New beginnings have a way of defining us. We begin new jobs, new family structures, new habits, and new visions. There is refreshment in starting something that has been unseen and unexplored. But starting again does not necessarily mean starting over. Starting Again Can be Misunderstood When I was young, I lived with the assumption that every time I had to start something I was starting over. This mentality carried me into my 20’s and 30’s as I worked and began to raise a family. While there is value in starting from a clean slate, the misconception of starting over can be a tremendous hurdl ..read more

Have you ever felt like you were juggling a million balls and at any moment one of them would come crashing down…only to allow all the others to follow suit?  I don’t think there is a woman alive who can’t say that at some point they have felt stretched to the point of craziness! I recently got the opportunity to read and review a fantastic book by Morgan Tyree entitled Take Back Your Time: Identify your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity. This book has made a world of difference for me in the way I organize and think through my days. I am constantly juggling all of ..read more

“Ugh”!  I threw the phone into the passenger seat next to me and eased up on the gas.  I was driving through unfamiliar territory in central Texas and had taken a series of wrong turns in my attempt to get back to where my husband sat in a job interview. I pulled the car over and waited for the navigation system to catch up with my location.  On the screen, the words “rerouting” flashed.  I looked out at the vast landscape and took a deep breath.  The scenery outside my window was nothing like the Pacific Northwest I was used to.  Finding peace at this moment was ..read more

Are you looking for a beautifully illustrated piece of children’s literature? Are you hoping to help the child in your life find beauty in nature and revel in simplicity? Farm to Film: An Alphabetical Adventure Told Through the Eyes of an Old Lens, by author and illustrator Hannah Miles Pierrou is a wonderful book you can proudly put on your shelf. This mom of three with an exquisite eye for photography has crafted an absolutely breathtaking book that is sure to delight the littles in your life. Summary of Farm to Film Farm to Film is the delightful alphabetical journey of a visit to grandpa ..read more

**A PDF of this free mini-Bible Study on Matthew 11:28-30 is available for download at the bottom of this reading.** When my children were young, there was a systematic routine that never failed.  Upon strapping them into their little car seats, complete with blankies, binkies, and toys, they would often squirm, arch, and let out an ear-piercing scream. Sometimes the scream would turn into a full-on cry. But often in those moments, as they would kick and fuss, they would express their frustration of being forced to be restrained.  Within a matter of minutes and sometimes second ..read more

**A PDF of this Free Mini Bible Study on Isaiah 43:1-2 is available for download at the bottom of this reading.** Reading through Isaiah 43:1-2, the list of cataclysmic events the writer describes may seem surreal. However, devastation and tragedy can arrive at any second. At the heart of this passage, we are reminded that God’s love for us is greater than anything we face. We can walk with confidence in His unchanging love and continual grace in our lives. Last September, when cozy campfires called for smores and blankets, the smell of imminent threat and fear mixed with uncertainty permeate ..read more

I could see the pain in my sweet friend’s eyes. She seemed paralyzed and there was nothing I could do or say at that moment that would fix her problem. Fear had gripped her heart over circumstances she could not control–and she didn’t know what to do. I had no answers and the reality of the situation settled over us like a heavy, wet, wooly blanket. As we continued our conversation, details around the change she was facing with her family emerged. She sighed after sharing her story and looked at me through tears. “What am I going to do? I am so scared.” At that moment, the vulnerability and t ..read more

New beginnings have a way of defining us. We begin new jobs, new family structures, new habits, and new visions. There is refreshment in starting something that has been unseen and unexplored. But starting again does not necessarily mean starting over. When I was young I lived with the assumption that every time I had to start something I was starting over. This mentality carried me into my 20’s and 30’s as I worked and began to raise a family. While there is value in starting from a clean slate, the misconception of starting over can be a tremendous hurdle to forwarding growth. As we grow an ..read more

Have you ever felt like you were juggling a million balls and at any moment one of them would come crashing down…only to allow all the others to follow suit?  I don’t think there is a woman alive who can’t say that at some point they have felt stretched to the point of craziness! I recently got the opportunity to read and review a fantastic book by Morgan Tyree entitled Take Back Your Time: Identify your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity. This book has made a world of difference for me in the way I organize and think through my days. I am constantly juggling all of ..read more

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of Becoming Sage by Michelle Van Loon. As I have grown in my faith and motherhood, I have often thought that the process of becoming more like Jesus can be a frustrating walk. Raised early on to love Jesus and church, it feels at times that we can reach a plateau in our faith story. Michelle Van Loon, in her latest book, Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, does a beautiful job of helping middle-aged women transition through these plateaus and thrive as daughters of the King. Becoming Sage is ..read more