so the cook said

Look UP!

2018-06-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Even though I was sad to see our Moms Group semester come to a close (we take a break for summer), we had an amazing last meeting in May. We reflected on all the good things the Lord had done. We saw relationships built, marriages made stronger, women in the Word, better mommas, encouraged women, changed lives. To God be the glory! Great things HE has done.

I am equally excited about all that we have to look forward to for the new year. A new focus. New friendships. New truths to learn. New battles to fight. New babies. New tables to sit at. New struggles. New victories.

Our focus, for the next year will be "Look up!"

I shared with those moms that I have a hard time (or feel guilty) asking for help. It's so hard for me to admit I'm failing or to admit that I'm not enough. Motherhood brought on a whole new set of needs. It challenged my identity. Took my time. These kid's survival depended on me. Challenged my marriage. Changed my schedule, wardrobe and number of times I washed my hair. Suddenly I had a hard time having a quiet time. And I still struggle daily with that feeling of not being enough vs. not wanting to admit that I'm not enough. I feel empty some days - but I hate to admit that. Anyone else?

But as I was scrolling through a social media feed last week, a graphic of this verse stopped me in my tracks.

This verse is hopeful! I can be filled! And yet it also made me wonder, "Would I ever be filled if I never admitted to that hunger or need?"

A familiar story of Elijah seemed to keep resurfacing in my life. I heard about it a women's conference, at Wednesday night prayer meeting, in a sermon by my dad...and so, I shared what I had learned and what I had heard.

Elijah was a prophet - which simply means he was seen, in his day, as an inspired teacher. He was respected by God's people. And he was a proclaimer of the will of God.

Then the Lord said to Elijah, "Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon.

I have instructed a widow there to feed you."

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village,

he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her,

"Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?"

As she was going to get it, he called to her, "Bring me a bite of bread, too."

But she said, "I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house.

And I only have a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug.

I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal,

and then my son and I will die."

But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said,

but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a

meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:

"There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time

when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!"

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat

for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers,

just as the Lord had promised through Elijah."

I Kings 17:8-16, NLT

I am so thankful that God empties us so that HE can do the miraculous sustaining.

As a mom, I can imagine her panic and fear. No one would have faulted her if instead of obeying God she had said, "No, I am going to provide for my son's needs first." But her own efforts would have only sustained this family for a day. In her own efforts, she was lacking. She obeyed. And as a result, God kept sustaining. (for far longer than she could have ever managed on her own).

In my emptiness, I must surrender. I must ask, "What is God asking me to do?

It may simply be that I need to admit that I am not enough! I wasn't made to be enough! If I was ever "enough" I would never need Jesus!

It may be that I need to talk to my kids (and others) about how God is sustaining me. I think back to when I was growing up. I have always loved when my parents would tell stories of God supplying because they stepped out in faith. I never thought LESS of my parents and their lack of resources or knowledge...instead, I thought MORE of my God.

Verse 24 of I Kings 17 tells us that this mother's faith was strengthened. In our emptiness, He can do the most miraculous things. Let's fill the void with HIM. And as a result, people will say, "That must be Jesus!!"

Next year, our mom's group is going to Look Up! We are praying, expecting and hoping. We are looking up with our palms open, ready for the Lord to do the sustaining and filling.

I look up to the mountains --

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, He who watches over Israel

never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord Himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and

watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever.

Psalm 121, NLT

This Psalm of ascent was one that the Israelites would sing on their journey to Jerusalem. As they traveled, those mountains in front of them were the surest, firmest thing they could imagine. And so they pointed and asked, "Does my help come from there? those mountains?....My help comes from the Lord!"

This group of moms is going to look to Him. We are going to admit our emptiness. We are going to let him do the miraculous sustaining. And we are praying that our kids and others we come in contact with will come to this conclusion: "That must be Jesus!"

Each mom went home with a loaf pan and a bread mix. Each time they make muffins or bread for their children, I pray that they will be reminded of the sustaining that happened in I Kings 17 as a result of a mom's faith.

Each loaf pan was tied up with a tag reminding them of our Scripture focus for next year - Psalm 121. I pray that they will read it, write it and maybe even memorize it as they go throughout their summer.

I pray that they regularly get in the habit of Looking UP! And if they weren't sure how that should look practically, we encouraged them to try this 30 Day Word before World Challenge. In those empty moments, it is so easy to turn to my phone, social media, Netflix, a snack...many things other than the Word!

It's never too late to begin this challenge! Or to start it over again!

Let's do this! Let's Look Up! Let's watch God do the filling and sustaining! He made us to need Him!

Read with Me

2018-05-30T10:47:00.000-04:00

Little Book of Thanks is a cute board book to add to our Fall book collection. Its full of poems and prayers of thankfulness. The illustrations of the Precious Moments are cute and engaging. I love the Bible verses that are also included. We plan to memorize some of the poems and Bible verses this fall.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I am always looking for material to use with my children for family devotions or even Bible time as we homeschool. My children are 3 and 5, and so finding something they both are interested in is often a challenge. I am loving Max Lucado's God Always Keeps His Promises - Unshakable Hope for Kids. Its beautifully illustrated, which keeps my 3 year old interested. And we can easily incorporate it into my 5 year olds school work by having him write out the short accompanying key verse for each promise. The way these Biblical storys describe the promises of God is even amazing to me. We love this book and will continue to read it as a family.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest reveiw.

You Can Stay Home with Your Kids is the cutest covered hardback filled with glossy pages and incredible tips. If you've ever wondered if your family could go down to one income, allowing you to be a stay at home mom, this book is filled with the advice, money saving ideas and action steps that you can put into place. It's easy to read and topically divided. What a great resource.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Even tough it is not the Christmas season, I was excited to look through this book. I plan to use it for my own personal devotions this holiday season. An Advent Devotional Unwrapping the Names of Jesus is a beautiful little hard back book. There are 4 weeks of devotions, dividing the names into these categories: Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love. Each week has 5 days with 5 different names of Jesus. There is also a list of activities for that week's focus. What a perfect way to get to know Jesus better while prepping for the celebration of His birth.

I received this book from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.

Until we Find Home was a delightful read from my favorite, WW2 time period. The author was new to me, but I appreciated her writing style and character development. It was an entertaining, fictional read.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Braving Sorrow Together is a perfect little book to help transform our way of thinking when life is hard. I felt like it would be helpful for both one that was hurting or one that was wanting to help the hurting. It was easy to read and full of insightful, encouraging truths. I also loved the quotes from other Christians sprinkled throughout.

I received this book from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.

Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily is filled with daily tips for the entire year. Each day features a tip or encouragement and ends with a brief pray of refocus. Some days include Scripture. It's more of a tip book than a devotional, but still full of great insight.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Devotions from the Lake is a hardback devotional with 100 different selections. The photography and glossy pages make this a delightful book to have. Each day begins with Scripture and uses a reference to something you'd experience at the lake. The devotions aren't super deep, but they are thought-provoking and end with a prayer of application. The beautiful pictures make you praise our Creator and the Scripture will draw you closer to Him.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I love a suspenseful novel, filled with twists and turns. Although this author was new to me, her storytelling kept me reading late into the night. Lone Witness was an excellent book with well developed characters and a fast moving pace. There were several unexpected turns in the story. Even though I had not read book one from this series, I did not feel lost. I will look for more of Rachel Dylan's books in the future.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Nancy Mehl's Blind Betrayal, the third book in the Defenders of Justice was another entertaining read. Action began almost immediately. And there were no slow moments throughout the entire novel. Even though I had not read book one or two in this series, I felt engaged and the characters were introduced well.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Although I am not a frequent fan of fantasy fiction, The Crescent Stone was compared to Narnia tales...and so I gave it a try. It was entertaining. It was well written. And it will probably appeal most to the young adult genre. Lessons were learned and adventure was experienced.

