Author Archive

Perfect Peace

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This past month has consisted of:  packing our whole life wrapping up tons of odds and ends in Lynchburg saying goodbye to each one of our friends. getting a new home in a new state staying at a friend’s house with my girls leaving the girls to secure said home staying at my in-laws for a week and a half working from home while accomplishing the above list caring for the girls driving across country HOLY MOLY And here is how we have made it through… Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Now, I wouldn’t say my mind has been in perfect peace at all times. There have been plenty of moments of irrational thought and action. There have been times of sadness and stress and fear and

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My Painted House

So, I have this friend Rachel who happens to be an awesome artist. A few weeks ago I asked her is she might be willing to do a painting of my home for me. See, I sorta love my home..the trees, the yard, the memories..and I just was not ready to let it go. Well, girlfriend delivered! Here was my reaction…joy and tears!   Here’s a close up. She captured it so welll..my wreath and pillows and flowers and ferns. Even the missing boxwood to the left of the door that we never replaced. And each of these details tells a story. And the sum of these stories points to the sweetness of this last season of our lives. And for a moment I pulled it together to pose with my new painting (outside Comcast where Rachel met me so

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On Being a Brave Mom

In Bread and Wine, when Shauna Niequist is writing about her mom, she says, “She teaches me, through her words and actions, that if you take the next right step, if you live a life of radical and honest prayer, if you allow yourself to be led by God’s spirit, no matter how far from home and familiarity it takes you, you won’t have to worry about what you want to be when you grow up. You’ll be too busy living a life of passion and daring.” I just love this. I love it because I feel my mom taught me a lot of the same things. She encouraged me to take risks, to push the limits and to go whole-heartedly after what I thought was right. I also love this because I want to be this type of mom.

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The Task Closest To Us…

“We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power…Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.”   Oswald Chambers So, today, it might be packing, or grading or wiping a snotty nose…and  in all these things I have the opportuniuty to see God. How cool is that? a    

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What Will I do Without You?

“What will I do without you?” I have said these very words to a number of my dear friends over these past few months. Lately, regularly, something happens and I think, “what I will do without_______?”  (fill in the name of a fabulous friend here). Like… Who will I call in an emergency? Who will watch my girls in a moments notice? Who will take long, venting walks with me? Who will confront me when my hair really is just too greasy? Who will drink a glass of wine on my back deck with me? Who will menu plan and co-host dinner parties with me? Who will flea market shop with me? Pray for me? Cry with me? Eat far too many brownies with me? Dream, plan, create with me? Who will watch reality tv re-runs with me? Who will

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Feeling Like You’re Home

I’m reading a pre-release of Shauna Neiquest’s new book, Bread and Wine. This is such a moving book that I consume most sections while blinking back tears. However, I love what she says in this section about the home, “What people are craving isn’t perfection. People aren’t longing to be impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how undone, no matter how odd.” And she is SO right. There have been times in my past where my home was “a source of shame,” as she mentions; where I have closed the door to my home instead of inviting people in to enjoy it with all its’ imperfections. I

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Giving Up A Good Life…

I was small talking with another mom a few days ago at the library, when I heard myself say, “Actually, we are moving to Colorado.” And in that moment, I realized, I could barely recognize the girl who was speaking such words. I sorta believed Nic and I would never move. We have LOVED our life in Lynchburg. Loved our church, our friends, our homes, LOVED the life we have had here. But something changed…and a longing for something we couldn’t even clearly articulate was growing in our hearts. So we started praying, asking God (who we believe can lead and direct us) where we should be. That simple act alone was the opening of a clenched fist. I felt like God was asking me to let go of this good life.  And slowly, I was able to do so.

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Runaway Emotions

I am fairly emotional woman (possibly, I am not alone in this?). I cry easily and my heart is prone to be tossed from sadness to elation to despair all within a few hours (or minutes, perhaps). For this very reason I have to keep a tight rein on my emotions. I don’t mean I don’t allow myself to feel, because I do, I even cherish a good deep sob. But for me it’s the everyday, every moment emotions that creep in and can cause chaos in my heart and mind. Someone says something in passing and it really hurts me, or I see something on Facebook and I feel insecure. Maybe, I’m just getting my girls ready for preschool and I feel angry at their disobedience. Instead of allowing these emotions to simmer and grow into full on “situations”

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Drawing Winner!

Laura Hoskins you are the winner of the Porch Shop credit for commenting on the Enjoying Right Now post. Thanks for your thoughts and sharing your heart. Now come on over and shop!!!!

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Toddler Cart Bed

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Mac got a pretty major bed upgrade this weekend when we scored some old carts. I knew these would be awesome any number of ways, but a toddler bed is one of the best!! The wood is amazing. The wheels are chunky and “real-deal” The other end has this metal piece instead of wheels which keeps it in place quite nicely. And, they are super heavy, so they won’t be moved around much (at least not by a toddler) Pretty much I love it. I do have others if you are interested in purchasing one. There are endless possibilities with these. Coffee tables, bar carts, kitchen islands…and on I could go. (They will, however, require some tweaking (as they are far too short to be a coffee table as is. they are 11 in Hx 30 in W and 60

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