Lopsided Living at Christmas

Can you believe Christmas is just over two weeks away? I don't know about you but to me it really feels like 2016 has flown by. As we've been working out our holiday calendar and plans, we keep coming back to our WHY. This year it's circled back to time for just our little family of three. With the realization that Casiday's senior year is just around the corner, both Scott and I have a keen awareness of the sweetness of these how quickly the time of our girl living here with us is passing ... [Read More]

The Advent Invitation: Come in all your messiness

I've been doing the She Reads Truth study on The Beatitudes. It's one of my favorite passages—and also one that reminds me how much I need Jesus. I started reading these verses in Matthew 5 the day after the election and I've been reading them, meditating on them, praying them, and studying ever since. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ... [Read More]

Why Does Advent Matter?

  Our Elf is not on the shelf this year. She's happily resting on a ladder propped against the tree. She'll stay there with her little sideways grin until we pack all the stuff up until next year.  (Unless, that is, our fifteen-year-old decides she wants to use the elf to torment her daddy  at some point this month.) I've got two Advent calendars and a little chalkboard to count down the days set out. But, let's be real here, it's only December 3 and I'm already behind. As much ... [Read More]

Advent Ideas and 2 Gifts You Should Give Yourself

December 1, 2015. Wow. This morning as I was having my quiet time, I realized this year has truly flown by. It feels like just yesterday I was sharing the 31 Verses to Pray for Your Marriage. We've got a busy week ahead, as I'm sure many of you can relate. Yesterday, in the email I sent out to all those who have subscribed {I really need a good name for you sweet friends who are getting my emails ... any ideas??} I shared five ways I'm seeking to abide during this busy holiday season.  I've ... [Read More]

5 Ways to Shine Bright this Christmas

It's here ... the final countdown.  Christmas is just five days away.  It's easy to spend these last few days wrapped up in the execution of the plans we've been making for the past few weeks. And while there is nothing wrong with perfect Christmas meals, beautifully wrapped packages, and festive get-togethers, maybe you want something a little more for this year. Maybe you're an Advent failure whose calendar is still on December 8th. (I can relate.)  Maybe you forgot to get an angel off ... [Read More]

Great Provider excerpt from When God Draws Near devotions

Sharing one of the devotions from When God Draws Near: the story of redemption.  Free download ... go ahead and get your copy now! Great Provider Reading: Psalm 23 We have a seven-year-old nephew and, as my husband says, “His want-er isn’t broken.” He can open any catalog, watch any commercial, or walk down the aisles of any store and share the litany of all his wants. Of course, most of our want-ers are broken either, are they? We’ve got our own Christmas lists. They may not be full of ... [Read More]