I received this book before it's official release from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

I am always looking for material to use with my children for family devotions or even Bible time as we homeschool. My children are 3 and 5, and so finding something they both are interested in is often a challenge. I am loving Max Lucado's God Always Keeps His Promises - Unshakable Hope for Kids. Its beautifully illustrated, which keeps my 3 year old interested. And we can easily incorporate it into my 5 year olds school work by having him write out the short accompanying key verse for each promise. The way these Biblical storys describe the promises of God is even amazing to me. We love this book and will continue to read it as a family. I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest reveiw. What a testimony. What a life well lived. What a beautiful tribute of a father. As I read Through My Father's Eyes, I couldn't help but praise the Lord for the way he used Billy Graham. What an encouraging, thoughtful read.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Candy Apple Blessings is an adorable board book, full of rhyming lines and bright colors. The fall theme of the different pages makes this a perfect addition to our reading time as summer ends. The kids loved the repeating action words and the colorful illustrations. It's a great size and kept their attention well. We hope to implement these fall activities into our play time, acting out the scenes from the book.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

The Daily Question for You and Your Child is a cute hardback book with 365 dated pages. Each page has a question to talk through with your child. There are blanks to record their answers for three years. The cover has an inset pocket to include a picture in the cover. What a treasured collection of conversations this could become. It would be an adorable gift for a child or mother.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I AM - the Names of God for Little Ones. I love a board book that is full of learning points. My children are 3 and 5, and this isn't a baby book. We are loving looking at the different Bible stories where God revealed more about Himself through His names. What a perfect way for our family to learn more about our God.

Beautiful illustrations and Bible references are included with each name of God.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Potted Moss Topiary

2018-04-12T09:22:00.001-04:00

The Lord has blessed our mom's group with the best team of servant-hearted ladies! My talented craft-minded friend has come up with the cutest and easiest projects for our moms to work on! And I view our craft time as more than just busy work. It's amazing to me that when hands are busy (hot-gluing or stringing beads), conversation happens. I also love watching the moms leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. That little craft may be the only thing truly completed that week (because we all know the dishes and laundry are never ending), but I pray that it helps those moms feel that what they do is important and does eventually have results.

Using Dollar Tree items, these topiaries were the perfect nudge towards spring decor.

In fact, I picked up a few bags of the moss to make a wreath as well with this same technique.

For this craft we used:

To help contain the mossy mess, we laid out plastic tablecloths at the hot glue stations.

The strofoam cones would make adorable Christmas trees. A wreath form would work perfectly. And you could always purchase larger balls and pots for a larger topiary. I even thought about using a bamboo skewer to add another sphere or two on top of the potted one, for a stacked topiary look.

It was easy. It was fun. And any time I can add some natural green to my home, I feel refreshed!

Spiritual Confetti

2018-03-26T21:35:00.000-04:00

The Word of God is so precious to me. Lately, I have been loving how personally the Lord uses His Word to change and encourage me. As I have been studying Priscilla Shirer's Armor of God Bible study, I have loved her emphasis on the belt of truth. The Word of God is our source of truth in which every part of our lives can be based.

"Your Word is truth." John 17:17

"And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

There is great freedom in knowing that the Bible is my guide, my answer, and my measuring stick. It sure takes a lot of pressure off me.

But the Word of God is more than just a rule to govern my life by - it is full of comfort and encouragement as well.

We know the power of encouraging each other (Hebrews 10:24-25). And when I think of encouragement, I love this quote:

"Encouragement is to friendship what confetti is to a party. It's light, refreshing, and fun,

and you always end up finding little pieces of it stuck on you later. " Nicole Johnson

If you have ever been around a little girl in a glittery dress, you have experienced the sticking power of glitter. It lingers on family members and furniture for DAYS!

And I can't think of confetti without remembering the hand fulls that "friends" placed in the air vents of our car on our wedding day.

Still, 8 years later, on certain days when the air is on full blast, a sequined piece of colorful paper will fly out at our faces, reminding us that confetti has a powerful tendency to hang around.

"What wonders a bit of encouragement can do! It's one of the most awesome treasures

God has given us -- the ability to inspire, motivate, and reassure others." Barbara Johnson

But what about those lonely days or those times when you aren't able to share your difficult circumstances with everyone, but you are still in need of some encouragement?

That's where the Word of God steps in!

"I weep with sorry; encourage me by your Word." Ps. 119:28

"Such things were written in Scriptures long ago to teach us.

And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises

to be fulfilled." Romans 15:5

"As soon as I pray, you answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength." Ps. 138:3

Just as parents at a kid's sporting event cheer for their children...."You can do it!" "You've got this!" "I'm so proud of you!" "Keep going!" "Yeah!!!" there are so many instances when God has cheered for me, His child, with His Word.

And when He does that in your life, journal it, memorize that verse, highlight it, cover the margin in washi tape, underline it, put it in your house somewhere...let the Word of God continue to change, guide and encourage you. Let that spiritual confetti stick around.

Today at Mom's group, a friend shared of the struggle in motherhood to grumble, complain and worry. It's not that we hate our lives, its just easier to focus on the hard parts of the day. Easier to feel alone. Easier to just grumble. And that affects our children, our spouses...it's not good.

She told of the power of the Word of God and how it has changed her attitude...

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7

After some praising, confessing and praying took place, her perspective changed. She saw how God was at work and how He was helping her. And He did guard her heart and mind! The Word of God is that powerful.

I gave the moms some little index cards to write out some spiritual confetti of their own. Verses that the Lord specifically led them to. Verses He had used or was using to encourage and point them back in right direction. And it was so powerful to hear the verses discussed at my table - the way that God's Word had done exactly what God promised it would do!

His Word is the answer. It is truth. It can change us. It can encourage us. We just have to dig into it!

What are some verses that the Lord has used in your life? What's some of your spiritual confetti?

Folded Book Photo Display

2018-02-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago, my sister and I went "treasure hunting"...also known as shopping in antique stores and home decor places. We bought a few things and gathered lots of ideas. Its the best place to find inspiration and ignite my creativity.

Beside the cash register at one of these stores was the cutest little folded book where business cards were adorably displayed.

As soon as I saw it, my mind started thinking of how I could recreate it.

This morning, I grabbed one of my favorite books to re-purpose...I love the colorful cover that I will use for another project. I love that the pages are a little discolored, thanks to their age. I love the size. And I love that it came from the free box at a local used book store. Give me all the Readers Digest Condensed Books. ha.

But any book with this same thickness will do.

It doesn't even need to be a hard backed book, because the first step is to remove the cover.

Then, I started folding. I folded each page in half. (Perfect movie-watching activity)

And if I came across a page that had an illustration, I just adjusted which way I folded the page to hide the picture. In the end, it didn't matter which way each page was folded.

Instead of business cards, mine will display photos or cards received. (Snail Mail Forever!!)

I've been wanting to host another Crafternoon...this may just be a featured project. It was easy, cheap and the end result was rewarding.

Who would be interested in a future Crafternoon...I'll come up with the projects, you'll pay a small supply fee, and we will all craft together!

changing our attitude...

2018-02-01T20:59:00.002-05:00

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

When I look at the night sky and see the works of your fingers --

the moon and the starts you set in place --

what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

Yet you made them only a little lower than God

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You gave them charge of everything you made,

putting all things under their authority --

the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,

the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currents.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Psalm 8, NLT

I know that the Word of God is alive and active and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). I know that God is omniscient. And I know that He orders our steps and directs our days. But it still continues to amaze me how His Word can be so in tune with my day!

The kids are now in bed, the day is almost over, I am just now getting to have my time in the Word. As I read Psalm 8, the passage mentioned in my Bible Study, I couldn't stop smiling, knowing that the Lord intended for me to meditate on this exact chapter at the end of this exact day.

