Book review - FaithGirlz Bible

I was thrilled when I recently saw a new Bible coming out for the tween girl age group, as my almost 10-year old has been wanting another Bible for awhile. This Bible, published by Zonderkids with extras compiled by Nancy Rue, is a great resource to help 8-12 year old girls to dig deeper into God's Word. This Bible is in the New International Version, and includes these extra features:

-book introductions (on the who, when, where, and what of each book)
-dream girl excerpts (letting girls use their imaginations to put themselves in the story)
-quizzes with Bible facts (to test girls' knowledge of Scripture)
-words to live by (to help girls memorize Scripture)
-event prompters (to help girls tell the stories in their own words)
-answers to Bible questions that girls may have while reading

One of the best and prettiest features of this Bible is that it is a hardback book with a magnetic strip closure to protect the pages.  The cover is fun, colorful and attractive as well.  My daughter has been reading a lot of the Lily series by Nancy Rue, so she was excited that Rue had contributed so much to this Bible to make it more interesting for tween girls.  And as a mom desiring my daughter to grow in her walk with the Lord, I am excited to see how this Bible could be a great help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review... Best Party Book Ever!

I recently had the chance to review The Best Party Book Ever, from the editors of FaithGirlz! and Girls' Life magazine.  Or should I say, I tried to take the time to review it, but my 9-year old daughter kept snatching it from me.  She absolutely loved this book and will be referencing it quite often in the future, I think.

With all sorts of creative ideas for themed parties, seasonal parties, or "just because" parties, this is the best party idea book I've seen for girls.  The illustrations are stunning, yet always portray modesty and beautiful, well designed art.  Along with ideas for games, recipes, decorations, and crafts, this book also focuses on the work that goes into the party, giving girls ideas on being a good hostess, finding their party style, and even dealing with friendship issues that may come up and party "blunders" they may have to deal with.  I particularly loved this part of the book, as this helps girls realize that there is more to a party than the actual events and gives them insight into these sometimes delicate issues that can occur within friendships and during parties.  Also included in the book are checklists and tips to guide readers.

I'm so glad I stumbled on this book and was able to review it, and like I said before, I know it's one we will reference repeatedly in the future.  I highly recommend it for moms of upper elementary/preteen girls.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It's November.

So... it's November. October just flew by with some travel and crazy mingled in with the blur. I tried to get all of my 31 posts done, but realized that if these were words I believe my Father gave me to share from my heart, then they couldn't always come on such a scheduled approach. Instead, they are on His time table.  Then when I saw that one of my favorite bloggers, Emily, posted her need to continue her 31 day challenge into November, and her sister - the creator of the challenge, none the less - is doing the same... well, I'm totally fine with stretching it out now. :)

I hope to continue the last 11 posts in this series over the course of the next two weeks, so I hope you will check back here for them. In the meantime, my heart has been preparing to usher in the month of November, and with it, the realization that the holidays are just around the corner. For someone who has been through loss and is trying to keep plugging along through a lot of hard when most everyone around seems happy and festive, the holidays can be a time when you just want to run for the nearest exit and hole away in your comfy little home until they are over. Or, they can be a greater reason to focus on the hope we have as an anchor for our souls because of Jesus. His love. His sacrifice. His securing of a future that is bright and free of pain and loss.

There are two ways that I have found so far that are helping me tremendously with that, and I want to share them here in case you are also trying to choose joy throughout the next couple of months.  You get that it can be easier said than done.  But it can be done.  Day by day.  Sometimes moment by moment.

First, Ann Voskamp's "thankful tree,"

Our family has done this for a few years now, but we used to just find a pack of paper leaves somewhere (which has been a challenge some years!).  I love how Ann's have verses of praise on them that can adorn your tree.  We just got all of our leaves cut out and can't wait to get started with one thing we each are thankful for each day for the entire month of November.  Go here to find them.

