made in His image, capable of doing all things through Christ who strengthens me, chosen, loved, and called to righteousness!?!

we love to stick these potentially permanent labels on other people, our children, and even ourselves. some popular self-labels:

single // sick // any number or descriptor on any "personality test" // unemployed // fat/skinny // introvert/extrovert // weak // hot mess // sensitive // ugly // victim // unseen // workaholic // people pleaser // uneducated // broke // left out // not creative // too old // awkward // broken

we love our labels so much that we follow social media accounts, buy books, t-shirts, and laptop stickers to affirm them. we want to surround ourselves with people who wear the same labels as us. we live in these little boxes we built for ourselves: labeled and limited. we're wrecking ourselves by identifying as our circumstances, our past, and our shortcomings.

when we use these kinds of absolute labels to describe ourselves, our children, or other people, we diminishes the cross. Jesus didn't die so i could forever believe myself to be eryn, type A overachiever insecure homeschool mom with body image issues who struggles with anxiety.

yo! i am more than that! i'm a Daughter of the King! and so are you! let's follow social media accounts and buy books to affirm that! let's surround ourselves with people who call that out in us!

i refuse to identify with labels that disregard what God says about me. and you should, too.

God knows all of the facts about us but he doesn't use them as labels. despite what we've been through, what we did, what we look like, what people have said about us, God calls us HIS, SEEN, PROTECTED, FORGIVEN, INCLUDED, LOVED, CREATED ON PURPOSE, OVERCOMER, CHOSEN, BEAUTIFUL, SEEN, WORTH LOVING, STRONG, SIGNIFICANT, BRAVE, FREE, ACCEPTED.

our labels and words could be the only thing holding someone back, stifling growth, and preventing potential.
God sees us, has good plans for us, and wants us to rip off the labels we put on ourselves and the ones we've been wearing all our lives, and realize our true identity is in Him. get out of your head, get into the Word, and learn to speak life.

no matter what labels people put on you, rest in the truth that as a child of God your identity is already firmly established in Him, unchanging and beautiful. labels are for jars. let's stop labeling ourselves and our kids and use our words to call out the truth of who we are and Whose we are!

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me."

-Galatians 2:20

"we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

-Ephesians 2:10

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you

out of darkness into his wonderful light"

-1 Peter 2:9

###

everyone’s going to be fine

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 19:01:00 +0000

there is a scene in one of my favorite shows, The Office, where Michael and Dwight have a surprise planned for the employees. (it's a demonstration for mental health awareness gone extremely wrong, but that's beside the point.) Dwight urges the others to come with him, but the employees are hesitant and tentative. they're standing around in uncertainty, kind of rolling their eyes, questioning: what about their work, how long will they be gone, what should they bring, what should they expect, what should they wear?

dwight gets frustrated and says something kinda profound

everyone’s going to be fine in exactly what they’re wearing

just trust me, he's saying. i have something really great planned for you. you're going to love it. don't worry about a thing- i've thought it all through and everyone's going to be fine. just come with me. just as you are. trust me.

wait. this seems familiar.

i couldn't shake it. i took that quote completely out of the context of The Office and was convicted right there mid-binge.

"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

-Matthew 6:30-33

oh. there it is. how many times am i like the employees? questioning and doubting? hesitant and tentative? dragging my feet, stuck in uncertainty? thinking like an unbeliever. ugh i'm more like Stanley than i want to admit.

God wants me to come to him and trust him. just as i am. God promises are good. His plans are good. i'm called (you're called) to stand up, firm in my faith, and walk in that. i'm called to trust God completely.

"I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing.

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

When you come looking for me, you’ll find me...I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed...

You can count on it."

-Jeremiah 29:10-14

"every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan

of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning

to share the likeness of his Son."

-Romans 8:28-29

whatever God has for me, it's going to be good. i don't want to miss it because i'm worried i'm not worth it, or because i'm wondering if His plans are good or worth the wait. He loves me just as i am. yes. His plans for me and my future are good. GOOD. yes. this is for you, too.

as i was writing this, i came across this wisdom from my friend Andrea:

"God is beckoning us onward and forward. He wants to help us move victoriously through every challenge and season of our lives. Let's be ones who take hold of the grace He has for us and rise in strength, courage, obedience, and hope-filled expectancy for the story God is still writing in our lives. It's a good one if we'll stick with it. Let's be brave, take courage, say yes to what God is putting before us to do, and more onward and forward by His grace. He is so faithful to meet us there."

God calls us just as we are to a life of fully trusting and surrendering to His plans.

everyone’s going to be fine in exactly what they’re wearing. let's go!

happy new year by the way:) xoxo

###

Christmastime is here 🎄 ☕

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:14:00 +0000

The sights, the sounds

They're everywhere and all around

I've never felt so good before

This empty place inside of me is filling up

I simply cannot get enough!