The morning seem to start before I was ready for it to begin. The day was full of wiping noses, filling juice cups and building train tracks. We had some adventures. We looked at some NASA pictures (Hudson's favorite thing)

vs. 3 When I look at the night sky and see the works of your fingers --

the moon and the starts You set in place --

We did a little cleaning. We counted the robins in the yard and marveled at how God made them to know where to dig for worms.

vs. 6-9 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,

the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currents.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

By dinner time, our home probably seemed like all other homes with small children. Dinner to bedtime is often a struggle. It's not impossible...but everyone is tired, today my kids weren't feeling well, its dark so early this time of year...I hate to admit, but I am often just counting down the hours until we begin the bedtime routine.

I scrambled some eggs for dinner, realizing that I needed an attitude adjustment for myself. I started to play some worship music. Music has always had such a powerful influence on my life. So, I started telling the Lord that I wanted Him to be the King of my Heart. It changes my whole day just to declare His goodness.

vs. 1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Less than 30 seconds into this first song, the kids were right there singing with me, twirling around the kitchen. Nora even had some silverware to use as her microphone.

We then praised the name of Jesus.

vs. 1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

And at this point, the kids were asking for some of "their worship songs." As I finished dinner, I loved hearing their voices sing along.

vs. 2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

The kids were happy. Our focus was on the Lord. It was amazing what some spontaneous worship did to change our evening.

vs. 2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

Lord, You are worthy of all our praise. Your name leads me to worship. Thank you that your creation points to how great you are. Thank you that children's worship matters. I love that YOU are the One who has taught them to tell and sing of Your strength.

Kid's worship matters. Focusing on Jesus changes everything.

In the Mess and Chaos...

2018-01-30T11:18:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, like many days, I felt that I was failing at all areas of life...as a housekeeper, as a mom, as a wife, as a grocery shopper, as a small business owner...Our pastor spoke Sunday about Martha's heart condition and busyness being her downfall. I've pondered over the importance of having margin in my life so that I have room (and time) to say "yes" when the Lord prompts.

Interestingly enough, I started a new Bible study today...the topic is prayer...and I must admit, this is another area where I am a failure. I'm not very good, or very consistent with my prayer life. I know how powerful prayer is. I know how vital it is. But somehow, it seems to always end up on the bottom of my priority list. I was excited about a new study...but also nervous - not wanting to admit my past forgetfulness in this area. Not wanting to admit that I needed a little help.

But I was reminded of the story of Susanna Wesley - a mother of nineteen children in the 17th century. I can only imagine her to-do list each day. Historians tell us that she was known for putting her apron over her head to signal to her children that she had entered her prayer time. "Susanna Wesley knew that she couldn't make it through the day without recognizing her weakness and her need for God's strength. She communed with Him in the mess and the chaos. She knew that it was better to meet with the Lord under an apron than not to meet with Him at all." (Well Watered Women, BREATHE - 40 Days of Prayer)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

Sinners will have no place among the godly.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

That first chapter in the book of Psalms talks of the importance of delighting in God's Word, meditating on it day and night, and choosing the right people to influence us. I do want to bear fruit. I do want to be on the "path of the godly." And I do need to admit the importance of stopping to meditate on God's Word and commune with Him. It doesn't matter how busy my day is. It doesn't matter what the world tells me is most important. It doesn't matter if I feel like a failure. I must remember that time with Him is vital to "prosper" (vs. 3).

As I read those familiar words, I also thought of the godly influencers in my life. I thought of a 5th grade Sunday School teacher who motivated me to memorize this first chapter in Psalms. Team mates on Encounter who lived out their love for Jesus and taught me to love Bible study. Mentors and professors in college. Friends. People I've served with at church. And even some people that I've never met but their written words resonate well with me, leaving me yearning for more of Jesus.

The right influencers. The right priorities. The right Book (the Word). The right perspective of prayer. The right margins in my life. This is how to succeed in God's eyes.

And, I've decided I may need to start wearing an apron, or at least hanging one in my kitchen...to remind me of Susanna Wesley and her realization that she could "commune with Him in the mess and the chaos.

Read with Me

2018-01-18T11:38:00.003-05:00

All these cold days have created the perfect environment to catch up on some reading...a hot cup of coffee, a snugly blankly and chair, and a new book...

A Memory a Day for Moms - is a five year inspirational journal that would make such a meaningful gift. Set up similarly to a day planner, each page as the date, and 5 spots (for 5 different years) to record memories of your children. There are journaling prompt questions, Scripture verses and a brief prayer on each page. What a special book~

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

So Much to Celebrate is a treasure of adorable pictures and ideas. It made me immediately begin planning something to celebrate. Divided into ideas for set holidays and seasons, the pictures and recipes are easy to use. The style of the decorating is so fun and fresh. What a great resource!

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

God Made the World is the cutest board book. Filled with creative illustrations and rhyming phrases, this book is a fun and informative read. We read the book two times in a row! We love it already.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the Magnolia Story, I was excited to also read Capital Gaines. Written in the same style as Chip and Joanna's first book, Chip retells his story..what brought him to the successful place they are today. His encouragement to enjoy and celebrate the journey along the way is refreshing and encouraging. I love the simple format, the vivid stories and the life lessons mixed throughout.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Picturing Heaven - 40 hope-filled devotions with coloring pages is a beautifully illustrated coloring book written by Randy Alcorn. Scripture is spread throughout the book as well. The pages are thick, What a beautiful gift book and what an encouraging message.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Simonetta Carr's Irenaeus of Lyon is a beautifully illustrated and extremely informative biography written for young readers. Even as an adult, I found myself immediately drawn to the story and timeline, following the illustrated maps and pictures provided within the text. What a perfect way to introduce and educate young readers with Christian biographies. I will be looking for more books in this series.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don't typically venture much further than hand lettering, but I did find Everyday Watercolor interesting and encouraging to try out a few techniques. The instructions seem easy to follow and I love that the pages aren't over complicated with intricate steps.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Parables of Jesus' author was unfamiliar to me, but the simple retelling of these stories from the Gospels would be a perfect companion to an in depth Bible study. Each chapter begins with the Scripture references for the parable. It was easy to read and informative.

I received this book from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.

I love a creative looking book - this book, A Field Guide for Every Mission looks and feels like a regular field manual. The pages are thick, the book has creative graphics and the information is laid out in an easy-to-digest way. Believers need the encouragement to view their current situation as a mission field. It is so easy to think that we are so far removed from a mission opportunity, dismissing Jesus' commands and instructions. This book is filled with practical ideas and ways to demonstrate the Gospel where you living currently.

I received this book from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of these "God Bless My..." books. God Bless My Family was a fun addition to our collection. I received the book the same day we were headed to visit my sister and her family. It was perfect to read it with all the cousins, naming our family members mentioned. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, siblings, cousins. The illustrations were adorable. We love these rhyming board books. This would also be a fun way to help small children pray for family members.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit that I snatch up all Biblical resources I can find to help my children as they mature and grow into the adults that God wants them to be. Secret Keeper Girl: the Power of Modesty for Tweens is an excellent addition to my arsenal. The book is easily held in your hands, colorful and illustrated in an attractive way for tween girls. It's filled with illustrations and key phrases to catch their eye. And it is full of truth and Scripture.

The Secret Keeper Girl: Mom - Daughter Devos with Coloring Experience is a perfect book for us to plan to work through together. Seven weeks of 5 days each - the devotions seem to be a great time length, appropriate for girl's attention span at this age. Again, it is full of Scripture and truth. What a great way for a mom to share with her daughter what God's plan is.

I received this book and companion devo from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.

We love cute rhyming books. Ten Little Night Stars creatively adds a star with each turn of the page. With each star added, another part of the bedtime routine takes place. The illustrations are so adorable, the pages are thick and child-proof, and the story is a perfect bedtime tale.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Gospel Centered Mom has changed my way of thinking about motherhood. I am overwhelmed at the big picture that God has for my life and thanking Him for my desperate need for Him. As I read this book, I was convicted by Scripture and drawn closer to my Savior. What a winner of a book!