Second, Sara Hagerty, a new author that I seriously cannot get enough of right now, wrote an incredible book I just finished called Every Bitter Thing is Sweet.  She introduces a practice of adoring God, where she finds something about His character to dwell on each day.  I haven't been doing this for long, but already it has encouraged me so much to keep my eyes on Him more often and not on my circumstances.  She has printables to help her readers with this reflection, and you will just love them!  Go here to find them.

So... happy November, everyone.  No matter what we are facing right now in life, may we look back at the end of the month in gratitude not only for what He has done for us, but what He has done in us.

Book review - Hope Rising

I was eager to read the book Hope Rising, written by Compassion International's Senior Vice President for Global Advocacy, Scott Todd.  Our family is a longtime supporter of Compassion International and are blessed to be able to partner in their child sponsorship program.  This book tackles the controversy over Jesus' statement in Matthew 26:11, "The poor you will always have with you," and presents ways that the Church can help end worldwide poverty in this generation.

The book also equips the reader with practical tools such as buying fair trade products, supporting small business efforts, giving to organizations that are directly involved in assisting those in need with resources to better their lives, and fasting in prayer over needs.  Some of this information is not often talked about in our churches, and the great need in this world can seem overwhelming.  Todd finds ways to encourage readers with a hands on approach of ways even ordinary moms can get involved.

Although I personally was familiar with a lot of the information covered in this book, it was a good reminder to me of all of the resources and blessings that all ultimately belong to God, and the importance of good stewardship.

"The American church has been entrusted with the purse of the kingdom.  Hundreds of millions of fellow disciples live amidst life-threatening poverty, and I wonder if they are assuming we would put the treasuries of the kingdom to one of those two purposes - celebrating God's goodness or demonstrating God's goodness by caring for the poor.  One day they will see the books."

Overall, this was a great book.  It opened readers' eyes to the current efforts of organizations and the progress that has been made to assist those in need, as well as a challenge and wake up call to do more.  I believe more attention could have been given to the ultimate need for people to receive Jesus as their source of Living Water and Bread of Life.  Both spiritual and physical needs are important in the current battle to rid the world of extreme poverty.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

What We're Reading...9-4-14

I love to talk books - and with a new school year starting up, I've got all sorts of reads in my pile and on my wish list for both myself and with the kids!   I generally only read fiction during the summer, but there are always a few exceptions. ;) Here are the books we are currently reading.  I usually have at least one Kindle read and one actual book going on at all times, as well as a family read aloud. :)



I just finished the amazing Lysa Terkeurst's The Best Yes, and heard about this book, so I thought it would be a nice one to follow up The Best Yes.  The love, skip, and jump words are actually action words of ways to live in obedience to Christ, and it's all about gathering up the courage to do these things and really truly live.  It's a lot of one woman's story of how she learned to truly live, and her challenge to others to do the same.  Since it's endorsed by Francis Chan, one of my favorite pastors, I knew it would be a good one.



You'll hear more about this one soon, because it's a blogger review book I'll be highlighting. It really brings up some good points about poverty and presents a good call to action.

And our family's current read aloud...



My boys are loving this trilogy, and H doesn't mind it so much either because it's so silly and full of imagination.  We finished the first story, My Father's Dragon, where the narrator's father (a young boy then) rescued the baby dragon.  Now we are excited to read about the adventures they will go on together. :)

So what are you reading these days?  I'd love to hear!

Lessons from creation

Sometimes, the answers we need may just be found by stepping outside our front doors. 

Now, I’ve been a church going girl from the time I was on the cradle roll.  I love to spend a quiet hour at a Christian bookstore, scoping out the latest resources available.  My own bookshelves are filled with great solid books that can help point a person to Christ and His Word, based on whatever situation they are in.  And I'm thankful for the freedom, education, and comfort found there. 

But sometimes I forget to go right to the source.  To this amazing Creator who sovereignly ordains all that comes about in this vast universe, and still cares and provides for me personally.   I wouldn’t get to know a friend all that well just by talking to her friends, or reading journal entries those women wrote about my new friend.  I would want to spend time with her personally.

