Mom. Mom. Mom. Mama! Mama!! MOOOOMMMMYYYY!!! We were driving back from our family vacation in Northern Michigan, and while the older two kiddos were watching a movie the youngest babe wasn't interested and instead wanted my undivided attention for about two hours straight. Jer and I were trying to have a meaningful conversation, which was pretty much impossible because we kept being interrupted every 5 seconds by her yelling, "Mama, Mama, MAMA!!!!" I'd say, "Yes, Blair?" and she'd rattle … [Read more...]
Five Minute Friday: Nothing
We spent last weekend in Northern Michigan, one of our favorite places in the world, and enjoyed beautiful weather (although the water was freezing)! It was great family time and I just had to share this pic, because well, they're stinkin' cute! I have been wanting to join in with Lisa Jo and Five Minute Fridays for a long time, but for some reason or another, just never jumped in. This week has been crazy around here, but I want to stay committed to posting twice a week. So when I woke … [Read more...]
What I’m Learning About Moving From Fear to Freedom in Christ
A theme in my life recently has been the Freedom that I have in Christ. It's been showing up in so many places: my Bible study, personal reading, conversations with close friends, interactions with people I don't even know online, sermons, our church small group, and the list goes on. This is, of course, what often happens when the Spirit is trying to teach me something. He makes it pretty hard to miss, or avoid. Fortunately this time around, this is a lesson I have no desire to avoid, and am … [Read more...]
Why I Accept Climate Change and Follow Jesus
The statistics say that only 44% of us as evangelical Christians accept that climate change is real, and if you fall into the other 56% there could be several reasons why you may not believe in global warming or climate change. Maybe you embrace a more conservative political ideology and think global warming is a liberal agenda. Or maybe you believe that God wouldn't let climate change happen, or that the world is going to end anyway so it doesn't really matter. I want you to know I … [Read more...]
Beauty from ashes. That’s what He does.
I have to share this story with you because it's such an important part of who I am, and I cannot stop talking here about what Jesus has done in my heart and my life. (Acts 4:20 - One of my Dad's favorite verses.) Today is the second anniversary of my dad's passing from this world to his eternal home in Heaven. It still hurts every day. The experience of grief has been suffocating and probably the most painful and difficult thing I have ever walked through. But I am walking through it - … [Read more...]
Finding Motivation for Health & Spirituality {Embracing Self Care}
Woah, so this is a big topic, huh? Where do we even begin talking about Health & Spirituality as a form of self-care? Of course, it's important for us to make time in our lives for both, and they are both things that can easily fall through the cracks and get lost in the mundane day-to-day duties of being a wife, mom, home-manager, and more. But, we always feel better after we do them, don't we? We can always feel good about the time we've set aside to focus on our own health or … [Read more...]
Knowing Yourself: Grace for Today {Embracing Self-Care}
As I sat down to write this first post in the Embracing Self-Care series about truly knowing yourself, I found it just a little ironic that that I am in a season where I'm being forced to slow down and listen to myself, to know myself. It's been a little quiet around here lately - not too many new posts. And honestly, it's not just because I'm busy in other areas of life (although that is true), but mostly it's just because I've been feeling really dry, worn-out, unmotivated, and just kinda … [Read more...]
Feeling Overwhelmed? Get Ready for the Embracing Self-Care Series!
I'm sure that many of us are familiar with burnout. That feeling of stress and overwhelm that you just can't shake off. The exhaustion that creeps in throughout the day and overtakes you by eight o'clock in the evening. The thought that you would do anything to have just 10 minutes of alone time to do something that's just for you, and not for anyone else. Not because you're selfish, just because you give everything of yourself to everyone else and then there's nothing left to fill your … [Read more...]
Is praying to end abortion missing the point?
The other day I was out running when I saw a big sign in the back of a car that said, "Pray to End Abortion!" I stared at the back of that car as it drove down the street away from me and I couldn't help but think, 'Isn't that kind of missing the point?' Don't get me wrong, I am morally opposed to abortion. I believe in the sanctity of human life and I believe that all life should be protected and cherished, especially the lives of those who have no voice to advocate for themselves. I … [Read more...]
What’s Your Story? Giving Hope and Healing through the Gift of Story
As we think about what it means to see other people in light of their stories - their unique situations and experiences and circumstances - it's also important to take hold of our own stories, and how our stories can impact others in the world around us. Just like we can't know the stories of people around us that we come into contact with unless we take the time to ask them and to listen, others around us can't know our stories or where we are coming from unless we share it with them. I … [Read more...]