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Easter Love Letters from God is the perfect addition to our countdown to Easter tradition. Filled with stories of the last week of Jesus' life on earth and Scripture, this will be the perfect resource for family devotions. The illustrations are brightly colored and the lift-able flaps will keep the children entertained.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

A Very Happy Easter Prayer is an adorable rhyming board book that will also be added to our stack of Easter books. The rhymes are easy to read. The illustrations are colorful and cute. And my kids loved pointing out which animals were featured on each page. Its a great book to help us thank the Lord for things that really matter.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Although I am not Vegan and know very little about this diet choice, I love learning substitutes and getting recipe ideas. Vegan Comfort Classics is a colorful recipe book filled with delicious looking pictures and descriptive, easy to follow recipes.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

We loved everything about The Legends of Easter Treasury. Beautifully illustrated stories tell the significance and Christian meaning behind symbols and Easter and signs of spring. The week before Easter, we read these stories and I loved seeing my kids draw connection between Easter traditions and Jesus death and resurrection. This will be a yearly read for our family.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Word Before World...they are never too young!

2018-01-11T12:34:00.000-05:00

As many do, I have prayed for a phrase to focus on this year. I've resolved to clean up the house at night because I love the fresh start in the morning. I don't mean clean base boards...I just mean dishes and toys.

A "picked up" house in the morning is magical, but I also wanted a goal that would stir my affections for Jesus. Well Watered Women pitched the idea of WORD BEFORE WORLD. I am loving the idea of training myself to reach for the Word before I reach for my phone. Not just first thing in the morning, but also throughout the day.

Our mornings are pretty normal here...after I get the kids breakfast, I help them start a cartoon or get out an activity for them so that I can read my Bible. While they are occupied, I have my time with Jesus. I believe that it is super important for them to see me in the Word and to see that Jesus is a vital part of my day...but is that enough?

I read the sweetest article this morning about Word Before World for Little Ones... So many resources. So many concepts to ponder. It made me immediately realize they are not too little for Word Before World.

Routine, schedule, planned activities...everyone seems to function better in this household when they know what is expected. When my babies were very small, we established a bedtime routine. It helped them to wind down and know what was coming next. Even to this day, we follow a version of that same routine every night. Sure, it changes as they grow and mature, but the routine helps us all.

Why would a routine time with Jesus be any different?

After reading that article (you really should read it!!), I paused my time in the Word, turned off the TV and told the kids to meet me on the couch. I grabbed a new Bible story book and told them that we were going to start our mornings with some Jesus time.

We read. We talked. I answered and asked questions. We prayed. We thanked God for sending Jesus to help our sin problem and asked Him to help us to act like Jesus today. We prayed for sick friends. And then started listening to some kid's Jesus songs...

The time was sweet. The time was quick (probably less than 10 minutes). But it felt so right.

Even now, the kids are singing and playing together in the living room (so glad I picked it up last night !!!). And sure, some may say that's just a coincidence...But I am choosing to believe that Jesus makes the difference.

I pray my kids start to see our Jesus time as a regular part of their day. I've asked the Lord to give me the discipline to cultivate this habit in their lives.

It does matter. They aren't too young. Jesus makes the difference.

Word before World.

Make Your Own Wooden Christmas Ornaments

2017-12-21T18:40:00.000-05:00

At our Christmas Moms Group Meeting, we made a couple quick wooden Christmas ornaments. I am loving the unfinished wood look against the green fir trees...but you could easily stain or paint the wood too.

For the snowflake ornament...

I tried to come up with an idea for using those metal clips once removed...but I couldn't.

So far, hot glue has held everything in place.

The joints seemed to require a hefty amount of hot glue.

And the little notch from the metal clips provided the perfect hole for the twine.

Ribbon would also be pretty...but as I mentioned before, I am loving the natural look this Christmas season.

The Nativity ornament turned out adorable as well.

We had several different fabric options for Baby Jesus' swaddle blanket. Burlap would be adorable too.

Be sure to hot glue each fold of the blanket to the wooden Baby Jesus.

I added some natural wood bead garlands to a tree with these ornaments.

These ornaments also would make adorable gift toppers.

Chosen by God to be a Mom

2017-12-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

Now that I am a mother, the story of Mary seems to take on a new light. Before, it was easiest to focus on the angel...the lack of room...the stable...the shepherds rushing to find the baby.

But this year, as I read that familiar account in Luke 2, I found myself reading the words and imagining all those "mom emotions" that I am sure Mary possessed.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "For you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His kingdom will never end!

Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And the angel left her.

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said."

Luke 1:26-45, NLT

The angel called Mary favored (vs. 30). Elizabeth called her blessed (vs. 45) because she believed that the Lord would do what He said. And Mary was chosen by God to be Jesus' mom.

God picked her to be the one to feed Jesus, rock Him, sing to Him, care for Him, kiss his boo-boos, stay up all night with Him, instruct Him, influence Him.

I am so thankful that I have been chosen to be Hudson and Nora's mom.

When I pray with them at night, I let them hear me say, "Thank you God, for picking me to be Hudson and Nora's mom."

It's not by chance...God orchestrated the events to place these children in my care, just as He did for all the other moms out there. What a privilege to be chosen by God to influence these little lives.

At our Christmas Moms Group meeting, we had a mug swap. Each mom brought a mug -some were filled with a sweet treat, a small gift card, an ornament, all kinds of fun things. We traded mugs, each mom picking a new one to take home. I encouraged those moms to think about when you open the cupboard to chose a mug for your coffee. Think about those things that make your favorite mug your favorite...color, handle shape, size, a memory attached to the mug. Whatever the reason, you choose a mug for the purpose of holding your coffee. You choose the one that is best and most fit for use.

Those thoughts led me to these familiar verses:

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. "

2 Timothy 2:20-21, NLT

Knowing I have been chosen by God to influence and instruct my children...to mother them, I want to make sure that I am a vessel fit for use. Just as you wouldn't choose a dirty mug to drink from, I want to make sure that I am clean (regularly confessing) and close to the Lord, ready for use.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Psalm 73:28, NLT

I want Jesus to be the natural overflow of my heart. I want to tell my kids the good things He has done. I want them to know that I am better when I am near the Lord. I want them to know He is my shelter. I want to be fit for use, because the Lord has chosen me.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 reminds us that it doesn't have to be weird and stuffy...it can just be a part of your daily life. When you get up, when you lie down, when you go down the road, when you sit down to eat...That's how I want to pour Jesus into my children. That's how I want to be fit for His use.

So, fellow moms out there...remember that you have been chosen by God to be your child's mother and that it is a privilege to be one of the first people to tell them about Jesus. Think about being that fit vessel for use when you pick up your chosen mug for your morning coffee. And commit to actively invest in your children for eternity's sake.

Christmas is the perfect time to start - Advent simply means "the arrival of a notable person, thing or event." For believers, Advent simply means we are anticipating that arrival of Jesus. It doesn't have to be hard or in depth...just doing something to lead towards the celebration of Jesus' Birthday.

It could be a devotional reading plan that you are doing on your own. I am using Well Watered Women's Advent study this year and it is amazing to focus on those names of God in Isaiah 9:6. She Reads Truth has plans to follow. Or this Scripture Writing plan is great as well. Just get in the Word and let it be transforming you, cleaning you, making you fit for use.
Involve your small children in a countdown for Christmas (Jesus' Birthday). And maybe even bake Jesus a birthday cake. Add a link to a paper chain each day. Put up numbered ornaments on a Christmas Tree. There are 24 stories from creation to Jesus' birth in the Jesus Story Book Bible - read one each night of December.

Thank you, God, for picking me to be Hudson and Nora's mom. Conform me into the mom that you want me to be. Adjust my attitude. Help me to be like you. Use me to influence these lives for eternity's sake. Help us to anticipate your birthday this season.

PS. Here's some mug ideas I shared with our Moms Group (in case they weren't coffee drinkers)

And my personal favorite tip...stick your phone in a mug for an instant sound amplifier...

However you use your coffee mug...let it remind you that God has chosen you and wants you to be fit for His honorable use!