And just like that, God calls me back not only to His Word, but to His creation.  Because in His creation, is portrayed His story.  His beauty.  His majesty.  His sovereign control.  His care.  His love. 

I’ve recently become a huge Ken Gire fan, first by reading his incredible book titled The North Face of God, where he relates the difficult times we face in life with the incredible dangers of the north face of a huge mountain.  (Read it!  You will be so glad you did.) This led me to other books by him, and so far, they are all amazing.  My favorite part about his writing is that he takes his illustrations from nature, and through this, I’ve been developing new eyes to see them again too…

The choice to believe that the sun is still there even when it’s not shining.

The beautiful calm that comes right after a powerful storm.

The strength of an oak tree shown by the depth of its roots.

The way a mama bird cares for its young. 

The worthwhile, never wasted time it takes for a seed to grow.

The realization that the caterpillar's loneliest days are right before it’s transformed into a beautiful butterfly.

All these, and more, have been reminders to me lately to not get so busy, that I don’t have the time to be outside.  Because I think there may be more lessons out there for me to learn from than my little bookworm self might ever realize.  And not only can I learn from them, but I’ve got little people I'm parenting who are naturally in awe of the wonders found in creation, if they are only given the time to see them.

Summer is coming.  I can almost count the days on one hand.  We are so very ready.  Normal activities we do during the school year are ending, and you’d better believe you will soon find us outside more often.  At a park, at a beach, taking walks... whatever we can, whenever we can.  

Because there’s a world out there that tells of His glory, and I for one, don’t want to miss it by staying stuck inside four walls.  

3 Ways an Ordinary Mama Can Say "Yes" (and a giveaway)

Giveaway has ended... and the winners are Amy and Kristin!  Enjoy this wonderful read, girls! 


(...which also could be titled as “Ways the Lord is Working on my Heart”) :) :) 

Last week I blogged about a great book I’ve been reading called Rhinestone Jesus, written by Kristen Welch.  This book is about to hit store shelves, and you will want it.  Ever since I finished reading it, I’ve been contemplating its message.  This idea of being willing to say “yes” to Jesus, no matter what that means.  In the big, in the small, and in the not so pretty.   You see, I’m just an ordinary mama, with no major ministries going on or maternity homes across the ocean that I’m trying to build, and that means I could easily dismiss Kristen’s story in this book because it’s not mine. 

But I’d be missing the point of the entire book.  You see, no matter where we are in life, we are being called.  Called to offer our “yes” to a Father who knows what is best for His children when we don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring.  And that’s a really scary thing sometimes.   In the midst of my own life mess right now, these three areas have stuck out to me as ways He's calling me to offer my “yes”:

My time.  Oh, my time is so precious to me these days.  My time… that time when there is nothing that must be done and no one asking anything of me.  That’s because that kind of time rarely ever comes.   And when it does, I often want to be selfish with it.  I may refuse to spend time with someone who is hurting because I need some “me time,” refuse to play a game with my kids because I finally have the time to pick up a book I’ve been waiting to read,  or sleep in a little longer instead of waking up early enough to have some quality prayer time before the kiddos are roused. 

When I say “yes” to Jesus, I let Him direct my time.  And if my day ends up looking a whole lot different than what I planned but I look back at the end of it knowing Jesus was the one who directed it, than I can trust Him to also bring me the nourishment and down time He knows I need to keep functioning well.

My talents.  The Lord has given us all gifts and abilities, and sometimes, I want to use my unique giftings for my own purposes.  I want to rush opportunities and make them happen before God’s timing and fulfillment, or in different ways than He’d like.  Or, I want to ignore where I’ve been gifted and waste my time doing other things, instead of using it to refine my gifts and use them where I’ve been planted. 

When I say “yes” to Jesus, I give my talents back to Him for Him to use as He sees fit.  I choose not to get frustrated when it’s not the right timing to use them, or He uses them in a way that I may not have chosen.  And when He does choose to use them in ways that get me way out of my comfort zone, I am willing to "do it scared," as Beth Moore says.

