For Christmas this year, I gave my mom and my daughter matching necklaces. They are engraved with the Hebrew words for steadfast love. I wanted them to have these because they are the women before and after me in my personal and faith heritage. And perhaps not coincidentally, they are also the two people in… Keep Reading
Speaking Faith and Speaking Truth
I share a lot about “speaking the truth in love.” I think our doing this faithfully has the power to transform relationships and ultimately, lives. Today Erin has an interesting perspective on speaking truth, that might be even true-er (is that a word?!) than how we normally speak… she’s talking about speaking faith. (And the… Keep Reading
Just Do Something {Hope and Motivation When You Feel Stuck}
What happens when you get stuck? Do you ever hit a wall? Feel overwhelmed by all the doing required in day-to-day survival? Want to punch something or just go cry, because every corner you turn seems to bring one more task, job, or “should,” that you can’t seem to check off a never-ending list? Does… Keep Reading
Hope for a Broken World
Sometimes – well most of the time – I write bubbly. I know this. People who meet me for the first time tell me “I knew you’d be a hugger.” And I am! Most of the time, I’m filled with joy and gratefulness that I’m unconditionally loved by God and that He’s saved me from… Keep Reading
Offering Hospitality to Husbands {Creating Welcome in Marriage}
There’s something to be said for inviting others into our homes, but when it comes down to it, we have to be intentional about first offering hospitality to those who are closest to us. When we do that, our “external” welcome is more genuine, and we invest in the family relationships that make us stronger… Keep Reading
Hygge Hospitality: Creating Cozy
It’s the time of year when we’re recovering from holiday celebrating. Slowing down and regrouping. Maybe pulling in and resting from activity, or organizing and streamlining after a time of bounty. Whatever your tendencies after the winter holidays, whatever the weather where you are, there’s something to be said for incorporating a bit of “cozy”… Keep Reading
Make room in your hearts…
Over and over again the phrase about Mary from scripture strikes me: “And she treasured up all these things, and kept them in her heart.”\ (Luke 2:19, NIV) This truly is heart-centered hospitality. I want to be a woman who makes room in my heart for the things that matter… for the things… Keep Reading
Cocoa Party
One of our favorite Christmas traditions is throwing a caroling and hot cocoa party. There’s something so magical (and amusing!) about getting people together who don’t normally perform in public, feeding everyone sugar, and singing our hearts out to celebrate the coming of the King! (Scroll below for a free printable Christmas party invitation!)… Keep Reading
Thankfulness in Letting Go
It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and there is almost always something to be thankful for. Especially in the west, we have roofs over our heads, food on our tables, and resources running over for what we “need.” But what what about when we aren’t “feeling it?” What do we do when we have expectations that… Keep Reading
Feeding Joy (and a Thanksgiving idea round-up!)
Am I the only one who can get a bit grumpy gloomy a pain in the neck melancholy when things aren’t how I hope for the holidays? I had a little heart-check this week and I’m climbing out of my whiny state (I’m going to be missing a couple kiddos this Thanksgiving), and I’m… Keep Reading