Pine Cone Garland

2017-11-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

Last month, our crafty girl at Mom's group collected enough pine cones for each mom to make the cutest garland. It was a simple craft that could easily transition for the upcoming holiday months.

I love using natural elements in my decorations - and they are often free! A walk through your back yard and a little twine can help you decorate your home for several seasons!

His Faithful Love Endures Forever

2017-11-13T20:10:00.001-05:00

During the Holiday season, it is so easy for me to feel overwhelmed. My to-do list is long. and I seem to be short on time and patience.

Last night, Well Watered Women posted an Elisabeth Elliot quote on Instagram that resonated well with me.

If worries and anxiety consume my thoughts, I am not at my best. I may be functioning, but I may also be missing other things that the Lord has for me to see.

I decided after reading that post that I needed to leave my worries in His hands and focus on His goodness. After all, November is a month when we are reminded to "give thanks,"

I started flipping through my notebook of written out passages on Thanksgiving. I'm not sure how many of you accepted the challenge to write out some of these passages. I will tell you that I haven't completed the list...but I plan to! It's not too late to join in! (Even if you just read the passages). With this recent confession at the front of my brain to leave my worries with the Lord, passage after passage spoke to me and ministered to me. Truth matters. Truth changes us. Truth replaces lies.

I remember when it came time to write out Psalm 136, I looked at that repeating phrase "His faithful love endures forever". It seemed so redundant. I even considered just making hash marks or "ditto" instead of writing out the phrase 12-15 times. The Psalmist had written "His faithful love endures forever" after each statement for a reason...so, I decided to go ahead and copy the passage exactly. As I wrote out that phrase, over and over again, it no longer seemed unnecessary. It seem to be an anthem or a cheer...His Faithful Love endures FOREVER!

It was as if the Psalmist was writing out the things that he saw (moon, stars, waters, etc) and it all reminded him of how good our God is. It was the psalmist's thankful list.

And so, I challenged my mom's group to make a list of their own. They were each given a "turkey ticket" a three foot roll of paper tied up with a little string.

Between now and Thanksgiving, I'm planning to take some time to write out the good things our God has done for me and around me. I challenged my family members coming for Thanksgiving to do the same - I mailed them each their own "turkey ticket," hoping that they would also take the time to write down a thankful list. Kids can draw pictures. You could write on both sides of the paper if you list grew longer. And that list can be turned in for turkey on Thanksgiving day.

This list can prepare my thankful heart for the holiday season. This list will help me put my eyes on the Lord. This list won't lead to stressful headaches.

I will still need to make my to-do list and my menu and my grocery list...but not a worry list.

His faithful love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for all you do for me.

DIY Tassel Earrings

2017-10-29T18:59:00.001-04:00

Here's a fun project we completed in my MOMS Group a few weeks ago. They would make great Christmas gifts...and I want them in multiple colors!

Supplies:
suede lace, earring hooks, jump rings, earring rubber stoppers, index cards.

Tools: scissors, needlenose pliers, hot glue gun, small hole punch.

Before the meeting, we cut the leather cord into 5 inch strips, cutting each piece at an angle. We also cut enough 1.5 inch pieces to bind the leather strips - one per earring.

Tip: when opening the earring loop, the smaller the opening, the easier we found it to close.

The earrings are cute and lightweight.

For variations, you could use different colors of suede or cut the strips to be different lengths.

Read with Me

2017-10-27T10:08:00.001-04:00

Gobi is the cutest story of "a little dog with a big heart." This true story is beautifully illustrated and contains little action/sound phrases throughout that kept my children entertained.

The story of determination and perseverance were inspiring. And the developing friendship was fun to watch unfold. We loved this book!

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I have learned so much from Carol Kent's writings and her testimony in the past. I was excited to receive this devotional for review: He Holds my Hand, Experiencing God's Presence and Protection.

The compact, hard backed book holds one years worth of daily thoughts. Each entry starts with a quote, has a few paragraphs from Carol Kent, and ends with Scripture. It's a treasure.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Gracelaced and A Gracelaced Journal are the most beautifully illustrated books I own. Ruth Chou Simons hand letters Scripture in the most amazing way. The book follows the four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) as it lays out devotional thoughts, journal prompts and Scripture. I love the dig deeper Scripture lists too. The journal is adorable with full illustrated pages of Simons' art and plenty of pages to make my own.

Many of the illustrated Scripture verses could also be framed. These books are beautiful and an immediate favorite.

I received these books in exchange for an honest review.

Sally Clarkson has delivered another well-written book inviting us to invite others into our lives. The Life Giving Table focuses on nurturing faith through feasting, one meal at a time.
The quotes, Scripture and tips are inspirational and challenging.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Even though hand-lettering is my art form of choice, I enjoy looking through other art technique books. Colored Pencil Painting Portraits was a book full of technical tips and examples. Those wishing to perfect their portrait skills would benefit greatly from this glossy paged book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

30 Days to Joy - a one month creative journal is a perfect gift to pass along to an artistic friend. The book is filled with inspirational quotes and journaling/drawing prompts.

It's a handy size, perfect to stick into a purse or handbag. The cover is attractive. The ink on the inside pages is a calming burgundy tone.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Write it out

2017-09-25T15:33:00.000-04:00

I'm a paper and pen kind of girl. I will forever have a real paper calendar. I love lists. I function best when I can physically write things down. I remember them better. I feel accomplished. Pen and paper work for me.

And so, it's no surprise that what works best in my day-to-day life also is effective for my spiritual growth. At our kickoff Moms Group meeting (read more about that here) we gave each mom a plain composition book. (We found the jewel toned covers at Walmart).

The moms decorated their journals as our kickoff craft.

And I'm sure some of those moms decorated their book while thinking, "What in the world am I going to do with a notebook?"

They could take meeting notes in it. Record the contact info for moms they meet. Remember table prayer requests. Doodle. Whatever.

I took mine on vacation last week. I am not even sure why I grabbed it instead of my regular journal. I love to write out my prayers, take sermon notes, etc.

As I sat in a different church (our vacation church), listening to a different pastor, taking notes, my mind started to wander. And I began to panic. I still had a week left of days on the beach, but I was already becoming anxious about my to-do list when I got back home.

The longer I worried, the longer my to-do list seemed to grow. I started thinking about our next mom group meeting, other ministries at church, my house, my laundry....And in the midst of my panicked thoughts, the Holy Spirit seemed to tap me on the shoulder and say, "Are you listening to the passage this pastor is reading from?"

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you," When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord, Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you," And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

John 20:19-22, NLT

The pastor was encouraging this group of believers to take ownership of the mission that Jesus was passing on to His disciples. He was encouraging them to take the Gospel to those around them. And He was reassuring them and giving them confidence when He said "Peace...

I scribbled down a few other references to look into more later. And started praying that the Lord would help me to remember the peace He has already promised me. In that moment...I calmed down.

Later that night, after I had put the kids to bed, I pulled out this notebook. I wrote out the Scripture references I had listed that morning in church. And this one in particular resonated well with me.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you."

Isaiah 26:3

When I write out Scripture, the words seem to come alive to me. I am more focused. More involved. And somehow more receptive to the Holy Spirit's prompting.

I then, wrote out my to-do list. I wrote names of people I needed to contact. Things I needed to check on. I wrote it all out. And I prayed over that list.

"Lord, You have called me to be a wife, mom, caretaker of my home, and a girl who shares Jesus with others. Help me to remember the peace that you have promised me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and His involvement in my life. "

As I looked back over that to-do list, the tasks didn't seem so daunting. Ideas popped into my head about ways that it would all get accomplished when it needed to be accomplished. The Lord was in control of my emotions, my anxiety and my to-do list.

I don't know how you may use journals - but I have found that my spiritual life and my day-to-day life must intersect. And I have found that the tools that work for my day also work in my relationship with the Lord.

I encouraged my mom friends to use their journal to write out some Scripture. To use their journal to write out some prayers. We prayed over those journals, and I know that the Lord has ways that He wants to work.

I passed around this Scripture Writing Plan geared towards Thanksgiving. If you'd like to join in on the challenge, let me know how it goes for you!