 My treasure.  A lot of people define this as their money, and rightly so, because the Bible says that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  So I take it a step further and pretty much sum up my treasure as everything I hold precious in my heart – including my desires, hopes and dreams. 

And when I say “yes” to Jesus, I choose to trust Him with my heart.  I choose to believe that He sees where I am broken, and is working to mend me in a more beautiful way than I can imagine, even when I can’t see anything but scars.  I choose to place all of my desires, hopes and dreams in His hands and let Him do with them whatever He wants. 

Much easier said than done, isn’t it?  That’s why I needed this book, and I believe every other woman does too.  I am one weak woman, fully dependent on the Lord and always needing to rely on His grace and strength to help me in my mess each and every day.  But when you read someone else’s story of saying “yes” and it’s presented as beautifully as Kristen’s, doesn’t it make you long to say “yes” more often?  And don’t you feel a little braver when you know that others around you have been willing to say “yes” too? 

Rhinestone Jesus officially releases on May 1^st of this week, but I’m so excited that I have two copies to give away here on my blog!  Just leave a comment sharing something pertaining to your own “yes” story by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 1st, and I’ll draw two winners on Friday!  

Yes in my mess.

Saying “yes” may just make life downright messy. 

I’ve been reading an advance copy of Kristen Welch’s new book coming out, Rhinestone Jesus, and it’s been making me contemplate a lot. In particular, it’s been making me think about all the times I’ve made the choice to say “yes.”

Yes, to begin studying to be a teacher.

Yes, to further that study by going away from home and leaving what was familiar.

Yes, to student teach in yet another unknown area, living with strangers.

Yes, to come back home to accept a teaching job when I wanted to stay. 

Yes, to accept a marriage proposal from my high school crush.

Yes, to stop teaching in the classroom and begin on a long crazy journey called motherhood.

Yes, to promise to support my husband in every way as we walked the unexpected road of cancer.

Yes, to answer the call to adoption.

Yes, to commit to trusting God’s plan while I journey through a world now filled with loss.

None of my yeses have been big ones, especially compared to Kristen’s big choice to open a maternity home in Kenya.   They really are quite insignificant.  Some were exhilarating and some were downright painful.  I’m sure you could say the same about your own.  I’d love for my story to include my saying “yes” to something much bigger and have an exciting "big" story to share.  But He’s called me to a lot of little yeses, and I honestly believe that all of those little “yes” answers still add up to something bigger beyond them.  It’s the ability to trust God more completely as the choice to say "yes" makes life a little messier.  It’s the continual stretching of the soul that in turn makes me braver because it becomes a choice I just have to keep making even when I'm weak and scared, because I know without a doubt that there just isn’t a better alternative. 

Shortly after B passed, I remember my daughter asking me if I would have married him if I would have known I would lose him 9 years later.  Though I answered her with a "yes" at the time, I really reflected on that for awhile afterward.  At times, I absolutely hate the season we've been in.  But at the same time, what would have happened if I would have said “no”?  I would have missed out on an amazing marriage and three precious children who bless me every day with their sweetness.   I would have missed seeing my Savior’s love for me in huge ways through His body’s coming together and lavishing love on us.  I would have stayed planted in my own little safe world, afraid to take risks because I’m not sure of the outcome.  And what fun is that, especially when as hard as we may try to control life, there are always things beyond our control anyway? 

So, I believe that our “yes” answers make us braver.  When we say “yes” a few times, we are able to keep saying it.  We are able to see that God is bigger than the mess, and He sees way beyond it to something stunningly beautiful in His big picture story. 

Saying “yes” might be the scariest thing ever.   

But – it might be the best thing we ever choose to do.  

Book review - No More Perfect Kids

If you've been following any of my social media accounts lately, you've seen that I've been posting a lot of great quotes from a fabulous new book that is hot off the press and available TODAY - No More Perfect Kids.