-Jack Skellington in Christmastown

i love Christmastime! the fresh cool air, the bright and colorful lights and decorations, Christmas trees and garland, Nativity scenes, traditions, magic wonder and hopeful excitement, making plans to be with family and friends, buying and wrapping thoughtful gifts, and knowing it's all a big celebration of the birth of Jesus...it's all so special and makes my heart so happy! December is easily one of my favorite months of the year, second only to October ;)

some of my Christmastime favorites:

// TRADITION pajamas, hot cocoa, driving around looking at Christmas lights

// MOVIE Elf and Nightmare before Christmas

// FOOD Nini's Dream Salad, and spaghetti on Christmas Eve

// DRINK eggnog and hot chocolate

// CHILDHOOD GIFT Baylor sweatshirt

// SONG Joy to the World, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and Heaven Everywhere

what are your favorites?

a Christmas playlist of some of my favorite songs: CHRISTMAS FAVES ON SPOTIFY 🎄

3 secrets to a joyful Christmas: HOW TO HAVE A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

20 easy free(ish) ideas for FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

4 free CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN PRINTABLES

our tradition of giving only 4 CHRISTMAS GIFTS to our kids

have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year! i don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer:

have an eggnog latte or peppermint mocha or whatever you like on me :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xoxo

5 things to do before 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 20:10:00 +0000

there are 28 days left in 2019. that's wild, huh?

i want to finish 2019 strong and start 2020 feeling accomplished, refreshed, and ready. i want to make the most of the end of the year, and do what i can to avoid going through the motions of the hustle-bustle of the holidays and then being caught off guard when it's time to flip the calendar. i can't slow down time (sorry) but i can be intentional with it.

my to-do list for the next three weeks has plenty on it, trust me. but i made this short list of things to do before the new year begins. maybe you're like me and want to go into 2020 with intention? grab your journal and jot this down so you can pray and process and start the new year feeling 100%.

5 things to do before 2020:

// REVISIT last year's new year's resolutions, goals, and/or your word of the year. how did it go? what worked and what didn't, and why? is there something you can do differently in the new year, take a different approach, or do to prevent setbacks? i give you full permission to call an audible on last year's resolution if you need to ;) if you have made progress towards a goal, celebrate that and give yourself grace to continue working on it even after December 31, 2019. don't give up!

// REFLECT on how you spent your time, your money, your talents, and your energy (be honest with yourself). was it worth it? what do your "bank accounts" for your time, finances, and effort, say about what you value in life? what investments did you make for your family? faith? health? others? legacy? what was the best use of your time/money/gifts/effort? what changes will you make in the new year? did you steward your resources well? were you faithful with what God entrusted to you?

// REMEMBER people who blessed you, and tell them. Christmas cards are a great tradition but it can become rote and perfunctory if we're not careful. take some time to write a note to someone who is a blessing in your life. or call, facetime, text, or email them. just please for the love don't post a personal thank you note on social media. i like to go through the photos on my phone to remember special moments and be reminded of special people in my life.

// REEVALUATE your belongings, and organize, purge, and donate. it always feels good to start a new year with less clutter. what have you accumulated that you no longer use/need? what is taking up space and no longer serves a purpose? what can you give away? clearing the clutter in your home is proven to lower stress levels, improve digestive and sleep cycles, and increase energy, focus, and productivity. plus, someone else could really be blessed by your donations. consider how you could live with less, and live generously, and go into the new year with that mindset.

// REASSESS projects and plans. what's worth finishing? what will you follow through with? if you have too much on your plate, it's a good time to honestly evaluate what needs to come OFF of your plate altogether. what is God calling you to do, or to STOP doing? what can you do to step into that calling? are your yes's and no's honest and realistic? set realistic deadlines - push them back if necessary, reassess your responsibilities, and delegate where you can.

and that's it! praying and processing through these things, and taking action on them, will be a great way to start the new year!

happy new year to you & yours

xoxo

"those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

3 ways to make the most of a new month 🗓 🙏💕

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 18:54:00 +0000

i flipped the calendar this morning and instead of filling the boxes with things to do and places to be, i surrendered all my plans to whatever God has planned. it’s actually really freeing (not scary) because i trust that His plans are waaayyyy better than mine!

at the start of each new month, i like to organize my planner with my prayer focus, my fitness/workout goals, appointments, activities, family time, date nights, volunteering/donating opportunities, travel, and other things to do. but, even with all my to-do lists, each new day starts with me SURRENDERING my plans to His. literally praying: God, take this day and all my plans and do with it what You want. i just want to be in His will because that’s where true contentment and peace is!

with all this on my heart, i felt led to share 3 things to do to make the most of this new month:

1 // organize and prioritize: instead of letting the calendar tell you what to do, look ahead at the calendar and make it work for you. organize all the ideas, projects, deadlines, appointments, and prioritize. if there is a period of time that is jam-packed with to-dos, figure out what you can delete. give yourself grace to take things off the calendar that don't contribute to your peace or your family's peace. say yes to things that bring you closer to God and closer to your family! set boundaries on your time.

2 // write it out: i'm a fan of my phone calendar because it syncs up to my family's calendars, and i have it set up to remind me of all upcoming activities. it's really helpful for making sure things don't fall through the cracks. however, i'm also a big fan of writing down my goals, plans, and ideas. something about putting pen to paper gives it more meaning...? i use a paper calendar planner (Hope Planner) - not for the recurring daily tasks (take kids to school, serve on Sundays at 9, etc.), but for the big picture and personal tasks (mail Christmas cards, organize donations, etc.). i especially love that this planner is undated and has space on each day for prayer, water and workout tracking, meal planning, and to do list. if you typically only use a digital calendar, and that isn't working for you, try writing it out this month. start with just writing out one week at a time to see how well you like it!

3 // surrender it all: if you've ever found yourself frustrated or stressed because there isn't enough time in the day to do all the things on your agenda, it might be time to surrender your plans to God's will. as a wise friend once told me on one particularly stressful day when everything went off the rails, "be still and know: God has something better in store for you today." it's true 100% of the time. write on the top of your paper calendar or add it to every day in your phone calendar: I SURRENDER ALL. and pray it every day. and watch what God can do with your days when you live open handed and open hearted!

repeat on the first of every month! doing these three things is a great way to keep in mind that God's plan is greater than anything on our agenda! 🙌

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct your paths."

-Proverbs 3:5

# # #