And just think...a few generations from now...someone may stumble across one of these journals written by a mom who loved Jesus. They may read of struggles and victories. They may see the good things our Lord has done.

Better Together: MOMs Group Kickoff

2017-08-28T20:38:00.000-04:00

We had planned, prepared and prayed for this kickoff meeting of our MOMs Group (Ministry of Motherhood). I was anxious to see who would show up and how God would begin to work in these moms.

I told the moms that they probably entered the room that morning one of three ways.
1. Totally confident having attended in previous years. They saw familiar faces, felt comfortable dropping their kids off in childcare and knew where to sit.
2. Feeling like they didn't need anyone in their life.
3. Feeling totally alone as they entered a new room, new ministry and new group of faces.

But we were so glad that they came and we were anticipating what God was going to do in this group and in the families represented. The Lord has shown us over and over again in small and large details that He was in control and that He was up to something big.

I love that Scripture is full of parenting references and illustrations. The family dynamic has been a part of God's plan since the beginning. When I became a mom, I even understood my relationship with my Heavenly Father better.

I also love that God uses moms. We have the privilege of being one of the first people to share Jesus with our kids. 2 Timothy 1:5 tells of the significant influence that a grandmother and mother had on Timothy's spiritual life.

"I remember you genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois, and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you."

2 Timothy 1:5, NLT

Our key verse for the year is such a good reminder of the fact that our God didn't want us to do this life alone.

The Lord knew we would have long, discouraging days. And Scripture tells us over and over that believers are "better together." There is great strength in like-minded people pushing each other towards the same goal.

And although I appreciate any form of a compliment (great hair, nice shirt, cute house, etc), I think those verses in Hebrews are talking about much more than flattery. We are to be reminding each other of truth. Reminding each other to get back in the Word. Reminding each other to rely on God's faithfulness.

Last week, before our kickoff meeting, I did have a few moments of panic. Everything was planned out. Nothing was really wrong...but I was panicking. I told a friend of my struggle and instead of her saying "You'll do great." or "This will be so fun." She simply reminded me to get my eyes back on the goodness of our God. She encouraged me to write a list of all the things our God had done for this group - all the details He had arranged. And after about 5 minutes of listing all these details where He was at work, my attitude changed from panicked to excited. I just needed a friend to motivate me to rely on God's faithfulness.

We passed out the book Better Together to these moms as a resource and an encouragement. As chapters coincide with meeting topics, we will remind the moms to read. One of the intro chapters asks the question "Who are you momming with?"

The Bible gives an example of a friendship between two moms: Mary and Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-45). Mary was the mother of Jesus. She was young and inexperienced. She was needing a friend. She couldn't even turn to Joseph at this point because he was most likely still dealing with his own emotions and anxious thoughts. Elisabeth was a woman beyond the child-bearing years. She thought that she was baron, but became pregnant. She would be the mother of John the Baptist. Elisabeth was also the first to greet Mary as the mother of the Messiah.

I love that there is no rivalry between these two moms. Elisabeth didn't feel inferior or jealous of Mary carrying the Son of God. Their age difference was insignificant. She simply encouraged Mary and spoke truth into her life.

"Elisabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said."

Luke 1:42,45

In contrast, the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 is full of rivalry. Hagar was a slave, a single mother, a victim of some awkward circumstances...and she was alone.

But even though she was alone, God encouraged Hagar. In verse 13 she refers to God as the "God who sees me." When she had no-one, God was looking out for her.

I encouraged the ladies with a few thoughts.
1. Praise God when you are blessed with a friendship like Mary and Elisabeth that helps you to get your eyes back on the Lord.

2. Know that the Lord will sustain you and encourage you during those lonely times. He sees you.

3. Look for lives to pour into. It's not just about our receiving encouragement.

I handed each of the moms a notecard (you can buy these cute notecards in a pack of 8 for $1 at Target). I challenged them to find someone to write a brief note to this week. Speak truth into their lives. Stick a stamp on it. Or drop it into a diaper bag.

"You are a great mom. I am praying for you as you invest in your children's eternity." "I see you taking your kids to Awana each week. Keep going!" "Praying you are able to keep your eyes on the rock as you face this hard time (Ps. 61:2)"

And I also challenged them to take a few minutes to write out the good things that God has done for them. They could wait til the next moment of panic, or begin the list when they were already rejoicing. It could even be a list of the events that He orchestrated for them to be at MOMs Group this week.

In closing, as I looked back at the key verses, I love that it reminds us to encourage and motivate because Jesus is coming back soon. That should always be our motivating factor. The Gospel is our priority. His return is near.

I am so thankful for this group of moms that came together today. The Lord has used so many in that room to encourage me. To motivate me. To help me get my eyes back on Jesus. It's a team effort. And we can all rely on each other.

As I came home to my two children and my husband, I was ready to implement these truths into their lives as well.

Lord, help me to motivate and encourage others to get closer to you. Help me to cultivate these principles in my children's lives. Thank you that we are Better Together.

Read with Me

2017-08-03T10:08:00.002-04:00

Having loved a similar book (Praying for Boys), I was excited to review Praying for Girls. Even though it is by a different author, the Biblical truths and easy prayer prompts are still just as present in this book. Pray for her identity, her heart, her mind, her relationships, her purpose...I love that there are blanks for you to insert your daughter's name - praying specifically and out loud has changed my prayer life.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

This adorable hard back Bible (The Blessed Garden Bible) is the perfect little girl Bible. Illustrated devotional thoughts are sprinkled throughout the Scriptures. "Why should I read the Bible?" "How do I forgive?" How can I let God's love shine through me?" And the International Children's Bible is easy for them to understand. I look forward to reading the Word with my daughter.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

After taking a "Women in Church History" course in college, I have loved learning about the powerful women who have helped Christianity to spread throughout the ages. Sometimes it was them going into a scary country on their own. Other times it was a wife supporting her leader of a husband. Reformation Women is a welcomed addition to my collection of books on Women in Church history. What a powerful reminder of what God can do with a heart surrendered to Him.

I received this book from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! The Good News in Four Words is an adorable children's book with cute illustrations and a clear gospel message. From the fall of mankind to the cross to the tomb, my kids were able to see how all these Bible stories fit together in God's perfect plan. What a perfect way to share the Gospel with your children.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

As a young adult, I was an avid reader. I loved tales of missionaries and their adventures to advance the Gospel. God's Smuggler is a true account of Brother Andrew, written for middle-school age readers to enjoy. A few black and white illustrations are sprinkled throughout the story.

I received this book from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

Even though I have two small children already, I still learned so much from this book. Things I wish I'd known Before We Became Parents. by Gary Chapman. I chuckled at some of the concepts because of their truth. You'll find chapters that include these topics (and more): That having children radically changes your schedule, that potty training is no laughing matter, that sometimes parents need to apologize, and that marriages do not thrive on autopilot.

Many of these ideas are easy to forget in the day-to-day life with kids. This is a book I plan to re-read every so often, reminding myself of the truths found within. I always appreciate Gary Chapman's teaching style.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

A Layman Looks at the Lord's Prayer is a great, simple resource for any believer. Each phrase from the Lord's Prayer gets its own chapter - Scripture is used to further break down the principles that Jesus taught his disciples. What a great short book. What a great resource on prayer.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

You can do this was not a book I would read again. Seemed to focus more on self-.promotion. I understand the need for confidence building, but inspiration for this book seemed to come from man's quotes rather than Scripture.

I receveid this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Jane of Austin was a fun, lighthearted Christian novel. I had never heard of the author but was lightly entertained by her easy writing approach. It was a fun summer read.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

I love Hannah C. Hall's "God Bless My..." books. They are adorable. They rhyme perfectly. And the board book format is perfect for little hands. The covers area always padded and the illustrations are beautiful. God Bless My School is a fun addition to our collection. It focuses on getting ready for school and the activities that can take place throughout the day. This could be used for kindergarten or a preschool setting.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

HelloFresh - a Fabulous Coupon Code!!