Did you read Jill Savage's last book, No More Perfect Moms? If so, you're familiar with the "perfection infection", a desire to appear like everything is perfect that invades our homes, lives, and parenting, instead of accepting and dealing with "real life" and difficult moments. This time, Jill's back with the help of Dr. Kathy Koch, focusing on how the perfection infection ruins parents' reality and acceptance of who God made our kids to be. Instead of perfection being our guide, the authors teach us how to achieve excellence instead of perfection in our parenting of our kids, foster their character and abilities through love and time, and help them find the purposes God created them to fulfill, cheering them on all the while.  And through all of it, the underlying theme is love for our kids for who they truly are, even when it's not what we expected.

This book is filled with general information on how to parent our children uniquely and in a loving but expecting style.  1 Corinthians 13, known as the "love chapter" in the Bible, is paraphrased beautifully from a parenting perspective.  Furthermore, the book is filled with practical tips on how to go about this sometimes daunting task.  My favorite part, though, are the additional helps given in the index - a list of feeling words to help our children put their feelings into words, a list of appropriate tasks by age, ways to pray for our children using Bible verses, and a list of character qualities to develop in our children.  These bonus materials wrap this book up perfectly with an action plan to carry out after the book is read.

And speaking of bonus materials, there are plenty more available as a free gift, when you buy this book between March 13-23.  Head on over here to find out more info on that.

There is also a new blog available entitled "No More Perfect", where we can join together to embrace reality, whatever that currently looks like in our families.  You can sign up here to receive weekly emails of encouragement all about this topic of embracing imperfection.

Finally, there will be a Facebook group study on this book coming soon.  You won't want to miss it!

How's that for some perfect ways to help us get rid of the need for parenting perfection?  Be sure to grab a copy of the book now while you are thinking of it, and have a great rest of your week!

The beauty of broken.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I needed to unplug some, and just focus on falling deeper in love with Jesus.  I write that with zero desire for any praise or compliments whatsoever, because the reason was not at all a good one.  I realized I was doubting Him.  I realized that I was struggling to let Him be enough for me.  I knew He was asking for that, and I needed to be willing. 

So I took Facebook off my phone and put strict limits on how much social media I was allowed,  and entered into a 10-day period of trying to quiet all the distractions and just trying to feast on Him with every moment He allowed me.  I prayed that I would be overwhelmed by the love that He longs to lavish on me.  And I was.  But along with it, what I discovered wasn’t all that pretty.  Pride.  Fear.  Doubt.  The more time I spent with Him, the more undone I realized I was and the more I realized I needed Him.   And I realized He was asking me: “I know you believe that I can make beauty from ashes, but do you really truly believe I can do it in your life, your family and in your mess?  And do you understand that it may not happen the way you think it will or want it to, but in MY divine way?”

I’m only writing this down to remind myself of and to hopefully encourage others with, because in this journey, He led me to a book called The Beauty of Broken, by Elisa Morgan.   In this book, Elisa, the former CEO/President of MOPS International for many years, opens up with her very personal family story of pain and what most would call “messy.”  Yet she weaves God’s redemptive grace through all of it, like a red ribbon of hope because of the blood His Son shed on the cross to cover all of the sin and the mess.  

And that?  That transforms all of the ugly mess and makes it all beautiful. Only through Him. 

I absolutely love this part of the book, wrote it down, and was so encouraged by it that I knew others need to hear it too. 

God used…

Two broken stone tablets… to bring about the Israelites’ repentance.

Broken pitchers that covered torches… to make Gideon’s enemies fall back.

A broken heart… to return King David to His heart.

A broken roof… as an access for a cripple to receive Jesus’ healing.

Broken bread loaves… in Jesus’ feeding the more than 5,000.

Broken fishing nets… to challenge the disciples to fully depend on Him.

A broken flask of nard… to express love that flows out of a relationship.

A broken ship… to steer Paul to Malta to share the Gospel.

A broken body… to provide salvation for all mankind!

Wow.  He not only CAN use brokenness to bring beauty, but He seems to delight in it.

I just have to be willing to let Him.  

"...but You are the Savior, and You take brokenness aside and make it beautiful."