2017-07-11T14:40:00.001-04:00

I love to cook...I hate trying to come up with what to cook. We tend to eat the same thing on repeat. A friend offered a $40 code for my first box of HelloFresh and so I decided to give it a try.

And let me start out by saying that this kiwi salsa from one of the meals was so good and so easy. It will become a regular recipe to have at our house and to share with others.

The regular price of the box I received was $60 (which does NOT fit in my normal grocery budget), but with the code, I was willing to try out 3 meals for around $20.

I chose the 2 serving portion option for my three meals. I know that they offer a family portion for a higher price, but I was sure that would be too much food for us. Having two preschoolers that eat rather well, I knew that I could substitute a little here and there and make this two-person portion work for our family.

When the recipe had me roast potatoes, I added 2 potatoes. For the steak fajitas, I made the kids cheese quesadillas and added corn on the cob. Using the box this way worked for my family. We didn't really have tons of leftovers, but everyone was full.

The food arrived fresh and packaged well. There were two giant ice packs inside a well insulated box. The ingredients for each meal were bagged separately. Upon receiving the box, I put all the bags and meats into the refrigerator.

When it came time to cook, I simply grabbed the meat portion and my ingredient bag and got to work. The brown paper bag that the ingredients came in worked great for containing the scraps and trash from the meal prep. So, they even provided an easy clean up plan.

The recipe cards are large and super visual. The instructions were clear and the process was fun! The way the cards are laid out would even make them easy to let the kids help! They could easily see the ingredients needed and the next steps.

We thought the food was yummy. And I received new ideas from each meal that I will definitely repeat (like the kiwi salsa). I loved that I could select what meals I wanted out of the 5 or 6 listed for the week. And, since I wasn't wanting to commit to the box every week at the full price, I simply canceled my subscription as soon as it said that my box was on its way. The process was easy.

If I ever want to try it out again for a week or so, I can easily reactivate my account and select my meals.

If you want to give this a try for the $40 off price...here's my coupon referral code.

https://www.hellofresh.com/?c=SOTHEC

You'll receive $40 off and I'll receive $20. This coupon is for new customers only.

And, if you do give it a try, I'd love to know what your favorite aspects and meal ideas were!

Let's decorate a wedding...

2017-07-06T19:44:00.001-04:00

It's amazing the encouragement and strength that can come from a person who knows you well and sees you through different phases of life. My college friend Melody is one of those treasured individuals. Melody and I spent countless hours studying together, taking classes together, painting signs together, praying together and sharing queso dip at Applebees. When she asked if I would be interested in helping her decorate her wedding, I was honored and thrilled to be a part of her day by doing something that I love.

We discussed her ideas, looked at pictures, painted signs, and assembled a few friends to help.

It was a breezy fall day in November. The trees were beautiful and her desire for "simple and rustic" matched the venue perfectly.

Moss. Wood slices. Pine cones. Tree branches. Lanterns.

Gold frames. Chalkboards. Wrought iron.

The decor items were simple on their own but made a beautiful collection together. What a perfect picture of marriage! I pray Adam and Melody are better together!

The constant breeze from the water forced my decorating friends and I to be a little more creative - finding boxes and baskets to contain the cups, hot chocolate packets, and anything else that was blowing away.

Special friends and family members brought pies of all kinds to share at the reception.

The bread table beside the buffet lines quickly turned into one of my favorite reception details.

Bamboo skewer signs helped to label the different types of bread. And the Acts 2 verse seemed appropriate to prop up in the center of the table. It was my gift to the couple, praying that their home would continue to be a place where friends gather and the Lord is honored.

The bride had this beautifully aged gold frame that we were able to turn into the perfect sign for her photo booth guest book instructions.

I loved watching the joy on my friend's face that day. Friends were gathered and the Lord was glorified.

Using items to decorate the wedding that reflected the bride's style kept costs low and made items reusable. Signs from the reception currently decorate her home.

Since your home should reflect who you are and what you love, wedding mementos make the best decorations.

I am so thankful for this 12 year (and counting) friendship. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day!

Better Together

2017-06-05T20:26:00.000-04:00

Our last meeting for my moms group ended up being a Tea & Testimony.

The tables were set with care. Each place held a different thrifted plate. And above each place setting was a card which read...

Those dishes were from all different places. Different homes. Different families. If only they could tell us their stories -- what dinners they have held. What celebrations they were used for. Were they pulled out nightly for regular family dinners? Some maybe only ever sat on display. Some may have been used for special holidays. Some forgotten. Some hidden in attics. Others passed down to granddaughters. But I told the moms, where these plates went from here was up to them.

I challenged them to think about their stories. What brought them to this place in motherhood. Think of who they are. How did they get to this point in their relationship with the Lord? Where had they been?

In 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul reminded Timothy of the spiritual heritage they both had.

Beth Moore, in her Entrusted study said, "Let's take personal ownership of our spiritual lineage -- both in what we receive and what we pass down...You're a creative blend of all your main influencers mixed in with your own God-given uniqueness."

We can usually trace back a generation or two of our family tree without a thought. This is my grandmother... this is my dad...

But what about your spiritual lineage? Who has been your "main influencers"? I challenged the moms to write out five names. My list included my parents, Sunday school teachers who challenged me to memorize large portions of Scripture, college mentors who showed me the importance of ministering to women, friends who suggest books and podcasts, and even authors I have never met face-to-face have impacted my spiritual walk.

We have to keep that spiritual lineage going. It's time to get excited about influencing the next generation.

Psalm 78:6-7 says, "So the next generation might know them (the commands of the Lord) -- even the children not yet born -- and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands."

" They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments." - Beth Moore

As I think about this group of moms, I love that one of our main goals is to encourage each other to be Jesus to our kids. Next year, we are calling our group MOMs - focusing on the Ministry of Motherhood.

Since I became a mom, I understand my relationship with my Heavenly Father so much better. I understand more about how God relates to His Son too. It's relational, The love is unconditional.

I love that the parenting relationship was part of God's plan all along. Through it, we understand Him better.

At times, the "Ministry of Motherhood" sees daunting. I start to think about all the ways I could mess things up. I doubt my influence. I worry my kids are too small. Or I just feel too tired.

But when my son asks questions and responds on his own to Bible verses we are learning, I reminded that the Holy Spirit is at work and the Word of God will always accomplish what the Lord wants it to accomplish.

What a privilege it is to be the FIRST person to tell our kids about Jesus. We get to help start their spiritual lineage. God gave that to parents! And I can't tell you how excited and privileged I feel about that.

When those doubts surface, I need to remember 2 Timothy 1:8. It's His strength - not mine!

It all starts with just letting these kids see that you love Jesus. Let them see you read the Bible. Let them hear you pray. (Even letting my children hear me confess my sins allows them to understand this life-long struggle of walking in the Spirit.)

And remember the plates... you're not alone. We are better together.

I had these moms each take home their plates as a reminder of these truths of God's Word and the support of this group. And here's a few ideas of what they could do with these plates.

Or you can always bake another mom some cookies and tell her to keep the plate! Because she might need the reminder that we are repurposed for the Lord's use.

We are better together.

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

Read with Me

2017-05-29T18:16:00.002-04:00

The Hurry-Up Exit from Egypt has become a new family favorite. Written in the rhyming style of "The House that Jack Built," this book helps readers to follow the story of the Isrealites leaving Egypt. Filled with beautiful illustrations and rhyming phrases, this book will quickly become a favorite for your family as well!

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Devotions from the Kitchen Table is filled with the prettiest photographs and best object lessons for the homemaker of today. Each devotional seems to resonate with my heart in a way that only another Christian homemaker would understand. I leave the book in my kitchen so that I am able to step away from the chaos of my home and enjoy a few minutes of turning my attention back to the Lord. This is a devotional I will treasure and re-read for years to come. What a great gift to give to another woman in my life too.

I received this book from Book Look Blogger in exchange for an honest review.