Book review... Whatever You Grow up to Be

Life has been busy and I will get back with personal blogging soon, but I've got some review books I will be posting about in the meantime! The first one is such a sweet one...

I received this book, Whatever You Grow up to Be, in the mail to review, and it was just so sweet and cute that I dropped everything we were doing to read it right away to my little boys! Karen Kingsbury, the author of this book for children, is one of my favorite adult Christian fiction writers. I've also seen her do an incredible job on other children's books, and she has on this one as well. It almost made me cry!

The book follows a little boy from the time he is born until he becomes the father of his own little boy, as the mom reminds him at every stage how she will always be there for him and cheer him on. The illustrations are stunning and cute, as they enter into some imaginative worlds of the boy as well.  The boys loved looking at them, and N particularly was fond of the boy's dog being on almost every page too. ;)

This is a beautiful book that will be treasured by moms and sons alike. I can even see purchasing this for baby showers or your own new son's birth. It will definitely be read over and over to my boys as I remind them how much I love them and will support them in whatever plan God has for their lives.  

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When hurt runs deep...

I’m currently in this group that is supposed to challenge those who love to write to do so more often. It’s always a goal of mine to write and keep writing, but life often gets in the way and makes me busier that I would like to be. So I thought this group might be great motivation to help me stay in the habit of writing regularly, both on this blog and in my journal.

This week’s assignment was to create a piece of writing that uses an analogy. I absolutely love analogies, stories and word pictures. I love when I see or hear something that allows me to think about something else in a new light. I usually end up reflecting on it for quite awhile.  Yet, this week, try as I might, I could not think of any analogies to write about. It reminded me of how I would often tell B how funny he was and to say something that would make me laugh, and he would respond that he can’t just say anything funny right on the spot or it would come out sounding really dumb. :)

Sometimes life just seems what it is at the moment – hard, monotonous, and exhausting. Even though I know that there’s so much more to it than that, and that each day of my life is just a small thread in a beautiful tapestry that I believe God is creating, it’s just hard to see the bigger picture some days. I think that’s why I had a hard time coming up with an analogy to write on last week. It was one of those tedious tiring weeks where I had to be so focused on the practical that I just didn’t have the space in my brain to reflect on cool analogies.

Breaking up kiddy arguments...
      Paying bills...
              Trying to lower a mountain of paperwork...
                     Looking at boxes I wish I could have unpacked by now...
And underneath it all, knowing that February was coming… bringing a possibly very depressing Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of B’s passing with it.

When you experience any kind of grief in life, especially one in your immediate family, it’s easy to live so burdened down sometimes. Yet, if you and I are not careful, we can get so lost in all of the “to dos” and forget about the healing that needs to occur in our hearts. We can stuff those feelings down, busying ourselves in our lists and trying to forget that inside we are aching from a deep deep loss. And sooner or later, if we don’t deal with it, we might just explode inside from the stuffing. That’s why it’s important to focus on how to let the Lord bring healing to our souls so we can move forward with hope.


I just finished reading an unbelievable book by Kay Arthur, called When the Hurt Runs Deep. In it, she shares several points to remember while hurting. Here are just a few of them that I loved and identify with:

1. If God has allowed pain in our lives, He has allowed it for a purpose – a good purpose, because He is a good God. I know that’s oh so hard to believe at the time. It’s a choice to believe that, sometimes every single moment. Some days I audibly must cry out to God and tell Him, “God, I choose to believe that You will bring about good from this. I choose to trust You even though it hurts and I don’t understand why.”

2. Because God is all-knowing, He knows the very source of your deepest pain – and He understands exactly how to heal it. I can look to other things to try to bring healing, but they won’t last or be enough. God knows my heart is breaking. He knows exactly how to heal my heart, and He will do it in His timing. Again – I must seek Him, and then trust.

3. Deep hurt can happen to upright, blameless people; it is not always deserved or earned.  We have to be careful who we listen to when we are hurting. We have to seek the Lord and confess any sin to Him. Then we can free ourselves to live in His desire for us, regardless of what anyone else thinks or feels called to share their opinions about. Read the examples of Joseph and Job in the Bible. They are both men who were walking in faithfulness with God, and both went through a lot of hurt and heartache. God redeemed and restored and brought beauty, but they had to stop listening to some of the voices around them and just seek the voice of the One they believed could rescue them in order to stay faithful through the hardships.

4. Deep, exhausting, unrelenting hurt can bring you to the end of yourself – to complete and total dependence on God – which is the best place you could ever be. I’ve seen this firsthand. Even just practically speaking, I’ve already had to do a lot of things that I don’t have the understanding of how to do. I’ve had to trust Him for pretty much everything. And He’s been faithful every time to provide or to give the skills I need that I sometimes didn’t know I possessed, or bring someone along who does have those skills. I’m dependent on Him, and He in turn makes me, the weak one, strong – but only through His strength alone.  And I truly feel it - I am held.

There’s so much more I could share, but you should get the book and read it for yourself. :) It will comfort and provide hope to you in the midst of any kind of hurt you are going through. It’s meant so much to me that I’m planning to blog again about another part of it – stay tuned!

New must read book... Praying for Boys

I don’t mind admitting it. I was quite nervous when I first heard that I was going to give birth to a baby boy. We had a cute little one year old girl who was keeping us on our toes, but I’m well acquainted with the girl world. I know all of its drama, joys and tears. I know it was a scary journey ahead, but felt better equipped due to by own past of girl drama.  But boys? A whole new scary world for me. And then God, in His gracious manner of teaching me to rely on Him, decided to bless me with yet another boy, right as I was trying to figure the first one out.

From the time my boys were babies, I’ve sensed the enormous need to bathe them deeply in prayer. They are these sweet, affectionate, energetic little men who have tender hearts inside these strong competitive boyish bodies. I want them to stay sweet and kind, but grow up with bold courage and strength to face the culture around them and become the spiritual leaders that I believe God has called them to be. There just seems to be SO much to pray for, and I often don’t even know where to begin.

That’s why I was so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of Brooke McLaughlin’s Praying for Boys launch team and share the word about this fabulous new resource. This brand new book, Praying for Boys, comes with the honest approach to prayer from a mom of boys who wants the very things for her sons that I do. She breaks down the areas of greatest need when praying for our sons, such as integrity, pride, obedience, and the fruit of the Spirit. She offers encouragement to us as moms of boys, and gives example prayers to guide us as we pray. There are even questions available for deeper study and/or discussion groups.

This book was a breath of fresh air to me as I strive to not only parent my boys well, but pray for my boys well. I want to be like Susanna Wesley, who is known for her ability to pray in the midst of mothering many children. Apparently she would put her apron over her head so her children knew that it was no time to bother mama – she was in communion with her Savior. I don’t know about the apron, but I do hope that my children know their mom is their biggest prayer warrior… and that real victory comes when we are willing to get down on our knees.

So don't miss it!  Get your copy here.

It's back... What We're Reading Wednesday

I love to read. I love to discuss books I've read. And I feel like I never get enough reading time these days. So, in the hopes of continuing to find and discuss reading time, I'm starting this back up on my blog. This was originally inspired by my friend Brooke, and I love the idea.
So this week, here's what we're reading:

I just started this in a book club online, and it's like a breath of fresh air. It's reminding me that God created me to reflect His beauty in specific ways, and even when days feel the most mundane they could be, life itself is still art.


And, this one... A beautiful story of loss and hope by a previous American Idol contestant and worship leader. I'm just starting this one too, but it's already been an encouragement in helping me remember I'm not alone in my journey of loss.

And as for the kiddos:


H is just finishing up this one for a school book report, and loved it! Went right along with her crazy big imagination. :)

 
L is a huge Magic Tree House fan! He flies through these books these days! And last but not least...


N does a book theme for his homeschool time each week, and this week it's on this fun book!

Would love to hear what you and your littles are reading! Feel free to comment, and happy Wednesday! :)