I grew up loving the "Where's Waldo" books that could be found in my dentist's waiting room. The Bible Sleuth New Testament is an adorably illustrated book to look for hidden pictures on the pages. Each page briefly describes a Bible Story - the reference for the story is also listed. The New Testament edition included the following stories: The Birth of Jesus, Jesus at the Temple, the Wedding at Cana, Jesus Clears the Temple, Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man, The Beatitudes, A Sick Woman, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand, Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, The Triumphal Entry, The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost, The Apostles Heal Many, Stephen, A Crowd of People Praising God. I also appreciated the glossy pages. This is such a fun addition to our Bible reading time with our kids.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Created for More is a 30 day challenge designed for those who love to be creative. Its an interactive book that allows you to reflect on the fact that our creative God made us to be just like Himself. Each day's challenge includes a Scripture passage, devotional, prayer starter, a call to change your way of thinking and a closing challenge.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

Although I am not a single mother, I found such encouragement within the pages of the Unseen Companion, God with the Single Mother. Filled with Scripture and Biblical Truths, this book is a treasure for any mom struggling to do it alone. What a great book to pass on to some friends in my life.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

The Good of Giving Up helps the reader to discover the origin, true meaning and practices of lent. Often viewed as an old tradition, many "give up" things for Lent without realizing the purpose - cleaning out to make room for new growth. I found myself encouraged and challenged to observe Lent in a new way this next year.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled to read Home on the Range. After reading the back of the book, I had high hopes for the novel. But I found myself having a hard time picturing what the author was describing. Her writing style may resonate with others in a clearer way.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Road Food - an Eater's Guide to more than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America seems to be the type of book that some may keep in their glove box. Filled with mom and pop type restaurants for the traveler seeking authentically local cuisine. I was surprise to have never heard of most of the restaurants listed for my city - meaning its definitely high-lighting places to eat off the beaten path. I wish that pictures would have been included in this book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Having followed the story and life of Rory and Joey Feek the past few years, I was eager to read his story in This Life I Live. What a well-written, easy to read telling of Rory's life. An encouraging story of redemption and a changed life. And what an inspiring testimony of his love for his wife.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

a little thank you...

2017-05-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

As the end of the year drew closer for my mom's group, it was time to start thinking about a little gift that we could leave with the nursery workers. If they didn't volunteer to watch our little ones during the meetings, many of these moms could not attend.

My church has had a profound impact on my children and their understanding about Jesus and the Bible. I am so thankful for all those who willingly work with my children, teaching them that Jesus loves them. Because when those truths are instilled an early age, they have a lifetime to grow.

Little seeds grow great testimonies.

We had these fruit baskets leftover from this craft. You can find the link to purchase them inexpensively in this post.

The flowers were just the $1.50 flats of 6 from Walmart - cut down into two flowers per gift.

A couple of book pages finished off the look, acting as tissue paper for our little gifts.

The tags were printed on card stock and taped to popsicle sticks . I am happy to send the PDF of this printable I created if you comment with your email address below.

A friend used this idea for some teacher gifts - she put her flower flats inside a lunch bag and rolled down the sides. A bamboo skewer made a great replacement for the popsicle stick.

Thank those who impact your children for eternity. After all, little seeds grow great testimonies

Leather Earrings

2017-04-05T09:37:00.000-04:00

This week's craft might be my favorite for the year. It was simple, cheap, and so far, I have worn them everyday since making them!

This craft was a super easy one for the moms to finish at our meeting. I prepped the leather, cutting it into 2 inch by 1/2 inch strips ahead of time (using a rotary cutter like this). I also pre-punched the hole at the top using this leather tool.

These cost us less than 75 cents per pair.

Supplies:

leather (brown or black)
needle-nose pliers
earring hooks
rubber stopper for earring backs

Using pliers, the moms separated the wire ring just enough to slip it onto the leather strip.

The smaller the opening, the easier I found it to close up the ring.

We had a pile of the rubber stoppers for them to complete the earrings.

And, for an added bit of fun, we had tape and paint available. We used regular acrylic craft paint.

The options are limitless. The earrings are lightweight and adorable. They would also make a super fabulous gift!

I told my group that I had woken up in the middle of the night in a state of panic. It seems like worries multiply and situations are worse in the middle of the night. My mind wanders. I forget the truths that I know. I forget my God who is in control.

I woke up early, preparing for my meeting with my mom's group. I sent a panicked text to a friend, listing all my worries. She simply replied, "Don't panic."

The Holy Spirit brought to mind the verse that we have used as our theme verse for the year.

My God, who created the stars and controls them, can also take care of me. His great power and incomparable strength can solve any problem and take care of any situation.

These leather earrings smell amazing. As my head moves, I smell the leather, and I am choosing to use that smell as a reminder of the goodness of our God. I am using these earrings as my reminder that God made me, chose me, and is in control of everything I encounter!

Read with Me

2017-04-03T14:02:00.001-04:00

Hands down, the best book I've ever read on the Biblical view of Hospitality. As I read The Simplest Way to Change the World, I found myself making a mental checklist of the things I wanted to change about the way I view my home. It's so easy to want it to be a retreat from the world and those outside your immediate family - but God's plan all along has involved hospitality. It started with His making Adam and Eve the perfect home in the Garden of Eden, and it will one day end with His perfect home for His children in Heaven.

"We loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but OUR LIVES AS WELL." 1 Thess. 2:8

This book is easy to read and full of practical, doable tips for embracing the ministry of hospitality. It's not just a beautifully set table or a perfect home - it's inviting others into our lives so that they might see the Gospel lived out.

This book also contains study questions for small group discussion.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

I received the most adorable prayer and reflection coloring journal today: Tranquility. The colorful cover really resonated with my creative soul. Filled with fun coloring opportunities, Scripture, bits of encouragement and journal spots, this book is one that I play to work my way through on days when I need a little more "cheer" in my life.

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

I have always loved the testimony and mission of Billy Graham. I was equally excited to receive Hope for Each Day, 365 Devotions for Kids filled with his writings. There is a Scripture for each day and a short devotional that corresponds with the the theme and Scripture of the adult version of this book. What a perfect pairing for family devotions!

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I love the writings of Jill Savage, and I am happy to add No More Perfect Marriages to my book collection. Written with her husband Mark, this book helps couples "experience the freedom of being real together." There are "Think about it" and "Talk about it" questions at the end of each chapter, promoting more communication between spouses. It's a great marriage resource.

I received this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

Balancing theological topics with interesting stories and examples, Lighthouse Faith was an interesting read. Living her life as a news correspondent has given her a different way of weaving her stories into a text that points you back to the Word. When understand who God is, and are able to follow that first commandment correctly, the rest of the commandments will fall into place. Everything hinges on that!

I received this book from Cross Focus Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing to Prove by Jenny Allen was such an encouraging read - It challenged me do quite a bit of self-examination on why I do what I do. What do I feel insecure about? What do I feel I am failing at? And why do I feel that way? It was easy to read and filled with words that reminded me what God can do with someone who is completely in love with Him.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

How to Overcome Worry is a small sized, non-intimidating book that would be the perfect item to tuck in an encouraging gift basket. Scripture and encouraging truths are sprinkled throughout the text, turning the worrier back to the One that in truly in control. I love that the back cover even states that scripture is the cure for this worry epidemic.

I received this advanced reader copy from Moody in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the Berenstain Bears books as a child. I love passing the stories of these characters on to my children. I also love that the Mike Berenstain Bear books seem to have more of a Christian viewpoint on stories. This Friendship Blessings Collections is 5 stories one one adorable hardback book.

Perfect Fishing Spot, Reap the Harvest, Faithful Friends, Kindness Counts and God Made You Special.

My kids love the books and I do too!
I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Although I am not an artist, I do love creative projects. Looking through Portrait Revolution educated me on many different styles of art and portraits. I especially loved the portraits made out of random objects. It's fascinating how some artists can put so much emotion into a painting or drawing.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.